Munger Darpan

Lakhisarai

2012-01-19T23:04:00.000-08:00

Lakhisarai is a beautiful and important place in the state of Bihar. This district was established on the 3rd of July 1994. Before coming into existence as a new district, Lakhisarai was a sub-division within Munger District. Historians established on the basis of analysis of evidences, that this place was a reputed religious center for the Hindus in the period of Pal. The ruler of that time was fond of making Temples and other religious spots. It is one of the reasons that there are so many temples and other religious places within this region. Some significant temples and religious spots within the district are Ashokdham, Bhagwati Mandir of Barahiya, Sringi Rishi, Jalappa Asthan, Abhainath Asthan on Abhaipur Mountains, Maharani Asthan of Abhaipur, Govindbaba Asthan (Mandap) Rampur and Durga Asthan Lakhisarai etc.

Lakhisarai is bounded by Munger, Sheikhpura, Begusarai and Patna in the East, South, West and North respectively.

People like Pandit Karyanand Sharma, Rajeshwar Singh, Srikrishna Singh, Yadubansa Singh, Smt. Udya Devi, Dr. Kumar Vimal and many more have helped Lakhisarai carve out a niche in history in all walks of life.

People of Lakhisarai are indebted to the freedom fighters who martyred their lives for Motherland.

Railway main and loop line and NH 80 pass through the district headquarter, paving the way for its development. Railway main line and loop line cross each other at Kiul Junction.

Lakhisarai was an established administrative and religious centre during the golden period of Pal bansh. This region of Lakhisarai was identified in old times as a place of rocks, mountains and statues of different Hindu and Bhuddhist gods and goddesses. Even in Buddha literature this place had been mentioned as "Anguttri" meaning thereby a district status. This beautiful place, naming Lakhisarai came into existence, as a new district from Munger . Hence this place in the ancient period also can be identified with the name of Munger or Ang Pradesh. Lakhisarai region during Pal administration was the capital of Pals for some period. Other evidences found in the district under the Pal Dharampal.

Noted Historian Dr. D.C. Sarkar during his visit, found some more evidences on the basis of which, he also confirmed that this place was very important "Krimila" Subject during Pal administration. Monument of Madan Pal of period 1161-1162 was found in Balgudar consist Narayana statue as Krimila Subject. Chinese traveler Huen Tsang described this place having 10 Buddha mathas and more than four hundred Buddhists resided here. Most of the Buddhists living here were Heenyanis. There were 10 temples also of Hindus and people lived here with peace and harmony. People of that time used to live in a very planned manner. Also, according to historian Sri Radha Krishna Chaudhary all the Buddha mathas were situated in southern side of Ganga and the king of Pal Bans was also a Buddhist. This region of Lakhisarai was ruled over in seventh century to eleventh century by the administrator of Pal Bans. Sen family also ruled this region for some period in 11th century. Acharya Hawaldar Triapthi mentioned this region of Lakhisarai on the basis of "Mritika Mudra" kept in Nalanda. It means that Krimila was very important and Caval Gram was very important. The people believe that Krimila of that period is now Kiul Basti, which is situated in Southern side of Lakhisarai Railways station. Krimila was a center of Buddhist religion. Lord Buddha also stayed here for three years on Chaliya Mountain and Jantugram was nearby Chliya mountain and was situated on bank of river Krimikala, where Lord Buddha with his followers used to visit and deliver speech. It is convincing that Krimikala is now in Kiul river and Chaliya mountain is nothing but Jainagar mountain.

History indicates also that Md. Bin Bakhtiyar attacked this region in 11th century. Shershah also ruled this region in the 15th century. Surrajgarha witnessed great war of Shershah and Mugal emperor Humayu in 1534. Also in 1953 a fight occurred in Fatehpurnear Surajgarha between Miya Suleman and Adlshah in which Adilshah was killed.

In religious context, Surajgarha was also an important place for Shaiva sect. One beautiful Shiv Mandir was there and large number of people gathered there for worship of Lord Shiva with religious devotion. There are some other places in this district, which are significant or were known for its significance in ancient period, either in Historical, archaeological or in religious context.

Husainabad

2012-01-19T22:59:00.001-08:00

Husainabad---- A village in the south-west of the Monghyr subdivision,situated three miles south of Sheikhpura . It contains the residence of one of the oldest Muhammadan families of the district,which traces back its descent to Makhdum Sheikh Shams-ud-din, surnamed Faryad Ras Kurraish-ul-Hashmi, a Saiyid of the family of the Prophet Muhammad. According to the family tradition, he was born in Turkey, but having come to India wiith his uncle Kazi Rafi-ud-din, who held the office of Kazi under the Sultan of Turkey,settled in Oudh and died there in 790 A.H.,i.e., about 1373 A.D. His son Sheikh Manjhan was murdered while on a journey to Bihar, and threupon his widow, with her two sons Sheikh Mustapha and Sheikh Jumaid settled at Sheikhpura. After the death of Sheikh Mustapha,several of the family migrated to Patna where their descendants still reside; bnut about 1836 A.D. two of the family,Muhammad Yahya Khan and his son-in-law Fida Ali Khan left Patna and returned to the district where they settled at Hussainabad. The present representative of the family are called Nawabs by courtesy,the title having been enjoyed by their ancestors,some of whom were distinguished personages. Two of them Navab Shah Khan and Navab Fida Khan who met their death during Maratha raids,were it is said Waris of the Emperor of Delhi and it is claimed that the office of Wazir was hereditary in the house. The family was granted an altamgha jagir by the Emperor Aurangzeb, and Shah Alam gave Navab Ali Ibrahim Khan a robe of honour,the appointment of Shah Hazari and the title of Amin-ud-daula Aziz-ul-Mulk.

Ali Ibrahim Khan the most distinguished member of the family, is frequently and prominently referred to in the Sair-ul-Mutakharin, where he is described as "the illustrious and high born Khan,the beneficent,munificent,excellent,learned,sincere and valiant." He appears first to have won the favour of Ali Vardi Khan who invited him to Murshidabad with other persons,distinguished for their birth,rank, learning and talent, and granted him a large pension. Subsequently he ,he became a trusted courtier of the Nawab Mir Kasim Ali Khan to whom he proved a good counsellor. He tried to dissuade him against his disastrous expedition into Nepal and also to prevent his engaging in war with the British. It was he who advised against the Nawab stopping the boat laden with arms on the way to Patna which formed a casus b elli; and later , after the defeat at Udhua Nalah, in vain urged him to release his English prisoners or at least send the women under escort to the British army under Major Adams. After defeat of Mir Kassim at Patna, Ali Ibrahim Khan remained faithful to his master, and there is an amusing tale of his diplomatic conduct when a quarrel took place between the Nawab and his ally Suja-ud-daula, the Nawab Vizir of Oudh. Mir Kasim Ali , apparently to bring shame on on the latter,assumed the dress of a fakir,and Ali Ibrahim Khan being asked to persuade him to assume his proper dress, appeared before him wearing only a shirt and a pointed cap in place of his usual turban. After this when Shuja-ud-daula imprisoned Mir Kasim Ali, and his followers deserted. Mir Kasim alone remained royal,showing then as on other occasion, a fidility uncommon in those troubled times. It is said when asked why he still clung to Mir Kasim in spite on his way in which latter maligned him, his family and dignified answer brought years to the eyes even of the mean-spirited Nawab Vizir.

After the battle of Buxar, when Mir Kasim fled west-wards, Ali Ibrahim Khan retired to Murshidabad, and thence-forward was largely involved in palace intrigues. He was appointed Deewan to the Nawab Mubarak-ud-daula and subsequently espoused the cause of Muhammad Raza Khan and effected his release from prison.He fell out, however, with the latter and was ruined by a palace intrigue. Subsequntly he was offered high office by the Nawab, Muni Begum and the Governor General, but declined them all. Later, however, we find that he accompanied Warren Hastings when he went to Banaras in 1781, and that after the repression of the rising of Chait Singh, Warren Hastings granted him a khilat,confirmed the title of Amin-ud-daula Azizul-Mulk, which had been granted to him by Shah Alam and made him Judge of Benaras. Further details of his life will be found in the Sair-ul-Muta-kharin,which gives an amusing account of his character and ways of his knack of making extempore verses, of the taste and elegance with which he he wore his clothes and turban,of the amenity of his manners and of his successes as a lover.

