MUNGER DISTRICT PROFILE

Munger district is one of the thirty-eight administrative districts of Bihar. Prior to the census of India in 1971, Munger was spelt as Monghyr.

Before 1832, Munger formed a part of Bhagalpur district. Since its inception, Munger has seen five districts carved off from its territory-

Saharsa in 1954, Madhepura in 1981, Begusarai in 1972, Khagaria in 1981, Jamui in 1991, and districts of Lakhisarai and Sheikhpura in 1994.

Munger district is bounded by river Ganges in the north and districts of Bhagalpur, Banka and Jamui. Beyond river Ganges in the north lie the districts of Lakhisarai, Begusarai and Khagaria. The important rivers flowing through Munger district are Ganga, Mohane, Harohar and Kiul.

INTRODUCTION

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Munger has a rich and glorious past. It has been the ancient seat of power. The territories included within the district of Munger formed part of the Madhya-Desa of the first Aryan settlers.

Munger district was a part of Anga Mahajanapada with Mudgagiri as its capital. It is believed that the name Munger is derived from Mudgagiri.

The first historical account of Munger appears in the records of Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsiang who visited this place. Hiuen Tsiang found the climate to be agreeable, land to be fertile and rich in agricultural produce and the inhabitants to be simple and honest.

Tradition ascribes the foundation of Munger to Chandragupta, after whom it was called Guptagars, a name which has been found inscribed on a rock at Kastaharni Ghat at the north-west corner of Munger fort. Munger also finds mentioned in the copper plate of Devapala discovered at Munger in 1780, in the Nawlagarh inscriptions of Begusarai and in the Bhagalpur plate of Narayan Pala.

Munger came under the Khiljis, Tughlaqs, Nawabs of Bengal, Gaurs, Sher Shah and Mughals. Munger came into prominence in 1762 when Kasim Ali Khan, the Nawab of Bengal shifted his capital from Murshidabad to Munger. He re-organized the army and established an arsenal at Munger for the manufacture of fire-arms. Since then Munger has carried on the tradition of gun manufacturing.

Under the British, Munger was spelled as Monghyr, and it ceased to be an important frontier post. However, because of its salubrious air, Munger was used as a sanatorium and invalid station for the British troops.

Village Supaur Jamua situated on the Bank of river Mohane was a centre of protest during India's freedom struggle and many high level political leaders visited this village during 1920s-30s.

Munger town is the district headquarters of Munger district. Munger is a twin town comprising of Munger and Jamalpur.

Munger district comprises of 3 sub-divisions, namely Munger Sadar, Kharagpur and Tarapur, and 9 blocks.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Total no. of Gram Panchayats in Munger district: 101. Total no. of villages in Munger district: 866.

Munger district has since ancient times been famous for its mineral waters and hot water springs.

Guns were manufactured at Munger since more than 200 years ago. Perhaps, Munger is the only place in India where gun manufacturing took the shape of a cottage industry.

Munger has one of the oldest railway manufacturing unit and ITC Tobacco Factory.

ECONOMIC PROFILE

o Munger Sadar o Bariarpur o Jamalpur o Dharahara o Kharagpur

o Tetia Bambar o Tarapur o Asarganj o Sangrampur

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

13660 15926 16993 18562

21019

9832 10237 11311 11815

13404

Per Capita Gross State and District Domestic Product

Per Capita Gross District Domestic Product

Per Capita Gross State Domestic Product

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Govt. of Bihar

DEMOGRAPHIC

Population 1383495

Population density 960 per sq. km

Population growth 19.45%

Sex ratio 879 per 1000 male

Literacy rate 60.11%

Languages spoken Angika & Hindi

GEOGRAPHIC

Coordinates Latitude: 25º45' to 25º 15’ North Longitude: 85º45’ to 86º 45’ East

Temperature 45° C (Max.) 3.5° C (Min.)

Average rainfall 1146 mm

Area 1419.7 sq. km

Height above sea level 52 meters

INDUSTRIAL

Registered industrial units 1732

Registered medium & large units 02

No. of industrial areas 03

Types of industries Agro based, wood & wooden based furniture, mineral based, metal based, electrical machinery , repairing & servicing, ready made garments based, chemical/ chemical based etc.

Source: MSME – DI Patna, official website of district

Munger is pre-dominantly an agricultural district. The secondary and tertiary sector is not so developed in the district. M/s Indian

Tobacco Company and M/s Eastern Railway Coach Factory have been instrumental in the prosperity of the district.

