Bihar History & Culture

ARTS AND CRAFTS OF BIHAR which pieces of patch work are sewn or
struck onto a larger piece to form a
Registered Geographical Indications picture or pattern.
(GI) belonging to Bihar are-
Khatwa is mainly used to create
designer curtains, cushions, table
MADHUBANI PAINTINGS (Registered covers, tents, canopies and other
G.I. as a Handicraft) products. The designs in khatwa work
include trees, flowers, animals, birds
Madhubani painting is also known as and others. In khatwa work, patches are
Mithila Paintings as it is practiced in the first stitched to the base fabric and then
Mithila Region of Bihar. Painting is done the designs are cut to shape.
with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens,
and match-sticks using natural dye and
mineral pigments. There are paintings SUJINI EMBROIDERY WORK OF
for each occasion and festivals such as BIHAR(Registered G.I. as a Handicraft)
birth, marriage, holi, durga puja and
other occasions. The painting was Sujini embroidery started as the
traditionally done on freshly plastered distinctive embroideries done by women
mud walls and floors of huts but now in Bihar from worn and used clothes. It
they are also done on clothes, is very popular and expressive art form
handmade paper and canvas. now. Sujini is quilt having embroidery
Madhubani paintings mostly depict the made in Bihar by recycling a number of
people and their association with nature, worn out saris and dhotis in a simple
natural objects like the sun, moon and running stitch that gives the old cloth a
plants and the scenes and deities from new structure while ornamenting it.
the ancient epics like Mahabharata and Sujini embroidery has eventually taken
Ramayana. the form of representing unique
narrative elements of storytelling and
Generally no space is left empty on the sharing experiences through
canvas and the gaps are filled by embroidery. Women often stitch their
paintings of flowers, animals and sorrows and realities on the sujini,
geometric designs. transforming mundane clothes into
testimonies of their lives and challenges

APPLIQUE-KHATWA PATCHWORK SIKKI GRASS WORK OF BIHAR

OF BIHAR (Registered G.I. as a (Registered G.I. as a Handicraft)
Handicraft) The sikki grass article are made by the
Khatwa patch work is an appliqué work women of north Bihar. Sikki is obtained
i.e. it is an ornamental needlework in from the dried stems of a succulent
plant. The plant is abundantly available

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 Bihar History & Culture

in Bihar. The upper portion of the stem, Tikuli is a form of craft made from
which contains flowers, is discarded and broken glass. The craftsmen first melt
the remaining portion cut into small the broken glass and then give it shape
pieces and preserved for making and design.
attractive Sikki ware. It is out only once
Bangle Making
after the rains and the cut pieces are
The best works of bangle making can be
stored for use throughout the year. Sikki seen in the city of Muzaffarpur which is
grass dried in red, blue, black and gold considered to be the center for cottage
is imaginatively wrought into a variety of industries. Bangles are an inseparable
articles such as basket and boxes, part of Indian customs and an integral
human figures, replicas of gods and part of make up kit of Indian women.
goddesses, toys, animals, birds and The raw material is for bangle works is
obtained from the forest nearby. The
models of chariots and temples.
artisans use light fire to craft the delicate
The other Crafts of Bihar are- glasses into circular shape. The artisans
go by the market demand and their
YAMPURI PUPPETRY: imagination to give them the most
fashionable and contemporary designs.
The traditional Rod Puppetry of Bihar is One can buy them from many stores or
known as Yampuri. Rod puppets are directly from the homes of the artisans.
supported and manipulated by rods from Stone Work
In its peak during the Mauryan period,
below. These puppets are made of
stone and architecture works became
wood, are in one piece and have no the symbol of the dynasty. One can see
joints. These puppet require greater the best of that period in cities like
dexterity. Gaya, Nalanda, and Patna. Apart from
monasteries and Stupas, magnificent
Yampuri puppet shows are also known statues of Lord Buddha were created.
as Baikunth Darshan Shows. The show Today, the most important place for
is conducted in Hindi and Bhojpuri. This stone works is Patharkatti in Gaya
puppet show intends to address morality district. It has plenty of blue black pot
stone which are cheap and are used for
by instilling the knowledge of heaven
making statues,
and hell in the spectators. The show images and household articles like the
starts with a view of Yampuri (House of pestle and grinders. It is also among the
Death) with the main characters Yamraj, places in India where architecture works
Yamdoot and Chitragupt. Dead people of fountains and tables are done.
come one by one and are marched in
front of Yamraj They are sent to heaven Wood Inlay:
and hell on the basis of their deeds One of Bihar's ancient industries
during their life. wood inlays continues to be done with
different materials, metal, ivory and
Tikuli Work: stag-horn. Artists create decorative
pieces like wall hangings, table tops,
trays, and a number of utility articles

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with inlay work. One can see beautiful colours.Religious scenes and gods and
pieces of trays, boxes and other goddesses are also painted especially
articles for household use are on papier-mache articles.
produced using this craft. The designs
Pottery Works
are colourful and geometrical.
Pottery is made on clay. Bihar had a rich
Lacquerware: history of clay pottery work. Since the
In Bihar lac has been used for making
time of Mauryan and Gupta this art has
beautiful items like boxes and bangles
etc since ages. Sindurdan the been in practice in Bihar. The
vermilion container given in marriage archeological excavations at places like
is one of such decorative piece made Nalanda and Rajgir had confirmed the
by laheris community. The boxes are existence of this artistic craft in Bihar.
beautifully decorated with the motifs Beautiful earthen utensils and tiles are
of fish, chakra and peacock. made by potters of Bihar. They have the
Traditionally the bride's parents
abilities and skill to do artistic and
present her a round conical box, with
a nose ring at the marriage with the beautiful paintings on earthen pots.
symbols of fertility and longevity Patna is very famous for such work.
engraved on its red body. Patna is also famous for making earthen
statutes of various gods and goddess.

Printed Textiles:
Bamboo Work
Bihar has made its name in textile
printing which is done on cotton, wool Bamboo work has been remained a
and silk.Some districts and towns for culture of Bihar throughout the ages and
example Bhagalpur, Bihar Sharif, time. Right form the pre-historic time
Darbhanga, Saran and Patna are well forest dwelling tribes are experts in
known for this craft. In Gaya, it is bamboo and cane work. They used to
common to find the religious textiles make many utility items like baskets,
with the names or footprints of deities
printed all over in ochre or red. The household wares, woven mats, furniture
chunris of Bihar deserve special and cane products like cane furniture
mention. Beautiful designs are printed and other decorative objects. By utilizing
in these chunris which are traditional their skill and techniques they turned
as well as floral and animal forms. At these lifeless bamboo and cane into
Sursand in North Bihar only mica living object which are of great value in
(khari) printing is done with bright
every day life.
colours are used extensively
Other handicrafts: Fairs and Festivals of Bihar
Bihar also has tradition of leather craft,
tikuli making and papier –mache art
.These arts are being recognized all
over the world and showcased in Sonepur Cattle Fair
international and national exhibitions. Legend apart, the famous Sonepur fair
Beautiful objects are crafted in in more of a cattle trading centre where
traditional and floral designs with bright

