Rajauli
Township (tehsil or block)
and Sub-Division (Sub-District)
Rajauli is located in Bihar
Rajauli
Rajauli
Location in Bihar, India
Coordinates: 24°39′0″N 85°30′0″E / 24.65000°N 85.50000°E / 24.65000; 85.50000
Country India
StateBihar
DistrictNawada
Government
 • TypeNagar panchayat
Elevation
135 m (443 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total166,226
Languages
 • OfficialMagahi, Hindi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
805125
Telephone code06336
Nearest cityNawada, Jhumari Tilaiya, Gaya
Literacy68%[1]
Lok Sabha constituencyNawada
Avg. summer temperature32 °C (90 °F)
Avg. winter temperature19 °C (66 °F)

Rajauli[lower-alpha 1] is a tehsil, block and subdivision (sub–district) in Nawada district of Magadh division of the Indian state of Bihar. The tehsil of Rajauli is located at a distance of about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Nawada city on National Highway 20 (previously numbered as NH31) and is situated on the bank of Dhanarjay[lower-alpha 2] river.[4] Rajauli, a Scheduled Caste (SC) reserved Assembly Constituency (AC) seat, had a total of 302900 electors during the 2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election.[5] Rajauli subdivision consists of 95 panchayats and 688 revenue villages while Rajauli block consists of 17 panchayats and 169 revenue villages.[6]

The hills in Rajauli's neighbourhood have religious significance for Hindus and many legends are attached to them. Rishis such as Shringi, Durvasa, Gautama and Lomasa have their ashrams on eponymously named peaks here.[4] Veer Lorik, the Ahir cowherd hero, is said to have been born in the area and was the reason for the bountiful cultivation in and around Rajauli at one time.[7] Rajauli has a Sikh connection including a visit by Guru Nanak. The Gurudwara Rajauli Sangat, one of the largest sangats in the state, is in Rajauli and is part of Bihar Tourism's "Guru Circuit".[8][9]

History

Francis Buchanan-Hamilton passed through Rajauli during his surveys of Patna and Gaya in 1811–1812. He kept a journal in which he wrote on 14 December 1811, "[…] the town of Rajauli situated among fine mango groves. These were all planted by a Fakir, a most venerable personage, by whom I was visited on my arrival. He is a Saiud born at Baragong near Mirzapur, and after some adventures in the west came and sat down here in the midst of wild beasts and the devils worshipped by the Infidels. After a residence of 25 years he attracted the notice of Kamgar Khan, from who he obtained a considerable grant of lands, which he has brought into cultivation and ornamented with fine plantations."[2]

An Archaeological Survey of India report by J D Beglar in 1872–73 mentions that the hills of Rajauli "are in their way deserving of mention", as they are said to have been home to the Saptarishis (transl. seven Rishis or sages). The peaks here are named after a number of saints. Singar Peak, named after Sringi Rishi, is ascended by devotees while at the base an annual fair takes place.[10] The 1873 survey report also mentioned an annual fair at Ektara, Mahabar hill, Satgaon — "Ektâra is a small place of pilgrimage situated in the wild Rajauli Hills at the source of the Dhanarjeh river which flows past Rajauli; here is a very picturesque waterfall and a small rock cell; not far from here I see "rock temples" marked in the Indian Atlas sheet, but my enquiries for them were vain."[10] Other rishis including Durvasa, Lomasa and Gautama lived in Rajaulis neighbourhood; with their ashrams also housing Goddess Durga and Goddess Indra, the later to whom villagers use to pray during times of drought.[4][11] Dubaur, 15 kilometers south of Rajauli, claims to be the birthplace of Goala (Ahir) Veer Lorik.[11] Lorik is said to have been the force behind Rajauli's transformation into a cultivated plain.[7] Buchanan wrote that Dubaur is "a village of Bhunghiyas belonging to Brijomohun Saha, a Ghatwal".[12]

By 1875, Bihar to Rajauli was a metaled road, a rarity in the region at the time.[13] The Maksudpar estate,[lower-alpha 3] which in 1900–04 included 160 villages, covered 130 square miles (340 km2) of which about 60 square miles (160 km2) of land was in and around Rajauli.[15] In 1901, the population of Rajauli village was 1509. It was connected to Nawada, 18 km to the north, by a metaled road. Rajauli was an important market for the neighbouring hills.[16]

