Jharkhand's Ancient Megalithic Sites: Uncovering 1000-Year-Old Tribal Traditions

A dusty road through Chokahatu village in Tamar block, nearly 80 kilometres from the state capital, leads to a site where time stands still. Thousands of rocks of various shapes and sizes dot the landscape. At first glance, it might appear like any other rocky terrain. A close look reveals that it is anything but ordinary.
The seven-acre expanse, which is at the heart of this quiet tribal-dominated hamlet, is a megalithic site which dates back to 1,000 years. Home to stone tombs and memorials, some of these tombs appear to have been erected in recent years.
The stone monuments reflect a burial custom and rituals which had been in practice for several hundred years. To this day, the rituals hold significance for the local community. Each stone, carefully placed, speaks of generations that lived, remembered their dead, and preserved their traditions through enduring symbols.
The natives, Chokahatu, belonging to the Munda tribe, erected stone structures of varying sizes, including large horizontal burial slabs and dolmen-like formations supported by short upright stone pillars. Many of these structures resemble stone tables and are known as Sasandiris in Mundari language. Raised in memory of departed members of the community, the structures reflect a long-standing funerary tradition. Researchers describe the Chokahatu megalithic site as the largest in Indian subcontinent.
Sudhir Singh Patar, the village priest (pahan), said the custom of erecting stone tombs was followed by the Munda community since time immemorial. “When a member of the Munda tribe dies in our village, the family collects the ashes and bones after cremation and, within 10 days, installs a stone slab at the Harsalli (burial site) in memory of the departed soul. This tradition, practised from ancient times, is followed till date,” he said. However, Patar rued that despite its rich historical and cultural significance, the spot was crying for preservation efforts and upkeep by the authorities. “Except for erecting a boundary wall three years back, no significant step has been taken to protect the place. As a result, the site is now filled with dirt and filth, waste materials, and even human excreta, posing serious threats to around 1,000-year-old heritage,” he added

Jharkhand: a treasure hub of megaliths
Apart from the site at Chokahatu, there are numerous megalithic sites commissioned by various tribal communities such as the Mundas, Hos, Asurs and Oraons across 24 districts. Each carry a distinctive feature.
Every tribal village in the state has a burial ground with diverse names such as hargarhi, hargarha, harsalli, and jangarha. These sites comprise an assortment of varied megalithic architectures. The megalithic structures of each tribe vary as per their tradition, social stature of the deceased, cause of death and other reasons.
“Unlike other megalith sites in India and many parts of the world, the stones of Jharkhand are not remnants of a forgotten world. They are living witnesses, recording ancestry, astronomy, and human resilience across millennia,” said Subhashis Das, an independent researcher and author who researched Jharkhand’s megaliths for over three decades.
West Singhbhum, Khunti, Lohardaga, Hazaribag, and Chatra districts also have several of megalithic sites.
“The sites in Chaibasa (West Singhbhum) are among the rarest, where stone burials can be found not in secluded places but inside the city itself. The members of the Ho tribe install the stone burials in their courtyards in memory of their family members, unlike other places in Jharkhand and elsewhere. Apart from death burials, megaliths found in Hazaribag and Chatra have astronomical importance, highlighting rich knowledge of astronomy of the ancient people. In Khunti, vertical stones measuring up to 8-10 feet can be witnessed,” Das further added.


Jharkhand’s megaliths crying for conservation and recognition
In 2025, the Mudumal megalithic site in Telangana was added to India’s tentative list of UNESCO world heritage site. However, the megaliths in Jharkhand still lack basic upkeep, mainly due to apathy from the state authorities and lack of awareness among the people. Dr Ranjit Kumar Singh, head of the geology department and principal of Model College Rajmahal in Sahebganj, said, “The megaliths are not mere stones; they carry history. Proper scientific study on these structures can reveal vital information about ancient times. However, neither such studies were carried out in the state, nor any initiatives were taken to create awareness to safeguard these. As a result, many of these sites are losing their originality due to various factors, including climate change.”
Chandan Tiwari, a travel vlogger from the state, said, “There are numerous such sites in the state that possess immense possibility of transforming into tourist destinations, which in turn will boost the rural economy and generate livelihoods.”

Govt begins baby steps
As CM Hemant Soren led delegation visited Davos and UK, state’s megaliths were among their top agendas to help explore ways for getting it the prestigious tag of UNESCO world heritage site. A delegation led by state tourism minister Sudivya Kumar met experts to explore ways for conservation, restoration and scientific management of the state’s megalithic/monolithic heritage. On the other hand, Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy too has submitted a proposal to state assembly speaker Rabindra Nath Mahto to allow his private members’ bill on Jharkhand Geo-Heritage (Fossil) Bill during the upcoming budget session from next month.