Muzaffarpur

Not to be confused with Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.

Muzaffarpur मुज़फ्फरपुर
Metropolitan city
Muzaffarpur Railway Junction
Muzaffarpur Location in Bihar, India
Coordinates: 26°04′N 85°27′E / 26.07°N 85.45°E / 26.07; 85.45Coordinates: 26°04′N 85°27′E / 26.07°N 85.45°E / 26.07; 85.45
Country	India
State	Bihar
District	Muzaffarpur district
Government
• Mayor, Dept Mayor	Varsha Singh, Syed Majid Hussain
Area
• Total	3,172 km2 (1,225 sq mi)
Elevation	60 m (200 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	351,838
• Density	929/km2 (2,410/sq mi)
Languages
• Spoken	Hindi, Vajjika, English,
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	842001, 842002, 842003
Telephone code	0621
Vehicle registration	BR-06
Sex ratio	(females per 1,000 males) 890 ♂/♀
Literacy	85.06%
Lok Sabha constituency	Muzaffarpur
Vidhan Sabha constituency	Muzaffarpur
Website	www.muzaffarpur.biharurban.in

Muzaffarpur (Hindi: मुज़फ्फरपुर; pronunciation (help·info)) is a city in Muzaffarpur district in Bajjikanchal region of Bihar. It also serves as the headquarters of Muzaffarpur district and Tirhut Division.

Muzaffarpur is the fourth most populous city after Patna, Gaya and Bhagalpur in Bihar. Muzaffarpur, famous for Shahi lychees,^[1] is the largest city of northern Bihar. It is situated on the banks of the perennial Burhi Gandak River, which flows from the Someshwar Hills of Himalayas. Muzaffarpur is one of the many gateways to Nepal. Clothes and food-grains are traded between Nepal and Muzaffarpur.

Geography

Muzaffarpur, Bihar is located atmad 26°07′N 85°24′E / 26.12°N 85.4°E / 26.12; 85.4.^[2] The City lies in a highly active seismic zone of India. In the disastrous earthquake on 15 January 1934, much of the town suffered severe damage and many lives were lost.^[3] It has an average elevation of 47 meters (154 feet). This saucer shaped, low-centered town lies on the great Indo-Gangetic plains of Bihar, over Himalayan silt and sand brought by the glacier-fed and rain-fed meandering rivers of the Himalayas. The soil of the town is highly fertile, well drained and sandy, white coloured and very soft. The landscape is green all year round. The town is surrounded by the flood plain dotted with ponds and oxbow lakes, with sparkling sandy river banks and clean air and water. Numerous private fruit orchards and idyllic rivers are also nearby. The city has a water-table just 20 ft. below ground level. The city has a non-operational civil Aerodrome, Patahi, belonging to the Airport Authority of India which is now somewhat damaged. Muzaffarpur now is a rapidly growing city. The unplanned growth in the last decade has been phenomenal. Thousands of villagers migrated to this City from nearby villages in the rapid urbanisation of post-independence India, and this has created serious infrastructure problem. The drainage system and garbage disposal system is disorderly and practically non-existent. The downtown areas of Muzaffarpur are Tilak Maidan Road, Kalyani and Saraiyaganj and Motijheel. These areas are densely populated with small shops as well as branded shops selling a plethora of goods and services. Motijheel is the main shopping area. Chakkar Maidan has a small encampment of members of the Territorial Army^[4] non-departmental unit 151 Inf Bn (TA) JAT. Muzaffarpur City has old temples like Baba Garib Nath (Shiva Temple) , Chaturbhuj-sthan,which has also a red light area, Raj Rajeswar Devi Kali (Durga)build by Darbhanga Maharaj and Kalibari, the Kali temple.There are also Hazrat Bilal Mosque Brahampura Data Kammal Shah Majaar Purani Bazaar,Kothiya Shareef Kanti Several large and small places of worship.

