Chhapra

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Chhapra Chapra
—  City  —
Chhapra Location in Bihar, India
Coordinates: 25°47′05″N 84°43′39″E / 25.7848°N 84.7274°E / 25.7848; 84.7274Coordinates: 25°47′05″N 84°43′39″E / 25.7848°N 84.7274°E / 25.7848; 84.7274
Country	India
State	Bihar
District	Saran(सारण)
Elevation	36 m (118 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	179,190
Languages
• Official	Bhojpuri, Hindi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	841301
Telephone code	06152
Lok Sabha constituency	Saran
Vidhan Sabha constituency	Chapra
Website	www.chapra.in

Chhapra (Hindi: छपरा Urdu: چہَپرَ‎) is a city and headquarters of the Saran district in the Indian state of Bihar. Also known as Chapra, it is situated near the junction of the Ghaghara River and the Ganges River.

Chhapra grew in importance as a river mart in the 18th century when the Dutch,^[1][2] French, Portuguese, and English established saltpeter refineries there. It was recognized as a municipality in 1864. The town has major rail and road connections with the rest of India.

History [edit]

The earliest authentic historical record concerning this district is supposedly from 898 AD. It suggests that the village of Dighwara Dubauli in Saran had supplied a copper plate issued during the reign of King Mahendra Paldeva. Maharshi Dadhichi, who donated his bones to the gods for the manufacture of arms, belongs to Saran. The cottage of Dronacharya was situated there. Gautamasthan, which is 8 km from chapra, used to be Maharshi Gautam's ashram. Lord Rama gave Devi Ahiylya (wife of Maharshi Gautam) her life back after she turned to stone due to a curse. The fight of "Gaj" (Elephant) and "Grah" (Crocodile) was made at Sonepur in Saran also.Ambica Sthan or Ambika Bhawani (Ami, Dighwara) is famous for the goddess Durga.

Kosala [edit]

In ancient days, modern-day chapra was a part of Kosala. Kosala was bounded on the west by Panchala, by the river Sarpika (sai) in the south, on the east by Gandak and on the north by Nepal. Kosala consisted of modern-day Faizabad, Gonda, Basti, Gorakhpur, Deoria in Uttar Pradesh and Saran. The historical background of the district - as available in the 'Ain-E-Akbari - records Saran as one of the six Sarkars (revenue divisions) in the province of Bihar. When Diwani was granted to the British East India Company in 1765, there were eight Sarkars including Saran and Champaran. These two were later combined to form Saran. Saran (along with Champaran) was included in the Patna Division when the Commissioner's Divisions were set up in 1829. Champaran became a separate district in 1866. Saran was made a part of newly formed Tirhut Division in 1908. By this time there were three subdivisions in this district, namely Saran, Siwan and Gopalganj. In 1972, each subdivision of the old Saran district became an independent district. The new Saran district was still headquartered at chapra after the separation of Siwan and Gopalganj.

Ashoka Pillar [edit]

The famous Ashoka Pillar is located about 33 km from chapra (5 km from Maker Village). This is the place where Lord Buddha made his 13th stop on his way to attaining nirvana. He converted Amrapali, a local courtesan and powerful prostitute, into a saint. This is now a major tourist attraction for Buddhists and is well maintained by the archaeological survey of India. At Chirand near chapra, ancient bones were found and are placed in the chapra Museum. It is famous for King Maurayadhwaj, who was ready to sacrifice his only son to Vaman Avatar Lord Vishnu.

Bhojpuri heritage [edit]

Bhojpuri is a common language in states of Maharaja Bhoj, especially in Bhojpur District (headquartered in Arrah) and the surrounding area. It has its own script known as Kaithi because Kayastha were responsible for literacy. Today, this Kaithi script is limited to older Kayastha people or their relatives. These days, Bhojpuri is a common language in 26 districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, spoken by 30,000,000 people worldwide.

Bhojpuri singers have been very famous, such as Santraj Singh "Ragesh", Sriniwas Sinha "Bhushan", Sharda Sinha, Bireshwar Singh, Janardan Dubey, Baidh Nath Prasad, Bairister Giri, Sant Kumar Singh and Tripathi Prashuram Shashtri. Mahendra Misir, the pioneer of "Purvi" (a style of Bhojpuri folk song), was also from Saran.

Bollywood actors make Bhojpuri films, including Prakash Jha, Vijay Khare and Ashutosh Khare.

