Districts of Bihar
==========================

[Sort order : from the northwest, proceeding eastward in a serpentine way, sort of (!) to the southwest]
(For those who don't very much care for scrolling, even with  help of the elevator in the scroll-bar, a link provided at the top  and the  bottom   of this page will take you to the Dvisions and Districts Table, you can toggle between the table and the district(s) of your interest.)

||  To Divisions and Districts   | Jump To the Middle | To the Bottom ||

Population figures from the 1991 census
==========================================================================================

West Champaran
Head Quarters : Bettiah

Area

Sq. Km

Population

Literacy

Rate %

Total Rural Urban Literate

5,228

23,33,666 20,98,298 2,35,368 5,18,535

27.99

Sub Divisions

Bettiah, Bagaha, Narkatiyaganj

Blocks Bettiah, Nautan, Bairiya, Gogapatti, Chanpatia, Majhaulia, Bagaha, Thakraha, Madhubani, Ramnagar, Lauriya, Supauli, Narkatiyaganj, Gaunaha, Mainatanr
Agriculture Extremely rich paddy fields, Sugar cane, Cane reeds grow wild
Industry Sugar factories at Bagaha, Harinagar, Chanpatia, Ramnagar
Rivers Gandak
Noteworthy Historic region, Mahrishi Valmiki's ashram at Valmikinagar. Rich with Buddhist relics. Ashoka's pillar at Lauriya Nandngarh. Area of Gandhiji's non-coperation movement (1917) against indigo planters. Foothills of the Himalayas in the north, home of the aborisginees - Tharus, and rich with forests and wildlife.

East Champaran
Head Quarters : Motihari

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

3968

30,43,061 28,69,702 1,73,359 6,64,369

21.83

Sub Divisions

Motihari Sadar, Areraj, Raxaul, Sikarahna, Pakridayal

Blocks Motihari, Turkaulia, Kalyanpur, Kesariya, Sugauli, Areraj, Harsiddhi, Paharpur, Mehsi, Chakia, Raxaul, Ramgharwa, Adapur, Chhotadana (Narkatiya), Dhaka, Patahi, Ghodasahan, Pakridayal, Madhuban, Chiraiya
Agriculture Rice Paddy (very rich, home of Basmati rice), Sugar cane, Jute, Lentils
Industry Sugar factories at Motihari, Sugauli, and Barachakia. Button factory at Mehsi.
Rivers Gandak, Sikrahna
Noteworthy Historical area. Ashoka's monument at Areraj and Ramgharwa. Also at Areraj, famous Shiva Temple.Site of Gandhiji's launch of the satyagraha movement  against indigo planters and of his first arrest and trial in India, at Motihari (1917.)Raxaul - gateway to Nepal, Birganj in Nepal situated across the border on Tribhuwan Raj Path, the road to Kathmandu and on to Lhasa, Tibet.

Saran
Head Quarters : Chhapra

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

2,641

25,72,980 23,38,624 2,34,356 8,45,031

41.79

Sub Divisions

Chhapra, Marhawrah, Sonepur

Blocks Chhapra, Revelganj, Jalalpur, Manjhi, Ekma, Baniapur, Gadhkha, Parsa, Marhawrah, Mashrakh, Taraiya, Amnaur, Sonepur, Dighwara, Dariyapur
Agriculture Paddy, wheat, sugar cane
Industry Sugar factories. A large confectionery (Morton's) at Marhawrah.
Rivers Ganges, Ghaghra, Gandak
Noteworthy Birthplace of Jay Prakash Narayan at Sitab Diara. World's longest railway platform at Sonepur. Also, world's largest animal fare held there. A religious festival, Kartik Purnima, (full moon in the Hindu month of Kartik, around (Oct-Nov) attracts millions for a holy dip at the confluence of Ganges and Gandak. Hajipur, in Vaishali district, is accross the river.