History

Muzaffarpur City was established by and named after an Afghan Md.Muzaffar Khan, an Amil (Revenue Officer) . The district is bounded by the East Champaran,Sitamarhi,Vaishali,Saran, Darbhanga and Samastipur districts . It has won international encomiums for its delicious Shahi(Royal) and China Lychee species.

While the history of this City is not available fully but that of the recorded history of the district dates back to the rise of the Vrijjan Republic, when the center of political power shifted from Mithila to Vaishali. The Vrijjan Republic was a confederation of eight clans of which the Licchavis were the most powerful and influential. Even the powerful kingdom of Magadh had to conclude matrimonial alliances in 519 B.C. with the neighbouring estates of the Licchavis. Ajatshatru invaded Vaishali and extended his sway over Tirhut. It was at this time that Patliputra (the modern Patna) was founded at the village Patali on the banks of the sacred Ganges river, and Ajatshatru built an invincible fortress to keep vigil over the Licchavis on the other side of the river. Ambarati, 40 km from Muzaffarpur is believed to be the village home of Amrapali, the famous Royal court dancer of Vaishali.

From the visit of the Hieuen Tsang until the rise of the Pala dynasty, Muzaffarpur was under the control of Maharaja Harsha Vardhan, a powerful sovereign of North India. After 647 A.D. the district passed to the local chiefs. In the 8th century A.D. the Pala kings gained control over Tirhut and kept it until 1019 A.D.The sixty-sixth descendents of the Palas are the Pauls in Muzaffarpur. Samiran Kumar Paul, the eminent scholar, teacher and Poet is one of them. Chedi kings of Central India also exercised their influence over Tirhut until they were replaced by the rulers of the Sena dynasty towards the close of the 11th century.

Sometime between 1211 and 1226, Ghais-u-ddin Iwaz, the ruler of Bengal, became the first Muslim invader of Tirhut. However, he could not succeed in conquering the kingdom, merely extorting tributes. It was in 1323 that Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq established his control over the district.

The history of Muzaffarpur would be incomplete without a reference to the Simraon dynasty (in the north-east part of Champaran) and its founder, Nanyupa Deva, who extended his power over the whole of Mithila and Nepal. During the regime of Harasimha Deva, the last king of the dynasty, Tughlaq Shah invaded Tirhut in 1323 and gained control over the territory. Tughlaq Shah handed over the management of Tirhut to Kameshwar Thakur. Thus, the sovereign power of Tirhut passed from the Hindu chiefs to the Muslims.

Towards the close of the 14th century the whole of North Bihar, including Tirhut, passed to the kings of Jaunpur and remained under their control for nearly a century, until Sikandar Lodi of Delhi defeated the king of Jaunpur. Meanwhile, Hussain Shah, the Nawab of Bengal, had become so powerful that he exercised his control over large tracts including Tirhut. The emperor of Delhi advanced against Hussain Shah in 1499 and got control over Tirhut after defeating its Raja. The power of the Nawabs of Bengal began to wane and, with the decline and fall of Mahood Shah, north Bihar formed a part of the mighty Mughal Empire. Though Muzaffarpur with the entire north Bihar had been annexed, the petty chieftains continued to exercise effective control over this area until the days of Daud Khan, the Nawab of Bengal. Daud Khan had his stronghold at Patna and Hajipur, and after his fall, a separate Subah of Bihar was constituted under the Mughal dynasty, with Tirhut forming a part of it.

The victory of East India Company in 1764 at the battle of Buxar gave them control over the whole of Bihar and they succeeded in subduing the entire district. The success of the insurgency in Delhi in 1857 caused grave concern to the English inhabitants in this district and revolutionary fervor began to permeate the entire district. Muzaffarpur played its role and was the site of the famous bombing case of 1908. The young Bengali revolutionary, Khudiram Bose, a boy of barely 18 years, was hanged for throwing the bomb at the carriage of Pringle Kennedy, who was mistaken for Kingsford, the District Judge of Muzaffarpur. After independence, a memorial to this young revolutionary patriot was constructed at Muzaffarpur, which still stands. The political awakening in the country after the First World War stimulated nationalist movement in Muzaffarpur district as well. The visit of Mahatma Gandhi first time in Bihar to the house of Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma in village Gyanpur, now Bhojpur on the Ninth April 1917 when Pandit Sharma along with some other persons lead the Mahatma to Acharya J.B. Kriplani, professor of GBB College, Muzaffarpur. This was the first visit of Mahatma MK Gandhi in Muzaffarpur on the 10th. April 1917; next he visited Muzaffarpur in December 1920 and again in January 1927 had tremendous political effect in arousing the latent feelings of the people and the district continued to play a prominent role in the country's struggle for freedom.

