Saran district

  1. Home
  2. Wiki
Saran district
District
Location of Saran district in Bihar
Location of Saran district in Bihar
Coordinates (Chhapra): 25°55′N 84°45′E / 25.917°N 84.750°E / 25.917; 84.750
CountryIndia
StateBihar
DivisionSaran
HeadquartersChhapra
Tehsils20
Government
 • Lok Sabha constituencies1. Saran, 2. Maharajganj (shared with Siwan district)
 • Vidhan Sabha constituenciesEkma, Manjhi, Baniapur, Taraiya, Marhaura, Chapra, Garkha, Amnour, Parsa, Sonpur
Area
 • Total
2,641 km2 (1,020 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
3,951,862
 • Density1,496/km2 (3,876/sq mi)
Demographics
 • Literacy68.57 per cent
 • Sex ratio949
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
PIN Code
841206
Major highwaysNH 28B, NH 85, NH 101, NH 102, NH 19
Websitesaran.nic.in

Saran district is one of the 38 districts of Indian state of Bihar.[1] The district, part of Saran Division, is also known as Chhapra district after the headquarters of the district, Chhapra.

It is considered as one of the richest zamindaris of Bihar after Raj Darbhanga, Hathwa Raj, Bettiah Raj and Raj Najarganj, Saran Raj.

Typonym

[edit]

It is said that "Saran" is a corrupted form of the word Sarangaranya (forest of deer). According to legend, earlier it was a dense forest full of deer and the home of Rishi Sarangi. Another suggestion is that the name is corruption of Sakra-aranya (the forest of Indra).[2]

History

[edit]

One of the earliest reliable historical references to the region dates back to 898 CE, when the village of Dighwara Dubauli in present-day Saran produced a copper plate inscription issued during the reign of King Mahendrapal Deva.[3]

Medieval Period

[edit]

According to the Ain-i-Akbari, Saran was one of the six sarkars (revenue divisions) forming the province of Bihar during the Mughal period. By the time the Diwani (revenue administration) was granted to the East India Company in 1765, the number of sarkars had increased to eight, including Saran and Champaran. These two were later merged into a single administrative unit known as Saran.

British Era

[edit]

When Commissioner’s Divisions were established in 1829, Saran—along with Champaran—was placed under the Patna Division. The two regions were separated in 1866, when Champaran became an independent district.

Saran became part of the Tirhut Division when it was created in 1908. At that time, the district consisted of three subdivisions:

In 1972, all three subdivisions were elevated to full-fledged districts. The present-day Saran district, after the separation of Siwan and Gopalganj, continues to have its headquarters at Chhapra.

Etymology

[edit]

Several theories explain the origin of the name Saran:

  • General Cunningham suggested that Saran was earlier known as “Saran” or “Asylum,” associated with a stupa or pillar built by Emperor Ashoka.
  • Another theory proposes that the name originates from Saranga-Aranya, meaning “deer forest”, reflecting the region’s prehistoric landscape, which was once covered with forests inhabited by deer.[4]

Geography

[edit]

Saran district is primarily served by the Gandak, Ghaghara, and Ganga rivers, which play a significant role in shaping the region’s topography and agriculture. The confluence of the Ghaghara and Ganga near Saran is one of the notable geographical features of the area. Numerous minor streams and seasonal rivulets flow through the district, contributing to its fertile soil but also making certain parts prone to seasonal flooding. Like much of northern Bihar, the district lies within the fertile Gangetic plain.

Saran district spans an area of 2,641 square kilometres (1,020 sq mi). It is bordered by Siwan and Gopalganj districts to the west, Muzaffarpur and Vaishali districts to the east, and the Ganga River to the south, across which lie Patna and Bhojpur districts. To the north, it is bounded by parts of Gopalganj and Siwan. The district’s terrain is largely alluvial and flat, with agriculture dominating land use across most of the region. [5]

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.

