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Introduction
THE present Bankura district is the heart of the ancient Summha area ofMahabharat or Rarh or Larh of the old Jain Acharanga- sutra. Rarh Desh was described to have two areas, namely, Bajjabhumi and Summhabhumi. In the Buddhist Jatakas also there is mention of Summhabhumi. The present district of Bankura has the districts of Purulia, Burdwan, Hooghly and Midnapore at her borders.
The district lies in between the hills and terrains of Chotanagpur and Santal Parganas in Bihar on one side and the alluvial fertile
land of Bengal on the other. The physiographical features of this district are partially
available in the bordering districts of Midnapur and Purulia.
Rarh Desh covers parts of other districts in Bengal, which adjoins Bankura district.1
1 The Tribes and Castes of West Bengal: A.Mitra: W.B. Government, 1953, pp. 83-198.
Author - P. C. Roy Choudhury
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