Bihar: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name                           = Bihar

| native_name                    = <!--Please do not add any Indic script to this infobox, per WP:INDICSCRIPT policy.-->

| type                            = [[States and union territories of India|State]]

| image_skyline                   = {{Photomontage

| photo1a                 = Aerial view, Patna (314731093).jpg

| photo2a                 = Rajgir - 028 Bathing Pool at foot of Hill (9245042360).jpg

| photo2b                 = Nalanda University India ruins.jpg

| photo3a                 = Mahabodhi temple.jpg

| photo4b                 = Mithila Painting.jpg

| photo3b                 = Maa Mundeshwari Devi.jpg

| spacing                   = 2

| color_border             = white

| color                     = black

| size                     = 280

| foot_montage           = ''Clockwise from top right:'' Aerial view of the capital Patna on the banks of River [[Ganges|Ganga]], Ruins of ancient [[Nalanda]] University, Mata [[Mundeshwari Temple]] in [[Kaimur district|Kaimur]], [[Bihar Museum]] in [[Patna]], [[Madhubani/Mithila Painting|Madhubani painting]] from [[Mithila (region)|Mithila region]], [[Mahabodhi Temple]] in [[Bodh Gaya]], Brahma Kund [[hot springs]] in [[Rajgir]]

| anthem                         = [[Mere Bharat Ke Kanth Haar]]<br/>(''The Garland of My India'')

| image_map                       = IN-BR.svg

| coordinates                     = {{coord|25.4|85.1|region:IN-BR_type:adm1st|display=inline,title}}

| coor_pinpoint                  = Patna

| coordinates_footnotes          =  

| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]

| established_date1              = [[Bihar Diwas|22 March 1912]]

| established_date2              = [[States and union territories of India|26 January 1950]]

| seat1_type                      = Largest city

| seat1                          = [[Patna]]

| government_footnotes            =  

| governing_body                  = {{nowrap|[[Government of Bihar]]}}

| leader_name                    = {{Bihar governor}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Senior BJP Leader Phagu Chauhan Appointed Governor of Bihar, to Take Over From Lal Ji Tandon |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/senior-bjp-leader-phagu-chauhan-appointed-governor-of-bihar-to-take-over-from-lal-ji-tandon-2238879.html |access-date=25 July 2019 |work=[[News18]] |date=20 July 2019}}</ref>

| leader_title1                  = [[Chief Ministers of Bihar|Chief&nbsp;Minister]]

| leader_name1                    = [[Nitish Kumar]]

| leader_title2                  = [[Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar|Deputy Chief Minister]]

| leader_name2                    = {{bulleted_list|[[Renu Devi]]<ref name="Deputy">{{cite news |title=Bihar Government Formation Live Update: Nitish Kumar takes oath as CM; Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi as Deputy CMs |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/nitish-kumar-oath-taking-new-bihar-deputy-cm-government-formation-live-updates/2129238/ |access-date=16 November 2020 |work=The Financial Express |date=16 November 2020}}</ref>|[[Tarkishore Prasad]]<ref name="Deputy"/>}}

| leader_title3                  = [[Bihar Legislative Assembly|Legislature]]

| leader_name3                    = {{unbulleted list|[[Bicameral]]| [[Bihar Legislative Council|Council]] (75 seats)|[[Bihar Legislative Assembly|Assembly]] ([[List of constituencies of the Bihar Legislative Assembly|243 seats]])}}

| leader_title4                  = [[Parliament of India|Parliamentary constituencies]]

| leader_name4                    = [[Rajya Sabha]] ([[List of Rajya Sabha members from Bihar|16 seats]])<br/>[[Lok Sabha]] ([[List of members of the 17th Lok Sabha#Bihar|40 seats]])

| area_footnotes                 = <ref name=BiharProfile>{{cite web |title=State Profile |url=http://gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/default.htm |website=Government of Bihar |access-date=27 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922043241/http://www.gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/default.htm |archive-date=22 September 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

| area_total_km2                 = 94,163

| area_note                      =  

| area_rank                       = [[List of states and union territories of India by area|12th]]

| elevation_m                     =  

| population_footnotes           = <ref name="StateProfile"/>

| population_total               = 104099452

| population_as_of               = 2011

| population_rank                 = [[List of states and union territories of India by population|3rd]]

| population_density_km2          = 1,102

| population_note                =  

| population_blank1_title        = Major Ethnolinguistic Groups

| population_demonym             = [[Biharis|Bihari]]

| postal_code_type                = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]

| postal_code                    =

| timezone1                      = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]

| utc_offset1                    = +05:30

| iso_code                        = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|IN-BR]]

| demographics_type1              = GDP {{nobold|(2022–23)}}

| demographics1_footnotes        = <ref name="PRS">{{cite web |title=Bihar Budget Analysis 2022-23 |url=https://prsindia.org/budgets/states/bihar-budget-analysis-2022-23 |date=2021 |website=[[PRS Legislative Research]] |access-date=4 April 2022}}</ref>

| demographics1_title1            = [[List of Indian states and union territories by GDP|Total]]

| demographics1_info1            = {{INRConvert|7.45|lc}}

| demographics1_title2            = [[List of Indian states and union territories by GDP per capita|Per capita]]

| demographics1_info2            = {{INRConvert|46664}}

| blank_name_sec2                = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] {{nobold|(2019)}}

| blank_info_sec2                = {{increase}} 0.574<ref name="snhdi-gdl">{{cite web |title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database |url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/ |website=Global Data Lab |publisher=Institute for Management Research, Radboud University |access-date=3 July 2021 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923120638/https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/ |archive-date=23 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> ({{color|#fc0|medium}}) · [[List of Indian states and territories by Human Development Index|36th]]

| blank1_name_sec2                = [[Literacy in India|Literacy]] {{nobold|(2011)}}

| blank1_info_sec2                = 63.82%<ref name="Census2011Literacy">{{cite report |chapter=6 – State of Literacy |title=Provisional Population Totals – India |chapter-url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/india/Final_PPT_2011_chapter6.pdf |pages=108. 111 |publisher=Censusindia.gov.in |access-date=22 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706191931/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/india/Final_PPT_2011_chapter6.pdf |archive-date=6 July 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

| blank2_name_sec2                = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]] {{nobold|(2011)}}

| blank2_info_sec2                = 918 [[females|♀]]/1000 [[males|♂]]<ref name="pc-census2011">{{cite web |title=Census 2011 (Final Data) – Demographic details, Literate Population (Total, Rural & Urban) |url=http://planningcommission.gov.in/data/datatable/data_2312/DatabookDec2014%20307.pdf |website=planningcommission.gov.in |publisher=Planning Commission, Government of India |access-date=3 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127163347/http://planningcommission.gov.in/data/datatable/data_2312/DatabookDec2014%20307.pdf |archive-date=27 January 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

| demographics_type2              = Languages

| demographics2_title1            = Official

| registration_plate             = [[List of Regional Transport Office districts in India#BR.Bihar|BR]]

| website                         = [https://bihar.gov.in/ Official Website]

| module                          = {{Infobox place symbols

| country    = [[India]]

| emblem    =[[Emblem of Bihar]] [[File:Seal of Bihar.svg|50px|left]]

| song      = [[Mere Bharat Ke Kanth Haar]]

| foundation_day =

| mammal     = [[Gaur]] (Mithun)[[File:Indian Bison (Gaur) 1 by N. A. Naseer.jpg|50px|left]]

| bird       = [[House Sparrow]] (Passer domesticus) [[File:House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)- Female in Kolkata I IMG 3787 (cropped).jpg|50px|left]]

| fish       =

| flower    = [[Kachnar]] (Phanera variegata)[[File:Bauhinia variegata flower.jpg|50px|left]]

| fruit      =[[Mango]] (Mangifera indica) [[File:Mangifera indica (Manguier 4).jpg|50px|left]]

| tree       =[[Peepal tree]] (Ficus religiosa) [[File:Ficus religiosa Bo.jpg|50px|left]]

| plant      =

| food      = <!-- or | dish = -->

| drink      =

| footnotes                      = {{unbulleted list|a. Recognized under the [[Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India]]|b. In 15 districts}}

'''Bihar''' ({{IPAc-en|b|ᵻ|ˈ|h|ɑːr}}; {{IPA-hi|bɪˈɦaːr|-|Bihar.ogg}}) is a [[states and union territories of India|state]] in [[eastern India]]. It is the [[list of states and union territories of India by population|third-largest state by population]] and [[list of states and union territories of India by area|twelfth-largest by territory]], with an area of {{convert|94163|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. Bihar borders [[Uttar Pradesh]] to its west, [[Nepal]] to the north, the northern part of [[West Bengal]] to the east, and with [[Jharkhand]] to the south. The Bihar plain is split by the river [[Ganges]], which flows from west to east.<ref name=GovBiharProfile>{{cite web |title=State Profile |url=http://gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/default.htm |website=Government of Bihar |access-date=17 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922043241/http://www.gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/default.htm |archive-date=22 September 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Bihar is also the [[Administrative division|world's fourth-most populous subnational entity]].