Bhojpuri magazine publishers include Dr. Anil Kumar Pandey (former I.G. Railway) and Dr. Lal Babu Tiwari. Amiya Bhushan is a Bhojpuri poet and scholar. The famous Bhojpuri poet Bhikhari Thakur (often referred to as the "Shakespeare of Bhojpuri") came from Saran.

Chapra Ara and Ballia are often colloquially referred to as the "ABC" region of Bhojpuri. Indentured laborers of this region have taken Bhojpuri across the Indian border to Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad & Tobago, Surinam and Guyana. Bhojpuri is the only language from India spoken in Fiji, Surinam, Mauritius, Guyana and Trinidad.

Geography [edit]

chapra is located at 25°47′05″N 84°43′39″E / 25.7848°N 84.7274°E / 25.7848; 84.7274.^[3] It has an average elevation of 36 metres (118 ft).

The district of Saran is situated between 25°36' and 26°13' north latitude and 84°24' and 85°15' east longitude in the southern post of the Saran Division of North Bihar. The Ganges river provides the southern boundary of the district, beyond which lie the districts of Bhojpur and Patna. To the north of Saran lie the districts of Siwan and Gopalganj. The Gandak river forms the dividing line with the Vaishali and Muzaffarpur districts in the east. To the west of Saran lie the districts of Siwan and Balia in Uttar Pradesh. The Ghaghra river forms a natural boundary between Saran and Ballia.

The district is shaped like a triangle; its apex is the confluence of the boundary of the Gopalganj district and the Gandak – Ganges river. The district is made up entirely of plains, but several depressions and marshes create three broad natural divisions:

• The alluvial plains along the big rivers, which are subject to periodic inundation.

• The uplands away from the rivers, not subject to floods.

• The riverbed diara areas.

Out of twenty blocks in the districts, six (Sonepur, Dighwara, Revelganj, chapra, Manjhi and Dariyapur) regularly flood. Six others are partially affected by floods (Parsa, Marhoura, Amnaur, Jalalpur, and Ekma). The soil of the district is alluvial. No minerals of economic value are found in the district.

Climate [edit]

Railways [edit]

Chhapra Railway Station|Chhapra Junction is a railway junction and A1 category model station on the East Central Railway and is connected directly to all the major cities of India, viz., Siwan, Kolkata, Delhi, Amritsar, Patna, Kanpur, Ranchi, Guwahati, etc.

Demographics [edit]

As per 2011 census, Chapra Urban Agglomeration had a population of 212,955.^[5] Chapra Urban Agglomeration includes Chapra (Nagar Panchayat) and Sanrha (Census Town).^[6] chapra Nagar Panchayat had a total population of 201,597, out of which 106,250 were males and 95,347 were females. It had a sex ratio of 897. The population below 5 years was 27,668. The literacy rate of the 7+ population was 81.30 per cent.^[7]

Economy [edit]

The main commercial site is the municipal chowk. Hathwa market is famous for selling textiles. As of 2006 a locomotive factory was planned for the district. The Morton chocolate factory was located at Marhowrah. In addition, sugarcane, iron and cotton factories are located in Marhowrah.

Education [edit]

Rajendra College,Chhapra

• Jai Prakash University
• Loknayak Jai Prakash Institute Of Technology

Loknayak Jai Prakash Institute Of Technology

• Jawaharlal Industrial Training Institut, Mura
• Ambika Industrial Training Institute
• Rajendra College

• Jagdam College
• Ganga singh Mahavidyalah
• Ramjaipal College
• J.P.Mahila College
• Dr. R. N. Singh Evenving College
• Biseswar Dayal Sinha Memorial Mahila College
• Dr. P.N. Singh College
• Lokmahavidyalya Baniapur

Schools [edit]

• Brajkisor Kinder Garden
• Chapra Central School
• Rasalpura High School
• Aacharya Narender Dev School
• Saran central School
• Children Delight School
• Zila School,Chhapra
• B.Seminary,Chhapra
• Sita Ram Girls High School,Pojhi Kapoor
• Sri Krishna High School,Kewani
• Saran Academy
• Rajput High School
• Brahmin School
• Lok Manya English High School
• Rana Pratap high school
• Hariji High School
• R.S.K.S. High School Khalpura
• Darihara High School
• Gautam Rishi Uccha vidyalay,Revelganj
• J.M. High School,Raipura GARKHA
• Islamia High School,Olhanpur
• B.N.High School,Mohamadpur
• Ishwari High School,Basant
• Mahmood Memorial Girls High school,Chapra
• R.N. HIGH SCHOOL PARSAGARH

Villages and other sites [edit]

Ami [edit]

Ami is a big village situated about 37 km east of chapra and 4 km west of Dighwara. An old temple known as Ambika sthan is in this village. The name derives from Ambika, which is another name of Lord Shiva's wife Parvati.