Demographics

[edit]
Saran District Census 2011: Key Demographic Data
Description 2011 (Figures)
Population 39.52 Lakhs (3,951,862)
Male Population 2,022,821
Female Population 1,929,041
Sex Ratio (Females per 1000 Males) 954
Child Population (0–6 years) 681,142
Male Child Population (0–6 years) 353,738
Female Child Population (0–6 years) 327,404
Child Sex Ratio (0–6 years) 926
Child Proportion (0–6 years) 17.24%
Boys Proportion (0–6 years) 17.49%
Girls Proportion (0–6 years) 16.97%
Literates 2,157,454
Male Literates 1,285,767
Female Literates 871,687
Average Literacy Rate 65.96%
Male Literacy Rate 77.03%
Female Literacy Rate 54.42%
Number of Subdivisions 3
Area (sq. km) 2,641
Population Density (per km²) 1,496
Proportion to Bihar Population 3.80%

[6]

Population

[edit]

According to the 2011 Census, Saran district has a population of 3,951,862, roughly equal to the nation of Liberia or the U.S. state of Oregon. This gives the district a population ranking of 60th in India (out of 640 districts). Saran has a population density of 1,493 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,870/sq mi). The district recorded a population growth rate of 21.37% over the decade from 2001 to 2011.

Saran has a sex ratio of 949 females for every 1,000 males, and a literacy rate of 68.57%. Additionally, 8.94% of the district’s population lives in urban areas[7] roughly equal to the nation of Liberia[8] or the US state of Oregon.

Religion

[edit]
Religions in Saran district (2011 Census)
Religion Number of Followers Percentage
Hinduism 3,534,772 89.45%
Islam 406,449 10.28%
Religion not stated 7,282 0.18%
Christian 2,330 0.06%
Sikh 371 0.01%
Jain 322 0.01%
Buddhist 229 0.01%
Other religions and persuasions 107 0%

Hindus constitute the overwhelming majority of the district’s population, followed by Muslims.

Language

[edit]
Languages of Saran district (2011 Census)
Language Percentage Number of Speakers
Bhojpuri 93.16% 3,679,108
Hindi 4.45% 175,708
Urdu 2.28% 90,030
Others 0.11% 4,997

At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 93.16% of the population in Saran district spoke Bhojpuri as their first language, 4.45% spoke Hindi, and 2.28% spoke Urdu.

Bhojpuri is a language belonging to the Bihari language group, with nearly 40 million speakers, and is written in both the Devanagari and Kaithi scripts.[9]

Literacy

[edit]
Literacy Rates in Saran district (2011 Census)
Category Average Literacy Rate Male Literacy Rate Female Literacy Rate
Total Population 65.96% 77.03% 54.42%
Urban Area 75.13% 82.32% 67.24%
Rural Area 65.04% 76.49% 53.17%

Urban and Rural Distribution

[edit]
Urban and Rural Population of Saran district (2011 Census)
Area Total Population Male Female Percentage of Total Population Sex Ratio (Females per 1000 Males)
Urban 353,202 184,702 168,500 8.94% 913
Rural 3,598,660 1,838,119 1,760,541 91.06% 958

Caste Composition

[edit]
Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in Saran district
Group Total Population Male Female Sex Ratio (Females per 1000 Males)
Scheduled Castes (SC) 474,066 242,976 231,090 952
Scheduled Tribes (ST) 36,786 18,322 18,464 1008

Historical Population of Saran District

[edit]
Historical Population of Saran District (1901–2011)
Year Population Variation Variation % Male Female
1901 9,59,000 - - 4,36,000 5,23,000
1911 9,12,000 -47,700 -4.97% 4,24,000 4,88,000
1921 9,32,000 20,100 2.20% 4,51,000 4,81,000
1931 9,90,000 58,350 6.26% 4,86,000 5,04,000
1941 11,39,000 1,49,000 15.03% 5,47,000 5,92,000
1951 12,56,000 1,17,000 10.30% 5,89,000 6,67,000
1961 14,47,000 1,91,000 15.20% 6,74,000 7,73,000
1971 17,10,000 2,62,000 18.13% 8,33,000 8,77,000
1981 20,84,000 3,75,000 21.91% 10,32,000 10,52,000
1991 25,73,000 4,89,000 23.44% 13,11,000 12,62,000
2001 32,49,000 6,76,000 26.26% 16,53,000 15,96,000
2011 39,52,000 7,03,000 21.64% 20,23,000 19,29,000

Politics

[edit]
This section is transcluded from 18th Bihar Assembly. (edit | history)
District No. Constituency Name Party Alliance Remarks
Saran 113 Ekma Manoranjan Singh Dhumal JD(U) NDA
114 Manjhi Randhir Kumar Singh
115 Baniapur Kedar Nath Singh BJP
116 Taraiya Janak Singh
117 Marhaura Jitendra Kumar Ray RJD MGB
118 Chapra Chhoti Kumari BJP NDA
119 Garkha (SC) Surendra Ram RJD MGB
120 Amnour Krishan Kumar Mantoo BJP NDA
121 Parsa Karishma Rai RJD MGB
122 Sonpur Vinay Kumar Singh BJP NDA