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incredible number of birds and cattle are Nag Panchmi

brought from different parts of the The rainy month of Sravana when there
country. Besides, the bewildering array is danger of death from snake bite,
of wares are on sale and add to this the people appease the snake god by
numerous folk shows about which the offering milk during Nag Panchmi. The
BBC once remarked, "there’s nothing prime centre of naga worship is Rajgir
like the Sonepur Cabaret." The time to and Mahabharata describes this place
start is very early in the morning when as the abode of serpents and
the fog is suddenly pierced by the sun excavations have revealed numerous
and the huge gathering has just objects used in serpent cult. In fact naga
emerged from the holy dip in the cold worship is wide spread through out
absolving waters. The mela that lasts India.
upto a fortnight, provides enough time to
talk to the parrots, watch the elephants
being bathed leisurely, followed by ear Makar Sankranti Mela
splitting trumpets and then the artists Famous Makar Sankranti mela is
working up with colourful designs to another festival unique to Rajgir in the
decorate the elephants as if the month of Paus, corresponding to mid
pachyderm has been tatooed all over, January. Devotees make flower
see the horses being tested for their offerings to the deities of the temples at
speed and stamina, big bulky buffaloes Hot springs and bathe in the holy water.
being milked and likewise all other Another historic place associated with
animals demonstrating their skill, fifteen day long Makar Sankranti mela is
strength and productivity. the Mandar hills in Banka district.
Puranic legends accounts for a great
By midday, it is the cacophony of strong deluge which witnessed the creation of
decibels pouring in from all corners as a Asura that threatened the gods.
the huge gathering becomes denser Vishnu cut off the Asura’s head and
with more and more people adding to piled up the body under the weight of
the sound and sight of the landscae. the Mandar hill. The famous panchjanya
Ash smeared, saffron clothed holy men - the sankh (counch shell) used in the
blow their conches and bang their Mahabharat war is believed to have
gongs. Loudsspeakers, from various folk been found here on the hills. Traces,
shows and jugglers rent the air together akin to serpent coil can be seen around
with the unison from the animals. Much the hill and it is believed that the snake
before the sun sets in, flames and god offered himself to be used as a rope
fumes of dung fire burning at different for churning the ocean to obtain the
places appear to screen the sky in a amrit (nectar).
very amusing way, as if some mediveval
army has just camped for the night. and
it is time to share a gossip with one of Gaya-Buddhist Pilgrimage Center
the villagers who may better summarise Gaya is another holy dot in Bihar,
the stock and sale of the cattles for the famous for the International Buddhist
day. Zesty snacks together with tea Gathering and the rallying point is the
comes in from the open air restaurant. Mahabodhi tree and the adjacent
temple. The occasions are Buddha

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Jayanti (Buddha was born on this day, Vishnupada Temple Mela

he attained enlightenment on this day The central point of the Hindu
and also attained Nirvana on this day ) pilgrimage in Gaya is the Vishnupada
and in the month of Vaisakh (April/May) temple built by Rani Ahilyabai of Indore
and the annual session of Dalai Lama in in 1787. The spot on which it stands is
December. Mahavir Jayanti is celebated associated with the famous mythological
in April with much fanfare on the event of Vishnu killing Gaya and leaving
Parsvanath hill and also at Vaishali his footprints on the rock which is the
while Deo Deepawali, marking the main point of worship in the temple. The
attainment of Nirvana by Mahavira is Shraddha is customarily performed
celebrated best at Pawapuri, ten days under a fig tree while the women pilgrim
after Deepavali. perform it indoors as gayawal women
live under strange customs, for instance,
Gaya - Pitrapaksha Mela they never stir out of the house, married
Arond september the sleepy town of girl continues to get her daily ration from
Gaya is agog with people who come her parents. They can adopt a child or
here for the famous Pitrapaksha mela or even an adult, who may assist her in
the ancestor worship typified in Sraddha their work. The Gayawals are believed
ritual. It is time for the Gayalis (the to maintain centuries old records of the
descendants of Magga Brahmans who pindans performed under the
were once devotees of Shiva but later supervision of their ancestors and
converted to Vaishnavism) to be accordingly people prefer the specific
prepared for the vedic Sraddha family of Gayawals who might have
ceremonies or the pindan - a mandatory served their ancestors as well.
Hind rite that is supposed to bring
salvation to the departed soul. In the Other Famous Festivities
early Dharmasastras, Vishnu provides a
list of over 50 tirthas but it proclaims that Though Bihar is in league with festivals
dead ancestors pray to God for a son like Holi, Dussehra, Deepavali but
who would offer pinda (lymph of rice) to chaath puja (6 days after Deepavali) is
them at Gaya. Bihar’s prime festival honouring the sun
god. Unlike the zestful Holi or the
The tradition traces its history to the expensive Deepavali) Chaath is a
time of Buddha, who is believed to have festival of prayer and propitiation
performed the first pindan here. Turning observed with solemnity. It is an
the pages of earlier history, one comes expression of thanks giving and seeking
across the Puranic legend that ascribes the blessings from the forces of nature,
Gaya as one of the holiest spots of the prominent among them being the Sun
world. The Asura, named Gaya become and river. The belief is that a devotee’s
so powerful that the gods felt threatened desire is always fulfilled during Chaath.
and thus thought of eliminating him. As Simultaneously an element of fear is
a precondition to his death, the Asura alive among the devotees who dread
demanded that be should be buried in the punishment for any misdeed during
the holiest spot of the world. This place Chaath. The city remains safe during
is Gaya. this time when criminals too prefer to be
a part of the good.

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festival is centered around the tale of

Chaath-Fasting Bihula, a woman who saved her family from
Chaath in Bihar can best be seen at venomous snakes. On this day, worshippers
Deo in Aurangabad or Baragaon near offer prayers to Goddess Mansa, who is
Nalanda, noted for their sun temples. said to offer protection from snake bites.
Unlike other sun temples in India that The festival is also closely linked to the
faces East, the temple at Deo faces Manjusha Paintings that depict the legend
west and during the festival time it is the of Bihula and Mansa.
most crowded place. It is strange to see
a Brahmin standing in the river water
next to a Harijan ! The festival is more of Madhushravani :
a sacrifice which entails purificatory Madhushravani is festival of Mithila
preparation. It can be performed by men region which held during the month of
or women, irrespective to caste or Shravan (July to August). The rituals of
creed. Chaath commences with the end Madhushravani are performed primarily
of Deepavali when the house is by new brides. Snake worship is part of
thoroughly cleaned, family members go the celebration and this festival
in for a holy dip, strict saltless continued for 15 days.
vegetarian menu is observed (even Sama-Chakeva –
onions and garlic are considered This festival is celebrated in the Mithila
unwanted during the entire festival region of Bihar dedicated to the brother-
period), all earthen vessels are reserved sister relationship. It is time when birds
for the period only and all possible purity migrate from the Himalayas to the plains
of food is adhered to; clothes have to be heralding the beginning of this festival
unstitched and people sleep on the with the girls making and decorating
floor. clay idols of various birds and kitchen
item.
The person observing the Chaath Ramnavami –
(known as Parvati) observes dawn to Ramanavami festival is celebrated with
dusk fast which concludes with sweets. traditional reverence and gaiety in Bihar
This is followed by another fast for 36 with people observing seven days fasts.
hours till the dawn of the final day when This is the auspicious day when lord
puja commences at the river bank much Rama was born. Temples dedicated to
before sunrise. The disciplined parvatis Lord Rama are beautifully decorated
remain in water from late midnight until and special prayers are carried out.
the ray of dawn streaks the horizons. Shravani Mela :
The river is now flooded with offerings to Shravani Mela is organized along the
the sun which is followed by breakfast 108-km route that links Sultanganj and
and distribution among the gatherings. Deoghar in Jharkhand in the
Hindu month of Shravan, that is the
Bihula : lunar month of July-August. Lakhs of
“Kawarias” of pilgrims, wearing saffron,
collect water from the sacred river
Bihula, or Bishahri Puja takes place
Ganga at Sultanganj and walk barefoot
mostly on the eastern parts of to Deoghar in Jharkhand where they
Bihar,especially in the Bhagalpur region. bathe a sacred Shivalinga with the water