Munger is internationally famous for its yoga centre.

INVESTMENT

INDUSTRIAL PROFILE

There are three industrial areas in Munger district, namely at Munger, Jamalpur and Sitakund.

The main industries of this district are: Locomotive repair workshop: Jamalpur workshop of the Indian railways enjoys the

distinction of being the largest and the oldest locomotive repair workshop with the most diversified manufacturing activities.

Gun manufacturing industry: Munger is perhaps the only city in India where gun manufacturing has taken the shape of a popular cottage industry.

Cigarette factory: The present ITC factory, which is popularly known as the “Chatkal” or Cigarette factory, is one of the biggest tobacco factories of India built over 17.38 acres of land. The factory is situated at Basdeopur, 1.5 miles from Munger station.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Investment (Rs. Lakh)

Source: MSME – DI Patna

INDUSTRIES AT A GLANCE

Registered industrial units 1732

Total industrial units 4034

Registered medium & large units 02

Estimated avg. no. of daily workers employed in small scale industries

04

Employment in large and medium industries

NA

No. of industrial areas 03

MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AREA

Major exportable product is tobacco.

There is growing trend in agro-based, wooden based, metal based, readymade garments, and repairing and serving based enterprises.

Munger district has a good scope for service industries like tourism and travel, restaurant, mobile repairing, computer application and hardware, beauty culture and skin care, etc.

The district has good scope for MSMEs like readymade garments, rice mill, agro products, mechanical workshop, metal fabrication, packaged drinking water, bakery & Namkeen, etc.

Particular Munger Jamalpur Sitakund

Land acquired (in hectare) 7.8 24 18 Land developed (in hectare) 7.8 24 18 No. of allotted plots 70 44 10 No. of units in production 44 nil nil

Source: MSME – DI Patna

EXISTING MICRO & SMALL ENTERPRISES AND ARTISAN UNITS

Type of industry No. of Units Investment (Rs. Lakh)

Agro based 215 138.85 Woolen, silk & artificial thread based clothes 1 0.5 Jute & jute based 2 0.85 Readymade garments & embroidery 150 35.67 Wood/wooden based furniture 132 35.35 Paper & paper products 38 12.3 Leather based 94 6.86 Chemical/chemical based 130 58.51 Rubber, plastic & petro based 2 1.02 Mineral based 75 60.45 Metal based (Steel Fab.) 170 89.76 Engineering units 74 30.05 Electrical machinery and transport equipment 60 64.15 Repairing & servicing 538 312.16 Others 51 52.2 Total 1732 898.68

Source: MSME – DI Patna

INFRASTRUCTURE

There are three industrial areas. Total no. of hospitals and health centers: 211. Total no. of commercial banks and financial institutions: 76

No. of primary schools – 1069 No. of middle schools – 170 No. of secondary and senior secondary schools– 74 No. of colleges – 07

JAMALPUR LOCOMOTIVE WORKSHOP, EASTERN RALWAYS

Established on the 8th February, 1862. Largest and oldest locomotive repair workshop of the Indian Railways, with the most

diversified manufacturing activities. First to manufacture steam locomotive and locomotive boiler. 216 steam

locomotives and locomotive boilers manufactured between 1899 and 1923. The first rolling mill was set up at this workshop in 1870. This was the first not

only for the Indian railways but probably the first of its kind in India. First to manufacture rail crane in India in 1961 with indigenous know-how. Only railway workshop in India to manufacture electrical arc furnaces in 1961

GUN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

Munger was selected for setting up of a gun manufacturing factory because of its geo-strategic location. Munger town is strategically surrounded by river Ganga on the north, west and south and by Kharagpur hills in the east, hence it was considered impenetrable and secure.

Previously, cannons were made at Topkhana Bazar but subsequently guns such as ML guns and capped gun too began to be made. Gun manufacturing received fresh impetus during the reign of Mir Kasim Ali, the Nawab of Bengal who fought one of the last battles before the East India Company captured the eastern India.

With the enactment of the Arms Act, 1879, guns could only be manufactured under license. . Mr. Lee, the Collector of Munger had appreciated the craftsmanship of the gunsmiths of Munger. Reportedly, good quality guns were priced at Rs. 10 only despite the iindigence of workmen.

