Katihar Explained

Katihar is a city situated in the eastern part of the state of Bihar in India. It is the headquarters of Katihar district and Katihar railway division. It is one of the important cities of Bihar. It is also a main stop on the Barauni–Guwahati line.

History

Katihar is a part of the Mithila region.^[7] Mithila first gained prominence after being settled by Indo-Aryan peoples who established the Mithila Kingdom (also called Kingdom of the Videha's).^[8]

During the late Vedic period (c. 1100–500 BCE), Kingdom of the Videha's became one of the major political and cultural centers of South Asia, along with Kuru and Panchal. The kings of the Kingdom of the Videhans were called Janakas.^[9] The Mithila Kingdom was later incorporated into the Vajjika League, which had its capital in the city of Vaishali, which is also in Mithila.^[10] Later it was dominated by Chaudhary family who were the biggest landlord of Kosi commissioner and holds approximately 15,000 acres of land in Katihar district and 8,500 acres in Purnia district. The founder of Chaudhary family was Taj Ali Chaudhary and his four sons Chaudhary Khuda Baksh, Chaudhary Qadir Baksh, Khan Bahadur Chaudhary Mohammad Baksh and Elahi Baksh.

Transport

Road

Katihar is connected through road network to the neighboring cities of Bihar. Interstate bus services are not available. A highway, however, connects it to Purina, from where, and passes through or starts through. Katihar is near to Bhagalpur

Air

The nearest airport is located at Purnia Airport near Purnia (30 km), but it is an Airforce station. The nearest commercial airport is located at Bagdogra Airport (160 km) near Siliguri (West Bengal). However, recently the government has announced to open an air force base airport in Chunapur, Purnia to be allowed to use for commercial use. However, it is not operational yet.

Rail

Katihar Junction is a major strategic Railway Junction under Northeast Frontier Railway which connects North East India with the rest of India.^[11]

Education

See main article: List of institutions of higher education in Bihar. Katihar has many education institutions, including:

• Katihar Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandir (estd. in 1951; it used to be under WBBSE; now affiliated with CBSE)^[12]
• Colonels Academy^[13]
• International School of East India^[14]
• Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Katihar^[15]
• Kendriya Vidyalaya, Katihar^[16]
• Manipal public school^[17]
• SBP Vidya Vihar^[18]
• Scottish Public School, Katihar^[19]

Government colleges:

• D.S. College, Katihar^[20]
• Govt. Polytechnic, Katihar^[21]
• K.B Jha College, Katihar^[22]
• M J M Mahila College^[23]
• Sita Ram Chamaria College^[24]

Other important institutes:

• Katihar Medical College and Hospital (KMCH), a private medical college in Katihar City suburbs, recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI),^[25]
• Purnea University
• Suryadeo Law College, Katihar^[26]

• Maharshi Menhi Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Katihar^[27]

Demographics

As per the 2011 census, Katihar Urban Agglomeration had a population of 240,565.^[28] Katihar Urban Agglomeration includes Katihar (municipal corporation plus outgrowth) and Katihar Railway Colony (outgrowth).^[29] Katihar Municipal Corporation had a total population of 225,982, out of which 119,142 were males and 106,840 were females. It had a sex ratio of 897. The population below 5 years was 31,036. The literacy rate of the 7+ population was 79.87 per cent.^[30] Katihar is at 193rd rank in terms of its population among the top 200 cities of India as per the 2011 census.

Religion

Hinduism is major religion in Katihar city with 185,196 Hindus (76.9%) and 53,213 Muslims (22.1%). Other religions include 794 Christians (0.33%), 373 Sikhs (0.15%), 221 Jains (0.09%), 70 Buddhists (0.03%) and 960 (0.4%) not stated.^[31]

Climate

The climate of Katihar has widespread rainfall during the monsoons, sometimes bringing floods to the adjoining rural areas of the Katihar District.^{[32] [33]}

River

1. Koshi River - the lifeline of Katihar.
2. Ganga River - The Holy river.
3. Mahananda River- The Pristine River.
4. Righa River - The quiet Companion.
5. Buri Gantok River- The Water Ways Connection.

