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Bhagalpur

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This article is about the municipality in India. For its namesake district, see Bhagalpur district.
Bhagalpur
भागलपुर
Metropolitan City
Ghantaghar,Bhagalpur
Ghantaghar,Bhagalpur
Nickname: 
Silk City
CountryIndia
StateBihar
DistrictBhagalpur
Urban AgglomerationBhagalpur
Municipal CorporationBhagalpur Municipal Corporation
Government
 • MayorDeepak Bhuwania (JD(U))
Area
 • Total110 km2 (40 sq mi)
 • Rank2nd
Population
 (2011)
 • Total422,537
DemonymBhagalpurites
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Postal Index Number
812 xxx
STD Code0641
Vehicle registrationBR 10 XXXX
Websitebhagalpur.bih.nic.in

Bhagalpur is a city and a Municipal Corporation situated on the southern bank of the river Ganges in the Indian state of Bihar. It is the second prominent city of Bihar after Patna and largest city of Eastern Bihar. and covers an area of 110 km2 and lies between 25.07°N - 25.30°N latitude and between 86.37°E - 87.30°E longitude.

Bhagalpur has registered an average annual population growth of 3.72%, from 2006 to 2010. It is the administrative headquarters of the Bhagalpur district and Bhagalpur Division.

The city is situated 220 km east of Patna and 60 km east of Munger.

The city was referred to as one of the biggest trade centers in Eastern India by the 7th century Chinese travellers Hsüan-tsang and Fa-Hien. The city had a big harbour on the River Ganges at place called Champanagar, now called Champanala, which flows on the western boundary of the present city near Nathnagar. During an archaeological excavation, many boats and coins of the Middle and Far East were found at the same place. Bhagalpur is well connected by rails and roadways.

The silk industry in the city is hundreds of years old producing Tussar Silk and Tussar Saree, and Bhagalpur is known in India as the "Silk City". Located here are the Silk Institute and Agricultural University.

Other education facilities include the Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur College of Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, T.N.B.Law College and Homeopathic colleges. In 2010, Bihar Agricultural University was set up in Sabour, Bhagalpur.

The Gangetic plains surrounding the city are very fertile and the main crops include rice, wheat, maize, barley, and oilseeds. The economy of Bhagalpur is dependent mainly on agriculture and small businesses. The river is home to the Gangetic dolphin, the National Aquatic Animal of India,[1] which is found in Ganga Basin and the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is established near the town.

Origins of the name Bhagalpur

Bhagalpur is the distorted form of Bhagdatpuram (meaning city of Good Luck) as it was called during the flourishing of the Anga Kingdom.

History

It is supposed to have concurrent to Patliputra or Patna. Bhagdattpuram fin the gods to churn the ocean to procure amrit. The serpent, Vasuki offered to serve as the rope and has left behind an impression of the coil on the granite hill. It is believed that Panchjanya, the conch shell used in the Mahabharat was discovered here in the "Shankh Kund". The Puranas also refer to the hill. It is believed to have been visited by Vishnu as Madhusudana (the destroyer of Madhu the Demon). It is said that Vishnu covered Madhu under the hill after defeating him to death. Kalidasa's Kumarasambhava refers to foot marks of Vishnu on the slopes of Mandara. The hill is replete with relics of bygone ages. Apart from inscriptions and statues, there are numerous rock cut sculptures depicting various images of Hindu Gods. The hill is equally revered by the Jains who believe that their 12th Tirthankara attained nirvana at the summit. The area around Mandara Hill is laced with a landscape of extraordinary splendour. The 800 feet high granite hill is a sight to see in the daylight. It is a popular picnic spot for people living in the area. The religious festival of "Vish-hari Puja" or "the worship of the Snake Queen" or "Manasa Devi, said to be a daughter of lord Shiva and Queen of Snakes" traces its roots back hundreds of years and is still celebrated every year with thousands of believers and snake charmers offering milk to the Nag (the Snake King) and Nageen (The Snake Queen).

References to Bhagalpur can be found in Indian epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata where Bhagalpur has been described as the kingdom of Anga. Ancient cave sculptures from Emperor Ashoka's reign, from 274 to 232 BC are found in the neighbourhood and at Sultangunj, 20 km west of Bhagalpur, a temple from the Gupta period still exists in Bhagalpur. The tomb of Suja, brother of Moghul emperor Aurangzeb, in the heart of the town is reminiscent of the city's association with the Mughal period.

The ruins of ancient Vikramshila University are located 44 km east of Bhagalpur. The royal university ranks next to Nalanda, and owes its origin to Dharmapala, the devout Pala king who called himself Paramasaugata (chief worshipper of the Buddha) and was a great patron of Mahayana Buddhism. It was the medieval center to the conservation and propagation of Buddhist education, established by King Dharampal of Bengal at the end of the 8th century.

