Bhagalpur district is an administrative district in the Indian state of Bihar. The district headquarters is the city of Bhagalpur, situated on the southern bank of the river Ganga in eastern Bihar. The district forms part of the Bhagalpur Division and is historically and culturally associated with the ancient region of Anga.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Bihar |
| Division | Bhagalpur |
| Headquarters | Bhagalpur |
| Region | Anga (historical) |
| Major river | Ganga |
| Type | District of Bihar |
Geography
Bhagalpur district lies in the eastern part of Bihar, with the Ganga flowing through it from west to east, dividing the district into a northern Diara tract and a southern upland. The southern part of the district extends towards the foothills associated with the Kharagpur and Rajmahal hill systems. The fertile alluvial plains along the Ganga support intensive agriculture, while the river also gives the district a long riverine frontage that has shaped its economy and settlement pattern.
The district shares boundaries with Munger, Banka, Khagaria and parts of the Kosi region, with the Ganga separating it in places from districts on the northern bank.
Administration
Bhagalpur is the administrative headquarters of both the district and the Bhagalpur Division. The district is organised into subdivisions and community development blocks, with a network of revenue circles, panchayats and municipal bodies. The Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation administers the urban core of the city, while the rural areas are governed through the panchayati raj system.
Economy
The district's economy combines agriculture, sericulture and trade. Bhagalpur is widely known for its silk industry, particularly the production of tussar silk, on account of which the city is often referred to as the "Silk City". Handloom weaving of Bhagalpuri silk sarees and fabrics remains a significant cottage industry. Agriculture in the Ganga floodplain produces rice, wheat, maize, pulses and seasonal vegetables, along with fruit cultivation, including mangoes for which the wider region is noted.
Culture and heritage
The Bhagalpur region is identified with ancient Anga, one of the mahajanapadas mentioned in early Indian texts, with Champa traditionally regarded as its capital. The district contains archaeological sites and monasteries linked to Buddhist and Jain traditions, including the historical association of Champapuri with Jainism. Vikramashila, the renowned Buddhist mahavihara founded during the Pala period, lies within the district at Antichak and is a protected archaeological site.
The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, established along a stretch of the Ganga in the district, protects the endangered Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) and is among the few such sanctuaries in India.
Education
Bhagalpur is an educational centre for eastern Bihar. Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, named after the tribal leader Tilka Manjhi, is headquartered in the city and affiliates colleges across several districts. The city also hosts engineering, medical and agricultural institutions, including a government medical college and an agricultural college linked to Bihar Agricultural University in neighbouring Sabour.
Transport
Bhagalpur is served by the Bhagalpur railway station on the Sahibganj loop of the Eastern Railway, providing connectivity to Patna, Howrah and other major cities. National and state highways link the district to Munger, Banka, Patna and onward to Jharkhand. The Ganga has historically supported river transport, and ferry services continue to connect parts of the district with the northern bank.