The brother of this noble man was Ali Kasim,of whom there is little to record,except that,when in 1781 Warren Hastings made his well known visit to Benaras with Ali Ibrahim Khan to bring Chait Singh to reason,Ali Kasim Khan met them at Monghyr,entertained them on a lavish scale, and accompanied them to Patna. His son Mohammad Yahya khan, moved from Patna to Hussainabad and the next head of the family was his nephew and son-in-law Fida Ali Khan. The latter earned the thanks of Government for furnishing information regarding the movement of rebels in the Mutiny of 1857, while his son Nawab Ali Khan was made a Khan Bahadur, and granted a certificate in recognition of his conduct as an enlightened and loyal zamindar and of the service he rendered in the famine of 1874.

Profile of Sheikhpura extracted from Bengal District Gazette

2012-01-19T22:58:00.000-08:00

Sheikhpura --- A village in the extreme south-west of the Monghyr subdivision wiith a station situated on the South Bihar Railway. Population (1901) 10,135. I is an important centre for the grain trade and for the manufacture of hookah tubes, and contains a District Board bungalow,police station,and dispensary. Sheikhpura has been identified by General Cunninghum with a village visited by the Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsiang in the seventh century A.D. Hieun Tsiang after leaving the Gaya district arrived at a large and populous village to the south of the Ganges, which possessed many Brahmanical temples ornamented with fine sculptures. There was also a great stupa built on the spot where Buddha had preached for one night. " Both distance and direction point to the vicinity of Sheikhpura, a position which is confirmed by the subsequent easterly route of the pilgrim,through forests and gorges of mountains." There are very few ancient remains except a fine tank,two mules west of the village,called Mathokar Tal on the bank of which there is a dargah,said to be the tomb of one Mathokar Khan. But as the site is said to have been originally occupied by a temple of Kali, and as the tank is still called Kali Mathokar, the name is probably only a contraction of Math Pokhar, or the temple tank, the full name having been Kali Math Pokhar temple-tank, i.e, the tank of the temple of Kali*.

About three miles to the east, near a place called Pachna there is a pass over the hills called Goalin Khand to which an interesting legend attaches. The emperor Sher Shah, it is said, was always fond of Monghyr because it was there that he obtained an early success which formed a stepping stone in his career. Once when marching to quell a rebellion in Bengal, he stopped for a week in the fort during the month of Baisakh, the best time of the year for hunting. The governor had made preparations for a hunt in the jungles near the Sheikhpura Hills; and much to the surprise of his courtiers, the emperor, on coming to the line of elephants drawn up, ordered the Mahout to give him the reins. The astonished Mahaout replied that an elephant was guided not by reins but by Ankush, whereupon Sher Shah, jumping down, mounted his horse and rode off. The courtiers were astonished, and while some admired his courage in wishing to control an elephant by reins, others exclaimed his whimsical temper, while others murmured that the jagir of Sasaram could still be smelt through the perfume of the throne of Delhi. In the meantime, the emperor was wandering by himself in disguise, making the acquaintances of his subjects like Harun-Ul-Rashid. Among others he met an old Goalin or Milk-woman of Sheikhpura who watered his horse and gave him the milk to drink and some pulse to eat. While conversing with her, one of his followers Mian Suleman, who had been searching for him, and addressed him as emperor. He asked her what he could do for her to repay her kindness, and she then replied that the best thing he could do was to make a straight road over the hills to save her and the villagers from the tedious track around them. The emperor promised to make a road, and was as good as his words. He would not, however, let it be named after himself but called it Goalin Khand or the milk-woman's road.

Sheikhpura

2012-01-19T22:53:00.000-08:00

Sheikhpura is a new district carved out of Munger district on 31-07-1994. District Head Quarter Sheikhpura is situated at North side of Gaya-Kuel Rail line. This district lies in the southern part of Bihar that is bounded by Nalanda & Patna district in North, Nawada & Jamui district in South, Lakhisarai district in East and Nalanda & Nawada district in West. There are no big rivers of perennial nature worth to be mentioned in this district. Of course there are some small rivers which flow during rainy season viz Somi, Korihari, Tati, Kachchi & Rijown.
according to knowledge collected from various sources history of Sheikhpura dates back to the age of Mahabharata. It is believed that in the Mahabharata age a demon girl Hidimba lived on the hillocks situated on its Eastern stretch with whom one Pandava brother Bhima married and gave birth to a heroic son ‘Ghatotkach’. Later on this hill was called ‘Girihinda’ after the name of Hindimba or Hidimba. Girihinda village is still situated over there.

According to one belief about six hundred years ago a great suphie saint ‘Hazarat Makhdum Shah Shoeb Rahamatullah Aleh’ had founded the city of Sheikhpura. He settled over here and the dense forests were cleaned and people started settling over here. Later on it became densely populated.

During the Pallava reign also Sheikhpura was one of the chief administrative centres. It is believed that the famous Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri had got the famous ‘Dal Kuan’ constructed over here. Till now ‘Dal Kuan’ and Sheikhpura is believed to be synonymous with each other.

During the mughal period, Sheikhpura got the status of Thana. In the British period Sheikhpura was accorded the status of Big Kotwali and after independence it was given the status of Block. On 14th April 1983 Sheikhpura became a Subdivision and on 31st July 1994 it was upgraded to District status.

Khagaria

2012-01-19T22:36:00.000-08:00

Khagaria, as a district, is only twenty Years old. Earlier, it was a part of the district of Munger, as a subdivision. The sub-division of Khagaria was created in the Year 1943-44. It was upgraded as district, with effect from 10th May, 1981. As a sub-division of the old district of Munger, Khagaria was the youngest, in terms of creation of sundivision, before independence. The other three older subdivision were Munger sadar, Begusarai and Jamui. The Jamui sub-division was created on 22nd July,1864 and Begusarai sub-division on the 14th February 1870.

Khagaria was created as a separate sub-division mainly because of the difficulties arising out of a lack of easy means of communications. Railways were a very old means of communication in this district. As per the Gazetteer of 1960,this Sub-division had three railway lines - the north Eastern Railway, passing west to East had four Stations – Khagaria, Mansi, Maheshkhunt and Pasraha . One branch Line shot off from Khagaria passing through Olapur and Imli, while another branch line shot off from Mansi, which went up to Saharsa. This Mansi- Saharsa branch line, during that period was however disturbed during rains between Katyani Asthan and Koparia, a distance of 6 miles, which had to be covered by boats. Apart from railways, the other means of communication was roads, which were in a very bad shape. The only metalled road at that time was 22 mile long Maheshkhunt- Aguawani ghat road, which was still under construction. During that period Khagaria- Parihara- bakhri Road was also under construction and National Highway linking Moakamaghat to Assam was under contemplation.

Recurrence of floods was an annual affair, as five major rivers – The Ganga, The Gandak, The Bagmati, The Kamala and The Koshi passed through the area of the subdivision of Khagaria. The recurrence of floods along with water logging made communication extremely difficult in the rainy season. Before the construction of South embankment of Baghmati and Gogari- Narayanpur embankment, the vast portion of land between the railway line and three streams, namely, the Bagmati, the Kamla and The Ghaghri ( the main stream of Koshi) and the various streams, as the Maria river and the Maitha river, used to abound in marshes.

It is said that the entire areas, now included in the district of khagaria, was "Dahnal", affected by floods of the Ganga, the Gandak, the Kamla, the Bagmati and the Koshi and that because of its physical situation, any site of importance must have been washed away. That is why, it does not possess any historical site of importance. According to the history, commonly known in this part, it is said that during the time of Emperor Akbar, Raja Todarmal had been entrusted with the duty of making a survey of the entire area, but as he failed to do it, he advise that this area should be excluded, in other words, he adopted the policy of "Farak Kiya" and that is why the area is Known as "Pharkiya Pargana".

