The earliest known evidence of Human settlement in the region are the Cave painting of Kaimur and Mirzapur.[5][6][7] The first Neolithic settlement found in this region is in Chirand of Saran, which dates back 2500-1500 B.C. and is contemporary to the Harrapans.[8] Historically, the region was part of Malla and Kashi Mahajanapadas.[9]Varanasi, known as the center of the Bhojpuri cultural region is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.[10][11]
Himalayan Foot Hills of Northern BhojpurShivalik Himalayas in Rupandehi The Rohtas PlateauThe Chhotanagpur Plateau in Southern Bhojpur
Most of the Bhojpuri region lies in the fertile Gangetic plains, with highlands present in its northern, southern, and southwestern areas. The northern part of Bhojpur includes the Shivalik range of the Himalayas, while the southern part includes the Kaimur range, Vindhya range, Rohtas Plateau and Chhota Nagpur Plateau. The region is traversed by numerous rivers originating from the Himalayas, which enrich the soil and make it highly productive for agriculture. Additionally, several other rivers flowing through the region, originate from the Chhota Nagpur Plateau, as well as the Kaimur, Vindhya, and Satpura ranges. These geographical features have profoundly influenced the cultural and historical development of Bhojpur.[13]
The Bhojpur region is divided into two unequal halves by the Ganges River, which flows through the middle from west to east. On the northern side, rivers such as the Gandak, Ghaghara (Sarayu), Gomti, and Burhi Gandak merge with the Ganges, while on the southern side, rivers like the Sone and Karmnasa, flow into it. Other important rivers include the Rapti (a tributary of the Ghaghra), Durgavati (a tributary of the Karmnasa), North Koel, Rihand and Kanhar (tributaries of the Sone), and Sai (a tributary of the Gomti). All these rivers ultimately merge with the Ganges, which flows into the Bay of Bengal. The Subarnarekha River drains into the Bay of Bengal. The North Karo River flows into the South Koel, which then joins the Sankh River to form the Brahmani River, which also drains into the Bay of Bengal.[14]
People
The speakers of Bhojpuri language are called Bhojpuriyas and are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group. There are an estimated 150 million Bhojpuriyas worldwide, with the vast majority being Hindu.[15][16]
Culture
The economic and industrial growth of this region had been greatly hindered because of caste-guided political in-fighting and a huge population.[17]
Bhojpuri music is a form of Hindustani Classical Music and includes a broad array of Bhojpuri language performances in distinct style, both traditional and modern.
Art and Crafts
Bhojpuri painting is a folk painting style that has flourished in the Bhojpuri region thousands of years ago. This painting style is a type of wall painting primarily done on temple walls or on walls of the rooms of newlymarried couples and the main motifs are that of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Although in recent times motifs of natural objects and life and struggles of village people are also depicted to make the painting more acceptable among the common people and bring the style close to reality.[27]
Sikki grass handicrafts
Sikki grass crafts are traditional items crafted from sikki grass, widely found in the Bhojpur region.
Attire
Men in the Bhojpuri region traditionally wear Dhoti, Ganji, Kurta, Lungi, and carry a Gamchha, often used as a turban (Muraitha). Women wear Sari (also called Luga) in Sojha Palla style. Daily attire is usually cotton, while Banarasi Sari is preferred for special occasions. On auspicious occasions, there is a tradition of wearing yellow garments, which are called Piyari. Men wear Piyari dhoti paired with a Piyari ganji and kurta, while women wear a Piyari sari.[28]
The Bhojpuri region is renowned for its rich tradition of jewellery, with over fifty types of ornaments traditionally worn by women to adorn different parts of the body:
Head: Mangtika, Aad
Nose: Nakbuli, Punchhi, Bulaak, Nathiya, Nathuni
Ears: Kanphool, Utarna, Jhumak, Sikari
Neck: Hansuli, Kanthha, Halka, Chauki, Chanarhaar, Badhi, Jhabiya, Haar
Men Ornaments:: Anguthhi, Dholna, Tainti, Bichkaani, Lorki
These ornaments hold cultural significance and are crafted from various materials, including gold and silver, reflecting the social, cultural, and ceremonial traditions of the Bhojpuri community.[29] Gold ornaments are not worn below the waist. The Bichhiya is a significant gift given to brides during their farewell (bidaai). Bhojpuriya women regularly apply aalta (red dye) to their feet. Bhojpuriya men, however, use aalta only on special occasions. Women also adorn their hair with gajara.
