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'Darbhangā' is a city and a municipal corporation in and headquarters of Darbhanga district and Darbhanga Division in the state of Bihar, India. It gets its name from ''Dar Bhanga'' or "gates broken" (for gates of Hindu Qilā broken at Qilā Ghāt in 1326 AD when Tughlaq forces captured the last Hindu state in North India ruled bu Harisinghdeva) ; some people guess Darbhangā is a distorted form of "Dwār Banga" or the Gate to Bengal, but actually gate of Bengal is Rājmahal which is far away from Darbhangā.
Darbhangā is the main centre of the community of Maithil Brāhamanas , which constitute one of the ten main branches of Indian brahmins.

Contents

History

Geography

Geological Profile

Languages and Religion

Localities (Town)

Crossings (Town)

Cinemas (Town)

Places of interest (Town)

Demographics

Education

Universities

Colleges in Town

High Schools in Town

Technical and Research Institution

Hospitals

Transport

Railways

Railway Stations and Halts

References

External links

History

The history of Darbhanga dates back to the Ramayana and Mahabharata periods. According to the Vedic sources, the Videhas of Aryan stock first migrated to the area from the banks of Saraswati in Punjab. They were guided to the east of Sadanira (Gandak river) by Agni, the God of Fire. Settlements were established and, thus, flourished the kingdom of Videhas-the Selfless. In course of time Videhas came to be ruled by a line of kings called Janaks. In this line of kings there was a very famous king named Mithi. To commemorate his greatness the territory was named as MITHILA. Another famous king was Janak Sirdhwaja, father of Sita. The legends speak of various learned men patronized by Janak Sirdhwaja, who himself was an erudite scholar. Among them prominent were Yagyavalkya, who codified the Hindu law in his Yagyavalkya Smriti and Gautam, who had various valuable philosophical treatises to his credit. King Janak was himself a great philosopher and his ideas have been eternally enshrined in the Upanishads.
Traditions also speak of Kapil Muni's relationship with this area that propounded the Sankhya philosophy. Association of this area with Pandavas is also evident by the belief that they stayed here during their period of exile.
The learned men like Vidyapati, Kumaril Bhatt, Mandan Mishra, Nagarjun, Vibhuti Bhushan Bandopadhya and Vidushi Bhariti belonged to this region.
Darbhanga-Laheriasarai is a twin town with a population of nearly 3 lakhs. Darbhanga was named after Dar+Bhangaa which means means gates+broken ; it is guessed that gates of the Qila (at Qilaghat probably) were broken (by cannons or elephants perhaps) in 1326 AD when Tughlak forces attacked the last ''independent North Indian Hindu king'' Harisinghdeva (of Karnaata Chalukya dynasty from Karnataka) who ruled over North Bihar and most of Nepal. Historians guess that the capital of Harisinghdeva was situated near foothills of Himalayas, bur Haraahi pond in Darbhanga is named after Harisinghdeva and the pond Gangaasarar is named after his ancestor Gangadeva who was son of Naanyadeva , the founder of this dynasty ; Naanyadeva was a chieftain of Chalukya king Vikramaditya-VI of Karnataks who had successfully invaded North India in the end of 11th century. Hindus began to flock to this town since the beginning of 19th century when the Maharaja of Darbhanga shifted his residence to this town and was granted the title Maharaja by East India Company, and gradually Hindus surpassed muslims in population, but muslims still constitute over 36% of population of this town. It was the biggest town of North Bihar for centuries, but after Muzaffarpur was connected to broad gauze railway in mid-1970s, the latter overtook Darbhanga in population due to shift of trade, commerce, business and transport.
Laheriasarai has been named after the famous Lahri walas whose traditional occupation was to weave textiles and make bangles especially of Lah, imported from Ranchi and othe places.
Once part of the Brahman kingdom of Mithila, Darbhanga passed to the Tughlaks in the 14th century. The British assumed control in 1765.
Darbhanga was an ancient city of Mithila, which is an ancient cultural region of North India lying between the lower ranges of the Himalayas and the Ganges River. The Nepal border cuts across the top fringe of this region. The Gandak and Kosi Rivers are rough western and eastern boundaries of Mithila.In 1326 AD Mithila was invaded by Afghans, who deposed the Kshatriya ruler and placed a Maithil Brahman in control of land revenues over much of this region. This family soon began calling themselves kings, distributing land to other members of their caste, so that gradually land passed into the control of Maithil Brahmans.
It is a noteworthy seat of the 'Maharaja of Darbhanga'. During Akbar’s reign in the sixteenth century, a second Maithil Brahman family came to rule as the Khandavala Dynasty. By British times, their estate, Darbhanga Raj, was the largest and richest of the great zamindari estates. Their capital was in Bhaur village in Madhubani, later shifted to the town of Darbhanga. They controlled most of Mithila until after Independence when the Republic of India abolished zamindari (Maharaja of Darbhanga was actually a zanindar entitled to add the title Maharaja in his name, besides the British title KCIE).
The Maharaja of Darbhanga, Kameshwar Singh was also an integral part of the Constituent Assembly of India and was instrumental in campaigning for retention of privy purses and land rights for rulers. He single handedly negotiated rights of various rulers and nawabs.

