Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Major coal mines and coalfields
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Jharia is one of the most frequently mentioned places in Indian economic geography because it is a classic example of a coal mining region. Many competitive exams use Jharia to test whether students can associate key industrial or mineral locations with the correct resource. This question checks recall of famous mining centres, which is a basic but important aspect of learning about the spatial distribution of minerals and industries in India.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The concept involved is simple place resource association. Indian geography places strong emphasis on recognising which regions specialise in which minerals, such as Raniganj for coal, Kudremukh for iron ore, Digboi for oil and Jharia for coal. The approach is to recall standard lists from school textbooks and exam notes where Jharia appears consistently as a major coalfield. Knowing that Jharkhand is part of the eastern coal belt further supports this association with coal, not with diamonds, pearls or gold.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative check is to remember various news reports and case studies about underground coal fires, land subsidence and displacement of people in the Jharia coalfield. These stories never involve diamonds, pearls or gold but always focus on coal and its environmental and social impact. Exam preparation books and atlases list Jharia under coalfields, which confirms the correct association beyond doubt.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Large scale diamond mining is associated with places like Panna in Madhya Pradesh, not with Jharia in Jharkhand. Natural pearl fishing is connected with coastal regions, especially in the Gulf of Mannar, not with inland mining towns like Jharia. Primary gold ore mines are known from areas such as Kolar or Hutti, which are in Karnataka, again very different from Jharia. None of the above is incorrect because one option clearly matches the well known fact that Jharia is a coal mining centre.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes mix up names of coalfields or confuse Jharia with other mineral locations such as Jamshedpur or Bokaro, which are more famous for steel plants. Another mistake is guessing based purely on the sound of the name rather than recalling map based learning. Some learners also rush and pick gold or diamonds because these minerals sound more attractive, but exam questions often focus on coal because of its importance for power generation and industry.
Final Answer:
Jharia in Jharkhand is particularly known as a major centre of coal mines and coalfields in India.
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