Bihar: Difference between revisions
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== Capital and Major Cities == | == Capital and Major Cities == | ||
[[Patna]] the provincial capital of Bihar dates back in the Indian history when the town was called Patliputra and later on it was also called Kusumpura. The city was visited by Lord Buddha in the 6th century B.C. Patliputra, in the time of Ashoka became the centre from where messengers of peace and international understanding were sent to all over India and beyond. The glories of the city revived with the rise of the Gupta Empire in the early 4th century A.D. and Chandragupta I, who was the first emperor of the [[Gupta dynasty]], had his capital here. Fahian, Chinese pilgrim, who visited this city in early 5th century A.D, has left a very rich description of the place. | |||
In the Muslim period, The King [[Sher Shah Suri]] (1488 –1545), the Afghan emperor, revived his capital and constructed a fort here on a strategic location and put a boundary around Patna. Later the Mughals acknowledged the importance of Patna when [[Humayun]] (1508 – 1556) the eldest son of the Emperor [[Babar]], who succeeded his father to the throne in 1530, defeated the Suri dynasty and became the emperor of Hindustan. Subsequently, Akbar (1542 – 1605) the Mughal emperor of India who established a tolerant policy of co-operation with the Hindu population, and whose reign saw the zenith of Mughal power brought Patna into his own kingdom. The city was extended and beautified by different Mughal Governors, who built a large number of buildings for religious as well as administrative and public purposes. | |||
Patna played an important part when Mir Qasim Ali Khan who was enthroned in 1760 and he tried to throw off the yoke of the British. Mir Qasim fled from Monghyr to Patna and had 50 Englishmen executed by his German General Samru – the cemetery of those executed Englishmen lies behind the present City Hospital building. But in November 1763 Patna was captured by the British troops and Mir Qasim fled to Oudh. In 1764, in the famous battle of Buxer, Mir Qasim was defeated along with his allies by the British and he had to escape. He died, in 1777, in exile. | |||
'''History OF Patna''' | |||
The history and tradition of Patna go back to the earliest dawn of civilization. The original name of Patna was Pataliputra or Patalipattan and its history makes a start from the century 600 B.C. The name Patna has undergone many changes at its earliest stages like Pataligram, Kusumpur, Patliputra, Azimabad etc., ultimately terminating to the present one. Chandragupta Maurya made it his capital in the 4th century B.C. Thereafter the city lost its importance until Sherkhan Suri rose into power in the early 16th century A.D. Another version that comes to focus is that there existed a village named Pattan or Patthan, which later turned into Patna.It has been said that Pataliputra was founded by Ajatashatru. Patna, therefore, has become inextricably bound up with the ancient Pataliputra. The ancient village was named ‘Patali’ and the word ‘Pattan’ was added to it. Greek history mentions ‘Palibothra’ which perhaps is Pataliputra itself. | |||
Ajatashatru had to adopt certain security measures in order to protect Patna from the repeated Lichchavi invasions. He had got a natural riverine fort protected by three rivers. Ajatashatru’s son had moved his capital from Rajagriha to Pataliputra and this status was maintained during the reign of the Mauryas and the Guptas. Ashoka the Great, administered his empire from here. Chandragupta Maurya and Samudragupta, valliant warriors, they took Pataliputra as their capital. It was from here Chahandragupta sent forth his army to fight the Greeks of the western frontier and Chandragupta Vikramaditya repelled the Shakas and the Huns from here. It was there that the Greek ambassador Megasthenes stayed during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. The famous traveler Fa-Hien in the 3rd century and Hiuen-Tsang in the 7th century inspected the city. Many noted scholars like Kautilya stayed here and works like ‘Arthashastra’ were written from this place. This city was the fountainhead of the spring of knowledge and wisdom in ancient times. | |||
Prince Azim-us-Shan, the grandson of Aurangzeb came as the Governor of Patna in 1703. Earlier than that Sher Shah had removed his capital from Biharsharif to Patna. It was prince Azim-us-Shan who tried to turn Patna into a beautiful city and it was he who gave it the name ‘Azimabad’. The common people however went on calling it ‘Patna’. The old Patna or the modern Patna City had at one time a wall all round, the remains of which can still be seen at the entrance of old Patna. | |||
* Other major cities: [[Gaya]], [[Bhagalpur]], [[Muzaffarpur]], [[Darbhanga]], [[Purnia]]<ref>https://urban.bih.nic.in/</ref> | * Other major cities: [[Gaya]], [[Bhagalpur]], [[Muzaffarpur]], [[Darbhanga]], [[Purnia]]<ref>https://urban.bih.nic.in/</ref> | ||
Latest revision as of 07:03, 15 July 2025
| File:Map of Bihar with districts.svg | |
| District map of Bihar | |
| Capital | Patna |
|---|---|
| Largest city | Patna |
| Official languages | Hindi, Urdu |
| Area | 94,163 km² |
| Population | 104,099,452 (2011) |
| Established | 22 March 1912 |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Vehicle code | BR |
| Website | Official site |
Bihar is a state in eastern India, bordered by Nepal to the north and the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh to the west, Jharkhand to the south, and West Bengal to the east. It is the third-most populous state in India and has played a vital role in Indian history, politics, and religion.[1]
History
Bihar is a beautiful state in eastern India with a very long history of human civilization. It was an agglomeration in the times of civilizations and has, for centuries, been a focal point of power, learning, and religion.
