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{{Short description|City in Bihar, India}}
{{About|the municipal corporation in India|its namesake district|Katihar district}}
{{About|the municipal corporation in India|its namesake district|Katihar district}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name                   = Katihar
| name               = Katihar
| native_name           = <!-- Please do not add any Indic script in this infobox, per WP:INDICSCRIPT policy. -->
| native_name       = ''Katīhār''<!-- Please do not add any Indic script in this infobox, per WP:INDICSCRIPT policy. -->
| native_name_lang       =  
| native_name_lang   = hi and ur
| other_name             = <!-- Please do not add any Indic script in this infobox, per WP:INDICSCRIPT policy. -->
| other_name         = <!-- Please do not add any Indic script in this infobox, per WP:INDICSCRIPT policy. -->
| settlement_type       = City
| settlement_type   = [[Urban Agglomeration]]
| image_skyline         = Katihar Station.jpg
| image_skyline     = Katihar Junction Railway Station.jpg
| image_alt             =  
| image_alt         =  
| image_caption         = {{rws|Katihar Junction}}
| image_caption     = {{rws|Katihar Junction}}
| nickname               =  
| nickname           =  
| pushpin_map           = India Bihar#India3
| pushpin_map       = India Bihar#India3
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt       =  
| pushpin_map_alt   =  
| pushpin_map_caption   = Location in [[Bihar]]##Location in India
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in [[Bihar]]##Location in India
| coordinates           = {{coord|25.53|N|87.58|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates       = {{coord|25.53|N|87.58|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type       = Country
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name       = [[India]]
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1     = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2     = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of region of India|Region]]
| subdivision_name1     = [[Bihar]]
| subdivision_type3  = Subregion
| subdivision_name2     = [[Katihar district|Katihar]]
| subdivision_type4  = [[List of divisions in India|Division]]
| established_title      =  
| subdivision_type5  = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_type3      = [[Urban Agglomeration]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|Bihar Government Banner.png}} [[Bihar]]
| subdivision_name3      = Katihar
| subdivision_name2 = [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 25, 2020|first=Kumar Shakti|last=Shekhar|title=Bihar assembly elections 2020: BJP eyes winning push from Mithila|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-assembly-elections-2020-bjp-eyes-winning-push-from-mithila/articleshow/78314749.cms|access-date=2021-11-29|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=29 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129184825/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-assembly-elections-2020-bjp-eyes-winning-push-from-mithila/articleshow/78314749.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Thakur |first=Ripunjay Kumar |date=1 March 2022|title=Historical Geography of Early Medieval Mithila: From Videha to Tirhut.|url=https://www.academia.edu/72670545|publisher=New Archaeological & Genological Society, Kanpur, India|issn=2348-8301|access-date=21 August 2025}}</ref>
| leader_title           = Mayor
| subdivision_name3  = [[Kosi-Seemanchal]]
| leader_name           = Binod Kumar
| subdivision_name4  = [[Purnia Division|Purnia]]
<!-- Established -->
| subdivision_name5  = [[Katihar district|Katihar]]
| established_date       =  
| leader_title       = Mayor
| founder               =  
| leader_name       = <!-- Established -->
| named_for             =  
| established_date   =  
| government_type       [[Corporation]]
| founder           =  
| governing_body         = Katihar Municipal Corporation
| named_for         =  
| unit_pref             = graduate
| government_type                 =  [[Municipal Corporations in India|Municipal Corporation]]
| area_footnotes         = <ref>{{cite web|title=Katihar City|url=https://www.cseindia.org/katihar-6891}}</ref>
| leader_title1      = [[Member of Parliament (India)|MP]]
| area_total_km2         = 33
| leader_name1      = [[Tariq Anwar (politician)|Tariq Anwar]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-02-11 |title=Tariq's post triggers debate over Cong's poll strategy |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/tariqs-post-triggers-debate-over-congs-poll-strategy/articleshow/118151585.cms |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> ([[Indian National Congress|INC]])
| area_rank             =  
| leader_title2      = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]]
| elevation_footnotes   =  
| leader_name2      = [[Tarkishore Prasad]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-11-16 |title=Tarkishore Prasad, frontrunner in race for Bihar deputy CM, is part of BJP's Bengal plan. Here's how |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/tarkishore-prasad-frontrunner-in-race-for-bihar-deputy-cm-is-part-of-bjp-s-bengal-plan-here-s-how/story-HDOFD0WeOvYHMD2mu1KMyK.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101022030/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/tarkishore-prasad-frontrunner-in-race-for-bihar-deputy-cm-is-part-of-bjp-s-bengal-plan-here-s-how/story-HDOFD0WeOvYHMD2mu1KMyK.html |archive-date=1 November 2021 |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref> ([[BJP]])
| elevation_m           = 20
| leader_title3      = District Magistrate
| population_total       = 240,565
| leader_name3      =
| population_as_of       = 2011
| leader_title4      = [[Mayor (India)|Mayor]]
| population_footnotes   =  
| leader_name4      = Usha Devi Agarwal<ref>{{Cite web |title=Katihar Municipal Corporation |url=https://katiharnagarnigam.net/bmc/public |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=katiharnagarnigam.net}}</ref>
| governing_body     = [[Katihar Municipal Corporation]]
| unit_pref         = metric
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cseindia.org/katihar-6891|title=KATIHAR|website=Cseindia.org|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 50.46
| area_rank         =  
| elevation_footnotes =  
| elevation_m       = 35.25
| population_total   = 240,565
| population_as_of   = 2011
| population_footnotes =  
| population_density_km2 =  
| population_density_km2 =  
| population_rank       = 117
| population_rank   = 117 in india
| population_demonym     = Katiharians
| population_demonym = Katiharites
| demographics_type1     = Languages
| demographics_type1 = [[Language]]
| demographics1_title1   = Main
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1   = [[Hindi]], [[English language|English]], [[Urdu]], [[Maithili language|Maithili]], [[Surjapuri]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]]
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi]]<ref name="langoff">{{cite web|title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities In India|url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|website=nclm.nic.in|publisher=[[Ministry of Minority Affairs]]|access-date=4 October 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>
| timezone1             = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| demographics1_title2 = Additional&nbsp;official
| utc_offset1           = +5:30
| demographics1_info2 = [[Urdu]]<ref name="langoff"/>
| postal_code_type       = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| demographics1_title3 = Regional
| postal_code           = 854105
| demographics1_info3 =
| registration_plate     = BR-39
[[Angika]],[[Maithili language|Maithili]],<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=18MwBQAAQBAJ&dq=katihar+maithili&pg=PA138 | title=Encyclopedia of Bihar: Encyclopedia of Bihar: Uncovering the Rich Heritage and History by Arunima Kumari | isbn=9789350483909 | last1=Kumari | first1=Arunima | date=19 January 2021 | publisher=Prabhat Prakashan }}</ref> [[Bengali language|Bengali]]<ref>{{cite book | url=https://www.bhaskar.com/bihar/katihar/news/lakkhi-puja-celebrated-with-pomp-in-bengali-community-in-katihar-074610-5712162.html | title=कटिहार में बंगाली समुदाय में धूमधाम से मनाई गई लक्खी पूजा }}</ref> and [[Surjapuri language]]
| Demonym                = Katiharians
| timezone1         = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| blank1_name_sec1       = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| utc_offset1       = +5:30
| blank1_info_sec1       = [[Katihar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Katihar]]
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| blank2_name_sec1       = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| postal_code       = 854105 (Katihar Main),854109 (katihar north),854103 (katihar South) ,854107 (katihar west) <ref>[https://katihar.nic.in/std-pin-codes/]</ref>
| blank2_info_sec1       = [[Katihar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Katihar]]
| registration_plate = BR-39
| website               = {{URL|http://katihar.bih.nic.in/}}
| blank1_name_sec1   = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| footnotes             =  
| blank1_info_sec1   = [[Katihar Lok Sabha constituency|Katihar]]
| official_name         =
| blank2_name_sec1   = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1   = [[Katihar Assembly constituency|Katihar]]
| website           = {{URL|http://katihar.bih.nic.in/}}
| footnotes         =  
| official_name     =  
}}
}}


