Saharsa
Encyclopedia
Saharsa is a city and a municipality
in the Saharsa district
in the India
n state
of Bihar
in north India
, east of the Kosi River. It is the administrative headquarters of the Saharsa District
, and is in the Kosi Division
. Sahrasa is also the name of the Parliamentary constituency, which contains the city and a major part of the district. The origin of the name Saharsa is unknown.
and also Bhagalpur Division
. Kosi Division
was formed 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 viz. Raghopur, Chhatapur, Basantpur and Nirmali which were previously under Supaul subdivision of this district. Two new districts Madhepura
& Supaul
have been formed from Saharsa district on 30 April 1981 and 1991. Saharsa district now consists of two subdivisions, viz. Saharsa Sadar and Simri Bakhtiarpur. The district consists of 10 development blocks and anchals each.
Saharsa was created on 1 April 1954. Formerly it had no independent status and parts of Saharsa were included in the old districts of Munger
& Bhagalpur
A large parts of the district in the past was subjected to annual floods and inundation by a host of rivers originating from the Himalayas. The sub terai was noted for rice cultivation before it was subjected to the vagaries of the unpredictable Koshi.
The district has been largely influenced by its geography. Whatever humans of historically important sites that may have existed here have been virtually started by the repeated flooding at the koshi
river during the last half century or so. With the efforts of some early Europeans however, some important historical objects or landmarks have been preserved in a few places and it is on the basis of these that some kind of a connected account of the early history of the district can be constructed.
Ancient Period
In ancient times Vaishali
was the strongest republic in North-Bihar and beyond that lay the famous territory of Anguttarap. There was a small Janpad, named Apna, in Anguttarap and it included a portion of the district of Shaharsa. Although it is not confirmed whether this was a republic it is certain that the people of this area were outside the influence of the Lichchhavis. Various sites of the district, now completely eroded and destroyed by the koshi
, viz. Biratpur, Budhiagarhi, Budhnaghat, Buddhadi, Pitahahi and Mathai are associated with Buddhism. Before the advent of Kosi in the district these sites supplied important materials, and during the district these sites supplied important materials, and during the period of erosion big buildings and huge construction which lay covered under them were noticed falling into the river. Local legends confirm that Lord Buddha
and Lord Mahavira
passed through the district during their missionary travels and delivered important sermons.
Both Anga
and North Bihar (including Shaharsa) continued to be independent till the early part of the sixth century B.C. For some time Magadha
remained an integral part of Anga
. But soon the prosperity of Anga declined. Bimbisara
, the king of Magadh, annexed Anga to his empire. Though Anga seems to have continued as an independent Janpad. This was the characteristic of the whole of north Bihar until it was finally conquered by Ajatashatru
. He finally defeated the Lichhavis and other independent republics of north Bihar and annexed the whole territory to the Kingdom of Magadha. The Magadh empire was growing rapidly and the whole of Bihar was brought under the sway of Magadhan rule by the Nandas
and Mauryas
.
In the first decade of this century a board of 58 punch marked coins of the Mauryan period was discovered from Gorhoghat. Later, the same type of coins were found at Patuaha by prof. R.K. Choudhary in 1956. He also came across some pieces of black polished ware near Mahishi and its surroundings. The Mauryan rule in this area stands firmly confirmed by a Mauryan pillar at Sikligarh on the Banmankhi-Forbesganj Road and another in the Kishanganj Police Station. Since Saharsa was a border district even in those days, the Mauryan rulers apparently took special care to guard its frontiers.
The Mauryans were supplanted by Sungas and Kanvas and there did not seem to have been major political change in the district. Whether the Kushans conquered this portion cannot be determined.
Between 320 and 1097 A.D.
Under the Guptas
(from 320 A.D.) the entire North Bihar was consolidated as a Tirbhukti (province) with its capital at Vaishali. Therefore, the forward province came to be known as Bhukti and the district came to be known as Vishaya. In North Bihar, there were two Bhuktis, viz. Tirabhukti (practically the whole of North Bihar) and Pundravardhanbhukti (included a portion of Saharsa, Purnia and a portion of North Bengal). The extent of Saharsa during the period under review was up to the confines of Pundravardhanbhukti which included some of its present area.
After the decline of the Guptas the political gap came to be utilised by all contemporary chiefs. Taking advantage of the situation the Varmans of Kamrup (Assam) extended their authority up to the confines of the Kosi. The rule of purnavarman over North Bihar included the present district of Saharsa. The rise of Harsha
in 7th century A.D. was an event of great importance. He brought under his sway the whole of Northern India. But the death of Harsha in 647 A.D. once again let loose the forces of disintegration.
The Palas of Bihar and Bengal
(8th century) A.D. gave a stable administration to the district. As South Bihar was pressed by the Kalchuris, the palas apparently shifted to North Bihar and Saharsa might have been their head quarters during the time of Vigraphapala-III. Quite a few villages in Saharsa district are associated with the names of pala rulers and it was through this district that the Palas could establish contact with Nepal. From the geographical point of view Saharsa was the most strategically suited from being the Jayaskandharar (temporary Capital) of the Palas at the time when they were surrounded on all sides by enemies.
Between 1097 and 1765 A.D.
The decline of the Pala authority in Bihar and Bengal was followed by the establishment of the Karnata in Mithila and the sena dynasties
in Bengal. Both the Kanrnatas and senas claimed authority over portion of Saharsa and often entered into armed conflict.
