Bihar (An Overview)

Whenever anybody talks about Bihar, the first thing that comes in mind is Buddha. The origin of the word "Bihar" is also
believed to be from the Buddhist Viharas. Significantly Bihar is located in the eastern part of the country. It is an entirely
land-locked state, although the outlet to the sea through the port of Kolkata is not too far away. Bihar lies between the
humid West Bengal in the east and the sub-humid Uttar Pradesh in the west which provides it with a transitional position
in respect of climate, economy and culture. It is bounded by Nepal in the north and by Jharkhand in the south. The Bihar
plain is divided into two unequal halves by the river Ganga which flows through the middle from west to east.

Name – Bihar (possibly due to the – Upon receiving the assent

abundance of Buddhist of President Dr. K. R.
Viharas) Narayanan on the Bill
Foundation Day – 22nd March
– On December 12, on 25 th August 2000,
1911, the announcement the state of Bihar was
of carving out Bihar as bifurcated.
a separate province from – Jharkhand came into
Bengal was made at the existence as a new state
imperial court at Delhi.
on 15 November 2000.
– On March 22, 1912,
the declaration of the Capital of Bihar – Patna
formation of the United High Court – Patna (Founded –
Province of Bihar and 1 st D e c e m b e r 1 9 1 3
Orissa was duly issued and inaugurated – 3 rd
(Earlier, Bihar was a part
February, 1916)
of Bengal).
– Bihar and Orissa (present- Ranking among states in terms of size-India's 12th
day Odisha) came into largest state (after the reorganization of Jammu and
existence jointly as a Kashmir). It ranks 13th overall among states and
province on April 1, union territories (after including the Union Territory
1912, after they were
of Ladakh).
carved out of Bengal
Presidency. Ranking in India in terms of population
– On March 28, 1936, - Third ( As per 2011 census)
an order for a separate Official language – Hindi
Legislative Council for
Second official language – Urdu
Bihar was passed.
– Bihar and Orissa came State Emblem
into existence as separate State Tree – Ficus (Peepal)
states on 1st April, 1936. State Flower – Marigold
– On April 25, 2000, Bihar State Animal – Bull (before 2013 was
State Reorganization
Bear)
Bill, 2000 was approved
for the formation State Bird – Sparrow (earlier was
of a separate state of Neelkanth or Indian
Jharkhand. Roller bird)
– On August 2, 2000,
the Lok Sabha passed Geographical Landscape
the Bihar State Latitudinal Expansion
Reorganization Bill,
2000 and on August 11, – 24° 20'10" to 27° 31'15"
2000, the Rajya Sabha North Latitude
passed the Bihar State Longitudinal Expansion
Reorganization Bill, – 83°19'50" to 88°17'40"
2000. East Longitude

(3) Bihar Core Facts 2024

 Area – 94,163 sq. km. Reserved seats for – 38
Length (North to South) – 345 kms Scheduled castes in the
Width (East to West) – 483 kms
Legislative Assembly
Urban Area – 1095.49 sq. km.
Rural Area – 92257.51 sq. km. Number of seats – 02 (Manihari, Katoria)
Height above sea level – 173 ft reserved for Scheduled
Normal Precipitation – 1205 mm. tribes in legislative
Average Rainy Days – 52.5 days (in a year) assembly
Location
Bihar is located in the eastern part of India. Number of States touching the borders of
It is a land-locked state. Bihar- 3
It is bounded by country of Nepal in the north, Jharkhand – Rohtas , Aurangabad ,
Jharkhand in the south and West Bengal in the east Gaya , Nawada , Jamui,
and the state of Uttar Pradesh in the west. Banka , Bhagalpur ,
The common international border of Bihar-Nepal is Katihar
729 km long. Uttar Pradesh – Rohtas, Kaimur, Buxar,

Administrative Scenario Bhojpur, Saran, Siwan,

Divisions – 9 (Patna, Magadh, Saran, Gopalganj,
Ti r h u t , D a r b h a n g a , West Champaran
Koshi, Purnia, Munger West Bengal – Katihar, Purnea,
Bhagalpur). Kishanganj
Districts – 38 Country, touching the – Nepal
Sub-Divisions – 101 state borders
Community Develop- – 534 Districts of Bihar on – West Champaran, East
ment Blocks
Nepal border Champaran, Sitamarhi,
Panchayats – 8,406
Madhubani, Supaul,
Number of Revenue – 45,103
Araria, Kishanganj
Villages
Number of Towns – 199 Percentage of the total – 2.86%
Police Stations – 853 area of India
Police Districts – 44 (Civil 40, Railway 4) Total forest (percentage – 7.84% (2021)
Metropolitan City – Patna of area of Bihar)
Municipal corporation – 19 Climate – Monsoon type
Legislature – Bicameral (Legislative Longest river – Ganga
assembly and legislative Hottest pool – Brahmakund
council) Most common soil – alluvial
Most important food – Rice
Number of seats in Legislative Assembly -243
crop
Number of Seats in – 75
3 districts with largest area (In descending order):
Legislative Council
(1) West Champaran, (2) Gaya and (3) East
Number of Seats in – 40
Champaran
Lok Sabha
3 districts with the least area (in ascending order) -
Number of members – 16
(1) Sheohar, (2) Arwal and (3) Sheikhpura
in the Rajya Sabha
Number of seats in – 06 (Gopalganj, Hajipur, Census-2011
the Lok Sabha reserved Samastipur, Jamui, Total population – 104,099,452 ( Approx
for Scheduled castes Gaya and Sasaram 10.41 Crore)

Bihar Core Facts 2024 (4)

