Munger district is one of the thirty-eight administrative districts of Bihar, India. Before the census of India in 1971, Munger was spelled as Monghyr. Before 1832, Munger formed a part of the Bhagalpur district. Since its inception, Munger has seen five districts carved off from its territory, including Saharsa in 1954, Madhepura in 1981, Begusarai in 1972, Khagaria in 1981, Jamui in 1991, and districts of Lakhisarai and Sheikhpura in 1994.
Munger district is bounded by the river Ganges in the north and districts of Bhagalpur, Banka, and Jamui. Beyond the river, the Ganges in the north lie the districts of Lakhisarai, Begusarai, and Khagaria. The important rivers flowing through the Munger district are the Ganga, Mohane, Harohar, and Kiul.
Munger has a rich and glorious past, being the ancient seat of power. The territories within the Munger district formed part of the Madhya-Desa of the first Aryan settlers. Munger district was a part of Anga Mahajanapada, with Mudgagiri as its capital, and it is believed that the name Munger is derived from Mudgagiri.
The first historical account of Munger appears in the records of Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsiang, who visited this place. Hiuen Tsiang found the climate to be agreeable, the land to be fertile and rich in agricultural produce, and the inhabitants to be simple and honest.
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District Administration
- Munger district comprises 3 sub-divisions, namely Munger Sadar, Kharagpur, and Tarapur, and 9 blocks.
- Munger town is the district headquarters of Munger district.
Total Area and Population
- Munger district has a total area of 1419.7 sq. km and a population of 1383495, according to the latest census.
- The population density is 960 per sq. km, and the population growth is 19.45%.
- The sex ratio is 879 per 1000 males, and the literacy rate is 60.11%.
Languages Spoken
The main languages spoken in Munger district are Angika and Hindi.
Geographical Coordinates
The geographical coordinates of Munger district are Latitude: 25º45′ to 25º 15’ North and Longitude: 85º45’ to 86º 45’ East.
Industrial Profile
Munger district is predominantly an agricultural district. The secondary and tertiary sectors are not so developed in the district. M/s Indian Tobacco Company and M/s Eastern Railway Coach Factory have been instrumental in the district’s prosperity.
Munger is internationally famous for its yoga center. The district has a good scope for service industries like tourism and travel, restaurants, mobile repairing, computer applications and hardware, beauty culture, skincare, etc.
The district also has good scope for MSMEs like readymade garments, rice mills, agro products, mechanical workshops, metal fabrication, packaged drinking water, bakery & Namkeen, etc.
Major Exportable Product
The major exportable product from the Munger district is tobacco.
Infrastructure
Munger district has good infrastructure, including three industrial areas, 211 hospitals and health centers, 76 commercial banks and financial institutions, 1069 primary schools, 170 middle schools, 74 secondary and senior secondary schools, and 7 colleges.
Jamalpur Locomotive Workshop, Eastern Railways
The Jamalpur Locomotive Workshop, Eastern Railways, is one of the largest and oldest locomotive repair workshops in India, with the most diversified manufacturing activities. It was established on the 8th of February 1862 and is the largest and oldest locomotive repair workshop of the Indian Railways, with the most diversified manufacturing activities.
It was the first to manufacture steam locomotives and locomotive boilers, and the first rolling mill was set up at this workshop in 1870. It is the first not only for the Indian railways but probably the first of its kind in India.
Gun Manufacturing Industry
Munger was selected to set up a gun manufacturing factory because of its geo-strategic location. The Munger town is strategically surrounded by river Ganga on the north, west, and south and by Kharagpur hills in the east, hence it was considered impenetrable and secure.
Previously, cannons were made at Topkhana Bazar, but subsequently, guns such as ML guns and capped guns began to be made. Gun manufacturing received fresh impetus during the reign of Mir Kasim Ali, the Nawab of Bengal, who fought one of the last battles before the East India Company captured eastern India.
Transport Infrastructure
Munger district is linked with railways with Patna, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, and Patna through roadways. The nearest railway station is Munger Road, and the nearest airport is at Patna.
Education
There are many schools and colleges in Munger district, including Bihar School of Yoga, Bihar Yoga Bharti, Madarsa Rahmania, Zila School, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, R.D.& D.J. College, J.M.S. College, J.R.S. College, B.R.M. College, R.D.S.Y. College, and Vishwanath Singh Institute of Legal studies.
Heritage & Tourism
Munger town has a beautiful townscape, with Bihar School of Yoga situated at Ganga Darshan Ashram being internationally acclaimed and frequented by people from all over the globe. Kastaharni Ghat, Sita Kund, Munger Fort, Pir Shah Nafah Shrine, and Chandika Asthan are important historical and religious sites in the district.