Early History

The teritony, included in the old district of Munger, formed part of the Madhya- desa or "Midland" of the first Aryan settlers. It has been identified with Modagiri, a place mentined in the Mahabharata, which was the capital of a kingdom in Eastern India near Vanga and Tamralipta. At the dawn of history, the territory apparently comprised within the Kingdom of Anga, the capital of which was at Champa near Bhagalpur. Anga comprised of the modern districts of Bhagalpur and Munger, and also extended north wards up to the river koshi and included the western portion of the district of Purnea. Rahul Sankritayan in "Budh Charya" has mentioned that the area lying north of the Ganga was known as Anguttarap.

The first historical account of the old district of Munger appears in the Travels of Hiuen-Tsiang who visited the portions of it, towards the close of the first half of the seventh century A.D. After that there is a gap in the history of the district until the ninth century A.D., when it passed into the hands of Pala kings. The history during Pala period has become known mainly through the inscriptions. However, it is true that both Hiuen – Tsang’s account and Pala inscriptions cover maibly the Southern part of Munger district. The area passed through Muslim rule after the advent of Muslim rule in India.

Munger, in the later history, came into prominence, in the year 1762, when Kasim Ali Khan made it his capital instead of Murshidabad , from which he removed his treasure, his elephants and horses, and even the gold and silver decorations of the Imambara. He built himself a palace with a breast work before it for thirty guns, and had the fortifications strengthened; while his favourite General Gurghin Khan, an Armenian who had formerly been a cloth merchant at Ispahan, reorganized the army, had it drilled and equipped after the English model, and established an arsenal; the manufacture of fire-arms, which still is carried on at Munger, is said to date back to this period. Soon after he had established himself at Munger, Mir Kasim Ali came into collision with the English, which finally resulted in capture of Munger in the year 1763.

With the extension of the British dominions, Munger ceased to be an important frontier post. The existence of Munger, as a separate executive centre is believed to date from the year 1812. The extent of the Munger jurisdiction is not mentioned in the local records till september 1814, when it is stated to comprise five Thanas or Police divisions, namely, Munger,Tarapur,Surajgarha, Mallepur and Gogari. In 1834 pargana chakai was transferred from the district of Ramgarh and in 1839 pargana Bishazari from the district of Patna. Numerous minor changes followed but the greatest change was effected in June 1874, when parganas Sakhrabadi, Darra, Singhaul, Kharagpur and Parbatta were transferred from Bhagalpur to Munger, together with tappas Lowdah and Simrawan and 281 villages from parganas Sahuri and Lakhanpur comprising in all an area of 613.62 square miles. The subdivision of Jamui was formed in 1864, at first with headquarters at Sikandra, but in 1869 they were transferred to Jamui. The Begusarai subdivision was established in 1870 and in 1943-44, Khagaria subdivision was established with headquarters at Khagaria.

When Khagaria subdivision was created, it comprised of an area of 752 square miles and as per the census of 1951, had a population of 5,84,625 persons. It had seven Police Thanas, namely, Khagaria, Gogari, Chautham, Parbatta, Alauli, Beldaur and Bakhtiyarpur. Presently, Bakhtiyarpur forms part of Saharsa district, Most of the part of Khagaria district was referred to as ‘ Pharkiya Pargana.’ In the 1926 District Gazetter of Munger, it has been referred as "a pargana in the north east of the Munger subdivision, with an area of 506 square miles comprised mainly within the Gogri thana." This tract formerly belonged to an ancient family of Zamindars, of whose history little is known except what was collected in 1787 by Mr. Adair, the collector of Bhagalpur. Towards the close of the 15th century, the Emperor of Delhi sent a Rajput, namely Biswanath Rai, to contain lawlessness in the area. He successfully accomplished the task and obtained the grant of a Zamindari in this part of the country, and the estate developed on his posterity without interruption for ten generations. The annals of the family, however, after the first quarter of the 18th century, are a record of little but bloodshed and violence. At the time of publication of the 1926 Gazetteer , the greater portion of the estate was the property of Babu Kedarnath Goenka and Babu Deonandan Prasad.

District Administration Begusarai

2012-01-19T21:51:00.000-08:00

Sr. No.	Name of the Officers	Designation	Office	Residence	Mobile No	Fax
1	Jitendra Srivastava I.A.S.	District Magistrate –cum- Collector	222285	230584	9431805000	230571
2	Dhananjay Thakur	Dy. Development Commissioner	222343	230506	9431818370	222343
3	Md. Nayeem Akhtar	Additional Collector	222940	230501	9473191413
4	Sita Ram Yadav	Director (Accounts) DRDA	222934	230554	9431818427
5	Md. Affzaloor Rahman	Director, NEP			9939342448
6	Bipin Kumar Yadav	District Welfare Officer			9431405682
7	Narendra Kumar	District Informatics Officer(NIC,GOI)	223915		9431633014
8	Manish Kumar Mishra	District Informatics Associate, (NIC,GOI)	223915		9430282681
9	Akhilesh Kumar Jha	District supply Officer			9431259184
10	Daroga Yadav	District Transport Officer			9472051006
11	Barun Kumar Mishra	District Panchayati Raj Officer			9608248039
12	Binod Kumar Jha	Treasury Officer	228826		9431035428
13	Davendra Kumar Yadav	Asst. Treasury Officer	228826		9939683730
14	Kanhaiya Lal Goswami	GPF Officer			9128922955
15	Dawarika Ravidas	Deputy Election Officer	223154		9472449285
16	Dinesh Kumar	District Public Relation Officer	222809		9234734568
17	Kumod Narayan Jha	District Education Officer			9431412606
18	Ganesh Ram	District Satistical Officer			9430532014
19	Mrs. Kanak Bala	D.P.O.ICDS, Begusarai			9934099434
20	Aniranjan Sinha	District Planning Officer			9835622267
21	Syyed Gulam Mohammad	Asst. Director Social Security			9973117086
22		District Agriculture Officer			9431818803
23	A. K. Jha	D.C.L.R., Begusarai			9431430035
24	S. K. Suman	District Sub. Registrar, Begusarai			9431620678
25	Arun Kavyayan	Asst. Controller Weight & Measurement, Begusarai			9431879694
26	Uttam Kumar	Executive Officer National saving, Begusarai			9771298740
27	Suresh Kumar Choudhary	District Accounts Officer			9431619065
28	Ravindra Kumar	Ajivni, Begusarai			9470001175
29	Sri Pati Singh	G.M., DIC, Begusarai			9430964919
30	Sudhir Kumar Jha	Excise Superitendent			9430690779
31	Avinash Kumar	District IT Manager			9473242485

SENIOR DY COLLECTOR

Sr. No.	Name of the Officers	I/C OF The Section/ Office	Office	Residence	Mobile No	Fax
1	Ajay Kr Mishra				9431166236
2	Kumar Dhananjay				9572103843
3	Amzad Ali				9470853786
4	Smt Mamta Minakshi				9430906765
5	Muzffar Ahmad Buland Akhtar				8809848504
6	Sudhir Kr Jha				9546107807
7	Nazir Ahmad				9431033389
8	Shambhu Saran				9431411137
9	Md. Zafar Alam				9931224449
10	Rabindra Kr Gupta				9431039312
11	Nirmal Kumar				9835435520
12	Barun Kr Mishra				9608248039
13	Md Rizwan				9471890166
14	Smt Kanak Bala				9934099434
15	Arvind Kr Mishra				9431054067

S.D.O.

Sr. No.	Name of the Officers	I/C OF The Section/ Office	Office	Residence	Mobile No	Fax
1	Kumar Anuj	Begusarai			9801806940
2	Prabhat Bhushan	Teghra			9835491181
3	Chandan Chowhan	Ballia			9835079010
4	Suman Kumar Sah	Manjhaul			9431066006
5	Sahnabaj Ahmad Niyaji	Bakhari			9431818250

D.C.L.R

Sr. No.	Name of the Officers	I/C OF The Section/ Office	Office	Residence	Mobile No	Fax
1	Raj Vardhan	Begusarai			9572010472
2	Prabhat Chandra	Ballia			9939993119
3	Brajesh Kumar	Bakhari			9931782222
4	Surendra Kumar	Manjhaul
5	Neeraj Kumar	Teghra

Begusarai

2012-01-19T21:30:00.000-08:00

Begusarai is the part of historic Mithila region. It was earlier a subdivision of Munger District. In 1972, it was given district status. The name of the district apparently comes from "Begum" (queen) + "Sarai" (inn) as "Begum" of Bhagalpur used to come to the "Simaria Ghat" (a holy place at Ganges bank) for a month of pilgrimage which later took the present slang form Begusarai. It is the birthplace of famous Hindi poet Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar and Eminent Historian Professor Ram Saran Sharma. Eminent Historian Professor Ram Sharan Sharma was born on 26 November 1919 in Barauni, Begusarai, Bihar .Shri Rajendra Prasd singh (who got the best farmer & social worker award by UNICEF & Indira Gandhi) was born in village harrakh (Begusarai).