Geography

Darbhanga town is located at ^[1]. It has an average elevation of (52 to 39 metres) 48 metres (127 feet).

Geological Profile

The District of Darbhanga can be divided into four natural divisions. The eastern portion consisting of Ghanshyampur, Biraul and Kusheshwarsthan blocks contain fresh silt deposited by the Kosi River. This region was under the influence of Kosi floods till the construction of Kosi embankment in the Second Five Year Plan. It contains large tracts of sandy land covered with wild marsh.
The second division comprised of the anchals lying south of the Boorhi Gandak river and is the most fertile area in the district. It is also on higher level than the other part of the district and contains very few marshes. It is well suited to the rabbi crops.
The third natural region is the doab between the Burhi Gandak and Baghmati and consists of the low-lying areas dotted over by chaur and marshes. It gets floods every year.
The fourth division covers the Sadar sub-division of the district. This tract is watered by numerous streams and contains some up-lands.
The district has a vast alluvial plain devoid of any hills. There is a gentle slope from north to south with a depression on the centre. Numerous rivers originating in the Himalays water this district. Out of these rivers Kamla, Baghmati, Kosi and Kareh are of most importance.
The District has somewhat dry and healthy climate. There are three well-marked seasons, the winter, the summer & the Rainy season. The cold weather begins in November and continues up to February, though March is also somewhat cool. Westerly winds begin to blow in the second half of March and temperature rises considerably. May is the hottest month when the temperature goes up to 107 degree Fahrenheit. Rain sets in towards the middle of June. With the advent of the Rainy seasons, temperature falls and humidity rises. The moist heat of the Rainy season is very oppressive up to August .The rain continues till the middle of October. Average rainfall is 1142.3 mm. around 92% of rainfall is received during monsoon months.

Languages and Religion

Main languages spoken in this district are: Maithili, Hindi and Urdu. Religion-wise breakup of population is indicated below as per 1991 census: Hindus : 19,55,068, Muslims : 5,55,429, Christians : 141, Sikhs : 198, Buddhists : 26, Jains : 27, Other religions and persuasions : 70.

Localities (Town)

R. S. Tank, Navtolia, Rahamganj,Maheshpatti(Lichi Bagh) ,Azam Nagar, Sena Path, Shubhankarpur, Bangla Garh, New Balbhadrapur, Laxmipur, Mishar Tola, Shivdhara, Laxmisagar, Donar, Allalpatti,Bhigo, Benta, Faizullah Khan, Kathalwari, Kadirabad, Urdu Bazar, Rahamganj, MuftiMohallah, Maulaganj, Mughalpura, Madarpur, Baquar Ganj, Bangalitola, Karamganj, Katrahiya, Mirzapur, Mahraj Ganj, Dildar Ganj, Chakzohra, Housing Board Colony, Mahdauli, Sunderpur(Kharua), Bahadurpur, Madanpur, Anandpur.Adalpur,Ramanand Path
LAL BAGH,Malpatti,Tektar,Nawab Barioul , Karaj, Bela.