In 1906 L.S.S. O'Malley of the Indian Civil Service wrote that Rajauli, "possesses and excellent system of drainage, which dates back to the time it was a municipality. The drains are of cement, but since the abolition of the municipality they have been neglected and have become silted up. Rajauli contains a police-station, a branch establishment of the Nanakpanthi monastery at Akbarpur (8 miles to the north), and a Muhammadan charitable endowment, in which there is a sacred fire said to have been lit 300 years ago by fire brought from Mecca."[16]

Rajauli's neighbourhood also had granite and mica mines which were described by explorers and surveyors.[7][17] In 1838, Robert Montgomery Martin described these in detail after a visit, also mentioning the presence of "felspar" (however most of these locations are now in Jharkhand).[18]

Sikh connection and Gurdwara Rajauli Sangat

A large fort-like building in the center of the town is called 'sangat', meaning "a body of men and women who meet religiously specially in presence of the 'Guru Granth Sahib'". It is one of the largest sangats in Bihar.[9][19] The Directorate of Tourism of the Government of Bihar places Gurdwara Rajauli Sangat in its official "Guru Circuit":[20]

Gurdwara Rajauli Sangat, which is about 4 acres in Rajauli has the khapar of Bhagat Bhagwan, presented to him by Hingraj Devi Sangat. This 200 year old holy place of worship comprises of about 50 residential rooms. One can take a glimpse of the 100 year old handwritten bir of Guru Granth Sahib and some Hindu deities. There are some Samadhis and gates in the complex with the name of Baba Sandbux Das written in Gurmukhi.

— Guru Circuit pamphlet, Bihar Tourism
The 200 year old Sangat

Francis Buchanan-Hamilton wrote in 1811 that Rajauli "has a Sanget of the followers of Nanak, a large neat–looking place with a tiled roof".[21]

Guru Nanak is said to have stopped at Rajauli.[8][22] In Dr Trilochan Singh's biography of Guru Nanak he writes, "Rajauli bears witness to the fact that the Buddhist sages of this area accepted the teachings of Guru Nanak and established permanent centres of Guru Nanak’s school of thought in this region".[23]

A fair during Guru Nanak Gurpurab takes place here. There is a Khankah at some distance from the Sangat.[9]

Geography

Rajauli is situated along the Dhanarjay river on NH 20 (previously numbered as NH31).[24] It is 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the district city Nawada and 144 kilometres (89 mi) from Patna. Rajauli is a sub-division that borders the state of Jharkhand, and has an elevation of 135 m above sea level. Rajauli is mainly surrounded by small and mid-range mountains including Lomash Rishi and Shringi Rishi mountains.[25] More than 100 villages make up Rajauli subdistrict. Rajauli was once home to monsoon and prairie forest. The principal trees were sakhua, paisar, khair, Shisham, parmi, salaiya simar, kendu and peepal. The forest and wild life have almost completely disappeared. Gautam Budha Wildlife Sanctuary is nearby.

🌍
Interactive map of Rajauli and nearby locations

Demographics

In 1901, the population of Rajauli village was 1509.[16] By 1951, the population was 12,673.[26] According to the 2011 census of India, Rajauli sub–district had a population of 1,66,226 with 24444 households.[27]

Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901 for Nawada district[28]
Demographics (2011 Census)[27]
Total Male Female
Population 166226 85846 80380
Children aged below 6 years 28853 14820 14033
Scheduled caste 45489 23378 22111
Scheduled tribe 97 49 48
Literates 81035 49273 31762
Illiterates 85191 36573 48618
Workers (all) 62961 41014 21947
Main workers (total) 42744 30709 12035
Main workers: Cultivators 12570 9510 3060
Main workers: Agricultural labourers 16233 11500 4733
Main workers: Household industry workers 2727 1471 1256
Main workers: Other 11214 8228 9912
Marginal workers (total) 20217 10305 9912
Marginal workers: Cultivators 2701 1420 1281
Marginal workers: Agricultural labourers 11362 6011 5351
Marginal workers: Household industry workers 1717 598 1119
Marginal workers: Others 4437 2276 2161
Non-workers 103265 44832 58433