On 15 November 2000, southern Bihar was ceded to form the new state of [[Jharkhand]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/736533/Jharkhand |title=Jharkhand |last=Dutt |first=Ashok K. |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=18 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308153848/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/736533/Jharkhand |archive-date=8 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Only 11.3% of the population of Bihar lives in urban areas, which is the lowest in India after [[Himachal Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/bihar-elections-2015/news/Bihar-election-BJPs-campaign-found-no-resonance-in-villages/articleshow/49742959.cms|title=At 11.3%, it has the lowest urban population among big states and the second lowest if one counts the small mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh (10%). 2011 census|access-date=29 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114074651/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/bihar-elections-2015/news/Bihar-election-BJPs-campaign-found-no-resonance-in-villages/articleshow/49742959.cms|archive-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live|work=The Times of India}}</ref> Additionally, almost 58% of [[Bihari people|Biharis]] are below the age of 25, giving Bihar the highest proportion of young people of any Indian state.<ref name="economic_strangulation">{{cite web |last1=Guruswamy |first1=Mohan |last2=Kaul |first2=Abhishek |title=The Economic Strangulation of Bihar |url=http://cpasindia.org/reports/02-Economic-Strangulation-Bihar.pdf |date=15 December 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530142819/http://www.cpasindia.org/reports/02-Economic-Strangulation-Bihar.pdf |archive-date=30 May 2009 |location=New Delhi, India |publisher=Centre for Policy Alternatives |page=2 |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> The official languages are [[Hindi]] and [[Urdu]], although other languages are common, including [[Maithili language|Maithili]], [[Magahi language|Magahi]],  [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]] and other [[Bihari languages]].

In ancient and classical India, the area that is now Bihar was considered a centre of power, learning, and culture.<ref>''Bihar, Past & Present: souvenir, 13th Annual Congress of Epigraphica'' by P. N. Ojha, Kashi Prasad Jayaswal Research Institute</ref> From Magadha arose India's first empire, the [[Maurya empire]], as well as one of the world's most widely adhered-to religions: [[Buddhism]].<ref>Mishra Pankaj, ''The Problem'', Seminar 450 – February 1997</ref> Magadha empires, notably under the [[Maurya]] and [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] dynasties, unified large parts of South Asia under a central rule.<ref>{{cite web| title=The History of Bihar| publisher=Bihar Government| url=http://gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/history.htm| access-date=15 August 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331063547/http://gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/history.htm| archive-date=31 March 2014| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref> Another region of Bihar is [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]] which was an early centre of learning and the centre of the [[Videha]] kingdom.<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EzPYdQo3vZgC&q=mithila+north+bihar&pg=PA87 | title=Wetlands Management in North Bihar | access-date=8 February 2017 | pages=87| isbn=9788180697074 | last1=Mandal | first1=R. B. | year=2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nKqF_AgDd4gC&q=mithila+india+state&pg=PA148 | title=Small States Syndrome in India | access-date=16 February 2017 | pages=146| isbn=9788170226918 | last1=Kumāra | first1=Braja Bihārī | year=1998 }}</ref>

Since the late 1970s, Bihar has lagged far behind other Indian states in terms of social and economic development.<ref name=Bihar_1>

* {{cite news| last = Gupta| first = Shaibal| title = Bihar: Identity and Development| publisher = Asian Development Research Institute, Patna| url = http://www.bihartimes.com/articles/shaibal/biharidentity.html| access-date = 30 April 2006| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050330161928/http://bihartimes.com/articles/shaibal/biharidentity.html| archive-date = 30 March 2005}}</ref> and the [[Permanent Settlement]] of 1793 by the [[British East India Company]].<ref name="saibal" /> The state government has, however, made significant strides in developing the state.<ref>{{cite news |last=Phadnis |first=Aditi |author-link=Aditi Phadnis |date=26 July 2008 | title=Lalu in the red |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=329655 |newspaper=[[Business Standard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607173041/http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=329655 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> Improved governance has led to an economic revival in the state through increased investment in infrastructure,<ref name="bihar_basher">{{cite news| last = Goswami| first = Urmi A| date = 17 June 2008| title = Biharis get work at home, bashers realise their worth| work = The Economic Times| location = India| url = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Biharis_get_work_at_home_bashers_realise_their_worth/articleshow/3135697.cms| access-date = 17 June 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213034621/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Biharis_get_work_at_home_bashers_realise_their_worth/articleshow/3135697.cms| archive-date = 13 February 2009| url-status = live| df = dmy-all}}</ref> better healthcare facilities, greater emphasis on education, and a reduction in crime and corruption.<ref name=Bihar_2>

The name ''Bihar'' is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] and [[Pali]] word ''[[vihāra]]'' ([[Devanagari]]: विहार), meaning "abode". The region roughly encompassing the present state had many Buddhist vihāras, the abodes of Buddhist monks in the ancient and medieval periods. Medieval writer [[Minhaj al-Siraj Juzjani]] records in the ''[[Tabaqat-i Nasiri]]'' that in 1198 [[Ikhtiyar Uddin Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji|Bakhtiyar Khalji]] committed a massacre in a town identified with the word, later known as [[Bihar Sharif]], about 70&nbsp;km (43&nbsp;mi) away from [[Bodh Gaya]].<ref>Minhaj writes that the inhabitants were 100,000 [[Brahmin]]s.--''Bodh Gaya''; by Frederick M. Asher; p. 14</ref><ref>Kartar Singh Duggal ''The Sikh Gurus: their lives and teachings''; p. 4; with shaven heads.{{clarify|date=July 2014}}</ref>

| perrow = 1

| total_width =  

| caption_align = center

| align = left

| image1 = Kundpur seal.jpg

| caption1 = Copy of the seal excavated from Kundpur, [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]]. The Brahmi letters on the seal state: "Kundpur was in Vaishali. Prince Vardhaman ([[Mahavira]]) used this seal after the ''Judgement''."

| image2 = Mahajanapadas (c. 500 BCE).png

| caption2 = [[Magadha]], [[Anga]] and [[Vajji]]an Confederacy of Mithila, {{circa|600&nbsp;BCE}}.

[[Chirand]], on the northern bank of the [[Ganga River]], in [[Saran district]], has an archaeological record from the [[Neolithic age]] {{nowrap|({{circa|2500–1345 BCE}})}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/destinations/bihar_a_quick_guide_to_saran/|title=BIHAR: A QUICK GUIDE TO SARAN|access-date=24 March 2017 |work= Outlook |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323054404/http://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/destinations/bihar_a_quick_guide_to_saran/|archive-date=23 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1100925/jsp/bihar/story_12980021.jsp|title=Oldest hamlet faces extinction threat|access-date=24 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323053759/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1100925/jsp/bihar/story_12980021.jsp|archive-date=23 March 2017|url-status=live|work=The Telegraph}}</ref> Regions of Bihar&nbsp;– such as [[Magadha]], [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]] and [[Anga]]&nbsp;– are mentioned in religious texts and epics of [[ancient India]].

Mithila gained prominence after the establishment of the [[Videha]] Kingdom.<ref name="gov.bih.nic.in">{{cite web|url=http://gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/default.htm|title=State Profile|website=gov.bih.nic.in|access-date=26 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922043241/http://www.gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/default.htm|archive-date=22 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><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 {{nowrap|(c. 1100–500 BCE),}} Videha became one of the major political and cultural centers of South Asia, along with Kuru and Pañcāla. The kings of the Videha Kingdom were called [[Janaka]]s.<ref>[[Michael Witzel]] (1989), ''Tracing the Vedic dialects in Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes'' ed. Caillat, Paris, pages 13, 141–143</ref> [[Sita]], a daughter of one of the Janaks of [[Mithila, India|Mithila]] is mentioned as the consort of [[Rama|Lord Rama]], in the [[Hindu epic]] ''[[Ramayana]]'', written by [[Valmiki]].<ref name="gov.bih.nic.in" /><ref>[[Michael Witzel]] (1989), ''Tracing the Vedic dialects in Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes'' ed. Caillat, Paris</ref>{{page needed|date=January 2019}} The Videha Kingdom later became incorporated into the [[Vajji]] confederacy which had its capital in the city of [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]], which is also in Mithila.<ref>Raychaudhuri Hemchandra (1972), ''Political History of Ancient India'', Calcutta: University of Calcutta, pp. 85–86</ref> Vajji had a republican form of government where the king was elected from the rajas. Based on the information found in texts pertaining to Jainism and Buddhism, Vajji was established as a republic by the 6th century BCE, before the birth of [[Gautama Buddha]] in 563&nbsp;BCE, making it the first known republic in India.