Gun Manufacturing Industry at Munger

2011-12-02T22:23:00.001-08:00

In Medieval India very few cities like Agra and Munger along with some others had expertise for the manufacture of firearms. It was done quite efficiently during Shershah. It was of course banned by Mugal Emperor Akbar. However some times after Agra lost this industry but Munger technicians kept alive their traditional industry. The gun manufacture facilities to be a factory for the selection of Munger by Mir Kasim Ali as his capital. It was also geographical and strategically safe and well protected.

Previously, here cannon wer made at Topkhana Bazar but subsequently it came to Guns firstly like ML Guns and then to capped gun. Gun manufacturing got fresh impletus during Mirkashim regime. Till the Shifting of the factories to the jail Campus it was being done at Chuabag and Kassim Bazar. Britishers banned the use of guns by private persons by enforcing Acts viz. Act 18 in 1841, Act 30 in 1854. its manufacture was then also banned by Act 28 of 1857, then up to 1860 by Act 31 of 1860.

In 1879 New Arms Act came into existence on 6th March, 1879 and provisions were made for the manufacture of guns under licenses scheme. The then Collector Mr. Lee highly appreciated the craftsmanship of the gunsmiths of Munger, who were selling their Gun only for Rs. 10 only despite their inseparable condition.

During the First world war period the Munger Gun manufacture again came into prominence and production of cartridge gun was also developed.

Munger was perhaps the only city in India where gun manufacturing took the shape of a cottage industries and became popular profession.

Chandisthan, Munger

2011-06-30T04:38:00.001-07:00

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya,Munger

2011-06-30T04:36:00.001-07:00

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya,Munger

Chandi Sthan, Munger

2011-06-30T04:35:00.000-07:00

Chandi Sthan, Munger

Jai Jai Munger

2011-06-30T04:33:00.001-07:00

Khaqah Rahamani, Munger

2010-06-24T04:16:00.000-07:00

KHAQAH RAHMANI is an institution internationally know where spiritualism is taught and practiced and purification of soul is done with a view to achieve salvation. It has a history of splendid and dignified deeds behind it in connection with service to humanity. It commands tremendous regards from both Muslim and Non-Muslim, nation wide and also in abroad.

People from every walk of life gather in large number on every second Saturday of the month to get blessings from the present Sajjada Nashee, Hazrat Maulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani and get rid of their troubles and difficulties.

This holy shrine was established over hundred year ago in the year 1901 by the eminent SUFI of all times namely Hazrat Maulana Mohammad Ali Mungeri (R.A.).

KHANQAH has contributed considerably in freedom movement in Bihar, Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, had come here to generate the freedom movement. Shri Krishna Sinha, The first chief Minister of Bihar, took shelter for 22 days to run the freedom movement from this centre. After the death of Hazerat Munger (R.A), his great son, Hazrat Maulana Minnatullah Rahmani (R.H) become the Sajjada Nasheen and led the flame of freedom struggle. He was also jailed by the British Rulers.

Apart from those leaders, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan , Dr. Rajendra Prasad , Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, had also graced this institution with their presence from the time Recently in march 1991 at the death of Hazrat Maulana Minnatullah Rahmani (R.A.) Shri Rajeev Gandhi, Shri V.P. Singh and Shri Chandra Shakhar (the then P.M.) had come to pay their homage and tributes to this great soul.

JAMIA RAHMANI:

In this religious academic institution student are taught Islamic theology comprising of HADIS, FIQUAH, TAFASEER-QURAN,HIFZ, QUERAT ETC. to the highest standard (up to post graduate degree) as well as they are equipped with Islamic Discipline and culture, In fact knowledge is blended here with PRACTICE. It is a residential institution.

This renowned institution was also established by HAZRAT Maulana Mohammad Ali Mungeri (R.A.) in the year 1927. After his death his son namely Hazrat Maulana Minnatullah Rahmani (R.A.), the Founder General Secretary of “ All India Muslim Personal Law Board”, took over the command and brought multi dimensional progress to this institution in a very short span of time and gave it a new height and horizon touching the zenith of many glorious achievements.

Presently , Hazrat Maulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani, Sajjada Nasheen Khanque Rahmani , Munger is efficiently and effectively running this institution and it is smoothly marching ahead.

Jamia Rahmani has a magnificent library known as KUTUB KHANA RAHMANI with a sizeable collection of valuable books including rare manuscripts.

Really JAMIA RAHMANI Munger, Bihar , holds a very prominent position among the institution of Islamic Learning in India and abroad.

Rahmani Foundation

2010-06-24T04:15:00.000-07:00

The present Sjjada Nasheen, Hazrat Maulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani has added one more golden chapter to the history of KHANQUAH by starting Computer Education, Technical education and Health services specially for the ear and the Eye. This Foundation function in a beautiful palace located by the side of the holy river GANGA.

In fact KHANQUAH RAHMANI has been providing its services to all without- distinction of caste,creed and colour since the date of its birth.

Sri Krishna Sewa Sadan

2010-06-24T04:12:00.000-07:00

This institution at Munger commemorates the diamond jubilee of Dr. Sri Krishna Sinha, then Chief Minister of Bihar, who comes from Munger.

The foundation-stone of the building was laid on the 21st December, 1947 by Shri Jairam Das Daulat Ram, the then Governor of Bihar. The institution has also published a book “Sri Krishna Abhinandan Granth” which was presented to the Chief Minister, Dr. S.K.Sinha by Shri Purushottam Das Tandan in 1949. A big library of books was donated by Shri Raghubar Narain Singh in the same year. The building is imposing and was completed in 1953. The institution was formally inaugurated by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru on the 31st October, 1953. Dr. Sri Krishna Sinha has donated his personal library consisting of about 17,000 books to the institution (1959). At the end of 1959 there were 41,000 books in the institution and the average daily issue of books was 106. As per counting of books done in 1983, there were total 69307 books in the library which consisted 26178 Hindi, 31865 English, 679 Bangla and 1387 Urdu, Persian and Arabic books.

Anjuman Hemayat –E- Islam

2010-06-24T04:08:00.000-07:00

The Anjuman at Munger was founded on Friday the 19^th October, 1888 (Barah safa 1306 A.H) by the Late Maulana Ali Hasan Saheb under the president ship of Janab Latafat Hussain Saheb. After the death of the former Khan Bahadur Shah Muhammad Yahya and Mallik Muhammad Israfil took up the responsibility of running the Anjuman on their shoulder. He donated some properties also to complete the building. Another addition in the building was made under the President ship of Shah Muhammad Yahya .Shah Muhammad Khalil-Ur-Rahman in spite of his old age and disability continued to take interest in the Anjuman. It is his illustrious son Shah Latifur Rahman who is the present Secretary of the Anjuman Hemayat-C-Islam and who take very active interest in the development and expansion of the Anjuman .

Objective

To maintain and look to the education and training of the Muslim orphans to enable them to stand on their feet. Secondly, to inculcate in them the religious feeling for the Almighty God and Prophet. Thirdly, to develop the feeling of communal unity and amity and tom train them on oriental cultural pattern and finally to discover means for their employment and progress.

Educational Position

At present the Anjuman runs the orphanage and a middle English School and a class of theology which prepares students to become Hifz (who can recite Koran extempore.).

At present there are five teacher, two staffs and 203 students of whom 33 get both board and lodge.

The middle school cater to the need of the Anjuman boys and after that arrangements are also made through the Anjuman for their Secondary education in M.W. High School (Maulanagar Waqf).

EDUCATION

Nearby Munger Fort there is a tomb of Mullah Muhammad Sayed Asharaf, a poet who was preceptor of the Princess Zebunnissa. It is understood that Mullah Muhmmad Sayed Ashraf attracted disciples from distant places beyond the limits of Munger and Bihar.