'''Katihar''' is a city situated in the eastern part of the state of [[Bihar]] in [[India]]. It is the regional headquarter of [[Katihar district]]. It is one of the larger cities of Bihar and is known all over Northeast India for its highly strategic railway junction.
'''Katihar''' ({{IPA|hi|kəʈɪɦaːr}}; {{IPA|bn|kaʈihar}}),<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 April 2022 |title=सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम का आयोजन:बंगला सिर्फ बंगाली समुदाय की भाषा नहीं, देश की भाषा : सांसद |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/bihar/katihar/news/bangla-is-not-just-the-language-of-the-bengali-community-it-is-the-language-of-the-country-mp-131185271.html |website=Dainik Bhaskar}}</ref> is the tenth largest city in the state of [[Bihar]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rana |first=Rajeev |date=2023-02-14 |title=Top Cities in Bihar by Population 2024 |url=https://www.findeasy.in/top-cities-in-bihar/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=Find Easy |language=en-US}}</ref> in [[India]] in terms of population, Along with being one of the largest economic, educational and administrative centre in the [[Purnia division|eastern part of Bihar]]. The city situated in the eastern bank of [[Kari Kosi]] river.<ref>{{Cite web |title=कारी कोसी और गंगा नदी का जलस्तर बढ़ने से निचले इलाकों में फैला बाढ़ का पानी |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/bhagalpur/story-katihar-flood-waters-spread-in-low-lying-areas-due-to-rise-in-water-level-of-river-kari-kosi-and-ganga-2760057.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926035037/https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/bhagalpur/story-katihar-flood-waters-spread-in-low-lying-areas-due-to-rise-in-water-level-of-river-kari-kosi-and-ganga-2760057.html |archive-date=26 September 2019 |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=www.livehindustan.com |language=hi |url-status=live }}</ref> It is the  headquarters of [[Katihar district]] and [[Katihar railway division]] of [[Northeast Frontier Railway zone|Northeast Frontier Railway]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Katihar Railway Division of NFR |url=https://nfr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,6,655,656 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=nfr.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref> Historically, it was an important [[Metre-gauge railway|metre gauge]] railway station in the [[Bengal Presidency]] that linked [[North India]] with the regions of [[North Bengal]] and [[Northeast India]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=[IRFCA] The day the Northeast Frontier Railway was born |url=https://www.irfca.org/articles/clips/nfr-birth.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.irfca.org}}</ref><ref>Rao, M.A. (1988). ''Indian Railways'', New Delhi: National Book Trust, pp.42-4</ref> The main railway station of the city is [[Katihar Junction railway station|Katihar Junction]], a very important railway station on the [[Barauni–Guwahati line|Guwahati - Barauni railway line]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kagyung |first=Biplob |title=124 Departures from Katihar NFR/Northeast Frontier Zone - Railway Enquiry |url=https://indiarailinfo.com/departures/katihar-junction-kir/553 |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=indiarailinfo.com}}</ref>
 