Married Bhojpuriya women apply orange vermilion, known as Piyari Senur, in their hair parting (maang). During weddings, festivals like Chhath, Durga Puja, Jiutiya, Teej, and other special occasions, they wear a long streak of vermilion from their nose to their hair parting. For the Senurdaan ritual in Bhojpuri weddings, a special type of vermilion called Bhakhra Senur is used. In the northeastern part of the Bhojpuri region, in areas such as West Champaran, East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Chhapra, Siwan, Gopalganj, Bara, Parsa, and Rautahat, pink Bhakhra Senur is common, while orange Bhakhra Senur is widely used in the rest of the Bhojpuri region.[30][31] Bhojpuriya women apply tikuli on their foreheads, which is usually round in shape and red in color. A larger-sized tikuli is called tikula.[32]
Silk weaving is a manufacturing industry in Varanasi. Varanasi is known throughout India for its production of very fine silk and Banarasi saris and salwar suits.
Bhojpuri cuisine (Bhojpuri: 𑂦𑂷𑂔𑂣𑂳𑂩𑂲𑂨𑂰 𑂦𑂷𑂔) is a style of food preparation common among the Bhojpuri people. Bhojpuri foods are mostly mild and tend to be less hot in terms of spices used. The cuisine consists of both vegetable and meat dishes.[33]
Chhath Puja: Prayers during Chhath Puja are offered to Lord Suruj and Chhathi Maiya as an expression of gratitude and devotion. Chhath is considered as Mahaparab by the Bhojpuriyas.
Durga Puja: Durga Puja, a major festival in the Bhojpuri region, celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura and honors her as a symbol of life and prosperity. The main festivities are observed over five days—Khasthi, Maha Satami, Maha Athami, Maha Naomi, and Bijayadasami. However, the preparations and rituals traditionally begin from Ekam and continue for ten days.
Phagua: Phagua is a vibrant festival of colors, celebrating the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil.
Jiutiya: Jiutiya, or Jitiya, is a three-day festival where mothers observe nirjala fasting for their children’s well-being, breaking it on the third day with traditional foods.
Sarsati Puja: It is a festival dedicated to Goddess Sarsati, the deity of wisdom, knowledge, music, and the arts.
Diyari: Deepavali, or Diyari, is the Hindu festival of lights, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
Jamdiyari: A day before Diyari when the oldest woman in the family lights an old diya with seven cereals and oil outside the house, facing south, to please Jam Raja, the God of death.
Dhanteras: A day dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, symbolizing wealth and prosperity, when acquiring new assets, gold, silver, utensils, and a broom is believed to bring good fortune.
Biskarma Puja: It is a celebration dedicated to Lord Biskarma, the creator of the universe's structures and the patron of artisans and craftsmen.
Godhan: Godhan is a two-day festival celebrated after Deepawali, where sisters perform rituals with cow dung figures, bless their brothers after symbolic curses, and conclude with an exchange of gifts.
Pidiya: Pidiya is a month-long festival celebrating the brother-sister relationship, beginning after the Godhan festival and continuing until Ekam Tithi of the Agahan month. The first 15 days are called Chhotki Pidiya, while the remaining 15 days are known as Badki Pidiya.
Rakhi: Rakhi is a celebration where sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers' wrists, symbolizing love, care, and protection.
Khichari: Khichari, also known as Sakraat, is observed with prayers to the Sun God during its transition into Capricorn, followed by feasting on Dahi Chiura, Khichari, laai, tilwa, tikut, laddus, pithas, etc.
Hartalika Teej: It is celebrated by women with fasting and prayers to seek the blessings of Goddess Gaura and Lord Shankar for a happy and prosperous married life.
Dev Deepavali: It is celebrated in Varanasi, marking the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasur, with temples and ghats illuminated by countless oil lamps. Over time, it has also started being celebrated in other parts of Bhojpur as well.
Satuaan: a Bhojpuri festival marking the end of Kharmas, is celebrated with holy baths, donations, and offerings of satua and raw mangoes as prasad.
