VAISHALI, Bihar

Main Attraction: Remains Of Lichhavis Republic

Set amidst lush paddy fields, 55 km north of Patna, lies the quiet hamlet steeped in legend, Vaishali. Named after King Visala, it was the capital of the Lichhavis, and is believed to be one of the earliest republics of the world, having an elected body of representatives and an efficient administration, as early as 6th century BC. Vaishali is significant to both Buddhists and Jains. Lord Buddha preached his first sermon, and announced his impending Nirvana, here. To commemmorate the importance of the site, Emperor Ashoka erected one of his famous pillars. Vaishali is also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira.

Brief History

This district derives its name after Vaishali or modern Basarh, a village in the north-west corner of the district, situated 32 Kms north west of Hajipur. It has been identified as the birth-place of Mahabir, the 24th Jain Tirthankar. It was also the capital of the powerful confederacy of the Lichchavis. The district is bounded on the north by Muzaffarpur district, on the south by Patna district (the Ganges forming a natural boundary), on the east by Samastipur district and on the west by the district of Saran.

Early History

Little is known about the original inhabitants of this ancient land of North Bihar. History of the district dates back to the rise of the Vrijjian Republic which replaced the Videhan monarchy. The centre of power also shifted from Mithila to Vaishali, the capital of the republic, which is identified with modern Basarh. The Vrijjian Republic was a confederation of eight clans, of which the Lichchavis were the most important. They gradually gained strength and came in conflict with the powerful kingdom of Magadh, Bimbisar (Circa 519 B.C.), the founder of the Magadh Empire, had secured his position by concluding matrimonial alliance with the neighbouring states of the Kosalas and the Lichchavis. Bimbisar was assassinated by his son Ajatsatru, who afterwards invaded Vaishali and extended his way over Tirhut.

Vaishali was a centre of religious renaissance Lord Mahavir, the founder of modern Jainism, was born in about 599 B.C near Valishali. Like Lord Buddha, he also came of an aristocratic family. His father was the Chief of the Nata or Naya clan of Kshatriyas. Mahavir became an ascetic at the age of 30 and revived the religion founded by Parsvantha.

Lord Buddha was a contemporary of Mahavir. It is said that when Vaishali was in the grip of a devastating plague, its people exhorted Buddha to pay a visit. On his arrival at the city, the fury of the pestilence was greatly reduced and this miracle won him a good many disciples. Although, Vaishali was the birth-place of Mahavir, it was influenced more by Buddhism. Even at a much later date, many stupas and sevreal Buddhist monasteries were found here by travellers including Hiuen Tsang. Even after the defeat of the Vrijjians by the Magadh emperor, Ajatshatru Vaishali continued to be and important place. The second great synod of the Buddhists was held here.

Vaishali appears to have gradually lost its glory after the Buddhist synod. Not much is known about it for the next several centuries. The Lichchavis, who had acknowledged the suzerainty of Magadh, ruled over the area. Vaishali was visited by Ashoka who got a stupa and a lion pillar erected here.

The Kushan King, Kanishka, invaded Vaishali in about 120 A.D. Fa-hien, the Chinese pilgrim visited the place during his tour of India, but he did not leave any detailed account of the place. A description of Vaishali appears in the travel accounts of Hiuen Tsang, who visited it about 635 A.D. according to this, the people were honest and religious and respected the learned. Hiuen Tsang say many deserted monasteries, some of which were in ruins. There were many Jains indicating that Buddhism was on the decline in that period. 

Medieval Period

There is a great dearth of material on the history of North Bihar including Vaishali from the visit of Hiuen Tsang till the rise of the Pala dynasty. In the 8th century A.D. Gopala, the first of the Pala kings, became the ruler of Bengal. He extended his authority over Bihar in about 750A.D. The Palas continued to have their hold over Tirhut until 1019 A.D. When the Chedi kings of Central India established their sway. They were replaced towards the close of the 11th century by the rulers of the Sena dynasty. Lakshman Sena was powerful king of his dynasty.

Muslim Period

Ghias-ud-din Iwaz, the Governor of Bengal between 1211 and 1226, was the first Muslim invader of Tirhut. He subdued the Raja of Tirhut and extorted tributes from Him. Iwaz, however, could not succeeded in conquering the country. It was only in 1323 that Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlak succeeded in establishing his sway over the district. Hajipur, which had great strategic importance due to its situation at the confluence of the rivers Gandak and Ganga, was the seat of the Governors. Being under their direct control, the district has a number of relics of the Muslim period. The town of Hajipur itself was founded by Haji Illyas, king of Bengal from 1345 to 1358. He invaded Tirhut and, to consolidate his conquest, built a fortress at Hajipur. Feroz Tughlaq of Delhi marched to Tirhut in 1353 to punish Haji Illyas for his attempt at taking over the Emperors domain. The Haji was ultimately defeated and the Emperor returned to Delhi.

The whole North Bihar appears to have passed into the hands of the kings of Jaunpur towards the close of the 14th Century. It remained under them for about a hundred years until Emperor Sikander Lodi of Delhi defeated the king of Jaunpur and retrieved the territory. After his victory over the king of Jaunpur, the Emperor advanced against Hussian Shah in 1949, who by that time had extended his power over large tracts in Bihar. Hussain Shah found in difficult to resist the imperial forces and therefore he came to agreement with the Emperior and concluded a treaty with him at Barh. According to the terms, Hussain Shah withdrew from Bihar, Tirhut and Sarkar Saran while the Emperor agreed to desist from interfering with his possession in Bengal. 

But the kings of Bengal could not for long resist the temptation of extending their power over Tirhut. Nasrat Shah, son of Hussain Shah, raided Tirhut in the early 16th century not withstanding the earlier treaty concluded by his father. The Raja of Tirhut was killed and the king’s son-in-law, Alauddin was appointed Governor of Tirhut. Nasrat Shah also took over Hajipur and put another son-in-low, Makhdoom Alam there. The power of the kings of Bengal was, however, waning and, with the fall of Mahmood Shah, North Bihar including Vaishali, became a part of the Mughal Empire. Though the entire North Bihar had been annexed, the control way very loose and petty chieftains continued to be powerful. 

When Daud Khan, the king of Bengal, raised the banner of revolt in 1574, he founded aband of ready supporters in the Afghans. Daud Khan had his stronghold at Patna and Hajipur. It was only after a fierce fight that the Mughals defeated Daud Khan. After the fall of the Afghan king, a separate Subah of Bihar was constituted and placed under a Mughal Governor. Tirhut which included Vaishali formed part of this Subah. The chieftains who had helped the Emperor were rewarded with grants of Jagir in Sarkar Hajipur. They settled down with their retinue. With the transfer of the headquarters of the Governor from Hajipur to Patna, the former lost its importance.

British Period

With the British victory at Buxar in 1764 Vaishali passed, with the rest of Bihar, under the British rule. After establishing their authority the English took steps to strengthen their hold. In the initial stages their chief interest was trade. In course of time, however, they emerged as rulers and succeeded in subduing the entire district. There was no event of great consequence in the district uptil the movement of 1857. The success of the insurgents at Delhi caused great concern to the English inhabitants in the district. In June, 1857 some of the soldiers (from amongst those who had revolted) came back home and became quite active. This caused considerable alarm to the European Community. The movement was ultimately crushed and the district remained undisturbed for quite some time.

The political awakening in the country in the period after the First World War stimulated nationalist movement in Vaishali district also. During the Non-Co-operation Movement, and later on during the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930-31, the district responded widely to the call of Mahatma Gandhi. During the ‘Quit-India Movement’ in 1942 the district was in full fury. The district played a prominent role in the country’s struggle for freedom.