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 Bihar History & Culture

brought from Sultanganj-as their holy live artistic performance in the Event
offering or service. programs with guided tour to historic city
of Rajagriha or Rajgir.
Saurath Sabha:
Saurath sabha is held at every year for Folk Dances of Bihar
a fortnight in the month of June, the
village of Saurath in Madhubani district The Folk Dances of Bihar are:
witness a unique gathering of Mithila
Bidesia Dance:
Brahmins from all over India. It is called
Saurath Sabha and biggest market of Bidesia is a very popular Folk Dance of
Marriage. Parents of marriageable
Bihar. It is a Folk theatre form that is
children bring horoscopes and negotiate
marriages in a vast mango grove. prevalent in the Bhojpuri-Speaking
regions of Bihar. Bihari Thakur is
Rajgir Mahostav : believed to be the father of this Dance
form.He raised conflicting issues
prevailing in the Society. Themes in his
work were conflicting trends between
rich and poor, upper caste and lower
caste.Bidesia is a dance version of
Biraha songs. Biraha Songs Combined
with Dance become an effective

The Hilly Retreat or The ancient capital

of Magadha Kings – RAJGIR; host
colorful festival of dances and music
during the last week of December every
year. This festival is known as Rajgir
Mahotsav. This festival comes up with
vibrant classical and folk art and culture
performances. The live performance by medium.
artist in ancient Magadha capital gives
Rajgir Mahotsav an ultimate destination
for the connoisseurs of Indian Cultural
Biraha Songs:
form of expression of the self.

During Rajgir Mahotsav a visitors got Are portrayal of pain of the women who
chance to see variety of events. Rajgir are left alone behind by their men.
host artisans from all across country
with their traditional handicrafts. Every Jat-Jatin Dance:
day Classical music and dances are
This is the most popular folk dance of
performed by well renowned artists. The
occasion is almost as a carnival. North Bihar, Especially the Mithila and
Kosi Region. Originally the dance was
We at Visit Bihar operate tours during about separation of lovers ‘Jat’ and
Rajgir Mahotsav. Our tours cover the ‘Jatin’ but now the play reflects on may
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 Bihar History & Culture

social issues like droughts, floods and celebrating the funs of the season.
poverty. Actually, Jumari is related to the season.

Jhijhia:
Jijya or Jhijhia is one of the most
eminent dances of Bihar, Jhijhia depicts
a band of young belles adoring and
offering. Rain plays crucial role in
agriculture. When there is a total
drought and there is not even a single
drop of water anywhere, the lands are
cracked and parched, the sky is lifeless Kajari Dance:
without clouds and the people are
The pleasant change that has come due
awaiting rains-this is the time when the to the rainy season. Not only the change
village women pray to lord Indra for rain. in the nature, but also the mental
They sing and dance to please the Lord refreshment and relaxation that is
of Rain with their deep devotion. Such associated with human beings is well
type of dance is called Jhijhia. described in these kinds of songs. Kajari
This is the message of the most eminent songs produce a sweet sensation body
and it is sung from beginning of the
folk dance of Bihar. The performers for
shravan month with the rhythmic note of
this ritualistic dance include a lead raindrops.
singer, harmonium player, bansuri
player and a drummer to play the
dholak. There are two female singers
popular for their rhythmic language,
sweet songs appealing music.

Jumari Dance:

The folk dance of Jumari is performed

especially in Mithilanchal of Bihar. This Sohar-Khilouna Dance:
dance of Bihar is similar to that of ‘
Garba performed in Gujarat.’ Only
married women performs, hence it also Sohar, having its own distinctive diction,
signifies a good omen. After the month is a ceremonial dance to celebrate the
of Ashvin in September- October, the pleasure of new birth in a family. It is
next one is the Kartik month and at this celebrated all over the country with
time, the sky becomes crystal clear, different traditional rituals. Sohar is sung
without any traces of clouds. The full in Bihar on the occasion of birth of a
moon looks attractive and spreads its child. While singing, ladies praise the
milky rays in all directions. Such a child with Lord Rama, sometimes with
romantic atmosphere gets the married Lord Krishna and with many other gods.
women to go on dancing, singing and This is a very important function, where

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 Bihar History & Culture

all women gather and enjoy. The ladies There are various other forms like the
bless the baby while singing and acting Dhangar of Purnea and the flok dances
the tender words of Sohar ‘Marchia of the non-tribles in the belt.There is
baithal sasu pucheli’. –employed as a also a Bakho Nach, in which the
single unit, as his language. This body husband and wife dance together on the
language is extremely poetic and occasion of the birth of a child in the
powerful. The legs form an effective family, and similar festive occasion.
means of communicating the
expression. Although the face is Paika Dance:
covered by the mask it mysteriously
expresses the feelings to be It is a dance of Martial character. The
communicated. Paika dance is performed with a shield
and a sword. The Basic objective of the
Fagua: dance performance was the
development of physical excitement and
Holi is a festival of colours celebrated all consequently increases the courageous
over the country. People celebrate it on
activities in the dancing warriors.
the first day of the Hindu Calendar, that
is Pratham Chairtra Mass’ (February-
March). The well known festival Holi
conveys the message for religious
integration apart from any sort of
bigotism. In Bihar, a typical style
‘Dhamar of holi song is sung in which
the villagers celebrate it in a form of
group with full joy and dance with
musical instruments like dholak, Jhal-
manjeera, etc. This dance is related
to the mythical story of Bhakt Prahlad
and his demon father Hiranyakshipu.
Folk Songs of Bihar
Domkach:
During the famous chhath parva of
Traditionally Domkach is played in Bihar, there is much music and a lot of
Mithila region. The word kacchab means singing of folk songs, both at home and
in old Maithili to play the role of or to on the river bank.The historical ballads
mimic some one. So, domkach means dealing with the heroic deeds of the
‘playing other’s role by the men of freedom fighter Kunwar Singh have also
dominant caste’
been immortalized through folk songs in
The ladies bless the baby while singing
and acting the tender words of Sohar the plain tracts of Bihar. The folk music
“Marchia Baithal sasu pucheli” of Bihar has survived all attacks of
modernism. Some performers of Bihar's
traditions have achieved commercial
success. For example, Sharda Sinha (b.
1953) sings Bihari language folk songs

