Explore the Bihar district map showing the 38 districts, district headquarters and state capital.
Districts of Bihar
S.N.
District Name
Headquarter Name
1
Araria
Araria
2
Arwal
Arwal
3
Aurangabad
Aurangabad
4
Banka
Banka
5
Begusarai
Begusarai
6
Bhagalpur
Bhagalpur
7
Bhojpur
Arrah
8
Buxar
Buxar
9
Darbhanga
Darbhanga
10
East Champaran
Motihari
11
Gaya
Gaya
12
Gopalganj
Gopalganj
13
Jamui
Jamui
14
Jehanabad
Jehanabad
15
Kaimur
Bhabua
16
Katihar
Katihar
17
Khagaria
Khagaria
18
Kishanganj
Kishanganj
19
Lakhisarai
Lakhisarai
20
Madhepura
Madhepura
21
Madhubani
Madhubani
22
Munger
Munger
23
Muzaffarpur
Muzaffarpur
24
Nalanda
Bihar Sharif
25
Nawada
Nawada
26
Patna
Patna
27
Purnia
Purnia
28
Rohtas
Sasaram
29
Saharsa
Saharsa
30
Samastipur
Samastipur
31
Saran
Chhapra
32
Sheikhpura
Sheikhpura
33
Sheohar
Sheohar
34
Sitamarhi
Dumra, Sitamarhi
35
Siwan
Siwan
36
Supaul
Supaul
37
Vaishali
Hajipur
38
West Champaran
Bettiah
About Bihar
Covering around 94, 163 square kilometers (36,357 square miles), Bihar is an Eastern Indian state. With a population of more than 124 million as recorded in the 2011 Census, it is the third most populous state in India and the 12th biggest by area. From the north, Bihar borders Nepal; from the west, Uttar Pradesh; from the south, Jharkhand; from the east, West Bengal. One of India's most significant rivers, the Ganges runs through the state and provides rich soil for support of farming.
Historical Relevance
From ancient times, Bihar has been the hub of power, knowledge, and culture as well as a site of historical legacy. It was the capital of the Magadha Empire, which greatly influenced the growth of Buddhism and Jainism. Originating in Bihar, the Maurya Dynasty under Emperor Ashoka and the Gupta Dynasty helped to bring about India's Golden Age. This area housed the ancient colleges of Nalanda and Vikramshila, among the first in the world. With the Champaran Satyagraha headed by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917 among the first demonstrations against British colonial control, the state has also been important in India's independence fight.
Population and Demographic Analysis
One of the most densely populated states in India, Bihar's projected population as of 2023 exceeds 130 million. Though initiatives to raise education have been continuous, the 2011 Census shows a 61.8% literacy rate, among the lowest in the nation. With approximately 88% of people living in villages, the state has a significant rural population. The official language is Hindi; Bhojpri, Maithili, Magahi, and Urdu are all somewhat common.
Agronomy and Economics
Since most of the people of Bihar work in agriculture, their economy is essentially rural. The rich Gangetic plains help to grow rice, wheat, maize, lentils, sugarcane. Among India's litchis and makhana (fox nuts), the state has one of highest output. Though in recent years Bihar has made progress in infrastructure development, service businesses, and small-scale industry, its economy has suffered from lack of industrialization notwithstanding its agricultural potential. With a growth rate greater than the national average, Bihar's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) was projected at about ₹7.5 trillion ($90 billion) in 2022. Emerging as a major driver of economic development is the service sector, including commerce, healthcare, and education as well as industry.
Infrastructure and Growth
Particularly in road connection and rural electricity, Bihar has seen notable improvement in infrastructure. Road building has top priority for the state government; projects like the Ganga Pathway and many bridges enhance connectivity. Major intersections at Patna, Gaya, and Muzaffarpur define the vast railway network. Important aviation hubs include the Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna and the Gaya International Airport. Industrialization still presents difficulties, however, and additional work in urban infrastructure and electricity generation is needed.
Research Facilities and Education
With Nalanda University among the first universities in the world, Bihar has a strong historical relationship to education. The state now hosts Patna University, Nalanda University (reopened as an international research center), and IIT Patna among numerous colleges. Notwithstanding this, Bihar struggles to upgrade school facilities and higher education; while new projects like scholarships and skill development programs have showed promise.
Government and Politics
Bihar has a dynamic political scene in which regional parties are very important for state administration. Comprising the Bihar Legislative Assembly and the Bihar Legislative Council, the state legislative is bicameral. The Governor represents the national government; the Chief Minister leads the state government. With figures like Jayaprakash Narayan and Lalu Prasad Yadav guiding important political events in India's past, political movements in Bihar have sometimes shaped national politics.
Cultural Heritage and Tourism
Many historical and religious sites abound in Bihar. A main pilgrimage site, Bodh Gaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Gautama Buddha gained enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree. Other important locations include Rajgir, Vikramshila Monastery, Vaishali (related with Mahavira and Buddha), and Nalanda University ruins. Millions of Hindus attend Hindu pilgrimage sites like Sonepur Mela in Gaya and Vishnupad Temple in Gaya. Deeply culturally and religiously significant, the state also commemorates holidays like Chhath Puja.
Social Significance and Healthcare Measures
Though it still struggles with medical infrastructure and service delivery, Bihar has experienced developments in healthcare. The state now gives primary healthcare facilities and mother care initiatives more of importance. Initiatives aiming at free medicine programs and ambulance services have helped rural communities have better access to healthcare. Still unresolved, nevertheless, hunger, child mortality, and sanitation problems need for ongoing legislative initiatives.
