Jhalda is a city and a municipality in Purulia district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

According to the District Census Handbook 2011, Puruliya, Jhalda municipality covered an area of 3.85 km2 (1.49 sq mi).

Jhalda subdivision, shown in the map alongside, is located in the western part of the district, bordering Jharkhand.

Jhalda Municipality has total administration over 3,676 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage.

It is also authorize to build roads within Municipality limits and impose taxes on properties coming under its jurisdiction Jhalda occupied an important place in the industrial history of the world.

But the closure of the shellac factories dealt a heavy blow to the economy of the municipal centre; other trades like bidis and cutlery have also dwindled over time.

One of the main areas visited locally is the Ajodhya Hills about 35 km (22 mi) from Jhalda which situated in Baghmundi.