26°07’N 85°24’E. The town lies in a highly active seismic zone of India. In the disastrous earthquake on 15 January 1934, much of the town suffered severe damage and many lives were lost. It has an average elevation of 47 meters (154 feet). This saucer shaped, low-centered town lies on the great Indo-Gangetic plains of Bihar, over Himalayan silt and sand brought by the glacier-fed and rain-fed meandering rivers of the Himalayas. The soil of the town is highly fertile, well drained and sandy, white coloured and very soft. The landscape is green all year round. The town is surrounded by the flood plain dotted with ponds and oxbow lakes, with sparkling sandy river banks and clean air and water. Numerous private fruit orchards and idyllic rivers are also nearby. The city has a water-table just 20 ft. below ground level. The city has a non-operational civil Aerodrome, Patahi, belonging to the Airport Authority of India which is now somewhat damaged. Muzaffarpur now is a rapidly growing city. The unplanned growth in the last decade has been phenomenal. Thousands of villagers migrated to this town from nearby villages in the rapid urbanisation of post-independence India, and this has created serious infrastructure problem. The drainage system and garbage disposal system is disorderly and practically non-existent. The downtown areas of Muzaffarpur are Tilak Maidan Road, Kalyani and Saraiyaganj and Motijheel. These areas are densely populated with small shops as well as branded shops selling a plethora of goods and services. Motijheel is the main shopping area. Chakkar Maidan has a small encampment of members of the Territorial Army non-departmental unit 151 Inf Bn (TA) JAT. Muzaffarpur Town has old temples like Baba Garib Nath (Shiva Temple) , Chaturbhuj-sthan,which has also a red light area, Raj Rajeswar Devi Kali (Durga)build by Darbhanga Maharaj, Temple of Raj Darbhanga and Kalibari, the Kali temple. There are also several large and small places of worship of other minority communities .
The victory of East India Company in 1764 at the battle of Buxar gave them control over the whole of Bihar and they succeeded in subduing the entire district. The success of the insurgency in Delhi in 1857 caused grave concern to the English inhabitants in this district and revolutionary fervor began to permeate the entire district. Muzaffarpur played its role and was the site of the famous bombing case of 1908. The young Bengali revolutionary, Khudiram Bose, a boy of barely 18 years, was hanged for throwing the bomb at the carriage of Pringle Kennedy, who was mistaken for Kingsford, the District Judge of Muzaffarpur. After independence, a memorial to this young revolutionary patriot was constructed at Muzaffarpur, which still stands. The political awakening in the country after the First World War stimulated nationalist movement in Muzaffarpur district as well. The visit of Mahatma Gandhi first time in Bihar to the house of Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma in village Gyanpur, now Bhojpur on the Ninth April 1917 when Pandit Sharma along with some other persons lead the Mahatma to Acharya J.B. Kriplani, professor of GBB College, Muzaffarpur. This was the first visit of Mahatma MK Gandhi in Muzaffarpur on the 10th. April 1917; next he visited Muzaffarpur in December 1920 and again in January 1927 had tremendous political effect in arousing the latent feelings of the people and the district continued to play a prominent role in the country’s struggle for freedom.
B. R. Ambedkar Bihar University: Bihar University is a public university in the north prime of Bihar state in the city of Muzaffarpur in India. This university was established in 1952 at Patna.People of North Bihar started demand to shift its headquarters to Muzaffarpur. A steering committee was formed for this purpose with Dr.Maghfoor Ahmad Ajazi as convenor .Acharya J.B Kripalani,Ashok Mehta,Mahesh Pd, Sinha,Mahamaya Pd. Sinha and others as members. Ultimately U.G.C conceded the demand and directed to shift it to Muzaffarpur. This university has 37 constituent colleges. Distance education courses are offered, and the university organises symposia, seminars and workshops. The university is a premier institution of teaching and learning in the city and has full- and part-time offerings ranging from undergraduate to postgraduate and research level courses. The university acts as a link between colleges and institutes across the state in providing higher education. The following colleges are associated with Bihar University.