Economy & Industry

[edit]

Agriculture is the primary economic activity in Saran district, with major crops including paddy, wheat, sugarcane, potato, and maize. The district’s soil is predominantly alluvial, and the diara areas along the beds of its three rivers are highly fertile, although they are subject to periodic flooding. There are no minerals of significant economic value in the region. Over the years, the economy of Saran has experienced sustained growth, with the sugar factories in the district playing a major role in shaping its industrial landscape. [10]

Industries

[edit]

Saran district hosts several notable industrial units. The Rail Wheel Factory is located at Bela, Chhapra, and a Diesel Locomotive Factory, Marhowrah. These units contribute significantly to the district’s industrial development and employment opportunities.

Leather Cluster

[edit]

Saran district also has a prominent leather cluster known for manufacturing ladies’ and gents’ chappals and Nagra shoes. The cluster comprises 68 functional units, generating an annual turnover of approximately ₹405 lakh and providing employment to around 3,300 people.

Banking

[edit]
Banking Infrastructure in Saran District
Parameter Details
Lead Bank Bank of India
Number of other Scheduled Banks 12
Number of Branches of other Scheduled Banks 72
Name of Regional Rural Banks 64
Number of Branches of Co-operative Banks 18
Number of Branches of LDBs 6

Government

[edit]

The present collector and District Magistrate of Saran is IAS Aman Samir.[11] The Divisional Commissioner is Gopal Meena (I.A.S).[12]

The district has three subdivisions, 20 community development blocks and 1,807 villages.

Sub-divisions

[edit]
Sub-divisions of Saran District
Sl. No. Sub-division Name
1 Chhapra
2 Marhaura
3 Sonpur

Blocks of Saran District

[edit]
Blocks of Saran District with Population
Sl. No. Block Name Population
1 Amnour 200,395
2 Baniyapur 262,673
3 Chhapra 442,639
4 Dariyapur 296,164
5 Dighwara 129,552
6 Ekma 214,445
7 Garkha 268,156
8 Ishupur 146,822
9 Jalalpur 174,156
10 Lahladpur 79,969
11 Maker 84,695
12 Manjhi 268,073
13 Marhaura 265,123
14 Mashrakh 188,899
15 Nagra 124,028
16 Panapur 121,738
17 Parsa 155,838
18 Revelganj 119,660
19 Sonpur 270,116
20 Taraiya 138,721

Panchayats Summary per Block

[edit]
Sl. No. Block Name Total Panchayats
1 Lahladpur 8
2 Maker 8
3 Isuapur 13
4 Sadar 21
5 Jalalpur 15
6 Nagra 10
7 Dighwara 10
8 Taraiya 13
9 Ekma 18
10 Parsa 13
11 Amnour 18
12 Rivilganj 9
13 Mashrak 17
14 Dariyapur 22
15 Marhaura 21
16 Sonpur 23
17 Panapur 8
18 Baniyapur 25
19 Manjhi 25
20 Garkha 23

[13]

Heritage & Tourism

[edit]

Saran district is home to several sites of historical, cultural, and religious significance. The district attracts both domestic and international visitors due to its ancient temples, ashrams, and archaeological sites. The following table highlights the major tourist and heritage sites in Saran along with a brief description of their importance

Major Tourist Sites in Saran District
S.No Site Name Description
1 Aami Situated about 28 km east of Chhapra. Maharaja Daksha and King Surat are said to have practised asceticism here. Contains an old Durga temple known as Ambasthan, a garden, and a deep perennial well.
2 Sonepur Located at the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak rivers. Famous for Harihar Kshetra Mela on Kartik Purnima, attracting domestic and international visitors. Legend: Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva resolved the fight between Gaj (elephant) and Ghariyal (crocodile) here. Mela lasts more than a fortnight.
3 Dhorn Ashram Contains many exhibits of archaeological importance. Features the ancient temple of Bhagwan Dhadheswarnath on the bank of river Gandaki, with a gigantic stone Shivling.
4 Gautham Asthan Ashram of Gautam Rishi, located 5 km west of Chhapra. Believed to be the site where Ahilya, wife of sage Gautam, was redeemed from her curse.
5 Silhauri Important according to Shiv Puran and Ram Charitra Manas. Believed that Lord Indra and Yamraj tested King Shivi here. A mela is organized every Shivratri for devotees of Baba Shilanath.
6 Chirand Located 11 km east of Chhapra. Archaeological excavations revealed a 4,000-year-old developed neo-lithic culture. Inhabitants were engaged in animal husbandry, agriculture, and hunting.


