Banka district is an administrative district in the south-eastern part of the state of Bihar, India. It lies in the Bhagalpur division and forms part of the Anga region of Bihar. The district headquarters is the town of Banka.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Bihar |
| Division | Bhagalpur |
| Headquarters | Banka |
| Region | Anga |
| Parent district | Bhagalpur (until 1991) |
Overview
Banka district was carved out of Bhagalpur district in 1991, when it was constituted as a separate district to facilitate administration of the southern, largely rural and partly forested tracts of the erstwhile Bhagalpur district. The district shares boundaries with Bhagalpur to the north, Munger and Jamui to the west, and the state of Jharkhand (including Godda and Deoghar) to the south and east.
Geography
The terrain of Banka is varied, with the northern portions consisting of alluvial plains drained by tributaries of the Ganges, while the southern and eastern parts merge into the hills and forested uplands that extend into the Chhotanagpur plateau. The Chandan and Chir rivers are among the principal streams flowing through the district, and the Chandan reservoir is an important water resource. Forest cover is concentrated in the southern blocks.
Administration
The district is part of the Bhagalpur revenue division. It is divided into subdivisions and several community development blocks, including Banka, Amarpur, Barahat, Belhar, Bounsi, Chanan, Dhoraiya, Fullidumar, Katoria, Rajaun and Shambhuganj. The district forms the Banka Lok Sabha constituency for elections to the Lok Sabha, and contains assembly constituencies that elect members to the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
Demographics and economy
The district is predominantly rural, with agriculture as the mainstay of the economy. Paddy, wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds are commonly cultivated. Sericulture, particularly the production of tasar silk, has historically been associated with this region of Bihar. Hindi and the local Angika dialect are widely spoken.
Culture and places of interest
Mandar Hill, located near Bounsi in Banka district, is a granite hill associated with Hindu and Jain traditions; it is identified in Puranic literature with the mountain used in the legend of the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan). The hill is also a Jain pilgrimage site connected with the twelfth Tirthankara, Vasupujya. The annual Papaharni fair held at the foot of Mandar Hill is a notable cultural event. Other religious and historical sites in the district include temples and shrines reflecting the syncretic heritage of the Anga region.
Timeline
- 1991 – Banka constituted as a separate district, carved out of Bhagalpur district.
Related topics
References
- Wikidata: Q43097