==History==
Katihar is a part of the [[Mithila (region)|Mithila region]].<ref>https://m.timesofindia.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-assembly-elections-2020-bjp-eyes-winning-push-from-mithila/amp_articleshow/78314749.cms</ref> Mithila first gained prominence after being settled by [[Indo-Aryan peoples]] who established the [[Mithila Kingdom]] (also called Kingdom of the Videhas).<ref>[[Michael Witzel]] (1989), ''Tracing the Vedic dialects in Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes'' ed. Caillat, Paris, pages 13, 17 116–124, 141–143</ref>
 
During the late Vedic period (c. 1100–500 BCE), Kingdom of the Videhas became one of the major political and cultural centers of South Asia, along with Kuru and Pañcāla. The kings of the Kingdom of the Videhas were called [[Janaka]]s.<ref>{{cite book |author=Witzel, M. |author-link=Michael Witzel |year=1989 |chapter=Tracing the Vedic dialects |title=Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes |location=Paris |editor1-last=Caillat |editor1-first=C. |pages=141–143 |publisher=Fondation Hugot}}</ref> The Mithila Kingdom was later incorporated into the [[Vajji]] confederacy, which had its capital in the city of [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]], which is also in Mithila.<ref>{{cite book |author=Hemchandra, R. |year=1972 |title=Political History of Ancient India |location=Calcutta |publisher=University of Calcutta}}</ref>