Sonpur [edit]

Internationally famous^{[peacock term]} for Asia's largest cattle fair held on the occasion of Kartik Purnima^{[citation needed]}, it is also the headquarters of Sonepur Anchal. Sonepur is a Nagar Panchayat and is noted for its Railways platform, one of the largest in India^{[citation needed]}. The temple of Shree Hariharnath is there. It is the site of the battle of Gaj-Grah and rescue of the former by Hari During Kartik Purnima Ganga Snan. On the day of full moon (Kartik Purnima) an immense crowd assembles to bathe. The Mela commences on that day and lasts for more than a fortnight. Shiva temple, Kali temple and other temples and historical religious monuments are situated here. Social and economic activities peak during the Mela period.

Chirand [edit]

Chirand is 11 km southeast of district headquarters near Doriganj Bazar on the north bank of the Ganges. An excavation there revealed a four thousand year-old Pashan culture. Inhabitants engaged in herding, farming and hunting. This culture was first revealed there. Chirand had become an important urban place.

Mahadani King Mayurdvajh's palace's archeological remains are still found here, just on the bank of the Ganges-Ghaghara sangam at Chirand area. chapra also has maharshi Dadhichi's ashram. Dadhichi was a great tapasawi, he donated his bones to ask Lord Indra's vajra to help them in fighting with asurs. Sh Lal Babu Rai was two times member of parliament.

Sita ram project valika uchh Vidayalya,Pojhi Kapoor

Pojhi Kapoor [edit]

Pojhi Kapoor is a village 15 km away from chapra. This village is named after two brothers, Kapoor and Buzurg. The Western part of the village is known as Pojhi Kapoor and Eastern Part is known as Pojhi Buzurg.

Rampur Kallan [edit]

Rampur is situated at the distance of around 10 km from the north of chapra town. This village played a commendable role in freedom movement . sardar Mangal singh was widely known for his contribution to the freedom movement. Rajvanshi singh, congress leader was from this village and he too participated in the freedom movement. Kailash singh,principal of a high school in patna was elected for legislative council. The shining star from this village is Rana Yashwant who has earned a big name in the field of television news. He worked with the number one Hindi news channel of the country - AAJTAK and left his own impact on the content and strategy of the channel. He has been bestowed with many awards including Rajiv Gandhi Global Excellence Award and Bhikhari Thakur Award. Rana yashwant is heading mahuaa news network as Group Editor nowadays. He has been acclaimed for his poems also which gets published in literary magazines of national repute. Rampur Kallan is known for its consistent religious tradition of Sita-Ram Yagya,which happens every year without fail. The village consists of a primary, a middle and a high school in the name of Rana Pratap. The shiv temple known as bowli does fetch people from villages near by also in the month of sawan and on shiv ratri. Famous astrologer Vishnu Upadhyaya hailed from this village only.

Afaur [edit]

Afaur is 10 km north of chapra Kacheri railway station. During an excavation a black granite Shivlinga was found, apparently from the Pala Dynasty era. A temple is planned and the deity has been named Someshwar. This village has a religious place called Yogi Baba. A wrestler named Shri Suchit Singhji lived here and is believed to have conferred with Sitar-E Hind. A pillar at his ancestral cattle shed was touted as his thigh measure. This village had a tradition of mud wrestling and during dussera it used to be a weekly affair on every Sundays.

Baba Mehandar Nath Temple [edit]

This temple is situated about 40 km from chapra. It is a place of Lord Shiva, who is known here as "Baba Mahendre Nath". The temple is attached to a pond which spreads over 52 bighas. The temple is a natural formation located near the Rasulpur–Chainpur road; access is by all-terrain vehicle or four-wheel drive. People from other cities and states offer their prayers.

Every Monday, a large mela (local fair) is held. On the day of “Maha Shivratri” a big festival brings lakhs of people to offer puja (worship). In the month of Shravan (August), people offer water.