Towards the close of the 14th century the whole of North Bihar, including Tirhut, passed to the kings of Jaunpur and remained under their control for nearly a century, until Sikandar Lodi of Delhi defeated the king of Jaunpur. Meanwhile, Hussain Shah, the Nawab of Bengal, had become so powerful that he exercised his control over large tracts including Tirhut. The emperor of Delhi advanced against Hussain Shah in 1499 and got control over Tirhut after defeating its Raja. The power of the Nawabs of Bengal began to wane and, with the decline and fall of Mahood Shah, north Bihar formed a part of the mighty Mughal Empire. Though Muzaffarpur with the entire north Bihar had been annexed, the petty chieftains continued to exercise effective control over this area until the days of Daud Khan, the Nawab of Bengal. Daud Khan had his stronghold at Patna and Hajipur, and after his fall, a separate Subah of Bihar was constituted under the Mughal dynasty, with Tirhut forming a part of it.
There is no specific, authentic and purely Muzaffarpur cuisine as such most of the cuisine can at best be termed regional cuisine. The basic ingredients are rice,wheat flour,lentils(green and yellow), root and leafy vegetables, Indian spices, ground nut oil, Mustard seed oil, ghee, sugar and jaggery, among others. The traditional breakfast includes is one of the most popular break fast combination of Bajjika area equally popular both among urban and rural population being most hygienic and ready made, jalebi, poori, Samosa or potato Curry served hot with any of a variety of Chutney and finished with Milk Tea. Indian-Chinese dishes such as noodles, Tandoori dishes and South Indian like Dosa, Idaly dishes are also eaten. Most of the ethnic cuisine and special dishes like Thekua,Purukia,Tilkut,Bundia etc. are cooked during festivals, religious functions and marriages. In modern Muzaffarpur, ethnic cuisines have given way to the oily, hot and spicy foods of the Pan-Indian type.
While the history of this town is not available fully but that of the recorded history of the district dates back to the rise of the Vrijjan Republic, when the center of political power shifted from Mithila to Vaishali. The Vrijjan Republic was a confederation of eight clans of which the Licchavis were the most powerful and influential. Even the powerful kingdom of Magadh had to conclude matrimonial alliances in 519 B.C. with the neighbouring estates of the Licchavis. Ajatshatru invaded Vaishali and extended his sway over Tirhut. It was at this time that Patliputra (the modern Patna) was founded at the village Patali on the banks of the sacred Ganges river, and Ajatshatru built an invincible fortress to keep vigil over the Licchavis on the other side of the river. Ambarati, 40 km from Muzaffarpur is believed to be the village home of Amrapali, the famous Royal court dancer of Vaishali.
Muzaffarpur played a very significant role in the history of North-Eastern India. The peculiarity of Muzaffarpur in Indian civilisation arises out of its position on the frontier line between two most vibrant spiritual influences. To this day, it is a meeting place of Hindu and Islamic culture and thoughts. All sorts of modified institutions, representing mutual assimilation, rise along this border line. It has undoubtedly been this highly diversified element within her boundaries that has so often made Muzaffarpur the birthplace of geniuses.
Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology (1954): Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology is one of the premier technical institutions of eastern India. It is under administrative control of the Department of Science and Technology and wholly funded by the government of Bihar. It is affiliated with A.k.University and offers undergraduate (UG) courses in seven streams of engineering, with postgraduate specialisation in Machine Design and Thermal Engineering. The institute caters to the research and development activities of the state of Bihar.
Ram Dayalu Singh College: The college has been established by and named after the first speaker of Bihar Vidhan Sabha, Shri Ram Dayalu Singh. Before 1948 Lokmanya Brahmacharyashram established by Pt. Ambika Datta Sharma, was situated here, which was acquired by Bihar Government just after independence of the country in 1948. Ram Dayalu Singh was the last President of this Ashram established16:35, 4 February 2013 (UTC)16:35, 4 February 2013 (UTC)~~ in 1920 as a unique Institute of India like: Vishva Bharati, and Gurukul Kangri.