Nanyadeva, the first of the Karnatas, extended his influence from Champaran to Purnia. Probably, the two chiefs (Nanyadeva of the Karnatas dynasty and Vijay Sena of the Sena Dynasty) were allies who fell into disagreement over division of territory. The deopna inscription of Vijay Sena indicated that Nanyadeva was defeated and imprisoned some where in Supaul Sub division. It was Gangadeva, his son who liberated him. The sanokar inscription of vallalassena proves that his rule extended up to the district of Bhagalpur.
The two sons of Nanyadeva, Malladeva and Gangadeva apparently drove the senas further east as indicated by the setting up of Gangapur Ranani (named after Gangadeva) in pargana Nishanpur Kurha and Maldiha (named after Malladeva) on the Saharsa-Purnia border. The Village Malhad ‘near Supaul is also associated with Malladeva. Gangadeva was succeeded by Narasimha deva during whose reign Mithila and Nepal were separated.
Gradually, the Tughlaq authority in Mithila weakend. Haji Illyas of Bengal taking advantage of this situation invaded Tirhut and defeated its ruler. He divided the Tirhut kingdom into two parts. As a result of this division the district of Saharsa came under the control of Oinwara rulers. The most famous king of this line was shicasimha, who issued gold coins. Vidyapati the famous poet, lived under his patronage.
After the fall of oinwaras, there was virtual chaos. The Gandhaviya Rajputs are said to have acquired power and ruled during this period of confusion. Thei Gandha variya trace their descent from the ruling chiefs of thrhut. The whole district of Saharsa was dotted with small chief transships created both by the Hindus and the Muslims. Even in the early past of Mughal rule they could venture to oppose the central authority as Bihar and the Afghans were opposed to the establishment of Mughal authority. The Karranis and the Afghans, in collusion with the local Rajput rulers and petty chiefs had made this district the centre of revolt.
Raja Todarmal made the revenue settlement in Subah, Bihar in 1852. the very fact that most of the existing parganas of the district of Saharsa were assessed during the time of Akbar shows that the district had acquired administrative significance. During the course of the Mughal rule, the present district of Saharsa seems to have formed parts of Sarkar Tirhut, Sarkar Munger and Sarkar Purnia. The Muslim rule naturally had its influence on the life and culture of people. Some of the Rajput zamindars also became converts. The Muslims of Nawahatta circle in the district of Saharsa are said to have been originally Rajputs and their conversion in traced to the Mughal times. It is said that in 1654 Shahjehan bestowed the title of Raja on Kesri Sinha (Ancestor of sone-barsa Raj). Raja Fateh Singh of the same line is said to have sided with the East India Company against Mir Kasim
in the battle of Udhuanala in 1763.
In 1764 Saharsa passed with the rest of Bengal under the Control of East India company
. During the Independence Movement of 1857, the people in revolt remained unchecked by the administration of Purnia and Bhagalpur and they moved unchecked through the terai area. They were very active in different parts of the district of Saharsa which was in the midst of a great turmoil. Since then it continued to be an important centre for various kinds of Political agitations directed against the British administration.
Freedom Movement
The district of Saharsa played an important part in the Annie Besant
in 1917 and Satyagarah
Movement of Mahatma Gandhi in 1921 received widespread support in the district. In Saharsa, the freedom movement was led, among others, by Sarvashri Mahtal Lal Yadava, Shivanandan Mandal, Nand Kishore Chaudhary, Rajendra Mishra, Ram Bahadur Sinha, Yadunanadan Jha, Lakshman Lal Das'Kalakar' and Rajendra Lal Das. Supaul and Madhepura Jails were full of Political prisoners. Thana Bihpur (in Bhagalpur district) was the scene of great activity where Dr. Rajendra Prasad was bitterly beaten by the police and the people of Saharsa were much agitated over this. Picketing tool place all over the district with full Vigour. The Period between 1930 and 1942 was marked by various Kisan agitations all over the district fro Bakast lands.
The August revolution of 1947 formed a landmark in the history of the freedom movement in Saharsa district too. On the 29th of August, there was police firing at Saharsa and a number of persons were killed. After his escape from the Hazaribagh Jail in 1942 Sri Jay Prakash Narayan
visited Saharsa district on his way to Nepal
.
Sri Siyaram Singh of Bhagalpur formed Siyaramdal which had its branches in different parts the district of Saharsa in December 1942. Sri Siyaram Singh met Sri Jaya Prakash Narayan in Nepal where a conference on the works of Bihar was held under the presidency of Shri Shivanandan Mandal.
The district played a prominent role in the subsequent events which continued till the country’s independence.
Saharsa and its surrounding areas are a flat alluvial plain forming part of the Kosi
river basin. This makes the land very fertile. However, frequent changes in the course of the Kosi, one of the largest tributaries of the Ganges, http://ponce.sdsu.edu/kosi_river_india.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/apr2001/essay2.html have led to soil erosion. Flooding is a major reason for the poor connectivity of the area as bridge
s tend to get washed away. Major flooding occurs almost annually, causing a significant loss of life and property. The famous conversation between Mandan Mishra and Shankracharya took place in Mahishi in Saharsa.
In Sahara district, the main problems of the people are poverty, unemployment, and literacy. After the Kosi flood in 2008, problems of the people have been increased.
This is the most devastating river of Bihar and it earns the epithet "Sorrow of Bihar".
Baghmati is also notorious for its breach of embankments & frequently changing its meandering courses. Therefore here the river is in its youth stage where annual rate of deposition of alluvium is very high.