During the First World War, gun manufacturing at Munger gained prominence and production of gun cartridges was begun at Munger.

Munger is perhaps the only city in India where gun manufacturing has taken the shape of a cottage industry and is a popular profession.

ITC LIMITED – CIGARETTE FACTORY

The present ITC factory, popularly known as “Chatkal” or cigarette factory and spread across 17.38 acres of land, is one of the biggest tobacco factories of India.

The cigarette factory was started in Munger by the Peninsular Tobacco Company, on 6th November, 1907. Munger was chosen presumably because of its proximity to a suitable tobacco cultivating area and also due to the availability of transport facilities by rail, road and river.

In 1910, the Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited came into existence as a private company for selling and distribution of cigarette.

ITC , Munger provides direct employment to around 1800 workmen. The factory is operated on world-class benchmarks in terms of quality, health and safety , and provides a gamut of welfare and medical-care services to its employees.

POTENTIAL INDUSTRY

Service Industry

• Tourism and Travel • Dhaba, Restaurant • Mobile repairing • Computer application and

hardware • Beauty culture and skin

care

Micro & Small Enterprise

•Readymade garments •Ricemill, •Agro products •Mechanical workshop •Metal fabrication •Packaged drinking water •Bakery, Namkeen

Existing Major Clusters

• Munger gun cluster

IDENTIFIED CLUSTERS

•Principal products manufactured in the cluster- Coconut handicraft.

•No. of functional units in the cluster - 25 •Turnover of the cluster - Rs. 75 lakh •Employment in cluster - 125 •Average investment in plant & machinery - Rs. 0.15

lakh

Coconut handicraft cluster, Lal Darwaja, Munger

•Principal products manufactured in the cluster – Jute bag.

•No. of functional units in the cluster – 25 •Turnover of the cluster – Rs. 30 lakh •Employment in cluster – 80 •Average investment in plant & machinery – Rs. 0.50

lakh

Jute handicraft cluster, Lal Darwaja, Munger

•Principal products manufactured in the cluster - Mushroom products

•No. of functional units in the cluster – 25 •Employment in cluster – 100

Mushroom production cluster, Asarganj, Munger

Source: MSME – DI Patna

S. No. Type of assistance Name and address of agencies 1. Provisional Registration Certificate

(EM-1) & Permanent Registration Certificate ( EM-II)

District Industries Centre, Munger

2. Identification of Project Profiles, techno-economic and managerial consultancy services, market survey and economic survey reports.

MSME Development Institute, Patliputra Industrial Area DIC – Munger Khadi Village and Industries Commission, Patna

3. Land and Industrial shed BIADA – Patna

4. Financial Assistance All commercial Bank 5. For raw materials under Govt.

Supply National Small Industries Corporation, Kankarbagh, Patna

6. Plant and machinery under hire/ purchase basis.

National Small Industries Corporation, Kankarbagh, Patna

7. Power/ Electricity Assistant Engineer, Bihar State Electricity Board of Concerned Area

8. Technical Know–how. Director, MSME-DI, Patliputra Industrial Area, Patna-13 General manager, Munger Khadi Village and Industries Commission, Patna.

9. Quality & Standard Bureau of Indian Standard, Patliputra Industrial area, Patna

10. Marketing /Export Assistance Director, MSME-DI, Patliputra Industrial Area, Patna Branch Manager, National Small Industry Corporation Ltd. Kankarbagh, Patna

STEPS TO SETUP MSMEs

Source: MSME – DI Patna

TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE Ra

ilway

•The district is linked with railways with Patna •Nearest Railway Station: Munger

Road

•Munger is linked with Bhagalpur. •Begusarai and Patna through roadways. • NH 80 and NH 333 passes through Munger district

Airp

ort

•Nearest airport at Patna .

EDUCATION

There are many schools and colleges in Munger district. Bihar School of Yoga was established in 1964 as the headquarters of International Yoga

Fellowship. It is the foremost learning centre in the world for Yoga and imparts yogic training to householders and Sanyasins alike. Bihar Yoga Bharti is the only Yoga university in the world established in 1994, it offers scholars, scientist, doctors and Yoga aspirants from all over the world a golden opportunity to work together to formulate a scientific basis for the growth, expansion and rapid integration of Yoga into modern society.

Madarsa Rahmania is an internationally renowned institution where spiritualism is taught and practiced. It is the largest Islamic school of Bihar.