Male population – 54,278,157 3 districts with the highest population density- (1)
Female population – 49,821, 295 Sheohar (1880), (2) Patna (1823) , (3) Darbhanga
Population density – 1106 per sq. km. (1728)
Population growth rate – 25.42% ( 8.60 % of total 3 districts with lowest population density (1)
population of India)
Kaimur (488), (2) Jamui(568) ,(3) Banka(674)
Sex Ratio – 918 ( Child Sex Ratio-935)
3 districts with the highest sex ratio (1) Gopalganj
Literacy Rate – 61.80 %
(1021) (2) Siwan (988), (3) Saran (954)
Male Literacy Rate – 71.2 %
Female Literacy Rate – 51.5 % 3 districts with the lowest sex ratio - (1) Munger
Rural Literacy Rate – 59.78 % ( Male - 69.67 (876), (2) Bhagalpur (880), (3) Khagaria (886)
% , Female 49 % ) 3 districts with the highest literacy rate - (1)
Urban Literacy Rate – 76.86% ( Male - 82.56 % Rohtas (73.37% ), (2) Patna (70.68% ), (3) Bhojpur
, Female - 70.49 % ) (70.47% )
Rural Population – 88.71 % 3 districts with the lowest literacy rate –(1)
Urban Population – 11.29% Purnea(51.08% ), (2) Sitamarhi(52.05% ), (3)
3 Districts with Highest Population -(1) Patna
Katihar(52.24% )
(5838465), (2) East Champaran (5,099,371), (3)
District with highest male literacy - Rohtas
Muzaffarpur (4,801,062)
District with lowest male literacy – Purnia
3 Districts with lowest Population – (1) Sheikhpura
(636,342), (2) Sheohar (656,246), (3) Arwal District with highest female literacy - Rohtas
(700,843) District with lowest female literacy - Saharsa

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Districts Area(in km sq) Population Anupam lake is located in Bihar- in Kaimur district
The largest wildlife sanctuary of Bihar - Kaimur
Araria 2830 2811569
Wildlife Sanctuary
Arwal 638 700843 Formation period of Sumeshwar mountain range of
Aurangabad 3305 2540073 Bihar - Pleistocene epoch
Banka 3020 2034763 Total length of National Highways in Bihar
Begusarai 1918 2970541 according to Ministry of Road Transport and
Bhagalpur 2569 3037766 Highways, Government of India: 5969.40 km. (As
of December 31, 2022).
Bhojpur 2395 2728407
The main vegetation of the forest of Chota Nagpur
Buxar 1703 1706352 is - Deciduous
Darbhanga 2279 3937385 Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary is located in -
Gaya 4976 4391418 Gaya district of Bihar
Gopalganj 2033 2562012 The total number of districts in Bihar is - 38 (Feb.,
2024)
Jamui 3098 1760405
Main food crops of Bihar are - Rice, wheat, maize
Jehanabad 931 1125313 The mineral in which Bihar enjoys a monopoly in
Kaimur ( Bhabua ) 3352 1626384 the production - Pyrite
Katihar 3057 3071029 Gandak, Ghaghra (Sarayu) and Son rivers join
Khagaria 1486 1666886 the Ganges respectively - near Pahleja (Patna),
Revilganj (Saran) and Vigwara (Patna)
Kishanganj 1884 1690400
According to the Economic Survey 2022-23, the
Lakhisarai 1228 1000912 cropping intensity of Bihar in 2021-22 is - 144%
Madhepura 1788 2001762 'Export Promotion Industrial Park' developed by the
Madhubani 3501 4487379 Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government
Munger 1419 1367765 of Bihar is related to -the export processing area
Muzaffarpur 3172 4801062 with high level infrastructural development.
New state by the name of Orissa and Bihar was
Nalanda 2355 2877653
carved out of Bengal by a proclamation issued on
Nawada 2494 2219146 March 22, 1912.
West Champaran 5228 3935042 Sir Charles Stuart Belle was appointed the first
Patna 3202 5838465 Lieutenant Governor of this state.
East Champaran 3968 5099371 Legislative authority in the state of United Bihar
and Orissa was established in the year 1913.
Purnia 3229 3264619
On December 29, 1920, the state of Bihar and Orissa
Rohtas 3881 2959918 got the distinction of becoming a province under the
Saharsa 1687 1900661 Governor's rule.
Samastipur 2904 4261566 His Excellency, the Honorable Shri Satyendra
Saran 2641 3951862 Prasanna Sinha (Baron) was appointed the first
Sheikhpura 689 636342 Indian Governor of the state.
The construction of the Legislative Council building
Sheohar 349 656246
started in March 1920 and completed in the same year.
Sitamarhi 2294 3423574 Sir James David Sifton was the last Governor of
the United Bihar and Orissa State.
Siwan 2219 3330464
According to the provisions of the Government
Supaul 2425 2229076 of India Act, 1935, the elections to the Bihar
Vaishali 2036 3495021 Legislative Assembly were held in January, 1937.
On July 20, 1937, the first government was formed
Important Facts under the leadership of Dr. Shri Krishna Sinha.
River meeting Ganges near Fatuha, Patna- Punpun The first session of the Legislature was held on 22
Bihar ranks second in jute production in India (Data- July 1937.
2021-22) On 31 October 1939, the then Chief Minister Dr.
Triveni canal originates from- river Gandak Sri Krishna Sinha tendered his resignation and the
Kaimur plateau is famous- For limestone Bihar Legislative Assembly was dissolved.

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 History of Bihar
Bihar is a unique state endowed with rich history. It is the seat of significant mythological events and tales from
Ramayana. It is the birth place of prominent religions including Buddhism and Jainism. It was Bihar that sprouted the
first seed of democracy. It was Bihar where first true kingdom, Maurya Empire, reigned all over the subcontinent. Patna
situated on the bank of river Ganga, is the capital of Bihar and state's current geographical boundary is shaped after its
partition from Bengal and later on after separation of Jharkhand in 2000. In this chapter we have encapsulated important
facts of History of Bihar from the perspective of exam.