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 Bihar History & Culture

in concerts throughout the world and and author of a treatise on this art. He
has released many recordings. Maithil developed the popular ragas on
musicians, who seem to have been systematic lines. This Mithila music was
more popular outside Bihar, enriched carried to Nepal, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal,
Nepalese music and carried the etc. Later during the Muslim period,
traditions of their Folk songs. Some of music and dance met with many set-
the ragas, which may be claimed as backs as these were tabooed for them.
special to Bihar, are 'Nachari', 'Phag', But the famous saint of Bihar, H.Sharif-
'Chaita', 'Purbi',’lagani rag’etc.In the ud-din Ahmed Manari, was not averse to
religious-type of dance the gods and music, vocal or instrumental.
goddesses are invoked through dance
accompanied by folk-songs and music. Bhajans,Kirtans, singing of religious
songs accompanied by musical
instruments like Jhal, Dholak,
The folk music of Bihar has so deeply Harmonium, etc, are still quite common,
permeated in the life of the people that it although this form of entertainment in
is still alive. It has been preserved infact the villages is on the decline.
by the women folk of Mithila in particular Entertainment by the singing of lyrics in
and by the village folk, especially the particular season is also a typical
devotees who still keep it alive. It is a characteristic. Kajari,Chaita,Birha and
pleasure to hear women sing the songs. Basant songs in different seasons hold
a special appeal for the villagers. While
Bihar, in the ancient times has been an
turning the grinding stone to grind the
important place for dance and music. In
grain, women-folk burst into ‘Jatasari’
places like Vaishali and Rajgir, in
songs. ‘Sohar’ and ‘Jhumar’ songs are
ancient Bihar, beautiful girls acted
forms of traditional entertainment. In
as Nagar Shobhinis or town ornaments
Jhumar, there is a synthesis of both
(courtesans). Lord Buddha himself
music and dance. Pastoral songs
accepted this fact and he himself
appeal particularly to the rural folk and
received an invitation
these songs constitute significant
from Amrapalli, the chief courtesan of
element of local folklore.
Vaishali. These girls were proficient in
music and dancing and were part of Ramlila, Nautanki and the Bhikharia
processions of religious and social songs enthral thousands of men and
nature. It appears that singing and women in the fairs and gatherings.
dancing were the chief amusements of Ramlila is essentially religious and
that age. based on active presentation of the
story of Rama and Sita. Nautanki are
The regular history of Mithila social plays, where many social evils
music dates back from Nanyadeva are caricatured and they have an
(1097-1133), a great patron of music educative value. Bhikharia songs have a

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wide range of themes and usually they feast. Marriage songs can be said to be
aim at social inhibitions and drawbacks of three categories. The first one is
of the society. ritualistic and has an air of magical
charm about it. Various spirits are
Festival songs mark another important involved by a song and imagining that
category of folk-song.Navaratra is the spirits are coming in they are shut
up in the cap, which is pasted on the
religious and ritualistic to the core.
wall of a room, and which during these
People, especially women-folk, worship marriage days is called ‘Kohbar’. There
goddess Devi for nine days with proper are other songs imploring the presence
rituals and observe fast. During the and protection of various divinities and
festivals, music conferences are spirits.
arranged. There are certain rural
centres where fine forms of music have Purely seasonal songs are those
been developed. Darbhanga, which are sung during raining
Panchgachia in Saharsa district, Ara season, specially in the Savan and
and Jhabua towns have developed Bhadon. A class of these songs is
prolifically the music of various forms. called malhar. These songs express the
There used to be a school of music pleasure of ladies when they enjoy
where village girls and boys were being ‘rimjhim’ or light showers. They insist in
swinging (jhula) while singing with their
trained in playing of Mridanga.
friends and relatives.
Pastoral songs express the thoughts,
aspirations and sorrows of the A category of songs are those in
villagers. Kuvar-Vijay folk songs are which women are free to sing
historical while Sobhnaika is sung at the according to their own choice and
time of marriage. Folk songs are widely pleasure, expressing feelings and
recited and appreciated on religious and emotions for different occasions. As this
social occasions like Nagpanchami, is a very important occasion in the
Janmasthami, Tiz, Chauk Chanda,
family life, there are many glimpses of
Anant, Chhath, karma etc.
delicate family relationship and finer
The marriage ceremony holds an sentiments.
important place among the ceremonies
prescribed by both shastras and
folklore. This ceremony lasting for
several days is equally important for Folk-song (lok geet) is a very important
folk-songs. For example, some songs form of folk literature. One of the
are called nehchu songs, sung on the categories of folk-songs is the
nail-cutting ceremony of the ceremonial or sanskar songs. These
bridegroom. Jyonar is also a form of songs form an essential part of rituals of
folk-song which is sung when the bride various ceremonies relating to child-
and the wedding party enjoy a feast.
birth, initiation (yagyopavita or janeu)
These jyonar songs enumerate the
things which are being served in the ,marriage and in some areas with rituals

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 Bihar History & Culture

of death as well. Child-birth, initiation shepherds grazing their herd, riders

and marriage and other ceremonies are hauling produce or goods on their
accessions of great happiness and bullock-carts, or menfolk gathered under
joy. But on such occasions great care is the shade of a banyan or peepal tree
taken to avoid any misfortune; hence are amazing. Radio and television have
the ceremonial songs and rituals are added new dimensions to folk music,
believed to have a magical potency. making different styles known outside
their language area. There are a
number of people, who earn their
livelihood by means of folk music.
The folk songs of the tribals have a
strong ethical background. Just as in
their dance there is no semblance of
base. In spite of the absence of a script,
many of the songs have been
preserved. They have been handed
down from generation to generation by
the old men and women singing the Freedom
songs to the younger generation and
making them sing. The younger ones
have the dancing floor to themselves. Movement in
But the older generation, men and
women, sit, watch and correct mistakes
and provide guidance in music or
Bihar
rhythm. Purity and the primeval form in
tribal poetry, songs or dance has been Bihar, the ancient land of Buddha, has
preserved wonderfully, although without
witnessed golden period of Indian
any written literature.
history. It is the same land where the
seeds of the first republic were sown
In their social life there is no place for
the individual and it is the community for and which cultivated the first crop of
which the individuals exits. So the tribal democracy. Such fertile is the soil that
songs have a moral and cultural bearing has given birth to in numerous
which makes them the common
property of the entire community and the intellectuals which spread the light of
world at large. The universal appeal is a knowledge and wisdom not only in the
remarkable feature of the tribal songs country but in the whole world. The state
and music.
has its capital at Patna, which is situated
Folk-music is an integral part of daily on the bank of the holy river Ganga. The
life all over rural Bihar. The songs of