Bhagalpur formed a part of the ancient Sanskrit kingdom of Anga, said to be ruled by king Karna of Mahabharata who was well known for his charity. In later times it was included in the powerful Hindu kingdom of Magadha, or Behar, and in the 7th century it was an independent state, with the city of Champa as its capital. It afterwards formed a part of the Mohammedan Kingdom of Gaur, West Bengal, and was subsequently subjugated by Akbar, who declared it to be a part of the Delhi empire. Bhagalpur passed to the East India Company by the grant of the emperor Shah Alam II in 1765.

Bhagalpur was one of most important trade centers in Bengal Presidency during British India period. The communal violence that broke out in and around Bhagalpur in October 1989 continued for about two months, during which nearly 1200 lives were lost. It has emerged as one of the most economically and socially stable districts of Bihar in present times.

The Jain Temple at Nathnagar is important pilgrimage centre for Jains. Budha Nath Temple is ancient Shiva Temple on the bank of Ganges. Sultanganj (about 25 km West) is an important religious center for Hindus from where holy water of Ganges is carried and offered at Deoghar. Bhagalpur also have Dargha of Shawaz Rahmat-ulla near Bhagalpur Railway Station and Markaz of Tablighi Jamat at Champanagar

Economics

Industry

The NTPC Kahalgaon is situated in Kahalgaon under Bhagalpur district. The largest industrial belt of the district is Barari industrial Area and Kahalgaon industrial Area. The Government of India established Hand-loom park and Food park in Bhagalpur. Above 200 small industrial unit of silk are established in Bhagalpur. Many big industries are proposed like Star Cement, Nalanda Paper Mill, coca cola, mineral water. Bhagalpur is famous for its silk and mango.

Malls and Multiplexes

FM1 Mall, Bhagalpur
  1. GTM Mall(under const.)
  2. Bhagwati courtyard(under const.)
  3. FM1 Mall(under const.)
  4. vishal Mega Mart
  5. V2 Mall
  6. Shreyish complex
  7. Ansar Plaza
  8. Sri Ram Mall cum Multiplex

Demography

See also: List of cities in Bihar

As of the 2011 India census,[2] Bhagalpur city has a population of 398,138 with a metro population of around 0.41 million, while the district as a whole has a population of 3 million. It is Second largest city in Bihar in terms of urban population next only to Patna . Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Bhagalpur has an average literacy rate of 81.16%, while the male literacy rate is 85.38% with women at 76.31%.

Transport

Vikramshila setu,Bhagalpur

Road

NH 80 and NH 31 pass through the Bhagalpur district. The Vikramshila Setu connects NH 80 to NH 31. The city has a good road network. Bhagalpur city has approximately 200 km road area. The transport system is good. In the city City Bus facility, Auto, Taxi and cycle rickshaw are available. In the city area around 10,000 autos, 500 private taxis and 200 buses are on the road. Bhagalpur is well connected to major cties of Patna, Kolkata, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Munger,Gaya...etc by various National Highway and State Highways.

The BJP MP demanded Duronto and Rajdhan Express trains from Bhagalpur to New Delhi besides a 'Janshatabdi' from Jamalpur to Howrah and Bhagalpur to Jainagar (Madhubani district) extension of Jammu-Barauni Amarnath Express, and extension of Lucknow-Barauni Express and Patna-Pune Express to Bhagalpur, daily running of Bhagalpur-New Delhi Weekly Express.

Rail

Bhagalpur Railway Junction at Night

Bhagalpur Junction railway station is situated on the Khana- Kuil loop line which serves Bhagalpur with numerous number of trains. It is the 3rd busiest line in Bihar. About 40 pair Express and 10 pair passenger train go from this line. Bhagalpur Junction is A1 grade Railway station. It is the Highest revenue earner in the Malda Rail Division and third major railway station of Eastern Railway after Howrah and Sealdah. Bhagalpur is well connected by Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ajmer, Kanpur, Patna, Guwahati, Surat, and Munger and other cities. In the Rail Budget Bhagalpur got Railway Division in 2008. The new rail lines which are under construction are Sultanganj to Deoghar, Bhagalpur to Dumka, Bhagalpur- Godda via Hanshdiya,Banka to Deoghar. It is also the originating station for many superfast and express trains.

Air

Bhagalpur city had a airport which was functional during 1970-1980 with regular flights to nearby major cities. The operation was shut down. A small carrier is slated to start flights from Bhagalpur after 2014 Lok sabha Election.[3]

Education

Bhagalpur college of Engineering

The higher education in city includes various institutes related to medical education,Law education, engineering education, arts and science education and agriculture university.