Education

[edit]

Saran district has a well-established network of educational institutions ranging from universities and constituent colleges to technical, professional and teacher-training institutes. The district is served primarily by Jai Prakash University, Chhapra, which oversees most degree colleges in Saran and neighbouring districts.

Constituent and Degree Colleges

[edit]
Constituent and Degree Colleges in Saran District
Name of College Location Type / Affiliation Notable Details
Rajendra College Chapra Constituent – Jai Prakash University Established in 1938; offers Intermediate, UG and PG programmes.
Ganga Singh College Chapra Constituent – Jai Prakash University Offers courses in Arts and Science.
Jagdam College Chapra Constituent – Jai Prakash University Major college located near NH-19.
Jaglal Choudhary College Chapra Constituent – Jai Prakash University Offers undergraduate programmes in Arts and Science.
Ram Jaipal College Chapra Constituent – Jai Prakash University Postgraduate and degree college on Dak Bunglow Road.
Jai Prakash Mahila College Chapra Constituent – Jai Prakash University Women's college offering UG and PG courses.
P.C. Vigyan College Chapra Constituent – Jai Prakash University Science-focused college.
Hotilal Ramnath College Amnour Constituent – Jai Prakash University Serves the Amnour region.
Yadu Nandan College Dighwara Degree College (Affiliated to JPU) Provides undergraduate courses.
Nand Lal Singh College Daudpur Degree College (Affiliated to JPU) Serves Daudpur and nearby rural areas.
Prabhunath College Parsa Degree College (Affiliated to JPU) Located in Parsa block.
S.D.S. College Chapra Degree College (Affiliated to JPU) Offers programs in Arts.
Tapeshwar Singh College Chapra Degree College (Affiliated to JPU) Provides undergraduate education.

Technical and Professional Institutions

[edit]

Saran district also has institutions offering engineering, technology, medical and professional training:

  • Loknayak Jai Prakash Institute of Technology(L.N.J.P.I.T.), Chapra – A government engineering college offering B.Tech programmes in several branches.
  • Government Medical College & Hospital, Chapra
  • Government Teachers’ Training College, Chapra – Provides B.Ed and teacher-training programmes.
  • Moti Singh Jogeshwari Ayurved College and Hospital, Chapra – An institution offering Ayurvedic medical education.

Transport

[edit]

Chhapra is well-connected by rail and road, with a major railway junction and several national highways.

Roadways

[edit]

Chhapra is served by several National Highways, including the under-construction NH 19 (Chhapra–Hajipur Highway), which is being developed as a four-lane highway. Other National Highways passing through or connecting to Chhapra in the Saran district include NH 85, NH 101, NH 102 and NH 331. Additionally, NH 722 (Chhapra-Muzaffarpur)[14] is also being upgraded to a four-lane highway.

Key National Highways

  • NH 19: The Chhapra-Hajipur Highway spans 66.74 km as a four-lane road and forms part of the old NH 19.
  • NH 331: This highway runs from Chhapra to Mohammadpur, passing through major destinations such as Jalalpur, Baniapur, and Sahajitpur.
  • NH 722: The Chhapra-Muzaffarpur section of this highway is currently being upgraded to a four-lane road, enhancing connectivity and road conditions.
  • Other Highways: The Saran district, where Chhapra is located, is also connected by several other National Highways, including NH 85, NH 101, and NH 102.

[15]

Chhapra Double Decker Flyover

[edit]

Chhapra Double Decker Flyover is a two-tier elevated road under construction in Chhapra, Saran district, Bihar, India. The project aims to ease traffic congestion in the city by separating through-traffic from local movement across major intersections.

The flyover has a total length of about 3.5 kilometres, extending from Bhikhari Thakur Chowk to the Bus Stand, covering key points such as Gandhi Chowk, Katahari Bagh, Salempur Chowk, and Municipal Chowk. Each deck is around 5.5 metres wide, with a vertical clearance of approximately 7.5 metres between levels.