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state as it is today has been shaped boundary, formed a part of the Republic
from its partition from the province of of India, until 1956. At that time, an area
Bengal and most recently after the in the south-east, predominantly the
separation of the tribal southern region district of Purulia was separated and
now called Jharkhand. incorporated into West Bengal as part of
the Linguistic Reorganization of Indian
Modern History:
States.
During most of British India, Bihar was a
Champaran Satyagraha (Civil
part of the Presidency of Bengal, and
Disobedience Movement):
was governed from Calcutta. As such,
this was a territory very much dominated Champaran Satyagraha was the India’s
by the people of Bengal. All leading first civil disobedience movement.
educational and medical centres were in Resurgence in the history of Bihar came
Bengal. In spite of the unfair advantage during the struggle for India's
that Bengalis possessed, some sons of independence. It was from Bihar that
Bihar rose to positions of prominence, Mahatma Gandhi launched his civil-
by dint of their intelligence and hard disobedience movement, which
labour. One such was Rajendra Prasad, ultimately led to India's independence.
native of Ziradei, in the district of Saran.
Champaran is a district in the state of
He became the first President of the
Bihar. Under Colonial era laws, many
Republic of India.
tenant farmers were forced to grow
When separated from the Bengal some indigo on a portion of their land as
Presidency in 1912, Bihar and Orissa a condition of their tenancy. This indigo
comprised a single province. Later, was used to make dye. The Germans
under the Government of India Act of had invented a cheaper artificial dye so
1935, the Division of Orissa became a the demand for indigo fell. Some tenants
separate province; and the Province of paid more rent in return for being let off
Bihar came into being as an having to grow indigo. However, during
administrative unit of British India. At the First World War the German dye
Independence in 1947, the State of ceased to be available and so indigo
Bihar, with the same geographic became profitable again. Thus many

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tenants were once again forced to grow remain in jail under arrest. Alarmed at
it on a portion of their land- as was the huge response Gandhiji was
required by their lease. Naturally, this receiving from the people of
created much anger and resentment. Champaran, and intimidated by the
knowledge that Gandhiji had already
At the persistent request of a farmer,
managed to inform the Viceroy of the
Raj Kumar Shukla, from the district of
mistreatment of the farmers by the
Champaran, in 1917 Gandhiji took a
British plantation owners, the magistrate
train ride to Motihari, the district
set him free, without payment of any
headquarters of Champaran. Here he
bail. This was the first instance of the
learned, first hand, the sad plight of the
success of civil-disobedience as a tool
indigo farmers suffering under the
to win freedom. The British received,
oppressive rule of the British. Alarmed
their first "object lesson" of the power of
at the tumultuous reception Gandhiji
civil-disobedience. It also made the
received in Champaran, the British
British authorities recognize, for the first
authorities served notice on him to leave
time, Gandhiji as a national leader of
the Province of Bihar. Gandhiji refused
some consequence. What Raj Kumar
to comply, saying that as an Indian he
Shukla had started, and the massive
was free to travel anywhere in his own
response people of Champaran gave to
country. For this act of defiance he was
Gandhiji, catapulted his reputation
detained in the district jail at Motihari.
throughout India. Thus, in 1917, began
From his jail cell, with the help of his
a series of events in a remote corner of
friend from South Africa days, C. F.
Bihar, which ultimately led to the
Andrews, Gandhiji managed to send
freedom of India in 1947.
letters to journalists and the Viceroy of
India describing what he saw in Jai Prakash Narayan’s Movement
Champaran, and made formal demands
It was natural; therefore, that many
for the emancipation of these people.
people from Bihar became leading
When produced in court, the Magistrate
participants in India's struggle for
ordered him released, but on payment
independence. Dr. Rajendra Prasad has
of bail. Gandhiji refused to pay the bail.
been mentioned above. Another was
Instead, he indicated his preference to

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Jay Prakash Narayan, affectionately for murdering a government approver

called JP. JP's substantial contribution named PhanindrananthGhosh. This led
to modern Indian history continued up to the hanging of Bhagat Singh,
until his death in 1979. It was he who Sukhdev and Rajguru.
led a movement that led to massive win PhanindranathGhosh hitherto a key
of a non-Congress government -The member of the Revolutionary Party had
Janata Party - at Delhi, for the first time. betrayed the cause by turning an
With the blessings of JP, Morarji Desai approver and giving evidence, which led
became the fourth Prime Minister of to his murder. Baikunth was
India. Sadly, soon after attaining power, commissioned to plan the murder of
bickering began among the leaders of Ghosh. He carried out the killing
the Janata Party which led to the successfully on 9 November 1932. He
resignation of Shri Desai as the Prime was arrested, tried, convicted, and, on
Minister. JP continued with his call for 14 May 1934, he was hanged in Gaya
"total revolution", but he succumbed to Central Jail
kidney failure at a hospital in Bombay in
This was also a period when Hindi
1979. Subsequent bickering in the
literature came to flourish in the state.
Janata Party led to the formation of a
Raja Radhika Raman Singh, Shiva
breakaway political party - the Janata
PujanSahay, Divakar Prasad Vidyarthy,
Dal. This political party was a
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Ram
constituent unit of the then ruling
BrikshaBenipuri, are some of the
coalition at Delhi, the so called, United
luminaries who contributed to the
Front. It was also from this party that
flowering of Hindi literature, which did
Laloo Prasad Yadav, the Chief Minister
not have much of a long history. The
of Bihar was elected. The bickering
Hindi language, certainly its literature,
continued. A new party led by Mr. Yadav
began around mid to late nineteenth
was formed as - the Rashtriya Janata
century. It is marked by the appearance
Dal - which went on to rule for almost 15
of BhartenduBabuHarischandra's(a
years in Bihar.
resident of Varanasi in U.P.) drama
ShaheedBaikuntha Shukla was another "Harischandra". DevakiNandanKhatri
nationalist from Bihar, who was hanged began writing his mystery novels in

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Hindi during this time (Chandrakanta, languages spoken by the people in

ChandrakantaSantati, Kajarki Kothari, different region and part of India.
Bhootnath, etc.) He was born at  In Bihar major language is Hindi that
Muzaffarpur in Bihar and had his earlier spoken by 80.9% of population and
education there. He then moved to other are Urdu and Santali.
Tekari Estate in Gaya in Bihar. He later Classification
became an employee of the Raja of  Indian languages have evolved from
Benares (now Varanasi.) He started a different stocks and are closely
printing press called "Lahari" which connected with the different ethnic
began the publication of a Hindi groups/ people of India.
monthly, "Sudarshan", in 1898. One of  Broadly the Indian languages can be
the first short stories in Hindi, if not the put into six groups:
very first, was "Indumati" (Pundit 1. Indo-Aryan,
KishorilalGoswami, author) which was 2. Dravidian,
published in 1900. The collection of 3. Sino-Tibetan,
short stories "RajaniaurTaare"
4. Negroid,
(AnupamPrakashan, Patna, publishers)
5. Austric and
contains an extended history of the
6. Others.
origin and evolution of the short story as
 These languages have interacted on
a distinct literary form in the Hindi
one another through the centuries and
literature.
have produced the major linguistic
divisions of modern India. The Indo-
Aryan and the Dravidian are the
dominant groups and together
comprises all the major languages of
India.
Languages and Literature of Bihar
 Bihari language belong to first one.
 In India there are 22 scheduled
languages, 114 other languages, 216 Indo-Aryan:
mother tongues, 96 non specified
languages and totally up to 10000

