The earliest administrative mention of Dhanbad, refers to the transfer of the headquarters of Gobindapur subdivision of erstwhile Manbhum District to Dhanbaid (as it was then known) in the closing years of the 16th century.

[1] Dhanbad district was created in 1956 by carving out the old Dhanbad subdivision and Chas and Chandankiyari police station areas of the Sadar subdivision of Manbhum district, on the recommendations of the States Reorganisation Commission.

[2] Dhanbad Sadar subdivision, the only subdivision in the district, can broadly be divided into three natural divisions - the north and north western portions consisting of the hilly region, the uplands containing coal mines and most of the industries and the remaining uplands and plains lying to the south of the Damodar river consisting of culturable flat lands.

[2] Dhanbad Sadar subdivision has two statutory towns namely Dhanbad and Chirkunda and 44 census towns: Hariharpur, Topchanchi, Gomoh, Gunghasa, Matigara, Bhimkanari, Nadkharki, Madhuban, Barora, Dumra, Harina, Muraidih, Rajganj, Mahlidih, Kharkhari, Sahnidih, Malkera, Nagri Kalan, Babua Kalan, Phulwartanr, Jhinghipahari, Mahuda, Gobindpur, Karmatanr, Jangalpur, Pondar Kanali, Sialgudri, Aralgoria, Sansikhara, Bardubhi, Alagdiha, Suranga, Baliapur, Bhamal, Panrra, Nirsa, Marma, Egarkunr, Siuliban, Mera, Maithon, Panchmahali, Dumarkunda and Panchet.

*No information available as of June 2019 A broad area-wise distribution of coalmines of Bharat Coking Coal Limited is given below:[7] Note: All the linked Area pages provide relevant details of the collieries and carry maps indicating the location of the collieries .