Dhanbad is a city and a municipality in Dhanbad district in the state of Jharkhand, India. It is the district headquarter and famous for its coal mines and industrial establishments; because of this, it has been called the "Coal Capital" of India and the "City of Coal." Until October 25, 1956 Dhanbad was a part of Manbhum District, West Bengal.

The Indian School of Mines, located in Dhanbad, draws students from all over India, as well as some other countries. The Central Mining Research Institute (CMRI), and the Central Fuel Research Institute (CFRI), both of which are controlled by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), are located in the area. The economy of Dhanbad is mainly dependent upon coal and coal based industries. Dhanbad is on the route of the Shatabdi Express,Rajdhani Express.

Tata Steel has set up mines in the area. Coal washing and coke making are the main coal related industry in the city. Other major companies having a presence in the mining activities of this city are :IISCO (Indian Iron And Steel Company),BCCL (Bharat Coking Coal Ltd). BCCL a subsidiary of the CCL (Coal India Ltd) is the largest operator of steel mines in this area and has open cast mines as well as underground mines, whereas Tata Steel has mostly underground mines. These companies have developed townships for its employees containing roads, water, power and sanitation facilities.

The maximum temperature in winter is 22°C, and the minimum is 8°C. In summer, the maximum is 42°C, and the minimum is 22°C

Shopping in Dhanbad

 

The Indian craftsman has been perfecting his art for centuries, passing down traditions and techniques from generation to generation. Each region has its own specialities, each town its own local craftsmen, its own particular skills. The results is a consummate blend of ancient skills and modern aesthetics. Silks, spices, jewellery and many other Indian products have long been famous and widely desired, and merchants would travel thousands of miles, willingly enduring the hardships and privations of the long journey in other to make their purchases. Nowadays, the marketplaces of the subcontinent are only 9 hours away, and for fabrics, silverware, carpets, leatherwork, antiques the list is endless India is a shopping paradise. Goods are exotic, attractive, beautiful hand-crafted and excellent value for money. Half the fun when buying goods in the bazaars is the bargaining, and you can always check for reasonable prices at state-run emporiums. Below are some of the best buys, either for the souvenir hunter or the connoisseur

FABRIC

One of India’s main industries, silks, cottons, and wools rank amongst the best in the world. Of the silks the brocades from Varanasi are among the most famous variety; other major centres include Patna, Murshidabad,Surat and Kanchipuram. Rajasthan cotton with its famous "tie and die" design is usually brillantly colourful, while Chennai (Madras) cotton is known for its attractive "bleeding" effect after a few washes. Throughout the country may be found the "himroo" cloth, a mixture of silk and cotton, often decorated with patterns. Kashmir sells beautiful woollens particularly shawls.

CARPETS

India has one of the world’s largest carpet industries, and many examples of her ancient and beautiful craft can be seen in museums throughout the world. Kashmir has a long history of carpet making, influenced by the Persians. Pure wool and woven and silk carpets are exquisitely made, and can be bought for a fraction of the cost that one would pay in the west. Each region will have its own specialty; such as the distinctive, bright coloured Tibetan rugs, available mainly in Darjeeling.

CLOTHES

Clothes are very cheap to buy, and can be tailor made in some shops, usually very quickly. Choose from an unmatchable range; silks, cottons, himroos, brocades, chiffons, chignons, touched with streaks of silver and gold thread, set with sequins or semi-precious gems.