Difficulties and Future Possibilities
Bihar must contend with high population density, unemployment, poverty, and migration to other states in search of jobs. Slow industrial growth calls for additional investment in infrastructure, healthcare, and education as well as in industry. But Bihar has the ability to overcome these obstacles and become a significant player in India's economy given recent economic growth, improved government, and new development projects.
Geography
Comprising around 94, 163 square kilometers (36,357 square miles), Bihar is the 12th biggest state in eastern India. The state runs from 24°20'N to 27°31'N latitudes and from 83°19'E to 88°17'E longitudes. While Uttar Pradesh is to the west, Jharkhand to the south, Bihar shares its northern border with Nepal. West Bengal sits to the east. Strategic position of the state makes it an important commerce and cultural conduit between northern and eastern India.
Geographic Divisions in Physical Science
There are three main physiographic divisions to Bihar, each with distinct topography and ecosystems:
The Northern Plains: Part of the Indo-Gangetic plain, the Northern Plains predominate across much of Bihar. Built from alluvial sediments from the Ganges and its tributaries, they are level, rich. Bihar is among the top agricultural states in India as the plains are so very fertile.
The Central Plateau: Found in southern Bihar, especially in areas like Gaya, Nawada, and Jamui, the Central Plateau comprises of gently sloping hills. Though utilized mostly for mining and forestry, the ground here is less rich than that of the northern plains.
The Shiwalik Hills: Rising in the northernmost section of the state, the Shiwalik Hills (Foothills of the Himalayas) extend the Himalayas and define their border with Nepal. This area is environmentally valuable as it gets more rain and has significant forest cover.
Environment
Under the Köppen climate classification, Bihar has a humid subtropical temperature (Cwa); three main seasons follow from this.
Summer (March to June): With May the warmest month, summer (March to June) tempers vary from 30°C to 45°C (86°F to 113°F).
Monsoon (June to September): Bihar gets 900–1,500 mm of yearly rainfall during the monsoon (June to September; the impact of the southwest monsoon causes increased precipitation in the eastern and northern areas).
Winter (November to February): January is the coldest month; the temperature runs from 4°C to 20°C (39°F to 68°F). Early mornings, particularly in riverine regions, fog is very prevalent.
Significant Rivers and Water Resources
Bihar is a riverine state; the most important river there is the Ganges. Additional significant rivers include:
Ganges (Ganga): Enters Bihar from Uttar Pradesh, Ganges (Ganga) runs eastward into West Bengal. For Bihar, it is the lifeblood; it supports industry and supplies drinking water.
Gandak River: Rising in Nepal, the Gandak River benefits irrigation by running across the northern portion of the state.
Kosi River: Originating in Tibet and running through Nepal before into Bihar, the Kosi River, also referred to as the "Sorrow of Bihar," is frequently flooded.
Son River: Important for hydropower projects and irrigation, Son River is a Ganges tributary.
Bagmati and Kamla Rivers: Originating in Nepal, Bagmati and Kamla Rivers contribute to the irrigation system of Bihar but also generate seasonal floods.
Land and Agriculture
Bihar is a center of agriculture as its alluvial soil is very rich. The varieties of soil in the state consist of:
Alluvial Soil: Found in northern and central Bihar, alluvial soil is nutrient-rich and suited for growing sugarcane, rice, and wheat.
Sandy and Gravelly Soil: Found in the Shiwalik area, Sandy and Gravelly Soil is less rich and mostly covered in trees.
Red and Laterite Soil: Found on the southern plateau, red and laterite soil is employed in crops like millets and pulses.
With key crops including rice, wheat, maize, pulses, sugarcane, and oilseeds, agriculture employs over seventy percent of Bihar's people.
Natural Grass and Wildlife
Mostly found in the Shiwalik and southern plateau areas, Bihar's woods occupy around 7.2% of the country's overall geographic area. With species including sal, teak, and bamboo, the main forms of forest are dry deciduous and wet deciduous forests. Among the various animal sanctuaries and national parks found in Bihar are:
Valmiki National Park and Tiger Reserve: Comprising 880 square kilometres, Valmiki National Park and Tiger Reserve is Bihar's only tiger reserve situated in West Champaran.
Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary: Found near Munger, Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary has a varied wildlife and hot springs.
Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary: Spaced across the Kaimur area, known for hills, waterfalls, and leopards, lies Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary: Drawing migrating birds, Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary is the biggest freshwater oxbow lake in Asia.
Natural disasters and flooding
Particularly in the northern districts around the Kosi, Gandak, and Bagmati Rivers, Bihar is vulnerable to floods. Because of its changing direction, the Kosi River creates regular floods that force millions of people from their homes. Because of erratic monsoons, the state also sometimes suffers drenches in the southern and western areas. Government projects aiming at reducing these problems include flood control embankments and the Kosi Barrage Project.
Geological Resources and Industrial Possibilities
Although Bihar has less minerals than surrounding Jharkhand, certain southern plateau regions include mica, bauxite, and limestone reserves. With programs to advance food processing, textiles, and small-scale manufacturing, the state has been emphasizing industrial growth. Principal industrial hubs include Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, and Bhagalpur.
Geography, Urban and Rural
Bihar still mostly consists of rural areas; over 88% of the population lives in villages. The main cities comprise:
Patna is the capital and biggest city.
Gaya, a prominent hub of religion and education.
Bhagalpur, noted for its silk output.
Muzaffarpur: Industrial and agricultural center.
Darbhanga: Cultural and historical importance.
Under Bihar's Smart City Program, urbanization is rising with better road networks, rail connections, and industrial zones created.
