Districts & Divisions
Bihar GK · जिले और प्रमंडल
📋Quick Overview
Bihar is administratively divided into 9 Divisions (Praman Dal) and 38 Districts. Each division is named after its headquarters city. Understanding the districts and their significance is crucial for all Bihar-based competitive exams as questions regularly appear about locations, headquarters, and notable features of each district.
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Paschim Champaran is the largest district by area; Patna is the largest by population. Sheohar is the smallest district by area in Bihar.
📖9 Divisions of Bihar
| Division | Headquarters | Districts Included |
|---|---|---|
| Patna | Patna | Patna, Nalanda, Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur |
| Magadh | Gaya | Gaya, Arwal, Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Nawada |
| Munger | Munger | Munger, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura, Khagaria, Jamui |
| Bhagalpur | Bhagalpur | Bhagalpur, Banka |
| Purnia | Purnia | Purnia, Katihar, Kishanganj, Araria |
| Darbhanga | Darbhanga | Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur |
| Tirhut | Muzaffarpur | Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, E.Champaran, W.Champaran |
| Saran | Chhapra | Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj |
| Nalanda (Kosi) | Saharsa | Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura |
📖Important Districts — Key Facts
| District | Famous For |
|---|---|
| Patna | Capital city, Patna Sahib Gurudwara, Patna Museum, Golghar |
| Gaya | Bodh Gaya (Buddha's enlightenment), Pind Daan (Pitru Paksha), Falgu river |
| Nalanda | Ancient Nalanda University (UNESCO WH), Baragaon |
| Vaishali | World's first republic, birthplace of Mahavira, Hajipur (banana) |
| Bhagalpur | Silk City (Tussar silk GI tag), Vikramshila ruins, Sultanganj |
| Darbhanga | Cultural capital of Mithila, Madhubani painting, Makhana production |
| Muzaffarpur | Litchi capital (Shahi Litchi GI tag), Asia's largest cattle — Sonepur nearby |
| Paschim Champaran | Largest district, Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Gandhi's Champaran Satyagraha |
| Sitamarhi | Birthplace of Goddess Sita (Punaura Dham), Makhana production |
| Sasaram (Rohtas) | Tomb of Sher Shah Suri — finest Afghan architecture in India |
| Rajgir (Nalanda) | Ancient Magadha capital, Buddha's preaching site, hot springs, Nalanda nearby |
| Motihari (E. Champaran) | Birthplace of George Orwell, Gandhi's Champaran headquarters |
📝Newly Created & Smallest Districts
- •Arwal: Carved out of Jahanabad in 2001 — newest district at that time.
- •Sheohar: Carved out of Sitamarhi in 1994 — smallest district by area in Bihar.
- •Paschim Champaran: Largest district by area — 5,228 sq km.
- •Hajipur (Vaishali): Asia's largest banana market; hosts Sonepur Mela (cattle fair).