Administrative divisions

In December 2008, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that Rajauli would be made into a Nagar Panchayat. For over a decade the matter of converting Rajauli into a Nagar Panchayat had been pending; even after government approval, delimitation problems caused delays.[29] News reports emerged of Rajauli being upgraded into a Nagar Panchayat in December 2020, however administratively the implementation will take a couple of months.[30]

Rajauli subdivision has seven blocks: Akbarpur, Govindpur, Meskaur, Narhat, Rajauli, Roh, Siradala.[31]

Blocks, panchayats and revenue villages in Rajauli Subdivision[6]
District Sub Division Blocks No. of

Panchayats

 No. of

Revenue Villages

Nawada Rajauli Akbarpur 20 157
Govindpur 9 73
Meskaur 10 58
Narhat 10 65
Rajauli 17 169
Roh 14 77
Siradala 15 89
Total 7 95 688

Politics

In the 2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly election in Rajauli Assembly constituency, RJD won.[32] Prakash Veer is the sitting Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Rajauli Assembly constituency.[33]

Public amenities

Phulwaria dam and reservoir was built for the purpose of irrigation. It was completed in 1988 and lies on the Tilaiya River. The dam has a height of 25.66m and length of 1135m.
A fair in Rajauli, 2022

Health

Rajauli has a Primary Health Centre (PHC)[lower-alpha 4][35] as well as a 75-bed Sub-Divisional Hospital (SDH).[36][37] In 2021 the sub-divisional hospital had posts for 33 doctors out of which 5 general doctors and numerous nursing staff are deputed. There is no provision of a female doctor, and other basic facilities were lacking.[38]

Transport

The nearest airport is Gaya Airport, 72 km distant. The nearest railway station is at Dilwa, 19 km away. A limited number of passenger trains stop there. The bigger stations are Koderma (32 km away) and Gaya Junction (70 km away). Rajauli is on NH20 (old NH 31) and well-connected by bus services. Buses on their way to and from Patna, Gaya and Ranchi stop at Rajauli or at Chhapra for food. For most buses travelling between Patna and Ranchi, Rajauli is a meal stop. Local people come to Rajauli using their bicycles, jugaads, cars or tractors.

Education

In 2017, Rajauli block had 143 schools.[39]

The Rajauli Inter School located at block headquarters lacked computer facilities in May 2022, accordingly computer related subjects are not taught.[40] Inspections have revealed basic shortcomings in the situation of some schools located in more rural areas of the block.[41][42]

In 2022, Project Kanya Inter School, Rajauli, produced a state topper in the Bihar School Examination Board exams in which over 16 lakh candidates participated.[43][44]

  • Maa Mathurasini Mahavidyalaya
  • Rajauli Inter Vidyalaya
  • Project Kanya Uccha Vidhyalala
  • Rajkiye Kanya Madhya Vidhyalaya
  • Rajkiye Uccha Vidhyalaya
  • Saptrashi Degree College
  • Saraswati Shishu/vidya Mandir
  • Dayanand Anglo vidyalaya (DAV)
  • St Joseph school
  • South city international public school
  • Brilliant Public School
  • Tara Memorial Residential school
  • Rajeev Gandhi computer Saksharta mission

Economy

Nuclear Power Corporation of India has identified Rajauli as a prospective location for creating a 2,000-mW nuclear power plant.[45] There are plans to set up a 28MW hydro power plant in Rajauli, which will help Bihar become energy independent.[46][47] Water will be provided from Phulwaria dam reservoir.[48]

Agriculture

Rajauli has clay loam soil.[45] The accumulation of rain or flood water over a considerable part of the district makes the land fit for paddy cultivation. Principal crops are paddy, wheat, gram, maze, arhar, khesari, peas, sugarcane, potatoes, chillies and mung. Aghani or winter rice is usually cultivated in the lowlands.

Business

Nearly half the population of Rajauli is engaged in small- and medium-sized businesses.[49] Balushahi is one of the popular takeaways from this place. One of the major businesses in Rajauli is the marketing of agricultural produce. Local merchants sell cloth, kirana, manihari, medicines, and local furniture. Major brands including HERO, Honda, Duke, Mahindra, Bajaj, Uninor, Idea, and Airtel have authorized dealers in Rajauli. The weekly Friday Hat at Bajrangbali Chowk is popular. A few mills, including the rice mill Navdurga Agrotech Pvt., processes raw and export to other states.

