Key Facts about Bihar [2024] – Guide to Success for UPSC, PSC, SSC Aspirants

Bihar at a Glance

• Capital: Patna
• Population: Approximately 123 million (2023 estimate)
• Area: 94,163 square kilometers
• Boundaries: Nepal (North), Jharkhand (South), West Bengal (East), Uttar Pradesh (West)
• Languages: Hindi (official), Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Angika
• Urbanization: 11.3% urban population
• Young Population: 58% under the age of 25

History

• Ancient Period:
  • Magadha Kingdom: One of the sixteen Mahajanapadas of ancient India, Magadha played a significant role in the development of Jainism and Buddhism.
  • Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE): Under Emperor Ashoka, the Maurya Empire unified most of the Indian subcontinent and spread Buddhism far and wide.
  • Gupta Empire (4th to 6th centuries CE): Known as the Golden Age of India, this period saw advancements in science, art, and literature, with Patliputra (modern Patna) as a prominent center.
• Medieval Period:
  • Pala Empire (8th to 12th centuries CE): A powerful Buddhist dynasty that extended over the region, fostering education and culture, particularly at Nalanda and Vikramashila Universities.
  • Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Era: Bihar came under the control of various Muslim rulers, contributing to its diverse cultural heritage.
• Colonial Period:
  • British Rule: Bihar became a part of the Bengal Presidency under British colonial rule. The state played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement, with leaders like Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Jayaprakash Narayan emerging from the region.
• Post-Independence:
  • Formation of Jharkhand (2000): The southern part of Bihar was carved out to form the new state of Jharkhand, leading to significant administrative and economic restructuring.

Geography

Bihar is a landlocked state that covers an area of 94,163 km². It has a varied topography and can be divided into three primary physiographic regions based on its physical and structural characteristics: the Shivalik Range Region, the Bihar Plain, and the Southern Plateau Region. Each of these regions has distinct features and landscapes.

Shivalik Range Region

This region is situated in the extreme northern part of the state, particularly in the West Champaran district.

• Hills: The Shivalik Hills are the youngest mountain range of the Himalayas, known for their rugged terrain.
  • Someshwar Hills: These are part of the Shivalik Range, characterized by their small size but significant elevation relative to the plains.
  • Dun Hills: These are low-lying hills or valleys (duns) formed between the Himalayan foothills and the plains.
• Tarai Region: South of the Shivalik Hills, the Tarai is a low-lying, marshy area that acts as a buffer between the hills and the plains. It is characterized by high moisture and dense vegetation, often leading to challenging living conditions and a sparse population.
• Vegetation:
  • Moist deciduous forests include a variety of trees, shrubs, grasses, and reeds.
• Area Coverage: Spans approximately 32 kilometers in length and 6–8 kilometers in width.

Bihar Plain

• Location: Extends between the Southern Plateau and the Shivalik Range, covering much of the state’s central region.
• Subdivisions: The Bihar Plain is divided into two unequal parts by the Ganges River—North Bihar Plain and South Bihar Plain.
• Topography:
  • Alluvial Plains: These plains are formed by sediment deposits from the rivers, creating fertile land ideal for agriculture.
  • Elevation: The plains lie at an average elevation of about 150 meters above mean sea level.
• Hydrology:
  • Dominated by the Ganges River, which flows through the heart of the region.
  • Numerous rivers originating from the Himalayas join the Ganges, including the Ghaghra, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Bagmati, Kamla-Balan, Kosi, and Mahananda.

North Bihar Plain

• Elevation: Slightly higher compared to the southern plains.
• Drainage:
  • Well-drained by several major rivers and their tributaries, including the Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Bagmati, Kamla-Balan, Kosi, and Mahananda.

South Bihar Plain

• Lies to the south of the Ganges River.
• Narrower than the northern plain and triangular in shape.

Southern Plateau Region

• Location and Extent: Lies to the south of the Ganges River, extending from the Kaimur district in the west to the Banka district in the east.
• Geological Formation:
  • Part of the larger Chhotanagpur Plateau, which extends into the neighboring state of Jharkhand.
  • Comprised of ancient, hard rocks like gneiss, schist, and granite.
• Topography and Landscape: The region features rugged, hilly terrain with numerous conical hills.
  • Batholiths: Conical hills formed by the solidification of magma, such as Pretshil, Ramshila, and Jethian hills.
• Mineral Resources: Rich in mineral deposits, contributing significantly to the state’s mining industry. Key minerals include coal, limestone, and bauxite.

Related Article: Physiographic Regions of India

Important Rivers

1. Ganges (Ganga)

• Source: The Ganges originates from the Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand.
• Course in Bihar:
  • Enters Bihar from the west near Buxar.
  • Flows eastward through Patna, Mokama, and Bhagalpur, and enters West Bengal.
  • Covers a substantial length within Bihar, acting as a major lifeline for the state’s agrarian economy.

• Mouth: The Ganges flows into the Bay of Bengal, forming the Sundarbans Delta in West Bengal.

• North Bank Tributaries: Ghaghra (Saryu), Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Bagmati, Kosi, and Mahananda (in Bangladesh).
• South Bank Tributaries: Son, Punpun, and Kiul.

• Cultural Significance: The river Ganges is considered sacred in Hinduism. Cities like Patna and Bhagalpur host important cultural and religious events along its banks.