, Saharsa had a population of 124,015. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Saharsa has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than the national average of 64.4%: male literacy is 66%(national average:75.6%), and female literacy is 48%(national average:54.2%). In Saharsa, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.kahra and Bangaon has a very important contribution in entire sectoral development of Saharsa.
List of Block & Village
Blocks
1.Satar Kataiya
(Village of Satar Kataiya)
1. Agwanpur
2. Aran
3. Baghi urf Bhaluasukhasan
4. Baijnathpur
5. Balhapatti Arazi
6. Bara Map of Bara
7. Barahser
8. Bela
9. Bhuswarh Dih
10. Bijalpur
11. BIshunpur(appertaining to)Ga.B
12. Dahaha Badh
13. Gandaul
14. Gangaura Behra
15. Gobargarha urf jarsain
16. Hasa Hakpur
17. Kandaha
18. Kharik Badh
19. Lachhminia(appertaining to)ga.
20. Laukahi(appertaining to)Ga.Bra
21. Makuna
22. Matiari Badh
23. Murli
24. Nandlali
25. Pachgachhia
26. Padumpur
27. Panidaha
28. Patori
29. Pipra
30. Purikh
31. Rakeapatti
32. Rohua
33. Sadhua Badh
34. Sattar
35. Shahpur
36. Sihaul
37. Sisai
38. Tulsiahipatti
39. Tuniahi
40. Ukahi
2.Banma Itahri
(Village of Banma Itahri)
1. Afzalpur
2. Badshah Nagar
3. Deokal
4. Ghordaur
5. Hath Mandal
6. Itahri
7. Jamal Nagar
8. Kasimpur
9. Khorasan
10. Kusmhi
11. Lalpur
12. Maharas
13. Murli
14. Rasalpur
15. Sahuria
16. Sarbela
17. Shamsuddinpur
18. Sugma
3.Kahara
4.Mahishi
5.Nauhatta
6.Patarghat
7.Salkhua
8.Saur Bazar
(VILLAGE OF SOUR BAZAR)
1.Ttiri
2.Barahi
3.Bhagwanpur
4.Chakla
5.Dhanchhoha
6.Laxhminia
7.Padampura
8.Babhni
9.Baijnathpur
10.Khajuri
11.Gamharia
12.baijnathpur
13.Sapaha
14.musharnia
15.Thangha
9.Simri Bakhtiarpur
10.Sonbarsa
and Purnia
List of National Highways in India. The rural road network is in need of improvement.
Sahrsa does not have public transportation links by air (there is an air strip reserved for government use but no commercial flights exist) or waterways, but train connections can be made. It is connected to Kolkata by a direct train, the "Hate Bazaare Express". In early 2006, a much awaited broad gauge
line connected it to Khagaria
on the New Delhi
-Guwahati
main line. In early 2006, a weekly train was started to connect it to the national capital, New Delhi
. In October 2006, a low-fare completely air-conditioned weekly train, christened the "Garib Rath" (Poor's Chariot), has been started to connect Saharsa to Amritsar
, with much fanfare. Earlier there was only a metre gauge line on the Khagaria - Mansi - Saharsa - Forbesganj section of East Central railway.
The city is also served by India Post. Its Postal Code is: 852201.
Landline telephone services have been augmented by cellular services; the quality deteriorates as one moves away from the city centre. Internet connectivity is still very basic: a few cyber cafes provide limited broadband service, and internet service in private homes is only beginning. Mobile services are working up to the rural areas, leading mobile companies like, Airtel, Reliance, Tata, BSNL, Aircel, Vodafone, Idea, Smart are working here.
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
in the Saharsa district
Saharsa District
Saharsa is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar, India. Saharsa town is the administrative headquarters of this district. Saharsa district is a part of a larger territory, the Kosi Division and it became a district on 1 April 1954 and subsequently has become smaller with other districts being...
in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
in north India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, east of the Kosi River. It is the administrative headquarters of the Saharsa District
Saharsa District
Saharsa is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar, India. Saharsa town is the administrative headquarters of this district. Saharsa district is a part of a larger territory, the Kosi Division and it became a district on 1 April 1954 and subsequently has become smaller with other districts being...
, and is in the Kosi Division
Kosi Division
Kosi division is an administrative geographical unit of Bihar state of India. Saharsa is the administrative headquarters of the division. Currently , the division consists of Saharsa district, Madhepura district, and Supaul district....
. Sahrasa is also the name of the Parliamentary constituency, which contains the city and a major part of the district. The origin of the name Saharsa is unknown.
History
Earlier Saharsa district was within Munger DistrictMunger District
Munger district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state in eastern India. Munger town is the administrative headquarters of this district. Munger district is a part of Munger Division. Its literacy rate of 73.3% is higher than the state literacy rate of 63.8% and lower than national...
and also Bhagalpur Division
Bhagalpur Division
Bhagalpur division is an administrative geographical unit of Bihar state of India, with Bhagalpur as the administrative headquarters of the division. , the division consists of Bhagalpur District, and Banka District.-See also:...
. Kosi Division
Kosi Division
Kosi division is an administrative geographical unit of Bihar state of India. Saharsa is the administrative headquarters of the division. Currently , the division consists of Saharsa district, Madhepura district, and Supaul district....
was formed on 2 October 1972, comprising Saharsa
Saharsa District
Saharsa is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar, India. Saharsa town is the administrative headquarters of this district. Saharsa district is a part of a larger territory, the Kosi Division and it became a district on 1 April 1954 and subsequently has become smaller with other districts being...