Maha Siuraat: Maha Siuraat or Phaguni Teras is a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, observed with fasting, night-long vigils, and prayers for blessings and spiritual growth.
Kajari Teej: On the eve of Kajari Teej, women eat jaleba, stay awake the entire night singing Kajari songs, and dance with dholak and jhaal. The following day, they observe a fast and worship Lord Shankar and Goddess Gaura for the well-being of their husbands.
Lalahi Chhath: A festival where women fast and worship Chhathi Maiya for the well-being and long life of their children.
Nag Nathaiya: It is a festival celebrated at Tulsi Ghat in Varanasi, reenacting Lord Krishna's victory over the serpent Kaliya, observed on the fourth day of Kartik's light fortnight.
Note that Bhojpur district of Koshi Pradesh is not an Indo-Aryan Bhojpuri ethnolinguistic region, although it shares the same name.
Religion
According to the 2011 Census, Hindus form the majority in the Bhojpuri region, with 85.33% adhering to Hinduism. Islam is practiced by 14.5% of the population, while 0.52% profess other religions.
There is a demand for a separate Bhojpura state in Nepal, formed by merging the Bhojpuri-speaking areas of Madhesh, Lumbini, Gandaki and Bagmati provinces, with Birgunj proposed as the capital city.[48]
Bihar is a state in Eastern India. It is the third largest state by population, the 12th largest by area, and the 15th largest by GDP in 2021. Bihar borders Uttar Pradesh to its west, Nepal to the north, the northern part of West Bengal to the east, and Jharkhand to the south. Bihar is split by the river Ganges, which flows from west to east. On 15 November 2000, southern Bihar was ceded to form the new state of Jharkhand. Only 11.27% of the population of Bihar lives in urban areas as per a 2020 report. Additionally, almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, giving Bihar the highest proportion of young people of any Indian state. The official language is Hindi, which shares official status alongside that of Urdu. The main native languages are Maithili, Magahi and Bhojpuri. But there are several other languages being spoken at smaller levels.
Bhojpuri is an Indo-Aryan language native to the Bhojpur-Purvanchal region of India and the Terai region of Nepal. It is chiefly spoken in eastern Uttar Pradesh, western Bihar, and northwestern Jharkhand in India, as well as western Madhesh, eastern Lumbini, southeastern Gandaki, and southwestern Bagmati in Nepal. Bhojpuri is also widely spoken by the diaspora of Indians descended from those who left as indentured laborers during the colonial era. It is an eastern Indo Aryan language and as of 2000 it is spoken by about 5% of India's population. Bhojpuri is a descendant of Magadhi Prakrit and is related to Maithili, Magahi, Bengali, Odia, Assamese, and other eastern Indo-Aryan languages.
Begusarai is the industrial and financial capital of Bihar and the administrative headquarters of the Begusarai district, which is one of the 38 districts of the Indian state of Bihar. The district lies on the northern bank of the river Ganges in the Mithila region of India.
Purvanchal is a subregion of the larger Bhojpuri region. Gorakhpur and Varanasi are important cities in this region. The Lal Bahadur Shashtri International Airport in Varanasi is the largest international airport in this region.
Chhath is an ancient Hindu festival, native to eastern India and southern Nepal. It is celebrated especially in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh; and the Nepalese Autonomous provinces of Koshi, Lumbini, and Madhesh. In major Indian and Nepalese urban centres like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kathmandu, etc., the diaspora actively participates in celebrating Chhath, preserving their cultural heritage. The festival is also celebrated in countries like the USA, Australia, Singapore, UAE, Canada, Mauritius, Japan, UK, etc., by the diaspora.
Arrah is a city and a municipal corporation in Bhojpur district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is the headquarters of Bhojpur district, located near the confluence of the Ganges and Sone rivers, some 24 miles (39 km) from Danapur and 36 miles (58 km) from Patna.
Teej, literally meaning the "third" denoting the third day after the new moon when the monsoon begins as per the Hindu calendar, is a combined name for 3 Hindu festivals primarily dedicated to Hindu deities - the mother goddess Parvati and her male consort Shiva, mainly celebrated by married women and unmarried girls mostly in Nepal and North India to wish for the long life of their husband or future husband and to welcome the arrival of monsoon season with the singing, swings, dancing, enjoyment, prayer rituals and often fasting.
