Sasaram Explained

Sasaram
Settlement Type:City
Pushpin Map:India Bihar#India3
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Bihar, India
Coordinates:24.95°N 84.03°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Bihar
Subdivision Type2:Division
Subdivision Name2:Patna
Subdivision Type3:District
Subdivision Name3:Rohtas
Government Type:Municipal Corporation (Updated)
Governing Body:Sasaram Municipal Corporation
Unit Pref:Metric
Elevation M:108
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:358,283
Population Rank:288th
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Demonym:Sasaramite
Demographics Type1:Language
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Hindi[1]
Demographics1 Title2:Additional official
Demographics1 Info2:Urdu
Demographics1 Title3:Regional
Demographics1 Info3:Bhojpuri
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:821115
Area Code Type:Telephone code
Area Code:06184
Area Codes:for multiple area codes
Registration Plate:BR-24
Blank1 Name:Railway Station
Blank1 Info:Sasaram Junction
Leader Title:Member of Parliament
Leader Name:Manoj Kumar
(Indian National Congress)
Leader Title1:Mayor
Leader Name1:Kajal Kumari
Leader Title2:Vice-Mayor
Leader Name2:Satyavati Devi
Leader Title3:District Magistrate
Leader Name3:Naveen Kumar, Indian Administrative Service
Leader Title4:Superintendent of Police
Leader Name4:Vineet Kumar, Indian Police Service
Leader Title5:Divisional Forest Officer
Leader Name5:Pradyumn Gaurav, Indian Forest Service

Sasaram, also spelled as Shahasaram, is a historical city and a municipal corporation region in the Rohtas district of Bihar state in eastern India.

The city served as the capital of the Sur dynasty during Sher Shah Suri's rule over India in the 16th century, and was residence place sub capital of epic monarch Sahastrabahu (Kartivirya Arjuna).

Sasaram and the Kaimur Range contain waterfalls, lakes, rivers and picturesque locations as described by the Ain-I-Akbari. Over 200 waterfalls emerge during the rainy season.

Modern Sasaram city covers the largest sub-metropolitan area of Bihar. Its attractions to visit include the Tomb of Sher Shah Suri (included in UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Tentative list),[2] Tomb of Hasan Khan Suri, Rohtasgarh Fort, Shergarh Fort, Manjhar Kund and Dhua Kund.[3]

Sasaram city is located in the middle of its other sub-towns like Nokha & Kudra, which have a large number of agriculture based industries, and the city is also emerging as an educational hub. It is situated in the middle of other industrial twin towns like Dehri-on-sone, Dalmianagar, Sonnagar, Amjhor, Nokha and Banjari.

The Sasaram city region is the administrative headquarters of Rohtas district. It was carved out from Shahabad district in 1972. This district headquarters is best known for having the highest literacy rate[4] and highest agricultural & forest cover area of Bihar. Sasaram is also the headquarters of a community development block of the same name, with a total population of 358,283 as of 2011, making it the most populous block in Rohtas district.[5]

It is known for the production of cement, fertilizers, stone chips, and for the quarrying industry.

Major languages spoken in this region are Bhojpuri, Hindi, English and Urdu; religions of the population include Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Sikhism, and Jainism.

History

During the Vedic age, Sasaram was a part of the ancient Kashi kingdom. Sasaram's name derives from Sahastrarama, meaning "one thousand groves". Sasaram was once also named Shah Sarai (meaning "Place of the King"), as it is the birthplace of the Afghan king Sher Shah Suri, who ruled over Delhi, much of northern India, present-day Pakistan, and eastern Afghanistan for five years as the Sur Empire, after defeating the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Many of Sher Shah Suri's governmental practices were adopted by the Mughals and later the British Raj, including taxation, administration, and the building of a paved road from Kabul to Bengal, also called the Grand Trunk Road.

Sher Shah Suri's 122feet red sandstone tomb, built in the Indo-Afghan style, stands in the middle of an artificial lake in Sasaram. It borrows heavily from the Lodhi style, and was once covered in blue and yellow glazed tiles, indicating an Iranian influence. The massive free-standing dome also has an aesthetic aspect of the Buddhist stupa style of the Mauryan period. The tomb of Sher Shah's father, Hasan Khan Suri, is also at Sasaram, and stands in the middle of a green field at Sherganj, which is known as Sukha Rauza. About a kilometre to the north west of Sher Shah's tomb lies the incomplete and dilapidated tomb of his son and successor, Islam Shah Suri.[6] Sasaram also has a Baulia, a pool used by the emperor's consorts for bathing.