==Transport==
==Transport==
===Road===
===Road===
Katihar is connected through road network


Katihar is not so well connected through road network to the neighbouring cities of Bihar and other neighbouring states due to its interior location. An excellent Highway {{jct|NH|131A|country=IND}}, however, connects it to [[Purnia]], from where {{jct|NH|27|country=IND}}, {{jct|NH|231|country=IND}} and {{jct|NH|31|country=IND}} passes through or starts through.
*{{jct|NH|31|country=IND}}  =    {{jct|NH|231|country=IND}}
*{{jct|NH|27|country=IND}} =  {{jct|NH|131A|country=IND}}
*{{jct|NH|12|country=IND}} =  {{jct|NH|133B|country=IND}}
*{{jct|SH|98|country=IND}}  =  {{jct|SH|77|country=IND}}
*{{jct|SH|62|country=IND}}  =  {{jct|SH|65|country=IND}}


===Air===
===Air===
The nearest airport is located at [[Purnia Airport]] near [[Purnea]] (30&nbsp;km), but it is a airforce station.
The nearest airport is located at [[Purnia Airport]] near [[Purnea|Purnia]] (30&nbsp;km)
The nearest commercial airport is located at [[Bagdogra Airport]] (160&nbsp;km) near [[Siliguri]] ([[West Bengal]]). However, recently the government has announced to open an air force base airport in Chunapur, Purnea to be allowed to use for commercial use. However, it is not operational yet.
The nearest airport is located at [[Bagdogra Airport]] (160&nbsp;km) near [[Siliguri]] ([[West Bengal]])


===Rail===
===Rail===
[[Katihar Junction railway station|Katihar Junction]] is a major strategic Railway Junction under [[Northeast Frontier Railway zone|Northeast Frontier Railways]] which connects North East India with the rest of India.
[[Katihar Junction railway station|Katihar Junction]] is a major strategic Railway Junction under [[Northeast Frontier Railway zone|Northeast Frontier Railway]] which connects North East India with the rest of India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 August 2017 |title=Railways resume goods train services for North East states |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/railways-resume-goods-train-services-for-north-east-states-4819810/ |access-date=1 October 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=}}</ref>


==Education==
==Education==
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2014}}
{{Main|List of institutions of higher education in Bihar}}
{{Main|List of institutions of higher education in Bihar}}
[[File:Katihar Ramakrishna Mission (front view) 2014-07-24 22-55.jpg|thumb|Katihar Ramakrishna Mission]]
Katihar has many education institutions. Some [[Central Board of Secondary Education|CBSE]] schools in city are:
* Katihar Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandir (estd. in 1951; the oldest surviving school of Katihar; it used to be under WBBSE; now affiliated with [[Central Board of Secondary Education|CBSE]])<ref>https://www.rkmkatihar.org/</ref>
* Scottish Public School<ref>http://scottishpublicschool.in/</ref>
* kendriya Vidyalaya<ref>http://kvkatihar.org.in/</ref>
* Hari Shankar Nayak High School
*  International School of East India<ref>http://isei.in/</ref>
*  Manipal public school<ref>http://www.icbse.com/schools/manipal-public-school/330526</ref>
*  Netaji Vidyamandir
*  AAM Children's Academy
*  Children's happy home
*  Katihar English School
*  Don Bosco
* [[Ramakrishna Mission]] Sarada Vidyamandir
*  Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Katihar<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nrj7017.github.io/jnvk/|title = JNV Katihar}}</ref>
*  Colonels Academy<ref>https://colonelsacademy.in/</ref>
*  SBP Vidya Vihar<ref>http://sbpvidyaviharkatihar.com/</ref>
*  KidZee<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kidzee.com/bihar/katihar/best-play-school-katihar|title = Best Play School and Preschool in Katihar,Bihar– Kidzee}}</ref>
*  The Maheshwari Academy
*  Katihar High School
*  Zila School
*  M.T.A Islamia +2 School
*  Rajiv Shiksha Niketan
*  Meadowland Montessori school
Government colleges:
*  D.S. College, Katihar<ref>http://www.dspgcollege.org/</ref>
*  K.B Jha College, Katihar<ref>http://www.kbjhacollegekatihar.com/</ref>
*  Govt. Polytechnic, Katihar<ref>http://www.govtpolykatihar.in/</ref>
* Katihar College Of Engineering, Katihar
*  Sita Ram Chamaria College<ref>http://www.srcdcollege.com/</ref>
*  M J M Mahila College<ref>https://mjmmahilacollege.com/</ref>
Other important institutes:
*[[Purnia University]]
* Katihar Medical College & Hospital, Katihar<ref>http://kmckatihar.org/</ref>
* Maharshi Menhi Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Katihar<ref>http://www.mmhmch.org/</ref>
* [[Suryadeo Law College]], Katihar<ref>http://suryadeolawcollege.com/</ref>
* A.M.Ashari Educational & Welfare Trust, Katihar