Crossings (Town)

Mukhiya Chowk ,Khankah Chowk/Uma Cinema chowk, Khan Chowk, Benta Chowk, Tower Chowk Laheriasarai, Tower Chowk Darbhanga,kathalbari, Gehumi(Shivdhara), Hajma chauraha, Donar Chowk, Hassan chowk, Mirzapur Chowk, Mahrajganj Chowk, N.P. Mishra Chowk Balbhadrapur
Katrahiya Chowk, Imaam Baadi Dumduma Chowk, Yateem Khana, Dumduma Road, Chatti chowk, Hospital Road, Lohia Chowk, Ramanad Path.lal bagh

Cinemas (Town)

★ Movie Planet(The Best with today's standard)

★ National (Near Naka no.5)

★ Uma (Near Cinema Chowk)

★ Craze(Near Cinema Chowk)

★ Punam (Near Tower Chowk, Darbhanga)

★ Light House (Near Tower Chowk, Laheriasarai)

★ Alka ( Near Tower Chowk)

Places of interest (Town)

Rambagh Palace, Anand Bagh Palace, Nargona Palace, Bela Palace,
Hanuman Mandir,Manokamna Mandir , Kali Mandir, Kankali Mandir, Madhaweshwar Mandir, Raj Ground, Chandradhari Singh Museum,Bhega shah Salani(RH)Tomb,Samarkandia(RH) Tomb. Singhwara ; Alamgiri Mosque , Jama Masjid,The Mazar of Hazrat Makhdoom Kashmiri.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census^[2], Darbhanga Town had a population of 266,834. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Darbhanga has an average literacy rate of 64%, which is higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 72% and, female literacy is 56%. In Darbhanga, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Education

List of all types of educational institutions in the district :
:1. University 2
:2. General College(Constituent) 17
:3. Sanskrit College(Constituent) 5
:4. General College (Affiliated) 26
:5. Sanskrit College (Affilated) 0
:6. Postal Training School 1
:7. Nurses Training School 1
:8. Degree Label Teacher Training College 1
:9. Diploma Label Teacher Training College 1
:10. Medical College (DMCH) 1
:11. Government Polytechnic College 1
:12. Industrical Training Institute (ITI) 1
:13. Dental College (Private) 4
:14. Kendriya Vidyalaya 1
:15. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya 1
:16. High School 70
:17. Middle School 312
:18. Primary School 1165
:19. Charwaha Vidyalaya 4
:20. TBDC Training Centre Darbhanga 1
:21. MRM Aurvedic College, Darbhanga 1
:22. Mithila Research Institute (Darbhanga) 1

Universities

Two universities recognised by University Grants Commission (of India) and government of India are located in Darbhanga town, adjacent to each other :
(1)Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University,
(2)Lalit Narain Mithila University.
''Mithila Research Institute'' in Darbhanga town has a great collection of nearly 50000 old manuscripts.

Colleges in Town

★ C.M Science College

★ C.M Arts College

★ Marwari College (Late Dr. Nitya Nand Prasad Sinha, Founder Principal)

★ M.L.S.M College

★ K.S College

★ Millat College

★ M.R.M. College

★ Darbhanga Medical College & Hospital

★ M.K.College

★ M.M.T.M. College

★ Women's Institute of Technology

★ M.K College.

★ Lohia Charan Singh College

★ R.B Jalan College.

★ Mahatma Ghandhi College.

★ Darbhanga Dental College.

★ Mithila Minority Dental College.

