| Bihar or ancient Magadha, has been the cradle | | | | subcontinent's culture and politics since |
| of Indian civilization and the centre of | | | | ancient times. Throughout its history, from |
| Indian culture and education. It was the land | | | | the 6th century BC to 5th century AD, Bihar |
| of "Ashoka The Great" and where the origins | | | | has been the seat of major empires. Not to |
| of "Buddhism took place". | | | | mention its heavy influence on the politics |
| | | | of modern India. |
| Mahavira, the last Jain Tirthankara was born | | | | |
| in the ancient kingdom of Vaishali and | | | | Unfortunately, the rich and glorious history |
| attained Moksha or Nirvana at Pawapuri (also | | | | of Bihar is in complete contrast today from |
| known as the sinless city), 90 kilometers | | | | being the first democratic republic of the |
| from Patna, the capital of Bihar. It was here | | | | world to a lawless and ungovernable state. As |
| where the ancient universities of India - | | | | India enters into the economic boom Bihar |
| Nalanda and Vikramshila were built. It has to | | | | still stands aloof untouched. It was once the |
| be said that is the people of Bihar that has | | | | greatest seat of learning, Bihar has now the |
| shaped Indian history for generations to | | | | lowest literacy rate in India. Basic |
| marvel upon for times to come. | | | | infrastructure is clearly lacking and most |
| | | | houses in the villages are still made of |
| Bihar is a landlocked state that has borders | | | | bricks mortared only with mud and covered |
| with Nepal in the north, Uttar Pradesh on the | | | | with cow dung. Potbellies of half-starved |
| west, Jharkhand on the south and West Bengal | | | | children is highly visible |
| on the east. Although it's the part of the | | | | |
| Hindi speaking heartland of India, it | | | | Visiting Bihar today you will find that the |
| nevertheless has several Hindi dialects such | | | | locals are less worried about its glorious |
| as Bhojpuri, Magadhi (Magahi), Angika, | | | | history and its historical ruins. They have |
| Maithili and Sarnami Hindustani. | | | | far more pressing needs to worry about. The |
| Interestingly it was this Magahi that was | | | | false impression today is that if you visit |
| spoken during the reign of Ashoka. Bihar is | | | | certain parts of Bihar it is advised you to |
| situated on the eastern part of the | | | | get off the road before dark for fear of |
| Indo-Gangetic Plain. | | | | armed robberies as crime is out of control. |
| | | | |
| It is rich in untapped mineral wealth, with | | | | Nevertheless a new government is in place. |
| its fertile alluvial plain occupying the | | | | The new Chief Minister has to be admired for |
| north while rocky and mineral rich plateau in | | | | his attempt to remove the "unruly and |
| the south, also called the Chhotanagpur | | | | backward" label from the state and increase |
| Plateau region. Bihar also has an amazing and | | | | development but the work culture still needs |
| glorious history as the centre of the | | | | to be improved for the road to better health. |