PASHCHIM CHAMPARAN, Bihar

Main Attraction: VALMIKINAGAR

Formally known as BHAINSA LOTAN, it is a famous tourist spot where a dam is built on the river Gandak (Gandak Project). This dam and its channels are the lifeline of north-western part of Bihar. This channel also irrigates some portions of eastern U.P. This dam is also generating hydroelectricity.

This dam has been handed over to the nation by late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru the then Prime Minister. For any tourist interested in exploring natural beauty, a visit to the sylvan surroundings of Valmilki Nagar is a must, where the gushing streams of Gandak break the ascetic calm of the Himalayan foothills.

Brief History

The name Champaran is a degenerate form of Champaka aranya, a name which dates back to the time when the district was a tract of the forest of Champa (Magnolia) trees & was the abode of solitary asectics.The whole district is dotted with places held in religious esteem as the traditional abodes of Hindu rishis, such as valmiki, in whose hermitage Sita, the banished spouse of Rama, is said to have taken shelter. 

This great sage is reputed to have resided near Sangrampur, and the village is believed to be indebted for its name (which means the city of the battle) to the famous fight between Rama and his two sons, Lava and Kusha. There is also a popular belief that within this district lay the kingdom of Virat mentioned in the Mahabharat as the tract within which the Pandavas spent the last year of their weary 12 years’ exile; and that its capital, where the five brothers resided a year, was situated at or near a village called Vairati, or Bairati 9 or 10 kms. west of Ramnagar.

Apart from these traditions, it seems probable that Champaran was occupied at an early period by races of Aryan descent and formed part of the country in which the Videhas has settled after their migration from the Punjab. According to the legend preserved in Vedic literature, Agni the God of fire, accompanied the Videhas in their march eastwards from the banks of the Saraswati, and when they came to the broad stream of the Gandak, they cleared the forest, cultivated the virgin soil and founded a great and powerful kingdom. This kingdom was in course of time ruled over by king Janaka, who is said by local legend to have lived at Chankigarh, known locally as Jankigarh, 17 kilometres north of Lauriya Nandangarh. Under his rule, according to the Hindu mythology, the kingdom of Mithila was the most civilised kingdom in India. King Janak, himself was a scholar and author of Upanishads, and his chief priest, Yajnavalkya was the renowned codifier of the Hindu law. 

After the decline of the Videha empire, the district formed part of the Vrijjian oligarchical republic with its capital at Vaishali. The Lichchhavis were the most prominent of the clans which constituted the Vrijjian confederation. Ajatshatru the emperor of Magadh succeeded in subduing the Licchhhavis and occupying their capital at Vaishali. He extended his sovereignty over the present district of Paschim Champaran which continued under the Mauryan rule for the next hundred years. Ashoka’s pillars have been found at Lauriya (Nandangarh). After the Mauryas, the Sungas and Kanvas ruled over Magadh and its territories. Archaeological evidences pointing to the influence of the Sunga and Kanva culture which have been found in the district.

The district thereafter formed part of the Kushan Empire and later came under the Gutpa Empire, though not much is known about the material culture of the district in that age. Alongwith Tirhut, the district was possibly annexed by Harsha during whose reign Hiuen Tsang, the famous Chinese pilgrim visited India.

The history of the district during the medieval period and the British period is linked with the history of Bettiah Raj.

The District Gazetteer mentions the Bettiah Raj as a great estate. It traces its descent from one Ujjain Singh and his son, Gaj Singh who received the title of Raja from the Emperor Shah Jehan (1628-58). The family came into prominence in the 18th century during the time of the downfall of the Mughal Empire when one finds frequent references made by Muhammadan historians to the Rajas of Bettiah as independent chiefs. Thus, in the Riyazus-Salatin, the Raja is described as a refractory and turbulent chief, whose territory had never acknowledged the dominion of any of the Subahdars. 

In order to subdue this chief Ali Vardi Khan led an expedition against him in 1729, and brought him and his territory under subjugation. Subsequently, in 1748, the Raja seems to have entered into an alliance with the Afghan rebel chief of Darbhanga and given shelter to the members of his family during their revolt against the Bengal Viceroy; when the Afghans were defeated by Ali vardi Khan, he offered to atone for his contumacy with a contribution of 3 lakhs of rupees. In 1759 Caillaud advanced against the fort of Bettiah, and compelled the Raja to submit; in 1762 another expedition was sent against him by Mir Kasim Ali Khan and his fort was again captured; and in 1766 a third expedition under Sir Robert Barker became necessary to establish British authority.

At the time when Sarkar Champaran passed under British rule, it was in the possession of Raja Jugal Keshwar Singh, who succeeded Raja Dhurup Singh in 1763. This Raja soon came in conflict with the East India Company. He fell into arrears of revenue and after an unsuccessful attempt to resist the British forces fled to Bundelkhand for safety. The attempt by the Company to manage the estate proved, however, a complete failure; and the Company finding that its revenue grew less and less, persuaded Jugal Keshwar Singh to return. They then settled with him parganas Majhawa and Simraon, the remainder of the district being given to his cousins, Sri Kishan Singh and Abdhat Singh and forming the Sheohar Raj. The same two paraganas of Majhawa and Simraon were settled with Bir Keshwar Singh, the son of Jugal Keshwar Singh, at the Decennial Settlement in 1791, which constituted the greater part of the Bettiah Raj Estate. Bir Keshwar Singh played a prominent part in the disputes which led to the Nepalese war, and was succeeded in 1816 by Anand Keshwar Singh on whom Lord William Bentinck conferred the title of Maharaja Bahadur as a reward for services rendered. 

On the death of his successor, Newal Keshwar Singh in 1855, the estate passed to Rajendra Keshwar who, in the words of the Lieutenant-Governor, gave at the time of the Mutiny “praiseworthy aid and support to Government during the whole progress of the rebellion”. The title of Maharaja Bahadur was also given to this Raja and to his son, Harendra Keshwar Singh, the last Maharaja of Bettiah, who was subsequently made K.C.I.E. and died in 1893. He left no children and was succeeded by his senior widow, who died in 1896. The estate, which had been under the management of the Court of Wards since 1897, was also held by the Maharaja’s junior widow’ Maharani Janaki Kuoar who was styled Maharani by courtesy. Her title to the estate was contested on three occasions. Babu Ramnandan Singh and Babu Girijanandan Singh of Sheohar each laid claim to the estate, but their claims were disallowed by the Privy Council in 1902.

The Bettiah Raj palace occupies a large area in the centre of the town. Much of the old palace was removed and large modern additions were made by the Court of Wards. In 1910 at the request of the Maharani the new palace was built after the plan of Graham’s palace in Calcutta. The later history of the district is intimately connected with indigo plantation. Britain used to get supplies of indigo from her American colonies but this ceased after the War of Independence in 1776 as a result of which the colonies became free. This forced the British to fall back upon India for supplies of indigo. Many factories were set up by the Europeans in the indigo-producing areas of Bengal and Bihar. The Bettiah and Ramnagar estates gave leases of land to them for indigo cultivation on rather easy terms.

In the freedom struggle the district played an important role and was among the outstanding districts in the state in regard to national movement. The rise of nationalism in Bettiah in early 20th century is intimately connected with indigo plantation. Raj Kumar Shukla, an ordinary raiyat and indigo cultivator of Champaran met Gandhijii and explained the plight of the cultivators and the atrocities of the planters on the raiyats. Gandhijii came to Champaran in 1917 and listened to the problems of the cultivators and the started the movement known as Champaran Satyagraha Movement to end the oppression of the British indigo planters. By 1918 the long standing misery of the indigo cultivators came to an end and Champaran became the hub of Indian National Freedom Movement and the launch pad of Gandhi’s Satyagraha.