Ancient History of Bihar The first democratic system of government in the

The remains of the lower Palaeolithic period have world is traced to Vaishali.
been received from Paisra (Munger). The story of Videha Madhava is found in the
The remains of the Neolithic age have been found Shatapatha Brahmana, in which Videha Madhava
in Chirand (Saran district) and Chechar (Vaishali lived on the banks of the Saraswati river and was
district). holding Vaishvanar (fire) in his mouth. As soon
Information about the history of ancient Bihar is as the name of Ghrita was taken, the fire came out
found in Atharvaveda and Panchvish Brahmana. of the mouth and stopped on the banks of Sadanira
Atharvaveda and Panchvish brahmanas mention (the present Gandak river of Bihar) while burning
that Vratyas lived in Magadha, but it is mentioned the rivers. Videha Madhava followed Agni with his
in Rigveda that the earliest inhabitants of Magadha guru Gautam Rahugan upto the banks of Sadanira.
were Kshatriyas. They were looked down upon by The Sadanira river was the boundary of Kosala and
the Aryans, because they did not know about the Videha.
Vedic sacrifice. Out of the 16 Mahajanapadas of Bihar of the 6th
Cunningham excavated the Bodh Gaya temple in century BC, the description of 3 Mahajanapadas
Bodh Gaya. He excavated the site at Giriyak hill and Magadha, Vajji and Anga is found in Anguttar
unearthed the Indrashila cave, which is described by Nikaya (Buddhist literature) and Bhagwati Sutra
Hiuen Tsang and Fa-Hien in their travalogues. (Jain literature).
Cunningham's greatest achievement was the The capital of Anga (modern Bhagalpur and
discovery of Bargaon, the site of the ancient Munger districts) was Champa. It was annexed
Nalanda Monastery near Rajgir. Two inscriptions by Bimbisara to Magadha.
were also found here, on which 'Nalanda' was The Vajji Sangha was a union of eight clans.
engraved. In which Videha, Vajji and Lichchhavi were
Cunningham recognised the ancient site of particularly famous.
Vaishali on the basis of the remains of Basarh. The Lichchhavis were the most powerful in the Vajji
Cunningham also unearthed the Keshariya Stupa Sangha, whose capital was Vaishali, which is now a
of East Champaran district, the Ashoka Pillar of village of Basarh in the modern Vaishali district.
Lauria-Areraj. Videha was famous for its philosophical kings. Its
From the post Vedic period, this region of Bihar capital was Mithila.
became a part of ancient history. Mahatma Buddha
The areas around modern Rajgriha and Gaya have Birth- 563 BC., in Lumbini (Kapilavastu), Clan
been mentioned in Atharvaveda. Shakya
The medicine to cure leprosy was invented by the Death - 483 BC. in Kushinagar
first female doctor named 'Asuramayarup' who Childhood name is Siddhartha, Father
lived in Magadha. -Shuddhodhana, Mother- Mahamaya, Step mother
Aryans entered the Mithila region of Bihar in the (aunt) - Prajapati Gautami, Wife- Yashodhara
post Vedic period. (Bimba, Gopa, Bhadakchhana), Son- Rahul

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Buddhist Councils
Order Place Year President Ruler Important Facts
First Rajgriha 483 B.C. Mahakasyapa Ajatasatru,(Hary- Compilation of
anka Dynasty) Vinaya Pitaka and
Suttapitaka

Second Vaishali 383 B.C. Sabakami Kalasoka (Shisuna- The split of the
ga Dynasty) Buddhist order into
Sthavira and
Mahasanghikas
Third Pataliputra 247 B.C. Mogaliputta Tissa Ashoka (Maurya Codification of third
Dynasty) Pitaka, Abhidhamma
Pitaka
Fourth Kunda- 1st Century Vasumitra (President) Kanishka (Kushan Division of Bud-
lavana, A.D. Asvaghosha (Vice Dynasty) dhism into Mahaya-
Kashmir President) na & Hinayan

Jain Councils
First Pataliputra 310 B.C. Sthulabhadra Chandragupta Jainism was split
Maurya into Svetambara and
Digambara.
Compilation of 12
Angas

Second Vallabhi, 512 A.D. Devaradhi Kshama Final compilation of

Gujarat Ramana religious texts

Left home (Mahabhinishkraman) at the age of 29. Pratītyasamutpāda is the essence of Buddha's
Attainment of knowledge at the age of 35 (after 6 teachings.
years of penance). Mahavira
The attainment of knowledge on the banks of the Birth- 599 BC. In Kundagram near Vaishali, Clan-
Jnatrika
Niranjana river under the Peepal tree on the night
Death - 527 BC. in Pavapuri
of Vaishakh Purnima (full moon); was called
Father -Siddhartha, Mother -Trishala (Licchavi
Buddha. princess), Wife -Yashoda, Daughter- Priyadarshana,
Founder of Buddhism Son-in-Law - Jamali
The Three Jewels of Buddhism- Buddha, Dhamma Renounced home at the age of 30, attainment of
and Sangha Kaivalya (supreme knowledge) at the age of 42 (12
The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism- Suffering years of penance).
(dukh), Cause of suffering (Dukh samudaya), Attainment of knowledge - Under the Sal tree on
The cessation of suffering (Dukh nirodha) and the banks of river Rijupalika near Jambhikgram.
The path that leads to the end of suffering (Dukh After attaining Kaivalya, came to be known as
Kevalin, Jin (victor), Arhat (worthy) and Nigranth
nirodhgaminipratipada)
(without bondage).
The Eightfold Path - Right understanding (Samayak
24th Tirthankara of Jainism.
Drishti),Right thought (Samyak Sankalpa),Right The three jewels of Jainism - Right Philosophy,
speech (Samyak Vacca),Right action (Samyaka Right Knowledge and Right Character.
Karmanta),Right livelihood (Samyaka Ajiva),Right Five Great Vows (Panch Mahavrata)- Ahimsa
effort (Samyaka Vyayama),Right mindfulness (non-violence) Satya (truthfulness),Asteya (not
(Samyaka Smriti),Right concentration (Samyka stealing), Aparigraha (non-acquisition) and
samadhi) Brahmacharya (chaste living)