Some educational institutes are: Zila School, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya. R.D.& D.J. College, J.M.S. College, J.R.S. College, B.R.M. College, R.D.S.Y. College. Vishwanath Singh Institute of Legal studies.

HERITAGE & TOURISM

Practically surrounded by river Ganga and Kharagpur hills, Munger town has a beautiful townscape. Ensconced in the beautiful and salubrious lap of nature, Bihar School of Yoga situated at Ganga Darshan Ashram is internationally acclaimed and frequented by people from all over the globe.

Kastaharni Ghat: Literally meaning “The bathing place which expels all pains”, it is one of the many bathing Ghats on river Ganga and religiously auspicious too as Ganga meanders and flows northwards here as Uttarvahini Ganga. It is believed that on his return journey from Mithila to Ayodhya after marrying Sita, Lord Rama and his consort took a dip in this water to relieve themselves of fatigue.

Sita Kund: It is a perennial spring of hot water. There is a Hindu temple, a reservoir of cold water known as Ramkund, and three more ponds called after the three brothers of Ram, namely Lakshman Kund, Bharat Kund, and Satrughan Kund.

Munger Fort: Spread over an area of around 222 acres, it was occupied by the Khiljis, Tughlaqs, Lodis, Nawabs of Bengal, Mughals and British.

Pir Shah Nafah Shrine: In Munger fort area, the oldest building inside the fort is a sacred Muhammdan shrine built on an elevated piece of ground near the southern gate. It is said that it was a tomb of Persian Sufi saint Pir Shah Nufah, who was sent to Munger by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer in 1177. Prince Danyal, the then Governor of Bihar built a vault over the shrine of Shah Nafah in 1497. The Dargah attracts not only the Muslims but also the Hindus of the town.

Chandika Asthan: Very close to river Ganges, it is one of the sixty-four Shakti Peeths in India . Being a Siddhpeeth, it is considered to be one of the most sacred and sanctified temples, as important as Kamakshya temple near Gauwahati. The architecture of the temple gives the view of an inverted cauldron and very close to it on the eastern side in the cremation site. A huge crowd of devotees throng to it specially during Navratra.

Jai Prakash Udayan: This beautiful garden and picnic-spot is also known as Company Garden, because it was made during the British rule when they came here as East India Company.

HERITAGE & TOURISM

Srikrishna Vatika: Named after the First Chief Minister of the Bihar, Dr. Srikrishna Sinha, it is a very beautiful enclosed garden just opposite to Kashtaharni Ghat. It is one of the most interesting as well as adventurous place in Munger.

Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary: Opened in 1976 and spread over an area of 682 sq. km, it consists of a hot water spring and is home to species of Sambhar, Chital, Nilgai, wild boar, tiger and panther. Bhimbandh and Kharagpur lakes are picnic spots having one stream of hot water and another of cold water coming from the mountains nearby and merging before falling into the river Ganga.

Manpathar (Sita Charan): It is a rock in the bed of river about two miles away from the fort. The rock contains the impression of two feet, which is supposed to be the feet of Sita when she touched the rock while crossing river Ganges.

Ucheswar Nath: In Kharagpur area, there is a very important temple of Lord Shiva which is famous as Ucheswar Nath . It is also important for Santhals and a public fair is held here, where Santhal boys and girls marry, according to their tribal custom.

Goenka Sivalaya ( Machchli Talab): The Shiv temple is built in the midst of a big water tank, which is full of big and beautiful fishes. A rock-solid bridge of white marble joins it with the main campus. Around the temple is a very beautifully maintained garden with flowers and greeneries.

Kharagpur Lake: Kharagpur is perhaps best known for a large reservoir constructed by Maharaja of Darbhanga. It is formed by a dam built, two miles west of Kharagpur across the main river, which at this point debauches through a narrow gorge in the hills.

Malnipahar: It is a hill in the Kharagpur about seven miles north-east of Bhimbandh.

Udyog Mitra, Dept. of Industries Govt. of Bihar Ground Floor, Indira Bhawan, RCS Path, Patna, Bihar 800 001. Tel : +91 612 2532695 Fax : +91 612 2532695 Email: info@udyogmitrabihar.com

Industries Department 2nd Floor, Vikas Bhawan, Bailey Road, Patna, Bihar 800 015

www.udyogmitrabihar.com