, Purnia
Purnia District
Purnia district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India. The town of Purnia is the administrative headquarters of this district.Purnia district is a part of Purnia Division...
and Katihar district
Katihar District
Katihar district is one of the thirty-seven districts of Bihar state, India, and Katihar town is the administrative headquarters of this district...
, with its headquarters at Saharsa. Similarly a new Civil Sub-Division Birpur was created on 1 December 1972, consisting of 24 development blocks viz. Raghopur, Chhatapur, Basantpur and Nirmali which were previously under Supaul subdivision of this district. Two new districts Madhepura
Madhepura District
Madhepura district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India, and Madhepura town is the administrative headquarters of this district. Madhepura district is a part of Kosi division.-History:...
& Supaul
Supaul District
Supaul district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India, and Supaul town is the administrative headquarters of this district. This district occupies an area of...
have been formed from Saharsa district on 30 April 1981 and 1991. Saharsa district now consists of two subdivisions, viz. Saharsa Sadar and Simri Bakhtiarpur. The district consists of 10 development blocks and anchals each.
Saharsa was created on 1 April 1954. Formerly it had no independent status and parts of Saharsa were included in the old districts of Munger
Munger District
Munger district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state in eastern India. Munger town is the administrative headquarters of this district. Munger district is a part of Munger Division. Its literacy rate of 73.3% is higher than the state literacy rate of 63.8% and lower than national...
& Bhagalpur
Bhagalpur District
Bhagalpur district is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India, and Bhagalpur town is the administrative headquarters of this district.-Geography:...
A large parts of the district in the past was subjected to annual floods and inundation by a host of rivers originating from the Himalayas. The sub terai was noted for rice cultivation before it was subjected to the vagaries of the unpredictable Koshi.
The district has been largely influenced by its geography. Whatever humans of historically important sites that may have existed here have been virtually started by the repeated flooding at the koshi
Koshi River
The Kosi River or Koshi —also Saptakoshi for its seven Himalayan tributaries—is a trans-boundary river flowing through Nepal and India. Some of the rivers of the Koshi system, such as the Arun, the Sun Kosi and the Bhote Koshi, originate in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China...
river during the last half century or so. With the efforts of some early Europeans however, some important historical objects or landmarks have been preserved in a few places and it is on the basis of these that some kind of a connected account of the early history of the district can be constructed.
Ancient Period
In ancient times Vaishali
Vaishali
Vaishali may refer to:* Vaishali , an ancient city located in current Vaishali District, Bihar, India* Vaishali district, a district in Bihar, India* Vaishali , a Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar, India...
was the strongest republic in North-Bihar and beyond that lay the famous territory of Anguttarap. There was a small Janpad, named Apna, in Anguttarap and it included a portion of the district of Shaharsa. Although it is not confirmed whether this was a republic it is certain that the people of this area were outside the influence of the Lichchhavis. Various sites of the district, now completely eroded and destroyed by the koshi
Koshi River
The Kosi River or Koshi —also Saptakoshi for its seven Himalayan tributaries—is a trans-boundary river flowing through Nepal and India. Some of the rivers of the Koshi system, such as the Arun, the Sun Kosi and the Bhote Koshi, originate in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China...
, viz. Biratpur, Budhiagarhi, Budhnaghat, Buddhadi, Pitahahi and Mathai are associated with Buddhism. Before the advent of Kosi in the district these sites supplied important materials, and during the district these sites supplied important materials, and during the period of erosion big buildings and huge construction which lay covered under them were noticed falling into the river. Local legends confirm that Lord Buddha
Gautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
and Lord Mahavira
Mahavira
Mahāvīra is the name most commonly used to refer to the Indian sage Vardhamāna who established what are today considered to be the central tenets of Jainism. According to Jain tradition, he was the 24th and the last Tirthankara. In Tamil, he is referred to as Arukaṉ or Arukadevan...
passed through the district during their missionary travels and delivered important sermons.
Both Anga
Anga
Anga was a kingdom that flourished on the eastern Indian subcontinent in the 6th century BCE until taken over by Magadha in the same century. Counted among the "sixteen great nations" in Buddhist texts like the Anguttara Nikaya, Anga also finds mention in the Jain Vyakhyaprajnapti’s list of...
and North Bihar (including Shaharsa) continued to be independent till the early part of the sixth century B.C. For some time Magadha
Magadha
Magadha formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas or kingdoms in ancient India. The core of the kingdom was the area of Bihar south of the Ganga; its first capital was Rajagriha then Pataliputra...
remained an integral part of Anga
Anga
Anga was a kingdom that flourished on the eastern Indian subcontinent in the 6th century BCE until taken over by Magadha in the same century. Counted among the "sixteen great nations" in Buddhist texts like the Anguttara Nikaya, Anga also finds mention in the Jain Vyakhyaprajnapti’s list of...
. But soon the prosperity of Anga declined. Bimbisara
Bimbisara
Bimbisara was a King, and later, Emperor of the Magadha empire from 543 BC to his death and belonged to the Hariyanka dynasty.-Career:There are many accounts of Bimbisara in the Jain texts and the Buddhist Jatakas, since he was a contemporary of Mahavira and Gautama Buddha. He was the king of...
, the king of Magadh, annexed Anga to his empire. Though Anga seems to have continued as an independent Janpad. This was the characteristic of the whole of north Bihar until it was finally conquered by Ajatashatru
Ajatashatru
Ajatasatru was a king of the Magadha empire in north India. He was the son of King Bimbisara, the Great Monarch of Magadha. He was contemporary to Mahavira and Buddha. He took over the kingdom of Magadha from his father forcefully by imprisoning him...