===Katihar Medical College===
<!---♦♦♦ Only add an institution to this list if it already has its own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
[[Katihar Medical College and Hospital]] (KMCH) is a private medical college located in Katihar City suburbs and is recognized by the [[Medical Council of India]] (MCI),<ref>{{cite web|title=Katihar Medical College|url=http://www.kmckatihar.org/ |publisher=[[Katihar Medical College]] |access-date=25 April 2017}}</ref> one of the few medical schools in the [[Seemanchal]] region. It was established in 1987 and has been instrumental in providing medical care to the local people. The institute offers courses in MBBS and MD in different fields including biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, general medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology.
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
* [[Al-Karim University]]
* [[Katihar Engineering College]]
* [[Katihar Medical College and Hospital]] (KMCH), a private medical college in Katihar City suburbs, recognized by the [[Medical Council of India]] (MCI),<ref>{{cite web|title=Katihar Medical College|url=http://www.kmckatihar.org/ |publisher=[[Katihar Medical College]] |access-date=25 April 2017}}</ref>
* [[Suryadeo Law College]], Katihar<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://suryadeolawcollege.com/|title=Suryadeo Law College, Katihar &#124; Law College in Katihar &#124; Law College in Bihar|website=Suryadeolawcollege.com|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref>


==Demographics==
==Demographics==


As per the 2011 census, Katihar Urban Agglomeration had a population of 240,565.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |access-date = 2012-04-16 }}</ref> Katihar Urban Agglomeration includes Katihar (municipal corporation plus outgrowth) and Katihar Railway Colony (outgrowth).<ref>{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_4_PR_UAs_1Lakh_and_Above_Appendix.pdf | title = Constituents of urban Agglomerations Having Population 1 Lakh & above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011|access-date = 2012-04-16 }}</ref> Katihar Municipal Corporation had a total population of 225,982, out of which 119,142 were males and 106,840 were females. It had a sex ratio of 897. The population below 5 years was 31,036. The literacy rate of the 7+ population was 79.87 per cent.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |access-date = 2012-04-16}}</ref> Katihar is at 193th rank in terms of its population among the [[List of most populous cities in India|top 200 cities of India]] as per the 2011 census.
<!-- There is a separate article for the district, so statistics should be for the Municipal Corporation only!! -->
{{Historical populations
| 1901| 9,761
| 1911| 10,219
| 1921| 14,533
| 1931| 15,864
| 1941| 26,326
| 1951| 42,365
| 1961| 59,344
| 1971| 80,121
| 1981| 1,22,005
| 1991| 1,54,367
| 2001| 1,90,873
| 2011| 2,40,838
| title= Historical Population
| align = right
|footnote= Source: District Census Handbook<ref name="dchba">{{cite book|title=District Census Handbook katihar Part-A|publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Bihar|location=katihar|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/276/download/754/DH_2011_1000_PART_A_DCHB_KATIHAR.pdf}}</ref>}}
As per the 2011 census, Katihar Urban Agglomeration had a population of 240,565.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |access-date = 16 April 2012 }}</ref> Katihar Urban Agglomeration includes Katihar (municipal corporation plus outgrowth) and Katihar Railway Colony (outgrowth).<ref>{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_4_PR_UAs_1Lakh_and_Above_Appendix.pdf | title = Constituents of urban Agglomerations Having Population 1 Lakh & above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011|access-date = 16 April 2012 }}</ref> Katihar Municipal Corporation had a total population of 225,982, out of which 119,142 were males and 106,840 were females. It had a sex ratio of 897. The population below 5 years was 31,036. The literacy rate of the 7+ population was 79.87 per cent.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |access-date = 16 April 2012}}</ref> Katihar is at 193rd rank in terms of its population among the [[List of most populous cities in India|top 200 cities of India]] as per the 2011 census.