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 It is part of the Indo-European family

of languages, which came to India with Magadhi
the Aryans.  The word 'Maghi' is a deviant of
 It is the biggest of the language sanskrit word Magadhi. And the
groups in India and accounts for about region in which this dialect is spoken
74% of the total Indian population. is referred as Magadha.
 It comprises of all the principal  The ancient land of Magadha now
languages of northern and western roughly corresponds to the present
India such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, districts of Patna and northern half of
Gujarati, Punjabi, Sindhi, Rajasthani, Gaya district.
Assamese, Oriya, Pahari, Bihari,  Though the Magahi language extends
Kashmiri, Urdu and Sanskrit. to the other parts of Bihar such as Na
landa, Aurangabad, Nawada, Monghyr,
Linguistic Identities in Bihar Gir idih, Hazar ibagh, Dhanbad, North-
 On the basis of language-cum-culture, eastern Palamau, Northern Ranchi and
the present day Bihar can be divided the other parts of Bihar, the purest
into four distinct categories of form of Magahi is preserved only in
subregional identities - Maithili, the districts of Patna and Gaya.
Bhojpuri, Magadhi and the tribal  This may be referred as a 'core region'
language(s) of the Jharkhand region. of the Magahi language.
 Grierson has described the language  Core region preserves not only the
of Bihar as Bihari, 4 which in his purity of dialect and cultural
scheme of classification belongs to the distinctiveness, it also helps in the
Eastern group of Hindi, covering an determination of and sealing in the
area of 90,000 square miles and is variation of the dialect or language.
spoken by the 36,000,000 people from Magahi linguistically bordered.
the Himalayas on the north to
Singhbhum on the South, and from Bhojpuri
Manbhum on the South-east to Basti  Properly speaking Bhojpuri is the
on the north-west. language of Bhojpur, "the name of

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 Bihar History & Culture

town or pargana in the North-West of  It is a folk-language of the rural people

the district of Shahabad." who expressed lares and tales through
 In Bihar, the district in which it is this language.
spoken are Bhojpur, Rohtas, Chapra,  In folk tales and songs, one comes
Gopalganj, Siwan, Champaran, across the sociocultural, religious and
Motihari, Palamau, Ranchi, political aspects of Bhojapuri life.
Hazaribagh, western portion of Some of these songs are Sohar,
Vaishali and Muzaffarpur,20 Jhumar, Purbi, Janeo-geet, Bahura,
besides in some parts of Santhal Sitala, Ropani ke geet, Parati, Bhajan,
Pargana. Nachari, Kajari etc.
 Bhojpuri language and culture have
always been under the influence of Bihari literature
West and Western forms of speech  It has been shaped by a number of
like Brajbhasa, Awadhi and writers of Hindi, including
Hindostani. Raja Radhika Raman
 Further, the history of Bhojpuri Sinha, Acharya Ramlochan
language and literature is connected Saran, Acharya Shivpujan Sahay,
with the social and spiritual Divakar Prasad
movements that were launched in the Vidyarthy, Ramdhari Singh
9th century by the Siddhas or various 'Dinkar', Phanishwar Nath
spiritual sects of that time in Bihar 'Renu', Gopal Singh
and Bengal. "Nepali", Ramesh Chandra Jha and
 The Sant Sahitya produced Bhakti Baba Nagarjun.
literature and was written in Bhojpuri  Writer
language. and Buddhist scholar Mahapandit
 This tradition continued upto 19th Rahul Sankrityayan was born
century. Except in this century, no in Uttar Pradesh but spent his life in
conscious effort was ever made to the land of Lord Buddha, i.e., Bihar.
cultivate this dialect.  Hrishikesh Sulabh is a short story
writer, playwright and theatre critic.

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 Arun Kamal and Aalok Dhanwa are India) and many more were born
poets. here.

Historical work on Literature in Bihar Nalanda,

 Bihar is one of the most densely
populated states of India.  the world’s first seat of higher

 Bihar (erstwhile Magadh) has been learning, a Monastic University which

the seat of Indian culture, education flourished from the 5th to the 11th

and power since ancient times. century is in Bihar.

 In the times of Mauryan Empire with  The University had 9 million books

Ashoka (269 BC to 232 BC), the great and 2000 teachers to impart

as its ruler where Nalanda University knowledge to 10,000 students from all

was the major seat of all learning in over the Buddhist world.

ancient India.  Lord Buddha himself taught here and

 Bihar has remained a land of culture, Hieun Tsang, the 7th century Chinese

education, historical events, and birth traveler, was a student here.

place of many people who are

admired globally even today. Aryabhatta (476-550 A.D.)

 It was here in Bodhgaya, that Prince

 He was born in Patliputra in
Gautama attained supreme
Magadha, modern Patna in Bihar. His
knowledge to become Buddha, the
greatest contribution has to be ZERO.
enlightened one.
 His other works include algebra,
 The great religion of Buddhism was
arithmetic, trigonometry, quadratic
born here, and Bodhgaya is one of the
equations and the sine table.
most important and sacred Buddhist
 He went as far as to explain the eclipse
pilgrimage centers in the world.
of the moon and the sun, day and
 Lord Mahavira (the founder of
night, the contours of the earth, the
Jainism), Guru Gobind Singh (The
length of the year exactly as 365 days.
tenth and the last guru of the Sikhs),
 He even computed the circumference
Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1st President of
of the earth as 24835 miles which is

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 Bihar History & Culture

close to modern day calculation of Hrishikesh Sulabh are the prominent

24900 miles. writers of the new generation.
At present Bihar stand  Arun Kamal and Aalok Dhanwa are
 Bihar today is an extension of its the well-known poets. Different
historic self amalgamating smoothly regional languages also have
into the modern technological world. produced some prominent poets and
authors.
 Despite commercial pressures the  Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay is
state and its people have continued to among the greatest writers in Bangla,
pursue education and books with the lived for some time in Bihar.
same spirit.  The latest Indian writer in English,
 Therefore, it’s only in Bihar that an Upamanyu Chatterjee also hails from
organization like Super 30 works. Patna in Bihar. Devaki Nandan Khatri,
Super 30 provides training to 30 poor who rose to fame at the beginning of
students, free of cost for IIT entrance the 20th century on account of his
exam every year (one of the toughest novels such as Chandrakanta and
exams in the world) and they all Chandrakanta Santati, was born in
qualify with a ranking in top 100 in all Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
India out of 3.6 million students  Vidyapati Thakur is the most
renowned poet of Maithili (c. 14-15th
More point on Literature of Bihar century).
 Bihar has produced a number of  Interestingly, the first Indian author in
writers and scholars, including English was a Bihari, Deen
Mahamahopadhyaya Pandit Ram Mohammad. Among the contemporary
Avatar Sharma, R. K. Sinha, Shiva writers in English Amitava Kumar,
Pujan Sahay, Ramdhari Ram Briksh Tabish Khair and Sidhharth
Benipuri, Pandit Nalin Vilochan Chaoudhary are important names.
Sharma, Mridula Sinha, and Pankaj  Sidhharth Chaoudhary has been
Rag. shortlisted for 2009 Man Asia Literary
 Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan, the prize for his book Day Scholar.
great writer and Buddhist scholar

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 Bihar History & Culture

 Bihar has a rich heritage of reading the ancient epics like Mahabharata and
and writing habits. Because of this, Ramayana.

