Bihar is a state in India with a very old and rich history. It has been home to great kings, ancient learning centers, and important cultural and religious movements. Many travelers and scholars have been drawn to this land because of its historical importance. People are often curious about its ancient identity and how it was known in the past.
In ancient times, Bihar was not a single region but a collection of powerful kingdoms. Each area had its own name and importance:
These kingdoms made Bihar one of the most important regions in ancient India.
For many centuries, the name Magadha was used for most of this land. It was the heart of Indian power. Kings of Magadha built large cities, armies, and trade routes. The famous city of Pataliputra (now Patna) was the capital and one of the largest cities in the world at that time. Magadha played a big role in the spread of Buddhism and Jainism, two world religions born in this region.
The modern name “Bihar” comes from the word “Vihara”, which means a Buddhist monastery or place where monks lived. Bihar had many Buddhist monasteries, especially around Odantapuri (near today’s Bihar Sharif).
When Persian and Turkic invaders came to India in the 12th century, they noticed the large number of monasteries and started calling the region “Bihar”. Over time, this name became widely used.
The British officially created the province of Bihar on March 22, 1912. Before that, Bihar was part of the Bengal Presidency. After this date, “Bihar” became the formal and permanent name of the region we know today.
Bihar was known by different names in different areas:
All these names show how Bihar was an important and diverse land in ancient times.
Patna, Bihar’s capital, also has a fascinating history of names:
Finally, the city became known as Patna, which remains its name today.
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