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 Fifth vow (Brahmcharya) was prescribed by Shishunaga Dynasty (412 to 344 BC) - Shishunaga
Mahavira while the remaining four vows were was Amatya of the last king of the Haryank dynasty,
propounded by Parshvanath. Nag Dashaka and governor of Kashi.
Syadvada or Saptabhangi is called the theory of Shishunaga conquered Avanti, Kosala and Vatsa
relativity of knowledge.
and expanded the Magadha Empire.
Rise of Magadh Empire
Later his son Kalashok (Kakavarna) became the
According to the Puranas, the first dynasty to rule
ruler.
Magadha was the Brihadratha dynasty. Jarasandha
was the ruler of this dynasty, whose description is It was during his reign that the second Buddhist
also found in the Mahabharata. Council (383 BC) was held in Vaishali, in which
According to other literary sources, the first dynasty Buddhism split into Sthavira and Mahasanghika.
of Magadha in 6th century B.C. was the Haryanka Nandivardhana or Mahanandin was the last ruler
dynasty, founded by Bimbisara (544–492 BC). of the Shishunaga dynasty.
Bimbisara married Kosala Devi (Sister of Prasenjit) Nanda Dynasty (344-321 BC) - Mahapadma
of Kosala and got Kashi in dowry. Apart from Nanda ended the Shishunaga dynasty and
this, he also married the princess of Vaishali, established the Nanda dynasty.
Chellana (Chhalna). Bimbisara conquered Anga In the Puranas, he has been called 'Sarvakshatrantak'.
king Brahmadatta and merged the Anga kingdom He was also called 'Ekachhatra' or 'Ekrat'.
into Magadha. He had friendly relations with He is also described as Shudra and Dasiputra. He is
Chandpradyota, the ruler of Avanti. Later, he sent described as the ruler of Ikshvaku, Panchala, Kuru,
his physician, Jivaka, for the treatment of Pradyota. Haihaya, Kalinga, Shurasen, Maithil, Ashmaka,
Bimbisara was a follower of Mahatma Buddha. Vitihotra kingdoms. During his time the border of
According to Buddhist texts, his son Ajatashatru the Magadha Empire expanded beyond the Ganges
killed him and became the ruler of Magadha (492- valley.
460 BC). The last ruler of this Dynasty was Dhananand.
Angered by the killing of Bimbisara by Ajatashatru, Maurya dynasty
King Prasenjit took back Kashi from Magadha.
Information about the Maurya dynasty is obtained
Over time, a war and a treaty took place between
from the Purana, Buddhist and Jain literature,
the two.
Kautilya's Arthashastra and foreign travellers.
Ajatashatru married Vajira, the princess of Koshala
and Kashi was restored. Ajatashatru, with the help Strabo and Justin have called Chandragupta
of his minister Vassakara, caused a split in the Vajji Maurya 'Sandrocottus', while Arrian and
Sangha and defeated the Lichchhavis. Plutarch have called him 'Androcottus'.
Mahatma Buddha died during his reign (483 William Jones first identified 'Sandrocottus' with
Chandragupta Maurya mentioned in Indian texts.
BC). In 483 BC, under his patronage, the first
James Prinsep in 1837 AD deciphered the Brahmi
Buddhist council was organized at Rajgriha under
script.
the chairmanship of Mahakashyap.
In the year 326 BC Alexander the ruler of Macedonia
After the death of Ajatashatru, his son Udayin (Greece) invades India. Sikander after crossing the
became the ruler of Magadha (460 BC). Indus river reaches to the shore of Jhelum (Vitasta)
He shifted his capital from Rajgriha (Girivraj) to river. Here he fights with Porus, which is called the
Pataliputra (the new city built at the confluence war of 'Vitasta' or 'Hydespes'.
of the Ganges and the Sone river). Alexander's army refused to advance at the banks of
the river Vyas. The territory of the Nanda kingdom
The three sons of Udayin, Aniruddha, Mundaka and
started from the river Vyas. At that time the ruler
Nag Daska (Darshaka), respectively, ruled for short of the Nanda dynasty was Dhananand.
periods of time. Alexander stayed in India for 19 months.

