Saharsa district

Last updated

Saharsa district
District of Bihar
Chandika Sthan Temple near Saharsa Town.jpg
Chandika Sthan Temple near Saharsa
Bihar district location map Saharsa.svg
Location of Saharsa district in Bihar
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
State Bihar
Region Mithila
Division Kosi
Established1 April 1954
Headquarters Saharsa
Government
 •  Lok Sabha constituencies Madhepura
 •  Vidhan Sabha constituencies Sonbarsha, Saharsa, Simri Bakhtiarpur, Mahishi
Area
 • Total1,702 km2 (657 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total1,900,661
 • Density1,100/km2 (2,900/sq mi)
Demographics
 •  Literacy 54.57 per cent
 • Sex ratio906
Time zone UTC+05:30 (IST)
Major highways NH 231 and NH 327
Website saharsa.nic.in

Saharsa is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar, India. Saharsa city is the administrative headquarters of this district. Saharsa district is a part of the Kosi Division and it became a district on 1 April 1954 and has subsequently become smaller with other districts being carved from it, most notably Madhepura in 1981.

Contents

Saharsa is located in the Mithila region, one of the earliest centers of Brahminical civilization in India. [1] Saharsa is considered as the heart of whole Mithila region. it is the place which gave birth to legends such as like Mandana Misra, Laxminath Gosain, Ubhai Bharti, etc. The region of Bangaon and Mahisi is known for producing a large number of civil servants.

History

Saharsa is part of the Mithila region. [2] Mithila first gained prominence after being settled by Indo-Aryan peoples who established the Mithila Kingdom (also called Kingdom of the Videhas). [3] During the late Vedic period (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 Janakas. [4] The Videha Kingdom was later incorporated into the Vajjika League, which had its capital in the city of Vaishali, which is also in Mithila. [5]

Mandan Mishra whose conversation with the Shankaracharya was considered one of the most intellectual conversations in the world was done in Mahismati village, nowadays Mahisi village. During the Dharma Vijaya yatra of Adi Shankara, He visited Mahisi village (then called Mahishmati) to debate Mandana Misra. After winning in all discussions in all over the nation, He lost the Sastrartha there. [6]

Earlier, the Saharsa district was part of the Munger and Bhagalpur districts. On 1 April 1954 it was made a district of its own. It was also made headquarters of Kosi division on 2 October 1972, comprising Saharsa, Purnia and Katihar district, with its headquarters at Saharsa. Similarly a new Civil Sub-Division Birpur was created on 1 December 1972, consisting of 24 development blocks, including Raghopur, Chhatapur, Basantpur and Nirmali, which were previously under Supaul subdivision of the district. Two new districts, Madhepura and Supaul, were formed from Saharsa district on 30 April 1981 and 1991. Saharsa district now consists of two subdivisions, Saharsa Sadar and Simri Bakhtiarpur. The district consists of 10 development blocks and anchals each.

Geography

Saharsa district occupies an area of 1,687 square kilometres (651 sq mi), [7]

Saharsa district is surrounded on the west by the river Kosi, which has an abundance of fish and Makhana. Saharsa is famous for its varieties of mangoes and litchis.

Saharsa district comprises the following Sub-Divisions: Saharasa Sadar and Simri Bakhtiyarpur.

Politics

DistrictNo.ConstituencyNamePartyAllianceRemarks
Saharsa 74 Sonbarsha Ratnesh Sada JD(U) NDA
75 Saharsa Alok Ranjan Jha BJP NDA
76 Simri Bakhtiarpur Yusuf Salahuddin RJD MGB
77 Mahishi Gunjeshwar Sah JD(U) NDA

Administration

Saharsa consists of 10 blocks arranged in two subdivisions: [8]

Saharsa subdivision

Simri-Bakhtiyarpur subdivision

Economy

It is the major producer of best quality of Corn and Makhana in India. From Saharsa corn and Makhana are exported abroad country such as America, France, Japan, England. Every year 2 lakhs tonnes of corn are exported to different country and similarly Makhana also. The follgrown in the region; Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb), rice, mangoes, litchi, bamboo, mustard, corn, wheat, ber and sugarcane. Sagwan or Tectona grandis) trees are now grown on a large scale.