DARBHANGA, Bihar

Main Attraction: Rambagh Palace

Darbhnga is the seat of the Maharaja of Darbhanga.The Maharajas of Darbhanga have traditionally been very great patrons of art and literature.The estate was conferred upon by Emperor Akbar.There are a number of palaces built by successive Maharajas, important among them being Rambagh Palace, Nargauna Palace, Anandbagh Bhawan and Bela Palace. Situated in Darbhanga town the gate of Rambagh Palace is a massive structure which attracts persons coming to the town.

Brief History

The district takes its name from its only town, Darbhanga - the district headquarters, which is said to have been founded by one Darbhangi Khan, about whom practically nothing is known. It is also held that the name Darbhanga has been derived from Dwar Banga or Dar-i-Banga meaning “ the door to Bengal “. This derivation does not appear to be very correct as the division between Bengal and Bihar has always been much further to the east. However, the linguistic and cultural affinity with Bengal may be said to commence from here.

Early History

According to the District Gazetteer of Darbhanga, there are practically no prehistoric sites in the district though remains of the earliest aboriginal population can be seen in some parts of the district. Darbhanga lay on the great lines of Aryan immigration at a time when other parts of Bihar were outside the pale of Aryan influence. According to a legend, Darbhanga formed a part of the territory in which the Videhas settled on their migration from Punjab. They were guided to the east of the Gandak river by Agni, the God of fire, and told to settle there. Settlements were accordingly established and the kingdom of Videha founded. The kingdom included a greater portion of the modern district of Darbhanga. The kingdom, in course of time, came to be ruled by a successive line of kings commonly known as Janaks. Of them, Janak Siradhvaja was the father of Sita. Prominent among them were Yajnavalkya who codified the Hindu Law and Gautam ( the husband of Ahilya ) who has valuable philosophical treaties to his credit. King Janak himself was a great philosopher and his ideas have been eternally enshrined in the Upnishads.

In the course of time, the Videhan monarchy is believed to have been replaced by a Sangha or federation in the form of a republic. The establishment of the vrijjian republic (of which Videha was a part) marks the beginning of the historic period. The centre of power had, however, shifted to Vaishali and the Lichchhavis were the most prominent among the different clans that constituted the federation. The ascendancy of the Vrijjian republic was checked by Ajat-shatru, the Emperor of Magadh, who subdued and extended his control over north Bihar. This control, however, extended only to an acknowledgement of suzerainty; the small republics that had constituted the federation continued to flourish. In fact the continuous history of the Lichchhavis up to the Gupta period can be traced, with some certainty, presumably Darbhanga, like other parts of Bihar, passed through religious upheavals in the 6th century B.C. when Gautam Buddha and Mahavir Vardhamana expounded their doctrines. That the second Buddhist council took place at Vaishali (in the 4th century B.C.) indicates that Buddhism had entrenched itself in the area at that time.

The Sisunaga and Nanda empires included the Darbhanga district. Under the Mauryas, the administrative hold was further tightened and their rule was marked with stability and prosperity. Ashoka had visited Vaishali. The Sungas (who came to power in 185 B.C) and the Kanvas also held sway over the district. From the time of the Kushanas till the rise of Guptas, the history of the district remains more or less uneventful.

Matrimonial alliances with the Lichchhavis enabled the Guptas of Magadh to regain control over north Bihar which came to be known as Tirabhukti. Vaishali was the administrative headquarters of the Tirabhukti region. The Chinese pilgrim, Fa-Hien visited north Bihar during the reign of Chandragupta II. He observed that Buddhism was no longer as flourishing as in the past. The earlier renown of Darbhanga as the place of philosophers continued in Gupta period as well. Kumarila Bhatt was a prominent philosopher. With the decline of the Gupta Empire, local autonomy reasserted itself. Later, Harashavardhana (606-648 A.D) annexed Darbhanga. Hiuen Tsang visited the area in 635 A.D. After the death of Harshavardhana, due to friction with a Chinese mission, Tirhut was invaded and occupied by the combined forces of Tibet and Nepal. They were, however, driven off by Adityasena (672 A.D.) After the fall of the later Guptas Yasovarman of Kannauj (700-740 A.D.) ruled over the area. Tirhut came under the Pala Kings of Bengal in the 9th century. The Karnata or Simraon dynasty was founded in 1097 by Nanyadeva who had to face conflict with the Senas of Bengal.

Medieval Period

Nanyadeva became very powerful and eventually succeeded in extending his domain over the whole of Mithila and Nepal. One of his sons ruled over Nepal while, Ganga Deva, reigned in Mithila. The latter is known to be the first ruler to have constituted fiscal divisions for revenue administration. His kingdom was divided into Parganas which in turn were split up into a number of panchayats. Ganga Deva is attributed to have built fortresses in the village Lahera Raja in Bahera police station. He is also said to have excavated two large tanks, known as Ganga Sagar near Darbhanga railway station. Narsingh Deva ascended the throne on the death of his father Ganga Deva. He quarrelled with his kingsman in Nepal as a result of which Mithila and Nepal were separated for ever. He was succeeded by his son Ram Singh Deva, who was a great scholar of Vedic literature and an able administrator. During his time several commentaries on the Vedas were compiled and a code of conduct was drawn up for the guidance of Hindus in their religious and social activities. 

Ram Singh Deva is credited with the introduction of the system of patwaris or village accountants for the maintenance of village records. Hara Singh Deva was the last ruler of the dynasty. He is known to have excavated several tanks in the district, and to have prepared records of the caste subdivisions of the Maithil Brahmins and the Karna Kayasthas. It was during his rule, that Tughlak Shah led a successful military expedition to Tirhut in 1329. The fort of Ram Singh Deva was besieged but he himself managed to escape to Nepal. With the fall of the Simraon dynasty, Tirhut was annexed by the empire of Delhi. Different rulers, prominent among them being Kameshwar Thakur, Bhogiswar Thakur, Kirti singh and the most important of them Shiva Singh were made incharge of the territory. The tenure of the rulers depended on the pleasure of the “Emperor”. The territory was brought under the direct administration of the Muslim Governors in 1532.

Though Darbhanga, along with other parts of north Bihar, was annexed to the Mughal Empire, the control was very loose and the local chiefs exercised great power. North Bihar had many Afghan settlers. Their number had increased owing to the large-scale immigration of those who had refused to serve the Mughals. They were turbulent, and when Daud Khan the Afghan king of Bengal, rose in revolt in 1574, he got a band of ready supporters in them. When the Mughal generals failed to control the rebellion. Emperor Akbar himself led a large army to crush the aspiration of Daud Khan. The Afghans were defeated and Bihar was lost to them. Akbar created a separate Subah of Bihar and placed it under Mughal Governor. Darbhanga thereafter remained a part of the Mughal Subah. There was no event of great significance during the next century and a half until the arrival of the Britishers in the country.

The decisive victory of the British in the battle of Buxar in 1764 gave them undisputed sway over the lower provinces of Bengal. As a consequence, Darbhanga along with other parts of Bihar, passed under the control of the British. The history of the district thereafter is merged with the history of the British rule in India. After assuming control over the territory, the British took steps to consolidate their authority. Mithila, the enlightened home of Hindu culture and learning, had been ravaged by the Muslim and the Mughal armies from time to time. 

During the period of transition from the old order to the rule of the East India Company, lawlessness increased. The British administrators took steps to establish law and order immediately and the responsibility devolved upon them. Besides the troublemonger in Mithila, they had also to deal with the incursions of the Nepalese. The troubles with Nepal culminated in the Indo-Nepalese war. After having concluded peace with Nepal, the British administrators had a comparatively quiet time till the

1857 movement.

In 1857 patriotic fervour raged high in Darbhanga as in many other district of Bihar. The success of the rebel forces over Captain Dunbar at Dinapore gave great impetus to leaders of the freedom movement. The disillusioned zamindars were secretly supporting the cause. The Nepalese came to the aid to the British and with their support they succeeded in controlling the movement. Nothing very significant happened in the district during the next fifty years. Though the East India Company had succeeded in arresting the National Movement of 1857, the country’s resolve to free itself from foreign domination continued. 