The fort of Sher Shah Suri at Rohtasgarh is in Sasaram. This fort has a history dating back to the 7th century CE. It was built by Raja Harishchandra, known for his truthfulness in the name of his son Rohitashwa. It houses the Churasan temple, Ganesh temple, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-e-Aam, and various other structures dating back to different centuries. The fort also served as the headquarters of Raja Man Singh during his reign as the governor of Bihar and Bengal under the regime of Akbar. The Rohtas Fort in Bihar should not be confused with another fort of the same name, near Jhelum, Punjab, in present-day Pakistan. The Rohtas Fort in Sasaram was also built by Sher Shah Suri, during the period when Humayun was exiled from Hindustan.

There is a temple of Goddess Tarachandi, two miles to the south, and an inscription of Pratap Dhawal on the rock close to the temple of Chandi Devi.[7] Hindus in large number assemble to worship the goddess. Dhua Kund, a notable waterfall, is located about from the city.

Rohtas, south of Sasaram, is known to have been the residence of one Satyawadi Raja Harischandra, named for his son, Rohitashwa.

Minor Rock Edict of Ashoka

Sasaram is also famous for an inscription by Ashoka (one of the thirteen Minor Rock Edicts), situated in a small cave of Kaimur hill, near Chandan Shaheed.

The edict is located near the top of the terminal spur of the Kimur Range near Sasaram.[8] There is the Minor rock edict #1 only.[9] Ashoka famously mentions pre-existing stone pillars in the Edict: "...And where there are stone pillars here in my dominion, there also cause it to be engraved.".

Geography

Sasaram is located at and occupies an area of about 15km2.[10] It has an average elevation of . Plateau region of Kaimur Range near Sasaram have average elevation of .

Climate

Sasaram is surrounded by hills from two sides, its climate is seasonable. The climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen Climate Classification sub-type for this climate is "Cfa" (humid subtropical).[11]

Demographics

According to the 2011 census, Sasaram had a population of 351,408 but in urban agglomeration. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Sasaram has an average literacy rate of 80.26%, higher than the national average of 74%; male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 75%. In Sasaram, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.[12]

Sasaram is the 8th most populous city in Bihar.

See also: List of cities in Bihar.

Governance

SAHAJ Vasudha Kendra, the first "Common Service Centre", or "eKiosk", in Rohtas District was inaugurated in Jamuhar village on 15 August 2008. The centre is currently planning to start a block information Centre, e-district plan, and Sawan Sasaram.

Lok Sabha constituency

Sasaram is one of the 40 Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituencies in Bihar. Manoj Kumar (Sasaram politician) serves as a Member of Parliament (MP) representing Sasaram in the Lok Sabha.[13]

Vidhan Sabha constituency

Sasaram is one of 243 constituencies of the Legislative Assembly of Bihar. It comes under Sasaram Lok Sabha constituency.[14]

Economy

The closure of the industries of the Dalmia Group at Dalmianagar resulted in widespread unemployment. Sasaram's economy is mainly driven by agriculture and related industries like rice polishing. The canal irrigation system is also very prominent in this area. Because of the fertile land around the town, it is a local trading center for food grains, agricultural products, and agricultural equipment, the region is known as Dhan Ka Katora, meaning "a bowl of food grains". The rice grown near Sasaram is sold in the markets of Kolkata and New Delhi. The only significant industry is rock quarrying.

Transportation

Railway

Sasaram Junction station, a major railway station, serves Sasaram. Sasaram's other stations are Shivsagar, Kumahu, Nokha, Karwandiya, Pahleja and Dehri on Sone.

Sasaram station is 101km (63miles) away from Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhaya station (less than 1.5 hours) and about, or two hours journey from Varanasi, and from Gaya station. Gaya station is away from Bodh Gaya, the most sacred place in Buddhism. Trains run from Sasaram to Kolkata, Ara, Ranchi, Patna, New Delhi, and Bikramganj.

The trains which stop in Sasaram include Ajmer Seldah, Kalka Mail, Purushottam Express, Mahabodhi Express, Ranchi Garib Rath, Kolkata Mail, Jodhpur Howrah Express, Chambal Express, Shipra Express, Chennai Egmore Express, Nandan Kanan Express, Neelanchal Express and Poorva Express, Jallianwalabagh Express, Durigana Express, Garbha Express, Dikshabhoomi Express and New Delhi-Bhagalpur Express, etc.

