Kaimur Bhabua district General information
Kaimur is an administrative district in the state of Bihar in India. The district headquarters are located at Bhabua. The district occupies an area of 3363 km² and has a population of 1,284,575(as of 2001[update]). A considerable hilly, forested area, currently infested by bandits.
Kaimur district is a part of Patna Division.
History
Kaimur has an old and interesting history. In pre-historic days the plateau region of the district has been the abode of the aboriginals whose chief representatives now are the Bhars, the Cheros and the Savers. According to some legends, the Kharwars were the original settlers in the hilly tracts of Rohtas. The Ovaons also claim that they ruled over the stretch falling between Rohtas and Patna. One local legend also connects Sasaram the present headquarters of Rohtas with king Sahasrarjun, who was killed by Saint Parshuram in a fight.
The district of Kaimur formed part of the mighty Magadh Empire from 6th century B.C. to 5th century A.D., under the Mauryan and Gupta rulers of Magadh. In the 7th century A.D., this district came under the control of Harshawardhan, the ruler of Kannouj. An inscription in the Mundeshwari temple near Bhabua refers to the king Udaysena asthe ruling chief of the area. The Seal of king Sasanka of Guada in Bengal is inscribed at Rohtasgarh in the district of Rohtas. The famous Chinese pilgrim Huen- tang, who journeyed through the country in the 7th century A.D., passed through Arrah, the headquarters of the old Shahabad district through this region of newly formed Kaimur district. The area of the district successively came under the rulers of Shail dynasty of central India and Pal dynasty ofBengal. According to C. Mark, a historian, the first ruler of Pal dynasty controlled this region. Later on Chandauli controlled Varanasi-Chandawali and also the Kaimur district in the 12th century, as confirmed by the Tarachandi inscription near Sasaram. After the fall of the Guptas the district in all probability relapsed into the hands of the aboriginal tribes and came under the control of petty chieftains. The Rajputs who came from Ujjain, and the province of Mallwa had a series of conflicts with the aboriginals and it took them many hundred years to subdue the aboriginal completely. The Census report of 1961 describes that when Bakhtiar Khiliji attacked Bihar in 1193 A.D., he found Shahabad in the hands of petty Rajput chiefs often fighting among themselves. They were not united and strong enough to offer powerful resistance to the Muslim invaders. Hence Bakhtiyar Khiliji had an easy victory over them and the district soon became a part of his kingdom. Later it was annexed, along with the rest of Bihar, to the kingdom of Jaunpur. A hundred year later, it passed under the direct control of the Muslim empire of Delhi.
Sher Shah's father, Hassan Khan Sur, got the Jagir of Sasaram. Later Baler invaded the area in 1529 and has mentioned Hindu superstitions about river Karmanasha. In 1537 the old Shahabad district witnessed advancement of Humayun and his subsequent conflict with Sher Shah at Chausa. Later the district of Shahabad (which includes present Kaimur district also) was included in Akbar's empire.
In 1758, Shah Alam during his conflict with Lord Clive of East India Company, went to Durgawati and with the help of local Zamindar Pahalwan Singh crossed the Karmanasha River. Subsequently Pahalwan Singh succumbed to comply and live on the latter's terms. In 1764, the old Shahabad district witnessed conflict for supremacy and the English became absolute masters of the area after defeating Siraj-ud-daula in the battle of Buxar. Again the area was shaken by the rebellion of Raja Chait Singh of Banaras but eventually the English succeeded in suppressing the revolt.
Lastly the historic 1857 mutiny under command of Kunwar Singh had its impact in the district. As a result, during the independence movement the district had a substantial contribution to the freedom of India. Much after independence in the year 1972 Rohtas district was formed out of the old Shahabad district and in the year 1991. The present Kaimur district was formed out of the Rohtas district.
Climate
The climate of the district is somewhat extreme in nature, i.e., quite hot during the summer and fairly cold during the winter. January is the coldest month when the mean minimum temperature comes down to approximately 4 degree C.. The temperature starts rising from March and reaches its peak in May when the mercury touches about 450C. Rain starts sometime in mid June and lasts till mid September. The district gets easterly winds from June to September, and from October to May wind direction reverses. Maximum rains occur during the months of July and August (289 mm). Sometimes winter rains occur in Jan-February.
River
Originating from the Kaimur hills, the river Karmanasha passes through Mirzapur district of U.P. and forms the western boundary of the district for about 170 Kms. The river Kudra, which forms eastern boundary separating Rohtas district, is a branch of the river Dhoba rising in Kaimur Plateau South-West of Tilauthu, and ultimately joins the river Karmanasha. The River Durgawati originates from Kaimur hills and flows in the northern direction. It is joined by the Kudra River before it merges finally into the river Karmanasha. The river Durgawati is perennial in nature and inundates a large area of land during heavy rains.