In the beginning the patriotic fervour found expression through the establishment of schools, and other social institutions. The Saraswati Academy was founded in 1901 at Darbhanga. The call for non-co-operation found adequate response in the district of Darbhanga and many people volunteered to serve the cause championed by Mahatma Gandhi. Use of swadeshi goods was encouraged and Khadi became very popular, in August, 1926 a Khadi exhibition was opened at Laheriasarai by Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Mahatma Gandhi also paid a visit to the district in connection with his mission to popularise Khadi.

Soon Darbhanga became the nerve-centre of political awakening. It played a very prominent role in the freedom movement and some of the most important leaders of Bihar during that time, such as Late Braj Kishore Prasad, Dharnidhar Prasad, etc. lived here. Though the popular agitation was suppressed at times, the movement continued and finally culminated in the independence of the country in 1947.

SARAN, Bihar

Main Attraction: Cattle fair of Sonepur

According the story in Purana goes in olden era, on the eve of Kartika Purnima (Full Moon day of Kartika) a crocodile caught a crazy elephant in the water of Narayani (Gandaki) river while he was joyfully taking bath. A horrible fight between crocodile and the elephant continued for several days. When the elephant realized his defeat and death coming closer he very fervently prayed Lord Vishnu to save his soul. Lord Vishnu emerged immediately and salvaged the elephant by killing the crocodile. Since then, due to this episode in the region, on Kartika Purnima every year, the largest cattle fair in Asia is held here.

Brief History

Various hypothesis have been put forward about the origin of the name Saran. General Cunningham suggested that Saran was earlier known as Sarana or asylum which was a name given to a stumbled (pillar) built by Emperor Ashoka to commemorate the conversion to Buddhism of some legendary demons who ate human flesh. He considered that the site of stupa must be some where near Arrah. Another view holds that the name Saran has been derived from saranga-aranya or the deer forest. 

The district being famous for its wide expanses of forest and deer in prehistoric time. According to another account worthy of recapitulation, Saran is a derivative of Sakra Aranya, the forest of Sakra which is another name for Indra. This forest is said to have covered the country around Visala at which place king Sumati received Lord Ramchandra when he was proceeding with Vaishwamitra on way from Ayodhya to Mithila.Yet another legend explains the three names Arrah, Saran and Champaran as corrupt forms of old Sanskrit names Aranya, Saranya and Champaranya derived from the thick forests covering these areas.

Early history

The Cheros are believed to have been the chief among the pre-Aryan inhabitants of the district. According to the vedic literature, the Aryan videhas came from the west and settled largely in the area east of the Gandak river as ordained by Agni, the God of fire. However many of them remained to the west of the river and settled in the area now comprising the Saran district.Saran formed the part of the kingdom of Kosala (Uttar Kosala) which figured prominently in the history of eastern India during the time of Gautama Buddha. In the travel memoirs of Hiuen-Tsang, the Chinese pilgrim who traveled in the country between 620 and 645 A.D. there is mention of three places he visited towards the north of the Ganges. The places were (1) Narayan deo Temple which has balconies as well as sculptured and ornamented towers, (2) a stupa (pillar) built by Ashoka towards the east of the Narayandeo Temple and (3) another stupa built by a Brahmin over the kumbha (pitcher) with which he had measured the ashes of Buddha and divided them into the eight equal parts for distribution to the eight kings of the areas. 

The Dighwara. Hiuen Tsang mentioned the aleove description in his diary relating to Chenchu district, which correspond with modern Gajipur in Uttar Pradesh. This indicates that Saran was probably a part of the kingdom of Gajipur in that period. The earliest authentic historical fact or record concerning this district may perhaps be related to 898 A.D. which suggest that the village of Dighwa-Dubauli in Saran had supplied a copper plate issued in the reign of king Mahendra Paldeva. It records the grant of land in Sravasti Bhukti there by suggesting that the Guryara Pratihara empire extended upto Gandak, if not further east, on the northern banks of the Ganges. It follows, therefore, that Saran in the ninth century of the Christian era was a part of Sravasti Bhyukti, just as it is now part of Saran Division.

Mention may also be made here of the probable ravaging of the district by the Chinese General Wang-Hiuen-Tse in 647 A.D. A part from these disjointed inklings, the history of the district in mediaeval period is largely strouded in darkness.

Muslim period

Ghyasuddin, the Muslim Governor of Bengal, waged a war against the Raja of Tirhut between 1211 and 1226 A.D. Tirhut was for the first time subjugated by the Muslims during this period and obliged to pay tribute to them. Towards the close of the 13th century Nasiruddin Bughra Khan fought against his son, Muizuddin Kaikobad when the latter was installed at Delhi after the death of his grand father. The two armies of the son and the father met on the bank of river, Gogra in Saran, but truce were arrived at without any actual fighting. According to its term Nasiruddin gave up his claim to Delhi, but retained the right to hold Bengal as an independent kingdom.

The next event of important was the invasion of Tirhut by Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, the first independent Sultan of Bengal (1339 to 1538). He ravaged Saran extended his hold over the entire district and built a fortress at Hazipur. Saran continued to be a part of Bengal being separated from the Delhi empire by the river Gogra. In 1397 Saran alongwith Champaran was taken over by the king of Jaunpur and continued to be a part of this kingdom over a century until Alauddin Hussain Shah, king of Bengal (1493-1518) managed to bring it back in the kingdom of Bengal. When Sikander Lodi marched into Bihar subjugating Jaunpur, he did not dare to clash with the powerful Bengal army and preferred to conclude a treaty with Alauddin Hussain Shah in 1499. According to this treaty Sarkar Saran was added to Sikander Lodi who in his turn agreed not to extend his influence to Bengal proper. It may be noted here that though Saran was at his time included in the Muslim empire, the Muslims did not actually exercise any effective control. Thus Ferista mentions that when Sinkander Lodi subdued the district it was in the hands of Hindu Zamindars. This state of affairs did not remain un-noticed and emperor Sikander Lodi made Hussain Khan Formuli, the jagirdar of Saran and Champaran which were called Jalkhet or fields of water because of their lowlying lands. Formuli was a religious fanatic and with an unparalleled frenzy, managed to confiscate twenty thousand villages of Hindu Zamindars and extended his own Jagir.

Mughal period

Nasrat Shah son of Hussain Shah, disregarded the treaty concluded by his father with Sikander Lodi & invaded Tirhut. He established his authority over Saran & extended it across the Gogra to the district of Balia as well. This was much to the dislike of Babar the mughal emperor at Delhi. Babar moved to Bihar with large force in 1529. While camping at arrah he learnt that the army of Nasrat Shah was camping near the Junction of Ganges & the Gogra. This was considered to be a hostile act by Babar and he demanded that Nasrot Shah should withdraw his army which the latter refused to do. In the battle that followed Nasrat Sah was thoroughly vanquished. Babar made a grant of Saran to Saran Muhammad maruf who has secured the emperors confidence. About 50 years later Aker defeated Daud Khan the Afgan King of Bangal at Patna in 1574. Saran then became one of the six Sarkars constituting the Subah of Bihar. Todermal, the finance minister of Akbar, assessed the revenue of Saran in 1582.

Thereafter the district had an uneventful history till the advent of Europeans. By 1666 the Dutch had established there trade in saltpeter and built a depot and the factory at Chapra. Saltpeter had a wide market all over Europe as it was used in the manufacture of gun powder & the Dutch naturally did very good business. Not to be outdone, the English also started trade in saltpeter though their main establishment was located at Patna.

An important event took place in the year 1726 when Fakhra-ud-daula the Governor of Bihar, sent a force into the district against Sheikh Abdullah. The Sheikh had been held in esteem by the earlier governors, but because of persecutions by Fakru-ud-daulla he had shifted is headquarters from Azimabad (Patna) to a place near Siwan where he build a mud fort for his protection. Further pursuit by Fakhru-ud-daula’s forces made him flee from Siwan and seek asylum in Oudh.