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 Chandragupta Maurya (321 to 298 BC) We also get the history of Ashoka from these
After defeating Dhanananda with the help of his inscriptions. So far more than 40 inscriptions of
Guru Chanakya, Chandragupta became the ruler of Ashoka have been found.
Magadha. Ashoka's cave inscriptions
Around 305 BC a war was fought between Ashoka's inscriptions have been found on the
Chandragupta Maurya and Seleucus Nicator. By walls of three caves named Barabar, located in the
the post-war treaty, Chandragupta received the area Jehanabad district of Bihar.
Lauria Areraj Pillar inscription - This pillar is
of Aria (Herat), Arakosia (Kandahar), Gedrosia
located in East Champaran district of Bihar state
(Makran-Baluchistan) and Paropemisdae (Kabul),
Rampurwa Pillar inscriptions - It is situated in
as well as his marriage to a Greek princess.
West Champaran, in the state of Bihar.
Seleucus Nicator sent his ambassador 'Megasthenes'
Lauria Nandangarh Pillar inscriptions - It is
to the court of Chandragupta.
located in West Champaran district of Bihar.
Megasthenes wrote the book 'Indica'.
Provincial Administration
At the twilight of his life Chandragupta handed
Chandragupta Maurya divided his kingdom into
over power to his son Bindusara and went to
four provinces, which were called 'Chakras', to
Shravanabelagola (Karnataka) along with Jain sage
run the administration smoothly. The provinces
Bhadrabahu and gave up his life there by Sallekhna were governed by the emperor's representatives.
(fasting). During the reign of Emperor Ashoka, the number
Bindusara (298 to 273 BC) of provinces had increased to five.
He has been called Amitraghat, Bhadrasara, Province Capital
Singhsen etc.
Prachi (Madhya desh) Patliputra
During his reign, Deimachus, the ambassador of
Uttarapath Taxila
Syria's ruler Antiochus, came to the Mauryan court.
Ashoka (273 to 232 BC) Dakshinapath Suvarngiri
Coronation after ascending the throne in 269 BC. Avanti Ujjayini
Before his coronation, he was the governor of Ujjain Kalinga Tosali
and Taxila. Provinces (Chakras) were administered by
Kallinga conquest in 261 BC (ninth year of his office-bearers named Kumaramatya / Kumar /
coronation). Aryaputra.
According to a Sinhalese legend, Ashoka adopted Provinces were divided into Mandalas, and
Buddhism from the discourses of Nigrotha and Mandalas into districts and were called Aharas/
became a disciple of Moggaliputta Tissa. Before Vishayas, which were headed by an administrator
this Ashoka was a Shaiva follower. known as Vishpati.
He traveled to 'Bodh Gaya' after 10th year of his Vishayas were devided in Sthaniya, Sthaniya were
devided in 'Dronmukh' (Clusters of 400 villages),
coronation. After the 20th year, he went to Lumbini
'Kharvatik (Cluster of 200 villages) and Sangrahan
and declared it Ulvik (tax-free) and reduced the
(clusters of 10 villages) respectively.
Bhaga tax 1/6 to 1/8.
The administrative officer of the Sthaniya (cluster
Inscriptions of Ashoka of 800 villages) was called Sthanik.
Among the inscriptions of Ashoka, the inscriptions Gopa was the administrator of a cluster of ten villages.
of Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra (Pakistan) are The smallest unit of administration, was the village.
engraved in Kharoshthi script. The head of the village was called 'gramik'.
Inscriptions have been found from Taxila and City Administration
Laghman engraved in Aramaic script and inscribed According to Megasthenes, the city administration
in Greek and Aramaic scripts have been found at was run by 30 member Mandalas. This Mandala was
Sharekuna. divided into 6 committees.

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First Committee Inspection of industries According to a story related to Agnimitra and
and crafts Malavika, the great poet Kalidas composed the play
'Malavikagnimitram'.
Second Committee Supervision of foreigners
Devabhuti was the last ruler of this dynasty.
Third Committee Performance of census
Kanva Dynasty
Fourth Committee Management of Trade and Devabhuti's minister Vasumitra killed him and laid
commerce the foundation of the Kanva dynasty. Susharma was
Fifth Committee Sales management and the last ruler of this dynasty.
inspection Kushan Dynasty
Sixth Committee Sales tax management Kanishka conquered Pataliputra and took
Ashvaghosha along with him.
System of Policing in the city and it was called
During Kushan period 'Nagarjuna' was a renowned
'Rakshit'.
chemist of Nalanda. The instrument used in the
Officers mentioned in Greek sources - Agronomoi
laboratory 'beaker' was invented by Nagarjuna.
(District Magistrate), Antinomoi (Municipal
After the fall of Kushan Empire, Pataliputra was
Commissioner).
ruled by the Lichchhavis.
Military System - The military system was divided
into six committees, which were specified by the Gupta Dynasty
military department. Each committee consisted of Samudragupta’s Prayag Prashasti, Kumargupta's
five military experts. There was infantry, transport Bilsad Pillar inscription and Skandagupta's Bhitari
and supply, cavalry, elephants, chariots and navy. Pillar inscription concluded that the first ruler of this
dynasty was 'Sri Gupta', who assumed the title of
The highest military officer was called Antpal. He
'Maharaj'. His successor was Ghatotkacha.
was also the administrator of the peripheral areas.
Chandragupta I was the first ruler who assumed
According to scholars, Chandragupta Maurya's army
the title of 'Maharajadhiraja'.
consisted of six lakh foot soldiers, Thirty thousand
He married the Lichchhavi princess Kumaradevi.
cavalrymen, nine thousand elephants and invincible
On the basis of his coronation (319 AD), he started
soldiers equipped with eight hundred chariots.
the Gupta era.
Maurya emperor after Ashoka - Ashoka, the great The whole of Bihar and some parts of Uttar Pradesh
Mauryan emperor of the Magadha Empire, died in were included in his kingdom.
232 BC. (approximately). After Ashoka for the Samudragupta
next five decades, his weak successors - continued On inscriptions and coins, he has been given the titles
to rule. of 'Parakramank', 'Apratirath', 'Vyaghraparakram',
Successors of Ashoka 'Sarvarajochheta' etc.
After the al Pushyamitra. This endeath of Ashoka Historian V.A. Smith has called him 'Napoleon of
the Mauryan Empire was divided into western and India'.
eastern parts. Conquered nine kings in the second campaign of
Aryavarta.
The western part was ruled by Kunal, while the
Conquered twelve kings in the Dakshinapatha
eastern part was ruled by Samprati, but by 180 campaign.
B.C. Bactria and the Greeks had complete control Samudragupta only claimed suzerainty over
over the western part. The eastern part was ruled the territories conquered in the Dakshinapatha
by Dasharatha. campaign. His policy was that of Grahana or
The last Mauryan emperor Brihadratha was capture of the enemy, Moksha or liberation and
assassinated by his generded the Mauryan Empire. Anugraha or reinstating him.
The praise of Samudragupta on Ashoka's Allahabad
Shunga Dynasty
Pillar inscription has been attributed to his court
After killing the Mauryan ruler Brihadratha, his
poet Harishena.
general Pushyamitra Shunga became the ruler of
Magadha. Ramgupta
The assumed the title of 'Senani'. He repulsed the History about him is not clear.
Greek invasion. Chandragupta II
Pushyamitra performed two Ashwamedha Yajnas. He is also known by other names/titles like
His priest was Patanjali. Devraj, Devagupta, Dev Shree, Vikramaditya
After that his son Agnimitra became the ruler. Paramabhagavat etc.

