Siwan district

History

Siwan district, situated in the western part of the state, was originally a sub-division of Saran district, which in ancient time formed a part of Kosala Kingdom. Siwan became a fully-fledged district when it was split from Saran in 1976.

Siwan derived its name from "Shiva Man", a Bandh Raja whose heirs ruled this area till Babar’s arrival. The meaning of "Siwan" is border, previously it used to be the border district of "Bihar". Maharajganj, which is another subdivision of Siwan district, may have found its name from the seat of the Maharaja there. A recently excavated marvelous statue of Lord Vishnu at Bherbania village from underneath a tree indicates that there were large numbers of followers of Lord Vishnu. Currently, it is not located as border district of Bihar. The Gorkha king had briefly extended his kingdom to Siwan for a few years in the 1790s before the British started their rule and repulsed the Gorkhas and that is how the name of Siwan (meaning border) got stuck to the region. It is now dominated by Yadavs and Rajputs.

Siwan was a part of Banaras Kingdom during the 8th century. Muslims came here in the 13th century. Sikandar Lodi brought this area under his kingdom in the 15th century. Babar crossed Ghaghra river near Siswan in his return journey. By the end of the 17th century, the Dutch came first; followed by the English. After the battle of Buxar in 1765, it became a part of Bengal. Siwan played an important role in 1857 independence movement. It is famous for the stalwart and sturdy ‘Bhoj-puries’, who have always been noted for their martial spirit and physical endurance and from whom the army and police personnel were largely drawn. A good number of them rebelled and rendered their services to Babu Kunwar Singh. The anti pardah movement in Bihar was started by Sri Braj Kishore Prasad who also belonged to Siwan in response to the Non Co-Operative movement in 1920.

Historical places

Mehandar Dham A village in Siswan Block, where there is a temple of Lord Shiva & Lord Vishwakarma which is visited by the people of the locality almost every Monday. But in the month of Shravan(July-Aug) visited by many thousands of people everyday, specially on Monday in that month. Shivaratri & Vishwakarma Puja (17 Sept) is the most crowded days of whole year. Also, this temple is famous for marriage ceremony. It is known for its temple and a pond scatted over an area of more than 52 bighas (748800 sq.ft.). It is said that Nepal king built this big pond because in his journey he took his bath in a small pond at this place and got his leprosy cured.

Baba Hari Ram Brahma Temple, Mairwa one of the block in Siwan district, has famous Baba HariRam Brahma Temple. just 30 mtr from district head quarter   far from Mairwa Block.This is more than 250 Yrs old temple. The temple is situated on the bank of Jharahi river,at Mairwa Dham. This temple had been built in 1724. There is a pond near to temple which never drought. People said that the source of water of this pond is 7 wells which are in this pond

Babhanauli (Asaon) - babhanuli is the birth place of Baba hariram.

Korara A village in Mairwa Block, which is situated at 2 km south from mairwa dham. where there is the first Sai temple of siwan district along with temple of Lord Shiva and Mother Durga. Every year in August, Annual function is celebrated by villagers.

Don A village in the Darauli block where there are remnants of a fort, which is said to be connected with the famous hero of the Mahabharat, Acharya Dronacharya the guru of both Kaurava’s and Pandav’s. Dona's stupa is a lesser-known but popular Buddhist pilgrimage site, despite its isolated location. The Buddhist traveler Hiuen Tsang mentions a visit to Don in his account of his travels in India. He describes the stupa as being in ruins. The account of Dona's distribution of Buddha's ashes and being given the vessel is a mentioned in the end of the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, which is described in Maurice Walsh's The Long Discourses. Presently Dona's stupa is a grassy hill and has a Hindu temple built over it, where a beautiful statue of Tara is worshipped as a Hindu goddess. This statue was carved in the 9th century. A.D. Tourists on a Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour are sure to appreciate the historic sight of the stupa at Don.

Balmiki Babu Ka Mandir Established in 1885, also known as "Ramjanki Mandir". Renovated between 1925-30. The temple can be found in the town on the banks of river Daha.

Maharajganj A block headquarters now, it was also called Basnauli Gangar. It is the largest bazar in the district. This was the place where great hero of Indian Independence Movement, Shri Phulena Prasad centralised his activity and fought against the Britishers.

Bhikhabandh A village in Maharajganj Block, there is a big tree under the shade of which Bhaiya-Bahini temple is situated. The story runs that these brother and sister fought Mughal sepoys in the 14th century and died here in course of fighting.

Sohagara A place in the Guthani block, there is a famous temple of Lord Shiva (Hansnath baba), 40 km from the district headquarters (Siwan) just at the border of district Deoria of Uttar Pradesh.

Barkagaon A place in the pachrukhi block of siwan where a famous temple of lord shiva(Sansar Nath), the shivlinga was found in the 1700s. There is a very good temple with shivlinga and there are several precious statuary. Temple is situated in the north area of village barkagaon.

Khendwan Mela

A palace in Bhagwanpur Hatt Block. In Basantpur police station. There is a very holy temple of "Maa Kali" and All other Hindu god. A big Fair (Mela) is organised in the month of August.people says that Maa Kali Halts for some times here when she was going to Thawe meet Rahshu Bhagat after his calling. The beauty of this palace is Neem Tree which becomes ever green in any season.

Geography

Siwan district occupies an area of 2,219 square kilometres (857 sq mi).

Sub-Divisions

Siwan district comprises the following Sub-Divisions:

Divisions

Thus there are seventeen functional blocks in the district Namely – Siwan, Mairwa, Darauli, Guthani, Hussainganj, Andar, Raghunathpur, Siswan, Barharia, Pachrukhi,Hasnpura, Nautan, ziradei under Siwan subdivision and Maharajganj, Duraondha, Goriakothi, Basantpur, Bhagwanpur and Lakri Nabiganj under Maharajganj subdivision.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census Siwan district has a population of 3,318,176. This gives it a ranking of 101st in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 1,495 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,870/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 22.25%. Siwan has a sex ratio of 984females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 71.59%.

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Notable personalities

(born 10 May 1967) He was elected four times as a Member of Parliament from Siwan, Bihar, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) party of Lalu Prasad Yadav, and 2-times as MLA, to the Bihar Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly).[1] Being convicted in many criminal cases, he was debarred from contesting the 2009 general elections.[2][3]