From the accounts of Francis Buchanan, (who surveyed this part of the country In 1810-11) it appears that the incidence of education in Munger was not very encouraging.

The same Francis Buchanan further writes that the teaching of the Hindi Sciences, viz. Grammer, Law, and Metaphysics were done in the Hindu pathshalas. He gives warm tributes to an Astronomer of Munger whose name was Gauri Dutta Pathak, ‘the most sensible man that I have been able to find in that vicinity’. Sir Pathak used to prepare almanacs. The Government records of Bhagalpur division show that the Government of Bengal had taken up Vernacular education in the forties of the last century. In Munger district – Munger, Shekhpura and Teghra were considered suitable sites for Vernacular school in the district of Munger. Accordingly the first school was started at the sadar Station Munger. This school was started at Munger in the month of June, 1846in the Fort area with 12 students and one teacher on a monthly salary of Rs. 20/- Shah Yahid-ud-din began his work as a teacher who had received his education at Bhagalpur at the hands of Moulvi Muhammad Hanif of Moulana Chowk and he taught Arithmetic, Geography, History, Arabic, Persian and Urdu Languages.

In December, 1849 the Government desired to convert these Vernacular school into additional Zila School. The Educational Dispatch of 1854 ended all the Vernacular School and amalgamated them to the secondary school established in different districts. W.W.Hunter in his statistical accounts of Munger of 1877 writes that the number of aided Government school was 8 in 1856 – 57, 11 in 1860-61 and 15 in 1870-71.

Zila School

The oldest school in the district is the Government English School, Munger now Zila School. It was founded in 1854. Gradually there were 229 school in the district attended by 6675 pupils by 1882 the number of school in the had risen to 2755 and of pupils 230403. Since ten in 19^th and 20^th century the number of school have grown up enormously.

The two girl schools – Baijnath Girls School and B.R.M. School Madhopur are there in Munger town.

R.D. & D.J. College

In the sphere of higher education the Diamond Jubilee College, presently R.D.& D.J. College was started in the year 1898 and in celebrated its centenary celebration in 2002. The R.D. & D.J. College is the second oldest college under the Bhagalpur University. During the decade of 1980-90 Munger College added P.G. teaching in most of the departments and presently there are 16 departments – 4 in the science, one in the commerce and 11 in the Arts faculties which are running P.G. Classes.

Amongst the distinguished members of this college, Dr. K.P.Mitra was a distinguished historian, Sri K.K.Sharan an eminent scholar with his leanings to literatures, and Sri K.N.”kapil” who was a literary figure and got many book in Hindi to his credit. He was the Editor of a Hindi Journal “Prachi” and one of the important editors of “Srikrishna Avinandan Granth.” He had a long tenure and remained principal of the college for 25 years. Dr. U.P. Verma, who succeeded him, was a great scholar of his subjects Economics & Commerce and has several books to his credit.

Among other colleges in Munger town mention mist also be made of J.M.S. college, Munger, J.R.S. college, Jamalpur B.R.M. college, Munger and R.D.S.Y. college, Munger.

Shift in the field of Education specially of secondary level the role and functioning of Notre Dame Academy at Munger and Jamalpur has been quite satisfactory. The Notre Dame is run by American Roman Catholic Mission and imparts education according to the syllabus of C.B.S.E. New Delhi. A Kendriya Vidyalaya has also been established at Jamalpur. There is Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Kharagpur also.

There is Vishwanth singh Institute of Legal studies has made rapid progress. It has got a magnifying 4 strayed building which can accommodate four to five thousand students in a shift.

Raavana rescues Rama

2010-03-06T04:16:00.001-08:00

Although the shooting of Mani Ratnam’s Raavana is complete and the postproduction of the film is on in full swing, this incident from the last schedule of the film is something the cast and crew will never forget. It concerns Abhishek Bachchan, who plays Raavana and his co-star, South superstar Vikram, who plays Rama in the film.

in reference to:

"Raavana rescues Rama"
- Raavana rescues Rama - Mumbai Mirror (view on Google Sidewiki)

Munger :A great place for tourists

2009-12-23T21:22:00.000-08:00

This is a modern town with historical roots. Previously named Monghyr, this town has many historical sites often mentioned in history books. It was the capital of Bengal in the reign of Nawab Mir Kasim, who fought bravely against British Rule, circa 1760-65. Mir Kasim built a fort near the Ganges river which still stands as proof of Munger's glorious past. Munger is situated in a serene location beside The Holy Ganga, and has many interesting places to visit. This modern town has the second highest literacy rate in Bihar state. After the disastrous earthquake in 1934 the town was rebuilt to give a modern look in keeping with its glorious history.

Munger is located in the southern part of Bihar and its headquarters is located at the southern part of the Ganges. It lies between 24°20' and 25°30' N latitude and 85°37' to 87°30' E longitude. Height from sea level is 30 to 65 m. It is divided into three subdivisions, namely Munger Kharagpur and Tarapur.There are nine development blocks - Munger, Jamalpur, Bariyarpur, Dharhara, Kharagpur, Tetiabamar, Tarapur, Asarganj and Sangrampur. Early morning on the Ganges The River Ganges (Ganga in Indian languages) (Devanagiri गंगा) is a major river in northern India. ...

Climate:: There are three distinct seasons in this zone. Summer(March to May), monsoon (June to September) and winter(October to February). Average annual rainfall of this district is 1146 mm (53 yr avg).

Munger is a great place for tourists. It has a lot of temples and forts as well as hot water springs. Main tourist attractions includes Munger Fort(in district Headquarters), Sita Kund (hot water spring). Munger also is famous for the world's first Yoga University (founded by Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati) known as Bihar School of Yoga (BSY). It has students from all over the world. It has a great campus. Students can get degrees and certifications in various courses of yoga. It has an impeccable record/history for the cure of all kinds of diseases through yoga. Paramahamsa Satyananda Saraswati (born 1923), is an important yoga master and guru in both his native India and the West. ...

Bihar Yoga Bharati :World's First Yoga University

2009-12-09T21:21:00.001-08:00

Paramhamsa Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati, in order to preserve and regenerate the total scope of yogic science by combining academic and scientific methodology with a spiritual vision, established Bihar Yoga Bharati (BYB) as a charitable educational institution at Munger in the year 1994.
BYB offers scholars, scientist, doctors and yoga aspirants from all over the world a golden opportunity to work together to formulate on scientific basis for the growth, expansion and rapid integration of Yoga into modern society.
Bihar Yoga Bharati is the first university of its kind to impart a comprehensive Yogic education with provision for MA, M.Sc., Mphil, Phd, DSc, Dlitt. The Undergraduate department offers a four month certificate course and a one year Diploma course in Yogic Studies. The postgraduate department offers a One year diploma in Yoga Ecology and Two year Master Course, MA in Yoga philosophy, MA/MSc in yoga psychology and M.Sc. in Applied Science.
Bihar Yoga Bharati offers complete, academics, yogic education and training in the traditional Gurukul or ashram environment. This combination of academics training and residential ashram lifestyle, helps the student imbibe the Yogic principles in an integral way. It ensure that, along with an intellectual yoga education, each student imbibes the spirit of seva (selfless services), samarpan(dedication) and karuna ( Compassion) for humankind.

Bihar School of Yoga

2009-12-09T21:16:00.000-08:00

Bihar School of Yoga (BSY) was established in 1964 as the headquarters of International Yoga Fellowship. It aims to impart yogic training to householders and sannyasins alike. Since the first Yoga Teacher Training Courses which was held in 1968, the school has grown into a reputable International Training center of great renown.

The yoga School is situated at Ganga Darshan, which is built over a large hill overlooking the Utter vahini Ganga. Here, amidst an atmosphere of natural beauty, surrounding by scenic gardens,, green paddy fields and a majestic 180 degree panoramic sweep of the river Ganga, a new vision of yogic life is inspired.

The techniques of integral Yoga taught here are a synthesis of all approaches to personal development. Yoga Teachers Training, Yoga Health Management, Individual Sadhana, Hriya Yoga, Mantra Meditation and other advance courses are conducted by trained sannyasins on a group or individual basis for day and life residential students.

