Google Map Of Bihar

Bihar At A Glance: Official Website: http://www.gov.bih.nic.in Region: Angika Region, Bhojpuri Region, Magadh Region, Mithila RegionDivision: Patna, Tirhut, Saran, Darbhanga, Kosi, Purnia, Bhagalpur, Munger, Magadha Established: 1912 (as Bihar) Capital: Patna Largest city: Patna Districts: 38 total Government Body: Government of India, Government of Bihar Legislature: Bicameral (243 + 75 seats) Parliamentary constituency: Bihar High Court: Patna High Court Area Total: 94,163 km2 (36,356.5 sq mi) Area rank: 12th Population Density: 1,102.4/km2 (2,855.2/sq mi) Time zone: IST (UTC+05:30) UN/LOCODE: INBR ISO 3166 code: IN-BR Vehicle registration: BR HDI rank: 28th (2005) Literacy: 63.82% (28th) - 73.4% (male) - 53.3% (female) Official languages: Hindi, Urdu, Maithili, Magahi

Seal of Bihar State

The present geographical frontiers of Bihar state was carved from the Buddhist Vihara, which was the abode for Buddhist Monks in ancient periods. The place was initially named as Vihara, following this abode of the Buddhist Monks, and as time passed by, the name was distorted to "Bihar" the word is thus originated from Sanskrit and Pali languages. The State is thus influenced by Budhist culture, Ancient Pali culture and also the culture of Nepal to a large extent.

The credentials of Bihar can be listed as:

1. The State is situated in Eastern India and has Bangladesh and Nepal as its borders which makes the State a prominent region in terms of security.
2. Third largest state in terms of size at 38,202 sq mi (94,163 sq km)
3. Third largest by population
4. Majority live in rural villages.
5. Close to 58% of Bihari population is below 25 years in age which makes Bihar to rank first in such proportion.
6. forest area of 6,764.14 km², which is 6.8% of its geographical area
7. the State enjoyed the status of City capital for many centuries and many rulers in India.

The boundaries of Bihar are: West: Uttar Pradesh; East : West Bengal; North: Nepal and South: Jharkhand. The river Ganges flows midway through the State dividing it into two parts vertically. People here speak Hindi and Urdu apart from local languages of Angika, Bhojpuri, Magadhi, Maithili and Bajjika. Many languages spoken here do not have script and are not recognized by the Indian Government as the National Languages.

History of Bihar:

The history and glory of Bihar can be identified since the Maurya Empire and Gupta Dynasty. Patna, called as Patliputra that time, was prominent centre for education and civilization. Even Buddhism, the world's widely adhered religion found its roots in Bihar. Also Nalanda the educational institution was established n Bihar some 15 centuries ago. Magadha is the city from where the supreme power emanated in the form of Maurya Empire and then the state became the centre for power, education and religion. Under the Mauryan and Gupta rule, Magadha enjoyed the status of unifying large areas of South East Asia under central rule for over 1000 years. The very ancient civilistion, politics, power, military, economics and other writings that forms base of Indian History started in Magadha. Bihari language also finds its origin in the Indian epics during those classical periods.

Licchavi, the most ancient Republics in the world has its seeds in Bihar, even before 599 BC (birth of Mahavira). During the Gupta Period, the golden period in Indian Histroy, Magadha enjoyed special attention as learning centre for culture and civilization.

Thereafter, the Pali's made Magadha as their capital city Post that, Bihar was not so well known until the Suri's dynasty emerged during the Islamic period in 1540. Post Suri's dynasty in 1556, Bihar again gained prominence as the centre to stage Presidency elections in 1750's till the first Revolt in 1857-58. Thereafter, in 1935, Bihar was separated as Province in British India. And post Independence in 1947, Bihar got the status of a separate State in Indian Union.

Geography and climate:

The fertility of Bihar plains is mainly due to the flooding of Ganges River and its Northern tributaries of Gandak and Koshi. Other tributaries include Son River, Budhi Gandak, Chandan, Orhani and Falgu. These tributaries originate in Himalayas in Nepal and Bhagmati is another river that emanates from Kathmandu. These continuously flow and flood Bihar State.

The geographical stretch of Bihar is 94,163 sq kms. As mentioned earlier, the Ganges River divides the State into two equal parts vertically, from west to East. Bihar starts at the foothill of Himaayas, but still the Himalayan range enter the Nepal and north of Bihar. This especially influences the climate, landforms, water and culture of Bihar to a large extent. The Chota Nagpur Plateau was a part of Bihar but now is a part of Jharkhand since 2000. Rajgir Hills and similar smaller hills are also found in and around Bihar.

The climate of Bihar is widely distinguished especially due to the presence of rivers and mountains surrounding the State. The lowest temperature recorded is 4-10 °C (39-50 °F) and highest are 35-40 °C (95-104 °F).
December-January are winter seasons, Monsoon starts in June and sets in August, Rainy season is September. The climate is pleasant during the months of October, November, February, and March.

Government and administration:

The State is headed by a Governor as per the Constitution of India and he is a nominee of the First Citizen of India, the President. The executive and managerial powers are vested in the Chief Minister of the State who is the representative of the Political party that has highest number of favouring votes in the State Assembly either singly or through Coalition.

The bureaucratic power vests in the Chief Secretary. He is assisted by officials at different hierarchical levels from the IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IPS Indian Police Service) and other various State Civil Services in the State.  The Chief Justice of the High Court heads the judicial wing of the State and the High Court is in function since 1916. Patna is retained as the State capital following the Ancient rule of the Mauryans/ Gupta Dynasty. The name is however changed from Patliputra to Patna.

Internally, the Bihar State is categorized as Districts and divisions. For administrative convenience there are 38 Districts and 9 divisions. The districts include Kosi, Bhagalpur, Saran, Darbhanga and others.