Ancient Period
Bihar was the nucleus of the ancient Magadha, which came prominently in Indian history at a very early date. There were many dynasties which ruled over Magadha with the first known being the dynasties of Haryanka, which were followed by Shishunaga, Nanda, Maurya, and Gupta dynasties. From Pataliputra (present-day Patna), Chandragupta Maurya established one of the largest empires in Indian history under the guidance of Chanakya (Kautilya). His grandson Ashoka is known as the great because after the Kalinga War he embraced Buddhism and started propagating it all over Asia.`
Religious Dimensions
Bihar is considered a sacred land for Buddhism, Jainism, and, to the extent of Hinduism and Sikhism. Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, whereas Mahavira the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism also saw his birth in this land. Nalanda and Vikramashila ancient universities attracted scholars from across the world well known for Buddhist learning.
Medieval Period
After the decline of the Gupta Empire, Bihar turned power places into their hands from amongst the regional dynasties such as the Palas and Senas. In the 12th century, it fell to the charm of Muslim rule under Bakhtiyar Khilji, who is infamous for demolishing the ancient Nalanda University. Under the rule of the Mughals, Bihar was put into the integration of the empire but, as compared to its contemporaries, did not shine so brightly as a dimension in the administrative scheme.
Colonial Period
The British East India Company took over control of Bihar after the battle of Buxar (1764). Bihar remained under Bengal Presidency until 1912, when it was carved out as a separate province. During the colonial period, Bihar was in the forefront of India's freedom struggle. The state produced some great leaders, including Dr. Rajendra Prasad (first Indian President), Jayaprakash Narayan, and Sheikh Gulab. In 1917, the Champaran Satyagraha, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, was conducted in Bihar; it was the first big civil disobedience movement in India.
Post-independence period
In 1947, Bihar was made a constituent state of the Indian Union. It has faced on-and-off problems of governance, infrastructure, and poverty over the decades. In the year 2000, southern Bihar was carved out along with the new state of Jharkhand. Bihar, despite financial ill-ease, has made its strides in the 21st century in education, infrastructure, and governance reforms.
Geography
Bihar, a state in eastern India, has an important geographical and cultural location. It shares both international and inter-state boundaries, is home to fertile plains and seasonal rivers, and consists largely of agriculture. Location and Area Bihar is located between latitudes 24°20′10″N and 27°31′15″N; longitudes 83°19′50″E and 88°17′40″E. The total area of the state is 94,163 sq km, ranking it 12th in area among the states in India. Boundaries: Northern Boundary: Nepal (International boundary) Eastern Boundary: West Bengal Western Boundary: Uttar Pradesh Southern Boundary: Jharkhand Physiographic Divisions Bihar has largely three different physiographic areas:
• Northern Plains: The area is located between the Ganga River and the Nepal border. Geologically, this area consists of alluvial soil, making it very fertile. The rivers that go through this area originate in the Himalayas, so flooding is a frequent occurrence.
• Southern Plateau Region: This area covers a portion of southwestern Bihar that borders Jharkhand and includes the hills and rocky terrains of the Chota Nagpur Plateau, which is mineral resource rich.
• Ganga River Basin: The Ganga River flows in west to east direction, delineating North and South Bihar. Major tributaries in the north: Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati in the south: Son, Punpun, Phalgu Major Rivers Bihar is a riverine state with more than 20 major rivers, including: Ganga - the lifeline of Bihar, flowing across the.
• Major Rivers Bihar is a riverine state, with 20+ major rivers such as:
- Ganga - lifeline of Bihar, flowing through Bihar for about 445 km. - Kosi - "sorrow of Bihar" due to floods. - Gandak, Bagmati, Son, Punpun, Phalgu Bold text Climate The climate of Bihar is subtropical monsoon with three seasons:
- Summer (March-June) - hot and dry with temperatures up to 40-45ºC. - Monsoon (June-September) - heavy rainfall, particularly in northern Bihar. - Winter (October-February) - cool and dry: temperatures can fall below 5ºC in many areas. Average annual rainfall 1,200-1,800 mm; highest amounts in northern districts.
Natural Resources Soil: mostly alluvial and suitable for intensive agriculture.
Minerals: some mineral resources, including mica, bauxite, limestone, and coal in the southern plateau region.
Forest: covers about 7% of the area of the state; mainly in southern and eastern districts.
Environmental Issues Flooding: in particular Kosi and Gandak basins.
Deforestation and land degradation.