Siwan
Head Quarters : Siwan

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

2,219

21,70,971 20,55,466 1,15,505 6,65,772

39.13

Sub Divisions

Siwan, Maharajganj

Blocks Siwan, Hussainganj, Panchrukhi, Aandar, Mairwan, Guthani, Darauli, Siswan, Raghunathpur, Barhaiya, Maharajganj, Bhagwanpur, Basantpur, Goriya kothi, Daraundha
Agriculture Paddy, wheat, sugar cane
Industry Sugar factories.
Rivers Daha, Jharhi
Noteworthy Birthplace of India's First President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, at Jiradai.

Gopalganj
Head Quarters : Gopalganj

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

2,033

17,04,310 16,07,444 96,866 4,70,304

34.96

Sub Divisions

Gopalganj, Hathwa

Blocks Gopalganj, Manjha, Kuchaikot, Barauni, Baikunthpur, Hathwa, Uchkagaon, Bhore, Vijaypur, Kataiya
Agriculture Paddy, wheat, maize
Industry Sugar factories. Vegetable oil mill at Hathwa
Rivers Gandak
Noteworthy  

Muzaffarpur
Head Quarters : Muzaffarpur

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

3,172

29,53,903 26,78,938 2,74,965

8,51,995

36.11

Sub Divisions

East Muzaffarpur, West Muzaffarpur

Blocks Musahari, Minapur, Kochanha, Aurai, Katra, Gaighat, Dholi, Sakri, Kudhani, Kanti, Sariya, Sahibganj, Paru, Baruraj (Motipur)
Agriculture Paddy, Maize, Wheat, Lentils. Famous for Lichies and Mango.
Industry Sugar factories at Motipur, Thermal Power Station at Kanti, Wagon factory at Muzaffarpur, Pharamceuticals at Narayanpur.
Rivers Baghmati and Budhi Gandak
Noteworthy Important station on the Indo-Nepal Highway.

Sitamarhi
Head Quarters : Sitamarhi

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

2,643

23,91,495 22,57,987 1,33,508

5,37,189

28.12

Sub Divisions

Sitamarhi Sadar, Shivahar, Pupri

Blocks Belsund, Dumra, Runni Saidpur, Bairganiya, Majorganj, Riga, Badhnaha, Sonbarsa, Parihar, Shivahar, Piprahi, Tariyani, Pupri, Surasund,  Nampur, Bajpatti
Agriculture Paddy, Wheat, Maize, Lentils
Industry Sugar factory at Riga. Rice and oil mills.
Rivers Bagmati
Noteworthy Birthplace of the Hindu goddess, Sita, the Consort of Lord Rama. Janaki temple at Sitamarhi.

Vaishali
Head quarters : Hajipur

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate

2,036

21,46,065 20,02,708 1,43,357

6,86,058

40.57

Sub Divisions

Hajipur, Mahua

Blocks Hajipur, Lalganj, Vaishali, Mahnar, Desari, Bidupur, Raghopur, Mahua, Goraul, Patepur, Jandaha
Agriculture Paddy, Wheat, Maize, Lentils, and world-famous Chinia ("sweet and tiny") banana
Industry Sugar factory at Goraul
Rivers Ganges and Gandak. their confluence is just south of Hajipur
Noteworthy Home of the ancient kingdom of the Lichhavi's - the world's first Democratic Republic. Very rich with Buddhist monuments, including Ashoka's pillars. extremely rich archaeological sites. Hajipur, now a Regional Headquarters of the North Eastern Rly. Hajipur now connected with Patna by a road bridge across the Ganges, the Mahatma Gandhi Setu. This, combined with expansion of the Broad Gauge to this area, has made North Bihar more easily accessible to the rest of India.

