Dhanbad district was constituted in 1956 by carving out the old Dhanbad subdivision, Chas and Chandankiyari police stations of the Sadar subdivision of the erstwhile Manbhum district. Dhanbad is Police district since 1928. The re-organisation of the districts in the State of Bihar which took place after 1971 did not affect the district of Dhanbad. Dhanbad Municipality is the chief town and the headquarters of the district. In the year 1991,Bokaro District was constituted by carving out Chas Sub-division of Dhanbad district and Bermo Sub-division of Giridih District.

The district is bounded on the west by Giridih and Bokaro on the north by Giridih and Dumka and on the east and south by Purulia district of West Bengal.

The early history of the greater part of the Chotanagpur plateau is shrouded in mystery and that of Dhanbad district is particularly so. Details of even later periods are difficult to trace as the present district formed but a small and insignificant part of Manbhum. In the Settlement Report for Manbhum (1928) it has been stated that no rock inscriptions, copper plates or old coins were discovered and not a single document of copper plate or palm leaf was found in course of the Survey and Settlement operations. The oldest authentic documents produced were all on paper and barely even a hundred years old.

In view  of these circumstances the District Gazetteer for Dhanbad (1964) merely reproduces the chapter on history in the Settlement Report of 1928 which pertains to the entire district of Manbhum.

It was a small village of the erstwhile district of Manbhum which had its headquarter in Purulia (now in West Bengal). Manbhum in turn, derived its name from Raja Man Singh who was gifted this territory by Emperor Akbar , following his victory in a certain battle. The district being extremely vast and far-flung soon got divided into Birbhum, Manbhum and Singhbhum, for administrative purposes.

However, on 24.10.56 Dhanbad was declared a District on the Recommendation of  the State  Reconstitution Commission vide  notification 1911 . Its geographical length , extending from North  to South , was 43 miles and breadth , 47 miles , stretching across East to West . In 1991 a part of Dhanbad was sliced away  from Bokaro district , diminishing thereby its total area to 2995 Sq.Kms. 

Earlier, the district was split into two sub-divisions - Dhanbad sadar and Baghmara. The former incorporated 6 blocks, while the latter had four and together they enclosed 30 Bagar Palikas, 228 Panchayats and 1654 villages. The then vastness of the district called for two police headquarters, based at Bokaro and Dhanbad respectively. Meanwhile, the district as its stands today, has only one sub-division called the Dhanbad Sadar. There are presently, 8 blocks here viz. Jharia, Baghmara, Dhanbad, Nirsa, Govindpur, Baliapur, Tundi and Topchanchi. The blocks in turn have 181 panchayats and 1348 villages. As per the 1991 Census, the total population of the districts stands at 19,49,526 of which the number of males have been recorded as 10,71,913 along with 8,77,613 females.

There are 100850 acres of hillocks and 56454 acres of forests. It id about 500-1000 feet above Sea level. Its soil is, by and large lateritic in nature.

Dhanbad - Sightseeing     

• Charak  Pathar : The village is situated in GOVINDPUR development block. It is a very large ancient boulder of white stone. It derives its name from this stone.

• Chati Gobindpur  : The village which also is located in GOVINDPUR development block, contains two ancient pillars which are locally associated with Emperor Asoka and the Afghan Chief Sher Shah.
• Gopalpur : The village lies in Nirsa-cum-Chirkunda development block. It contains an ancient pillar  said to date back to the time of Emperor Asoka. There is also a large stone image said to be of Asoka himself.
• Jhinjhipahari : The village is situated in Baghmara development block . It is said that an ancient temple of Lord Shiva was found when the mines here were being worked.

• Meva : The village is situated in Nirsa-cum-Chirkunda Block . It contains ancient pillars said to date back to the time of  Emperor Ashoka. There is also a large stone image said to be of Ashoka himself.

• Panrra : The village which also lies in Nirsa-cum-Chirkunda Block, it said to have derived its name from the Pandavas. According to local legend the Pandavas spent some period of their exile in hiding at this place. The village contains an ancient temple of Lord Shiva known as Pandeweshar Mahadev. The temple is believed to have been constructed by Hindu King at a much later day.
• Chark - Khurd : The village, situated about 10 Kms from Tundi on the Dhanbad- Govindpur -Giridih Road, is noted for its hot spring .

• Topchanchi : The village is the headquarters of the development block being the same name. It is situated on the Grand Trunk Road. The Parasnath Hill is located nearby. The Topchanchi Water Reservoir spreads over an area of  214 Ac. It is a noted picnic spot.
• Maithon : It is census town situated about 48 Kms. From Dhanbad and 5 Kms. From Kumardubhi Rly. Station . The Maithon Dam and Hydel Power Stations are located in this town.
• Panchet : This is also a census town situated 9 Kms. South of Chirkunda and about 54 Kms. South east of Dhanbad. The Panchet Dam, around which the Township has developed, is located here.

• Jamadoba : There is a water filter plant of M.A.D.A (Mineral Area Development Authority ) from where water supply is being made to Dhanbad District.

There are presently, 8 blocks here viz. Jharia, Baghmara, Dhanbad, Nirsa, Govindpur, Baliapur, Tundi and Topchanchi. The blocks in turn have 181 panchayats and 1348 villages.