Muzaffarpur played a very significant role in the history of North-Eastern India. The peculiarity of Muzaffarpur in Indian civilisation arises out of its position on the frontier line between two most vibrant spiritual influences. To this day, it is a meeting place of Hindu and Islamic culture and thoughts. All sorts of modified institutions, representing mutual assimilation, rise along this border line. It has undoubtedly been this highly diversified element within her boundaries that has so often made Muzaffarpur the birthplace of geniuses.

In January 1934, a colossal 8.1 magnitude earthquake struck the area, completely demolishing part of the city. The region was shaken strongly again in the 1988 Bihar earthquake.

Sherpur(Narayanpur Anant urf Sherpur) Village is the most important village in Muzaffarpur, the literacy rate of Sherpur is quite high from very beginning. Presently, Smt Asha Shrivastava is the Mukhiya of Sherpur.

Climate

The summer, between April and June, is extremely hot and humid (28/40 °C,90% Max.) and winter is pleasantly cool, around 06/20 °C. The air pollution is lower than in other areas, so the air is comparatively clean. The best months to visit are October through March. It is best to avoid visits in the summer and the monsoon season (Mid June to September) due to prolonged power cuts, the heat, and flooding in the District.

Climate data for Muzaffarpur Hub of Bajjikanchal
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	22 (72)	26 (79)	32 (90)	37 (99)	38 (100)	36 (97)	33 (91)	33 (91)	32 (90)	32 (90)	29 (84)	24 (75)	31.2 (88.2)
Average low °C (°F)	9 (48)	12 (54)	17 (63)	22 (72)	25 (77)	27 (81)	26 (79)	26 (79)	26 (79)	22 (72)	15 (59)	10 (50)	19.8 (67.8)
Precipitation mm (inches)	12 (0.47)	17 (0.67)	7 (0.28)	16 (0.63)	42 (1.65)	185 (7.28)	339 (13.35)	259 (10.2)	242 (9.53)	39 (1.54)	17 (0.67)	7 (0.28)	1,182 (46.55)
Source: Muzaffarpur Weather

Economy

Muzaffarpur is famous for exporting lychee. Long ago, the area was famous for hand-woven textiles, sugar cane, and other products. The district has a few sugar mills, which are now old and dilapidated. It is the commercial hub of North Bihar and the wholesale market of Mumbai, Surat and Ahmedabad. Textile mills in the famous Marwari community dominate Suta Patti. The commercial hub of the City is Motijheel,Kalyani Chowk, SarriyaGanj,Jawaharlal Road,Bela Industrial Area,Club Road,Islampur,Shafi Daudi Market,Andi Gola,Chata Bazar,Company Bagh,Tilak Maidan Road,Juran Chapra,Bank Road,Mithanpura,Aam Gola & Many more.

The land use around Muzaffarpur is mainly agricultural and horticultural. While litchee and mangoes are abundantly grown, principal crops are rice, wheat, pulses, jute, maize and oil seeds. Vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, onion, tomato, radish, carrot, beetroot, among others, are also grown. Sugar cane, potato and barley are some of the non-cereal crops grown.

The main livestock of the town are cattle, buffalo, goats, and poultry.

Muzaffarpur City has several industries, big and small. The railway wagon industry is one of the City landmarks. Muzaffarpur is an important centre for the wholesale cloth trade.