. He finally defeated the Lichhavis and other independent republics of north Bihar and annexed the whole territory to the Kingdom of Magadha. The Magadh empire was growing rapidly and the whole of Bihar was brought under the sway of Magadhan rule by the Nandas
Nanda Dynasty
The Nanda Empire originated from the region of Magadha in Ancient India during the 5th and 4th centuries BC. At its greatest extent, the Nanda Empire extended from Bengal in the east, to Punjab in the west and as far south as the Vindhya Range...
and Mauryas
Maurya Empire
The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power in ancient India, ruled by the Mauryan dynasty from 321 to 185 BC...
.
In the first decade of this century a board of 58 punch marked coins of the Mauryan period was discovered from Gorhoghat. Later, the same type of coins were found at Patuaha by prof. R.K. Choudhary in 1956. He also came across some pieces of black polished ware near Mahishi and its surroundings. The Mauryan rule in this area stands firmly confirmed by a Mauryan pillar at Sikligarh on the Banmankhi-Forbesganj Road and another in the Kishanganj Police Station. Since Saharsa was a border district even in those days, the Mauryan rulers apparently took special care to guard its frontiers.
The Mauryans were supplanted by Sungas and Kanvas and there did not seem to have been major political change in the district. Whether the Kushans conquered this portion cannot be determined.
Between 320 and 1097 A.D.
Under the Guptas
Gupta Empire
The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire which existed approximately from 320 to 550 CE and covered much of the Indian Subcontinent. Founded by Maharaja Sri-Gupta, the dynasty was the model of a classical civilization. The peace and prosperity created under leadership of Guptas enabled the...
(from 320 A.D.) the entire North Bihar was consolidated as a Tirbhukti (province) with its capital at Vaishali. Therefore, the forward province came to be known as Bhukti and the district came to be known as Vishaya. In North Bihar, there were two Bhuktis, viz. Tirabhukti (practically the whole of North Bihar) and Pundravardhanbhukti (included a portion of Saharsa, Purnia and a portion of North Bengal). The extent of Saharsa during the period under review was up to the confines of Pundravardhanbhukti which included some of its present area.
After the decline of the Guptas the political gap came to be utilised by all contemporary chiefs. Taking advantage of the situation the Varmans of Kamrup (Assam) extended their authority up to the confines of the Kosi. The rule of purnavarman over North Bihar included the present district of Saharsa. The rise of Harsha
Harsha
Harsha or Harsha Vardhana or Harshvardhan was an Indian emperor who ruled northern India from 606 to 647 AD. He was the son of Prabhakara Vardhana and younger brother of Rajya Vardhana, a king of Thanesar, Haryana...
in 7th century A.D. was an event of great importance. He brought under his sway the whole of Northern India. But the death of Harsha in 647 A.D. once again let loose the forces of disintegration.
The Palas of Bihar and Bengal
Pala Empire
The Pāla Empire was one of the major middle kingdoms of India existed from 750–1174 CE. It was ruled by a Buddhist dynasty from Bengal in the eastern region of the Indian subcontinent, all the rulers bearing names ending with the suffix Pala , which means protector. The Palas were often described...
(8th century) A.D. gave a stable administration to the district. As South Bihar was pressed by the Kalchuris, the palas apparently shifted to North Bihar and Saharsa might have been their head quarters during the time of Vigraphapala-III. Quite a few villages in Saharsa district are associated with the names of pala rulers and it was through this district that the Palas could establish contact with Nepal. From the geographical point of view Saharsa was the most strategically suited from being the Jayaskandharar (temporary Capital) of the Palas at the time when they were surrounded on all sides by enemies.
Between 1097 and 1765 A.D.
The decline of the Pala authority in Bihar and Bengal was followed by the establishment of the Karnata in Mithila and the sena dynasties
Sena dynasty
The Sena Empire was a Hindu dynasty that ruled from Bengal through the 11th and 12th centuries. At its peak the empire covered much of the north-eastern region in the Indian Subcontinent. They were called Brahma-Kshatriyas, as evidenced through their surname, which is derived from the Sanskrit,...
in Bengal. Both the Kanrnatas and senas claimed authority over portion of Saharsa and often entered into armed conflict.
Nanyadeva, the first of the Karnatas, extended his influence from Champaran to Purnia. Probably, the two chiefs (Nanyadeva of the Karnatas dynasty and Vijay Sena of the Sena Dynasty) were allies who fell into disagreement over division of territory. The deopna inscription of Vijay Sena indicated that Nanyadeva was defeated and imprisoned some where in Supaul Sub division. It was Gangadeva, his son who liberated him. The sanokar inscription of vallalassena proves that his rule extended up to the district of Bhagalpur.
The two sons of Nanyadeva, Malladeva and Gangadeva apparently drove the senas further east as indicated by the setting up of Gangapur Ranani (named after Gangadeva) in pargana Nishanpur Kurha and Maldiha (named after Malladeva) on the Saharsa-Purnia border. The Village Malhad ‘near Supaul is also associated with Malladeva. Gangadeva was succeeded by Narasimha deva during whose reign Mithila and Nepal were separated.
Gradually, the Tughlaq authority in Mithila weakend. Haji Illyas of Bengal taking advantage of this situation invaded Tirhut and defeated its ruler. He divided the Tirhut kingdom into two parts. As a result of this division the district of Saharsa came under the control of Oinwara rulers. The most famous king of this line was shicasimha, who issued gold coins. Vidyapati the famous poet, lived under his patronage.