A direct weekly AC train had been started from Sasaram to Anand Vihar Terminal in July 2011 (22409/22410 - Sasaram - Anand Vihar Garib Rath Express). However, now this AC train runs between Gaya and Anand Vihar Terminal, still stopping at Sasaram Junction.

Airport

Sasaram has also a small and old airport called Suara Airport. Closest major airports are in Gaya, Bihar (98 kilometers away), Patna, Bihar (157 kilometers away), and Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (120 kilometers away).[15] [16] [17]

Education

Sasaram is the sixth most literate city in Bihar, with Rohtas being the most literate district in Bihar.[18] [19]

There are four government colleges, although many students prefer to go to more developed cities for quality education, such as Bangalore, New Delhi, Pune, Patna, Varanasi and Puducherry, for higher education. A new engineering college has been set up in the region.

This place is also known for preparation of competitive exams at Sasaram Railway junction.[20] According to earlier natives of this city, there was not proper electrification of city around 2007 to 2008, which hampered the studies of students seeking for competitive exams. Indian Railways had a 24-hour power supply at Sasaram junction, leading a small group of students to study there at night under electric lights.

Universities

Medical colleges

Engineering colleges

Government colleges

Other colleges

Major schools

Villages

Besides the city of Sasaram itself, there are 171 villages in Sasaram block, of which 144 are inhabited and 27 are uninhabited. As of 2011, the total rural population of Sasaram block is 210,875, in 34,336 households.[5]

