Once a small grain trading hub of the region, Chas became notable during the Second World War when the British government used it as a base to supply soldiers fighting in the eastern front against the Japanese. After the decision of Government of India to establish the Bokaro Steel Plant, the economic activity of Chas gathered momentum. It was the administrative headquarters of the area when Bokaro was a part of Dhanbad district, and later when Bokaro became a district itself. Later the headquarters were moved to the Bokaro steel city