Academy
  • Police Academy-CTS Nathnagar, Bhagalpur - currently trains officers from constable to dsp rank. It was set up in 1905
University

University Departments

Medical Colleges
  • Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College, Bhagalpur,(Government)
  • K N H Medical College and Hospital, Mayagunj
Engineering & Technology College
Colleges
  • Gajadhar Bhagat College Naugachia
  • Madan Ahilya Mahila college Naugachia
  • Sabour College Sabour
  • S.S.V.COLLEGE, kahalgaon
  • B P Verma College, Kahalgaon
  • Tarar Mahavidyalaya Tarar, Tarar
  • Murarka College,Sultanganj

Sanskrit Education: Bhagalpur Sanskrit College

Schools affiliated by Bihar State Board
  • Govt. Intermediate Zila School,Bhagalpur
  • Govt. Girls' Inter School,Bhagalpur
  • C M S High School
  • High School Tarar, Tarar
  • Girls High School, Tarar
  • Mokshada Girls Inter School
  • Sri Marwari Pathsala
  • High School Rannuchak Makandpur
  • Durga Charan High School
  • Jhunjhunwala Girls High School
  • Urdu Girls High School
  • Muslim High school
  • R.H.M.T.B.High School Barari
  • Christ Church Girl's High School
  • Sir Syed Urdu School
  • dr. bhimrao ambedkar boys high school
  • Ganpat singh high schhool,Kahalgaon
  • Saharsaya Balika Uccha Vidyalaya (Girls High School),Kahalgaon
  • Ganguly Middle School,Kahalgaon
  • High school buddchak,Kahalgaon
  • Ram Sundar High School Rampur, Kahalgaon
  • High school Akbarpur, Kahalgaon
  • Madhya Vidyalaya Chatpatiya, Pathakdih, Kahalgaon
  • uchch vidyalaya chandika sthan
  • Sanokher High School, kahalgaon
  • High School Mathurapur
  • High School Sabour
  • High school ishipur
ICSE board affiliated schools
CBSE board affiliated school
  • Delhi Public School, Bhagalpur
  • Techno Mission International School
  • Divine Happy School, Mirjanhat
  • New Horizon School, Bhikanpur
  • DAV Public School,Bhagalpur.
  • Navyug Vidyalaya
  • Christ Church Diocesan School, Bhagalpur.
  • S.K.P. Vidya Vihar
  • Vikramshila School, Tilkamanjhi
  • C E Academy
  • G.R.S.S.Vidya Mandir, Champanagar
  • A.D.S.Vidya Mandir
  • St. Joseph's School, Deepti Nagar, Kahalgaon(NTPC)
  • DAV Public School, P.T.S., Kahalgaon
  • Kendriya Vidyalaya, P.T.S, Kahalgaon
  • Saraswati Vidya Mandir (SVM),Kahalgaon
  • Standard Public School, Lalkothi
  • D.A.V School, Mathurapur, Shivnarayanpur
  • Goethal's Public School, Pirpainti
Other Schools
  • Maitreya Vihar+2 School,Bhikhanpur, Gumti No 2
  • SMS Mission- Tilkamanjhi Chowk
  • Don Bosco School,Manik Sarkar
  • Vedanta Bhagalpur

Bhagalpur is also famous for its Education in Bihar. In this city aprrox 50000 student came per year for study. In recent times many private institutes are opened in Bhagalpur.These institutes are preparing student to IIT/JEE,Medical(AIPMT), AIEEE,Banking,Fashion Designing,SSC,Distance Education etc.

Distance Educations Institutes

Media

[5] Print media include the Hindi Dainik Jagran, Aaj, and Prabhat Khabar,, while English Times Of India , The Telegraph and Hindustan Times are also available.

Broadcast media include All India Radio (Frequency 1458 kHz, 1206 kHz) 90.4 FM Radio Active (Bhagalpur), and AIR FM Rainbow India 100.1.

Telecommunications services include BSNL, Airtel, Aircel, Reliance, Vodafone, Idea, Tata Docomo, Reliance Communications, Uninor, Reliance India Mobile(RIM).

Broadband service include BSNL and Sify.

Notable people from Bhagalpur

Adjacent boundaries

See also

References

  1. ^ "River dolphin crowned India's aquatic animal : Latest Headlines, News - India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 2009-10-06. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  2. ^ Template:GR
  3. ^ "Flights to Bhagalpur likely to be launched after LS election". The Times of India. 7 Apr 2014.
  4. ^ http://www.bncollegebgp.ac.in
  5. ^ Official web sites of India TV, Aaj Tak, You Tube etc.
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