The British forces made their first appearance in Bihar in 1757. A small section under Eyre Coote reached Chapra on the Forth August, in pursuit of Maonsieur Law, the French adventurer who had espoused the cause Sirj-uddaula and thereby offended the British. However, Law had fled to Banaras before the British forces could arrive at Chapra and consequently there was no engagement.

When the attempt of the English to seize Patna was foiled by Mire Qasim Ali and they were obliged to remain within their fort for a long time, they had no option but to leave stealthily. On the 29th June 1763 they left by boat for Chapra. They were sort of supply and ammunitions and the weather was very heavy. The Nawab’s force pursued them after apprehending them near Manjhi and brought them back to Patna as prisoners. A small British army followed the Nawab and while crossing the Saran ravaged the countryside on their way. The forces had to camp at Manjhi. Since rains had set in by that time, it was not possible to proceed further. In September that year, Indians in the British force stationed at Manjhi rebelled and managed to take all their British officers at prisoners who were how ever, released after being stripped of their equipment.

The battle of Buxer in 1785 was a turning point in the history of British rule in India. Saran also became a part of the lower provinces of Bengal. Lord Clive paid a visit to Chapra in 1766 when the Nawab of Oudh, a Minister of Emperor Shah Alam, and the Raja of Banarash met him in a conference designed to work out a common approach against the invading Maratha armies.

Although technically masters of Bengal including Saran, the English could succeed in establishing themselves with great difficulty in the face of the strong opposition by independent minded Zamindars, chiefs and princes in the district. Maharaja Fateh Sahi of Husepur, a relative of the Raja of Banarash refused to pay the revenue to the British. The undaunted rebel was however, defeated by a British army and expelled from his territory which coincided roughly with Siwan and Gopalganj districts. Govind Ram was appointed a revenue farmer. Fateh Sahi fled to a forest named Baghjogni and continued his struggle from there in spite of heavy odds. Since Fateh Sahi was held in high esteem by his people, his exhortion to them not to pay revenue to foreign rulers was largely followed and the collection of revenue, by the British almost ceased completely. Gobind Ram was killed in 1772. This forced the British to come to terms with Fateh Sahi who was allowed to return to Husepur. 

However his Zamindari was not restored to him and it continued to, be farmed out to other though he was paid a maintenance allowance. Basant Sahi a cousin of Fateh Sahi and the progenitor of the line of Hathua Rajas was appointed a revenue farmer by the British and Mir Jamal as the Superintendent of the Government revenue. Fateh Sahi managed to kill both Basant Sahi and Mir Jamal in 1775. It is believed that Basant Sahi’s head was cut off and sent to his widow who performed Sati with the head of her dead husband in her lap. Fateh Sahi had a band of trained men at his command and his popularity was ever increasing. Even though the British managed to secure the assistance of the Nawab of Oudh in their attempt to capture Fateh Sahi, and a huge reward was offered for his capture, he remained free. In 1808 he became a Sanyasi and thus ended an eventful period in the history of this district.

Movement of 1857

The freedom loving people of Saran played their due role in the national liberation movement. Among the various factors fanning their indignation against the foreign rulers were, (a) ill-treatment of sepoys in the police and the army, (b) high handedness and extortions of the European indigo planters, (c) conversion of people to Christianity by the missionaries, and (d) introduction of common messing in the Jails. The seething discontent among the people seems to have been fired by the events in Meerut and Banaras. The yoke of foreign rule was once again sought to be over thrown for good. The British administration on their part after realizing that trouble was in the offing took steps to fight the impending menace. The strength of the police force in the district was augmented. Very strict watch was kept on the ghats and the frontiers. The Treasury was moved from Chapra to Patna. 

The British found an ally in the Zamindars of Hathwa who promised loyalty to support and assist them in quelling the expected disturbances. The banner of revolt was first raised in the district on the 25th July at Sugauli. The Indian soldiers of the 12th Irregular Cavalry mutinised and killed the despotic Commandant, Major Holmes and other European officers. The rebels then proceeded to join other forces. They attacked the Magistrate and the Opium agent at Siwan. The European resident of Chapra panicked and fled to Dinapure on the 28th July but returned later after violence was no longer apprehended. Some revolutionaries in the district attacked the indigo factories at Ganga and Darauli in October. The British sent a Gorkha regiment and a Nepali Brigade to Saran. In December 1857, the outpost at Guthni was stormed and occupied by the rebels. Such events continued till the insurgents were finally defeated by the British forces aided by the Nepalese army under Rana Jangbahadur at Sohanpur on the 26th December, 1857 which, for the time being, put an end to the struggle for emancipation from foreign rule. As stated earlier, Saran and Champaran continued to comprise a single district till 1866.

Present era

The district of Saran played a glorious role in the movement in the present century. Prominent persons who took part in the freedom movement wee Dr. Rajendra Prasad,Sri Jaiprakash Narayan and others. Pride of Bihar Babu Braj Kishor Prasad who rendered his valuable support to Mahatma Gandhi in epic struggle in Champaran in 1917 was born at Shrinagar which falls now in Siwan district.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad the first President of Indian Republic was born at Ziradei (now in Siwan district) which before recognisation of district was a part of old Saran district. His association with the Congress started as far back as 1906 when he was a volunteer in the annual session of the Indian National Congress at Calcutta (now Kolkata). He was actively associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s epic struggle in Champaran. Thereafter, his political stature grew day by day and he played a decisive role in the affaires of this country before and after independence. He was undoubtedly the greatest son of Bihar in the present era. Another important and illustrious leader produced by this district was Sri Jaiprakash Narayan.

The history of the district during the following year is of too recent origin and perhaps needs no recapitulation here. Suffice to say that Saran is among the enlightened and progressive district of the state with a healthy and sturdy people full of initiative and enterprise. Its biggest problem, the heavy pressure of population on land, is reflected in the large number of emigrants mostly males and working as general labours, mill hands, plantation workers, constable, etc, who are often met with in the streets of Calcutta (Kolkata) or in the tea garden of Assam and other distant places.

SAMASTIPUR, Bihar

Main Attraction: The Rajendra Agricultural University

The Rajendra Agricultural University is one of the institutions of national importance for providing education in Agricultural and allied sciences at different levels, viz; certificate, under graduate, postgraduate, and research etc. The University is situated in Samastipur district of Bihar state in India. At the time of establishment, it was Imperial Agriculture Research Institute. In 1934 a major earthquake damaged Bihar, the institute building was heavily damaged and the Imperial Agriculture Research Institute was shifted to New Delhi. Later this became Indian Agricultural Research Institute. The remains of Imperial Agriculture Research Institute downgraded further. On 3 December 1970 the Government of India established Rajendra Agricultural University. Since its establishment the university is promised to produce efficient human resources that can benefit the Agriculture of the country. Besides conducting training classes the university also conducts research work in different areas of agricultural sciences.

Brief History

Before acquiring the status of a district on 14th November, 1972, Samastipur happened to be a subdivision of Darbhanga district since the formation of Tirhut Division in 1908. The district is bounded on the north by the Bagmati river, which separates it from Darbhanga district, on the west by Vaishali district, on the south by the Ganges, and on the east by Begusarai and Khagaria districts.

Samastipur district consists of four subdivisions, viz., Samastipur Sadar Subdivision, Rosera Subdivision, Dalsinghsarai Subdivision and Patori Subdivision comprising Sadar Subdivision 8 Community Development Blocks, Rosara Subdivision 6 Community Development Blocks and rest two Subdivisions compirising 3 each Community Development Blocks. The history of Samastipur district has close association with that of old Darbhanga , its parents district.