After the fall of oinwaras, there was virtual chaos. The Gandhaviya Rajputs are said to have acquired power and ruled during this period of confusion. Thei Gandha variya trace their descent from the ruling chiefs of thrhut. The whole district of Saharsa was dotted with small chief transships created both by the Hindus and the Muslims. Even in the early past of Mughal rule they could venture to oppose the central authority as Bihar and the Afghans were opposed to the establishment of Mughal authority. The Karranis and the Afghans, in collusion with the local Rajput rulers and petty chiefs had made this district the centre of revolt.
Raja Todarmal made the revenue settlement in Subah, Bihar in 1852. the very fact that most of the existing parganas of the district of Saharsa were assessed during the time of Akbar shows that the district had acquired administrative significance. During the course of the Mughal rule, the present district of Saharsa seems to have formed parts of Sarkar Tirhut, Sarkar Munger and Sarkar Purnia. The Muslim rule naturally had its influence on the life and culture of people. Some of the Rajput zamindars also became converts. The Muslims of Nawahatta circle in the district of Saharsa are said to have been originally Rajputs and their conversion in traced to the Mughal times. It is said that in 1654 Shahjehan bestowed the title of Raja on Kesri Sinha (Ancestor of sone-barsa Raj). Raja Fateh Singh of the same line is said to have sided with the East India Company against Mir Kasim
Mir Qasim
Mir Qasim was Nawab of Bengal from 1760 to 1764. He was installed as Nawab by the British East India Company replacing Mir Jafar, his father-in-law, who had himself been installed by the British after his role in the Battle of Plassey...
in the battle of Udhuanala in 1763.
In 1764 Saharsa passed with the rest of Bengal under the Control of East India company
East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
. During the Independence Movement of 1857, the people in revolt remained unchecked by the administration of Purnia and Bhagalpur and they moved unchecked through the terai area. They were very active in different parts of the district of Saharsa which was in the midst of a great turmoil. Since then it continued to be an important centre for various kinds of Political agitations directed against the British administration.
Freedom Movement
The district of Saharsa played an important part in the Annie Besant
Annie Besant
Annie Besant was a prominent British Theosophist, women's rights activist, writer and orator and supporter of Irish and Indian self rule.She was married at 19 to Frank Besant but separated from him over religious differences. She then became a prominent speaker for the National Secular Society ...
in 1917 and Satyagarah
Satyagraha
Satyagraha , loosely translated as "insistence on truth satya agraha soul force" or "truth force" is a particular philosophy and practice within the broader overall category generally known as nonviolent resistance or civil resistance. The term "satyagraha" was conceived and developed by Mahatma...
Movement of Mahatma Gandhi in 1921 received widespread support in the district. In Saharsa, the freedom movement was led, among others, by Sarvashri Mahtal Lal Yadava, Shivanandan Mandal, Nand Kishore Chaudhary, Rajendra Mishra, Ram Bahadur Sinha, Yadunanadan Jha, Lakshman Lal Das'Kalakar' and Rajendra Lal Das. Supaul and Madhepura Jails were full of Political prisoners. Thana Bihpur (in Bhagalpur district) was the scene of great activity where Dr. Rajendra Prasad was bitterly beaten by the police and the people of Saharsa were much agitated over this. Picketing tool place all over the district with full Vigour. The Period between 1930 and 1942 was marked by various Kisan agitations all over the district fro Bakast lands.
The August revolution of 1947 formed a landmark in the history of the freedom movement in Saharsa district too. On the 29th of August, there was police firing at Saharsa and a number of persons were killed. After his escape from the Hazaribagh Jail in 1942 Sri Jay Prakash Narayan
Jayaprakash Narayan
Jayaprakash Narayan , widely known as JP Narayan, Jayaprakash, or Loknayak, was an Indian independence activist and political leader, remembered especially for leading the opposition to Indira Gandhi in the 1970s and for giving a call for peaceful Total Revolution...
visited Saharsa district on his way to Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
.
Sri Siyaram Singh of Bhagalpur formed Siyaramdal which had its branches in different parts the district of Saharsa in December 1942. Sri Siyaram Singh met Sri Jaya Prakash Narayan in Nepal where a conference on the works of Bihar was held under the presidency of Shri Shivanandan Mandal.
The district played a prominent role in the subsequent events which continued till the country’s independence.
Philanthropy
Saharsa has witnessed several philanthropic activities by its sons. Rai Saheb Manohar Lal Tekriwal,landlord & businessman(Grandfather of Sri Shankar Prasad Tekriwal,former state minister) donated several bighas to establish Manohar High School, Manohar Lal Tekriwal College(formerly Saharsa College) and later Ravinandan Memorial Law College. Pandit Rajendra Mishra,freedomfighter(Uncle of Late Lalit Narayan Mishra,former Central Minister & Dr.Jagannath Mishra,former Central Minister as well as former CM of Bihar) established Rajendra Mishra College. Late Ramesh Chandra Jha(former state minister) established Ramesh Jha Mahila College. Contractors Sarva Narayan Singh and Ram Kumar Singh established S.N.S.R.K.S. College. Late Lakshman Lal Das 'Kalakar',a staunch Gandhian Freedom Fighter(Also founder and lifetime undefeated Mukhiya of Gram Panchayat Patory of Sattar Kataiya Block in Saharsa Sadar Sub-Division) along with his wife Smt.Durga Devi and friend Late Bhuvaneshwar Prasad Verma established SEVASHRAM(on the lines of SEVAGRAM,WARDHA) during Quit India Movement. In post independence era this SEVASHRAM became the halting center of promininet leaders like Acharya Vinoba Bhave during Bhudan Movement and an activity center during Emergency. To continue the glory of the place Sri Kalakar, later established Middle School and Devi Sanskrit Balika Uchha Vidyalaya in the same vicinity, which apart from imparting knowledge, are spreading the message of Peace,Non-violence & Gandhian Philosophies.Geography
Saharsa is located at 25.88°N 86.6°EFalling Rain Genomics, Inc - Saharsa. It has an average elevation of 41 metres (134 feet).Saharsa and its surrounding areas are a flat alluvial plain forming part of the Kosi
Koshi River
The Kosi River or Koshi —also Saptakoshi for its seven Himalayan tributaries—is a trans-boundary river flowing through Nepal and India. Some of the rivers of the Koshi system, such as the Arun, the Sun Kosi and the Bhote Koshi, originate in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China...