Bihar has emerged as brewery hub with major domestic and foreign firms setting up production units in the state.Vijay Mallya group- United Breweries Group,is setting up a production unit to make litchi-flavoured wine,in Muzaffarpur in 2012.The company has leased litchi gardens.^[5]

Lychee

The litchi crop, which is available from May to June, is mainly cultivated in the districts of Muzaffarpur and surrounding districts, in an area of about 25,800 hectare producing about 300,000 tonnes every year. Lychee is exported to big cities like Bombay, Kolkata and to other countries. India's share in the world litchi market amounts to less than 1%. The names of the litchi produced in Muzaffarpur are Shahi and China. The fruits are known for excellent aroma and quality.^[6]

Demographics

As of the 2011 India census,^[7] Muzaffarpur had a population of 3,93,724. Males constituted 52.96%(208,509) of the population and females 47.04%(1,85,215). Muzaffarpur had a literacy rate of 85.07%. Male literacy was 88.77%, and female literacy was 80.91%.^[8] Seventeen percent of the population was under 6 years of age.

Languages

Being as the hub of Bajjikanchal, Vajjika is spoken by the natives of the district. However, Hindi is the language used for official documentation. Urdu is the second official language. There are sociolinguistic politics and related conspiracies going on in north Bihar by Maithili and Bhojpuri speaking people to declare Bajjika Language as a dialect of Maithili/Bhojpuri. These people often forget that natives of Bajjikanchal shall fight tooth and nail these shrewds in order to establish a grand Bajjikanchal and get a constitutional status of their Bajjika language.

Cuisine

There is no specific, authentic and purely Muzaffarpur cuisine as such most of the cuisine can at best be termed regional cuisine. The basic ingredients are rice, wheat flour, lentils(green and yellow), root and leafy vegetables, Indian spices, ground nut oil, Mustard seed oil, ghee, sugar and jaggery, among others. The traditional breakfast includes [( "Chura-Dahi and Chini", "Flattened Rice, Curd and Sugar")] is one of the most popular break fast combination of Bajjika area equally popular both among urban and rural population being most hygienic and ready made, jalebi, poori, Samosa or potato Curry served hot with any of a variety of Chutney and finished with Milk Tea. Indian-Chinese dishes such as noodles, Tandoori dishes and South Indian like Dosa, Idaly dishes are also eaten. Most of the ethnic cuisine and special dishes like Thekua,Purukia,Tilkut,Bundia etc. are cooked during festivals, religious functions and marriages. In modern Muzaffarpur, ethnic cuisines have given way to the oily, hot and spicy foods of the Pan-Indian type.

Toddy(Taari) is a fermented juice of the Palm tree which has about 5%–8% alcohol and is very popular as "Poor Man's Beer" in Muzaffarpur.

A variety of spicy dry, baked, fried, deep fried or curried Mutton, chicken, fish and shellfish are prepared and eaten. Mughalai and a few Continental dishes, such as Macaroni or Spaghetti, duly Indianised, are home cooked and relished by some people. Pre- and post-dinner Betel nut (Paan) chewing is very popular, along with chewing tobacco.

Transport

Muzaffarpur Railway Station is a main railway junction, with two suburban stations, Ram Dayalu Nagar and Narayanpur Anant(SHERPUR). Local and inter-state buses start from Imli Chatti and Bairiya Bus Station. The airport, Patahi Airport, had regular flights to some cities but does not operate any commercial flights now.

Education

Muzaffarpur is the Second leading centre of education in Bihar after Patna. It has a medical and an engineering college, and has the oldest universities of Bihar (Bihar University, now known as B. R. Ambedkar Bihar University). The first president of the Indian Republic, Dr Rajendra Prasad was a teacher in the Langat Singh College], Muzaffarpur.

