Long ago Gumla was a small hamlet. Fair ‘Gau-Mela‘ took place once in a year and continued for one week. Here all items of daily use, utensils, ornaments, grains, cattle etc. were sold & exchanged. Since there was no other alternative to get the items, people make a long list of items required during the year and buy them in this mela. People from distant places used to come here for buying & selling cattle such as cows & bullocks for agricultural purposes. Gradually people started to inhabit this place. It grew into a village and got the name Gumla as a derivative of Gau–Mela.
During the British rule there was a revolt against the British Rule in 1800 AD. Hardly seven years later in 1807, the Oraons in Barway murdered their big landlord of Srinagar west of Gumla. Soon the uprisings spread around Gumla.During British rule Gumla was under Lohardaga district. In 1843 it was brought under Bishunpur province that was further named Ranchi. In fact Ranchi district came into existence in 1899. In 1902 Gumla became Sub-division under Ranchi district.
During medieval era Chhotanagpur region was reigned by Kings of Naga dynasty. Baraik Devenandan Singh was given right to rule over Gumla circle. It is said that during the Kolh Reble in 1931-32, Vaktar Say had played a prominent role. Ganga Maharaj, who built the Kali Temple at Sri Ramnagar, had played active role in Quit India Movement in 1942. For this great contribution for Independence, he was honored with Life Time Pension by government of India.
On 18 MAY 1984 Gumla District came into existence .Sri Jagannath Mishra then ruling Chief Minister of Bihar inaugurated it and Sri Dwarika Nath Sinha acquired the post of 1st deputy commissioner of the just born district
