Bihar

Bihar

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.

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.

• Other major cities: Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Purnia

Economy

The economy of Bihar is mainly agrarian-based, and it majorly produces fruits and vegetables. Though Bihar underwent significant gains in the field of manufacturing and mining since the 20th century, it still lags behind other states of India in terms of per capita income. A large chunk of the state’s population lives below the poverty level. With the separation of Jharkhand from Bihar, the major mining and manufacturing industries came under Jharkhand, thereby increasing the strain on Bihar’s economic conditions.

Agriculture:

About half of Bihar’s land area and three-fourths of the state population come under agricultural-based activities. With cultivation being practised at a maximum scale currently, it leaves little room for further growth and development in this sector. With respect to the climatic conditions, the cropping patterns involve growing both dry and wet crops.

Rice is the dominant crop throughout the state, followed by other food crops like wheat, barley, millets, pulses, etc. Sugarcane is mainly grown in the north-western region, and jute which requires hot and humid climatic conditions is cultivated in the eastern region.

In terms of fruits and vegetables, some of the major producers include the regions of Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur for the production of fruits such as mangoes, lychees and bananas. Vegetables such as potatoes are cultivated near the region of Bihar Sharif, in the capital city of Patna. Cash crops such as tobacco and chillies are cultivated near the banks of the Ganges River.

Power and Resources:

Though the state’s supply comprises thermal and hydroelectric power plants, they are not sufficient for the state’s power demand. A major reason for this includes the loss of several important power stations to Jharkhand during the partitioning in 2000.

Manufacturing:

Bihar lags behind in terms of the manufacturing sector. Most people working in this sector mainly work in household commodity manufacturing, while the rest work in other industries such as metal, steel-based and food processing.

The main manufacturing industries are mainly based at Dalmianagar for chemicals, paper and cement: Patna for light manufacturing; and Baruni for petrochemicals. The agrarian-based industries include jute milling, sugar refineries, production of silk and tobacco. The traditional cottage industries are still a norm in Bihar, with the major ones being sericulture (rearing of silkworms for the manufacture of silk), glasswork, lac, pottery, handlooms and brassware. The Madhubani paintings are worldwide famous for the beautiful, unique portrayal of the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata in the form of paintings.

Transportation:

Railways constitute a major mode of transportation for the state. The railway lines are generally constructed in parallel with the banks of the rivers, owing to the difficulty of building bridges across the rivers. The waterways, once a significant mode of transportation, are now insignificant. All-weather roads, though in a small number and several national highways pass through the state. It includes the Grand Trunk Road as well. Commercial airlines are available in the capital city of Patna.

Government

The Government of Bihar operates under a parliamentary system set by the Constitution of India. It has three branches: the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. Bihar is one of the few Indian states with a bicameral legislature, which includes the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad).

The executive authority is formally held by the Governor, who is appointed by the President of India and serves as the ceremonial head of the state. The real executive powers belong to the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers. As of 2025, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is the Governor of Bihar, while Nitish Kumar is the Chief Minister. He took the oath for a record ninth time in January 2024 after changing alliances to form a new government with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).. The Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) is the lower house and consists of 243 members who are directly elected by the people of Bihar. It plays an important role in passing laws, approving budgets, and holding the executive accountable. The Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) is the upper house and has 75 members who are elected from various groups, including graduates, teachers, local authorities, and through nominations. This two-house system allows for better legislative review and a wider range of representation in governance. The judiciary in Bihar is led by the Patna High Court, which is in the capital city of Patna. It is the top judicial authority in the state and deals with constitutional, civil, and criminal cases. The President of India appoints the Chief Justice of the High Court. The Patna High Court has jurisdiction over all of Bihar and upholds the rule of law and judicial independence. Administratively, Bihar is divided into 9 divisions and 38 districts. Each district is led by a District Magistrate (DM) who supervises general administration and revenue issues. The Superintendent of Police (SP) under the Home Department maintains law and order. Officers from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Bihar Administrative Service (BAS), and related groups manage the overall civil services and administrative functions in the state. The state government works through different departments and ministries. Important departments include the Education Department, Health Department, Rural Development, Urban Development and Housing, Energy Department, and Finance Department, among others. Cabinet Ministers, who are chosen from the legislative assembly, manage these departments. They are responsible for putting policies into action and governing. Bihar has actively promoted digital governance and welfare programs in recent years. Initiatives like the Mukhya Mantri Vidyut Upbhokta Sahayta Yojana provide 125 units of free electricity to households. The state has also introduced youth-focused internship and pension schemes. These efforts show Bihar's commitment to inclusive development and effective governance.. Overall, the Government of Bihar continues to evolve through democratic practices, administrative reforms, and social welfare initiatives, playing a vital role in the governance of one of India’s most populous and historically rich states.

Education

The Government of Bihar has carried out several major reforms in education. These changes focus on primary, secondary, and higher education. The state's literacy rate has significantly risen, reaching about 79.7% by 2024, up from 61.8% in 2011. Male literacy is at 84.9%, while female literacy is at 73.9%. However, challenges remain, including the divide between urban and rural areas and the gender gap. Urban areas now have an 83.2% literacy rate compared to 72.1% in rural regions..