The [[Haryanka dynasty]], founded in 684&nbsp;BCE, ruled Magadha from the city of Rajgriha (modern [[Rajgir]]). The two well-known kings from this dynasty were [[Bimbisara]] and his son [[Ajatashatru]], who imprisoned his father to ascend the throne. Ajatashatru founded the city of [[Pataliputra]] which later became the capital of Magadha. He declared war and conquered the [[Vajji]]. The Haryanka dynasty was followed by the [[Shishunaga dynasty]]. Later, the [[Nanda Dynasty]] ruled a vast tract stretching from [[Bengal]] to [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].

The Nanda dynasty was replaced by the [[Maurya Empire]], [[India]]'s first empire. The Maurya Empire and the religion of [[Buddhism]] arose in the region that now makes up modern Bihar. The Mauryan Empire, which originated from Magadha in 325&nbsp;BCE, was founded by [[Chandragupta Maurya]], who was born in Magadha. It had its capital at [[Pataliputra]] (modern [[Patna]]). Mauryan Emperor [[Ashoka]], who was born in Pataliputra (Patna), is often considered to be among the most accomplished rulers in world history.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Panth |first1=Rabindra |title=India's Perception Through Chinese Travellers |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BPdtAAAAMAAJ |year=2007 |page=61 |publisher=Nava Nalanda Mahavihara |isbn=9788188242122 |access-date=6 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112044300/https://books.google.com/books/about/India_s_Perception_Through_Chinese_Trave.html?id=BPdtAAAAMAAJ |archive-date=12 November 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>''A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms'', by Fa-hsien (chapter27)</ref>

The [[Gupta Empire]], which originated in Magadha in 240&nbsp;CE, is referred as the Golden Age of India in science, mathematics, astronomy, commerce, religion, and [[Indian philosophy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ushistory.org/civ/8e.asp |title=The Gupta Period of India |publisher=Ushistory.org |access-date=19 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002003624/http://www.ushistory.org/civ/8e.asp |archive-date=2 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Bihar and Bengal were invaded by [[Rajendra Chola I]] of the [[Chola dynasty]] in the 11th century.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ali |first= A. Yusuf |date=1925 |title=The Making of India |publisher=A. & C. Black |page=60}}</ref><ref>''The Cambridge Shorter History of India'', p. 145</ref>[[File:Chandragupt maurya Birla mandir 6 dec 2009 (31) (cropped).JPG|thumb|[[Chandragupta Maurya]], founder of the [[Mauryan dynasty]]|alt=|left|253x253px]]

{{See also|1781 revolt in Bihar|Veer Kunwar Singh|Siege of Arrah|Battle of Chatra}}After the [[Battle of Buxar]] (1764), the [[British East India Company]] obtained the diwani rights (rights to administer and collect tax revenue) for Bihar, [[Bengal]] and [[Odisha]]. The rich resources of fertile land, water and skilled labour had attracted the foreign imperialists, particularly the Dutch and British, in the 18th century. A number of agriculture-based industries had been started in Bihar by foreign entrepreneurs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Early Agro based Industries |url=http://www.bihargatha.in/early-agriculture-based-enterprenureships |date=2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910142241/http://www.bihargatha.in/early-agriculture-based-enterprenureships |archive-date=10 September 2011 |website=Bihargatha |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> Bihar remained a part of the [[Bengal Presidency]] of [[British India]] until 1912, when [[Bihar and Orissa]] were carved out as a separate province.

Farmers in [[Champaran]] had revolted against [[indigo]] cultivation in 1914 (at [[Pipra]]) and 1916 (Turkaulia). In April&nbsp;1917, [[Mahatma Gandhi]] visited Champaran, where [[Raj Kumar Shukla]] had drawn his attention to the exploitation of the peasants by European indigo planters. The [[Champaran Satyagraha]] that followed received support from many Bihari nationalists, such as [[Rajendra Prasad]] [[Krishna Sinha]] and [[Anugrah Narayan Sinha]].<ref>{{cite book |first=Judith Margaret |last=Brown |title=Gandhi's Rise to Power, Indian Politics 1915–1922: Indian Politics 1915–1922 |publisher=Cambridge University Press Archive |location=New Delhi |year=1972 |isbn=978-0-521-09873-1 |page=77 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HUo4AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA77 |access-date=19 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510195818/https://books.google.com/books?id=HUo4AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA77 |archive-date=10 May 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Alpha/DR.A.N.%20SINGH |title=Eminent Gandhian Dr A N Sinha, First Bihar Deputy CM cum Finance Minister |publisher=Indian Post |access-date=20 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202161527/http://www.indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Alpha/DR.A.N.%20SINGH |archive-date=2 December 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following independence, [[Bihari people|Bihari]] migrant workers have faced violence and prejudice in many parts of India, such as [[Maharashtra]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and [[Assam]].<ref>{{cite news| author=Kumod Verma| date=14 February 2008| title=Scared Biharis arrive from Mumbai| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-02-14/patna/27756096_1_mumbai-bound-trains-mns-activists-passenger-trains| access-date=14 February 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022092951/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-02-14/patna/27756096_1_mumbai-bound-trains-mns-activists-passenger-trains| archive-date=22 October 2012| url-status=dead| work=[[The Times of India]]| df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Hussain | first=Wasbir | author-link=Wasbir Hussain | date=11 August 2007 | title=30 Killed in Northeast Violence in India | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/11/AR2007081100464_pf.html | newspaper=Washington Post | access-date=25 February 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107005651/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/11/AR2007081100464_pf.html | archive-date=7 November 2012 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

== Geography and climate ==

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| image1 = Valmikinagar Hydel Project, Bihar.jpg

| image2 = Flooded Bihar.JPG

| footer =  

| image3 = Mountain of Ashram.jpg

| caption1 = Forest in [[Valmikinagar]], Bihar

| caption2 = Flooded farmlands in during [[2008 Bihar flood]].

| caption3 = Mountain of Ashrams, [[Bodh Gaya]]

{{Main|Geography of Bihar|Climate of Bihar}}{{See also|Physiographical Regions of Bihar|Forest in Bihar}}{{Further|Floods in Bihar}}{{climate chart

|<center> [[Climate of Bihar]]</center>|9.3|23.5|11.5

|10.3|24.9|6.0      

Bihar covers a total area of {{convert|94163|km2|0|abbr=on}}, with an average elevation above sea level of {{convert|173|ft|m}}. It is land locked by [[Nepal]] in the north, [[Jharkhand]] in the south  [[West Bengal]] in the east and [[Uttar Pradesh]] to the west.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bihar {{!}} History, Map, Population, Government, & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Bihar|access-date=2021-05-09|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> It has three parts on the basis of physical and structural conditions: the [[Rohtas Plateau|Southern Plateau]], the [[Shivalik Range|Shivalik Region]], and [[Gangetic Plain|Bihar's Gangetic Plain]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=by|date=2017-12-20|title=Geographical location of Bihar|url=https://bihar.pscnotes.com/bihar-geography/geographical-location-of-bihar/|access-date=2021-05-09|website=Bihar PSC Exam Notes|language=en-US}}</ref> Furthermore, the vast stretch of [[Indo-Gangetic Plain|fertile]] [[Gangetic Plain|Bihar Plain]] is divided by the [[Ganges|Ganges River]] into two unequal parts – [[North Bihar]]  and South Bihar.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-10|title=Geographical Structure of Bihar: Geology {{!}} Physiology {{!}} Plain {{!}}Plateau|url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/geographical-structure-of-bihar-geology-physiology-plain-plateau-1481802502-1|access-date=2021-05-09|website=Jagranjosh.com}}</ref> The Ganges flows west–east and, along with its tributaries, regularly floods parts of the Bihar plain. The main northern tributaries are the [[Gandaki River|Gandak]] and [[Koshi River|Koshi]], which originate in the Nepalese Himalayas, and the [[Bagmati]], which originates in the [[Kathmandu Valley]].  Other tributaries are the Son, [[Budhi Gandak]], Chandan, Orhani and [[Phalgu]]. Bihar has some small hills, such as the [[Rajgir hills]] in center, [[Kaimur Range]] in south-west and [[Sivalik Range|Shivalik Range]] in North. Bihar has notified forest area of 6,764.14&nbsp;km², which is 7.1 percent of its geographical area.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|title=State Profile|url=http://india.gov.in/knowindia/st_bihar.php|publisher=Gov. of India|access-date=}}</ref> The sub-Himalayan foothills of [[Shivalik Range|Shivalik ranges]], primary Someshwar and Dun mountain, in [[West Champaran district]] are clad in a belt of moist deciduous [[forest]]. As well as trees, this consists of scrub, grass and reeds.

