Bihar Sthapana Diwas | Bihar Day 2024

The Bihar Sthapana Diwas or Bihar Day is observed every year on March 22, marking the formation of the state in 1912. This day is celebrated across the state with all central and state government offices, and educational institutes closed. The Bihar government organizes many cultural events on this day.

On Bihar Diwas the Department of Arts, Culture, and Youth Affairs, Government of Bihar decided to inaugurate India’s first-ever seven-day long Bihar Biennale, showcasing the significance of the museum culture in India. The event will be hosted at the Bihar Museum in Patna from March 22 to March 28, which will include talks, masterclasses, and a reading room.

According to a statement from the organizers, the biennale aims to sensitize the public to the importance and significance of museum culture in India and facilitate an understanding of our culture, building a strong sense of identity, nationhood, and self.

Speaking about the initiative Mr. Nitish Kumar said, “Bihar Museum is a cultural hub dedicated to the spirit of inquiry, exploration, and creativity of the people of Bihar and the world. The soft power of art and culture has a special space of engagement in our development strategy for Bihar. Bihar Museum Biennale is a step forward to highlight the rich heritage of India and bring alive the extraordinary history of Bihar and also celebrate the cultural narratives from various parts of the world”.

History of Bihar and Bengal Presidency

The British East India Company emerged victorious in the Battle of Buxar fought against the combined army of Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal; the Nawab of Awadh; and the Mughal King Shah Alam II. After the Battle, the Mughals, as well as the Nawabs of Bengal, lost effective control over the territories which constituted the province of Bengal, which currently comprises Bangladesh, and the Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha.

The British East India Company was accorded the Diwani rights to administer the collection and management of revenues of the province of Bengal. In 1911 when the capital of British India was shifted to Delhi, the Bengal Presidency was split into four sabhas Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, and Assam.

The present state of Bihar was carved out of Bengal Presidency on 22 March 1912 by the Britishers. The Governor of Bengal, Thomas Gibson Carmichael split the Presidency into Bihar, Bengal, Orissa, and Assam. The land was a rich resource of fertile land and had water and skilled labor which attracted the foreign imperialists, particularly the Dutch and British.

Since 1970, Bihar has lagged far behind other Indian states in terms of social and economic development. The state government has however made significant strides in developing the state. On 15 November 2000, southern Bihar was formed into a new state of Jharkhand.

When Nitish Kumar took charge as the chief minister of Bihar, he was looking for a commemorative event in Bihar’s history that could become the state’s official day of celebration. It was only in 2010 that Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar decided to commemorate this day, and ever since, the 22nd of March is celebrated as Bihar Diwas in Bihar. The historical event is celebrated to promote a sense of pride and belongingness among the people of Bihar, the foundation day on 22nd March is celebrated as “Bihar Divas” every year. Grand functions are held at State and panchayat levels.

Bihar Diwas is declared a state holiday and all government offices, schools, etc. celebrate this day through various programs and events. Here is wishing Bihar a very prosperous and happy Bihar Diwas and hoping that the celebrations translate in the same spirit, into better development and growth for the state.