[[Hindi]], [[Urdu]], [[Maithili language|Maithili]], [[Angika]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and Surjapuri are the main languages spoken in Katihar.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}
=== Religion ===
{{bar box|width = 300px
|barwidth = 250px |cellpadding="0"
|title=Religion in Katihar city (2011)
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|DarkOrange|76.90}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|Green|22.10}}
{{bar percent|Others|Black|1.00}}}}Hinduism is major religion in Katihar city with 185,196 [[Hindus]] (76.9%) and 53,213 [[Muslims]] (22.1%). Other religions include 794 [[Christians]] (0.33%), 373 [[Sikhs]] (0.15%), 221 Jains (0.09%), 70 Buddhists (0.03%) and 960 (0.4%) not stated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Katihar City Population 2022 - Sex Ratio, Population Density, Literacy |url=https://www.indiacensus.net/city/katihar |access-date=11 July 2022 |website=www.indiacensus.net |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Media==
===Languages===
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2017}}
{{Pie chart
Most people read ''[[Hindustan (newspaper)|Hindustan]]'', ''[[Dainik Jagran]]'', ''Dainik Bhaskar'', and ''The Telegraph''. Bengali newspapers are also available for Bengali readers. KBC News broadcasts the local news on television. People tune into [[All India Radio]] for national news.
|thumb = righ
|caption = Languages spoken in Katihar City (2011)<ref>[https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16T/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-2000.XLSX 2011 census data] censusindia.gov.in</ref>
|label1= [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
|value1= 61.28
|color1 =orange
|label2= [[Urdu language|Urdu]]
|value2 = 14.57
|color2 =green
|label3 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]]
|value3 = 4.33
|color3 =red
|label4 = [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]]
|value4 = 4.08
|color4 =yellow
|label5 = [[Maithili language|Maithili]]
|value5 = 2.01
|color5 =brown
|label6 = [[Marwari  language|Marwari]]
|value6 = 0.66
|color6 =pink
|label7 = Others
|value7 = 13.03
}}


==Climate==
==Climate==
[[File:Katihar weather.jpg|thumb|]]
The climate of Katihar has widespread rainfall during the [[monsoon]]s, sometimes bringing floods to the adjoining rural areas of the [[Katihar District]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 September 2024 |title=Bihar flood situation worsens as major rivers spate; IMD issues heavy rain alert |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-flood-situation-worsens-as-major-rivers-spate-imd-issues-heavy-rain-alert-101727683836219.html |access-date=2 October 2024 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 August 2021 |title=Floodwaters enter four blocks in Katihar district |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/floodwaters-enter-four-blocks-in-katihar-district/articleshow/85334800.cms |access-date=2 October 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>


The climate of Katihar is nearly moderate with widespread rainfall during the [[monsoon]]s sometimes bringing flood to the adjoining rural areas of the [[Katihar District]].
== Rivers ==
Rivers in Katihar include:
* [[Ganges]]
* [[Kosi River]]
* [[Mahananda River]]


==See also==
== See also ==
* [[List of cities in Bihar]]
* [[List of cities in Bihar]]
* [[Kolasi]]
* [[Kolasi]]
* [[Korha (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Korha]]
* [[Korha Assembly constituency|Korha]]
* [[Tingachhia]]


==References==
==References==
Line 157: Line 186:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons|Katihar}}
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.katihar.bih.nic.in katihar.bih.nic.in]
* [http://www.katihar.bih.nic.in katihar.bih.nic.in] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203055349/http://katihar.bih.nic.in/ |date=3 December 2019 }}
*[https://archive.is/20140806075344/http://districtcourts.nic.in/ecourts/Patna/Katihar/Katihar.php District Court, Katihar]
*[https://archive.today/20140806075344/http://districtcourts.nic.in/ecourts/Patna/Katihar/Katihar.php District Court, Katihar]


{{Purnia Division}}
{{Purnia Division}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Katihar| ]]
[[Category:Katihar| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Katihar district]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Katihar district]]
[[Category:Municipal corporations in Bihar]]

Latest revision as of 20:02, 27 February 2026

This article is about the municipal corporation in India. For its namesake district, see Katihar district.

