Banka () is a district in the southeastern region of the Indian state of Bihar.
History
Banka is the homeland of the revolutionary Satish Prasad Jha, one of seven martyrs who hoisted the flag of India at the Secretariat building near
Patna on 11 August 1942. Jha was born in
Kharhara near Dhakamod. Bhubaneswar Mishra, a noted regional revolutionary from village Faga has contributed a lot in the freedom movement. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing many cruel British forces. Banka has been an attractive destination for veteran socialists. Banka played a vital role in the freedom of India.
Banka became a district on 21 February 1991.
Geography
The district is part of Bhagalpur division, has its headquarters in Banka town. Banka district occupies an area of ,
comparatively equivalent to
Canada's
Akimiski Island.
About 60% of the district consists of hilly regions (southern Banka). The northern part has alluvial plains. The Chanan is the main river of Banka along with the Badua and Burigeria rivers. 70% of cultivable land is used for paddy cultivation. Agriculture in southern Banka is rain–dependent.
Flora and fauna
The district has some forested area under Banka, Bounsi Katoriya forest ranges. The wood of Banka range lies on the hill slopes, those in the other two ranges lie in the undulating land. Among the prominent variety of trees in forested areas are the
Sal tree which is usually found associated with Abuns, Asan, Kendu and Mahua.
Tasar silkworm are reared on Asan trees. Some other trees are Bahera, Kadam, Amaltas. Among the specials of the Acacia are Babul, Sirish, and Sain Babul. Among the fruit trees, those of Mango and Jackfruit are common.
True plantains,
, Plums, and Blackberry are some of the other important fruit trees.
Monkeys are common in the district, particularly the Hanuman, as well as Jackal, Deer, Lion, Bear, Leopards, and Elephants. Among the latter are Barasingha and Sambar deer. Wild geese, Duck, Leel, and Quail are some of the game birds inhabiting the district. Peacocks, Parrots, Hawks, and Doves are other birds found in Katoriya/Chandan forest. Sparrows, Crows and Vultures are also common.
Several kinds of fish, such as Rohu, Katla, Boari, Tengra, Bachwa, Jhinga, and Pothi, are found.
Demographics
According to the 2011 Indian census, Banka district has a population of 2,034,763,
This gives it a ranking of 228th in India (out of a total of 640).
[ The district has a population density of .][ Its population growth rate from 2001 to 2011 was 26.14%.][ Banka has a sex ratio of 907 females for every 1000 males,][ and a literacy rate of 60.12%. 3.50% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 12.18% and 4.44% of the population respectively.][
]
Religion
In the 2001 Indian census, it had a population of 1,608,773. There were 1,489,352 Hindus and 100,051 Muslims.
BY C.D. Blocks
| CD block | Hinduism | | Others |
| Amarpur | 85.80% | 13.73% | 0.47% |
| Banka | 88.33% | 11.45% | 0.22% |
| Barahat | 79.85% | 19.97% | 0.18% |
| Belhar
| 97.03% | 1.88% | 1.10% |
| Bausi | 82.92% | 15.38% | 1.70% |
| Chandan | 88.63% | 10.81% | 0.57% |
| Dhuraiya | 68.46% | 31.26% | 0.28% |
| Fullidumer | 98.11% | 1.64% | 0.25% |
| Katoria | 91.59% | 7.42% | 0.89% |
| Rajoun | 94.32% | 5.53% | 0.15% |
| Shambhuganj | 91.85% | 7.96% | 0.18% |
Languages
Banka falls within the Angika language region of eastern and southern Bihar, alongside neighbouring districts such as Bhagalpur, Munger, and parts of Santal Parganas region.
At the time of the 2011 Indian census, 8.32% of the population in the district spoke Hindi, 4.20% Santali language, and 4.03% Urdu as their first language. 82.05% of the population spoke Other languages recorded under Hindi on the census.
Politics
Madhu Limaye represented the Banka Lok Sabha constituency twice. George Fernandes and Raj Narain also contested the parliamentary election in this constituency. There were also a number of veteran leaders of the Indian National Congress: Vindhyavasini Devi, MLA (1957–1967); Shakuntala Devi, ex MP; ex-chief minister of Bihar Chandrashekhar Singh, Chaturbhuj Singh Ex. MLA; ex-Rajya Sabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Singh, ex-MP Manorama Singh; and ex-MLA Jai Prakash Mishra. Digvijay Singh (14 November 1955 – 24 June 2010) was an independent who represented Banka in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament.