★ Saryug Dental College.

★ Dr Zakip Hussaun Teacher's Training College

★ Brahmanand Kala Mahavidyalay

High Schools in Town

★ N.B Zila School.

★ M.L.Academy (Sarasvati School), Laheriasarai.

★ Raj High school

★ Kendriya Vidyalaya AFS.

★ Kendriya Vidyalaya ITI.

★ Javahar Navodaya Vidyalaya

★ Darbhanga Public School,Rambhagh Palace Area

★ Mithila High School, Makhnahi.

★ Atihar high school, Atihar(Berai)

★ Sarvoday high School, Gangasagar.

★ Purvanchal High School

★ Mahip Narayan Middle School

★ Shafi Muslim High School

★ Mahatma Gandhi Sikhsan Sansthan

★ Jesus & Mary Academy

★ Muslim high school

★ Rose public school

★ Bela public school

★ Holy Cross school

★ Don Bosco School BiBi Paker

★ Madonna English School

★ Janta High School-Jiwachh Ghat (Muria)

★ G.L.J.L. Sahu High School Khirma

★ Gyan Bharti Public School

★ Iqra Academy, Bibipaker,Laheriasarai,Darbhanga

★ Marwari High School, City Academy

★ L.R Girls High School

★ Public School

★ WoodBine Public School

★ Madona English School

★ Scoller Public School (Khan Chowk Darbhanga)

Technical and Research Institution

★ Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Industrial Institute, Darbhanga

★ Mithila Research Institute, Darbhanga

★ National Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga

Hospitals

★ D M C Hospital, DMC Campus

★ R B Memorial Hospital, Benta

★ Meena Nursing Home, Alalpatti

★ Sinha Nursing Home, Ganga Sagar

★ Satya Sai Nursing Home, Benta

★ Nawab Memorial Hospital, Alapatti

★ Anant Arogya Niketan, Benta

★ Jyoti Research Hospital,Benta

Transport

Bicycle,Tanga, Auto Ricksaw, Cycle Ricksaw,Bus and train

Railways

There are three important railway lines:

★ Darbhanga to Samastipur (Broad gauge railways)

★ Darbhanga to Nirmali (Metre gauge). Darbhanga to Laukaha bazar(Meter gauge line)

★ Darbhanga to jaynagar (Broad gauage line)

★ Darbhanga to Narkatiyagang (Broad gauge line)
Direct Trains also available from Darbhanga to Howrah(Kolkata),Darbhanga to N.Delhi,Darbhanga to Pune,Darbhanga to Mumbai,Darbhanga to Bangalore, Darbhanga to Amritser.Darbhanga to Patna

Railway Stations and Halts

★ Darbhanga Jn (Main City Station)

★ Laherisarai ( Near Civil Court)

★ Kakarghati

★ Bijuli holt

★ Tarsarai (ADALPUR)

★ Thalwara

★ Siso Halt

★ Mohammadpur

★ KAMTAUL

★ Tektar

★ HAYAGHAT

★ Thalwara

★ Rambhadra Pur

★ Jogiara

★ Muraitha.
Currently broadning of Meter Gauge between Darbhanga and Nirmali has been undertaken and so one can experience some difficulties in travelling on Darbhanga-Nirmali route, may be extended up to Jaynagar.

References

1. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Darbhanga
2.

External links

★ http://darbhanga.bih.nic.in/ Find more about Darbhanga

★ http://darbhanga.bih.nic.in/

★ http://darbhanga.bih.nic.in/dar_rlytimetable.htm

★ http://lnmu.bih.nic.in/

★ http://gist.ap.nic.in/cgi-bin/edn/ednshow.cgi/?en=122

★ http://namami.nic.in/mrc/DarbhangaUniversity.htm

★ http://www.csuchico.edu/anth/mithila/darbhangaraj.htm

★ http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/bihar/districts/darbhanga.htm

★ http://maithili.net Online portal for the maithili speaking community