The history of Muzaffarpur would be incomplete without a reference to the Simraon dynasty (in the north-east part of Champaran) and its founder, Nanyupa Deva, who extended his power over the whole of Mithila and Nepal. During the regime of Harasimha Deva, the last king of the dynasty, Tughlaq Shah invaded Tirhut in 1323 and gained control over the territory. Tughlaq Shah handed over the management of Tirhut to Kameshwar Thakur. Thus, the sovereign power of Tirhut passed from the Hindu chiefs to the Muslims.
From the visit of the Hieuen Tsang until the rise of the Pala dynasty, Muzaffarpur was under the control of Maharaja Harsha Vardhan, a powerful sovereign of North India. After 647 A.D. the district passed to the local chiefs. In the 8th century A.D. the Pala kings gained control over Tirhut and kept it until 1019 A.D. Chedi kings of Central India also exercised their influence over Tirhut until they were replaced by the rulers of the Sena dynasty towards the close of the 11th century.
1.B.B. Collegiate School, Motijheel, Muzaffarpur; is one of the oldest school of Muzaffarpur which was build by Shri Langat Singh. During 1953-54 under the able guidance of Principal PN Tripathy and respected science teacher Mr. Madhusudan Thakur a Science Block was established in the school. The school has produced many eminent personalities. Under the able guidance of Thakur Sir, Deo Dutta Sharma independently found ‘System Engineering’ using it for the Village Development.
The litchi crop, which is available from May to June, is mainly cultivated in the districts of Muzaffarpur and surrounding districts, in an area of about 25,800 hectare producing about 300,000 tonnes every year. Lychee is exported to big cities like Bombay, Kolkata and to other countries. India’s share in the world litchi market amounts to less than 1%. The names of the litchi produced in Muzaffarpur are Shahi and China. The fruits are known for excellent aroma and quality.
Being as the hub of Bajjikanchal, Vajjika is spoken by the natives of the district. However, Hindi is the language used for official documentation. Urdu is the second official language. Bhojpuri is also used by many people particularly by Cine goers due to which about 50% Talkies show Bhojpuri films, in country side of Muzaffarpur district one may enjoy Bhojpuri songs on loud-speakers and mobiles. Maithili is also spoken in the bordering villages of Darbhanga.
The summer, between April and June, is extremely hot and humid (28/40 °C,90% Max.) and winter is pleasantly cool, around 06/20 °C. The air pollution is lower than in other areas, so the air is comparatively clean. The best months to visit are October through March. It is best to avoid visits in the summer and the monsoon season (Mid June to September) due to prolonged power cuts, the heat, and flooding in the town.
Muzaffarpur is famous for exporting lychee. Long ago, the area was famous for hand-woven textiles, sugar cane, and other products. The district has a few sugar mills, which are now old and dilapidated. It is the commercial hub of North Bihar and the wholesale market of Mumbai, Surat and Ahmedabad. Textile mills in the famous Marwari community dominate Suta Patti. The commercial hub of the town is Motijheel.
Muzaffarpur is 4th largest city after Patna,Gaya and Bhagalpur in Bihar. Muzaffarpur, famous for Shahi lychees, is the largest city of northern Bihar. It is situated on the banks of the perennial Burhi Gandak River, which flows from the Someshwar Hills of Himalayas. Muzaffarpur is one of the many gateways to Nepal. Clothes and food-grains are traded between Nepal and Muzaffarpur.
Muzaffarpur is the Second leading centre of education in Bihar after Patna and Siwan. It has a medical and an engineering college, and is seat of one of the oldest universities of Bihar (Bihar University, now known as B. R. Ambedkar Bihar University). The first president of the Indian Republic, Dr Rajendra Prasad was a teacher in the Langat Singh College], Muzaffarpur.
The land use around Muzaffarpur is mainly agricultural and horticultural. While litchee and mangoes are abundantly grown, principal crops are rice, wheat, pulses, jute, maize and oil seeds. Vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, radish, carrot, beetroot, among others, are also grown. Sugar cane, potato and barley are some of the non-cereal crops grown.
As of the 2011 India census, Muzaffarpur had a population of 4,778,610. Males constituted 52.68%(2,517,500) of the population and females 47.31%(2,261,110). Muzaffarpur had a literacy rate of 65.68%, close to the national average of 74%. Male literacy was 73.61%, and female literacy was 56.82%. Seventeen percent of the population was under 6 years of age.