The project was launched in July 2018 at an initial cost of ₹411.32 crore, later revised to ₹696 crore under the Central Road Fund (CRF). Construction is being carried out by the Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation Limited (BSBCCL).

Once completed, it will be one of the longest double-decker flyovers in North India.[16]

Railways

[edit]

Chhapra Junction is the major Railway Station of the Saran District lies on the North Eastern Railway zone. It is connected directly to all the major cities of India.

UP Coming Projects

[edit]
  • Fatehabad–Chanchaliya High-Level Bridge over the Gandak River

A new high-level, three-lane PSC box-girder bridge is being constructed across the Gandak River, connecting Fatehabad (Paru) in Muzaffarpur to Chanchaliya (Taraiya) in Saran. The project, estimated to cost around ₹589 crore, includes a high-level three-lane bridge measuring approximately 2,280 metres along with about 2,200 metres of approach roads. Once completed, the bridge will dramatically reduce the travel distance between Paru and Taraiya from nearly 49 km to just 10 km, significantly cutting travel time and fuel consumption. It is expected to boost local trade, ease movement between Muzaffarpur, Chhapra, and Siwan, and improve regional connectivity to Uttar Pradesh. Currently, land acquisition and survey activities are in progress following the government's approval of the project.

  • Widening of NH-102 (Chhapra–Rewaghat–Muzaffarpur)

The entire NH-102 stretch from Chhapra to Rewaghat and Muzaffarpur is being upgraded to a two-lane highway with paved shoulders, improving regional road quality and safety. [17]

  • Four-Laning of NH-85 and NH-102 (Gopalganj–Siwan–Chhapra–Muzaffarpur)

The Central Government has initiated the process to develop a combined 169-km corridor into a four-lane highway.

  1. NH-85 (Gopalganj–Siwan–Chhapra): 95 km
  2. NH-102 (Chhapra–Muzaffarpur): 74 km[18]

Notable people

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "रेल व मुख्य सड़कमार्ग पर सरपट दौड़ती हैं गाड़ियां -". Jagran.
  2. ^ O'Malley, L. S. S. (2007). Bihar And Orissa District Gazetteers : Saran. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 1–2. ISBN 9788172681364.
  3. ^ "History". Saran.nic.in. District Administration, Saran. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  4. ^ "Bihar: A Quick Guide to Saran". Outlook Traveller. Outlook Publishing. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  5. ^ Srivastava, Dayawanti; et al., eds. (2010). "States and Union Territories: Bihar: Government". India 2010: A Reference Annual (54th ed.). New Delhi, India: Additional Director General, Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India), Government of India. pp. 1118–1119. ISBN 978-81-230-1617-7.
  6. ^ "Demography". Saran.nic.in. District Administration, Saran. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  7. ^ "District Census Handbook: Saran" (PDF). Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  8. ^ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Archived from the original on June 13, 2007. Retrieved 2011-10-01. Liberia 3,786,764 July 2011 est.
  9. ^ "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Bihar". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  10. ^ "Economy". Saran.nic.in. District Administration, Saran. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  11. ^ "Welcome to Saran District | India". saran.bih.nic.in. Retrieved 2025-01-16.
  12. ^ "Contact Details of Officers in Saran Commissionary". sarandivision.bih.nic.in.
  13. ^ "Panchayats & No of Wards". Retrieved 2025‑12‑10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help); Text "Saran District" ignored (help); Text "saran.nic.in" ignored (help)
  14. ^ Pravin Kumar (2024-10-16). "Chhapra Muzaffarpur Road: छपरा और मुजफ्फरपुर वालों के लिए खुशखबरी! NH-722 का टेंडर फाइनल; 68 करोड़ में होगा काम". Jagran News (in Hindi).
  15. ^ "15 सालों के इंतजार के बाद छपरा को मिलने जा रही बड़ी सौगात, नए NH को लेकर आ गई खुशखबरी; पटना जाना होगा आसान". Jagran (in Hindi). 1 January 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  16. ^ "Chhapra double-decker flyover gets approval of Rs 696 crore". Bhaskar (in Hindi).
  17. ^ "Two-Laning with Paved Shoulder on Chhapra–Rewaghat–Muzaffarpur Section (NH-102)". Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  18. ^ "High-Level Bridge to be Constructed over Gandak River in Muzaffarpur". LiveHindustan (in Hindi). HT Digital Streams Limited. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
[edit]
‹ The template Bihar is being considered for merging. ›
‹ The template Bihar is being considered for merging. ›