History of Lohardaga dates back to ancient periods and the place has witenessed many ups and downs. Lohardaga, in fact, has fallen from a very high status to a lower one. This place has been repeatedly mentioned in ancient Jain literature. It refers to Lord Mahavir's visit to a place called "Lore-a-Yadaga". This term also exists in a local dialect of tribals called Mundari. There is also reference to Kismate Lohardaga in 'Aain-e-Akbari'. The ruins of forts and temples of Korambe, Bhandra, and Khukhra-bhakso, are mute testimony to its rich cultural past. Lohardaga was once a major centre for smelting iron. Around 1765, the British entered into administration of this area. In 1833, 'South West Frontier Agency" was established, and subsequently the Governor General of India posted his chief agent here. Lohardaga became his residence. In 1842 the Principal Assistant to the "Agent" was relocated from Lohardaga to Ranchi (then known as Kishunpur). In 1843, the district of Lohardaga's status got reduced. The district headquarter was shifted to Ranchi with the appointment of a Deputy Commissioner. District Court was also established at Ranchi. In 1854, the South West Frontier Agency was abolished. However, the Commissioner continued to work from Lohardaga until 1899. And with this the status of Lohardaga was reduced to mere a town of Ranchi district. Lohardaga lied in this lowly status until 1972, when the government of Bihar upgraded its status upto some extent and notified Lohardaga as a Sub Division of Ranchi district. It got further an inhanced status as a district on 17th May 1983.