river basin. This makes the land very fertile. However, frequent changes in the course of the Kosi, one of the largest tributaries of the Ganges, http://ponce.sdsu.edu/kosi_river_india.htmlhttp://www.himalmag.com/apr2001/essay2.html have led to soil erosion. Flooding is a major reason for the poor connectivity of the area as bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
s tend to get washed away. Major flooding occurs almost annually, causing a significant loss of life and property. The famous conversation between Mandan Mishra and Shankracharya took place in Mahishi in Saharsa.
In Sahara district, the main problems of the people are poverty, unemployment, and literacy. After the Kosi flood in 2008, problems of the people have been increased.
Rivers
- KosiKoshi RiverThe Kosi River or Koshi —also Saptakoshi for its seven Himalayan tributaries—is a trans-boundary river flowing through Nepal and India. Some of the rivers of the Koshi system, such as the Arun, the Sun Kosi and the Bhote Koshi, originate in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China...
and its tributaries http://disc.gsfc.nasa.gov/geomorphology/GEO_4/GEO_PLATE_F-19.HTML
This is the most devastating river of Bihar and it earns the epithet "Sorrow of Bihar".
- Bagmati
Baghmati is also notorious for its breach of embankments & frequently changing its meandering courses. Therefore here the river is in its youth stage where annual rate of deposition of alluvium is very high.
Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Saharsa had a population of 124,015. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Saharsa has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than the national average of 64.4%: male literacy is 66%(national average:75.6%), and female literacy is 48%(national average:54.2%). In Saharsa, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.kahra and Bangaon has a very important contribution in entire sectoral development of Saharsa.
List of Block & Village
Blocks
1.Satar Kataiya
(Village of Satar Kataiya)
1. Agwanpur
2. Aran
3. Baghi urf Bhaluasukhasan
4. Baijnathpur
5. Balhapatti Arazi
6. Bara Map of Bara
7. Barahser
8. Bela
9. Bhuswarh Dih
10. Bijalpur
11. BIshunpur(appertaining to)Ga.B
12. Dahaha Badh
13. Gandaul
14. Gangaura Behra
15. Gobargarha urf jarsain
16. Hasa Hakpur
17. Kandaha
18. Kharik Badh
19. Lachhminia(appertaining to)ga.
20. Laukahi(appertaining to)Ga.Bra
21. Makuna
22. Matiari Badh
23. Murli
24. Nandlali
25. Pachgachhia
26. Padumpur
27. Panidaha
28. Patori
29. Pipra
30. Purikh
31. Rakeapatti
32. Rohua
33. Sadhua Badh
34. Sattar
35. Shahpur
36. Sihaul
37. Sisai
38. Tulsiahipatti
39. Tuniahi
40. Ukahi
2.Banma Itahri
(Village of Banma Itahri)
1. Afzalpur
2. Badshah Nagar
3. Deokal
4. Ghordaur
5. Hath Mandal
6. Itahri
7. Jamal Nagar
8. Kasimpur
9. Khorasan
10. Kusmhi
11. Lalpur
12. Maharas
13. Murli
14. Rasalpur
15. Sahuria
16. Sarbela
17. Shamsuddinpur
18. Sugma
3.Kahara
4.Mahishi
5.Nauhatta
6.Patarghat
7.Salkhua
8.Saur Bazar
(VILLAGE OF SOUR BAZAR)
1.Ttiri
2.Barahi
3.Bhagwanpur
4.Chakla
5.Dhanchhoha
6.Laxhminia
7.Padampura
8.Babhni
9.Baijnathpur
10.Khajuri
11.Gamharia
12.baijnathpur
13.Sapaha
14.musharnia
15.Thangha
9.Simri Bakhtiarpur
10.Sonbarsa
Agriculture
- Food Crop: PaddyRiceRice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
- Cash Crop: MakhanaEuryale feroxEuryale ferox is the only species in the genus Euryale. It is a flowering plant classified in the water lily family, Nymphaeaceae, although it is occasionally regarded as a distinct family Euryalaceae...
(Euryale ferox Salisb) http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/Lake2002abs/ses124.html - Mango
- Mustard
- Corn
- Wheat
Industry
- BrickBrickA brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
production.Saharsa is one of the biggest brick producing HUB in entire kosi area. - Corn Product Corn product are getting manufactured at Maa Katyani Industry.
- JuteJuteJute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fibre that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is produced from plants in the genus Corchorus, which has been classified in the family Tiliaceae, or more recently in Malvaceae....
Factory - SoapSoapIn chemistry, soap is a salt of a fatty acid.IUPAC. "" Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. . Compiled by A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford . XML on-line corrected version: created by M. Nic, J. Jirat, B. Kosata; updates compiled by A. Jenkins. ISBN...