Katihar
Katīhār
Urban Agglomeration
Katihar Junction
Katihar Junction
Katihar is located in Bihar
Katihar
Katihar
Location in Bihar
Katihar is located in India
Katihar
Katihar
Location in India
Coordinates: 25°32′N 87°35′E / 25.53°N 87.58°E / 25.53; 87.58
Country India
State Bihar
RegionMithila[1][2]
SubregionKosi-Seemanchal
DivisionPurnia
DistrictKatihar
Government
 • TypeMunicipal Corporation
 • BodyKatihar Municipal Corporation
 • MPTariq Anwar[3] (INC)
 • MLATarkishore Prasad[4] (BJP)
 • MayorUsha Devi Agarwal[5]
Area
[6]
 • Total50.46 km2 (19.48 sq mi)
Elevation
35.25 m (115.65 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total240,565
 • Rank117 in india
DemonymKatiharites
Language
 • OfficialHindi[7]
 • Additional officialUrdu[7]
 • RegionalAngika,Maithili,[8] Bengali[9] and Surjapuri language
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
854105 (Katihar Main),854109 (katihar north),854103 (katihar South) ,854107 (katihar west) [10]
Vehicle registrationBR-39
Lok Sabha constituencyKatihar
Vidhan Sabha constituencyKatihar
Websitekatihar.bih.nic.in

Katihar (Hindi pronunciation: [kəʈɪɦaːr]; Bengali pronunciation: [kaʈihar]),[11] is the tenth largest city in the state of Bihar[12] in India in terms of population, Along with being one of the largest economic, educational and administrative centre in the eastern part of Bihar. The city situated in the eastern bank of Kari Kosi river.[13] It is the headquarters of Katihar district and Katihar railway division of Northeast Frontier Railway.[14] Historically, it was an important metre gauge railway station in the Bengal Presidency that linked North India with the regions of North Bengal and Northeast India.[15][16] The main railway station of the city is Katihar Junction, a very important railway station on the Guwahati - Barauni railway line.[17]

Transport[edit | edit source]

Road[edit | edit source]

Katihar is connected through road network

Air[edit | edit source]

The nearest airport is located at Purnia Airport near Purnia (30 km) The nearest airport is located at Bagdogra Airport (160 km) near Siliguri (West Bengal)

Rail[edit | edit source]

Katihar Junction is a major strategic Railway Junction under Northeast Frontier Railway which connects North East India with the rest of India.[18]

Education[edit | edit source]

Main article: List of institutions of higher education in Bihar

Demographics[edit | edit source]

Historical Population
YearPop.±%
19019,761—    
191110,219+4.7%
192114,533+42.2%
193115,864+9.2%
194126,326+65.9%
195142,365+60.9%
196159,344+40.1%
197180,121+35.0%
1981122,005+52.3%
1991154,367+26.5%
2001190,873+23.6%
2011240,838+26.2%
Source: District Census Handbook[21]

As per the 2011 census, Katihar Urban Agglomeration had a population of 240,565.[22] Katihar Urban Agglomeration includes Katihar (municipal corporation plus outgrowth) and Katihar Railway Colony (outgrowth).[23] Katihar Municipal Corporation had a total population of 225,982, out of which 119,142 were males and 106,840 were females. It had a sex ratio of 897. The population below 5 years was 31,036. The literacy rate of the 7+ population was 79.87 per cent.[24] Katihar is at 193rd rank in terms of its population among the top 200 cities of India as per the 2011 census.