Village nameTotal land area (hectares)Population (in 2011)
Dhanarhi 75.3 745
Fatehpur 55.1 186
Danwarua 47 0
Patanwan 116.6 454
Mosahebpur 81.4 879
Rasulpur 87.7 804
Bhikhanpura 132 0
Samarodiha 323.3 1,995
Chaukhanda Chitauli 140.4 1,408
Shivpur Chitauli 44.9 1,146
Turki 69.6 2,113
Lodhi 48.6 395
Barawan 60.6 820
Uttimpur Haraha 33 0
Belthua 60.8 487
Banrasia 55.4 2,585
Belarhi 160.3 2,886
Singuhi 108.1 1,653
Patanwan 38 0
Kataprath 27 0
Naugain 82.1 548
Khairi 105.3 437
Khaira 112.6 1,421
Niranjanpur 17 400
Bishunpura 54.7 0
Mahranian 20.6 652
Bhadokhara 186.2 2,988
Belahar 76.4 1,199
Sikaria 1,171.9 4,934
Kota 206.4 2,303
Rajokhar 118.3 0
Ashikpur 37 0
Hetimpur 12 653
Karpurwa 35.7 2,709
Bhatarhi 71.2 839
Beda 69.2 1,852
Kanserwa 72.2 0
Lakhrawan 8.8 0
Mohaddi Ganj 44.1 3,240
Dhanpurwa 20.4 1,340
Dilia 33.8 0
Mirzapur 3 0
Udhopur 43.7 136
Madaini 254.9 815
Sumbha 70.8 745
Ahrawan 128.7 705
Misripur 56.7 532
Madauria 50 161
Dhunan 67.2 708
Karam Dihri 146.9 1,371
Tetari 91.1 709
Haripur 24.7 53
Kuraich 35 1,598
Takia 8.7 5
Muradabad Kalan 144.8 4,291
Muradabad Khurd 154.2 2,310
Uchitpur 174 3,794
Nekara 140.8 2,056
Neae 131.1 1,644
Baradih 121.8 3,202
Nimia 102.4 792
Kothara 156.2 929
Bhagwanpur 93.9 626
Semra 80.1 617
Bajila 104.8 1,112
Gamharia 67.2 707
372.7 3,409
Agrer 263.8 3,774
Rakasia 124.2 1,867
Jhalkhoria 50.2 779
Akasi 391.8 4,145
Kunrwa 106.4 1,064
Pipri 137.2 945
Katdehri 199.8 1,137
Gotpa 228.3 1,961
Maudiha 85.4 1,010
Kharaunia 101.6 756
Sumbha 178.4 830
Garara 206.8 2,461
Rudana 106.8 1,020
Rajekarma 49.4 0
Babhanpurwa 46.1 465
Gobina 89 1,039
Karup 117.3 1,636
Dilia 62.3 856
Lok Dehri 62.8 686
Inaihia 57.9 546
Bhainsahi 172.8 1,041
Bishunpura 76.1 696
Bhajea 103 0
Jaipur 139.2 1,359
Nirmalpur 38 302
Nirmalpur 72.8 0
Rampur 287 2,895
Semra 148 186
Bahrar 143 1,355
Khanra 81.4 588
Patia 118 1,476
Dumaria 86 1,301
Kaupa Dih 89 624
Bajinathpur 39 0
Gansa Dih 170 2,695
Chhotka Mor 76.4 1,191
Barka Mor 201 1,439
Pasia Dih 35 433
Bara Dih 121 418
Basuhara 89 683
Nahauna 288 3,208
Bhorman 64 429
Koiria Dih 36 0
Paisara 107 890
Tiwari Dih 36 314
Bhurekunria 18 341
Belwa 101 675
Khurhunu 178 1,684
Jigina 178 754
Tendua 101 1,150
Bararhi 134 1,507
Shahpur 90 1,099
Bishunpur 62 858
Chaubea 57 584
Bisrampur 138 1,907
Karwania 131 3,446
Basa 101.1 2,683
Jagdaun Dih 48.6 400
Durgapur 87.9 1,057
Amra, Sasaram 205.6 4,944
Amri, Sasaram 197.4 5,527
Dawanpur 238.4 2,544
Karma 136 538
Nima 68.4 580
Ghatmapur 75.6 821
Basantpur 164.8 1,084
Admapur 213.7 1,746
Gaeghat 209 1,481
Fazilpur 123 334
Gajdwahi 327.8 2,678
Kanchanpur 480 2,865
Kurdaun 322 711
Dhankarha 113.3 2,696
Lerua 100.8 2,984
Mednipur 146.9 2,084
Dhaudanr 1,125.4 5,816
Mahua Dihra 2,713 0
Jawarh 662.1 0
Palangarh 580.3 0
Kauria 85 0
Tendua 202.7 702
Murhi 120.1 2,071
Karserua 269.1 2,309
Gharbair 269.9 1,344
Barui 265 1,238
Songawan 288.6 2,188
Mundi Sarae 121 0
Molawan 273.1 2,638
Sakas 156.6 1,014
Dhanpurwa 45.4 298
Kusri 127.1 1,417
Dubaulia 25.9 0
Khairi 35.2 72
Babura 45 707
Khaira 115 831
Bichhia 25 0
Darigawan 362 5,964
Agni 133 626
Jamahath 135 680
Karaunia 316 0
Tikra 195 0
Ramgaraha 1,168 0
Goria 4,072 316
shiwan 312 3023