2. Kosi

• Source: The Kosi River originates in the Tibetan Plateau, formed by the confluence of the Sun Kosi, Arun, and Tamur rivers.
• Course in Bihar:
  • Enters Bihar from the north, near the town of Supaul.
  • Flows southward through the Mithila region, passing through districts like Saharsa, Supaul, and Madhepura.
  • Joins the Ganges near Kursela in Katihar district.

• Mouth: Merges with the Ganges River near Kursela.

• Tributaries: Dudh Kosi, Likhu Kosi, Bhote Kosi, Arun, and Tamur (all primarily in Nepal before they converge to form the Kosi).

• Sorrow of Bihar: The Kosi is known as the “Sorrow of Bihar” due to its frequent and devastating floods caused by silt deposition and changes in its course.

3. Gandak

• Source: Originates from the glaciers of the Dhaulagiri range in Nepal, formed by the union of the Kali Gandaki and Trishuli rivers.
• Course in Bihar:
  • Enters Bihar near the Valmikinagar Barrage at the Indo-Nepal border.
  • Flows southeast through the districts of West Champaran, East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, and Saran.
  • Joins the Ganges near Hajipur in Vaishali district.

• Mouth: Confluences with the Ganges River near Hajipur.

• Tributaries: Sikta, Masan, and the Burhi Gandak (confluences with Gandak in the plains before the main river reaches the Ganges).
• Barrage and Canals: The Valmikinagar Barrage facilitates water storage and distribution through the Gandak Canal system, benefiting agriculture and hydroelectric power generation.

4. Son (Sone)

• Source: Rises near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh, in the Maikal range.
• Course in Bihar:
  • Enters Bihar in Rohtas district.
  • Flows northeast through the districts of Rohtas, Aurangabad, and Arwal.
  • Joins the Ganges near Patna.

• Mouth: Merges with the Ganges near Maner, west of Patna.

• Tributaries: Notable tributaries include the Rihand and North Koel rivers before entering Bihar.
• Dams and Canals: The Indrapuri Barrage on the Son River facilitates irrigation and flood control. The Son Canal System is one of the oldest irrigation systems in India.

5. Ghaghra (Saryu)

• Source: Originates from the Tibetan Plateau, flowing through Nepal as the Karnali River.
• Course in Bihar:
  • Enters Bihar near the northern border and flows eastward through the districts of Siwan, Saran, and Gopalganj.
  • Confluences with the Ganges near the town of Chapra.

• Mouth: Merges with the Ganges near Chapra in the Saran district.

• Tributaries: The major tributary within Bihar is the smaller rivers and streams flowing from the northern hills into the main river.

• Cultural Importance: The river is often associated with the Saryu River mentioned in ancient Indian texts, holding significant cultural and religious value.

6. Bagmati

• Source: Rises in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal, south of the Himalayas.
• Course in Bihar:
  • Enters Bihar near Sitamarhi.
  • Flows southeast through the districts of Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, and Darbhanga.
  • Joins the Kosi River in Khagaria district before eventually draining into the Ganges.

• Mouth: Joins the Kosi, which then flows into the Ganges.

• Tributaries: Includes smaller streams and rivers such as the Lalbakeya, Lakhandei, and Adhwara rivers.

• Floodplain Agriculture: The Bagmati River supports agriculture in its floodplains, providing vital water resources for paddy and wheat farming.
• Cultural Significance: The river is sacred in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, particularly in Nepal.

7. Mahananda

• Source: Originates in the Darjeeling hills of West Bengal.
• Course in Bihar:
  • Enters Bihar in the northern part of the state, near the Kishanganj district.
  • Flows through Purnia and Katihar districts.
  • Joins the Ganges River near Sahebganj in Jharkhand.

• Mouth: Confluences with the Ganges near Sahebganj in Jharkhand.

• Tributaries: Balason, Mechi, and Kankai rivers are significant tributaries contributing to the Mahananda in Bihar.

• Agricultural Support: The river’s basin is highly fertile, supporting diverse agricultural activities, including the cultivation of rice, jute, and maize.

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries

• Valmiki National Park, located in the West Champaran district, is a significant national park in Bihar.
• Wildlife sanctuaries: Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary.

Economy

• The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Bihar grew by 10.98% in 2021-22.
• The contribution of sectors to the GSDP –
  • primary sector – 21.2%,
  • secondary sector – 18.1%, and
  • tertiary sector – 60.7%.
• The per capita GSDP at current prices was Rs. 54,383.

Major Historical Places of Bihar

• Nalanda:
  • Nalanda is renowned for the ancient Nalanda University, a learning center in the 5th to 12th centuries.
  • The ruins of the university are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Bodh Gaya:
  • Bodh Gaya is where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree and became Buddha. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Patna Sahib (Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib):
  • This is one of the Five Takhts in Sikhism and an important pilgrimage site for Sikhs associated with Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.
• Vikramshila University:
  • Location: Bhagalpur District
  • Vikramshila was an ancient Buddhist university and a major center for Buddhist learning during the Pala Empire.
• Rajgir:
  • Rajgir was the ancient capital of the Magadh Mahajanpad. It has sites associated with both Buddhism and Jainism.
• Pawapuri:
  • Pawapuri is a holy site for Jains, associated with the final nirvana of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara.
• Sher Shah’s Tomb:
  • Location: Sasaram
  • It is a fine example of medieval Islamic architecture.
• Qila House (Patna Qila):
  • Location: Patna
  • Significance: The Qila House is associated with the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II, who was imprisoned here after the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

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