Forest
The alluvial plain extending up to the foothills of Kaimur ranges is extensively cultivated. Rice, wheat, pulses are the chief crops and the area is dotted with bamboo clumps and mango orchards. The Forests found in the Kaimur hills have suffered indiscriminate felling of trees in the recent past. The plateau is generally covered with long grasses, viz. Kush and khas. Sal trees of poor quality and vast stretches of bamboo are also found. Firewood, Tendu leaf and Chiraunji are the important forest products.
The number of fauna and game birds has gone down considerably with the increase in the area of cultivation due to increase in irrigation facilities.
Land Use Pattern
Out of the total geographical area of the Kaimur district 31.22 % is covered by the forest, mainly in Adhaura, Chainpur and Bhagwanpur blocks. Paddy, Wheat, Barley and Maize are the main cereal crops of the district. Among pulses, gram occupies the maximum area of cultivation, followed by Mansur, Arhar, Moong and Urod. Sugar cane and potatoes are the main cash crops.
Timber, Bamboo, Firewood, Chiraunji and Kendu leaf are the main forest produce while the minor produce consists of honey, and fodder grass.
Mines and Minerals
Sands of the Durgawati and the Kudra River are exploited as building material. The hilly tracts of Kaimur ranges are a part of very old Vindhyan system of mountains; hence, there is possibility of limestone, sulpher and pyretic iron ores to be found here. The mineral wealth needs more study and is yet to be explored properly.
Industrialisation
The district is scantily industrialised. A few private rice mills, however, are found here mainly in Mohania Subdivision. Mohania block in credited with a DRDA sponsored Dairy and a BSTDC hotel known as, the Kaimur Hotel.
Transport Facilities
NH 2 (G.T. Road) crosses through the center of the district from Karmanasha to Kudra for about 50 km. NH 30 originates from it near Mohania and connects this district with the capital Patna via Arah. Apart from these, there are also a few State Highways in the district.
Mohania Block is situated on Gaya-Mughalsarai Section of Grand Chord Railway line; the railway station is called Bhabua Road. The district headquarter is located at a distance of 14 Kms southward from the railway station or the G.T. Road.
Commerce
Banarasi Sari, Silk, Kaleen, Dari and Agricultural produces are the main articles, which are traded in and out of the district.
Electricity and Energy
Pusauli power station is being constructed at a distance of 8-10 Kms form the Sub-divisional Headquarters of Mohania. The possibility of tapping solar energy is also great in the district.
Tourist Place
Adhaura: It is situated at a height of 2000 feet from the sea level on Kaimur plateau at a Distance of 58 Kms from Bhabua. Hills and surrounding forest make it an ideal tourist spot.
Baidyanath: village is situated at 9 kms south of Ramgarh block headquarters. A Shiva temple built by the late Pratihar dynasty is located here. Coins and valuables of historical importance have been unearthed here.
Bhabua: Bhabua is the headquarters of Kaimur district. This municipal town lies 14 Km south of G. T. Road connected by a road to be reached from Bhabua Road Railway station on Grand Chord Railway line.
Bhagwanpur: Bhagwanpur is situated 11 Km south of Bhabua near the Kaimur hills. It is said to have been the seat of power of Kumar Chandrasen Saran Singh, who claimed his descent from Paras. It was confiscated by Sher Shah from Raja Shaliwahan but later restored to his successor during the reign of Akbar.
Chainpur: Situated 11 Km west of Bhabua headquarters it is credited with a great mausoleum of Bakhtiar Khan, who is said to have married the daughter of Sher Shah. The fort at Chainpur is a structure of Suri or Akbar period. The Hindu shrine of "Harsu Brahm" is famous in the locality. It is said that Kanyalkubya priest of Raja Shaliwahan, named Harshu Pandey, ended his life in protest against demolition of his house but during his cremation was seen standing at the cremation site at Varanasi.
Chorghatia: Chorghatia village in Adhaura block is an excellent beauty spot with a waterfall amidst beautiful scenery.
Durauli: Durauli village situated 8 Km North -East of Ramgarh contains two old temples built by the Cheros.
Ramgarh: Ramgarh village in the Bhagwanpur block in Bhabua Subdivision contains the famous Mundeshwari temple, built on a hilltop at a height of about 600 feet. Inscriptions of archeological importance found here describe the temple to be old enough to have been built around the year 635 A.D.