Places of worship

Temples include the Bajrangbali temple, Devi Mandap, Shivalaya, Manokamna Dham, Bajrangbali, Kali Mandir and other temples.

Notable people

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rajauli.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Previously also spelt as "Rajouly", "Rajowly"[2] or "Rajawali".[3]
  2. ↑ Also spelt Dhanarjeh, Dhanarje and Dhanarji
  3. ↑ "The Fort at Maksudpur [...] was conquered by the ancestors of the Rajas of Maksudpur from the Mughal Faujdar of Pargana Sanaut in the year 1710."[14]
  4. ↑ "Primary Health Centre is the cornerstone of rural health services [...] A typical Primary Health Centre covers a population of 20,000 in hilly, tribal, or difficult areas and 30,000 populations in plain areas with 6 indoor/observation beds [...] PHCs should become a 24 hour facility with nursing facilities..."[34]

References

  1. ↑ "Rajauli City Population Census 2011 - Bihar". www.census2011.co.in.
  2. 1 2 Buchanan-Hamilton 1925, p. 65.
  3. ↑ "Budhon Meridional Series: Description of Principal Stations". Account of the Operations of the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India. Vol. 7. Prepared under the directions of Lieut General JT Walker, Surveyor General of India, and Superintendent of the Trigonometrical Survey. Printed at the Office of the Trigonometrical Branch, Survey of India. 1882.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. 1 2 3 Sajnani, Manohar (2001). Encyclopaedia of Tourism Resources in India. Gyan Publishing House. p. 182. ISBN 978-81-7835-017-2.
  5. ↑ "Rajauli (SC) Vidhan Sabha Election - Rajauli (SC) Assembly Election Results, Polling Stations, Voters, Candidates". www.electionsinindia.com. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Village & Panchayats". District Administration, Nawada. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 O'Malley 2007, p. 236.
  8. 1 2 Singh, Harbans (1969). Guru Nanak and Origins of the Sikh Faith. Asia Publishing House. p. 124. ISBN 978-0-210-22311-6. Another place in this district which marks Guru Nanak's visit is Rajauli, on the left bank of the Dhanarji.
  9. 1 2 3 "Guru Nanak's Travels in Bihar: A Historical Perspective". The Sikh Review. Sikh Cultural Centre, Calcutta, India. 55 (7–12). November 2007 – via Google Books.
  10. 1 2 J. D. Beglar, Assistant, Archaeological Survey (1878) "Report of A Tour Through the Bengal Provinces of Patna, Gaya, Mongir and Bhagalpur; The Santal Parganas, Manbhum, Singhbhum, and Birbhum; Bankura, Baniganj, Bardwan, and Hughli; in 1872–73" Under the Superintendence of Major General A. Cunningham, Director General, Archaeological Survey of India. Archaeological Survey of India. Retrieved on 9 December 2020. Works related to Page:Report of a Tour Through the Bengal Provinces of Patna, Gaya, Mongir and Bhagalpur; The Santal Parganas, Manbhum, Singhbhum and Birbhum; Bankura, Raniganj, Bardwan and Hughli in 1872-73.djvu/139 at Wikisource
  11. 1 2 O'Malley 2007, p. 32.
  12. ↑ Buchanan-Hamilton 1925, p. 71.
  13. ↑ O'Malley 2007, p. 169.
  14. ↑ "Maksudpur".
  15. ↑ O'Malley 2007, p. 179.
  16. 1 2 3 O'Malley 2007, p. 235.
  17. ↑ Martin 1838, p. 249.
  18. ↑ Martin 1838, p. 247.
  19. ↑ Jogi, Joginder Singh (1 December 2008). "Guru Nanak's Travels in Bihar: A Historical Perspective". Sikh Review. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  20. ↑ "Guru Circuit". Directorate of Tourism, Government of Bihar. Accessed on 10 December 2020.
  21. ↑ Buchanan-Hamilton 1925, p. 73.
  22. ↑ Pandey, Akshay (9 November 2019). "चार माह पटना में रुके थे गुरु नानक देव, जानें श्रीहरिमंदिर जी पटना साहिब का इतिहास Patna News". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  23. ↑ Singh, Trilochan (1969). Guru Nanak: Founder of Sikhism: A Biography. Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. p. 176. Rajauli bears witness to the fact that the Buddhist sages of this area accepted the teachings of Guru Nanak and established permanent centres of Guru Nanak's school of thought in this region.
  24. ↑ "List of National Highways in the Country" (PDF). Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. 31 March 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 December 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  25. ↑ "Map and weather of Rajauli".
  26. ↑ Chandra, Pranab; Choudhury, Roy (1957). Bihar District Gazetteers: Singhbhum. Superintendent, Secretariat Press, Bihar. p. 336.