Darbhanga
Head Quarters : Darbhanga

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate

2,279

25,10,959 22,92,568 2,18,391

6,97,668

34.94

Sub Divisions

Darbhanga Sadar, Benipur, Biraul

Blocks Darbhanga, Bahadurpur, Hayaghat, Singhwara, Jaale, Kenwati, Ranwe, Manigachhi, Baheri, Benipur, Alinagar, Biraul, Kusheshwar Sthan, Ghanshyampur
Agriculture Paddy
Industry Paper mill at Darbhanga, sugar factories at Raiyam and Pandaul, Handloom at Pandaul
Rivers Kamala, Balaan
Noteworthy Seat of the old Maharaja of Darbhanga, also Heart of the Maithil Culture

Madhubani
Head Quarters : Madhubani

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

2,501

28,32,024 27,29,260 1,02,764

7,53,301

33.22

Sub Divisions

Madhubani, Jaynagar, Benipatti, Jhanjharpur, Phul Paraas

Blocks Madhubani, Khajauli, Babu Barahi, Rajnagar, Pandaul, Jaynagar, Ladaniyan, Basopatti, Benipatti, Biski, Athwapur, Harlakhi, Jhanjharpur, Andhrathaki, Madhepura, Phulparaas, Ghoghardiha, Laukahi, Khutauna
Agriculture Paddy
Industry Sugar factories at Sakri and Lohat, Pisciculture
Rivers Kamala and Bhutahi Balaan, main. Numerous rivulets from Nepal, Prone to flooding
Noteworthy World famous for Madhubani style of painting. Rich with maithil folk-role.  Saurath Mela - unique annual gathering of prospective bride-grooms, all in preened to their finest!

Samastipur
Head Quarters : Samastipur

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

2,904

27,16,929 25,82,052 1,34,877

7,80,335

36.37

Sub Divisions

Samastipur, Dalsingsarai, Russera

Blocks Samastipur, Tajpur, Pusa, Kalyanpur, Warisnagar, Patori, Sarairanjan, Dalsingsarai, Ujiarpur, Mohiuddinnagar, Russera, Singhia, Hassanpur, Vibhutipur
Agriculture Paddy, Maize
Industry Sugar factories at Hasanpur, Samastipur, and Pusa. Paper mill at Samastipur, Jute mill a Muktapur
Rivers Budhi Gandak, Kamala, Balaan
Noteworthy Oldest (?) agricultural university in India,  located at Pusa. Samastipur - an old railroad junction with a large railway colony, reminiscent of Bhowani Junction (John Master's fictional place and a film of the same name.)

Saharasa
Head Quarters :  Saharsa

Area

Population (Combined with Supaul) Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

1,696

24,75,254 23,03,573 1,71,681

5,68,484

28.97

Sub Divisions

Saharasa Sadar, Simri Bakhtiyarpur

Blocks Saharsa Sadar, Menhasari, Simri Bhaktiyarpur, Nauhatta, Saurbazar, Sonbarsa, Salkhua
Agriculture Paddy
Industry Jute factory at Saharasa
Rivers Kosi (the River of Sorrow)
Noteworthy Plagued by flood from the Kosi.

Supaul
[Established March 3, 1991]
Head Quarters : Supaul

Area

Population (Combined with Saharsa) Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

2,420

24,75,254 23,03,573 1,71,681

5,68,484

28.97

Sub Divisions

Supaul, Birpur, Nirmali, Tribeniganj

Blocks Supaul, Pipra, Bishunpur, Basantpur, Raghopur, Nirmali, Marauna, Tribeniganj, Chhatapur
Agriculture Paddy
Industry  
Rivers Kosi

Madhepura
Head Quarters : Madhepura

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

1,788

11,77,706 11,00,869 76,837

2,58,170

27.72

Sub Divisions

Madhepura, Uda Kishanganj

Blocks Madhepura, Singheshwar, Kunmar Khand, Murliganj, Uda Kishanganj, Chausa, Alamnagar
Agriculture Paddy, Jute
Industry Jute mill at Madhepura
Rivers Kosi
Noteworthy Another flood-ravaged area