Religion[edit | edit source]

Religion in Katihar city (2011)
Religion Percent
Hinduism
 
 76.90%
Islam
 
 22.10%
Others
 
 1.00%

Hinduism is major religion in Katihar city with 185,196 Hindus (76.9%) and 53,213 Muslims (22.1%). Other religions include 794 Christians (0.33%), 373 Sikhs (0.15%), 221 Jains (0.09%), 70 Buddhists (0.03%) and 960 (0.4%) not stated.[25]

Languages[edit | edit source]

Languages spoken in Katihar City (2011)[26]
  1. Hindi (61.3%)
  2. Urdu (14.6%)
  3. Bengali (4.33%)
  4. Bhojpuri (4.08%)
  5. Maithili (2.01%)
  6. Marwari (0.66%)
  7. Others (13.0%)

Climate[edit | edit source]

The climate of Katihar has widespread rainfall during the monsoons, sometimes bringing floods to the adjoining rural areas of the Katihar District.[27][28]

Rivers[edit | edit source]

Rivers in Katihar include:

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Shekhar, Kumar Shakti (25 September 2020). "Bihar assembly elections 2020: BJP eyes winning push from Mithila". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Thakur, Ripunjay Kumar (1 March 2022). "Historical Geography of Early Medieval Mithila: From Videha to Tirhut". New Archaeological & Genological Society, Kanpur, India. ISSN 2348-8301. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  3. ↑ "Tariq's post triggers debate over Cong's poll strategy". The Times of India. 11 February 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  4. ↑ "Tarkishore Prasad, frontrunner in race for Bihar deputy CM, is part of BJP's Bengal plan. Here's how". Hindustan Times. 16 November 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  5. ↑ "Katihar Municipal Corporation". katiharnagarnigam.net. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  6. ↑ "KATIHAR". Cseindia.org. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities In India" (PDF). nclm.nic.in. Ministry of Minority Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  8. ↑ Kumari, Arunima (19 January 2021). Encyclopedia of Bihar: Encyclopedia of Bihar: Uncovering the Rich Heritage and History by Arunima Kumari. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 9789350483909.
  9. ↑ कटिहार में बंगाली समुदाय में धूमधाम से मनाई गई लक्खी पूजा.
  10. ↑ [1]
  11. ↑ "सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम का आयोजन:बंगला सिर्फ बंगाली समुदाय की भाषा नहीं, देश की भाषा : सांसद". Dainik Bhaskar. 15 April 2022.
  12. ↑ Rana, Rajeev (14 February 2023). "Top Cities in Bihar by Population 2024". Find Easy. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  13. ↑ "कारी कोसी और गंगा नदी का जलस्तर बढ़ने से निचले इलाकों में फैला बाढ़ का पानी". www.livehindustan.com (in हिन्दी). Archived from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  14. ↑ "Katihar Railway Division of NFR". nfr.indianrailways.gov.in. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  15. ↑ "[IRFCA] The day the Northeast Frontier Railway was born". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  16. ↑ Rao, M.A. (1988). Indian Railways, New Delhi: National Book Trust, pp.42-4
  17. ↑ Kagyung, Biplob. "124 Departures from Katihar NFR/Northeast Frontier Zone - Railway Enquiry". indiarailinfo.com. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  18. ↑ "Railways resume goods train services for North East states". The Indian Express. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  19. ↑ "Katihar Medical College". Katihar Medical College. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  20. ↑ "Suryadeo Law College, Katihar | Law College in Katihar | Law College in Bihar". Suryadeolawcollege.com. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  21. ↑ District Census Handbook katihar Part-A (PDF). katihar: Directorate of Census Operations, Bihar.
  22. ↑ "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  23. ↑ "Constituents of urban Agglomerations Having Population 1 Lakh & above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  24. ↑ "Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  25. ↑ "Katihar City Population 2022 - Sex Ratio, Population Density, Literacy". www.indiacensus.net. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  26. ↑ 2011 census data censusindia.gov.in
  27. ↑ "Bihar flood situation worsens as major rivers spate; IMD issues heavy rain alert". Hindustan Times. 30 September 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  28. ↑ "Floodwaters enter four blocks in Katihar district". The Times of India. 15 August 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 October 2024.

External links[edit | edit source]

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