General Information

Historical Perspective

• The present district of Bhojpur came into existence in 1972. Earlier this district was the part of old Shahabad district. 

• In the year 1972 Shahabad district was bifurcated in two parts namely Bhojpur and Rohtas. Buxar was a sub-division of old Bhojpur district. 

• In 1992 Buxar became a separate district and rest of Bhojpur district has now three sub-divisions-Ara Sadar, Jagdishpur and Piro. 

• Ara town is the headquarters of the district and also its principal town. The district is bounded on the north by the district of Saran ( Bihar) and Balia district of Uttar Pradesh; on the south by the district of Rohtas; on the West by the district of Buxar and on the East by the district of Patna, Jahanabad and Arwal.

• Bhojpur district has a close linkage with that of its parent district of Shahabad, which had an old and interesting history. In the pre-historic days also there is evidence of the area being inhabited. The 1961 Census report of Shahabad describes the history of the district in following manner.

• It is said that Ara, the present headquarters of the district derives its name from the Sanskrit word ‘ARANYA’, which means forest. It suggests that the entire area around modern Ara was heavily forested in old days.

• According to mythology, sage Vishwamitra, the Guru of RAMA, had his ‘Ashram’ somewhere in this region.

What is Bhojpur famous for?

• Bhojpur bazaar is famous for its metalwork, particularly khukuri knives. 

• It is home to many businessmen as well as skilled craftsmen. 

• Other major towns in the district include Dingla to the north, Ghoretar to the south, and Taksar near the airstrip, from where flights connect to Biratnagar and Kathmandu.

Which zone is Bhojpur?

• Bhojpur District is a district of Koshi Zone, administrative headquarters of Bhojpur district is Bhojpur, situated in Eastern Development Region of Nepal.