The district comprises the greater parts of the ancient territory of Mithila. Its legandary history goes back to the Ramayana and Mahabharat periods. According to the accounts in the Vedic literature, the Videhas of the Aryan stock first migrated to the area from the Banks of the Saraswati in the Punjab. Legendary association of the old Darbhanga district with the Pandavas is evidenced by the belief that they stayed in Pandaul village (now part of Madhubani district) during a part of their period of exile.

In course of time the Videhan monarchy is believed to have been replaced by the Sangha or federation in the form of a republic. The establishment of the vrijian republic (of which Videha was a part) marks the beginning of the historic period. The centre of power had, however, shifted to Vaishali and Lichchhavis were the most prominent amoung the different clans that constituted the confederation. The ascendancy of vrijian republic was checked by Ajatshatru, emperor of magadh, who subdued and extended his control over the north Bihar.

Matrimonial alliances with the Lichchhavis enabled the Guptas of Magadh to regain control over north Bihar which came to be known as Tirabhukti. Vaishali was the administrative headquarters of the Tirabhuktl region. The chinese pilgrim, Fa-hien visited north Bihar during the reign of Chandragupta II. He observed that Buddhism was no longer as flourishing as in the past. The earlier renown of Darbhanga (old Darbhanga which included Samastipur also) as the place of philosophers continued in the Gupta period as well. Kumarila Bhatt was a prominent philosopher. With the decline of the Gupta Empire, local autonomy reasserted itself. Later, Harshavardhana (606-648 A.D.) annexed Darbhanga. Hiuen Tsang visited the area in 635 A.D. After the death of Harshavardhana, due to friction with a Chinese mission, Tirhut was invaded and occupied by the combined forces of Tibet and Nepal. They were, however, driven off by Adityasena (672 A.D.). After the fall of the later Guptas,

Yasovarman of Kannauj (700-740 A.D.) ruled over the area. Tirhut came under the Pala kings of Bengal in the 9th century. The Karnata or Simraon dynasty was founded in 1097 by Nanyadeva who had to face conflict with the Senas of Bengal.

Medieval Period

Nanyadeva became very powerful and eventually succeeded in extending his domain over the whole of mithila and Nepal. One of his sons ruled over Nepal, while another, Ganga Deva, reigned in Mithila. The latter is known to be the first ruler to have constituted fiscal divisions for revenue administration. Narsingh Deva ascended the throne on the death of his father Ganga Deva. He quarrelled with his kinsman in Nepal as a result of which Mithila and Nepal were separated for ever. He was succeeded by his son Ram singh Deva, who was a great scholar of vedic literature and an able administrator. During his time several commentaries on the vedas were compiled and a code of conduct was drawn up for the guidance of the Hindus in their religious and social activities. Ram Singh Deva is with having introduced the system of patwaris or village accountants for the maintenance of village records. Sakti Singh succeeded his father Ram Singh Deva on his death. Unlike his forefathers he turned out a despot and one of his ministers formed council of seven elderly nobles as a measure against his autocratic power. Hara Singh Deva was the ruler of dynasty. With the fall of the simraon dynasty, Tirhut was annexed by the empire of Delhi.

The whole of north Bihar appears to have passed on to the kings of Jaunpur in 1397. It remained with them for over a century until Sikandra Lodi of Delhi defeated the king of Jaunpur. Meanwhile Hussain shah, the powerful king of Bengal, had extended his domain over large tracts in Bihar. After defeating the king of Jaunpur, Sikandera Lodi marched against Hussain shah in 1499. The latter realised that he could be no match against the imperial forces, and so he offered to withdraw from Bihar, Tirhut and Sarkar Saran, provided be Emperor gave him an assurance not to interfere with his possession in Bangal. The terms were quite favourable to the Emperor and he agreed. A treaty was accordingly concluded at Barh. The Emperor having got domain over Tirhut, proceeded to establish his authority. The Raja of Tirhut was subdued but was let off after the realisation of several lakhs of rupees. But the kings of Bengal couldnot keep their hands off Tirhut for long. Nasrat Shah (1518 –1532), son of Hussain Shah and the king of Bengal swept down upon Tirhut and killed the Raja. He appointed his son-in-law, Alauddin as the Governor. In 1538 Makhdum Alam joined Sher Khan in his revolt against the king of Bengal. The power of the kings of Bengal was diminishing. Mahmud Shah was the last independent king of Bengal.

Though Darbhanga (old Darbhanga which included Samastipur also) alongwith other parts of north Bihar, was annexed to the Mughal Empire, the control was very loose and the local chiefs exercised great power. North Bihar had many Afghan settlers. Their number had increased owing to the large scale immigration of those who had refused to serve the Mughals. They were turbulent, and when Daud Khan, the Afghan king of Bengal, rose in revolt in 1574, he got a band of ready supporters in them. When the Mughal Generals failed to control the rebellion, Emperor Akbar himself led a large army to crush the aspirations of Daud Khan. The Afghans were defeated and Bihar was lost to them. Akbar created a separate Subah of Bihar and placed it under a Mughal Governor. Tirhut formed part of this Subah. The chiefs who had helped the emperor were rewarded with grants of Jagir in sarkar Hajipur, which also covered the southern parts of district of Darbhanga (portions of the district of Samastipur). The Jagirdars settled down with their retinues. Darbhanga (including Samastipur district) thereafter remained a part of the Mughal Subah.

British Period

The decisive victory of the British in the battle of Buxar in 1764 gave them undisputed sway over the Lower Provisions of Bengal. As a consequence, the district along with other parts of Bihar, passed under the control of British.The history of the district thereafter is merged with the history of British rule in India.

After asuming control over the territory, the British took steps to consolidate their authority. Mithila, the enlightened home of Hindu culture and learning had been revaged by the Muslim and the Mughal armies from time to time. The British administrators took steps to establish law and order. Besides, the trouble-mongers in Mithila, they had also to deal with the incursions of the Nepalese. The troubles with Nepal culminated in the Indo Nepalese war. After having concluded peace with Nepal, the British administrators had comparatively quiet time until the 1857 movement. In 1857 patriotic fervour raged high in the district as in many other districts of Bihar.

GAYA, Bihar

Main Attraction: The Mahabodhi Temple

The Mahabodhi Temple (Literally: "Great Awakening Temple"), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, is said to have attained enlightenment. Bodh Gaya (located in Gaya district) is located about 96 km (60 mi) from Patna, Bihar state, India.

Next to the temple, on its western side, is the holy Bodhi tree. In the Pali Canon, the site is called Bodhimanda, and the monastery there the Bodhimanda Vihara. The tallest tower is 55 metres (180 ft) tall. The Vault of Mahabodhi Temple is being coated with Gold plates weighing 290 kg by the Government of Thailand.

Brief History

The district of Gaya lies virtually in the heart of Bihar. Gaya formed parts of Bihar and Ramgarh districts till 1865. When Behar subdivision was transferred to Patna district in that year, a new district known as the district of Gaya was created. Since its inception in the year 1865 Gaya district was intact till 1972. In January, 1973 Nawada and Aurangabad subdivisions of the district were separated and given the status of independent districts. As a result of reorganization, the district of Gaya was now left with only two subdivisions, viz., Gaya Sadar and Jehanabad. In the same year of 1973 Jehanabad Subdivision of the district was given the status of an independent district on 31st July which left Gaya district with its erstwhile Gaya sub-division only in its area. Further, the Gaya Sadar Sub-division was bifurcated into four sub-divisions viz. Gaya Sadar, Sherghati, Nimchak Bathani and Tekari.

The district is bounded on the north by Arwal, Jehanabad and Nalanda districts, on the east by Nawada district, on the south by Palamu, Chatra and Hazaribag districts of Jharkhand State and on the west by the district of Aurangabad.

