Samastipur, Bihar

Samastipur, Bihar

Samastipur is a city in northern Bihar and north east of India. It lies just south of the Burih Gandak river. The city is engages in agricultural trade and has sugar refining as its chief industry.

History
The history of Samastipur district has close associations with that of old Darbhanga, its parent district. The district comprises the greater part of the ancient territory of Mithila. Its legendary history goes back to the Ramayana and Mahabharata periods. According to accounts in the Vedic literature, the Videhas of the Aryan stock first migrated to the area from the banks of Saraswati in Punjab. Legendary association of old Darbhanga district with the Pandavas is evidenced by the belief that they stayed in Pandaul village, now part of the Madhubani district, during their period of exile.

Geography
Samstipur district is spread over an area of 2904 sq. kms. It is bounded on the north by the Bagmati river, which separates it from Darbhanga district. On the west it is bordered by Vaishali and some part of Muzaffarpur districts, on the south by the Ganges, while on its east it has Begusarai and some part of Khagaria districts. The district headquarters is located at Samastipur city.

Economy
Agriculture is the principal economic activity of the district and nearly 83% of the total working population depends on it. Wheat, pulses and edible oil seeds are also grown here. Tobacco is processed and exported to distant places of the country. The district has also a rich endowment of fruits like mango, lichi and banana. These fruits in sizeable number are exported in sizeable quantity outside the State also. Artificial irrigation, although important, has played a comparatively minor part in the agricultural economy of the district. The district, like most other districts, is dependent on rainfall for its crops. This district along with other districts in the State depends absolutely on livestock for pursuing agriculture, which is the most important occupation. The district is also suitable for the rearing of milk cattle.

Many rivers flow through this district, which provide fish in abundance. There are also many tanks like Moen, Dom, etc., in which fish is reared. There are a good number of fisherman co-operative societies to cater to the needs of thousands of fisherman. The district of Samastipur has two sugar mills, a Jute mill, a paper factory, a re-rolling mill and many other small factories.