Before Indian independence in 1947, it was the capital of an expensive zamindari of Barabhum in British India.

Purulia district forms the lowest step of the Chota Nagpur Plateau.

The focus is on education - the university, the sainik school, the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith at Bongabari, the upcoming medical college at Hatuara, et al.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision.

It has 12.39 km inter-state border with Nimdih PS in the Seraikela Kharsawan district of Jharkhand.

Among the medical facilities it had 1 dispensary/ health centre, 1 maternity and child welfare clinic, 1 veterinary hospital, 12 medicine shops.

Affiliated with the Sidho Kanho Birsha University, it offers honours courses in Bengali, English, history, political science, geography, philosophy, financial accounting, mathematics, and general courses in arts, science and commerce.

[17][18] Bansgarh Rural Hospital, with 30 beds at Rangadih, is the major government facility in the Balarampur CD block.