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 He married Dhruva Devi and Kubernaga. Gopal founded Odantapuri Mahavihara and
The Iron Pillar inscription at Mehrauli in Delhi University which were located in Bihar Sharif,
describes the victory by the Chandra ruler over Nalanda district.
the Bahlikos across the Indus and the Banga This Mahavihara was situated on the banks of
rulers in the east. Chandra is identified with Panchanan river on Hiranya Prabhat mountain.
Chandragupta II.
Dharmapala (770-810 AD)
He married his daughter Prabhavati to the
In his time the tripartite struggle started. Pratihara
Vakataka king Rudrasen II.
The Chinese traveller Fahien visited India during his king Vatsaraja defeated Dharmapala. Later on, the
time. He lived in India for about 10 years (402-412 Rashtrakuta king Dhruva defeated both Dharmapala
A.D.). and Vatsaraj.
It is believed that nine gems resided in his court, On the return of Dhruva to the south, Dharmapala
which included scholars like Kalidas, Dhanwantri attacked Kannauj and defeated Indrayudha and
Kshapanak, Amar Singh, Shanku, Betal Bhatt, placed his supporter Chakrayudha on the throne of
Ghatkarpar, Varahamihira, Varuruchi. Kannauj.
Kumargupta I At the time of Dharmapala, the Pratihara ruler
Mandsaur inscription (Prashasti composed by Nagabhatta II (son of Vatsaraj) conquered the area
Vatsabhatti) gives detailed information about up to Munger for some time.
Kumaragupta.
Dharmapala established Vikramshila University
It is known from the Bhitri pillar inscription of
and built Buddhist viharas.
Skandagupta that during the reign of Kumaragupta,
Vikramshila Mahavihara and University are situated
there was an invasion of Pushyamitras and to stop
them Kumaragupta sent Skandagupta. in the Bhagalpur district.
Nalanda University was established during this The Sompura Mahavihara (in Paharpur village
period. of Naogaon district of Bangladesh) was also built
Kumaragupta assumed the title of 'Mahindraditya'. by Dharmapala. It is currently included in the
Skandagupta UNESCO World Heritage List.
Junagadh inscription shows that Skandagupta had Dharmapala has been called 'Paramsaugat' in the
thwarted the invasion of the Mlechchhas (Huns). inscriptions. The Gujarati poet Soddhal has called
He got the Sudarshan Lake (built by Chandragupta him 'Uttarapathaswamin'.
Maurya) renovated. Devapala
According to the Kahaum inscription, he assumed
He made Munger his capital.
the title of 'Shakraditya'.
He provided 5 villages to the Shailendra dynasty
He sent his ambassador to China.
ruler 'Balaputradev' of Java, Sumatra (Indonesia)
Late Gupta Period
Chinese traveller Sungyun visited India in 518 AD. to build a vihara in Nalanda.
Hiuen Tsang lived in India from 629 AD to 645 AD Mahipala I.
(16 years). He is credited with the restoration of the Pala
According to Hiuen Tsang, the ruler of Magadha, dynasty.
Narasimha Gupta ‘Baladitya’ defeated Mihirkul (the Rajendra Chola attacked During his time.
Huns). Rampal
After Skandagupta his successors, Purugupta, Rampal is considered to be the last ruler of this
Kumaragupta II, Budhgupta, Narasimha Gupta dynasty. It was during his reign that the Kaivarta
'Baladitya', Vainyagupta, Kumaragupta III ruled etc. rebellion took place.
Vishnugupta was the last ruler of the Gupta dynasty,
Karnat Dynasty
who ruled Magadha.
The Magadha Empire came to an end with the The founder of this dynasty was Nanyadev. After
rise of Gupta dynasty. him Gangdev and then his son Narasimha Deva
Pala Dynasty became rulers.
Gopal (750-770 AD) is believed to be the founder During the time of Narasimha Dev, Bakhtiyar
of the Pala dynasty. Bihar was included in his Khilji attacked Bihar and destroyed Mahaviharas
kingdom. like Nalanda, Vikramshila.