Purnea
Head Quarters : Purnea

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

3,229

18,78,885 17,20,743 1,58,142

4,20,593

28.52

Sub Divisions

Purnea, Dhumdaha

Blocks East Purnea, Krityanand Nagar, Banmankhi, Kaswa, Amaur, Bainsi, Baisa, Dhamdaha, Tarhara Kothi, Rupauli, Bhawanipur 
Agriculture Jute
Industry Jute Mills
Rivers Kosi, Mahananda, Suwara Kali and Koli
Noteworthy Strategic importance

Araria
Head Quarters : Araria

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

2,830

16,11,638 15,09,360 1,02,278

3,30,129

26.19

Sub Divisions

Araria, Forbesganj

Blocks Araria, Kursakata, Sikti, Palasi, Jakihat, Forbesganj, Narpatganj, Bhurgawan, Raniganj
Agriculture Paddy, Maize, Jute
Industry Jute mills
Rivers Kosi, Suwara, Kali and Koli
Noteworthy  

Kishanganj
Head Quarters : Kishanganj

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

1,884

9,84,107 8,84,827 99,280

1,72,214

22.22

Sub Divisions

Kishanganj

Blocks Kishanganj, Konchadhawan, Bahadurganj, Tendhagachhi, Dighalbank, Thakurganj
Agriculture Paddy, wheat, maize, jute
Industry Jute mills
Rivers Mahananda
Noteworthy Strategic importance

Katihar
Head Quarters : Katihar

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

3,057

18,25,380 16,53,761 1,71,619

4,08,582

28.70

Sub Divisions

Katihar, Barsoi

Blocks Katihar, Pranpur, Manihari, Barari, Kalka, Kodha, Ahmedabad, Barsoi, Ajamnagar, Balrampur, Kadhwa
Agriculture Paddy
Industry Jute and Paper mills
Rivers Mahananda, Ganges
Noteworthy Gateway to the east, Important railhead, Resting place for migratory birds

Bhagalpur
Head Quarters : Bhagalpur

Area

Population (includes Banka) Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

2,570

32,02,471 28,14,387 3,88,084

9,87,127

38.89

Sub Divisions

Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon (Colgong), Naugachhia

Blocks Jagdishpur, Shahkund, Sultanganj, Nathnagar, Sabour, Kahalgaon, Pirpainti, Sanhal, Naugachhia, Bihpur, Gopalpur
Agriculture Paddy, maize, lentils
Industry Cottage industries - Tusser silk world-famous
Rivers Ganges, Chaandan
Noteworthy Agricultural university at Sabour, Part of ancient kingdom of Anga, Sultanganj - historical importance - religious place for Hindus (Ajgaibinath Temple)

Banka
Head Quarters : Banka

Area

Population (includes Bhagalpur) Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

3,019

32,02,471 28,14,387 3,88,084

9,87,127

38.89

Sub Divisions

Banka

Blocks Banka, Katoria, Chaandan, Belhar, Shambhuganj, Amarpur, Bhuraiya, Rajaun, Barahaat, Baunsi
Agriculture Paddy, wheat, maize, lentil
Industry  
Rivers Chaandan
Noteworthy  

Munger-Luckeesarai-Sheikhpura-Jamui (Combined)

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

6,422

30,60,027 25,52,378 5,07,649

10,13,212

41.58

Agriculture Paddy, wheat, lentils
Industry Gun and tobacco factory at Munger, Locomotive repair at Jamalpur
Rivers Ganges, Mohane, Harohar, Kiul
Noteworthy Mirakasim's fort at Munger, Jhajha - important rail junction,  Hot springs at Sitakund

