Portal:Bihar

Bihar (/bɪˈhɑːr/) is a state in Eastern India. Historically, the region was the political, scientific, and economic center of the Indian subcontinent. It served as the foundational seat of India's greatest indigenous ancient empires, including the Haryankas, Nandas, Mauryas, Shungas, and Guptas.

In antiquity, the region comprised prominent Mahajanapadas like Magadha, Vajji, Anga, and Videha (Mithila), facilitating a period of profound intellectual and philosophical development. It is widely recognized as the birthplace of major Śramaṇic religions, notably Buddhism and Jainism, the epicenter of Vedic philosophy and Hindu logic, and played a pivotal role in the classical development of Indian mathematics, astronomy, statecraft, and surgery.

• ...that the ancient Kingdom of Videha (modern Mithila in Bihar) hosted some of the earliest recorded philosophical debates in human history, including the profound dialogues between the female philosopher Gargi Vachaknavi and sage Yajnavalkya?
• ...that the foundational text of Hindu logic, the Nyaya Sutras, was composed by Gautama Maharishi in Mithila, and centuries later, Gangesha Upadhyaya founded the Navya-Nyaya (New Logic) school in the same region?
• ...that the classical Indian mathematician Aryabhata, who pioneered the concept of zero and spherical astronomy in his treatise Aryabhatiya, conducted his research at Kusumapura (modern-day Patna)?
• ...that Jivaka, the personal physician to the Buddha and the Magadhan King Bimbisara, is credited with performing complex cranial surgeries in 5th-century BCE Rajgir?
• ...that the Barabar Caves in the Jehanabad district, carved out of solid granite during the Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE), are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India?

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  Pataliputra: "The greatest city in India is that which is called Palimbothra... surrounded by a wooden wall pierced with loopholes for arrows." — Megasthenes (4th c. BCE).
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  Mauryan Expansion: "The vast wealth of the Nandas, hiding in the floods of the Ganges... and the new Mauryas whose decorated chariots rolled down the hills." — Poet Mamulanar.
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  The Prasii: "The Prasii [people of Magadha] surpass in power and glory every other people in all India, their capital being Palibothra..." — Pliny the Elder (1st c. CE).
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  The Huna Wars: "Who, when the Hunas came to conquer... shook the earth with his two arms and created a terrible whirlpool of conflict..." — Skandagupta's Bhitari Inscription
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  The Mauryan Crown: "King Priyadarsi (Ashoka) of Magadha salutes the Sangha and wishes them good health and happiness..." — Bhabru Minor Rock Edict (3rd c. BCE).
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  Mauryan Grandeur: "The king's palace in the city... was constructed by spirits who piled up the stones in a way which no human hands could accomplish." — Faxian (5th c. CE).
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  Nalanda Mahavihara: "The monks of Nalanda, to the number of several thousands, are men of the highest ability and talent... The day is not sufficient for asking and answering profound questions." — Xuanzang (7th c. CE).
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  Vikramashila University: "The great institution of Vikramashila, with its one hundred and eight temples and resident scholars, became the undisputed crown jewel of Buddhist learning in the east." — Tibetan Chronicles (Taranatha).
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  Telhara Mahavihara: "The monastic towers stand high and the pavilions reach the sky." Recorded as 'Teladhaka' by Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang (7th c. CE), it was a grand institution older than Nalanda itself.
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  Odantapuri University: Established in the 8th century CE, this grand Mahavihara possessed such magnificent architecture that it was utilized as the exact blueprint for Samye, the first Buddhist monastery built in Tibet.
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  Mithila Vidyapeeth: The ancient kingdom of Videha evolved into India's supreme center of Vedic and Brahmanical learning, where legendary philosophers congregated for millennia to debate Nyaya (logic) and Mimamsa.
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  The Shunga Dynasty: "Pushyamitra, the Shunga commander-in-chief, who performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice twice..." — Ayodhya Inscription.
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  The Magadhan King: "Though there are a thousand other kings, the earth has its true lord only in him..." — Kalidasa (Raghuvamsha 6.22).
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  Magadhan People: "The cities and towns are heavily populated. The inhabitants are rich and live comfortably... They highly esteem learning." — Xuanzang (7th c. CE).
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  Ashoka the Dharma King: After the Kalinga war, Ashoka turned to non-violence and declared the conquest by Dharma as the highest victory.
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  Rock Edict 13: "Now, it is the conquest by the Dharma that the Beloved of the Gods considers as the best conquest... beyond where reign the Greek kings..."
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  Legacy of Brahmi: 1800 years separate Ashoka’s Brahmi script (3rd century BCE) and later Devanagari engraved on the identical pillar.
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  Brahmi Script: The earliest fully developed writing system of Magadha, extensively propagated by the Mauryan administration.
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  Ashoka & Antiochos: Ashoka actively dispatched medical missions and Dharma envoys to the Seleucid monarch Antiochos II.
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  Gupta Metallurgy: The non-rusting Iron Pillar, forged during the Gupta Empire, stands as a testament to highly advanced metallurgical skills.
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  Global Reach of Gupta Art: The Gupta-crafted bronze Helgö Buddha traveled to Sweden along the Silk Road, reaching Scandinavia between the 6th and 8th century CE.
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  Birth of Numerals: Brahmi numerals, first originating in ancient Bihar, serve as the direct ancestors of the modern numeral system utilized worldwide today.
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  Origin of Chess: Games like Ashtapada and Chaturanga developed during the Gupta Empire in Bihar, serving as the ancient predecessors to modern chess.