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901397,566—    
1911409,867+0.31%
1921395,756−0.35%
1931418,762+0.57%
1941422,038+0.08%
1951489,307+1.49%
1961582,156+1.75%
1971721,202+2.16%
1981902,008+2.26%
19911,132,413+2.30%
20011,508,182+2.91%
20111,900,661+2.34%
source: [9]
Religions in Saharsa district (2011) [10]
ReligionPercent
Hinduism
 
85.72%
Islam
 
14.03%
Other or not stated
 
0.25%

According to the 2011 census Saharsa district has a population of 1,900,661, [11] This gives it a ranking of 247th in India (out of a total of 640). [11] The district has a population density of 1,125 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,910/sq mi). [11] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 25.79%. [11] Saharsa has a sex ratio of 906 females for every 1000 males, [11] and a literacy rate of 54.57%. 8.24% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes make up 16.69% and 0.32% of the population respectively. [11]

Languages of Saharsa district (2011) [12]

   Maithili (68.87%)
   Hindi (21.15%)
   Urdu (9.62%)
  Others (0.36%)

At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 68.87% of the population in the district spoke Maithili, 21.15% Hindi and 9.62% Urdu as their first language. [12]

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

Araria is a city and a municipality that is the headquarters of Araria district in the Indian state of Bihar. Araria is situated in the northern part of Bihar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kishanganj</span> Town in Bihar, India

Kishanganj is a city and district headquarters of Kishanganj district in Purnia division of Bihar state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katihar</span> City in Bihar, India

Katihar is a city situated in the eastern part of the state of Bihar in India. It is the regional headquarters of Katihar district. It is one of the important cities of Bihar. Also it is a main stop on the Delhi - Guwahati railway line.

Madhepura is a municipality in Madhepura district in the Indian state of Bihar. It stands at the centre of Kosi ravine, It was called Madhyapura- a place centrally situated which was subsequently transformed as Madhipura into present Madhepura. It is surrounded by Araria and Supaul districts in the north, Khagaria and Bhagalpur districts in the south, Purnia district in the east and Saharsa district in the West.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purnia</span> Urban Agglomeration in Bihar, India

Purnia is the fourth largest city of Bihar and is emerging as the biggest economic hub in North Bihar. It serves as the administrative headquarters of both Purnia district and Purnia division in the Indian state of Bihar. It is well known for its favourable climate like Darjeeling and has an abundance of resources for human settlements and economic activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saharsa</span> City and municipal corporation in Bihar, India

Saharsa is a city and municipal corporation in the Saharsa District in the eastern part of the state of Bihar, India. It is situated near the eastern banks of the Kosi River. It serves as the administrative headquarters for Saharsa District and is also the Divisional headquarters of the Kosi Division.

Supaul is a town and a municipality that is headquarters of Supaul district in the Indian state of Bihar. Supaul is the administrative headquarters of this district. There Are 11 block under the Supaul district Supaul, Kishanpur, Saraigarh-Bhaptiyahi, Pipra, Triveniganj, Raghopur, chhatapur, Nirmali, Marauna, Basantpur and pratapganj.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Araria district</span> District of Bihar in India

Araria district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India. Araria district is a part of Purnia division. The district occupies an area of 2,830 km2 (1,090 sq mi). Araria town is the administrative headquarters of this district. Distance from Nepal border is only about 8 km from Forbesganj head quarter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purnia district</span> District in Bihar, India

Purnia District is one of the thirty-eight districts of the Indian state of Bihar. The city of Purnia is the administrative headquarters of this district. The city of Purnia has continued its tradition of hoisting the national flag at 12:07 am on every Independence Day since 1947. Purnia district is a part of Purnia Division. The district extends northwards from the Ganges river.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supaul district</span> District of Bihar in India

Supaul district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar, India. The town Supaul is the district's administrative headquarters. The district, which was split from the former Saharsa district on 14 March 1991, occupies 2,410 km2 (931 sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katihar district</span> District of Bihar in India