there is a great desire and hunger for Generally no space is left empty on the
books among the general public. canvas and the gaps are filled by
paintings of flowers, animals and
 It is said that people here can forgo geometric designs.
food for a day but not their daily dose
APPLIQUE-KHATWA PATCHWORK
of book reading. OF BIHAR (Registered G.I. as a
 A fact brought out by the numerous Handicraft)
personal libraries and the huge Khatwa patch work is an appliqué work
number of great writers, authors, i.e. it is an ornamental needlework in
which pieces of patch work are sewn or
poets and students.
struck onto a larger piece to form a
picture or pattern.
ARTS AND CRAFTS OF BIHAR
Khatwa is mainly used to create
Registered Geographical Indications designer curtains, cushions, table
(GI) belonging to Bihar are- covers, tents, canopies and other
products. The designs in khatwa work
MADHUBANI PAINTINGS (Registered include trees, flowers, animals, birds
G.I. as a Handicraft) and others. In khatwa work, patches are
Madhubani painting is also known as first stitched to the base fabric and then
Mithila Paintings as it is practiced in the the designs are cut to shape.
Mithila Region of Bihar. Painting is done SUJINI EMBROIDERY WORK OF
with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, BIHAR(Registered G.I. as a Handicraft)
and match-sticks using natural dye and
mineral pigments. There are paintings Sujini embroidery started as the
for each occasion and festivals such as distinctive embroideries done by women
birth, marriage, holi, durga puja and in Bihar from worn and used clothes. It
other occasions. The painting was is very popular and expressive art form
traditionally done on freshly plastered now. Sujini is quilt having embroidery
mud walls and floors of huts but now made in Bihar by recycling a number of
they are also done on clothes, worn out saris and dhotis in a simple
handmade paper and canvas. running stitch that gives the old cloth a
Madhubani paintings mostly depict the new structure while ornamenting it.
people and their association with nature, Sujini embroidery has eventually taken
natural objects like the sun, moon and the form of representing unique
plants and the scenes and deities from narrative elements of storytelling and
sharing experiences through

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 Bihar History & Culture

embroidery. Women often stitch their and hell in the spectators. The show
sorrows and realities on the sujini, starts with a view of Yampuri (House of
transforming mundane clothes into Death) with the main characters Yamraj,
testimonies of their lives and challenges Yamdoot and Chitragupt. Dead people
come one by one and are marched in
SIKKI GRASS WORK OF BIHAR front of Yamraj They are sent to heaven
(Registered G.I. as a Handicraft) and hell on the basis of their deeds
The sikki grass article are made by the during their life.
women of north Bihar. Sikki is obtained Tikuli Work:
from the dried stems of a succulent
plant. The plant is abundantly available Tikuli is a form of craft made from
in Bihar. The upper portion of the stem, broken glass. The craftsmen first melt
which contains flowers, is discarded and the broken glass and then give it shape
the remaining portion cut into small and design.
pieces and preserved for making
attractive Sikki ware. It is out only once Festivals and Fairs
after the rains and the cut pieces are Festivals specific to the state of Bihar
stored for use throughout the year. Sikki are-
grass dried in red, blue, black and gold
is imaginatively wrought into a variety of Chhath Pooja:
articles such as basket and boxes,
Chhath (Dala Chhath) is the only vedic
human figures, replicas of gods and
festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun God-
goddesses, toys, animals, birds and
Surya- also known as Surya Shashti.
models of chariots and temples.
The chhath pooja is performed in order
The other Crafts of Bihar are- to thank Surya god for sustaining life on
earth and to request the granting of
YAMPURI PUPPETRY: certain wishes. The word Chhath
The traditional Rod Puppetry of Bihar is denotes the number 6 in Hindi and the
known as Yampuri. Rod puppets are festival begins on the sixth day of the
supported and manipulated by rods from hindu lunar month of Kartik , a week
below. These puppets are made of after Deepawali. The rituals are
wood, are in one piece and have no observed over a period of Four days.
joints. These puppet require greater They include Holy bathing, fasting and
dexterity. abstaining from drinking water, standing
in water for long periods of time,
Yampuri puppet shows are also known oblations and paying obeisance to the
as Baikunth Darshan Shows. The show setting and rising sun. The festival
is conducted in Hindi and Bhojpuri. This commences with the end of Deepawali.
puppet show intends to address morality The festival entails preparations for the
by instilling the knowledge of heaven purification of the soul. It can be

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 Bihar History & Culture

performed by anyone irrespective of This is the most popular folk dance of

caste or religion. North Bihar, Especially the Mithila and
Kosi Region. Originally the dance was
Janki Navmi: about separation of lovers ‘Jat’ and
Like the Birthday of Lord Ram is ‘Jatin’ but now the play reflects on may
Celebrated, similarly Janki Navmi is the social issues like droughts, floods and
celebration of goddess Janaki’s poverty.
Birthday. Jhumari Dance:
Bishahari Puja – Jhumari is a folk dance that is done
A festival in honour of snake god is only by Married women. It is similar to
celebrated in Bhaglpur during the Month garba performed in Gujrat. It is a folk
of Shravan. Images of snake are made dance of Mithilanchal Region in Bihar.
by cow dung near the house. Kajari Song:
Folk Dances and Songs Kajari is a song of rainy season sung in
The Folk Dances of Bihar are: the shravan month. The main content of
these songs is about describing
Bidesia Dance: pleasant change that is derived by the
rainy season.
Bidesia is a very popular Folk Dance of
Bihar. It is a Folk theatre form that is Jhijhain Dance:
prevalent in the Bhojpuri-Speaking
regions of Bihar. Bihari Thakur is It is done whn there is no rain for a long
believed to be the father of this Dance time than its usual arrival. The singing
form.He raised conflicting issues and dancing is done to please Lord of
prevailing in the Society. Themes in his Rain- Lord Indra
work were conflicting trends between Sohar-Khilouna Dance:
rich and poor, upper caste and lower
caste.Bidesia is a dance version of This is a ceremonial dance to celebrate
Biraha songs. Biraha Songs Combined the pleasure of new birth in a family.
with Dance become an effective
medium. Paika Dance:

Biraha Songs are portrayal of pain of It is a dance of Martial character. The

the women who are left alone behind by Paika dance is performed with a shield
their men. and a sword. The Basic objective of the
dance performance was the
Jat-Jatin Dance: development of physical excitement and
consequently increases the courageous
activities in the dancing warriors.

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 Bihar History & Culture

Workers, Peasant and place in 1855-1856, which arose due to

the establishment of the Permanent
Tribal Movements in Land Settlement of 1793. Following this

Bihar settlement the Britishers took away all

the lands from the Santhals. The
The peasant movements for agrarian zamindars took these lands on auction
reforms in India have always been from the Britishers and gave them to the
centred on the issue of land ownership peasants for cultivation.
and land distribution. The term ‘peasant’
The zamindars, the money-lenders, and
includes tenant, sharecropper, small
the government officers hiked the land
farmer not regularly employed, hired
tax and also oppressed and exploited
labour, and landless labourers. Several
the common peasants. Though the
peasant movements rose over
Santhals tolerated the injustices to some
economic questions all through the
extent, later on they decided to raise in
British period but with limited results.
revolt against the zamindars,
The 20th century saw some of the most
moneylenders, and traders.
violent and widespread peasant
movements with far-reaching The following were some of the main
consequences. The main demands of causes of the revolt:
these movements centred on reduction
 There was a combined action of
of excessive rent or revenue on produce
extortions by the zamindars, the
and land redistribution from the rich to
police, the rev-enue, and the
the poor. Many of these movements
court. The Santhals had no
have provided the stimulus necessary
option but to pay all the taxes and
for land legislation in India.
levies. They were abused and
The Santhal Insurrection (Tribal dispossessed of their own
Movement): property.
 The Karendias who were the
The Santhals are an agricultural tribal
representatives of the Zamindars
group who are mainly concentrated in
made several vio-lent attacks on
Bihar. The first peasant insurrection took
the Santhals.
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 Bihar History & Culture