Bareja [edit]

Bareja is a village in chapra district, situated between chapra and Siwan. It is 9 km away from Manjhi, which is on the Uttar Pradesh border. The village is under Manjhi Block. Bareja was politically active during the independence movement. During the Salt Movement, Bareja was one of the few villages that manufactured Salt and delivered it to the English. The Bareja High School was founded in the 1940s and was the area's only high school for years. Pandit Girish Tiwari, a well-known freedom fighter from the village rose to be Bihar's first education minister. Affluent Jamindars owned substantial property there during British era. The village is populated by most castes except Rajputs who live in surrounding villages.

Dhorh Ashram [edit]

The ashram is north of Parsagarh and exhibits archaeological artifacts. On the banks of Gandaki and the ancient temple of Bhagwan Dhadheswar nath is situated a gigantic Shiv Ling of stone. This place is 45 km from chapra district headquarters. An old temple is there made by Nepal naresh. A local market named janta bajar is near this temple. A large mela is organised on shivratri. This place is situated almost in the middle of Maharajganj and Baniyapur.

Fardahian [edit]

Fardahian is one of the villages of Saran District in Masrakh Block - 47 kilometers from chapra & 7 Kilometers from Masrakh towards the north. Notables include Ahsanullah Khan, a dedicated Congress Party worker since Gandhi's time and has been Mukhiya of Dumarsan Gram Panchayat. Fardahian has no electricity. The village has a drinking water supply tank. It has one primary school. The Rajapatti Railway Station is less than 1 km away, and NH 28B passes through. Lok Manya English High School & Inter College is nearby. The Dumarsan Fair is held every year in April.

Jalal Pur [edit]

Sawari Jalalpur is home to writer and publisher Shailendra Sengar, as well as linguistics professor Dr. Prem Niwas Sinha "Arun Ji"; Sri Niwas Sinha "Bhusan Ji" of the Siger-Patna Radio Station]; and author and former professor Dr. Janak Pandey. Vishnupura hosts authors such as Dr. Jawahar Singh. Village Mishrawalia in the working place of Mahendra Mishra Ji, who wrote Bhojpri songs (especially Purvi) and original literature including Bhojpuri Ramayan. Village Navada is famous for the late Madan Bihari Verma, a freedom fighter who represented the congress from the hills of Darjeeling. Navada is also known for Tirth Raj Sharma, author of Koi Karan Hoga & Adhura Safar. Sawari Village is famous for Dr. C. P. Singh, former principal of Roorki I. I. T. College. Noor Nagar is famous for Babu Banaras Singh, who established the first girls high school in Jalal Pur then founded Inter College and Degree College.

Dharampura is the village nearest to the Goldingang Railway Station. Dahrampura is near Chirand Village. around 7 km from chapra.

Gandar [edit]

Gandar Village is situated in Chapra district, Of Bihar, India. This is a very beautiful village in Chapra District. The total population of this village is around 3000. This village is situated 13 km from Marhourah. In this village only, Yadav Cast are living. It is 7 km east from Mashrak Railway station. In this village all people are living happily with each other and all people are very nice. This village has great people like Dr. Birendra Prasad Yadav who is a madical practitioner and socialist and Dharmendra Prasad Yadav who is Prakhand Pramukh Of Taraiya Block. This village has a Lord Siva Temple, Maa Bhawani Temple, Goraya Baba temple, etc. There are one school in this Village.

Gadhdevi Mandir, Marhowrah [edit]

Gadhdevi Mandir is situated in Marhowrah, famous for industry. According to mythology Devi Durga came here during her journey to Thawe, Every Monday and Friday there is a small fair. Gadhdevi mandir has temples of many gods and goddesses.

Gautam Sthan [edit]

In the epic Ramayana, Gautam Rishi is mentioned for cursing his, turning her into stone. Later Lord Rama released her and purified her. The Ashram of Gautam Rishi is situated 5 km west of chapra, near Badka Baiju Tola. Ramayana describes it as Ahalya-Uddhaar. This place is situated near Ghaghara river where a big fair is organised on Kartick Purnima. Temples include Ram, Laxman, Sita,Devi Ahilya, Goutam Rishi, Bajrangbali, Jamant Ji and a big footprint of Lord Ram. Gautanm sthan is the Revilganj. It is also known as Hanuman's "Nanihal" (Hanuman's Mother's Home).