Digvijay Singh served as a Member of the Parliament of India five times – three times in the Lok Sabha (1998, 1999, and 2009) and two times in the Rajya Sabha (1990 and 2004). He served as Union Minister of State during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government (1999–2004) and the Chandra Shekhar government (1990–1991). He was also a successful sports administrator, having served as president of the National Rifle Association of India since 1999. He was one of the three (George Fernandes, Digvijay Singh, and Nitish Kumar) founding members of the Samta Party.
As of 2025, Banka constituency is represented in the Parliament of India by Giridhari Yadav who won by a margin of 2,00,532 votes.
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Subdivisions and blocks
The district comprises only one subsdivision, Banka, which is further divided into eleven blocks: Banka, Amarpur, Shambhuganj, Belhar, Fullidumar, Katoria, Chandan, Baunsi, Barahat, Dhoraiya, and Rajoun.
Economy
Banka is gradually becoming a religious tourism hotspot for Hinduism and Jainism. Old Mandar Parvat (also known as Mandarachal Parvat in Puran) is home to many religious attractions.
Banka is a largely agrarian economy and is considered the "rice bowl" of Bihar. The main crops are rice, wheat, corn, and lentils. The Amarpur belt produces sugar cane and is home to Jaggery mills.
An issue for many smaller village industries in Bihar is the lack of branding for products. High-quality, locally produced goods, even in large volumes, contribute to lower earnings for business owners because of a lack of awareness of more profitable business practices.
Banka is strategically located near the source of raw materials for heavy industries. Its proximity to Jharkhand (bordering Deoghar, Dumka, and Godda) and the River Chandan makes it a very strong contender for coal-based power plant investment and other heavy industry. There is a 4000 MW thermal power plant is planned in Kakwara village.
In 2006, the Indian government named Banka one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).
Culture
A temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga is located in Banka. Every year during Durga Puja, devotees from many parts of India visit this temple. Two temples-Narshimha (one of the incarnations of Vishnu and the other one of goddess Kali) Temple and Digamber Jain Tirthanakar-are located at the top of a mountain known as Mandar Parvat, which is about tall and made of a single piece of stone. The management of the Narshimha temple is under a trust. Another temple, Avantika Nath, is located at the bottom of Mandar Parvat. The Avantika Nath Temple Trust, founded by the late Babu Biro Singh of the village of Sabalpur, maintains the temple. A temple of Lord Shiva is in Jethore hill near Chanan River. The literal meaning of Jethore is "jyesth" meaning elder Gaur means brother of Deoghar temple. Maa Kali Mandir in Kamalpur village is another temple. A Lakshmi temple is located in front of Paapharni Pond.
Recently, Lakshminarayan Temple was built in the centre of Paapharni through the contributions of locals. It is managed by a trust headed by Fateh Bahadur Singh of erstwhile Sabalpur state. east of Rajoun village Mahada is situated, which has goddesses Durga Mandir and Kali Mandir, and god Shiva Mandir.
The district is known for its rich tribal culture and its handicrafts and handlooms. The homemade Khadi and silk of the area are popular. Most of the raw silk cocoon is produced in Katoria; in fact, major part of the raw materials required for silk industry in Bhagalpur is supplied from Katoria.
Tourism
Mandargiri Digambar Jain Siddha Kshetra is located at the top of a mountain known as Mandar Parvat, which is about tall and made of a single piece of stone. This place is related to the three Kalyanka-Tup (penance), Keval Gyan (omniscience), & Moksha of Vasupujya. It means that this is the place where Vasupujya Swami accepted penance, achieved the supernatural knowledge and finally got salvation. Moolnayak of this temple is a coral-coloured idol of Lord Vasupujya in Padmasana posture. A 5-foot tall statue of Vasupoojya is also present here. The temple also has a Dharamshala equipped with modern facilities.
Transport
A railway line connects the existing Bhagalpur with Jasidih and Rampurhat, which is well-connected to Howrah. Banka is also connected to Patna, the capital of Bihar, by a dedicated Express train.
Education
Banka district has one Government college, PBS College.
Other colleges and universities include DNS College, Pt Tarni Jha Women College, and Shyama Charan Vidyapeeth.
Notable people
External links