 The rich peasants confiscated all The Santhals can be praised with great
the property, lands, and cattle of honor for building such an organized
the Santhals. and disciplined army without any
 The moneylenders charged previous military training. The large
exorbitant rates of interest. The army, which exceeded about 10,000
Santhals called the assembled and disassembled at a short
moneylenders exploiters and notice. The postal and railway
were known as “dikus”. communications were completely
 For the railroad construction, the broken down by the Santhal army.
Europeans employed the
The government then realized that the
Santhals for which they paid
activities of the Santhal army are
nothing to them. The Europeans
defying the govern-ment. Though the
often abducted the Santhal
Santhal insurrection was quite strong it
women and even murdered them.
couldn’t succeed against the power of
There were also certain other
the government. Thus, the revolt was
unjust acts of oppression.
suppressed. Despite the suppression,
The oppression by the moneylender, the rebelhon was a great success.
zamindars, and Europeans became
This was because the Santhals gave a
unbearable by the Santhals. In such a
message to the whole country to resist
situation, they did not have any other
the oppressive activities of the
alternative indeed and they rose in
moneylenders and zamindars. Not only
rebellion. The leading Santhals began to
the Santhals but the other agricultural
rob the wealth of the moneylenders and
tribal groups also got united. It brought a
the zamindars, which was ill-earned by
realization among the diku population
exploiting the Santhals. Initially, the
that the Santhals were an organized
offi-cials ignored the rebellion. Later on
group of people and possessed much
in early 1855, the Santhals started to
enthusiasm.
build their own armies who were trained
in guerilla fighting. This was totally a The Britishers took appropriate
novel experience to the people of Bihar. measures after the Santhal insurrection.

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 Bihar History & Culture

Earlier to the insurrection, the settlement had invented a cheaper artificial dye so
areas of the Santhals were divided into the demand for indigo fell. Some tenants
several parts for administrative paid more rent in return for being let off
convenience. Due to the Santhal having to grow indigo. However, during
rebellion, the Santhal areas are consid- the First World War the German dye
ered as Santhal Paragana. Due to the ceased to be available and so indigo
insurrection, the Britishers recognized became profitable again. Thus many
the tribal status of the Santhals and now tenants were once again forced to grow
they came under the uniform it on a portion of their land- as was
administration. required by their lease. Naturally, this
created much anger and resentment.

At the persistent request of a farmer,

Peasant Movements in Bihar
Raj Kumar Shukla, from the district of

Champaran Movement: Champaran, in 1917 Gandhiji took a

train ride to Motihari, the district
Champaran movement was the India’s
headquarters of Champaran. Here he
first civil disobedience movement. A
learned, first hand, the sad plight of the
movement fought by farmers/peasants
indigo farmers suffering under the
for their rights. Resurgence in the
oppressive rule of the British. Alarmed
history of Bihar came during the struggle
at the tumultuous reception Gandhiji
for India's independence. It was from
received in Champaran, the British
Bihar that Mahatma Gandhi launched
authorities served notice on him to leave
his civil-disobedience movement, which
the Province of Bihar. Gandhiji refused
ultimately led to India's independence.
to comply, saying that as an Indian he
Champaran is a district in the state of was free to travel anywhere in his own
Bihar. Under Colonial era laws, many country. For this act of defiance he was
tenant farmers were forced to grow detained in the district jail at Motihari.
some indigo on a portion of their land as From his jail cell, with the help of his
a condition of their tenancy. This indigo friend from South Africa days, C. F.
was used to make dye. The Germans Andrews, Gandhiji managed to send
letters to journalists and the Viceroy of

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 Bihar History & Culture

India describing what he saw in After the Champaran Satyagraha in

Champaran, and made formal demands 1917, Bihar became an important centre
for the emancipation of these people. for peasant movements. These
When produced in court, the Magistrate activities had addressed the problems of
ordered him released, but on payment share croppers such as abolition of
of bail. Gandhiji refused to pay the bail. customary non-rent payments,
Instead, he indicated his preference to regulation of eviction, and fixation of fair
remain in jail under arrest. Alarmed at rent. The main centre of the movements
the huge response Gandhiji was was north Bihar. In North and Central
receiving from the people of Bihar, a peasant movement was an
Champaran, and intimidated by the important side effect of the
knowledge that Gandhiji had already independence movement. The
managed to inform the Viceroy of the KisanSabha movement started in Bihar
mistreatment of the farmers by the under the leadership of Swami
British plantation owners, the magistrate SahajanandSaraswati who in 1927 had
set him free, without payment of any formed the Bihar Provincial KisanSabha
bail. This was the first instance of the (BPKS) to mobilise peasant grievances
success of civil-disobedience as a tool against the zamindari attacks on their
to win freedom. The British received, occupancy rights. Gradually the peasant
their first "object lesson" of the power of movement intensified and spread across
civil-disobedience. It also made the the rest of India. All these radical
British authorities recognize, for the first developments on the peasant front
time, Gandhiji as a national leader of culminated in the formation of the All
some consequence. What Raj Kumar India KisanSabha (AIKS) at the
Shukla had started, and the massive Lucknow session of the Indian National
response people of Champaran gave to Congress in April 1936, with Swami
Gandhiji, catapulted his reputation SahajanandSaraswati elected as its first
throughout India. Thus, in 1917, began President. This movement aimed at
a series of events in a remote corner of overthrowing the fedualzamindari
Bihar, which ultimately led to the system instituted by the British. It was
freedom of India in 1947. led by Swami SahajanandSaraswati and

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 Bihar History & Culture

his followers Pandit Yamuna Karjee, tillers, the struggle was considered to be
Rahul Sankrityayan and others. Pandit successful.
Yamuna Karjee along with Rahul
Towards the end of 1946, between 30
Sankrityayan and other Hindi literaries
October and 7 November, a large-scale
started publishing a Hindi weekly
massacre of Muslims in Bihar made
Hunkar from Bihar in 1940. Hunkar later
Partition more likely. Begun as a reprisal
became the mouthpiece of the peasant
for the Noakhali riot, whose death toll
movement and the agrarian movement
had been greatly overstated in
in Bihar and was instrumental in
immediate reports, it was difficult for
spreading the movement. The peasant
authorities to deal with because it was
movement later spread to other parts of
spread out over a large number of
the country and helped in digging out
scattered villages, and the number of
the British roots in the Indian society by
casualties was impossible to establish
overthrowing the zamindari system.
accurately: "According to a subsequent
With passage of Zamindari Abolition statement in the British Parliament, the
Act, 1949, the movements disappeared. death-toll amounted to 5,000.
In 1978, the peasants in Bihar, under
the leadership of the
YuvaChhatraSangharshSamity,
organized a long drawn out struggle in
Bodhgaya to secure land rights from the
Shankar Math. The Mahants (religious
heads) of the Buddhist monasteries in
the area had amassed huge tracts of
land under the exemption given to
religious and charitable institutions in
the ceiling laws of the state. The
situation erupted in violence. After the
Supreme Court’s directive to the effect
that the land is handed over to the

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