==Flora and fauna==

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| image1 = Bengal Tiger7.jpg

| image2 = Bauhinia Acuminata.jpg

| footer =  

| image3 = The_magnificent_Ganges_River_Dolphin.jpg

| caption1 = [[Bengal Tiger]] is main attraction at [[Valmiki Tiger Reserve]]

| caption2 = [[Bauhinia acuminata]], locally known as '''Kachnaar'''

| caption3 = A dolphin in [[Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary]]

  }}</ref> with common trees including ''Shorea robusta'' (sal), [[Diospyros melanoxylon]] (kendu), ''[[Boswellia serrata]]'' (salai), ''[[Terminalia elliptica|Terminalia tomentose]]'' (asan), ''[[Terminalia bellirica|Terminalia bellerica]]'' (bahera), ''[[Terminalia arjuna]]'' (arjun), ''[[Pterocarpus marsupium]]'' (paisar), and ''[[Madhuca indica]]'' (mahua).

Bihar has [[reserved Forest]] area of {{convert|6845|km2|0|abbr=on}}, which is 7.27% of its geographical area.<ref name="Forest"/> The sub-Himalayan foothill of Someshwar and the Dun ranges in the Champaran district have belts of moist deciduous forests, mixed with shrubs, grass and reeds. High rainfall (above 1,600&nbsp;mm [63&nbsp;in]) promotes forests of Sal (''[[Shorea robusta]]'') in these areas. Other important trees are Sal Cedrela Toona, [[Khair]], and Semal. Deciduous forests also occur in the [[Saharsa]] and [[Purnia]] districts,<ref>{{cite web

| url = http://forest.bih.nic.in/

| access-date = 28 November 2008

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090410052852/http://forest.bih.nic.in/

| archive-date = 10 April 2009

}}</ref> with common trees including ''Shorea robusta'' (sal), [[Diospyros melanoxylon]] (kendu), ''[[Boswellia serrata]]'' (salai), ''[[Terminalia elliptica|Terminalia tomentose]]'' (asan), ''[[Terminalia bellirica|Terminalia bellerica]]'' (bahera), ''[[Terminalia arjuna]]'' (arjun), ''[[Pterocarpus marsupium]]'' (paisar), and ''[[Madhuca indica]]'' (mahua).

[[Valmiki National Park]] covers about {{convert|800|km2|0|abbr=on}} of forest and is the 18th [[Tiger Reserve of India]], ranked fourth in terms of density of tiger population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://projecttiger.nic.in/valmiki.htm|title=VALMIKI|date=27 May 2004|access-date=26 October 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040527185358/http://projecttiger.nic.in/valmiki.htm|archive-date=27 May 2004}}</ref> It has a diverse landscape and biodiversity in addition to sheltering the protected carnivores. [[Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary]] in [[Bhagalpur]] region is a reserve for the endangered [[South Asian river dolphin]].<ref name="Forest"/> Other species in Bihar include [[leopard]], [[bear]], [[hyena]], [[bison]], [[chital]] and [[barking deer]]. [[Gharial|Ghariyal]] (including [[Mugger crocodile|muggers]]) and Gangetic turtles can be found in the river systems. [[Karkatgarh Waterfall]] on [[Karmanasa River]] is a natural habitat of crocodiles. In 2016, the government of Bihar has accepted the proposal of the forest authorities to turn the place into a Crocodile Conservation Reserve (CCR).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Prasun K |title=Bihar's first crocodile conservation reserve near Karkatgarh soon |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/patna/bihar-s-first-crocodile-conservation-reserve-near-karkatgarh-soon/story-GYf0feUPeK33j6IY2EAUCI.html |access-date=1 October 2019 |work=Hindustan Times |date=6 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Other notable wildlife sanctuaries include [[Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary]] and [[Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary]]. Many varieties of local and migratory bird species can be seen in natural wetlands of [[Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary]], Baraila lake, Kusheshwar Nath Lake, [[Udaypur Wildlife Sanctuary|Udaypur lake]].<ref name="Forest" />

{{IndiaCensusPop

| title= Population growth

| estref=

| footnote=Source:Census of India<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901]</ref>

| 1901=21243632|1911=21567159|1921=21358905|1931=23438371|1941=26302771

}}{{bar box|title=Religion in Bihar|titlebar=#F6F6F6|left1=Religion|right1=Percent|float=right|bars={{bar percent|Hinduism|orange|82.69}}

{{bar percent|other|grey|0.44}}}}{{Main|Demographics of Bihar| Languages of Bihar | Religion in Bihar}}

{{See also|Sikhism in Bihar|Christianity in Bihar|Jainism in Bihar|Islam in Bihar}}

{{bar box|title=[[Languages of Bihar]] (2011)<ref name="Languages2011">{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Bihar |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1000.XLSX |work=Census of India 2011 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General |access-date=14 March 2020}}</ref>|titlebar=#F6F6F6|left1=[[Bihari Languages]]|right1=Percent|float=right|bars={{bar percent|[[Hindi]]|orange|25.54}}

{{bar percent|other|grey|17.76}}}}At the [[2011 Census of India|2011 Census]], Bihar was the [[List of states and union territories of India by population|third most populous]] [[States and territories of India|state of India]] with a total population of 104,099,452, nearly 89% of it rural. It was also India's most densely populated state, with 1,106 persons per square kilometre.  The [[human sex ratio|sex ratio]] was 918 females per 1000 males.<ref name="StateProfile">{{cite web |title=Bihar Profile |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/censusinfodashboard/stock/profiles/en/IND010_Bihar.pdf |website=census.gov.in |access-date=14 March 2020}}</ref> Almost 58% of Bihar's population was below 25 years age, which is the highest in India. At 11.3%, Bihar has the second-lowest urbanisation rate in India after [[Himachal Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiafacts.in/india-census-2011/urban-rural-population-o-india/|title=Urban and Rural Population of India 2011|access-date=29 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315223625/http://indiafacts.in/india-census-2011/urban-rural-population-o-india/|archive-date=15 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> As per [[2011 Census of India|2011 Census]], the [[Hinduism]] is practiced by 82.7% of the population and [[Islam]] was recorded as region of 16.9% to total population. [[Christianity in Bihar|Christianity]] (0.12%), Buddhism (0.02%) and Sikhism (0.02%) is minority in [[religion in Bihar]].

Most of Bihar's population belongs to Indo-Aryan-speaking ethnic groups. It also attracted [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]] Hindu refugees during the [[Partition of India|Partition of British India]] in 1947.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindiamaps.net/page/Religion_WhizMap1/housemap.htm |title=Census GIS HouseHold |publisher=Censusindiamaps.net |access-date=15 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706213221/http://www.censusindiamaps.net/page/Religion_WhizMap1/housemap.htm |archive-date=6 July 2010 }}{{dead link|date=February 2016|reason=Cyberbot fix not working|fix-attempted=yes}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Bihar has a total [[literacy rate]] of 63.82% (73.39% for males and 53.33% for females), recording a growth of 20% in female literacy over the preceding decade.<ref name="Census2011Literacy" /> According to the 2011 census, 82.7% of Bihar's population practised [[Hinduism]], while 16.9% followed [[Islam]].<ref name="census2011">{{cite web|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=Census of India, 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|archive-date=25 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bihar-elections-among-factors-in-religious-data-of-census-2011-release/article7579546.ece|title=Bihar elections among factors in religious data of Census 2011 release|journal=The Hindu|first=Vijaita|last=Singh|date=25 August 2015|access-date=26 October 2017|via=www.TheHindu.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230200448/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bihar-elections-among-factors-in-religious-data-of-census-2011-release/article7579546.ece|archive-date=30 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Hindi]] is the official language of the state and spoken by 25.54% of the total population.<ref name="CSDOffLang1950">{{cite web|url=http://csd.bih.nic.in/Act&rule/Act1english.pdf|title=The Bihar Official Language Act, 1950|date=1950|website=Cabinet Secretariat Department, Government of Bihar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413072041/http://csd.bih.nic.in/Act%26rule/Act1english.pdf|archive-date=13 April 2015|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> At 8.42%, Urdu is the second official language in 15 districts of the state.<ref name="Benedikter2009">{{cite book|last=Benedikter|first=Thomas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vpZv2GHM7VQC&pg=PA89|title=Language Policy and Linguistic Minorities in India: An Appraisal of the Linguistic Rights of Minorities in India|date=2009|publisher=[[LIT Verlag]]|isbn=978-3-643-10231-7|location=Münster|page=89|access-date=10 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019053006/https://books.google.com/books?id=vpZv2GHM7VQC&pg=PA89&lpg=PA89|archive-date=19 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the majority of the people speak one of the [[Languages of Bihar|Bihari languages]], most of which as classified as dialects of Hindi during the census. The major ones are [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]] (24.86%), [[Maithili language|Maithili]] (12.55%)and [[Magahi language|Magahi]] (10.87%), but smaller ones such as [[Angika]] and [[Bajjika]] are also spoken by large numbers.<ref name="Chitransh2012">{{cite news|last=Chitransh|first=Anugya|url=http://hillpost.in/2012/09/bhojpuri-is-not-the-only-language-in-bihar/50489/|title=Bhojpuri is not the only language in Bihar|date=1 September 2012|newspaper=Hill Post|access-date=10 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228200009/http://hillpost.in/2012/09/bhojpuri-is-not-the-only-language-in-bihar/50489/|archive-date=28 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Cardona2003">{{cite book|title=The Indo-Aryan Languages|date=11 September 2003|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-77294-5|editor1-last=Cardona|editor1-first=George|editor1-link=George Cardona|series=Routledge Language Family Series|page=500|quote=...the number of speakers of Bihari languages are difficult to indicate because of unreliable sources. In the urban region most educated speakers of the language name Hindi as their language because this is what they use in formal contexts and believe it to be the appropriate response because of lack of awareness. The uneducated and the urban population of the region return Hindi as the generic name for their language.|editor2-last=Jain|editor2-first=Dhanesh}}</ref> Maithili is a recognised regional language of India under the [[Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India]].<ref name="mha.nic.in">{{Cite web |title=Constitutional provisions relating to Eighth Schedule |url=https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/EighthSchedule_19052017.pdf |website=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] |access-date=4 April 2022}}</ref> Proponents have called for [[Bhojpuri]] and [[Magahi]] to receive the same status.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hindi.firstpost.com/culture/legislators-demand-magahi-and-bhojpuri-language-to-included-in-8th-schedule-of-constitution-sa-19510.html|title=लोकसभा में उठी मगही, भोजपुरी को आठवीं अनुसूची में शामिल करने की मां|date=22 March 2017|access-date=24 February 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328081001/https://hindi.firstpost.com/culture/legislators-demand-magahi-and-bhojpuri-language-to-included-in-8th-schedule-of-constitution-sa-19510.html|archive-date=28 March 2019|language=hi|trans-title=Demand for including Bhojpuri in the Eighth Schedule|website=[[Firstpost]]}}</ref> However speaker numbers for these languages are limited because the more educated and urban prefer to speak in Hindi (in formal contexts) and so return this answer on the census, and in rural and uneducated areas they simply return their language as "Hindi" on the census.

