Katihar

Katihar is a city situated in the eastern part of the state of Bihar in India. It is the regional headquarter of Katihar district. It is one of the larger cities of Bihar and is known all over East India for its highly strategic railway junction.

This article is about the municipal corporation in India. For its namesake district, see Katihar district.

Katihar
City
Katihar
Location in Bihar
Katihar
Location in India
Coordinates: 25.53°N 87.58°E / 25.53; 87.58
CountryIndia
StateBihar
DistrictKatihar
Urban AgglomerationKatihar
Government
 • TypeMunicipal Corporation
 • BodyKatihar Municipal Corporation
 • MayorVijay Singh
Area
 • Total3,057 km2 (1,180 sq mi)
Elevation
20 m (70 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total240,565
 • Rank117
Demonym(s)Katiharians
Languages
 • MainHindi, English, Urdu, Maithili, Surjapuri, Bengali
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
854105
Vehicle registrationBR-39
Lok Sabha constituencyKatihar
Vidhan Sabha constituencyKatihar
Websitekatihar.bih.nic.in

History

Katihar, which was previously part of Purnia district, is part of the Mithila region.[1] Mithila first gained prominence after being settled by Indo-Aryan peoples who established the Mithila Kingdom (also called Kingdom of the Videhas).[2]

During the late Vedic period (c. 1100–500 BCE), Kingdom of the Videhas became one of the major political and cultural centers of South Asia, along with Kuru and Pañcāla. The kings of the Kingdom of the Videhas were called Janakas.[3] The Mithila Kingdom was later incorporated into the Vajji confederacy, which had its capital in the city of Vaishali, which is also in Mithila.[4]

Transport

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Road

Katihar is not so well connected through road network to the neighbouring cities of Bihar and other neighbouring states due to its interior location. An excellent Highway NH 131A, however, connects it to Purnia, from where NH 27, NH 231 and NH 31 passes through or starts through.

Air

The nearest airport is located at Purnia Airport near Purnea (30 km), but it is a 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, Purnea to be allowed to use for commercial use. However, it is not operational yet.

Education
Main article: List of institutions of higher education in Bihar
Katihar Ramakrishna Mission

Katihar has many education institutions. Some CBSE schools in city are:

  • Katihar Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandir (estd. in 1951; the oldest surviving school of Katihar; it used to be under WBBSE; now affiliated with CBSE)[5]
  • Scottish Public School[6]
  • kendriya Vidyalaya[7]
  • Hari Shankar Nayak High School
  • International School of East India[8]
  • Manipal public school[9]
  • Netaji Vidyamandir
  • AAM Children's Academy
  • Children's happy home
  • Katihar English School
  • Don Bosco
  • Ramakrishna Mission Sarda Vidyamandir
  • Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Katihar[10]
  • Colonels Academy[11]
  • SBP Vidya Vihar[12]
  • KidZee[13]
  • The Maheshwari Academy
  • Katihar High School
  • Zila School
  • M.T.A Islamia +2 School
  • Rajiv Shiksha Niketan
  • Meadowland Montessori school

Government colleges:

  • D.S. College, Katihar[14]
  • K.B Jha College, Katihar[15]
  • Govt. Polytechnic, Katihar[16]
  • Katihar College Of Engineering, Katihar
  • Sita Ram Chamaria College[17]
  • M J M Mahila College[18]

Other important institutes:

  • Purnia University
  • Katihar Medical College & Hospital, Katihar[19]
  • Maharshi Menhi Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Katihar[20]
  • Suryadeo Law College, Katihar[21]
  • A.M.Ashari Educational & Welfare Trust, Katihar

Katihar Medical College

Katihar Medical College and Hospital (KMCH) is a private medical college located in Katihar City suburbs and is recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI),[22] one of the few medical schools in the Seemanchal region. It was established in 1987 and has been instrumental in providing medical care to the local people. The institute offers courses in MBBS and MD in different fields including biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, general medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology.

Demographics

As per the 2011 census, Katihar Urban Agglomeration had a population of 240,565.[23] Katihar Urban Agglomeration includes Katihar (municipal corporation plus outgrowth) and Katihar Railway Colony (outgrowth).[24] 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.[25] Katihar is at 193th rank in terms of its population among the top 200 cities of India as per the 2011 census.

Hindi, Urdu, Maithili, Angika, Bengali and Surjapuri are the main languages spoken in Katihar.

Durga Puja and Kali Puja

The city of Katihar hosts one of the most extravagant Durga Puja and Kali Puja celebrations in entire Bihar. Many pandals come to the city during these periods. Artisans from Kolkata are called for statue work of goddess Durga and allies.[26]

Katihar already has a significant Bengali population and this adds to the celebrations. There are lotteries and various competitions held all over the city by the Pandal hosting societies during this festive season of Katihar.

Media

Most people read Hindustan, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhaskar, and The Telegraph. Bengali newspapers are also available for Bengali readers. KBC News broadcasts the local news on television. People tune into All India Radio for national news.

Climate

The climate of Katihar is nearly moderate with widespread rainfall during the monsoons sometimes bringing flood to the adjoining rural areas of the Katihar District.

See also

References
  1. Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. ISBN 9788175330344.
  2. Michael Witzel (1989), Tracing the Vedic dialects in Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes ed. Caillat, Paris, pages 13, 17 116–124, 141–143
  3. Witzel, M. (1989). "Tracing the Vedic dialects". In Caillat, C. (ed.). Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes. Paris: Fondation Hugot. pp. 141–143.
  4. Hemchandra, R. (1972). Political History of Ancient India. Calcutta: University of Calcutta.
  5. https://www.rkmkatihar.org/
  6. http://scottishpublicschool.in/
  7. http://kvkatihar.org.in/
  8. http://isei.in/
  9. http://www.icbse.com/schools/manipal-public-school/330526
  10. https://nrj7017.github.io/jnvk/
  11. https://colonelsacademy.in/
  12. http://sbpvidyaviharkatihar.com/
  13. https://www.kidzee.com/bihar/katihar/best-play-school-katihar
  14. http://www.dspgcollege.org/
  15. http://www.kbjhacollegekatihar.com/
  16. http://www.govtpolykatihar.in/
  17. http://www.srcdcollege.com/
  18. https://mjmmahilacollege.com/
  19. http://kmckatihar.org/
  20. http://www.mmhmch.org/
  21. http://suryadeolawcollege.com/
  22. "Katihar Medical College". Katihar Medical College. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  23. "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  24. "Constituents of urban Agglomerations Having Population 1 Lakh & above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  25. "Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  26. "Durga Puja Celebration in Katihar". Dainik Jagaran.
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