Bhojpuri cuisine is a style of food preparation common among the Bhojpuri people of Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh in India, and also the Terai region of Nepal. Bhojpuri foods are mostly mild and tend to be less hot in terms of spices used. The cuisine consists of both vegetable and meat dishes.
Mithila, also known as Tirhut, Tirabhukti and Mithilanchal, is a geographical and cultural region of the Indian subcontinent bounded by the Mahananda River in the east, the Ganges in the south, the Gandaki River in the west and by the foothills of the Himalayas in the north. It comprises certain parts of Bihar and Jharkhand of India and adjoining districts of the Koshi Province, Bagmati Pradesh and Madhesh Province of Nepal. The native language in Mithila is Maithili, and its speakers are referred to as Maithils.
The Culture of Uttar Pradesh is an Indian culture which has its roots in Hindi, Bhojpuri and Urdu literature, music, fine arts, drama and cinema. Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, has historical monuments including Bara Imambara and Chhota Imambara, and has preserved the damaged complex of the Oudh-period British Resident's quarters, which are being restored.
Banjari is a small town at the south-western tip of Bihar state, India. It is located on the Sone River, the largest of the Ganges' southern tributaries, in Rohtas district. It is framed by the Kaimur mountain range, to the south-east of Sasaram.
Mithila culture or Maithil culture refers to the culture which originated in the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent. Mithila comprises Tirhut, Darbhanga, Kosi, Purnia, Munger, Bhagalpur and Santhal Pargana divisions of India and adjoining provinces of Province No. 1, Bagmati Pradesh, and Madhesh Province of Nepal.
Sharda Sinha was an Indian folk and classical singer. Hailing from Bihar, she predominantly sang in Maithili and Bhojpuri language and is called Bihar Kokila, the cuckoo of Bihar. Sinha has sung many folk songs including "Vivah Geet", "Chhath Geet". In 1991, she received the Padma Shri award for her contribution to music. In 2000, she received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her contribution to the field of music. She was awarded Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, on the eve of Republic Day in 2018.
Bastipur is a village and a municipality in Rohtas district in the state of Bihar, India.
Bihari culture refers to the culture of the Indian state of Bihar. Bihari culture includes Angika culture, Mithila culture, Bhojpuri Culture and the culture of Magadha.
Most of the languages of Bihar, the third most populous state of India, belong to the Bihari subgroup of the Indo-Aryan family. Chief among them are Bhojpuri, spoken in the west of the state, Maithili in the north, Magahi in center around capital Patna and in the south of the state. Maithili has official recognition under the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India. The official language of Bihar is Modern Standard Hindi, with Standard Urdu serving as a second official language in 15 districts. Bihari Hindi serves as the lingua franca of the region.
Angika is an Eastern Indo-Aryan language spoken in some parts of the Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand, as well as in parts of Nepal.
Manik Chowk is a village in the Indian state of Bihar.
Chandan Tiwari is an Indian folk singer from Bihar. She is known as folk singer and sings in Bhojpuri, Nagpuri, Awadhi and Hindi. She was awarded Sangeet Natak Academy-Bismillah Khan Samman. She was honoured by Bhojpuri Kokila in Kolkata. BAG Films-News 24 awarded her best traditional folk singer. She appeared in India Today Magazine in cover story for her contributions to Indian folk music. She has been singing in various forms of folks like Purabi Sohar, Pachra Gandhi song, River Song, Chhath Song Kajri and Thumri.
Bhojpuri music is a form of Hindustani Classical Music and includes a broad array of Bhojpuri language performances in distinct style, both traditional and modern. This form of music is mostly created in Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and other countries like Nepal, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Fiji, Guyana, Jamaica, the Netherlands, Mauritius, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
↑ Kolff, Dirk H.A. (2002) [First published 1990]. Naukar, Rajput, and sepoy: the ethnohistory of the military labour market in Hindustan, 1450-1850. Cambridge University Press. p.160. ISBN0-521-52305-2. The Bhojpuri region received its name after the town of Bhojpur, the ancient headquarters of the Ujjainiya Rajputs of the erstwhile Shahabad district of Bihar.
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