Institutions of higher education

• Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology (1954): Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology is one of the premier technical institutions of eastern India. It is under administrative control of the Department of Science and Technology and wholly funded by the government of Bihar. It is affiliated with A.k.University and offers undergraduate (UG) courses in seven streams of engineering, with postgraduate specialisation in Machine Design and Thermal Engineering. The institute caters to the research and development activities of the state of Bihar.
• Government Ploytechnic, Muzaffarpur: One of the oldest technical institute of eastern India, initially known as Trihut School of Engineering.
• S.K. Medical College (1969)
• B. R. Ambedkar Bihar University: Bihar University is a public university in the north prime of Bihar state in the city of Muzaffarpur in India. This university was established in 1952 at Patna.People of North Bihar started demand to shift its headquarters to Muzaffarpur. A steering committee was formed for this purpose with Dr.Maghfoor Ahmad Ajazi as convenor .Acharya J.B Kripalani,Ashok Mehta,Mahesh Pd, Sinha,Mahamaya Pd. Sinha and others as members. Ultimately U.G.C conceded the demand and directed to shift it to Muzaffarpur. This university has 37 constituent colleges. Distance education courses are offered, and the university organises symposia, seminars and workshops. The university has full- and part-time offerings ranging from undergraduate to postgraduate and research level courses. The university acts as a link between colleges and institutes across the state in providing higher education. The following colleges are associated with Bihar University.
• Langat Singh College: This is the oldest college of Muzaffarpur. Affiliated to the University of Bihar, it has had the likes of Dinkar, a famous Hindi poet, Dr. Rajendra Prasad the first President of India, and Acharya J. B. Kripalani as its faculty members.
• Ram Dayalu Singh College: The college has been established by and named after the first speaker of Bihar Vidhan Sabha, Shri Ram Dayalu Singh. Before 1948 Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram established by Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma, was situated here, which was acquired by Bihar Government just after independence of the country in 1948. Ram Dayalu Singh was the last President of this Ashram established16:35, 4 February 2013 (UTC)16:35, 4 February 2013 (UTC)~~ in 1920 as a unique Institute of India like: Vishva Bharati, and Gurukul Kangri.
• M.D.D.M, College (Mahant Darshan Das Mahila Mahavidyalaya): It was the first women college in North Bihar established in 1949. It is a constituent unit of B.R.A. Bihar University. It offers both UG and PG courses with hostel facilities.
• J.P Institute of Professional and higher education,"Est-1994" Bairiya,Muzaffarpur.

"Courses Offered- B.A.M.S., B.D.S,Polytechnic Courses,B.Ed,Paramedical."

• Teacher Training College, Turki, Muzaffarpur.
• [(Dharma Samaj Sanskrit College)] is one of the oldest institution of Muzaffarpur where almost all the Shashtras, Subjects of Sanskrit are taught.
• Rana Ranvijay Rathod School, Muzaffarpur

vaishali institute of business and rural manegement providing MBA BBA BCA etc

Schools of Muzaffarpur

Govt. School:

1. B.B. Collegiate School, Motijheel, Muzaffarpur; is one of the oldest school of Muzaffarpur.
2. Zila School(Govt), Haathi Chowk for Boys only from 7th to Inter
3. Marwari High School (Govt) for Boys only from 7th to Inter, Chandwara
4. Chapman School (Govt),Church Road for Girls only from 7th to Board Standards
5. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Kharaunadih, Muzaffarpur
6. Muzaffarpur School, a government high school
7. Prabhat Tara,Chakkar Maidan Road; a girls' school affiliated to the state board and cbse board.
8. SUNSHINE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL,NARAYANPUR ANANT ROAD,SHERPUR, AFFILIATED TO THE CBSE FOR PRE. NURSERY TO 12TH .
9. Rajkiyekrit Shri Vishram Singh High School Rohua (Govt)
10. Mukharji Seminary High School, a government high school,: Affiliated to B.S.E.B, Patna.
11. Government High School, Jarang, near Gayghat, Darbhanga Road
12. Government High School, Berain
13. Govt. High School, Turki
14. Govt. Basic School, Turki
15. Govt. Basic School, Dighra

ICSE Affiliated School:

1. North Point Children's School,Sherpur; is the only ICSE-affiliated school of the city.

CBSE Affiliated Schools:

