During the Indian rebellion of 1857, a small party of British officers and Indian soldiers was besieged in the Little House at Arrah, by a band of armed soldiers under the command of 80 year old Veer Kunwar Singh, the Zamindar of adjacent Jagdishpur. They withstood the siege for three weeks until relieved by other East India Company troops. Babu Kunwar Singh was the only successful freedom fighter of the rebellion of 1857. The British failed to defeat him. Veer Kunwar Singh (1777–1858), one of the leaders of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 belonged to a royal Kshatriya (Rajput) house of Jagdispur, currently a part of Bhojpur district, Bihar state, India. At the age of 80 years, during India’s First War of Independence (1857), he actively led a select band of armed soldiers against the troops under the command of the East India Company, and also recorded victories in many battles.
Bhojpur has a rich literary lineage. Munshi Sadasukh Lal, Sayed Ishautullah, Lallu lal and Sadal Mishra ara famous for their work in ‘Khari Boli’. From Bhartendu era Akhoury Yashodanad was as famous as editor and Sri Shivnandan Sahay for biography writings. Sri Jainendra Kishor Jain was well known novelist and dramatist. In Dwivedi era Mahamahopadhyay Pundit Sakal Narayan Sharma and Pundit Ramdahin Mishra were famous for prose writing. Acharya Shivpujan Sahay , great story writer, novelist and essayist,was from this area. In Chayavadi era Sri Kedarnath Mishra Prabhat, Sri Ramdayal Pandey, Collector Singh Keshari, Sri Nandkisor Tiwari and Sri Ramnath Pathak Pranaye were well known for their poetic skills. The list of personalities contributing towards a lot in literary field from this region is long.
The present Bhojpur (Arrah) came into existence in 1992. Earlier this district was part of old Sahabad district. In the year 1972 Sahabad district was bifurcated in two parts namely Bhojpur and Rohtas. Buxar was a subdivision 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. It is located at a Longitude of 83º-45′ to 84º-45′ East and the latitude is 25º-10′ to 25º-40′ North. Height from Sea The Bhojpur district is situated at height of 192.989 meters from Sea.
Bhojpuri films have a far and wide viewership. Several film personalities from this region have made rich contributions to cinema. Mr. Viswanth Shahabadi had made ‘GANGA MAIYA TOHEN PIYARI CHADHAIBO’ in 1960 which is still today widely acclaimed. Mr. Janardan Singh of Ara made ‘PIYA NIRMOHIA’ with Jai Tilak of Ara as Hero. Sri Ashok Chand Jain and Mr. Laxman Shahabadi have made the film ‘GANGA KINARE MORA GAON’ in which the latter’s songs had been appreciated a lot. Mr. Jai Mohan of Ara was the villain of this film. Similarly many more artist have worked in films from this region and have made Ara the Hollywood of Bhojpuri films.
Bhojpur District is progressing very fast in the field of sports . The District Sports Associations are actively promote games and sports. They are creating sporting environment for a large variety of games with the vitality, interest & involvement of the local people . The leadership provided by some leading name in field of sports and games had raised the position of Bhojpur in the state level and national level. There is a very beautiful stadium namely Veer Kunwar Sigh Stadium, at Ramna , Ara and an Indoor Stadium that has excellent Badmintan court and gymnasium.
Arrah is an ancient city with references in mythological stories and Greek geographical works. It has been a centre of attraction for Jainism with dozens of old temples and hermitages. It is known for the important battle (Battle of Buxar) in October, 1764, when Mir Kasim, Nawab of Bengal with the support of the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and Shuja-ud-daulla, Nawab of Avadh was defeated by the East India Company Army whilst Henry Vansittart, was Governor General, the key event establishing the British colonialisation of India.
The musical tradition of the district has been rich since the past and is getting enriched in present times also. Mr. Laxman Shahabadi, Prof Ramnath Pathak and Sri Arvind Krishan of Ara have contributed towards Film songs and music. Ara resident Sarafat Ali has sung with Usha Mangeshkar and Dilraj Kauri for film ‘GANGA KAI GAON MAI’.
Late Nagendra Singh ‘” From Etahna village near shinha is a very Dabang personalty of Dhanbad and Ara. He live in Dhanbad and he is best friend of Sh Surya Deo Singh one of most popular Dev of Dhanbad (Singh Menssion).Sh Nagendra Singh was a very breve person.also called him “Netaji” ‘Etanha.gundi saraiya”/>
Aranya Devi Temple This is famous temple of Aranya Devi ( Forest Goddess ). She is said to be the deity goddess of Ara town . Here one statue is of ADI SAKTI and the second is established by the PANDAVAs . The temple is very old and draws many devotees every day. It is situated at the top of stone boulders.
Arrah is a city and a municipal corporation in Bhojpur district in the state of Bihar, India. The village’s name is also transliterated as Ara. It is the district headquarters of Bhojpur district, located near the confluence of the Ganges and Sone rivers, some 24 mi. from Danapur and 36 miles from Patna.
As per 2011 census, Arrah Municipal Corporation had a total population of 261,099, out of which 139,319 were males and 121,780 were females. It had a sex ratio of 874. The population below 5 years was 34,419. The literacy rate of the 7+ population was 83.41 per cent.
As of 2001 India census, Arrah had a population of 203,395. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Arrah has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 60% of the males and 40% of females literate.
The great freedom fighter and martyr Kavi Kailash of Ghoradei village had successfully unflung Tiranga dogging at Ara collectorate on 28th sept.1942. He was later killed by Baluchi police near collectorate pond.
The present Maharaja college premises is an important historical site. There is an entry point of a tunnel that is believed to be connected with the Jagdishpur fort of Kunwar Singh.
Gayatri Mandir is situated on the main Ara-Bihiya road. It is just near to Ara collectorate. One can visit this place on foot within 10 minutes from Ramana Maidan.
Resident of Baghawa Gali of Ara was first person from this district who went to Japan in 1905 for technical education. He returned as Textile Engineer in 1908.
The great warrior of 1857 belonged to Jagdishpur. His fort is still there to reminds us of the great son of the soil who fought for the freedom till his last.
This Ara resident had established at Phulwarisharif the first Cloth Mill in the entire state. This Mill was inaugurated in 1936 by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
Shahi Masjid : This five Gumbad mosque, the second of its kind in India was constructed by Shahjahan in 1623 AD. This is situated near Aranya Devi temple.
The Dev village of Tarari block has statue of the SUN GOD besides several other deities. These statues are said to be of 14 th century or even before.