The constitutional head of the government of Bihar is the governor, who is appointed by the [[President of India]]. Executive power rests with the [[chief minister]] and their cabinet. The political party or coalition of political parties having a majority in the Legislative Assembly forms the government.

The head of the bureaucracy of the state is the chief secretary, under whom a hierarchy of officials is drawn from the [[Indian Administrative Service]], [[Indian Police Service]], [[Indian Forest Service]], and different wings of the state civil services. The [[judiciary]] is headed by the Chief Justice. Bihar has a [[Patna High Court|High Court]] which has been functioning since 1916. All the branches of the government are located in the state capital, Patna.

The state is administratively divided into 9 divisions and 38 districts. For the administration of urban areas, Bihar has 12 [[Municipal Corporation (India)|municipal corporations]], 49 [[nagar parishad]]s(city councils), and 80 [[nagar panchayat]]s (town councils).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170330/jsp/bihar/story_143389.jsp#.WNziu7lMTcs|title=Bihar Civic elections likely in May 2017|access-date=30 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331031251/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170330/jsp/bihar/story_143389.jsp#.WNziu7lMTcs|archive-date=31 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Pandey |first=Ashutosh Kumar |title=बिहार : नगर विकास एवं आवास विभाग की पहल, पुनर्गठन से नगर परिषदों की बढ़ जायेगी संख्या |trans-title=Bihar: Initiatives of the Department of Urban Development and Housing, will increase the number of city councils by restructuring |url=http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/patna/reorganization-will-increase-the-number-of-city-councils/956843.html |date=20 March 2017 |newspaper=[[Prabhat Khabar]] |language=hi |access-date=19 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324174135/http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/patna/reorganization-will-increase-the-number-of-city-councils/956843.html |archive-date=24 March 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/patna/story/954291.html|title=पहली बार कोई महिला बनेगी पटना नगर निगम की मेयर|trans-title=For the first time, a woman will become the mayor of Patna Municipal Corporation|access-date=24 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324175018/http://www.prabhatkhabar.com/news/patna/story/954291.html|archive-date=24 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/ward-delimitation-begins-in-chhapra/articleshow/57299170.cms|title=Ward delimitation begins in Chhapra|website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=24 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227073049/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/ward-delimitation-begins-in-chhapra/articleshow/57299170.cms|archive-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bhaskar.com/news/BIH-PAT-HMU-MAT-latest-patna-news-020501-2002341-NOR.html|title=छपरा को निगम बख्तियारपुर को मिला नगर परिषद का दर्जा|date=14 February 2017|access-date=24 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324181148/http://www.bhaskar.com/news/BIH-PAT-HMU-MAT-latest-patna-news-020501-2002341-NOR.html|archive-date=24 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

By 2004, ''[[The Economist]]'' magazine said that "Bihar [had] become a byword for the worst of India, of widespread and inescapable poverty, of corrupt politicians indistinguishable from mafia-dons they patronise, caste-ridden social order that has retained the worst feudal cruelties".<ref>{{cite news |title=Bihar a byword for worst of India: The Economist |url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=28789 |date=25 February 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010042826/http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=28789 |archive-date=10 October 2012 |newspaper=The Indian Express |agency=Press Trust of India |access-date=9 September 2019}}</ref> In 2005, the [[World Bank]] believed that issues faced by the state were "enormous" because of "persistent poverty, complex social stratification, unsatisfactory infrastructure and weak governance".<ref name="wpbihar">{{cite web |url=http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/624671468035374716/pdf/328190IN0Bihar1reportl1June200501PUBLIC1.pdf |title=Bihar – Towards a Development Strategy |publisher=World Bank |year=2005 |location=Washington, DC |access-date=22 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322000944/http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/624671468035374716/pdf/328190IN0Bihar1reportl1June200501PUBLIC1.pdf |archive-date=22 March 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Nitish Kumar]] has been chief minister of Bihar for 13&nbsp;years between 2005 and 2020. In contrast to prior governments, which emphasised divisions of caste and religion, his political platform was based on economic development, reduction of crime and corruption, and greater social equality. Since 2010, the government confiscated the properties of corrupt officials and redeployed them as school buildings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theweekendleader.com/page.php?cy=Causes&id=420&title=Perfect-justice|title=Nitish Kumar government orders corrupt official's home to be made into school|access-date=27 February 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504115107/http://www.theweekendleader.com/page.php?cy=Causes&id=420&title=Perfect-justice|archive-date=4 May 2015}}</ref> They also introduced Bihar Special Court Act to curb crime.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-154170.html |title=Court upholds Bihar Special Court Act |access-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105230129/http://www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-154170.html |archive-date=5 January 2012}}</ref> It also legislated a two-hour lunch break on Fridays, to enable [[Muslim]] employees to pray and thereby reduce absenteeism.<ref>{{cite news| title= Bihar fixes time for Friday prayers by its employees| url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bihar-fixes-time-for-friday-prayers-by-its-employees/978842/| newspaper= The Indian Express| date= 25 July 2012| access-date= 25 July 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130220095905/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bihar-fixes-time-for-friday-prayers-by-its-employees/978842| archive-date= 20 February 2013| url-status= live| df= dmy-all}}</ref> The government has prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol in the state since March&nbsp;2016,<ref>{{cite news |title=Bihar Brings New Law on Alcohol Ban After HC Quashed Old One |url=http://thewire.in/70591/bihar-brings-new-law-alcohol-ban-hc-quashed-old-one/ |date=4 October 2016 |newspaper=The Wire |agency=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]] |access-date=3 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109115342/https://thewire.in/70591/bihar-brings-new-law-alcohol-ban-hc-quashed-old-one/ |archive-date=9 January 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> which has been linked to a drop in tourism<ref>{{cite web |title=Bihar witnesses serious drop in tourism after liquor ban |url=http://english.pradesh18.com/news/bihar/bihar-witnesses-serious-drop-in-tourism-after-liquor-ban-912876.html |date=3 September 2016 |website=Pradesh18 |access-date=3 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202101123/http://english.pradesh18.com/news/bihar/bihar-witnesses-serious-drop-in-tourism-after-liquor-ban-912876.html |archive-date=2 December 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> and a rise in substance abuse.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chaudhary |first1=Amit Kumar |last2=Jha |first2=Sujeet |last3=Mishra |first3=Himanshu |title=Udta Bihar: Huge spike in substance abuse, alcohol bootlegging year after ban |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-today-exclusive-investigation-udta-bihar-black-marketing-alcohol-drugs-ban-980475-2017-06-01 |access-date=14 January 2020 |work=India Today |date=1 June 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