The Bihar School of Yoga has always been known for its excellent sannyasa training and was one of the first institutions to initiate and train female and overseas sannyasins on a large scale.

The institution houses a well-stocked Yoga Research Library with a large collection of books and data where most of the school’s publication of Yoga, health techniques and research are compiled. Ashram graphics, the modern printing press, prints all the BSY publications. It has a wide range of equipment's and is staffed and managed by the sannyasins and disciples of the ashram who do everything from typesetting to dispatch.

Conventions, tours, seminars, workshops and lectures help spread the yogic message “from door to door and from shore to shore”. In addition to these, trained sannyasins are ever ready to conduct organized conventions, seminars and lecture tours throughout all the India and the world. This provides a solutions for the Yoga minded people who find it impossible to undertake a journey to Munger or any of the branch ashrams.

Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Bihar

2009-12-04T03:14:00.000-08:00

Swami Satyananda Saraswati of Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Bihar, is a keen farsighted philosopher who is dedicated completely to the formation of a unified method of yoga which integrates a holistic style of living and virtual philosophy. Swamiji has enlightened his students and disciples on the old teachings of yoga through the study of holy books and gone practices. He has modified these teachings in a contemporary manner including scientific as well as conventional explanations. According to Swamiji, impatience at any level results from the discordant functions of all the body parts of a human being destroying the peace of mind. The Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Bihar, under the supervision of Swamiji, aims at synchronizing all the levels of human existence through the continuous practice of Satyananda Yoga.

The Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Bihar, was established by Paramhansa Satyananda in 1964 to give instructions on yoga practices to all. These yoga practices are an amalgamation of various systems on the basis of conventional yogic, tantric and vedantic teachings combined with modern sciences of mental and physical health. It also arranges many yoga projects and health researches which are affiliated to numerous institutions, organizations and hospitals. Defence Services, Indian Oil Corporation, National Thermal Power Corporation, Coal India Limited, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Steel Authority of India, hospitals and prison Government sectors.

The Yoga Publication Trust under the Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Bihar, has been issuing articles and books on every facet of yoga for about 40 years, which are composed under the supervision of Swami Niranjan and Swami Satyananda and are aimed at maintaining the legitimacy, simplicity and profundity of our culture and tradition. The magazine called Yoga or Yoga Vidya along with cassettes on yoga nidra and some special practices on meditation are also distributed by the trainers.

The courses offered at the Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Bihar, are:

Yogic Studies
Yoga Sadhana and Asthma Management
Yoga Sadhana and Diabetes Management
Yoga Sadhana and Digestive Ailments
Yoga Teacher Training
Yoga Sadhana and General Health
Yogic Studies (English)
Yoga Teacher Training (English)

If you want any more information on the courses carried on at the Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Bihar, contact:
Bihar School of Yoga, Ganga Darshan,
Munger, Bihar 811201,
India.
Phone Number: 06344-222430
Fax: 06344-220169

Munger:Education

2009-11-28T22:09:00.000-08:00

Munger District has many good schools and colleges. These include Notre Dame Academy in Jamalpur and Munger, Saraswati Vidya Mandir,DAV Public School,St.Xavier's School,Kendriya Vidyalaya, Little Angels School, S.K.D. Memorial Public School, New Era etc. are some other household names. The oldest school in the district is the Zila School (formerly Government English School) which was founded in 1854. There are two girls' schools, Baijnath Girls School and Balmiki Rajniti Balika Vidyalaya, Madhopur, in Munger town. R.D. & D.J. college, Balmiki Rajniti Mahila Mahavidyalaya, J.R.S. college are institutes for higher education. R.D. & D.J. college is one of the oldest and renowned College in the Bihar and Eastern India Zone. The alumni of these institutes are now working all over world and have brought laurels to the District. Bihar School of Yoga (World's First Yoga University[1] and a deemed university) attracts students from all over world. Around 400 Australians, Americans etc. register for the yoga course every year with this figure rising continuously.

Monghyr:The city has one of India's largest cigarette factories and firearms industry

2009-11-19T22:17:00.000-08:00

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.

Munger:Past,Present And Future

2009-01-23T22:03:00.000-08:00

Munger is a modern town with historical roots. Previously named Monghyr, this town has many historical sites. During the reign of Nawab Mir Qasimthe capital of Bengal had been shifted fromMurshidabad to Munger away from British influence. Mir Qasim had been installed by the British East India Company but eventually rebelled against their endless demands, circa 1760-64, whilst in Munger, Mir Qasim raised an independent army to counter the British. Mir Qasim built a fort near the Ganges river which remains an important tourist destination.

Monghyr was a town and district of British India, in the Bhagalpur division of Bengal. The town is on the right bank of the Ganges, and has a railway station, with steam ferry service to the railway on the opposite bank of the river. In 1195 Monghyr, a fortress of great natural strength, appears to have been taken by Mahommed Bakhiyar Khilji, the first Moslem conqueror of Bengal. Henceforth it is often mentioned by the Mohammedan chroniclers as a place of military importance, and was frequently chosen as the seat of the local government. After 1590, when Akbar established his supremacy over the Afghan chiefs of Bengal, Monghyr was long the headquarters of his general, Todar Mal; and it also figures prominently during the rebellion of Sultan Shuja against his brother, Aurangzeb. In more recent times Nawab Mir Kasim, in his war with the English, selected it as his residence and the centre of his military preparations.

Munger is famous for its manufacturing industries of firearms, swords. These products are abundant, but are noted for cheapness rather than quality. The art of inlaying sword-hilts and other articles with gold and silver affords employment to a few families.

After the disastrous earthquake of 1934 the town was rebuilt to give it a modern look but in keeping with its history.

Munger is situated in a serene location beside the Ganga, considered a holy river, and has many interesting places to visit. This modern town has the second highest literacy rate in Bihar state. But serenity here has been broken seriously by the gun factory and the illegal trafficking of guns. Lawlessness has become prevalent (sicsic) in recent times. Currently Munger is a relatively unknown area of India though it has produced some known people including Harshvardhan Sinha and Anju Chakraborty, wife of Jeevon Chatterjee, ex-officer of the Indian Army. Sinha's family is still active in the campaign against gun trafficking. Munger is also the place where Karna reside during period of Mahabharta. In Mahabharta Karna often referred as "Angraj"(The King of Ang). In ancient time Munger was known as Ang.

A few NGOs have recently taken the responsibility of making Munger a world famous destination.

Munger District has many good schools and colleges. These include Notre Dame Academy in Jamalpur and Munger, Saraswati Vidya Mandir,DAV Public School,St.Xavier's School,Kendriya Vidyalaya, Little Angels School, S.K.D. Memorial Public School, New Era etc. are some other household names. The oldest school in the district is the Zila School (formerly Government English School) which was founded in 1854. There are two girls' schools, Baijnath Girls School and B.R.M. School Madhopur, in Munger town. R.D. & D.J. college, Women's college, J.R.S. college are institutes for higher education. R.D. & D.J. college is one of the oldest and renowned College in the Bihar and Eastern India Zone. The alumni of these institutes are now working all over world and have brought laurels to the District. Bihar School of Yoga (deemed university) attracts students from all over world. Around 400 Australians, Americans etc. register for the yoga course every year with this figure rising continuously.

Sita-Kund

2008-07-28T05:49:00.002-07:00

A village about 6-kms east of the Munger town contains a hot spring known as the Sita-Kund spring, which is so called after the well-known episode of the Ramayana. Rama, after rescuing his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana, suspected that she could not have maintained her honor intact, and Sita, to prove her chastity, agreed to enter a blazing fire. She came out of the fiery ordeal unscathed, and imparted to the pool in which she bathed, the heat she had absorbed from the fire. The hot spring is now enclosed in a masonry reservoir and is visited by large numbers of pilgrims, especially at the full moon of Magh. The water is beautifully clear and limpid, and sends up numerous bubbles from its rocky bed. The temperature of his spring varies in a remarkable manner and goes to the highest of 138� F and even above.

