Purnia Pincodes

Purnia District is among the thirty-eight districts in the Indian state of Bihar. The district’s administrative center is the city of Purnia. Unique to this city is the tradition of hoisting the national flag at 12:07 am on every Independence Day, a practice that has been ongoing since 1947. Purnia district is included in the Purnia Division. Geographically, the district stretches north from the Ganges river.

History:

Purnia, part of the Mithila region in India, gained significance with the establishment of the Indo-Aryan Mithila Kingdom. During the late Vedic period, it became a major political and cultural center, known for its rulers, the Janakas. Later, it joined the Vajji confederacy with its capital in Vaishali. In the Mughal era, Purnia was a remote military province, focusing on defense. After the British capture of Calcutta in 1757, it came under British control in 1765 and was officially formed as a district by the East India Company in 1770. Known for the Ramakrishna Mission and the ancient Mata Puran Devi Temple, Purnia is believed to derive its name from the temple or from the term “Purna–Aranya,” meaning “complete jungle.”

Geography:

Purnia district, spanning 3,229 square kilometers, is characterized by fertile, loamy alluvial soil. It is crisscrossed by several Himalayan rivers, including the Kosi, Mahananda, Suwara Kali, Kari Kosi, Saura, and Koli, which facilitate irrigation and water transportation. The western part of the district has sandy soil due to changes in the Kosi River’s path. The district’s major crops are jute, maize, and banana. For drainage, Purnia mainly depends on the Kosi River, known for its frequent flooding and significant impact on the region, and the Mahane River, a Kosi tributary, both crucial for the district’s agriculture and ecology.

Demographics:

According to the 2011 census, Purnia district has 3,264,619 people, placing it 105th out of 640 districts in India. The area has a density of 1,014 residents per square kilometer. There are 930 females for every 1,000 males, and 58.23% of the population can read and write. Around 10.51% live in cities. The most spoken language is Hindi at 33.68%, followed by Urdu, Maithili, Surjapuri, Bengali, and Santali. Another 18.53% speak various other languages listed as ‘Others’ in the Hindi category of the census.

Administration:

There are 4 sub-divisions and 14 Blocks in the Purnia District. These are: