MELA . This fair took place once in a year and continues 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 ( whether it is for marriage ceremony or for any occasions ) 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 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 REBEL 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. 

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. 

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.