Bihar (India)
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| Capital | Patna |
| Largest City | Patna |
| Governor | M. Rama Jois |
| Chief Minister | Rabri Devi |
| Area | 94,163 kmÃÂò |
| Population - Total - Density | Ranked 3rd in India
82,878,796 (2001) 880/km² |
| Literacy rate: - Total - Male - Female | 47.53% 60.32% 33.57% |
| Urbanization: | 10.47% |
Bihar is a state situated in the eastern part of India. Its capital is Patna.
It is bordered on the north by the Kingdom of Nepal, on the west by Uttar Pradesh, south by Jharkhand, and the east by West Bengal. Bihar lies in the very fertile Gangetic plains, and is part of the Hindi-speaking heartland of India.
It has many local languages.
| Table of contents |
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2 Geography 3 Culture 4 Economy 5 Political Scene 6 Tourism 7 Districts 8 Major Cities 9 External links |
Bihar has a very rich history. Patna its capital city today, Patliputra in those times, was home to one of the greatest monarchs (the Mauryans) in the history of the world who ruled over much of the Indian Subcontinent and extended as far as Iran and Afghanistan to the West. Emperor Ashoka, who preached "ahimsa" or non-violence and spread the message of Buddhism throughout the world, was the most famous ruler of this dynasty. Sher Shah Suri, the builder of the longest road of the Indian subcontinent, the Grand Trunk Road, which starts from Calcutta and ends at Peshawar, Pakistan, was from Sasaram, a western town of Bihar.
During the previous millennium, Bihar had many world famous universities. Nalanda and Vikramshila were the most famous ones.
The tradition of "ahimsa" was also carried into the modern times when the land witnessed the "Satyagraha (or non-violence) Movement" of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi started the freedom movement in India by his Satyagraha in the Champaran district of Bihar against the British, who were forcing the local farmers to plant indigo which was very harmful to the local soil.
History
Religions Originated from State
Bihar is also a birthplace of many religions, including Buddhism and Jainism. When we speak of Bihar we are also remembered of ancient India when Buddhism was evolving into what now is an universal religion.The Word "Bihar" has been coined from "Vihara" meaning Buddhist Monasteries. At one time in the epoch of history these "viharas" were all strewn over the landscape of Bihar, around villages and cities alike.
Bihar is the fascinating land of great religious leaders like Gautama Buddha, Mahavira and Guru Gobind Singh. Buddha attained the Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, a town located in the modern day district of Gaya. Buddha started spreading his teaching after attaining the Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, was born in Vaishali, Bihar.Geography
Division
After the division of the state in 2000, when the industrial and the mineral rich part of the state was carved out as a separate state of Jharkhand, the main economic activity of the state has been agriculture. Bihar is one of the poorest state of India. Blames for this are put on many factors - a historical disfavour from the center of Indian power (be it Calcutta during the British empire or Delhi during the independent India), a deeply polarized and highly politicized society, power hungry and corrupt rulers, lack of social reform movements, etc.
Culture
Festivels
External links