Samastipur is a city and the administrative headquarters of Samastipur district in the Indian state of Bihar. Located in the Mithila region of north Bihar, the city lies on the banks of the Burhi Gandak river and serves as an important agricultural, commercial, and railway centre in the state.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Bihar |
| District | Samastipur |
| Region | Mithila |
| Division | Darbhanga |
| River | Burhi Gandak |
| Languages | Hindi, Maithili, Urdu |
Samastipur lies in the alluvial plains of north Bihar, an area shaped by the Ganga river system and its tributaries. The Burhi Gandak flows along the city, while the Bagmati and the Ganga pass through other parts of the district. The terrain is largely flat and fertile, supporting intensive cultivation. The district is bordered by Darbhanga to the north, Begusarai to the east, Patna to the south across the Ganga, and Vaishali to the west.
Samastipur district is part of the Darbhanga division of Bihar. The city of Samastipur is governed by a municipal body and functions as the seat of the district magistrate, district court, and other administrative offices. The district is further divided into sub-divisions and community development blocks for revenue and local administration.
Samastipur is a major junction on the East Central Railway. Samastipur Junction is the headquarters of the Samastipur railway division, one of the divisions of East Central Railway, and connects the city to Patna, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Barauni, and other towns of north Bihar. National highways and state highways link the city to surrounding districts. The nearest major airport is at Patna.
The economy is predominantly agrarian. Major crops grown in the district include paddy, wheat, maize, sugarcane, tobacco, and a variety of pulses and oilseeds. Samastipur is also known for litchi and mango cultivation, an activity it shares with adjoining districts of north Bihar. Agro-based trade, small-scale industry, and the railways form the other pillars of the local economy.
Samastipur district is home to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (formerly Rajendra Agricultural University), located at Pusa. The institution traces its origins to the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute established at Pusa in the early twentieth century, which was later relocated to New Delhi after an earthquake in 1934. Pusa remains a significant centre for agricultural research and education in eastern India.
The region around Samastipur has historical associations with ancient Mithila and the wider Videha cultural sphere. Over the centuries it came under successive powers including the Maurya, Gupta, and later regional dynasties, followed by the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughals, and eventually the British. Samastipur was carved out as a separate district from Darbhanga in 1972.
The cultural life of Samastipur reflects the traditions of the Mithila region. Maithili is widely spoken alongside Hindi, and folk forms associated with Mithila, including Madhubani-style painting and Maithili songs, are part of the local heritage. Major festivals observed include Chhath Puja, Holi, Durga Puja, Eid, and Makar Sankranti.
Samastipur is represented in the Lok Sabha by the Samastipur parliamentary constituency, which is reserved for Scheduled Castes. The district contains several Vidhan Sabha (state legislative assembly) constituencies that send members to the Bihar Legislative Assembly.