Begusarai, Bihar: A Glimpse into its History and Significance

Begusarai, often referred to as the “Industrial Capital of Bihar” and historically known as “Leningrad of Bihar” due to its strong communist leanings in the past, is a significant city and district located on the northern bank of the sacred River Ganga.

The history of Begusarai dates back to 1870, when it was established as a sub-division of the larger Munger district. It gained the status of a separate district in 1972. The name “Begusarai” itself has interesting origins. One popular belief suggests it derived from “Begu,” a caretaker of an old market (“sarai”) in the town. Another theory points to “Begum” (queen) and “Sarai” (inn), suggesting that the Begum of Bhagalpur used to visit Simaria Ghat, a holy place on the Ganges, for a month-long pilgrimage, and the area of her temporary residence became known as “Begum’s Sarai,” eventually evolving into Begusarai.

Begusarai is also notable as the birthplace of eminent personalities like Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’, a celebrated Hindi poet, and renowned historian Professor Ram Sharan Sharma. The district is a part of the historic Mithila region, known for its rich cultural heritage.

Today, Begusarai is a thriving industrial hub, home to major establishments such as the Barauni Refinery (Indian Oil Corporation Limited), Barauni Thermal Power Station (NTPC), and a large fertilizer plant. Its economy is largely driven by its industrial base and robust agricultural sector. The district is also home to the Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary, Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake and a Ramsar Site, highlighting its ecological importance.