When comparing Bihar to [[Kerala]], the number of healthcare professionals (including registered nurses, auxiliary nurses, physicians and health supervisors) at each hospital are significantly lower, and remain constant over time while they steadily increase in number in Kerala.<ref name=":2">Government of India- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare- Health and Family Welfare Census Data, 2008–2015</ref> According to Ministry of Health statistics, the greatest shortfalls are for physicians and specialists at 75%.<ref name=":0" /> Bihar has only 50% of the sub-health centres, 60% of the primary health centres, and 9% of the community health centres required by the national supply-to-population standards. The number of public hospital beds in Bihar decreased between 2008 and 2015.<ref name=":2" /> Given the high population density of the state, Bihar is significantly behind in the number of healthcare professionals that should be employed.<ref>"Census of India: Provisional Population Totals India:  Paper1: Census 2011". Censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 16 August 2014.</ref><ref name=":2" /> Despite these shortcomings, Bihar has shown gradual signs of improvement for female health workers,<ref name=":0" /> death rate, and infant, neo-natal, child and maternal morality rates.<ref name=":0" />

| '''2005'''|| <div class="centre"> 710,060<ref>{{cite web |url=http://specials.rediff.com/money/2009/mar/31slide5-indias-top-ten-debt-ridden-states.htm |title=Bihar's economy climbs to $12b by 2005 |publisher=Specials.rediff.com |date=31 March 2009 |access-date=15 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805030206/http://specials.rediff.com/money/2009/mar/31slide5-indias-top-ten-debt-ridden-states.htm |archive-date=5 August 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref></div>

Bihar's gross state domestic product (GSDP) for the fiscal year (FY) 2013–14 was around {{currency|3683.37|INR}}&nbsp;billion. By sectors, its composition is 22% agriculture, 5% industry and 73% services.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} Bihar has the fastest-growing state economy in terms of GSDP, with a growth rate of 17.06% in FY&nbsp;2014–15.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bihar fastest growing state, Maharashtra tops in economic size: Report |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-bihar-fastest-growing-state-maharashtra-tops-in-economic-size-report-2151335 |newspaper=dna |date=2 December 2015 |access-date=22 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715131816/http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-bihar-fastest-growing-state-maharashtra-tops-in-economic-size-report-2151335 |archive-date=15 July 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The economy of Bihar was projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4% during 2012–2017 (the 12th [[Five-Year Plans of India|Five-Year Plan]]). Bihar has experienced strong growth in per capita net state domestic product (NSDP). At current prices, per capita NSDP of the state grew at a CAGR of 12.91% from 2004 to 2005 to 2014–15.<ref name="ibef.org">{{cite web |title=Industrial Development & Economic Growth in Bihar |url=http://www.ibef.org/states/bihar-presentation |date=September 2018 |website=[[India Brand Equity Foundation]] |access-date=15 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510195819/https://www.ibef.org/states/bihar-presentation |archive-date=10 May 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Bihar's per capita income went up by 40.6% in FY&nbsp;2014–15.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bihar posts avg GDP growth rate of 10.5% last decade |url=http://wap.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bihar-posts-avg-gdp-growth-rate-of-10-5-last-decade-116022501020_1.html |newspaper=Business Standard |date=25 February 2016 |access-date=22 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705051200/http://wap.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bihar-posts-avg-gdp-growth-rate-of-10-5-last-decade-116022501020_1.html |archive-date=5 July 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The state's debt was estimated at 77% of GDP by 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://specials.rediff.com/money/2009/mar/31slide5-indias-top-ten-debt-ridden-states.htm |title=Bihar's debt soars to 77% of GDP |publisher=Specials.rediff.com |date=31 March 2009 |access-date=15 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805030206/http://specials.rediff.com/money/2009/mar/31slide5-indias-top-ten-debt-ridden-states.htm |archive-date=5 August 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Hajipur]], [[Dalmianagar]] and [[Barauni]] are the major industrial cities in Bihar<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hajipuronline.in/city-guide/about-hajipur#|title=About Hajipur, General Information on Hajipur, Hajipur Profile|website=www.HajipurOnline.in|access-date=26 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019053006/http://www.hajipuronline.in/city-guide/about-hajipur|archive-date=19 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>  The capital city, Patna, is one of the better-off cities in India when measured by per capita income.{{relevance inline|date=January 2020}}<ref name="patna_prosperity">{{cite news

| newspaper = [[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140421095706/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/For-Bihar-P-stands-for-Patna-and-prosperity/293289

| url-status = live

  }}</ref>{{note|1}}

The Finance Ministry has sought to create investment opportunities for big industrial houses like [[Reliance Industries]]. Further developments have taken place in the growth of small industries, improvements in IT infrastructure, a software park in Patna, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://digitalindia.gov.in/writereaddata/files/ggd/deity/11%20Announcement%20of%20Setting%20up%20of%20New%20STPI%20Centres.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221131835/http://www.digitalindia.gov.in/writereaddata/files/ggd/deity/11%20Announcement%20of%20Setting%20up%20of%20New%20STPI%20Centres.pdf|title=STPI New Centres|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 December 2016}}</ref> and the completion of the expressway from the Purvanchal border through Bihar to Jharkhand. In August&nbsp;2008, a Patna-registered company called the [[Security and Intelligence Services (India)|Security and Intelligence Services]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sisindia.com/history.htm |title=History |publisher=Sisindia.com |date=29 July 1993 |access-date=15 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228202249/http://sisindia.com/history.htm |archive-date=28 February 2009 }}</ref> took over the Australian guard and mobile patrol services business of American conglomerate, [[United Technologies Corporation]] (UTC). SIS is registered and taxed in Bihar.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ahmad |first=Faizan |title=Bihar security firm sets foot in Australia |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-08-25/patna/27903419_1_sis-security-concerns-private-security-industry |date=25 August 2008 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=14 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518131811/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-08-25/patna/27903419_1_sis-security-concerns-private-security-industry |archive-date=18 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{relevance inline|date=January 2020}}

Prior to [[Alcohol prohibition in India#Bihar|prohibition]], Bihar emerged as a brewery hub with numerous production units.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/liquor/bihar-emerging-as-brewery-hub/articleshow/11509175.cms|title=Bihar emerging as brewery hub|publisher=Economic Times|access-date=16 January 2012|date=16 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524125923/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/liquor/bihar-emerging-as-brewery-hub/articleshow/11509175.cms|archive-date=24 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2018, [[United Breweries Limited]] announced it would begin production of non-alcoholic beer at its previously defunct brewery in Bihar.<ref>{{cite news |title=Prohibition forces United Breweries out of Bihar |url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/MmiH7FRa8a8De60k9e9CgM/Prohibition-forces-United-Breweries-out-of-Bihar.html |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=livemint.com |date=11 May 2017 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128082815/https://www.livemint.com/Companies/MmiH7FRa8a8De60k9e9CgM/Prohibition-forces-United-Breweries-out-of-Bihar.html |archive-date=28 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kulkarni |first1=Mahesh |title=UB to launch non-alcoholic beer |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/business/ub-launch-non-alcoholic-beer-689490.html |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Deccan Herald |date=26 August 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128082934/https://www.deccanherald.com/business/ub-launch-non-alcoholic-beer-689490.html |archive-date=28 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<br />''  [[Tikuli Painting]] and [[Manjusha Painting]] are two other form of [[Painting in Bihar]]

{{See also|Mithila painting|Tikuli Painting|Patna Qualam|Manjusha Painting}}[[File:Sharmila Sharma et Rajendra Kumar Gangani 2.jpg|300px|thumb|[[Kathak]] classical dance form, from Bhojpur region]]There are several traditional styles of painting practised in Bihar. One is [[Mithila painting]], a style used in the [[Mithila (region)|Mithila region]] of Bihar. Traditionally, this form was practised mainly by women, passed down generation to generation. Painting was usually done on walls during festivals, religious events, births, marriages, and other cultural milestones.<ref name="Carolyn Brown Heinz 2006, pp. 5-33">Carolyn Brown Heinz, 2006, "Documenting the Image in Mithila Art," Visual Anthropology Review, Vol. 22, Issue 2, pp. 5–33</ref> It was traditionally done on the plastered walls of mud huts, and is also done on cloth, handmade paper and canvas. Famous Mithila painters include Smt Bharti Dayal, [[Mahasundari Devi]], the late [[Ganga Devi (painter)|Ganga Devi]], and Sita Devi.

