Kishanganj: The heaven of peace and brotherhood

Fast Facts


Country: India
State: Bihar
Division: Purnea
Longitude: 8707’ to 88019’ East
Latitude: 25020’ to 26030’ North
Area: 2862.48 sq. kms
Geographical Area : 193, 855 Hectare
Cutivable Area : 173, 754 Hectare
High Land: 33,700 Hectare
Medium Land: 50,700 Hectare
Low Land: 42,979 Hectare
Irrigated Area: 27,018 Hectare
Total Households: 40,44,11
Total Population: 2,319,000 (Till 2008)
Male Population: 13,84,000 (Till 2008)
Female Population: 9,35,000(Till 2008)
Sex Ratio: 931.1 (Till 2008)
SC Population: 1,292,74
ST Population: 5,63,57
Total Literacy: 37.7 % (Till 2008)
Below Poverty Line (BPL): 39.9 % (Till 2008)
Infant Mortality Rate: 62.3 % (Till 2008)
Households with Electricity: 9.1 % (Till 2008)
Work Participation Rate: 34.1 % (Till 2008)
Urbanization: 9.4 % (Till 2008)
Crime Against Women: 13.4 % (Till 2oo8)
Violent Crime: 27.5% (Till 2008)

Famous Persian quote “Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast”(if there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this) had been used by Mughal Emperor Jehangir to refer the beauty of Kashmir Valley and its gardens. Here I would like to refer to Kishanganj, a small district of Bihar, with the same famous quote which had been carved out from Purnea district about two decades ago on January 14, 1990.

Of course, Kishanganj is not bestowed with natural wonders like verdant valleys or snow-clad mountains, but the small town is a paradise in another way. One of the most backward districts of the country, Kishanganj is heaven of peace and brotherhood. Today when the whole country is suffering from the curse of communalism, Kishanganj still maintains its century old charm of peace.

After Kashmir Valley, Kishanganj is the second biggest Muslim populated area having 70 per cent Muslim population. Despite the majority constituting of Muslims, the non-Muslims live here in complete peace. Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and people of other religions together present an excellent example of communal harmony here. Here the Gujarat riots or other such communal riots happening across the country have no any impact on the mindset of people. Kishanganj is dotted with a number of temples, mosques and dargahs. No religious site has ever been damaged in the past on account of communal riots in other part of the country. In fact, here the morning begins with Azan of Fazr and Bhajans in temples. During festivals, one will find a totally different environment here, as local people celebrate all festivals with equal enthusiasm.

Little is known about the earlier history of Kishanganj, but some say that the district has its connection with great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Historic record says, that during Mughal period Kishanganj was the part of Kingdom of Nepal and known as Nepalgarh. For administration of the place, Mughal Emperor Shah Alam appointed Mohammed Raza at Surajapur. Mohammad Raza captured the Nepalgarh fort and the name was converted to Alamganj and administration also shifted to Khagara.

Legend has it that during the period of Khagada Nawab, Mohammed Fakiruddin, a Hindu saint arrived here. The said saint was very tired and wished to rest, but when he came to know that the name of the place is Alamganj, he refused to enter. Hence, Nawab Fakiruddin changed the name of some portion of the place as Krishnakunj that later became Kishanganj. In the post-Independence era Kishanganj was the important sub-division of Purnea district till the year 1990, when it was formed. Every year the historic Khagra Mela is held near the residence of Nawab Fakiruddin, which is famous as cattle fair.

Situated in northeastern portion of Bihar, Kishangani is bordered by the Indian state of West Bengal and neighbouring Kingdom of Nepal. Bangladesh border is also at a short distance from Kishanganj. Earlier the part of Purnea district, Kishanganj became a separate district on 14th January 1990. People of the region welcomed the constitution of the new district. The big challenge before the local people was the development of newly formed district in various sectors including education and communication. Despite the continuous negligence of the state government in the past, people of Kishanganj took the district headquarters on the path of progress with their hard work.

Seventeen years since its constitution, Kishanganj has changed and conditions here are really inspiring. In the brief period of time, the district has developed in the sectors of education, communication, employment and other fields. Inhabitants of the district have made their mark in various fields like management, medicine, technology, journalism and education. Kishanganj has produced a number of IITians, doctors, engineers, journalist, lawyers, management gurus and politicians, who are serving the nation. Many political leaders had represented the district at national level. MJ Akbar, Syed Shahnawaz, Syed Shahbuddin and Taslimuddin are the prominent political leaders of the district, who are also well known across the country.

Education in Kishanganj

Very few people know that Kishanganj is the place in Bihar, where Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan remained most successful. Though according to national literacy figures, Kishanganj has country’s least female literacy rate, education is spreading rapidly across the district and very soon the literacy percentage will improve. Under the supervision of Bihar Education Project, the training programmes namely Ujala and Angna Vidyalaya are run in the district. Kishanganj town has two boys and one girls high school namely, National High School, Inter High School and Girls High School. Marwari College, a degree college is situated in the district headquarters, while Nehru College is another government affiliated degree college situated at Bahadurganj. Kendriya Vidyalaya (BSF Camp), Navodaya Vidyalaya, Insan School, Bal Mandir, LBM School and Tauheed Educational Institute are other schools of the town. Kishanganj has its own medical college known as MGM College where students from various parts of the county come for pursuing MBBS.

Attractions of Kishanganj

Town Hall, Khagra Stadium, Nehru Shanti Park and Kargil Park are some of the attractions of the town.

Geography of Kishanganj

Geographically as well as commercially Kishanganj is in the agricultural belt. Soil of Kishanganj is fertile and Mahanadi River and its tributaries, which are main source of irrigation, cross the district. Kishanganj is called the ‘Cherapunji of Bihar’ as maximum rainfall is recorded here during rainy season. Sadly during monsoon, the Mahanadi River gets over-flooded and destroys the crops. Every year due to flood farmers lose lakhs of rupees, but the district administration is unable to cope with this natural calamity. Some years back, with the financial support and co-operation of the government, the cultivation of tea has started in Kishanganj. Big businessmen of the district have developed a number of tea gardens at Belwa, just 10 kilometres from the district headquarters. Kishanganj tea is available in the market and is also sent to various parts of the country.

Last but not the Least

On the whole, it is not possible to describe the beauty of the place in words. Better one visits Kishanganj itself to experience its uniqueness. Kishanganj and its people are on path of development. Hopefully, the district would be able to make its distinct identity felt on the national map. Central and state governments should also sanction more development projects for the district.