While primary education has seen significant improvement in enrollment, secondary education remains a concern. Only 2% of schools in Bihar offer education up to the secondary level. The student transition rate stands at 31.5%, the dropout rate is as high as 25.6%, and only 56.7% of students are retained in the system. Furthermore, the pupil–teacher ratio is alarmingly high at 30:1, impacting the quality of instruction. In higher education, recent initiatives such as the establishment of the Bihar Engineering University (BEU) have aimed at providing low-cost, skill-based education. The university has made notable improvements by declaring results for BTech and PhD programs in record time and offering affordable tuition fees ranging from ₹5 to ₹10, encouraging greater participation from women and underprivileged students. To enhance education administration and recruitment, the Bihar cabinet approved the creation of 4,799 new government posts, including 2,361 in the education sector. These posts include 568 Education Development Officers (EDOs) and 935 Assistant EDOs to strengthen school-level monitoring across blocks and panchayats. Additionally, 818 positions were created within the state’s education infrastructure corporation.

The government also announced Bihar TRE 4.0, the latest round of teacher recruitment examinations to be conducted by the BPSC, with over 7,000 teaching positions to be filled in 2025. Women applicants are expected to receive priority under the state's inclusive hiring policies.

In 2025, the state government approved ₹546 crore in funding for school infrastructure, renovations, and electrification. Furthermore, digital attendance systems using face recognition are being piloted in 6 districts to improve accountability. There are also directives to ensure water supply, sanitation, and other basic facilities in all schools before Independence Day.

The state also aims to reduce student migration for higher studies by launching PPP (Public–Private Partnership) models for the development of institutions like Patna University and Patna Law College, with a proposed ₹700 crore investment. Additionally, 7 new professional certificate courses aligned with NEP 2020 have been launched, offering ₹17,000 per month in stipends and internships to students, aimed at improving employability and industry relevance.

Culture

Bihar’s cultural heritage is deeply rooted in its ancient history, rituals, performing arts, festivals, and evolving contemporary initiatives spearheaded by the state government. In 2025, the Bihar Government has actively undertaken measures to preserve and promote its cultural legacy, with a particular focus on heritage conservation, artist welfare, traditional art revival, and global outreach programs.

One notable initiative was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on 10 July 2025 between the Bihar Directorate of Archaeology, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), and the Academy for Archaeological Heritage Research and Training (AAHRT). This partnership aims to advance archaeological surveys, conservation efforts, workshops, training programs, heritage walks, and public outreach activities to elevate awareness of Bihar’s archaeological riches and ancient art sites.

To further institutionalize Bihar’s soft cultural power, the state also plans to sign an MoU with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to facilitate cultural exchanges, international performances, and global exhibitions featuring Bihar’s folk artists, crafts, and art forms such as Madhubani and Mithila painting.

High-profile projects also include the inauguration of the Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa at Vaishali on 29 July 2025, developed at a cost of ₹550.48 crore. The site features a seismic‑resistant stupa housing sacred bone relics of Lord Buddha, a research library, meditation centre, and solar energy systems, and marks a significant milestone in positioning Bihar as a global Buddhist tourism destination.

Museum infrastructure has been further enhanced through the Patna Museum expansion project, featuring new AI-enhanced galleries—‘Ganga’ and ‘Patli’—and modern interactive displays. Additional infrastructure improvements include a tunnel connecting Patna Museum to Bihar Museum to boost visitor experience and facilitate eco-friendly access.

Regional heritage received a boost with the Lakhisarai Museum, inaugurated on 6 February 2025 at a cost of ₹35.8 crore. It is Bihar’s second-largest state museum and preserves artifacts recovered from local excavations, including Buddhist stupas, ancient inscriptions, and pottery, thereby promoting both cultural preservation and tourism.

On the policy front, the state cabinet approved cultural welfare schemes such as the Mukhyamantri Kalakar Pension Yojana (₹3,000/month pension for senior folk/classical artists) and the Guru–Shishya Parampara Yojana (honoraria for tradition bearers and pupils) to safeguard endangered art forms and support cultural practitioners.

Bihar also promotes cultural tourism through festivals such as the annual Rajgir Mahotsav, a three-day dance and music extravaganza in Rajgir, organized by the state’s Culture Department and Bangladesh State Tourism Development Corporation, and the Pawapuri Mahotsav, celebrating the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira annually as a state event

Public awareness campaigns like the “Bharat Sanskriti Yatra Abhiyan” connect youth with folk arts, engaging over 1,500 students via live performances and local workshops.

Also, plans are underway to establish “Kalagrams” (cultural villages) in Patna and Bodh Gaya under a central‑state partnership, with the Union Ministry of Culture funding permanent cultural campuses for immersive heritage experiences.

These initiatives—spanning heritage infrastructure, welfare schemes, global exchanges, and grassroots engagement—reflect the Bihar Government’s integrated strategy toward cultural revival, legacy preservation, and community empowerment.

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

See Also

• Magadha
• Chhath Festival
• Bihar Movement
• Nalanda University
• Languages of Bihar