Bihar has historically served as a profound epicenter for Indian spiritual and intellectual paradigms. It is globally revered as the birthplace of Buddhism, with enlightenment attained at Bodh Gaya, and a principal center of Jainism rooted in ancient Vaishali. The Mithila region was a fountainhead of Vedic philosophy and mythology, famously ruled by King Janaka and recognized as the birthplace of Devi Sita. It hosted the legendary philosophical debates of Yajnavalkya, Gargi Vachaknavi, and Maitreyi recorded in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. It also became the birthplace of Indian logic through Gautama Maharishi's Nyaya philosophy, and centuries later, Gangesha Upadhyaya's Navya-Nyaya (New Logic) school. In the realm of science, Aryabhata authored the foundational astronomical treatise, the Aryabhatiya, from Kusumapura (Patna), pioneering the concept of zero and spherical astronomy, while the ancient physician Jivaka advanced Ayurvedic medicine and cranial surgery in Magadha.

The socio-cultural landscape of Bihar is broadly delineated by distinct linguistic and historical territories.

• Magadha: The southern heartland (Patna, Gaya), holding the grand legacy of India's greatest ancient empires.
• Mithila: The northern plains, celebrated for its profound philosophical roots, Vedic mythology, and distinctive traditional art.
• Anga: The eastern expanse centered around modern Bhagalpur, heavily featured in the Mahabharata.
• Vajji: The territory around Vaishali, rooted in ancient republican confederacies.
• Bhojpur: The western districts, possessing a vibrant agrarian and martial history.

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  Lion Capital of Ashoka
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  Ashoka Pillar
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  Golghar
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  Barabar Caves
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  Didarganj Yakshi
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  Nalanda Ruins
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  Mahabodhi Temple
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  Kesaria Stupa
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  Madhubani Art

Bihar lies directly within the fertile Indo-Gangetic Plain, naturally bisected by the Ganges river into the North and South Bihar plains.

• Major Rivers: Ganges, Gandak, Kosi, Son, Bagmati, Punpun.
• Reserves & Wildlife: The state preserves crucial habitats such as the Valmiki National Park (a dedicated tiger reserve), the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, and the expansive Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Topography: Characterized by the Kaimur Range, the Rajgir Hills, and the Barabar Hills.

The cultural fabric of Bihar is intricately woven with agrarian, seasonal, and religious observances. At the absolute forefront is Chhath, an ancient and rigorously observed Vedic festival dedicated to the solar deity, Surya. The calendar highlights highly localized celebrations such as the brother-sister festival of Sama Chakeva, the maternal observance of Jitiya, and monsoon festivals like Madhushravani and Teej. Other culturally significant observances include the Anga region's , alongside state-wide participation in pan-Indian festivals like Holi and Diwali.

Bihar's vibrant folk traditions are expressed through diverse regional dances and theatrical forms, often conveying complex social narratives. Prominent forms include Bidesiya, a poignant theatrical dance dealing with themes of migration, and the energetic Jat-Jatin, performed by couples in the Mithila region. Other notable folk performances include the female-led Jhijhiya used to invoke rain, alongside domestic and celebratory dances such as Domkach and Jumari.

The cinematic landscape of Bihar encompasses the vibrant Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magahi film industries. The region's organized cinematic journey began with the historic release of the first Bhojpuri film, Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo, in 1963. Over the decades, Bihar has produced a multitude of critically acclaimed figures in mainstream Indian cinema, including actors like Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, Pankaj Tripathi, Shatrughan Sinha, and Sanjay Mishra, as well as legendary folk singer Sharda Sinha.

Bihar's economy is primarily agrarian, yet it sustains a diverse portfolio of specialized industries and geographically indicated agricultural products. The state is uniquely renowned for the commercial cultivation of the Shahi Litchi, Makhanas (fox nuts), and the Zardalu Mango. In the industrial sector, prominent establishments include the Barauni Refinery, which plays a crucial role in regional energy processing. The manufacturing landscape has also significantly expanded with major railway infrastructure, most notably the Rail Wheel Plant in Bela and the Electric Locomotive Factory in Madhepura.

Bihari cuisine reflects a rich tapestry of flavors, emphasizing seasonal ingredients and rustic cooking techniques. The most iconic culinary export is Litti Chokha, a wholesome dish of roasted wheat-flour balls stuffed with spiced sattu, served with mashed vegetables. Regional delicacies further define the palate, notably the Ahuna Mutton cooked in sealed earthen pots, the layered pastry Khaja of Silao, and the sesame-based Tilkut of Gaya. Traditional sweets like Thekua are central to both household consumption and ceremonial offerings.

Bihar's architectural landscape is a profound palimpsest of the ancient, medieval, and colonial eras.

• Ancient: The towering spire of the Mahabodhi Temple, the Cyclopean Wall of Rajgir, the sprawling ruins of the Nalanda University, and the monolithic Ashokan pillars.
• Medieval: The perfect Indo-Islamic symmetry of the Tomb of Sher Shah Suri, the impregnable Rohtasgarh Fort, and the serene Maner Sharif.
• Colonial & Modern: The unique dome of the Golghar granary, the Indo-Saracenic fusion of the Patna Museum, and the contemporary marvel of the Bihar Museum.