During the 19th century, many Biharis emigrated as indentured labourers to the [[West Indies]], [[Fiji]], and [[Mauritius]]. During this time many sad plays and songs called ''birha'' became popular in the [[Bhojpuri region|Bhojpur region]], as ''Bhojpuri Birha''. Dramas incorporating this theme continue to be popular in the theatres of [[Patna]].<ref name=Jugnu2013>{{cite AV media |last=Jugnu |first=Haidar Ali |title=Sati Sulochana – Bhojpuri Birha By Haidar Ali- Jugnu |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3vGrihYfX4 |publisher=hamaarbhojpuri |website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=25 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522222404/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3vGrihYfX4 |archive-date=22 May 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=April 2016}}

Bihar has a robust [[Bhojpuri]]-language film industry. There is also a smaller production of [[Magadhi]]-, [[Maithili language|Maithili]]- and [[Angika]]-language films. The first film with Bhojpuri dialogue was ''[[Ganga Jamuna]]'', released in 1961.<ref>[[Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Charaihbo]] – [https://us.imdb.com/title/tt0054910/ First Bhojpuri language film] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315165512/http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0054910/ |date=15 March 2007 }}</ref>

[[National Film Awards|National Film Award]] for Best Maithili Film in 2016.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/63rd-national-film-awards-complete-list-of-winners/ |title=National Awards 2016: Here is the complete List of Winners |journal=[[The Indian Express]] |date=29 March 2016 |access-date=16 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328071802/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/63rd-national-film-awards-complete-list-of-winners/ |archive-date=28 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2001, Bhojpuri films regained popularity with ''Saiyyan Hamar'' ("My Sweetheart", directed by Mohan Prasad), which raised actor [[Ravi Kishan]] to prominence.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060414/asp/etc/story_6075200.asp |title=For my female audiences, I'll wear a really flimsy dhoti |work=The Telegraph |location=Kolkota, India |date=14 April 2006 |access-date=15 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021111613/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060414/asp/etc/story_6075200.asp |archive-date=21 October 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Several other commercially successful films followed, including ''Panditji Batai Na Biyah Kab Hoi'' ("Priest, tell me when I will marry", 2005, directed by Mohan Prasad) and ''Sasura Bada Paisa Wala'' ("My father-in-law, the rich guy", 2005). These films did much better business in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar than mainstream Bollywood hits at the time, and were both made on extremely tight budgets.<ref>{{cite news |title=Move over Bollywood, Here's Bhojpuri |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/4512812.stm |work=BBC News}}</ref> ''Sasura Bada Paisa Wala'' also introduced [[Manoj Tiwari (politician)|Manoj Tiwari]], formerly a well-loved folk singer, to the wider audiences of [[Bhojpuri cinema]]. The success of Ravi Kishan and Manoj Tiwari's films led to a revival in Bhojpuri cinema, and the industry began to support an awards show<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bhojpurifilmaward.com/ |title=Home |publisher=Bhojpuri Film Award |access-date=15 October 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091102163552/http://www.bhojpurifilmaward.com/| archive-date= 2 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> and trade magazine ''Bhojpuri City''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bhojpuricity.com/ |title=bhojpuricity.com |publisher=bhojpuricity.com |access-date=15 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904183654/http://www.bhojpuricity.com/ |archive-date=4 September 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The industry produces over one hundred films per year.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

In 2019, Maithili film ''[[Mithila Makhaan]]'' won Best Maithili Film in the 63rd National Film Awards.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dedhia |first1=Soni |title=Neetu Chandra's 'Mithila Makhaan' wins 'Best Maithili Film' National Award! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Neetu-Chandras-Mithila-Makhaan-wins-Best-Maithili-Film-National-Award/articleshow/51614931.cms |access-date=19 April 2022 |work=The Times of India |date=Jan 28, 2017}}</ref>

''Biharbandhu'' was the first [[Hindi]] newspaper published in Bihar. It was started in 1872 by Madan Mohan Bhatta, a [[Marathi people|Marathi]] [[Brahman]] who settled in [[Bihar-E-Sharif|Bihar Sharif]].<ref name="journalism">{{cite book |editor1-last=Ahmad |editor1-first=Qeyamuddin |title=Patna Through the Ages: Glimpses of History, Society and Economy |date=1988 |location=New Delhi |publisher=Commonwealth Publishers}}</ref> Hindi journalism often failed<ref>Rajendra Abhinandan Granth, ''"Nagri Pracharini Sabha"'', Arrah, 3 March 1950, pp. 353</ref> until it became an official language in the state. Hindi was introduced in the law courts in Bihar in 1880.<ref name="journalism" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Kumar |first=Nagendra |title=Journalism in Bihar: A Supplement to Bihar State Gazette |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ku1AAQAAIAAJ |date=1971 |publisher=Government of Bihar, Gazetteers Branch |page=28 |access-date=17 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123134121/https://books.google.com/books/about/Journalism_in_Bihar.html?id=Ku1AAQAAIAAJ |archive-date=23 November 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bihar is visited by many tourists from around the world,<ref name="tourism">[http://www.tourism.gov.in/survey/BIHAR%20TOURISM%20ANNUAL%20STATISTICS%20%20REPORT%20Final.pdf Statistics] on [[Tourism in Bihar]] on [[Indian Government]]'s website {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222105539/http://www.tourism.gov.in/survey/BIHAR%20TOURISM%20ANNUAL%20STATISTICS%20%20REPORT%20Final.pdf |date=22 December 2010 }}</ref> In 2019 Total 33 million of tourists visited Bihar which includes more than 1 million foreign tourist.<ref>{{Cite web|title=jcreview|url=http://www.jcreview.com/fulltext/197-1587482899.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126192942/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2020-08/Figures.pdf |archive-date=2021-01-26 }} {{Cite web|title=tourism.gov.in|url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2020-08/Figures.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126192942/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2020-08/Figures.pdf |archive-date=2021-01-26 }}</ref> Bihar is home of two [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. The culture and heritage of Bihar can be observed from the large number of [[ancient]] [[monument]]s spread throughout the state. The [[Mahabodhi Temple]] (literally: "Great Awakening Temple"), a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]], is an ancient, but much rebuilt and restored, [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] temple in [[Bodh Gaya]], marking the location where the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] is said to have attained [[Enlightenment (Buddhism)|enlightenment]]. Bodh Gaya (in [[Gaya district]]) is about 96&nbsp;km (60&nbsp;mi) from [[Patna]], Bihar state, [[India]]. [[Nalanda|Nalanda Mahavihara]], a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]], is an worlds oldest university situated in [[Nalanda district|Nalanda]], Bihar. It comprises the archaeological remains of a monastic and scholastic institution dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE. It includes stupas, shrines, viharas (residential and educational buildings) and important art works in stucco, stone and metal. Nalanda stands out as the most ancient university of the Indian Subcontinent. [[Archaeological Survey of India]] has recognized 72 [[List of Monuments of National Importance in Bihar|monuments in Bihar]] as [[Monument of National Importance|Monuments of National Importance]]. Furthermore, [[Archaeological Survey of India]] has recognized 30 additional monument as [[List of State Protected Monuments in Bihar|protected monuments]] in Bihar.

Many tourists visit Bihar because of religious significance of the Bihar. [[Hindu]] [[Goddess]] [[Sita]], the consort of [[Rama|Lord Rama]], is believed to have been born in [[Sitamarhi district|Sitamarhi]] in the [[Mithila (region)|Mithila region]] of modern-day Bihar.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sitamarhi|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/546790/Sitamarhi|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427100105/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/546790/Sitamarhi|archive-date=27 April 2015|access-date=30 January 2015|publisher=Britannica|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=History of Sitamarhi|url=http://sitamarhi.bih.nic.in/profile/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220171523/http://sitamarhi.bih.nic.in/profile/index.htm|archive-date=20 December 2014|access-date=30 January 2015|publisher=Official site of Sitamarhi district|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Gautama Buddha]] attained [[Bodhi|Enlightenment]] at [[Bodh Gaya]], a town located in the modern day district of [[Gaya District|Gaya]] in Bihar. [[Vasupujya]], the 12th Jain [[Tirthankara]] was born in [[Champapuri]], [[Bhagalpur]]. [[Mahavira]], the 24th and last [[Tirthankara]] of [[Jainism]], was born in [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]] around the 6th century BC.<ref>Pathak Prabhu Nath,''Society and Culture in Early Bihar'', Commonwealth Publishers, 1988, p. 140</ref> [[Śrāddha]] ritual performed in [[Pitru Paksha]] period considered as fruitful in the holy city of [[Gaya, India|Gaya]], which is seen as a special place to perform the rite, and hosts a fair during the Pitri Paksha period.<ref name="vidya">{{cite book|last=Vidyarathi|first=L P|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S4FidiusPr0C&q=mahalaya&pg=PA34|title=The Sacred Complex in Hindu Gaya|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|year=1978|pages=13,15,33,81,110}}</ref>

[[File:Patna river port1.JPG|thumb|[[Patna]] river port on national inland waterways-1 at Gai Ghat]]

The [[Ganges]] is navigable throughout the year, and was the principal river highway across the vast [[Indo-Gangetic Plain]]. Vessels capable of accommodating five hundred merchants were known to ply this river in the ancient period, when it served as a conduit for overseas trade. The role of the Ganges as a channel for trade was enhanced by its natural links to major rivers and streams in north and south Bihar.<ref>{{cite book|last=Yang|first=Anand A|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D5lQutvzAp4C&q=Bazaar+India|title=Bazaar India: Markets, Society, and the Colonial State in Gangetic Bihar|date=1998|isbn=978-0-520-21100-1|access-date=15 October 2009}}</ref>

