Bihar

Bihar is a state in eastern India, situated in the lower-middle Gangetic plain. It is bordered by Nepal to the north, West Bengal to the east, Jharkhand to the south, and Uttar Pradesh to the west. The state is known for its long historical significance, having been the site of major ancient kingdoms and empires, and is regarded as one of the cradles of Indian civilisation. Its capital and largest city is Patna, located on the southern bank of the Ganges.

Key Facts

Etymology

The name Bihar is derived from the Sanskrit and Pali word vihāra, meaning a Buddhist monastery. The region historically had a large number of such monasteries, and the term came to denote the area itself, particularly during the medieval period.

Geography

Bihar lies between the Himalayan foothills to the north and the Chota Nagpur Plateau (now in Jharkhand) to the south. The Ganges flows from west to east through the centre of the state, dividing it into North Bihar and South Bihar. Major tributaries include the Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati, and Sone. The Kosi is historically known for its frequent course changes and floods, earning it the name "Sorrow of Bihar". The state's terrain is predominantly alluvial plain, making it among the most fertile regions in India.

Administrative divisions

Bihar is divided into 38 districts, grouped into nine administrative divisions: Patna, Tirhut, Saran, Darbhanga, Kosi, Purnia, Bhagalpur, Munger, and Magadh.

History

Ancient period

Bihar was the centre of several powerful ancient polities. The kingdom of Magadha, with capitals at Rajgir (Rajagriha) and later Pataliputra (modern Patna), was the seat of the Haryanka, Shishunaga, Nanda, Maurya, and Gupta dynasties. The Mauryan emperors Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka ruled from Pataliputra in the 4th–3rd centuries BCE. The region is also closely associated with the founding of Buddhism and Jainism: Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, and Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, was born at Vaishali. The ancient university of Nalanda, established in the 5th century CE, attracted scholars from across Asia, as did Vikramshila, founded by the Pala emperor Dharmapala.

Medieval period

After the decline of the Palas, Bihar came under various rulers, including the Delhi Sultanate. Sher Shah Suri, who briefly displaced the Mughal emperor Humayun in the 16th century, hailed from Sasaram in present-day Bihar. The region was later integrated into the Mughal Empire and administered as the Subah of Bihar.

Colonial period

Following the Battle of Buxar in 1764, the East India Company gained the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa in 1765. Bihar was administered as part of the Bengal Presidency until it was separated to form the province of Bihar and Orissa in 1912. In 1936, Bihar became a separate province. The state was a significant centre of the Indian independence movement; the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917, led by Mahatma Gandhi, was his first major civil disobedience campaign in India.

Post-independence

Bihar acceded to the Indian Union in 1947 and became a state of the Republic of India in 1950. On 15 November 2000, the southern, mineral-rich part of the state was separated to form the new state of Jharkhand.

Demographics

Bihar is among the most populous states in India and has one of the highest population densities in the country. The state is predominantly rural, with a Hindu majority and a sizeable Muslim minority. Hindi is the official language, with Urdu having additional official status. Bhojpuri, Maithili, Magahi, and Angika are widely spoken regional languages, with Maithili recognised in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

Economy

Agriculture is the mainstay of Bihar's economy, with rice, wheat, maize, sugarcane, pulses, and litchi being important crops. Bihar is the largest producer of litchi in India and a major producer of vegetables. The service sector, particularly in Patna, has grown in recent decades. The state has historically lagged behind in industrial development, partly due to the separation of the mineral-rich southern districts in 2000.

Education

Bihar has a long tradition of learning, dating back to Nalanda and Vikramshila. Notable modern institutions include Patna University (established 1917, the seventh-oldest university in India), Magadh University at Bodh Gaya, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University at Muzaffarpur, the Indian Institute of Technology Patna, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna, the Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya, the Chanakya National Law University, and Nalanda University, which was re-established in 2014 near the site of the historical institution.

Culture

Bihar has a rich cultural heritage, including classical music traditions, folk forms such as Jat-Jatin, Jhumri, and Bidesia, and the renowned Madhubani (Mithila) painting tradition of the northern region. Major festivals include Chhath Puja, considered the most important festival of Bihar, along with Holi, Diwali, Eid, Sama Chakeva, and the Sonepur Cattle Fair, one of Asia's largest livestock fairs.

Significance

Bihar's importance lies in its central role in the political, religious, and intellectual history of South Asia. It was the seat of the first major Indian empires, the place of origin of two major world religions, and the home of internationally renowned ancient universities. In modern India, the state has been politically influential, contributing several prominent national leaders, including Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, and Jayaprakash Narayan, who led the JP Movement of the 1970s.

Related topics

• Patna
• Magadha
• Nalanda
• Bodh Gaya
• Magadh University
• Patna University
• Jharkhand
• Champaran Satyagraha
• Mithila region
• Chhath Puja