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 Medieval History of Bihar
Entry of Islamic Power in Bihar He defeated Humayun in the battle of Kannauj
During 1193 AD to 1203 AD Bakhtiyar Khilji (Bilgram) in 1540 AD and established the Second
attacked Bengal and Bihar and conquered both the Afghan Empire and the Sur dynasty.
region. He was the military General of Muhammad After conquering Raisin in 1543 AD, he treacherously
Ghori. He died in 1206 AD. killed the ruler Puranmal and carried out a horrific
Iltutmish attacked Bihar in 1225 AD. massacre, which is a blot on Sher Shah.
Iltutmish appointed Malik Jani as his first Subedar Conquered Marwar in 1544 AD.
in Bihar. He died in 1545 AD during the Kalinjar campaign.
Turkish supremacy over Bihar in 1324 AD. It Sher Shah divided his empire into Sarkars. Initially
was established after the invasion of Ghiyasuddin there were 47 Sarkars (According to Dr. Kanungo).
Tughlaq. After the conquest of Bengal, it was divided into 19
The Tirhut region of Bihar was merged during the Sarkars. Thus the total number of sarkars became 66
time of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. It was named (According to Satish Chandra). The administration
Tughlakpur. of 'Sarkar' was carried out by Shiqdar-e-Shiqdaran
The invasion of Timur caused extensive damage to and Munshif-e-Munshifan.
the Delhi Sultanate. This resulted in rivalry between He mainly implemented the Ryotwari system for
the rulers of Jaunpur and Bengal for supremacy in the land revenue system. He propagated a silver
Bihar. coin 'rupaiyah'.
Around 1495-96 AD Sikandar Lodi appointed Abbas Khan Sarwani has written his biography.
Darya Khan Nuhani as the Governor of Bihar. Sher Shah built his tomb in Sasaram (Bihar). This
Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the first battle of tomb is made of red sandstone in an octagonal shape
Panipat in 1526 AD. After this, Bahar Khan, son in the middle of an artificial lake.
of Darya Khan, declared an independent princely After that his son Jalal Khan became the ruler under
state in Bihar. the name of 'Islamshah'.
Sher Shah- Sher Shah was born in 1472 AD. Bihar again came under the suzerainty of the Mughal
(According to some scholars, 1486 AD), Childhood Empire in 1574-75 AD.
name Farid, father Hasan Khan (vassal of Sasaram), Aurangzeb made Ajimushshan the Subedar of Bihar.
education in Jaunpur. He changed the name of Patna to Azimabad.
In the medieval period, Bahar Khan Lohani The coronation of Farrukhsiyar took place in
conferred the title of 'Sher Khan' on Farid. Patna.
After the death of Muhammad Shah (Bahar Khan Aurangzeb appointed Murshid Quli Khan as the
Lohani), Sher Khan married his widowed wife Subedar of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. He shifted
(Dudu Begum). the capital of Bengal from Dhaka to Murshidabad
He participated in the Ghaghra war on behalf of in 1704 AD.
Mahmud Lodi in 1529 AD. Alivardi Khan (1740-56 AD) became the Nawab
After defeating Nusrat Shah of Bengal, he assumed after the battle of Giria. He was the last powerful
the title of Hazrat-e-Ala in 1529 AD. Nawab.
Siraj-ud-daula (grandson of Alivardi Khan) became
He married 'Lad Malika' (widow of the Faujdar Taj
Khan of Chunar) in 1530 AD. the Nawab of Bengal in 1756 AD.
He defeated Mahmud Shah of Bengal in the battle He was defeated by the British in the Battle of
of Surajgarh in 1534 AD. Plassey on 23 June 1757.
After defeating Humayun in the battle of Chausa in Mir Jafar became the Nawab of Bengal on 29 June
1539 AD, he assumed the title of 'Sher Shah'. 1757.

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 Modern History of Bihar
European Companies in Bihar to which the merchants associated with it had to face
The Dutch established their trading center in English cruelty, which was the main reason for the
Patna in 1638 AD. However, Bihar Public Service Nonia rebellion that broke out between 1770-1800
Commission considers 1632 AD as correct option. AD.
According to the Patna District Gazetteer, Peter Kol Rebellion
Mundi saw Dutch merchants visiting Patna in This was the first organized and widespread tribal
1632 but it does not mention the details of the revolt in Bihar.
establishment of the Dutch factory. The IGNOU Only the area of Hazaribagh was left untouched by
notes and other authentic books quote time of this rebellion.
establishment of the Dutch factory in Patna in 1638. The immediate reason for this rebellion was
Present Patna College and Collectorate used to be snatching away the rights of Singrai Manki
an opium den of Dutch. and giving them to the Sikhs and the atrocities
Cotton clothes, opium, indigo etc. were exported committed on their sisters.
from here. Due to such misdeeds by the Dikus, Singrai Manki
In 1760 AD, Mir Qasim was made the Nawab of and Surga Munda together with other tribals blew
Bengal in place of Mir Jafar. the trumpet of rebellion.
In 1763 AD Mir Jafar was again made the Nawab Soon this rebellion took a violent form and spread
of Bengal after removing Mir Qasim. to the entire area. Finally, after a long struggle, this
On July 19, 1763, Mir Qasim was defeated by rebellion was also suppressed.
Thomas Adams in the Third Battle of Katwa. After After the Kol rebellion, important changes were
this he was also defeated in the battle of Giria and made in the governance system of Chotanagpur.
Udhwa Nala. Now the provisions of Regulation (XIII) were
On October 22/23 1764, the joint forces of Mir implemented under the Charter of India Act, 1833
Qasim, Nawab of Awadh Shuja-ud-daula and for the governance of this region.
Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II fought in the battle Under this law, Chotanagpur Khas, Palamu,
of Buxar. They were defeated by Major Hector Kharagdiha, Ramgarh and Korunda were separated
Munro. from the former Ramgarh district and organized as
On August 12, 1765, under the Treaty of Allahabad, a non-regulation province of Jungle Mahal and
East India Company got the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar Tributary Mahal and named South-West Frontier
and Orissa in return for an annual payment of Rs 26 Agency.
lakhs to Emperor Shah Alam-II. The responsibility of governing this administrative
Major Rebellion area was entrusted to the representative of the
During the reign of Clive, the soldiers of Munger and Governor General and the first representative
Allahabad revolted, which is known as the White appointed to this post was Captain Thomas
Rebellion. Wilkinson.
The Indigo rebellion took place in 1859-60 AD . It was the same Wilkinson, who had played a leading
Wahabi Movement - Its founder was Abdul Wahab. role in the suppression of the Kol Rebellion and
It was popularized in India by Syed Ahmed Barelvi. further became famous in the general public by the
Patna was an important center of this movement. name of Kisun Saheb.
Faraji Movement - Haji Shariatullah was its main Further Wilkinson made Wilkinson Rule, which was
leader. Patna was its center. implemented in 1837 AD in Kolhan area.
During the British Raj, prisoners lodged in Santhal Rebellion
Muzaffarpur district of Bihar were given brass pots,
The main reasons for this revolt were the excessive
but in 1856, earthen pots were given in their place,
collection of rent by the landlords, exploitation
which provoked the 'Lota Rebellion'.
of the Santhals by the moneylenders, partisan
In Hajipur, Tirhut, Saran and Purnea, Nonia used to
collect and prepare saltpetre. Saltpetre's monopoly behaviour of the police and courts and forcing
was high after the Company's rule. As a result, Nonia of Santhals by the government to lay the railway
started stealing and secretly trading in saltpetre, due between Bhagalpur and Burdwan.