Notable people

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India . nclm.nic.in. Ministry of Minority Affairs. 9 August 2020. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf. 25 May 2017.
  2. Web site: Sites along the Uttarapath, Badshahi Sadak, Sadak-e-Azam, Grand Trunk Road . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180117131142/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6056/ . 17 January 2018 . 16 January 2018 . UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
  3. Web site: 5 BEST Places to Visit in Sasaram - UPDATED 2023 (with Photos & Reviews) . 28 November 2023 . Tripadvisor . en.
  4. Web site: [Solved] Which district of Bihar has the highest literacy rate? ]. 28 November 2023 . Testbook.
  5. Web site: Census of India 2011: Bihar District Census Handbook - Rohtas, Part A (Village and Town Directory) . 33, 41–70, 988–1059, 1191–1192. Census 2011 India. 29 June 2020.
  6. Web site: Sanatani. Rohit Priyadarshi. The Tomb of Salim Shah Suri (Islam Shah): The glory that never was.. The Speaking Arch. 27 March 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144031/http://thespeakingarch.com/islam_shah_tomb/. 2 April 2015.
  7. Web site: Shilpa . 7 December 2018 . Maa Tara Chandi Temple, Bihar . 28 November 2023 . Bharat Temples . en-US.
  8. Web site: BLO. 25 September 2018. 29 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211029161630/http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/v/019pho000001003u00476000.html. dead.
  9. India: An Archaeological History: Palaeolithic Beginnings to Early Historic ... by Dilip K. Chakrabarty p.395
  10. Web site: Maps, Weather, and Airports for Sasaram, India. https://web.archive.org/web/20080311123338/http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/34/Sasaram.html. dead. 11 March 2008. www.fallingrain.com.
  11. Web site: Sasaram, India Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase). https://web.archive.org/web/20180117070401/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=595661&cityname=Sasaram%2C+Bihar%2C+India&units=metric. dead. 17 January 2018. Weatherbase.
  12. Web site: Sasaram City Population 2023 | Literacy and Hindu Muslim Population. https://web.archive.org/web/20160405015041/http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/178-sasaram.html. dead. 5 April 2016. www.census2011.co.in.
  13. https://results.eci.gov.in/PcResultGenJune2024/candidateswise-S0434.htm
  14. Web site: Sasaram (Bihar) Lok Sabha Election Results 2019, 2014, 2009 -Sasaram Parliamentary Constituency, Winning MP and Party Name . 31 December 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171231051814/http://www.elections.in/bihar/parliamentary-constituencies/sasaram.html . 31 December 2017 .
  15. Web site: How to Reach District Rohtas, Government of Bihar India . 2 February 2024 . en-US.
  16. Web site: सासाराम में बनेगा AIRPORT, विमान सेवा के लिए पर्यटन मंत्रालय ने बिहार सरकार से मांगा प्रस्ताव - Live Bihar.
  17. Web site: सासाराम में एयरपोर्ट बनने की जगी उम्मीद, विमान सेवा के लिए पर्यटन मंत्रालय ने बिहार सरकार से मांगा प्रस्ताव. 21 May 2018.
  18. http://www.sawansasaram.ml/ SAWAN SASARAM
  19. Web site: Census . India . 16 August 2022 . literacy rate in Bihar (2022), including the literacy rate of all districts in Bihar. . 16 August 2022 . IndiaCensus.net.
  20. Web site: Station students get a platform.
  21. Web site: Welcome to GNS University, Sasaram, Bihar. gnsu.org.
  22. Web site: Welcome to Narayan Medical College & Hospital! . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110726110150/http://narayanmedicalcollege.org/ . 26 July 2011.
  23. Web site: जनमानस की सेवा में निरंतर लगा हुआ है महात्मा फुले मेडिकल कॉलेज एवं हॉस्पिटल. 11 April 2019.
  24. https://www.spjainsasaram.co.in
  25. Web site: Veer Kunwar Singh University – वीर कुँवर सिंह विश्वविद्यालय, आरा बिहार – 802301 . 31 March 2018 . 17 May 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180518054420/http://vksu.ac.in/new/ . 18 May 2018 .
  26. Web site: Varsity branch boon for pupils . 23 May 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180605082939/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/bihar/varsity-branch-boon-for-pupils-229995 . 5 June 2018 .
  27. Web site: sscollegesasaram.org. https://web.archive.org/web/20180325210330/http://sscollegesasaram.org/. dead. 19 October 2023. 25 March 2018.
  28. Web site: Sher Shah College, Sasaram – [ A constituent unit of Veer Kunwar Singh University, Ara, Bihar ].
  29. Web site: Brief Introduction . 8 November 2019 . 8 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191108151748/http://www.rmcsasaram.org/index.action . dead .
  30. Web site: Hnsite – Hnsite.net No.1 Portal Provide basic study materials For Class 5th to 12th. https://web.archive.org/web/20180325043831/http://hnsite.org/. dead. 25 March 2018.
  31. Web site: Veer Kunwar Singh University (VKSU). https://web.archive.org/web/20180605082939/https://biharstory.in/2012/02/veer-kunwar-singh-university-vksu.html. dead. 5 June 2018.
  32. Web site: St.Michael's Academy Sasaram.
  33. Web site: Bal Vikas Vidyalaya.
  34. Web site: Bal Bharti Public School - Sasaram, Rohtas - Reviews, Fee Structure, Admission Form, Address, Contact, Rating - Directory.
  35. Web site: Dav Public School.
  36. Web site: St Paul's School Sasaram.
  37. Web site: St. Xavier's School - Ward No-34, District Rohtas (Bihar).
  38. Web site: G.S Residential School . 8 November 2019 . 11 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200511024127/http://gsrschool.com/index.html . dead .
  39. Web site: Saint Jeelani S School - Ward No-16, District Rohtas (Bihar).
  40. Web site: Pragya Niketan Public School Sasaram . 26 September 2020 . 26 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200126060241/http://www.pnpschool.edu.in/ . dead .