Goutam asthan

Kateyan [edit]

Kateyan is a village 40 KM north from the main district centre. The village is under Lahladpur block. Kateyan was politically active during the independence movement. Before independence it was ruled by Kayasth Jamindar Babu Dineshwar Sahay and Babu Nath Sharan Sahay. The Man Rani Anirudh Narayan High School was founded in 1985. Kateyan was home to Hindi and Bhojpuri poet and writer Sri Anirudh Narayan Verma who wrote the mahakavya Aarya Anarkali.

Khaira [edit]

Khairah is some 10 km north of chapra Kacheri railway station. It is found between Rampur and Mushheri. Its most important temple is Khairah Maath. This village has a religious place called Durga Mandir in the near Krishna Chaouk. Khairah Bajar is a big bazar. The village has its own railway station.

Manjhi [edit]

Manjhi is a railway station and a block of the Saran District. It is near Godna, which is the place of Ahilya Taran. Manjhi is the birthplace of religious poet Baba Dharni Das. His math (religious residence) is still present, but in poor condition. His religious songs and thoughts are published in books, magazines and newspapers such as Kalayn-in Santank and Bhojpuri Ke Sant Kavi. Many family members still reside in Manjhi.

Mashrak [edit]

Located 22 km north of chapra town and a major hub for commercial activity for people coming from northern ran.

Mubarkpur [edit]

Mubarakpur is a village in chapra district and is one KM east of Olahanpur. This village is named after Mubarksah the famous sufi sant. His samadhi is situated in Mubarakpur. The famous Hindi teacher late sri Rameshwar Pandey, was a teacher in Islamic High School, Olahanpur. His house is situated in the eastern part of the Village. The village is known for people like Shri Jaganath Prasad for helping poor people. He is a great socialist and pro-actively take part in village development work. The places to see in Mubarakpur are Chhath Ghat, Shiv temple and Roopkala mandir.

kUMNA [edit]

kumna is a village in chapra district and is 04 KM west and light north of Kopa P.S. This village named of ancient Rishi 'Kumbh Rishi' and this village is famous for Kumna Mathha. An ancient Temple and Mathha are situated in south of village. Once upon a time the Mathhadhish was a chief justice of saran coat.

Mura [edit]

Mura is under Garkha Block, 15 km from, 7 km away from Garkha in Pachapatia panchayat. Most villagers are farmers, although the younger generation work in other fields.

Olhanpur [edit]

Olhanpur is a village 15 km from chapra town under Marhaurah Block. One historic masjid was made by Emperor Shah Jahan, also called Shahi Masjid. The founder of Khuda Baksh Library in Patna came from Olhanpur. Ishlamia high school was founded in 1937.

Revelganj [edit]

Silhauri & Marhaurah [edit]

The mohbhan of Narad claims the child Episode of Shiv Puran and Ram charitra Manas happened there. It was ruled by Emperor Silidhi. It is 2 km away from Marhowra and 24 km away from chapra. Morhowra is connected to chapra by rail. India's first sugar mill was established in Marhaura until it was closed by state government. About 2 km from Shiv temple at Silhauri is a village named Awari. Jai Bahadur Prasad of Awari village is working as a manager at Bhilai Steel Plant.

Sonauli [edit]

Sonouli village is 700 years old and had a 2010 population of approximately 6000. The nearest rail station is in Mashrakh. It hosts three private English medium school, two government school, one private hospital, one marriage hall, two mosques, one temple. HARIHARPUR This village is under Ekma block ; 7 km from Ekma and 35 km from Chapra. This is very beatiful vilage of district and resident of this village are prosperous.Mostly residents of this village are Bhumihar.

Notable personalities [edit]

• Dr. Rajendra Prasad, freedom fighter and first president of India
• Jayaprakash Narayan, political leader
• Bhikhari Thakur, poet and singer, "Shakespeare of Bhojpuri"
• Rajiv Pratap Rudy, BJP leader and former aviation minister of India
• Daroga Prasad Rai, former chief minister of Bihar
• Prabhunath Singh, former member of Parliament
• Surur Hoda, Socialist leader and Order of British Empire (OBE) recipient^[8]
• Chitragupta (composer), music director and father of composers Anand-Milind

External links [edit]

• Saran zila Website
• chapra.in
• MSN Map with rail
• Rahul Sanskrityayan prominent poet and freedom fighter.

References [edit]