Munger
Head Quarters : Munger

Sub Divisions

Munger Sadar,  Kharagpur,

Blocks Munger, Jamalpur, Dharahara, Kharagpur, Tarapur, Sangrampur

Luckeesarai
Head Quarters : Luckeesarai

Sub Divisions

Luckeesarai

Blocks Luckeesarai, Barahiya, Hulsi, Chaanan

Sheikhpura
Head Quarters : Sheikhpura

Sub Divisions

Sheikhpura

Blocks Sheikhpura, Suryagarha, Beegha, Aunriyari

Jamui
Head Quarters : Jamui

Sub Divisions

Jamui

Blocks Jamui, Lakshmipur, Jhajha, Chakai, Sono, Khaira, Sikandara

Khagaria
Head Quarters : Khagaria

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

1,486

9,87,227 9,28,423 58,804

2,51,780

32.33

Sub Divisions

Khagaria, Ghoghri

Blocks Khagaria, Alauli, Chowtham, Ghoghri, Barbatta, Beldaur
Agriculture Paddy, wheat, maize, jute
Industry  
Rivers Ganges, Kosi
Noteworthy Flood affected

Begusarai
Head Quarters : Begusarai

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

1,918

18,14,773 16,37,071 1,77,702

5,30,691

36.88

Sub Divisions

Begusarai, Teghra, Balia, Majhaul

Blocks Begusarai, Mattihani, Teghra, Bachhwara, Barauni, Bhagwanpur, Balia, Sahibpur Kamal, Cheria, Bariarpur, Khudabandpur, Barari
Agriculture Wheat, maize, chilli pepper
Industry Fertilizer factory, Therma power station, Petro-Chemicals at Barauni
Rivers Ganges, Kamla
Noteworthy Bridge across Ganges at Barauni, Resting spot for migratory birds, Industrial complex at Barauni

Nalanda
Head Quarters : Bihar Sharif

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

2,367

19,97,995 17,01,777 2,96,218

7,51,056

46.94

Sub Divisions

Bihar Sharif, Rajgir, Hilsa

Blocks Bihar Sharif, Noorsarai, Rahai, Harnaut, Asthawan, Sarmera, Rajgir, Giriak, Hilsa, Chandi, Ekangarsarai, Islampur
Agriculture Rich paddy fields, potato, onion
Industry Handloom weaving around Bihar Sharif
Rivers Phalgu, Mohane
Noteworthy Buddhist ruins, holy places and hot springs at Rajgir. Ruins at Nalanda. Jain temple at Pawapuri (place of Lord Mahavira's death).

Patna
Head Quarters : Patna

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

3,202

36,18,211 22,41,510 13,76,701

16,47,184

56.33

Sub Divisions

Patna Sadar, Patna City, Masaurhi, Danapur, Barh

Blocks Patna Sadar, Phlwarisharif, Patna Rural, Patna Municipal, Futwah, Masaurhi, Dhanarua, Punpun, Dinapur, Naubatpur, Paliganj, Bikram, Bihta, Maner, Barh, Bakhtiarpur, Pandarak, Mokameh
Agriculture Rich paddy fields, potato, onion, vegetables
Industry Sugar factory at Bihta. Fire-works, Biscuit,Flour miils, Light-bulb at Patna City.  Shoes at Digha and Mokameh. Wagon factory at Mokameh.
Rivers Ganges, Son, and Punpun
Noteworthy Patna - capital city of Bihar. Numerous buddhist ruins - mostly to the south of Patna town (namely, Kumhrar.) World class Planetarium and Museum at Patna. Golghar, a granary built by the British, a noted landmark of Patna. Also the central lawn - Ghandi Maidan (old British polo ground) - famous as a  gathering place and for political rallies. Patna also a major educational center.

Bhojpur
Head Quarters : Ara

Area

Population (see below) Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

2,474

         
Sub Divisions

Ara Sadar, Jagdishpur

Blocks Ara, Udwantnagar, Barhara, Koilwar, Sahaar, Sandesh, Jagdishpur, Bihiyan, Shahpur, Charpokhri, Tarari, Piro

Buxar
Head Quarters : Buxar

Area

Population (see below) Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

1,624

         
Sub Divisions

Buxar, Dumraon

Blocks Buxar, Itarhi, Rajkot, Simri, Brahmapur, Dumraon, Nabinagar

Bhojpur-Buxar

Area

Population Literacy

Sq. Km

Total Rural Urban Literate Rate %

 

28,80,447