1. ASIAN SCHOOL, BRAHMPURA, KRISHNA TOLI ROAD
2. Shanti Niketan Residential School, Ahiyapur; North Bihar's first CBSE affiliated school.
3. Central Public School
4. D.A.V. Public School (branches: Khabra, Darbhanga Road, Malighat,and Kanti)
5. Delhi Public School, Garhan
6. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Muzaffarpur
7. Sunshine Preparatory High School
8. Holy Mission Sr. Secondary School, Maripur Road
9. St. Xavier's High School, Goshala Chowk
10. CHANDRASHEEL VIDYAPEETH, Kanti, MUZAFFARPUR
11. PRABHAT TARA SCHOOL

Other schools for secondary and higher secondary studies:

1. Primrose Public School,MIT (since 1986)
2. Hazrat Ali Academy, Islampur
3. Adarsh Vidya Mandir,Bank Road & New Market

2. S.K. Mother International School
3. The Takshila School
4. SRT School, Rahul Nagar, Brahampura
5. Doon senior secondary school,
6. APEX PUBLIC SCHOOL, Brahmpura
7. Pantocrater Academy, Aghoria Bazar Chowk
8. Spring Field Public School (Gyan Kala Kendra), Amgola Road
9. Indian Public School, Chata Chowk
10. Bright Career Public School Maripur
11. M S R V, Mahanth Maniyari
12. PARAMOUNT ACEDEMY, Kuldeep kaur lane,Ramna
13. Gautam Budhha Public School,
14. Arunodaya Prep./ High School, Majhauliya Road, Muzaffarpur.
15. Muradpur Public High School, Muradpur
16. G D Mother International School,Akharaghat Road
17. INDRAPRASTHA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
18. SACRED HEART SCHOOL, MUZAFFARPUR
19. St. Joseph's Senior Secondary School, PANAPUR, KARIYAT(BANGRA) BADKA GANWROAD, MUZAFFARPUR
20. Lyceum International School, Bela Road
21. Anand Prep./Public School, Muzaffarpur
22. JJ Vidyalaya, Dera chowk, Pagamberpur, Minapur,Muzaffarpur
23. Ram pyari. High school,Narma
24. Real Public School, Sherpur Chowk.

Notable people of Muzaffarpur

• Rajendra Prasad, was India's first President.
• Janki Ballabh Shastri, author
• Chandeshwar Prasad Narayan Singh, India's first ambassador to Nepal and later ambassador to Japan (from 1958). He was also the second Governor of Punjab in 1953 and then governor of Uttar Pradesh from 1980 to 1985.
• Devaki Nandan Khatri, the author of Chandrakanta(in Hindi)
• Dr. Maghfoor Ahmad Ajazi- A veteran freedom fighter,Nationalist leader,social worker and lover of sports.
• Jubba Sahni- A veteran freedom fighter, Nationalist leader, social worker
• Arunabh Kumar, an IIT Kharagpur graduate and founder of a youth entertainment network,TheViralFever.Com (TVF)
• Aishwarya Nigam, is a Bollywood playback singer and currently lives in Mumbai, Maharastra.
• Suman Saurabh, an Industrial Microbiologist and Head-Quality Control of Yakult India.
• Ustad Ghani Khan from Kirana Gharana, was a famous classical singer and Teacher of Living legend Pndt Chhunnulal Mishar.

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhannulal_Mishra

External links

• Official Website of Muzaffarpur District

v t e Cities and towns in Tirhut Division East Champaran district Areraj Mehsi Chakia Dhaka Lauthaha Motihari Raxaul Sugauli Harsidhi Muzaffarpur district Kanti Motipur Muzaffarpur Sheohar district Sheohar Sitamarhi district Bairgania Belsand Dumra Janakpur Road Runni Saidpur Sitamarhi Talkhapur Vaishali district Hajipur Lalganj Mahnar Bazar West Champaran district Bagaha Bettiah Chanpatia Narkatiaganj Ramnagar See also Tirhut Division topics Cities and towns in other Divisions Bhagalpur Darbhanga Kosi Magadh Munger Patna Purnia Saran