Gaya is one of the holiest spots for the Hindus and there is regular flow of pilgrims in the town to offer pindas in the Gaya kshetra or dham. The flow of pilgrims peaks up during Pitripaksha, the first fortnight of the Hindi month of Ashwin, corresponding to September-October. Bodh Gaya, which is situated about 11 kms. south of Gaya town, is also the holiest place for the Buddhists. Buddhists from different countries visit the spot almost daily. It is at Bodh Gaya that Lord Buddha achieved Nirvan or enlightnment. There are interesting legends about the origin of the name ‘Gaya’. The name of Gaya according to the Bhagavata Purana has its origin from a Demon king Gayasure who dwelt in the town. Another legend contained in the Vayu purana suggests that Gaya was the name of a demon who performed a rigid penanace for thousand years.

Early history

The district of Gaya formed an integral part of the ancient kingdom of Magadh which also included the undivided district of Patna. The history of Gaya is, therefore, the history of a part of Magadh. The city of Gaya is among the oldest in the world, has seen the rise and fall of many civilization. Magadh had an unprecedented history, culture and civilization in its palmy days. Gaya was a special part of it, and, therefore, Gaya can doubtless boast of its past. Magadh came into prominence in the sixth century B.C. but legends refer to dynasties ruling here much earlier.

Gaya became prominent during the reign of King Bimbisara, a ruler of the Haryankakula dynasty. It was during this period that both Budda and Mahavira preached their doctrines. It is said that Gautama Buddha was invited to visit the Brahmayoni Hills by the Brahmins and Kshatriyas then living in Gaya. It was from here that Gautama moved to Bodh Gaya and attained enlightenment. Budha then went on to Sarnath to ‘move the wheel of Dharma’. He came to Gaya again and converted the jatila ascetics, and with them went to Rajgir on the invitation of King Bimbisara. Buddha lived in Gaya district for a considerable time and sites of his stay can still be located.

With the fall of the Haryankakula dynasty, the Sisunagas came to power and conquered Avanti(Malva). The Susunagas was set aside by Mahapadmananda, who founded the Nanda dynasty. He extended his empire to include practically the whole of northern India. The Nandas were followed by the Mauryas who established their capital at Patliputra or modern Patna. During the reign of Emperor Ashoka, Gaya came into prominence once again. Ashoka embraced Buddhism, and went on a pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya where he built a temple and a monastery. It was during Ashoka’s reign that a branch of the Mahabodhi tree was taken to Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka. Not much is known about the history of Gaya between the end of the Mauryan rule in 184 B.C. and the rise of the Guptas.

The next prominent date in the history of Gaya is about 330 A.D. Samudra Gupta of the Gupta dynasty was the king of Magadh and Meghavarma, the king of Ceylon, built a monastery at Bodh Gaya. A copper plate inscription of Samudragaupta’s time has been found at Gaya. Gaya was the headquarters (Gayadhistan) of the Gaya district (Visheya) in the Gupta empire. An official seal of Gaya Visheya has been found in Nalanda. Local dynasties came into prominence after the fall of the Gupta Empire. In the region of the Barabar Hills a Maukhari feudal dynasty consisting of Yagnavarman, Sardula Varman and Avanti Varman ruled for three generations. Inscriptions of these rulers have been found in the Barabar and Nagarjuna Hills. Later, Gaya was included in the empire of Harsha. Hiuen Tsang, Chinese traveller who visited India between 630 A.D. during the reign of Harsha found the district quite prosperous. There were numerous Buddhist shrines in the district and all were well maintained. He found a magnificent monastery at Gunamati, which has been identified with a place south of Dharawat. In close proximity to this place was the school of Sheelbhadra. The Chinese traveller also visited Gaya and found the town well fortified. He offered worship at Bodh Gaya and was highly impressed by the monasteries and the stupas that stood around the temple and by the monasteries.

After the death of Harsha (648 A.D.) the later Gupta King Madhavagupta, a friend of Harsha, restored the fortunes of the later Gupta dynasty. But north-eastern India was soon plunged into anarchy. This ended with the election of Gopala, who founded the Pala dynasty. Bihar (including Gaya) formed a part of the Pala empire. An inscription of the 20th year of the reign of Dharampala, son of Gopala has been found in Bodh Gaya temple. A large number of images and temples were dedicated in the time of the Pala Kings like Devapala, Surapala and Narayanpala. Some of their inscriptions have been found on images. However, Magadh appears to have passed temporarily under the control of the imperial Gurjara Pratiharas of Kanauj, the inveterate rivals of the Palas. However, Pala King Naryanpala soon recovered the lost Kingdom. The district did not have any important event thereafter until the Afghans overran Bihar including the district of Gaya.

Muslim period

Sometime after 1193 but before 1200 A.D. Mohammad-bin-Bakhtiyar Khilji invaded Bihar. He stormed Oddantapuri (Biharsharif) and Nalanda monasteries. Gaya suffered with other parts of the State. The invaders were intolerant of the monasteries and other non-Islamic religious institutions, and large-scale procecution of the monks and priests ensued. The monasteries and temples were ransacked and destroyed, the monks and priests were slain, and the idols broken. Those monks who could escape fled to Tibet, Nepal and southern India, and Buddhism was practically effaced from the land of its birth. Biharsharif became the headquarters of Muslim rulers in Bihar. Soon after, Gaya was made a part of the Muslim Subah of Bihar. There is inscriptional evidence that Emperor Firoz Tughlak visited village Kako in Jehanabad subdivision on his way to Bihar.

The control of Bihar passed into the hands of the Sherqui dynasty of Jaunpur from 1394 to 1486, Gaya was thus tagged on with the Kingdom of Jaunpur, whose kings granted jagirs to Pathan Chiefs. Rajput and Bhumihar landlords also acquired some power. Sher Shah also held Gaya during his ascendancy to power. After the fall of his dynasty, the Mughals gained control of the district. In the last years of the Mughal empire when the central authority became weak, Gaya was overrun on a number of occasions by the armies of several aspirants to power. During the period of turmoil, the district was split up into a number of principalities, each maintaining its own army. The Raja of Tikari was a very powerful chief in the central part of the district. He openly defied the Viceroys of the Province. This state of affairs continued till the British finally succeeded in establishing their hold over the district.

British period

During the British period, there was no event of consequence except when Raja Ram Narayan, the Deputy Governor of Bihar, led an expedition to punish Bishun Singh, the Zamindar of Siris and Kutumba, on his refusal to pay revenue. Gaya became an integral part of the British empire after the battle of Buxar in 1764. Thereafter the East India Company gained full control over the lower provinces of Bengal. Gradually they built up the edifice of the elaborate administrative machinery wherewith the British governed India for two centuries. It was not till almost a hundred years later that the seething discontent over foreign domination found an organized and sustained expression in the Movement of 1857.

The Movement of 1857

Initially, the success of the movement led by the Rajput chief Kunwar Singh of Jagdishpur did not have much impact in the district of Gaya. The Collector of Gaya had been assured of assistance by the local people (particularly Gayawals). The news of further successes of the freedom fighters, however, goaded the wavering elements in Gaya and the Collector found a growing support for the national cause. He apprehended open defiance of his authority even from those who had, earlier pledged their support to him. The Collector immediately quit the town with the Government treasure. No sooner had he moved, the town was besieged by the nationalists. Gaya, which had practically forsaken the foreign yoke for a brief spell was restored to the British by a contingent consisting of Captain Rattray’s Sikh soldiers and some British troops.

In the years following the 1857 movement, the Government took measures to tighten their grip over the Indians. The participants of the movement were crushed and the loyalists rewarded. The natural and innate yearning of the people for complete political independence could not, however, be suppressed for long. Gaya continued to have a prominent place in all freedom movements in the subsequent period. It also became a very important place in the annals of Freedom movement on account of the famous session of the Indian National Congress at Gaya in 1922. Whatever happened thereafter is a matter of modern history and need not be recalled here.

