Munger or Monghyr is situated on the bank of Ganges River. It is a district administrative center and a grain market. The city has one of India's largest cigarette factories and a firearms industry that dates back to the 18th cent. Munger is famous for its goldsmiths and silversmiths.
The little town was once the capital of the ancient Anga kingdom. According to tradition the city was founded during the Gupta dynasty (c.320–545 B.C.). The Muslim leader Mir Kasim Ali used Munger as a base during his war against the British in 1764.
The history of Monghyr is, in fact, a chronology of battles. It begins with the Mahabharata that records the encounter of Bhim with the ruler of Modagiri (Monghyr's ancient name as mentioned in the Mahabharata) and concludes with the defeat of Nawab Mir Qasim in 1763 at the hands of the East India Company. In between, the pages of history of Monghyr are riddled with rebellions, sieges and battles fought between Palas, Pratiharas, Turks, Mughals, Afghans, Marathas and the English. When history is not in sharp focus, it gets besmirched with countless tales and traditions. True, they confuse us but certainly, they entertain us. Historians differ on the origin of the ancient fort of Modagiri. Some of them make us believe that Jarasanda, the king of Magadha established his capital here as well and confined thousands of Indian princes on the hills of Nauyagarhi, whom he wanted to sacrifice in order to appease the gods! Another account links the fort to Raja Karna of Anga who established this capital which still retains the name of Karanchaura where he used to meditate and distribute tons of gold in charity. Some historians stand by Chandragupta as the founder of Monghyr, which was called as Gupta Garh - a name that has been found inscribed on a rock here. Buddhist tradition refers to Monghyr as Maudgolyagiri, named after a rich merchant - Maudgala who was converted by Buddha to his religious order. Ramayana too is replete with references to Monghyr.
Rampala, a frustrated and helpless Pala king, drowned himself in the Ganga at Monghyr in 1130 AD. During these four centuries of Pala rule, Monghyr was their playground. The Pala sculptors fully used the black basalt from the Kharagpur hills to create numerous beautiful pieces. Much later in 1643 the masnad (throne) of the Nawab of Bengal was chiselled in Monghyr.
Humayun and Sher Shah Suri criss-crossed Monghyr several times in the course of their decisive battles. In fact, Sher Shah loved Monghyr because of his early success here which later paved his way to the throne of Delhi. He was once wandering here in disguise when a milk woman offered him refreshment. Pleased with her services, he acceded to her request for a road among the hills, which is still referred to as Goalin Khand. Ain-e-Akbari describes Monghyr as the chief town where Raja Maan Singh had his residence and Raja Todar Mall remained entrenched in the Monghyr fort when he came to crush the rebellious Bengal army of the Mughals. The fortunes of Monghyr once again surfaced momentarily in 1762 when Nawab Mir Qasim Ali resolved to shift his capital from Murshidabad to Monghyr in order to keep an eye on the increasing influence of the British. The Nawab was popular for his justice and able administration but his political miscalculations ended in his defeat and death after a few years. East India Company acquired the palace of Nawab Mir Qasim Ali after two days of severe shelling which rendered Princess Gul and Prince Bahar homeless. Sheltering themselves in one of the tunnels, they used to attack the British during the night. The ploy was soon discovered and the young prince dressed in tiger skin was shot dead.
The little town was once the capital of the ancient Anga kingdom. According to tradition the city was founded during the Gupta dynasty (c.320–545 B.C.). The Muslim leader Mir Kasim Ali used Munger as a base during his war against the British in 1764.
The history of Monghyr is, in fact, a chronology of battles. It begins with the Mahabharata that records the encounter of Bhim with the ruler of Modagiri (Monghyr's ancient name as mentioned in the Mahabharata) and concludes with the defeat of Nawab Mir Qasim in 1763 at the hands of the East India Company. In between, the pages of history of Monghyr are riddled with rebellions, sieges and battles fought between Palas, Pratiharas, Turks, Mughals, Afghans, Marathas and the English. When history is not in sharp focus, it gets besmirched with countless tales and traditions. True, they confuse us but certainly, they entertain us. Historians differ on the origin of the ancient fort of Modagiri. Some of them make us believe that Jarasanda, the king of Magadha established his capital here as well and confined thousands of Indian princes on the hills of Nauyagarhi, whom he wanted to sacrifice in order to appease the gods! Another account links the fort to Raja Karna of Anga who established this capital which still retains the name of Karanchaura where he used to meditate and distribute tons of gold in charity. Some historians stand by Chandragupta as the founder of Monghyr, which was called as Gupta Garh - a name that has been found inscribed on a rock here. Buddhist tradition refers to Monghyr as Maudgolyagiri, named after a rich merchant - Maudgala who was converted by Buddha to his religious order. Ramayana too is replete with references to Monghyr.
Rampala, a frustrated and helpless Pala king, drowned himself in the Ganga at Monghyr in 1130 AD. During these four centuries of Pala rule, Monghyr was their playground. The Pala sculptors fully used the black basalt from the Kharagpur hills to create numerous beautiful pieces. Much later in 1643 the masnad (throne) of the Nawab of Bengal was chiselled in Monghyr.
Humayun and Sher Shah Suri criss-crossed Monghyr several times in the course of their decisive battles. In fact, Sher Shah loved Monghyr because of his early success here which later paved his way to the throne of Delhi. He was once wandering here in disguise when a milk woman offered him refreshment. Pleased with her services, he acceded to her request for a road among the hills, which is still referred to as Goalin Khand. Ain-e-Akbari describes Monghyr as the chief town where Raja Maan Singh had his residence and Raja Todar Mall remained entrenched in the Monghyr fort when he came to crush the rebellious Bengal army of the Mughals. The fortunes of Monghyr once again surfaced momentarily in 1762 when Nawab Mir Qasim Ali resolved to shift his capital from Murshidabad to Monghyr in order to keep an eye on the increasing influence of the British. The Nawab was popular for his justice and able administration but his political miscalculations ended in his defeat and death after a few years. East India Company acquired the palace of Nawab Mir Qasim Ali after two days of severe shelling which rendered Princess Gul and Prince Bahar homeless. Sheltering themselves in one of the tunnels, they used to attack the British during the night. The ploy was soon discovered and the young prince dressed in tiger skin was shot dead.
