Nalanda district

Nalanda district
District
Top: Ruins of Nalanda mahavihara
Bottom: Son Bhandar Caves, Rajgir
Location of Nalanda district in Bihar
Location of Nalanda district in Bihar
Country India
State Bihar
DivisionPatna
Established9 November 1972
HeadquartersBihar Sharif
Government
 • Lok Sabha constituenciesNalanda
Area
 • Total
2,367 km2 (914 sq mi)
 • Urban
112.91 km2 (43.59 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
2,877,653
 • Density1,216/km2 (3,149/sq mi)
Demographics
 • Literacy66.41 (M=77.11; F=54.76)
 • Sex ratio921 (2011)
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
PIN Code
803111
Major highwaysNH 20, NH 33, NH 120, NH 431
WebsiteNalanda District

Nalanda district is one of the thirty-eight districts of the state of Bihar in India. Bihar Sharif is the administrative headquarters of this district. The districts is home to the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nalanda is located in the Magadh region of southern Bihar.

In Jainism


History

Nalanda became a fully-fledged district when it was split from Patna on 9 November 1972.

Geography

Nalanda district occupies an area of 2,355 square kilometres (909 sq mi). The Phalgu, Mohane, Jirayan, and Kumbhari rivers flow through it. The district is a part of Patna Division. Majority of the land in the district is fertile land of Indo Gangetic plane. In the extreme South, there lies the hills of Rajgir. There is also one small hillock in the district headquarters of Bihar Sharif.

Flora and fauna

In 1978 Nalanda district became home to the Pant Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajgir which has an area of 35.84 km2 (13.8 mi2).

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901595,009—    
1911589,310−0.10%
1921577,663−0.20%
1931676,424+1.59%
1941785,619+1.51%
1951926,189+1.66%
19611,086,972+1.61%
19711,304,832+1.84%
19811,639,922+2.31%
19911,996,257+1.99%
20012,370,528+1.73%
20112,877,653+1.96%
source:
Religions in Nalanda District (2011)
Religion Percent
Hinduism
 
 92.78%
Islam
 
 6.88%
Others
 
 0.34%

According to the 2011 census Nalanda district has a population of 2,877,653, roughly equal to the nation of Mongolia or the US state of Kansas. This gives it a ranking of 134th in India (out of a total of 640), and 18th in state. The district has a population density of 1,220 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,200/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 21.18%. Nalanda has a sex ratio of 921 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 66.41%. 15.91% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 21.12% and 0.05% of the population respectively.

Languages of Nalanda district (2011)
  1. Magahi (56.3%)
  2. Hindi (37.3%)
  3. Urdu (5.69%)
  4. Others (0.76%)

At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 56.27% of the population in the district spoke Magahi, 37.28% Hindi and 5.69% Urdu as their first language.

Politics

Since Kurmis are dominant in Nalanda, it is also known by the name Kurmistan in political circle. Nalanda district is the birthplace of Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar. The Nalanda district comprises Nalanda Lok Sabha constituency, which can further be fragmented into seven Legislative Assembly constituencies. In 2015 Bihar Assembly elections, Janata Dal (United) (JDU), the political party led by Kumar was able to win five out of seven Legislative Assembly constituencies of the district. It has been stated that preponderance of Kushwahas apart from Kurmis and sizeable population of Extremely Backward Castes, who are considered as the supporters of Kumar, has been the prime factor behind success of JDU in polls conducted in this district.

District No. Constituency Name Party Alliance Remarks
Nalanda 171 Asthawan Jitendra Kumar JD(U) NDA
172 Biharsharif Sunil Kumar BJP
173 Rajgir (SC) Kaushal Kishore JD(U)
174 Islampur Ruhail Ranjan
175 Hilsa Krishna Murari Sharan
176 Nalanda Shrawan Kumar Minister
177 Harnaut Hari Narayan Singh

Administration

Nalanda district was established as a separate district on 9 November 1972, with its headquarters at Bihar Sharif. Prior to its formation, it functioned as the Bihar Sharif subdivision of Patna district.

Sub-divisions

The district is divided into three revenue sub-divisions for administrative convenience. Each sub-division is headed by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), who also functions as the Revenue Divisional Officer. The SDM is assisted by officers in the cadre of Tahsildar. Sub-divisional offices function as intermediary administrative units between the district headquarters and the blocks.

The three sub-divisions are:

  1. Bihar Sharif (Sadar Sub-division) – The most urbanised part of the district.
  2. Hilsa – Predominantly rural and agricultural.
  3. Rajgir – The smallest sub-division and important from a tourism perspective. Major heritage and pilgrimage sites such as Rajgir, Nalanda Mahavihara and Pawapuri are located in this sub-division.

Revenue statistics

Revenue Sub-divisionAnchalsHalkasRevenue Villages
Bihar Sharif751429
Hilsa822198
Rajgir546457
Total201191084

Blocks

The district consists of 20 Community Development Blocks, each headed by a Block Development Officer (BDO).The 20 Blocks under 3 Tehsils in Nalanda district are as follows:

Tehsil (Sub-division) CD Blocks
Bihar Sharif Bihar Sharif, Rahui, Noorsarai, Asthawan, Bind ,sermera and rahui
Rajgir Rajgir, Silao, Giriyak, BEN , and katrisarai
Hilsa Hilsa, Ekangarsarai, Chandi, Nagarnausa, Karai Parsurai, Parwalpur,tharthari and islampur

Local bodies

ClassificationNumber
Municipal Corporation1
Municipal Councils3
Nagar Panchayats12
Blocks20
Village Panchayats231

The only Municipal Corporation in the district is Bihar Sharif.