See also

• List of cities in Bihar
• Kolasi
• Korha
• Tingachhia

External links

• katihar.bih.nic.in
• District Court, Katihar

Notes and References

1. Web site: KATIHAR. Cseindia.org. 30 June 2022.
2. Web site: 52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities In India. nclm.nic.in. Ministry of Minority Affairs. 4 October 2019. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf. 25 May 2017.
3. Book: Masica . Colin P. . The Indo-Aryan Languages . 9 September 1993 . Cambridge University Press . 978-0-521-29944-2 . 12 . en.
4. Book: Encyclopedia of Bihar: Encyclopedia of Bihar: Uncovering the Rich Heritage and History by Arunima Kumari . 9789350483909 . Kumari . Arunima . 19 January 2021 . Prabhat Prakashan .
5. Book: कटिहार में बंगाली समुदाय में धूमधाम से मनाई गई लक्खी पूजा .
6. https://indiapincodes.net/Bihar/Katihar/ Katihar
7. News: Bihar assembly elections 2020: BJP eyes winning push from Mithila | Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 Election News - Times of India . . 25 September 2020 .
8. [Michael Witzel]
9. Book: Witzel, M. . Michael Witzel . 1989 . Tracing the Vedic dialects . Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes . Paris . Caillat . C. . 141–143 . Fondation Hugot.
10. Book: Hemchandra, R. . 1972 . Political History of Ancient India . Calcutta . University of Calcutta.
11. Web site: 29 August 2017 . Railways resume goods train services for North East states . 1 October 2024 . The Indian Express .
12. Web site: Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Katihar . 2 March 2020 . 20 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200220115259/http://www.rkmkatihar.org/ . dead .
13. Web site: Colonels Acadamey – Every Child has Potential. Colonelsacademy.in. 30 June 2022.
14. Web site: Home . Isei.in. 29 April 2022. 30 June 2022.
15. Web site: JNV Katihar. Nrj7017.github.io.
16. Web site: Kendriya Vidyalaya . 26 April 2019 . 26 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190426185551/http://kvkatihar.org.in/ . dead .
17. Web site: Manipal Public School, Katihar - Reviews, Address, Fees and Admissions 2022. Icbse.com .
18. Web site: Welcome to S.B.P. Vidya Vihar S.B.P. Vidya Vihar Katihar . Spvidyaviharkatihar.com. 30 June 2022.
19. Web site: Welcome to Scottish Public School. Scottishpublicschool.in. 30 June 2022.
20. Web site: dspgcollege.org. 12.dspgcollege.org. 30 June 2022.
21. Web site: ::Welcome to Govt. Polytechnic Katihar, Bihar :: . 26 April 2019 . 26 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190426185552/http://www.govtpolykatihar.in/ . dead .
22. Web site: Welcome to K.B. Jha College . 26 April 2019 . 26 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190426185551/http://www.kbjhacollegekatihar.com/ . dead .
23. Web site: เว็บหวยที่จ่ายแพงที่สุด พันทิป. Mjmmahilacollege.com. 30 June 2022.
24. Web site: Welcome to Sita Ram Chamaria Degree College Katihar | Sita Ram Chamaria Degree College. Srcdcollege.com. 30 June 2022.
25. Web site: Katihar Medical College. . 25 April 2017.
26. Web site: Suryadeo Law College, Katihar | Law College in Katihar | Law College in Bihar. Suryadeolawcollege.com. 30 June 2022.
27. Web site: Welcome To Maharshi Menhi Homoeopathic Medical College And Hospital. Mmhmch.org. 30 June 2022.
28. Web site: Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above . Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 . 16 April 2012 .
29. Web site: Constituents of urban Agglomerations Having Population 1 Lakh & above . Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. 16 April 2012 .
30. Web site: Cities having population 1 lakh and above . Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 . 16 April 2012.
31. Web site: Katihar City Population 2022 - Sex Ratio, Population Density, Literacy . 11 July 2022 . www.indiacensus.net . en-US.
32. Web site: 30 September 2024 . Bihar flood situation worsens as major rivers spate; IMD issues heavy rain alert . 2 October 2024 . Hindustan Times.
33. News: 15 August 2021 . Floodwaters enter four blocks in Katihar district . 2 October 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.