  27. 1 2 "Primary Census Abstract Data Tables - Bihar". Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Archived from the original on 30 April 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  28. ↑ "Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901". Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Archived from the original on 21 February 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  29. ↑ Chandra, Vyas (28 November 2020). "एक दशक से विवादों में उलझा है रजौली को नगर पंचायत बनाने का मामला, नई जणगणना के बाद होगा फैसला". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  30. ↑ "अच्छी खबर: हिसुआ, वारिसलीगंज को नगर परिषद व रजौली को मिला नगर पंचायत का दर्जा". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 27 December 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  31. ↑ "Subdivision & Blocks". District Administration, Nawada. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  32. ↑ Kumar, Madan (23 October 2020). "Bihar elections: Nawada district's Rajauli, Hisua set to witness direct contest between RJD and BJP". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  33. ↑ "Prakash Veer(RJD):Constituency- RAJAULI (SC)(NAWADA) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". myneta.info. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  34. ↑ "Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) Guidelines for Primary Health Centres (Revised 2011)" (PDF). Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  35. ↑ Pandey, Alok (14 September 2015). "Doctors and Patients in Bihar Hospitals are Helpless. Does Anyone Care?". NDTV. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  36. ↑ "Hospitals". District Administration, Nawada. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  37. ↑ "रजौली अनुमंडल अस्पताल में अब मरीजों को पाइप लाइन सेऑक्सीजन". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). 4 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  38. ↑ "रजौली अनुमंडल अस्पताल में अब मरीजों को पाइप लाइन सेऑक्सीजन" [Oxygen from pipeline to patients now in Rajauli subdivision hospital]. Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). 4 January 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  39. ↑ "रजौली प्रखंड के सभी सरकारी विद्यालयों की हुई जांच" [All government schools of Rajauli block were investigated]. Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). 9 November 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  40. ↑ Pandey, Prashant Kumar (20 May 2022). "नवादा: कंप्यूटर शिक्षा से कोसों दूर हैं रजौली इंटर विद्यालय के छात्र-छात्राएं, जानिए कारण" [Nawada: Students of Rajauli Inter School are far away from computer education, know the reason]. Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  41. ↑ "रजौली में चार स्कूलों की हुई जांच, मिली कमियां" [Four schools were investigated in Rajauli, shortcomings found]. Hindustan (in Hindi). 17 February 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  42. ↑ Sinha, S. B. (15 December 2014). "Many schools in Rajauli open only twice a year". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  43. ↑ "Bihar Matric Result 2022: 500 में से 486 नंबर लाकर सेकेंड टॉपर बनीं नवादा की सानिया, पिता की है मिठाई की दुकान" [Bihar Matric Result 2022: Sania of Nawada became the second topper by scoring 486 out of 500, father's sweet shop]. News18 हिंदी (in Hindi). 31 March 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  44. ↑ Kashyap, Devendra (31 March 2022). "Bihar Board Matric Result : औरंगाबाद की रामायणी राय बिहार टॉपर, रजौली की सानिया और मधुबनी के विवेक बने सेकंड टॉपर" [Bihar Board Matric Result: Ramayani Rai of Aurangabad became Bihar topper, Sania of Rajauli and Vivek of Madhubani became second topper]. Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  45. 1 2 "District Profile". District Administration, Nawada. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  46. ↑ "Bihar bets big on nuclear power; plans 3,000 MW plant". The Financial Express. PTI. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  47. ↑ Sinha, S. B. (4 April 2020). "Nawada has glorious past, but a 'tense' future". The Times of India. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  48. ↑ Gupta, Alok (4 July 2015). "Bihar fast-tracks nuclear power plant". www.downtoearth.org.in. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  49. ↑ Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) IV. Detailed Project report (DPR) Rajauli Block. 2012-2016. Soil Conservation Office, Nawada. Archived on 25 March 2021.

Sources

Further reading

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