Soil runoff in the hills
Capital and Major Cities
Patna the provincial capital of Bihar dates back in the Indian history when the town was called Patliputra and later on it was also called Kusumpura. The city was visited by Lord Buddha in the 6th century B.C. Patliputra, in the time of Ashoka became the centre from where messengers of peace and international understanding were sent to all over India and beyond. The glories of the city revived with the rise of the Gupta Empire in the early 4th century A.D. and Chandragupta I, who was the first emperor of the Gupta dynasty, had his capital here. Fahian, Chinese pilgrim, who visited this city in early 5th century A.D, has left a very rich description of the place.
In the Muslim period, The King Sher Shah Suri (1488 –1545), the Afghan emperor, revived his capital and constructed a fort here on a strategic location and put a boundary around Patna. Later the Mughals acknowledged the importance of Patna when Humayun (1508 – 1556) the eldest son of the Emperor Babar, who succeeded his father to the throne in 1530, defeated the Suri dynasty and became the emperor of Hindustan. Subsequently, Akbar (1542 – 1605) the Mughal emperor of India who established a tolerant policy of co-operation with the Hindu population, and whose reign saw the zenith of Mughal power brought Patna into his own kingdom. The city was extended and beautified by different Mughal Governors, who built a large number of buildings for religious as well as administrative and public purposes.
Patna played an important part when Mir Qasim Ali Khan who was enthroned in 1760 and he tried to throw off the yoke of the British. Mir Qasim fled from Monghyr to Patna and had 50 Englishmen executed by his German General Samru – the cemetery of those executed Englishmen lies behind the present City Hospital building. But in November 1763 Patna was captured by the British troops and Mir Qasim fled to Oudh. In 1764, in the famous battle of Buxer, Mir Qasim was defeated along with his allies by the British and he had to escape. He died, in 1777, in exile.
History OF Patna
The history and tradition of Patna go back to the earliest dawn of civilization. The original name of Patna was Pataliputra or Patalipattan and its history makes a start from the century 600 B.C. The name Patna has undergone many changes at its earliest stages like Pataligram, Kusumpur, Patliputra, Azimabad etc., ultimately terminating to the present one. Chandragupta Maurya made it his capital in the 4th century B.C. Thereafter the city lost its importance until Sherkhan Suri rose into power in the early 16th century A.D. Another version that comes to focus is that there existed a village named Pattan or Patthan, which later turned into Patna.It has been said that Pataliputra was founded by Ajatashatru. Patna, therefore, has become inextricably bound up with the ancient Pataliputra. The ancient village was named ‘Patali’ and the word ‘Pattan’ was added to it. Greek history mentions ‘Palibothra’ which perhaps is Pataliputra itself.
Ajatashatru had to adopt certain security measures in order to protect Patna from the repeated Lichchavi invasions. He had got a natural riverine fort protected by three rivers. Ajatashatru’s son had moved his capital from Rajagriha to Pataliputra and this status was maintained during the reign of the Mauryas and the Guptas. Ashoka the Great, administered his empire from here. Chandragupta Maurya and Samudragupta, valliant warriors, they took Pataliputra as their capital. It was from here Chahandragupta sent forth his army to fight the Greeks of the western frontier and Chandragupta Vikramaditya repelled the Shakas and the Huns from here. It was there that the Greek ambassador Megasthenes stayed during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. The famous traveler Fa-Hien in the 3rd century and Hiuen-Tsang in the 7th century inspected the city. Many noted scholars like Kautilya stayed here and works like ‘Arthashastra’ were written from this place. This city was the fountainhead of the spring of knowledge and wisdom in ancient times.
Prince Azim-us-Shan, the grandson of Aurangzeb came as the Governor of Patna in 1703. Earlier than that Sher Shah had removed his capital from Biharsharif to Patna. It was prince Azim-us-Shan who tried to turn Patna into a beautiful city and it was he who gave it the name ‘Azimabad’. The common people however went on calling it ‘Patna’. The old Patna or the modern Patna City had at one time a wall all round, the remains of which can still be seen at the entrance of old Patna.
Economy
Bihar’s economy is primarily agrarian, with rice, wheat, sugarcane, and lentils as major crops. Industrial growth is emerging in textiles, leather, and IT. In recent years, the state has focused on infrastructure and education-led development.[3]
Government
Bihar has a bicameral legislature with the Governor of Bihar as the constitutional head and the Chief Minister of Bihar as the executive authority. It sends 40 Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and 16 (Rajya Sabha).[4]
Education
Bihar is home to some of the oldest and most significant educational institutions:
- Nalanda University (ancient and revived)
- Patna University
- IIT Patna
- NIT Patna[5]
Culture
Bihar has a rich cultural heritage in music, dance, and festivals. It is known for:
- Chhath Puja
- Madhubani paintings
- Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magahi literature
Tourism
Key tourist attractions include:
- Bodh Gaya – UNESCO World Heritage site
- Nalanda – Ancient university ruins
- Rajgir – Historic and religious town
- Vaishali, Patna Museum, and Kesariya Stupa[6]
Notable Personalities
- B. R. Ambedkar (elected from Bihar to Constituent Assembly)
- Jayaprakash Narayan
- Rajendra Prasad – First President of India
- Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad Yadav – Noted political figures