Katihar district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state in India, and Katihar city is the administrative headquarters of this district. The district is a part of Purnia Division. It is prominently known for its Katihar Junction Railway Station, which is a Category A station on the Barauni–Guwahati line. It has been included in the Aspirational Districts Program of the Government of India since 2018, to improve its socio-economic indicators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kishanganj district</span> District in Bihar, India

Kishanganj district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India, and Kishanganj town is the administrative headquarters of this district. Kishanganj district is a part of Purnia division (Seemanchal).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kosi division</span> Division of Bihar in India

Kosi division is an administrative geographical unit of Bihar state of India. Saharsa is the administrative headquarters of the division. Currently (2022), the division consists of Saharsa district, Madhepura district, and Supaul district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purnia division</span> Administrative Division in Bihar, India

Purnia division is an administrative geographical unit of Bihar state of India. Purnia is the administrative headquarters of the division. The division consists of Purnia district, Katihar district, Araria district, and Kishanganj district. It was established in 1990. It is also known as Seemanchal. It is a part of the Kosi—Seemanchal subregion of the cultural Mithila region.

Maithils, also known as Maithili people, are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group from the Indian subcontinent, who speak the Maithili language as their native language. They inhabit the Mithila region, which comprises Northern and Eastern Bihar and Northeastern Jharkhand in India and some adjoining districts of Nepal constituting Madhesh Province in addition to some terai districts of Bagmati and Koshi Provinces. The Maithil region forms an important part of Hinduism as it is said to be the birthplace of Sita, the wife of Ram and incarnation of Lakshmi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mithila (region)</span> Cultural region in India and Nepal, Asia

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.

Simri Bakhtiyarpur is a subdivision and town in the Saharsa district of Bihar state, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Bihar</span> Geographic Region in Bihar, India

North Bihar is a term used for the region of Bihar, India, which lies north of the Ganga river.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majhaul</span> In Bihar, India

Majhaul is a large Village in Nauhatta Block in Saharsa District of Bihar State of India, with total 700-800 families residing. It belongs to Kosi Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandan Bharti Dham</span> Historic site in Mithila region, Bihar

Mandan Bharti Dham is a historically significant site and a residential location associated with the Indian Vedic philosopher Mandana Mishra. It is situated in Mahishi village, within the Saharsa district in the Mithila region of Bihar, India. This site holds great reverence as a Hindu pilgrimage destination. Notably, it was the location where a significant Shastrartha occurred between two eminent Indian scholars, Adi Guru Shankaracharya and Mandana Mishra, within the Sanatana tradition. In this Shastrartha, the wife of Mandana Mishra was chosen as the impartial judge to adjudicate the philosophical discourse. Moreover, this location served as an educational center for the study of the Mimansa Shastra in the Ancient Mithila University. The Mimansa Shastra is one of the six schools of Indian philosophy.

References

  1. ↑ Mishra, Anil Kant (1998). Rural Tension in India. p. 12. ISBN   9788171414161.
  2. ↑ Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. ISBN   9788175330344.
  3. ↑ Michael Witzel (1989), Tracing the Vedic dialects in Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes ed. Caillat, Paris, pages 13, 17 116–124, 141–143
  4. ↑ Witzel, M. (1989). "Tracing the Vedic dialects". In Caillat, C. (ed.). Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes. Paris: Fondation Hugot. pp. 141–143.
  5. ↑ Hemchandra, R. (1972). Political History of Ancient India. Calcutta: University of Calcutta.
  6. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Bharatvarsh: Episode 4: Watch the glorious story of Adi Shankaracharya". YouTube .
  7. ↑ Srivastava, Dayawanti et al. (ed.) (2010). "States and Union Territories: Bihar: Government". India 2010: A Reference Annual (54th ed.). New Delhi, India: Additional Director General, Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India), Government of India. pp. 1118–1119. ISBN   978-81-230-1617-7.{{cite book}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  8. ↑ "Subdivision & Blocks | Saharsa District | India" . Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  9. ↑ "Table A-02 Decadal Variation in Population Since 1901: Bihar" (PDF). census.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  10. ↑ "Table C-01 Population by Religion: Bihar". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "District Census Handbook: Saharsa" (PDF). Census of India . Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  12. 1 2 "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Bihar". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.

25°53′N86°36′E / 25.883°N 86.600°E / 25.883; 86.600

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.