Country India Headquarters Chhapra Area 2,641 km² | State Bihar Website Official website Administrative division Saran division | |
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Colleges and Universities Jai Prakash University, Jagdam College Major highways National Highway 727, National Highway 85 | ||
Saran District (Hindi: सारण) is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar state, India. The district, part of Saran Division (प्रमंडल), is also known as Chhapra district after the headquarters of the district, Chhapra.
Contents
- Map of Saran Bihar
- History
- Geography
- Economy
- Demographics
- Languages
- Divisions
- Sub Divisions
- Blocks
- InstitutionsOrganisation
- Culture
- Notable personalities
- References
Map of Saran, Bihar
History
In ancient times, Saran was part of Kosala Kingdom. The archaeological records suggests that Dighwara in Saran had supplied copper plate issued in the reign of king Mahendra paldeva in 898 A.D. In the Ain-i-Akbari, Saran was treated as one of the six Sarkars (Revenue Divisions) forming the Subah of province of Bihar, and in 1582 it was assessed to revenue by Akbar’s Finance Minister, Todar Mal. The old Saran district included the present districts of Saran, Siwan and Gopalganj. Later in 18th century, European merchant adventurers made settlements in the Saran district. The English were also attracted to Chapra about this time by the trade in salt petre, which was in great demand for the manufacture of gunpowder.
Hathwa Raj was a zamindar in the Saran Division of Bihar belonging to Bhumihars, which encompassed 1,365 villages, was inhabited by more than 391,000 people, and produced an annual rental of almost a million rupees.
Hindi version of Saran Gazetteer titled as Srijan was released in September 2016.
Geography
Saran district occupies an area of 2,641 square kilometres (1,020 sq mi), equivalent to Drenthe province in the Netherlands.
The district of Saran is situated between 25°36' and 26°13' north latitude and 84°24' and 85°15' east longitude in the southern post of the Saran Division of North Bihar. The Ganges river provides the southern boundary of the district, beyond which lie the districts of Bhojpur and Patna. To the north of Saran lie the districts of Siwan and Gopalganj. The Gandak river forms the dividing line with the Vaishali and Muzaffarpur districts in the east. To the west of Saran lie the districts of Siwan and Balia in Uttar Pradesh. The Ghaghra river forms a natural boundary between Saran and Ballia.
The district is shaped like a triangle; its apex is the confluence of the boundary of the Gopalganj district and the Gandak – Ganges river. The district is made up entirely of plains, but several depressions and marshes create three broad natural divisions:
Out of twenty blocks in the districts, six (Sonepur, Dighwara, Revelganj, chapra, Manjhi and Dariyapur) regularly flood. Six others are partially affected by floods (Parsa, Marhoura, Amnaur, Jalalpur, and Ekma). The soil of the district is alluvial. No minerals of economic value are found in the district.
Economy
It is one of the 38 districts in Bihar currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).
Demographics
According to the 2011 census Saran district has a population of 3,943,098, roughly equal to the nation of Liberia or the US state of Oregon. This gives it a ranking of 60th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 1,493 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,870/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 21.37%. Saran has a sex ratio of 949 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 68.57%.
Languages
Languages include Bhojpuri, a tongue in the Bihari language group with almost 40 000 000 speakers, written in both the Devanagari and Kaithi scripts.
Divisions
A total of 3 Sub-Divisions(अनुमंडल) , 20 Community Development Blocks(प्रखण्ड) and 1764 villages constitute the present Saran district.
Sub Divisions
Saran District comprises three Sub-divisions:
Blocks
Chapra, Manjhi, Rivilganj, Ekma, Baniapur, Amnaur, Taraiya, (Sonpur, Parsa, Garkha, Dariapur, Dighwara), Jalalpur, Marhaura, Masarakh, Maker, Nagra, Panapur, Eisuapur, Lahladpur, Jantabazar
Institutions/Organisation
A. Govt. Educational Institutions
1. Jai Prakash University 2. Rajendra College 3. Ram Jaipal College 4. Jagdam College 5. Polytechnic college, Marhurah 6. ITI Marhurah 7. Zila School 8. Rajendra Collegiate
B. Industrial Institutions
1. Saran Engineering, Marhurah 2. Saran Ditillary, Marhurah 3. Sugar Mill, Marhurah 4. Mortern Mill, Marhurah 5. Rail Wheel Factory, Daryapur 6. Rail Coach Factory, Sonpur 7. Locomotive Diesel Engine Factory, Marhurah
Culture
Saran district is very rich in cultural activities. Cultural festivals are organised in Sonepur during the month of Kartik.