[[File:Front view of administrative building of IIT Patna.jpg|thumb|Front view of administrative building of IIT Patna]][[File:NITPMainBuilding.jpg|thumb|NIT Patna main building]]Historically, Bihar has been a major centre of learning, home to the [[Ancient Universities of India|ancient universities]] of [[Nalanda]] (<abbr>est.</abbr> 450 CE), [[Jagaddala|Odantapurā]] (est. 550 CE) and [[Vikramashila]] (est. 783 CE). [[Nalanda]] and [[Vikramshila]] universities were destroyed by Islamic invader [[Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji|Bakhtiyar Khilji]] in 1200 CE.<ref>Altekar, Anant Sadashiv (1965). ''Education in Ancient India'', Sixth, Varanasi: Nand Kishore & Bros.</ref> Bihar saw a revival of its education system during the later part of the [[British raj|British rule]], when [[Patna University]], the seventh oldest university of the Indian subcontinent, was established in 1917.<ref>{{cite web|title=Profile of Patna University|url=http://www.patnauniversity.ac.in/profile.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410030522/http://www.patnauniversity.ac.in/profile.html|archive-date=10 April 2015|access-date=14 April 2015|publisher=[[Patna University]]}}</ref> Some other centres of high learning established under British rule are [[Patna College]] (est. 1839), Bihar School of Engineering (est. 1900; now known as [[National Institute of Technology, Patna]]), Prince of Wales Medical College (est. 1925; now [[Patna Medical College and Hospital]]), [[Science College, Patna]] (est. 1928), [[Patna Women's College]], [[Bihar Veterinary College]] (est. 1927), and Imperial Agriculture Research Institute (est. 1905; now [[Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University|Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University, Pusa]]). The [[Patna University]], one of the oldest universities in Bihar, was established in 1917, and is the 7th oldest university of the Indian subcontinent. Second oldest [[engineering college]] of [[India]] known as [[National Institute of Technology, Patna|NIT Patna]] was established as survey training school in 1886 and later renamed as [[Bihar College of Engineering]] in 1932.

Today, Bihar is home of 7 [[Institutes of National Importance]]: [[Indian Institute of Technology Patna|IIT Patna]], [[Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya|IIM Bodh Gaya]], [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna|AIIMS, Patna]], [[National Institute of Technology, Patna|NIT Patna]], [[Indian Institute of Information Technology, Bhagalpur|IIIT Bhagalpur]], [[National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur|NIPER Hajipur]] and [[Nalanda University|Nalanda International University]]. In 2008, [[Indian Institutes of Technology Patna]] was inaugurated with students from all over India<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jha|first=Abhay Mohan|date=4 August 2008|title=Brand new IIT in Patna impresses all|publisher=NDTV|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080059982|url-status=dead|access-date=4 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807051714/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080059982|archive-date=7 August 2008}}</ref> and same year [[National Institute of Fashion Technology Patna]] was established as the ninth such institute in India.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=12 August 2008|title=NIFT starts classes in Patna with 60 students|url=http://twocircles.net/2008aug12/nift_starts_classes_patna_60_students.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322085633/http://twocircles.net/2008aug12/nift_starts_classes_patna_60_students.html|archive-date=22 March 2019|access-date=21 March 2019|website=TwoCircles.net}}</ref>  The [[Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya]] was established in 2015. In March 2019, the government of Bihar has sent a proposal to centre Government to upgrade [[Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital]] into an [[AIIMS]]-like institution.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kumar|first1=Madan|date=3 March 2019|title=DMCH will be upgraded to AIIMS-like institution: Minister {{!}} Patna News – Times of India|language=en|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/dmch-will-be-upgraded-to-aiims-like-institution-minister/articleshow/68236419.cms?from=mdr|access-date=16 August 2019}}</ref> Bihar is home of four [[Central university (India)|Central universities]] which includes [[Central University of South Bihar]], [[Mahatma Gandhi Central University]], [[Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University]] and [[Nalanda University]]. In 2015, the central government had proposed re-establishment of [[Vikramshila]] in [[Bhagalpur]] and had designated {{INR}}500 crores ({{INR}}5 billion) for it.<ref>{{cite news|date=26 June 2017|title=Bihar drags feet on Central varsity in Bhagalpur; district identifies three chunks of land|language=en|work=Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-drags-feet-on-central-varsity-in-bhagalpur-district-identifies-three-chunks-of-land/story-69nNH8slT5wuXMKd08h8JP.html|access-date=15 August 2019}}</ref>  Bihar also has the [[National Institute of Fashion Technology Patna]], [[Chanakya National Law University|National Law University, Patna]]  [[Institute of Hotel Management, Hajipur|Institute of Hotel Management]] (IHM), [[Footwear Design and Development Institute|Footwear Design and Development Institute, Bihta]] and  [[Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology, Hajipur|Central Institute of Plastic Engineering & Technology]] (CIPET) Center.  [[Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology, Hajipur|CIPET]] (and [[Institute of Hotel Management, Hajipur|IHM]] was established in [[Hajipur]] in 1994 and 1998 respectively. [[Aryabhatta Knowledge University]] was established under ''Aryabhatta Knowledge University Act, 2008 of''  [[Government of Bihar|Bihar Government]]<ref>{{cite web|date=2008|title=The Aryabhatta Knowledge University Act, 2008|url=http://akubihar.ac.in/Administration/Docs/AKU_Act_2008(English).pdf|access-date=3 August 2017|publisher=[[Government of Bihar]]}}</ref> with purpose of the development and management of educational infrastructure related to technical education, medical, management and allied professional education in Bihar.<ref name="campus">{{cite news|date=January 3, 2015|title=Tech cradles fail to shift to permanent campus|work=The Times of India|agency=Times News Network|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Tech-cradles-fail-to-shift-to-permanent-campus/articleshow/45737175.cms|access-date=3 August 2017}}</ref> Based on 2020–21 data, [[Aryabhatta Knowledge University]] has 56 [[Engineering education|Engineering]] and [[Pharmacy]] colleges, 15 [[Medical college]]s, 33 Educational colleges, 8 [[community college]]s, 36 [[Nursing]] colleges and 11 [[Vocational university|Vocational colleges]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=.:Official Website : Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Patna:.|url=http://akubihar.ac.in/Colleges/Engineering.aspx|access-date=2020-02-01|website=akubihar.ac.in}}</ref> [[Chanakya National Law University]] and [[Chandragupt Institute of Management]] were established in the later half of 2008 and  now attracts students from not just within Bihar but also students from far flung states. [[Nalanda University|Nalanda International University]] is established in 2014 with active investment from countries such as Japan, Korea, and China.  The A.N. Sinha Institute of Social Studies is a premier research institute in the state.<ref>{{cite web|title=Premier Research Institute: ANSISS|url=http://www.ansiss.org/AboutUs.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513005424/http://www.ansiss.org/AboutUs.aspx|archive-date=13 May 2010|publisher=Official website}}</ref> Bihar has eight medical colleges which are funded by the government, namely [[Patna Medical College and Hospital]], [[Nalanda Medical College and Hospital]], [[Vardhman Institute of Medical Sciences]], [[Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences]], [[Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital]], [[Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital]] [[Gaya, India|Gaya]], [[Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital]], [[Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Bhagalpur]], Government Medical College, Bettiah and five private medical colleges<ref>{{cite news|date=18 August 2013|title=First brick for new hospital|language=en|work=www.telegraphindia.com|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/bihar/first-brick-for-new-hospital/cid/266659|access-date=2 September 2019}}</ref>

Bihar e-Governance Services & Technologies (BeST) and the [[government of Bihar]] have initiated a unique program to establish a centre of excellence called Bihar Knowledge Center, a finishing school to equip students with the latest skills and customised short-term training programs at an affordable cost. The centre aims to attract the youth of the state to improve their technical, professional, and soft skills, to meet the current requirements of the industrial job market.<ref>{{cite web|date=2008|title=Bihar Knowledge Center|url=http://www.biharonline.gov.in/Site/BKC/Default.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428045325/http://www.biharonline.gov.in/Site/BKC/Default.aspx|archive-date=28 April 2009|access-date=3 August 2016}}</ref> The National Employability Report of Engineering Graduates, 2014,<ref>{{cite web|title=National Employability Report – Engineers, Annual Report 2014|url=http://www.aspiringminds.com/sites/default/files/National%20Employability%20Report%20-%20Engineers,%20Annual%20Report%202014.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012093454/http://www.aspiringminds.com/sites/default/files/National%20Employability%20Report%20-%20Engineers,%20Annual%20Report%202014.pdf|archive-date=12 October 2016|access-date=2 September 2016|website=www.aspiringminds.com|publisher=www.aspiringminds.com|page=22}}</ref> puts graduates from Bihar in the top 25 percent of the country, and rates Bihar as one of the three top states at producing engineering graduates in terms of quality and employability.<ref>{{cite news|title=Delhi, Bihar produce top engineers in India: Report|work=The Times Of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Delhi-Bihar-produce-top-engineers-in-India-Report/articleshow/29664924.cms|url-status=live|access-date=1 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201151525/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Delhi-Bihar-produce-top-engineers-in-India-Report/articleshow/29664924.cms|archive-date=1 February 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

* [[Bihari languages]]

* [[Bihari people]]

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{states and territories of India}}