Police administration

The district police administration is headed by the Superintendent of Police (SP), Nalanda. The district is divided into police sub-divisions corresponding to the administrative sub-divisions:

Status

Nalanda district is fast developing and the ruins of the ancient Nalanda University or UNESCO Nalanda Archaeological Site attracts tourists from all over the world driving the local economy.

Economy

Agriculture is the backbone of the economy, with the majority of the population engaged in agriculture. Rice, wheat, maize, pulses, potato, fruits, and vegetables are the main crops, upon the recommendation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Bihar Sharif was selected among 100 indian cities, and four from Bihar, to be developed under Smart Cities Mission of the indian government., Bihar Sharif is one the largest cities in South Bihar, it is a major hub for Agricultural trade, Health and Commerce.

A Railways coach maintaince plant is located in Harnaut. In 1999, Defence Minister George Fernandes laid the foundations for an Ordanance Factory at Rajgir.

Tourism is well developed, Rajgir holds immense historical significance as it was the earliest capital of Magadha, million of people visit the ruins of ancient Nalanda University, Rajgir and Pawapuri. Buddha had spent years at this place. Surrounded by five hills, it has got scenic views. Pawapuri, the Nirwana place of Mahavir, is holy place for the Jains, In 2022, Rajgir Zoo Safari was opened. In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Nalanda one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640). It is one of the 36 districts in Bihar currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ "NALANDA Pin Code - 803111, Silao All Post Office Areas PIN Codes, Search NALANDA Post Office Address". ABP Live. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  2. ↑ Chaudhary, Pranava Kumar (15 July 2016). "UNESCO declares Nalanda Mahavihara World Heritage Site". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  3. ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (12 April 2009). "Nalanda, Nalamda, Nālandā, Nālanda, Nāḷandā: 12 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  4. ↑ Sikdar, J. C. "Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra".
  5. ↑ Vinayasāgara, Mahopādhyāya. "Gautama Rās Pariśīlana".
  6. ↑ "Jaina Sutras, Part II (SBE45): Sûtrakritâṅga: Book 2, Lecture 7: Nâlandâ". sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  7. ↑ Law, Bimla Charn. "Tribes in Ancient India". p. 231.
  8. ↑ Jinavijaya, Muni. "Vividha Tīrtha Kalpa".
  9. ↑ Jaina Trust, Shri Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi. "Jaina Tirtha Sarva Sangraha".
  10. ↑ India, Archaeological Survey. "Patna Circle" (PDF). p. 8.
  11. ↑ Banerji, R.D. (1918). "The Partihara Occupation of Magadha (from the Indian Antiquary Vol. 47 (1918))". p. 111.
  12. ↑ Nyayavijaya, Muni. "Jaina Tirthono Itihas". p. 451.
  13. ↑ India, Archaeological Survey. "Indian Archaeology (1955-56) A Review". p. 37.
  14. ↑ Jaina Trust, Shri Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi. "Jaina Tirtha Sarva Sangraha". p. 449.
  15. ↑ "Sub-Divisions | District Nalanda, Government of Bihar | India". nalanda.nic.in. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  16. ↑ "Districts of India". statoids.com. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  17. ↑ Nitima Shiv Charan Dayawanti Srivastava (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.
  18. ↑ Indian Ministry of Forests and Environment. "Protected areas: Bihar". Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  19. ↑ "Table A-02 Decadal Variation in Population Since 1901: Bihar" (PDF). census.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  20. ↑ "Table C-01 Population by Religion: Bihar". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "District Census Handbook: Nalanda" (PDF). Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  22. ↑ Wordometer. "Country Comparison:Population". Retrieved 1 October 2011. Mongolia 3,278,290 July 2011 est
  23. ↑ "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 30 September 2011. Kansas 2,853,118{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  24. 1 2 "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Bihar". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  25. ↑ IANS (27 October 2015). "Caste dominates in Bihar's third round polling". Business Standard India. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  26. ↑ कुमार, सुजीत (27 September 2020). "नीतीश कुमार का मजबूत दुर्ग है गृह जिला नालंदा, क्या सातों सीट जीतकर करेंगे क्लीन स्वीप?". Aaj Tak (in Hindi). Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  27. ↑ "Sub-Divisions". District Nalanda. Government of Bihar. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  28. ↑ "Sub Districts – Nalanda". Integrated Government Online Directory. Government of India. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  29. ↑ biharsharif nagar nigam
  30. ↑ "Govt won't shift ordnance factory from Bihar - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  31. ↑ PTI (17 November 2017). "OFB Nalanda to develop indigenous artillery shells". @businessline. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  32. 1 2 Ministry of Panchayati Raj (8 September 2009). "A Note on the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme" (PDF). National Institute of Rural Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  33. ↑ "Rajgriha and the Start of an Empire". livehistoryindia.com. Retrieved 20 August 2026.

25°12′00″N 85°31′12″E / 25.20000°N 85.52000°E / 25.20000; 85.52000