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The main objectives of this rebellion were - to Presently the Jharkhand government celebrates 30
drive away the Dikus, to end foreign rule and to June as 'Hul Diwas' in honor of the Santhal rebellion.
establish Abu'a Raj i.e. self rule. Munda Rebellion (1899-1900 AD)
On June 30, 1855, the Santhal representatives In view of the prevalence of this movement in
gathered at Bhognadih (Sahibganj) and decided to Bihar, it is given the name of 'Ulgulan' or 'Great
revolt. Movement'.
Women also took part in the Santhal rebellion, which This movement had affected other areas including
is exemplified by the sisters (Phulo and Jhano) of South Ranchi as well.
Sido-Kanhu. Since this rebellion was an organized rebellion of
This rebellion had spread from Bhagalpur to the Mundas, hence it is called Munda rebellion.
Rajmahal. Barhait was the main center of the rebels. This rebellion broke-out due to the change of
Sido, Kanhu, Chand and Bhairav led the rebellion the collective land ownership system into the
in Damin-i-Koh, Arjun Manjhi and Bhairav Manjhi Zamindari land ownership system, climaxed in
in Hazaribagh and Gora Manjhi in Birbhum. the form of the religious-political movement of Birsa.
The rebels targeted moneylenders, dikus and Birsa Munda was born on November 15, 1875 in
government buildings. Ulihatu village of Ranchi (Present Khunti) district.
The government adopted a repressive attitude The name of the early teacher of Birsa was Jaipal
toward this rebellion and suppressed it with extreme and the name of the religious teacher of Birsa was
barbarity. Anand Pandey, who was a Vaishnavite.
Major F. Burrough was sent to suppress the rebellion, Birsa's family adopted Christianity and in 1886 AD
who was defeated by the Santhals in the Battle of Birsa was enrolled in a high school in the name of
Pirpainti. Birsa David/Daud, run by the German Christian
The main credit for the suppression of this rebellion Mission.
is given to Captain Alexander Ried and in this Further Birsa renounced Christianity and came
work he was assisted by Lieutenant Thomson and in contact with Anand Pandey, where he learned
Alexander Reid. Vaishnavism.
Kanhu was killed in the struggle, then Chand and Birsa propagated a religion combining the
Bhairav were also killed. Finally, Sido was captured philosophies of Munda, Vaishnavism and
and hanged at Barhait. Christianity, which people called 'Birsa Dharma'
After this rebellion (1858 AD) the East India and their followers were called Birsaits.
Company made large-scale changes and reforms in He exhorted the people to stay clean, give up drug
its administrative system. addiction, social evils and superstitions and above
all turn towards monotheism. Birsa insisted on
Based on the report of Alice Adams, the name of
worshiping only 'Singabonga'.
Damin-i-Koh was changed to Santhal Pargana
In 1895 AD Birsa was arrested on charges of
under Act 37 of 1855, in which Dumka, Deoghar, sedition and sentenced to a fine and two years of
Godda and Rajmahal were four districts. imprisonment in the Hazaribagh Central Prison.
Also in 1860 AD the rights of the Santhals were But after two years, on November 30, 1897, Birsa
restored by passing the Santhal Pargana Tenancy was released from Ranchi Jail.
Act. A commissioner was appointed for governance After his release, Birsa intensified his activities and
in the Santhal Pargana area. started arming the Mundas. On December 25, 1899,
A new police law called 'Yule Rule' (1856) the fire of Ulgulan erupted in Chakradharpur of
was introduced with the help of George Yule, Singhbhum and Khunti, Kari, Torpa, Tamar, Basia
areas of Ranchi.
Commissioner of Bhagalpur.
Under this law, policing powers were given to Rebels attacked hordes of Christians and churches.
the village headman on the basis of consensus by Initially, the target was all Christians, but later action
implementing the traditional village head system. was taken only against the British officers with the
Reflecting the importance of the Santhal rebellion, aim of avoiding the killing of the innocent.
Karl Marx considered it to be the first revolt of India, The government strongly suppressed this rebellion.
which could not overthrow the British rule, but it did On January 9, 1900, there was a fight between the
become the reason for giving birth to the Safahor rebels and the British on the Sail Rakab hill, some
movement. distance from Dombari, in which the rebels were

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