Shringhrishi

2008-07-28T05:49:00.001-07:00

One of the peaks of the Kharagpur group of hills, situated 32-kms to the southwest of Munger near Kajara, is named after the famous Rishya Sringa of the Ramayana, who performed a Yajna sacrifice at the instance of King Dashrath in order that the latter might have offspring. It is a much-frequented place of pilgrimage especially on the Shivaratri day in February. There is a spring here in a gorge among the hills that issues in six or seven places from below a high cliff of quartzite and forms a considerable stream lower down. A small reservoir has been constructed at the foot of the cliff, and is used for bathing. It is believed to have miraculous properties, the story being that whoever goes into it, whether child or adult, short or tall, finds the water only waist deep. The water is hardly lukewarm. There is also a temple dedicated to lord Shiva. The surrounding is full of beautiful natural scenery.

Rishikund

2008-07-28T05:48:00.001-07:00

This is a hot spring situated about 9-kms south of Sitakund at the head of a picturesque little valley between two ridges of the Kharagpur hills. It has been made a place of worship and a reservoir, about 140� square, has been built to collect the water. The bottom is in some places sandy, in other rocky; and the water seems to issue all along the western side from numerous crevices in the rock. Bubbles rise from the whole extent of the pool near the hill, and where the gas issues from among sand, it forms cavities like minute craters. Temperature of the water varies from 110� to 114�F.

Ha-Ha Punch Kumari

2008-07-28T05:47:00.000-07:00

It is on the western side of Rameshwar Kund. It is a waterfall coming from the hills with straight drop. The natural scenery is beautiful. This fall is named after the five girls of a Hindu King of Kharagpur whose daughters committed suicide by jumping from the hilltop to escape capture by the Muslim invaders.

Uren

2008-07-28T05:46:00.000-07:00

The village is situated about 8-kms west of Kajra railway station on the main line of the Eastern Railway. In about 1892 Colonel Waddell first discovered and examined the ruins and brought to notice their significance amongst the Buddhist ruins in Bihar

Buddhist Ruins

2008-07-28T05:45:00.000-07:00

A little below the southeastern side of the summit of the solitary hill near the village is a spot as Lorik-ka-ghar. It is surrounded on three sides by vaguely columnar rock, slightly suggestive of rude walls. Lorik is one of the most famous legendary heroes known to the folklore of Bihar. Col. Waddell, however, identified the spot with the house of the man-eating Yaksha - Bakula - of the Buddhist tradition, which claims that Buddha ultimately converted the Yaksha. Hiuen-T-Siang, the Chinese traveler also refers to this tradition and to the stupa, which was erected, to mark the spot of conversion. In further support of his view Waddell mentions the prevailing worship of the image of Ban-Bakura-Nath or Savage Lord Bakura at the village Jalalabad 12-kms away. The other Buddhist ruins discovered by Waddell on the same hill, which are referred, to below, also tend to confirm Waddell�s identification.

Foot print mark and rock inscriptions

2008-07-28T05:44:00.002-07:00

A little to the north of the spot called Lorik-ka-Ghar, Waddell noticed there a number of traces of inscriptions on the rock but they were illegible. According to him the footprint was originally intended to represent the footprint of the Buddha.

Stupa ruins near the footprint mark

2008-07-28T05:44:00.001-07:00

At a short distance from the above spot, there is a small brick mound with traces of thickly plastered walls. It appears that on the top of the mound a Hindu shrine was built in later times, the traces of which were also observed by Col. Waddell. According to Waddell this was the site of the stupa, which marked the spot of Bakul�s conversion by the Buddha.

The rock carvings near the Stupa site

2008-07-28T05:43:00.000-07:00

Nearby the stupa some figures of stupas or chaityas of most elaborate patterns on the rock was observed, supplemented in some cases with figures of lota or water vessel, the latter being very specially and prominently displayed. These are besides on the rock, other carvings representing some religious marks and emblems.

Rajaona

2008-07-28T05:42:00.000-07:00

This village is situated about 3-kms northwest of Lakhisarai and is surrounded by numerous mounds. It was one of the mahals of Sarkar Munger in the time of Akbar. The ruins have furnished several miles of brick ballast to the railway. There used to be numerous Buddhist statues and sculptures here, but nearly all have been carried off to different temples and the Indian Museum. Some statues still exist at an ancient mound called Raghugarh, viz., Ganesha, Harihara, Durga, Vishnu, the seven mothers, the nine planets, etc., as well as a few imperfect Buddhist figures.

Buddhist Monastery site at northeastern foot of the hill

2008-07-28T05:38:00.000-07:00

The rocky spur of the hill on this side is seen divided into various terraces, which were seen littered with bricks, pieces of Buddhist images, hewn stones, door-lintels and frames etc. The mounds of ruins are locally known to represent the site of the fort of King Indradyumna, the last Hindu king of the region ruling at the time of Mohammedan invasion. The ruins cover a very extensive area.

Bhaduria-bhur

2008-07-28T05:37:00.000-07:00

There is a hot spring about 3-kms from Rishikund, on the other side of the Kharagpur range of hills, not far from the village of Dariyapur in the Jamalpur P.S. The name means the cleft of Bhaduria Hill, and the spring is much cooler than the Rishikund spring of which it is locally believed to be a branch. It emerges at the foot of the Bhaduria Hill from among masses of quartzite rocks, accompanied by a free discharge of gaseous bubbles, devoid of smell and uninflammable. Men and cattle drink the water of this hot spring. Its temperature goes up to 98.5� F.

Bhimbandh

2008-07-28T05:36:00.000-07:00

The green forests in the Munger Sadar sub-division, about 20-kms southwest of Kharagpur and 6-kms north of Duddih is called Bhimbandh and is a game sanctuary. It is the home of a variety of wildlife such as Tiger, Panther, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Sambar, Langur and Nilgai. Close to the forest village are some hot springs, called Tatal-pani, which are by far the finest in the district. The first spring is situated about 300 yards to the north of the village immediately under a small detached hill named Mahadeva, from whose base the water issued in a fine stream at a temperature of 147� F. A few hundred yards farther to the north, at the foot of the hornstone hill Damadama, we come upon a region of hot springs. Hot water appears to be spouting from the ground in every direction; the principal springs, of which there are eight or ten, have uniform temperature of 145� F, all rising with a space of about 300 yards square.

Malnipahar

2008-07-28T05:34:00.000-07:00

This is a hill situated about 10-kms northeast of Bhimbandh. There are several springs, known as Janamkund, at the bottom of this hill, which form the source of the Anjan River. One spring issues at all seasons of the year directly from a crevice in the rock .Its temperature vary from 147.2� to 149� F. A second series of springs occur along the bed of the Anjan for about 150 yards, at a quarter kilometer from the source. Their highest temperature yet observed is 140�F.

Deoghara

2008-07-28T05:33:00.000-07:00

This is a village in Sangrampur named after the Deoghara hill situated off the Sangrampur-Gangta road. There is a small masonry temple of Lord Shiva at the summit of the hill, which is approachable with some difficulty. Another, stone and brick built temple is located at a lower height.

Sangrampur

2008-07-28T05:32:00.000-07:00

The village derives its name from a battle waged between the insurgent Santhals and the British troops towards the middle of the 19thcentury. Sultanganj is the nearest railway station.

Pir Pahar

2008-07-28T05:31:00.002-07:00

About 5-kms east of the town is a hill called Pir Pahar, from the top of which a fine view of the surrounding country is obtained. The hill is called after an old Mohammedan saint or Pir. There are two old tombs side by side at the foot of the hill, on one of which there is an inscription to the memory of one Mary Anne Beckett, who died in 1832, while the other has a damaged inscription showing, till a few years ago, that it is in memory of a person named D�Oyly; the portion containing the name has now disappeared.

Rameshwar Kund

2008-07-28T05:31:00.001-07:00

It is situated on the northwest corner of the Kharagpur Lake. The legend goes that during the Muslim invasion one of the Generals camped at this site and dug the earth for water and accidentally a hot water spring came out.

Kharagpur Lake

2008-07-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

This lake is situated 3-kms west of Kharagpur town and is famous for its scenic beauty. It is a big reservoir, formed by a dam, which is built across the river �Man�. It also provides irrigation to a vast area of land.

Rock carving

2008-07-28T05:29:00.000-07:00

The rock is situated about a kilometer off from the fort. It contains a carving on stone representing two feet, which are supposed to be impressions of the feet of Lord Krishna, when he touched the rock while crossing the Ganges. The rock is called locally as Manpatthar and contains some temples also.