Factory - ChocolateChocolateChocolate is a raw or processed food produced from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. Cacao has been cultivated for at least three millennia in Mexico, Central and South America. Its earliest documented use is around 1100 BC...
Factory - BiscuitBiscuitA biscuit is a baked, edible, and commonly flour-based product. The term is used to apply to two distinctly different products in North America and the Commonwealth Nations....
Factory - Proposed Paper Mill(Baijnathpur)
Communication Links
Saharsa is connected by railway and roadways to other major towns in Bihar. National Highway NH 107 connects it to MaheshkhuntMaheshkhunt
-Location:National Highway 107 starts at Maheshkhunt. Nearest airport is Patna Airport....
and Purnia
Purnia
Purnia is a city and a Municipal Corporation in Purnia district of the Indian state of Bihar. It is located 400 km from Patna.The Indian army, Border Security Force ,and the SSB and the have bases around the city...
List of National Highways in India. The rural road network is in need of improvement.
Sahrsa does not have public transportation links by air (there is an air strip reserved for government use but no commercial flights exist) or waterways, but train connections can be made. It is connected to Kolkata by a direct train, the "Hate Bazaare Express". In early 2006, a much awaited broad gauge
Broad gauge
Broad-gauge railways use a track gauge greater than the standard gauge of .- List :For list see: List of broad gauges, by gauge and country- History :...
line connected it to Khagaria
Khagaria
Khagaria is a city in India, and the administrative headquarter of Khagaria district. Khagaria is a part of Munger division. The town has a major railway junction on the Barauni Guwahati section of the Indian Railways. National Highway 31 which connects rest of the India to North Eastern region...
on the New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
-Guwahati
Guwahati
Guwahati, Pragjyotishpura in ancient Assam formerly known as Gauhati is a metropolis,the largest city of Assam in India and ancient urban area in North East India, with a population of 963,429. It is also the largest metropolitan area in north-eastern India...
main line. In early 2006, a weekly train was started to connect it to the national capital, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
. In October 2006, a low-fare completely air-conditioned weekly train, christened the "Garib Rath" (Poor's Chariot), has been started to connect Saharsa to Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
, with much fanfare. Earlier there was only a metre gauge line on the Khagaria - Mansi - Saharsa - Forbesganj section of East Central railway.
The city is also served by India Post. Its Postal Code is: 852201.
Landline telephone services have been augmented by cellular services; the quality deteriorates as one moves away from the city centre. Internet connectivity is still very basic: a few cyber cafes provide limited broadband service, and internet service in private homes is only beginning. Mobile services are working up to the rural areas, leading mobile companies like, Airtel, Reliance, Tata, BSNL, Aircel, Vodafone, Idea, Smart are working here.
Language and Culture
- MaithiliMaithili languageMaithili language is spoken in the eastern region of India and South-eastern region of Nepal. The native speakers of Maithili reside in Bihar, Jharkhand,parts of West Bengal and South-east Nepal...
- HindiHindiStandard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
- Angika
- UrduUrduUrdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
- EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
Colleges
- 1. Manohar Lal Tekriwal College(formerly Saharsa College)
- 2. Rajendra Mishra College
- 3. Ramesh Jha Mahila College
- 4. S.N.S.R.K.S. College
- 5. NIIT Saharsa Centre, Purab Bazar
- 6.
- 7. Maharaja Harivallabh Singh Memorial College ,Sonbarsa
- 8. Muskan Computer Centre(M.C.C),Near Kapsiya House,Gautam Nagar,Jay Hind More,saharsa
Schools
- 1. Zila School Saharsa
- 2. Zila Girl School Saharsa
- 3. Manohar High School, Saharsa
- 4. Indian High School, Kayasth Tola, Chitragupta Nagar.
- 5. Tuition Bureau Residential School, Gautam Nagar, Gangjala, Saharsa.
- 6. Kid Care , Kayasth Tola, Chitragupta Nagar.
- 7. Jawahar Navodaya vidyalaya
- 8. Veer Kunwar singh high school
- 9. Jail Colony High School
- 10. Kalawati High School
- 11. Kendriya Vidyalaya Saharsa
- 12. Middle School,Udainagar,Bahuarva
- 13. Simribakhtiyar Pur High School
- 14. Islamia High School, Simribakhtiyarpur
- 15. Chakbharo High School,Simribakhtiyarpur
- 16. Senior Basic School, Hati
- 17.Bhagirath High School (Chainpur)
- 18.Gopal middle school(parri)
- 19. St. Xavier's School, Islamiya Chowk, Saharsa
- 20.GREEN FIELD SCHOOL, MANAS NAGAR WEST HATIYA GACHHI SAHARSA. CONTACT:- 9835497736, 8051617243
- 21.Shri Navkumar Singh High School Lagma
- 22.Maa Gayatri School Sahapur Bazar.
- 23. Benevolent Global Public School, Saharsa Basti, Saharsa (BGPS Web Site)
- 24.Girls high school,Simribakhtiyarpur
- 25.Butchan shah High School,Gandhi Path
- 26.Primary School Hussainchak
- 27.Koshi Convent Academy, Naya Bazar, Saharsa
- 28.Jay Pratap Singh Public School, Meera Cinema Road, Saharsa
- 29.darjelling Public School, Tiwary Tola, Saharsa
- 30.Play and learn school, kayasth tola, Saharsa
- 31.Nehru Academy, Vidyapati Nagar, Saharsa.
- 32.S.S High School Nowhatta
- 33.The Gurukul Education Complex (Meer Tola) Saharsa