Dhanbad district is one of the twenty-two districts of Jharkhand and Dhanbad is the administrative headquarters of this district. Dhanbad district was constituted in 1956 by carving out the old Dhanbad subdivision, Chas and Chandankiyari police stations of the Sadar subdivision of the erstwhile Manbhum district. The district is bounded on the west by Giridih and Bokaro on the north by Giridih and Dumka and on the east and south by Purulia district of West Bengal. The Dhanbad district is situated in the state of Jharkhand and lies between 23o37'3" N and 24o4' N latitude and between 86o6'30" E and 86o50' E longitude.

Dhanbad is a city and a municipality in Dhanbad district. 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. 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.

Places of Interest

Charak Pathar: The village is situated in GOVINDPUR development block. It is a very large ancient boulder of white stone. It derives its name from this stone.

Chati Gobindpur: The village which also is located in GOVINDPUR development block, contains two ancient pillars which are locally associated with Emperor Asoka and the Afghan Chief Sher Shah.

Gopalpur: The village lies in Nirsa-cum-Chirkunda development block. It contains an ancient pillar said to date back to the time of Emperor Asoka. There is also a large stone image said to be of Asoka himself.

Jhinjhipahari: The village is situated in Baghmara development block . It is said that an ancient temple of Lord Shiva was found when the mines here were being worked.

Meva: The village is situated in Nirsa-cum-Chirkunda Block . It contains ancient pillars said to date back to the time of Emperor Ashoka. There is also a large stone image said to be of Ashoka himself.

Panrra: The village which also lies in Nirsa-cum-Chirkunda Block, it said to have derived its name from the Pandavas. According to local legend the Pandavas spent some period of their exile in hiding at this place. The village contains an ancient temple of Lord Shiva known as Pandeweshar Mahadev. The temple is believed to have been constructed by Hindu King at a much later day.

Chark - Khurd: The village, situated about 10 Kms from Tundi on the Dhanbad- Govindpur -Giridih Road, is noted for its hot spring .

Topchanchi: The village is the headquarters of the development block being the same name. It is situated on the Grand Trunk Road. The Parasnath Hill is located nearby. The Topchanchi Water Reservoir spreads over an area of 214 Ac. It is a noted picnic spot.

Maithon: It is census town situated about 48 Kms. From Dhanbad and 5 Kms. From Kumardubhi Rly. Station . The Maithon Dam and Hydel Power Stations are located in this town.

Panchet: This is also a census town situated 9 Kms. South of Chirkunda and about 54 Kms. South east of Dhanbad. The Panchet Dam, around which the Township has developed, is located here.