Chandi Asthan

2008-07-28T05:28:00.000-07:00

This spot, with the shrine thereon, is mentioned as Vikrama Chandi, which is, but a hole in a rock sacred to Chandi, the Gramadevata (the village deity) of the place and covered by a small building of brick. It is with this spot that the famous legend of kings Karna and Vikrama is associated.

Kashtaharni Ghat

2008-07-28T05:27:00.000-07:00

The river Ganges takes a bend here towards north, i.e., it becomes Uttar-Vahini, a fact that had made the spot especially sacred to the Hindus. The sanctity of the place may be of considerable antiquity as is perhaps indicated by the inscription of the Gahadvala king Govind Chandra of Kannauj, which records a grant made by the king after bathing in the Ganges at Mudgagiri on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya festival. The various legends regarding the sage Mudgala, and the story of Rama are primarily associated with this spot. There are some temples on the ghat having been built at various dates in the last century.

Tomb of Mulla Muhammad Said

2008-07-28T05:26:00.000-07:00

This is situated on the top of the bastion at the southwest angle of the fort. The Mulla was a Persian poet and had come to India from Mazandran near the Caspian Sea, during the reign of the Emperor Aurangazeb, who employed him as a tutor to his daughter Zibunnisa Begum. The Mulla died in 1704 A.D. and his tomb existed till the early years of this century, when it was demolished and the grave removed.

Palace of Shah Suja

2008-07-28T05:25:00.000-07:00

This building occupies one of the finest sites in the fort and has now been converted into a jail. To west of the jailor�s office is a roofless hammam or Turkish bath, consisting of a bathroom and a dressing room. West of the hammam, outside the palace, there is another large well, now bricked up, which was connected with the river by a door.

Tomb of Pir Shah Nufa

2008-07-28T05:24:00.000-07:00

The building is raised inside the southern gate of the fort on the top of a small mound, about 25� high, which represents the ruins of some Buddhist structure. The building of the tomb consists of a domed tomb chamber with a prayer room or mosque and a rest room attached to it. A few carved stones, apparently representing ruins of some Hindu shrine, are to be seen embedded in the low platform to the south of the tomb, and disfigured with unsightly holes or depressions made by those who believed in their efficacy to cure certain diseases of children.

Munger Fort

2008-07-28T05:23:00.000-07:00

The most important of the monuments at Munger is the ancient fort, built on a rocky eminence projecting into the river Ganges that protects it from west and partly from the north, the other sides being defended by a deep moat. The rampart was provided with four gateways, one on each side, and with circular or octagonal bastions, at regular intervals, carrying the usual battlements. Of the gates only the northern gate, called Lal Darwaza, is somewhat preserved, with some carved stones built into it, which originally belonged to some Hindu or Buddhist structure.

Bihar Yoga Bharti

2008-07-28T05:18:00.001-07:00

It is located within the Ganga Darshan Complex in Munger on a powerful energy center, about 172-kms from Patna. It is on the top of a hill overlooking the river Ganges and is pinpointed to become a spiritual oasis in the technological desert of the 21st century.

Being unparallel center of International repute for learning of the Indian Yoga Science, it offers scholars, scientists, doctors and Yoga aspirants from all over the world an opportunity to work together in order to formulate a scientific basis for the integration of Yoga into modern society.

Swami Shivananda first had the vision of a Yoga University when he established the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy, in Rishikesh. Paramahamsa Satyananda who established the Ganga Darshan complex in Munger carried his inspiration forward. And now, Paramahamsa Niranjanananda, with the blessings of his predecessors has fully founded and established the Bihar Yoga Bharti in order to preserve and regenerate the total scope of Yogic science, with the objective of combining academic and scientific methodology with spiritual vision.

The institution has gained a great respect within among people world over and attracts and trains up them with their Indian counterparts.

This institution is being conducted along the lines of the great spirit of University of Nalanda and Vikaramshila and is the first institute of its kind in the world that eventually imparts comprehensive Yogic education with provision for M.A., M. Sc., M. Phil., PhD, D.Sc., and D.Litt. Along with Yogic education the student imbibes dedication, compassion and the spirit of selfless service.

It is essential for Yoga aspirants that they obtain prior permission from the Assistant Registrar (General), Bihar Yoga Bharti, Ganga Darshan, Fort Munger, Bihar-811201 (India) for attending any course for which a nominal fee is charged.

Bihar Yoga Bharti,Munger

2008-07-28T05:18:00.000-07:00

The institution has gained a great respect within among people world over and attracts and trains up them with their Indian counterparts.

Munger Or Maudagalyagiri

2008-07-28T05:14:00.000-07:00

The territory included within the district of Munger once formed part of the Madhya Desha or Midland of the first Aryan settlers. It has been identified with Modagiri, a place mentioned in the Mahabharata, which was the capital of a kingdom in Eastern India near Vanga and Tamralipta. It was also known as Maudagalyagiri after Maudgalya, a disciple of Buddha, who converted a rich merchant of this place into Buddhism. At the dawn of history, the present site of the town was apparently comprised within the kingdom of Anga, the capital of which was at Champa near Bhagalpur. Anga was the country to the east of Magadha and west of the chieftains who dwelt in the Rajmahal hills. A portion of the west of the present district was included within the limits of the kingdom of Magadha. Anga comprised the old districts of Bhagalpur and Munger and also extended northwards up the river Kaushiki and included the western portion of the district of Purnea. The area lying north of the river Ganges was known as Anguttarap. Kashyapa Vibhandaka had his hermitage on the river Kaushiki. His son Rishyasringa was beguiled by the courtesans of Anga into a boat and brought down the river to the capital - Modagiri and Kaushiki Kachcha- that had rulers who are distinguished from Karna, whose realm (Anga) clearly lay between the Magadhans and the Parvatavasins. The Anga dominion at one time included Magadha and the Shanti-parva of the epic Mahabharata refers to an Anga King who sacrificed at Mount Vishnupada. In the epic period Modagiri finds mention as a separate State. The success of Anga did not last long and about middle of the sixth century B.C. Bimbisara of Magadha is said to have killed Brahmadatta, the last independent ruler of ancient Anga. Henceforth Anga becomes an integral part of the growing empire of Magadh.

There is a gap in the history of the district for a few centuries after Hiuen-T-siang's visit. In the ninth century A.D., it passed under the rule of Pala kings, of whose dynasty there is an interesting relic in a copper plate known as the Munger Plate, which was discovered among some ruins at Munger in 1780 and translated in 1781. The inscription, which is in Sanskrit opens with the name of Gopala who was a pious Buddhist. It also mentions his son Dharampala, who resided in Munger about 830 A.D.

Till the advent of the Muslim rule in India, Munger was under the sway of the Hindu rulers. Munger does not figure prominently in the first Muslim conquests of Bihar under Ikhtiyar Khan Khilji; though it appears in 1330 A.D. it was part of the kingdom of Muhammad Tughlaq of Delhi. After this it was variously under the kings of Jaunpur and the Bengal Sultans; till, when Babar invaded Bihar in about 1530 Munger had become the headquarters of the Bihar army under the Bengal kings. In about 1533-34 Sher Shah conquered Munger, which seems to have continued to remain under the Afghan rule till Bihar became part of the Mughal Empire under Akbar in about 1563. Todar Mal, the famous statesman and general under Akbar, had camped at Munger for quite a long time to quell the Afgan rebellion and in the course of his stay, it is said, he repaired and improved the fortifications. Hundred years later Munger had become the center of the rebellions activities of Shah Shuja against his brother, Aurangazeb, who had subsequently usurped the throne. In the next century Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal made Munger his capital, which continued to remain till 1763, when the British finally defeated the Nawab. Some years later, when the fort was occupied by the East India Company's troops, it was a scene of an outbreak of European officers, known as the White Mutiny, which was quelled by Lord Clive. After this, though a small force garrisoned the fort, the fortifications were not maintained and were allowed to fall into disrepair, the buildings inside being gradually converted to civilian use.

Now Munger is a separate district in the Bihar State having its headquarters in the town of the same name. This historical town, besides for its religious and antiquarian importance, is also known for important industrial establishments among which Cigarette and Arms factories are most prominent.