MADHUBANI, Bihar

Main Attraction: Mithila Painting

Mithila painting or Madhubani form of painting has come to stay as internationally acclaimed form of painting. Madhubani painting mostly depict nature and Hindu religious figures and the themes generally associated with Hindu deities, Natural objects like sun, moon and religious plants like tulsi. Besides this scenes from the royal court and social events like weddings are also widely drawn. Madhubani Paintings has two varieties: Bhittichitra and Aripana. Generally Bhittichitra is done on the mud-walls of houses particularly at three places: room of the family god/goddess, room of the newly wedded couple and the drawing room. Paintings are done on the outer and inner walls of these rooms on some auspicious occasions like marriage, upnayana and festivities like Dussehra and Deepawal

Brief History

Bounded on the north by a hilly region of Nepal and extending to the border of its parent district Darbhanga in the south, Sitamarhi in the west and Saharsa in the east, Madhubani fairly represents the centre of the territory once known as Mithila and the district has maintained a distinct individuality of its own. The geographical features of the district, assuring a certain amount of security and seclusion, are responsible for the evolution of a somewhat characteristic culture. It was as a result of this assured security on account of geographical features that traditions could grow unhampered and the literacy pursuits in different directions could continue unabated through the ages. Naturally, therefore, the philosophical discussions and erotic poems found a fertile soil in the district. The district has a number of important villages and could be said to be the core of Maithili culture.

Practically there are no prehistoric sites in the district though remains of the earliest aboriginal population can be seen in some parts of district. Hanter in his ‘Statistical Account’ has referred to the existence of the people, known as the Tharus in the erstwhile old subdivision of Mandhubani. The bhars are also believed to have belonged some aboriginal race though nothing positive about them is known from any reliable source. The Bhar settlements in the northeastern part of the district indicate that they possibly wielded some power in the remote part. From the work of Dr. Suniti Kuamr Chatterji entitled ‘Kiratajanakirti’ it appears that Kiratas also inhabited the district for a considerable period. The Mahabharat throws light on the Kirata culture. 

Prior to the Aryanisation of this land the area seem to have been under the aboriginal population and Shvia worship was predominant. The association of the family Janaka with the worship of lord Shiva is an indication of the fact that though they formed the vanguard of Aryan culture they ahd to compromise with the local religious belief, dominated by the Shaiyas. The kingdom of Videha included a greater portion of the district. In course of time it was ruled by a successive line of kings commonly known as Janakas. If tradition is to be relied upon, the Pandavas during their exile stayed in some portion of the present district and Pandaul (block headquarters) is associated with them. Janakpur, capital of Videha is situated at a short distance to the north-west of the district in the Nepalaese territory and tradition points to the village of Phulbar in the north-east corner of the Benipatti thana as the flower-garden where the kings’ priests used to gather flower for worship and identifies its temple with that of Devi Girija, which was worshipped by Sita before her marriage with Rama. Legends and traditions associated this district with a number of sages and master-minds of ancient times. Village Kakraul is associated with Kapil, Ahiari with Ahilya wife of Gautama, Bisaul with Vishwamitra and Jagban with Yajnavalkaya (ascribed to the great saga of Mithila).

There is historical evidence to show that Videha (non Mithila) was one of the eight republics of Vrijian confederacy long before the advent of Buddha. Though the headquarters of the Lichchavis was at Vaishali, they wielded political power over certain parts of the present district of Madhubani also. The growing powr of the Vrijji confederacy brought them into collision with the kingdom of Magadh.

Bimbisar, the founder the Magadhan imperial power aspired from imperial power and the ambition ran in the veins of his son, Ajat Shatru as well. Ajat Shatru subdued the Lichchhavis and conquered the whole of North Bihar. He brought Mithila under the control of the Magadhan empire. The history of the Lichchhavis comes down unbroken to the days of the imperial Guptas. The Lichchhavis founded a kingdom in Nepal and even the earliest royal house of Tibet owed its origin to the Lichchavis of Vaishali. The migration of Lichchavis to Nepal and Tibet marks a great event in the history of North Biahr and the district of Madhbani being at the core of the region must have palced a dominant part in this great trek as the route to Nepal lay through this district.

Madhubani msut have shared in the religious and cultural ferment which so deeply stirred the hearts of the people of the Gangetic Valley in the 6th century B.C. Since the whole of North Bihar was deeply influenced by the teachings of two great reformers (Mahavira and Buddha), it is only natural to infer that the people of Madhubani actively participated in the propagation of these reform movements. According to one theory Mahavira himself was a Vaideha domiciled in the suburb- of Vaishali and was the son of a daughter of Mithila. Buddha also visited Mithila thrice and he had a great love for Vaishali. It may be further noted here that Buddha’s most devoted disciple, Anand was a Vaidehamuni, a monk of the land of Videhas. Both the Jain and the Buddhist literature contain innumerable references to the district of Madhubani and its neighbouring territories. Very little is known about the history of Madhubani from the time of the Kusanas to the rise of the Gutpas. If the traditional belief of Kanishka’s taking away of Buddha’s alms bowl can be given any credence, then it may be presumed that the Kushans ruled over the portions of North Bihar including Madhubani. 

According to a tradition in Mithila, the village Andhra Tharhi is associated with the rule of the Andhras (Satvahanas) in Bihar. Between the fall of the Kushanas and the rise of the Guptas, the Bharasivas are associated with the Bhars of the erstwhile Darbhanga, Saharsa and North Munger. Numerous villages of the district are associated with the Bhars and they claimed power down to the 15th century. It also appears that after the fall of the Kushanas, the Lichchavis regained political power and it was as a result of the matrimonial alliance between the Lichchavis and the Gutpa that the latter came to power in Magadha.

As a result of the aforesaid matrimonial alliance the Gupta succeeded in carving out a powerful empire. The Gutpa renaissance brought in its trail the revival of the classical Sanskrit language. The temple at Uchchaith is fondly associated with Kalidasa though there is nothing positive to show that Kalidasa was a Maithil.

After a temporary period of instability, Madhubani came under the control of the Oinwaras, also known as the Kameshwara, Thakura or the Sugauna dynasty. These Hindu chiefs were left undisturbed by the Muslim conquerors who had by then conquered the whoel of Mithila. When Haji Ilyas of Bengal divided Tribut into two parts, the Oinwar Raja shifted his capital of Sugauna near Madhubani.

The district thereafter remained a part of the Mughal Subah. There was no event of great significance during the next century and a half. The Aghans who had settled in the district became active when they saw Mughal power declining. Alivardi Khan, however, hurried with his forces and inflicted a crushing defeat on the Afghans and quietened them for ever. British Period

The decisive victory of the British in the battle of Buxar in 1764 gave them indisputed sway over the Lower Provinces of Bengal. As a consequence, Madhubani, along with other parts of Bihar, passed under the control of British. The history of the district thereafter is merged with the history of British rule in India. The British administrators took steps to establish law and order. Besides the trouble-mongers in Mithila, they had also to deal with the incursions of the Nepalese. The trouble with Nepal culminated in the Indo-Nepalese war. After concluding peace with Nepal, the British administrators had a comparatively quiet time till the 1857 movement.

In 1857, patriotic fervour raged high in Mahdubani district as in many other districts of Bihar. Later the call of the non-co-operation movement also found adequate response in the district of Madhubani and many people volunteered to serve the cause championed by Mahatma Gandhi. Khadi spinning and weaving was adopted as a must for congress workers. A Khadi centre was opened at Madubani. It gradually expanded its activities. Khadi became very popular and Madhubani soon emerged as a renowned centre of Khadi production. The popularity of Khadi weaving and spinning in the district went a long way in inspiring the people towards the nationalist cause. Madhubani district played an important role in the country’s freedom struggle.