Bihar Digital Archive

Jawaharlal Nehru at Patna was gifted a Golden picture of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, with Jai Hind, INA & its flag around it by Bihar Gold Merchant’s Organisation on 26 December, 1945.

Do we know of museum where this has been kept?

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A Forgotten Chapter of Indian Wartime History

On 22 October 1940, The Behar Herald reported that the Maharajadhiraja of Darbhanga funded two fighter aircraft one for the RAF defending London and another for the Indian Air Force.

The Maharaja funded two fighter aircraft, one for the Royal Air Force to help defend London during the Battle of Britain, and another for the Indian Air Force. The RAF aircraft, a Spitfire, was to carry the name “Sarkar-i-Tirhut,” the ancestral title of the Darbhanga royal family.

What makes this story even more remarkable is the Maharaja’s pledge that if the aircraft were lost in combat, he would finance a replacement bearing the same name.

Source: The Behar Herald, 22 October 1940.

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Jamalpur Junction in the Aftermath of the January 1934 Bihar Earthquake

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Published in The Behar Herald on 7 September 1938, this advertisement promoted Bombay Talkies’ “Nirmala”, starring Devika Rani and Ashok Kumar. The film was marketed as a memorable social musical featuring witty dialogues, dances, and melodious songs.

The ad also announced the film’s grand opening at Elphinstone Picture Palace, Patna, offering a fascinating glimpse into how Indian films were promoted during the golden age of cinema.

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A rare historical photograph showing followers of Birsa Munda under police es**rt during the struggle against British colonial rule in Chotanagpur.

Source : From Chota Nagpore, A Little-Known Province of the Empire (1910) by Francis Bradley-Birt.

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Did You Know? Ranchi was once the Capital of Bihar!

Many people know Ranchi as the capital of Jharkhand, but few know that it once played a crucial role in Bihar’s history. In 1912, when the province of Bihar and Orissa was created, Ranchi became its temporary capital and later served as the Summer Capital of Bihar until 1956.

The city’s pleasant climate attracted British administrators, professionals, and businessmen. Government offices, courts, schools, and educational institutions led to rapid urban growth. Areas like Lalpur, Deputy Para, Burdwan Compound, and Upper Bazar developed during this period, while the arrival of the railway boosted trade and connectivity.

Ranchi also gained national importance during World War II as the headquarters of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army. By the mid-20th century, it had evolved into a major center of administration, education, healthcare, and commerce.

The Ranchi we see today owes much of its growth and character to its historic role as Bihar’s capital and summer capital.

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Rare photo of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar during its renovation in 1883. A glimpse into history before restoration began.

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Published in the Behar Herald on 30 October 1926, this East Indian Railway notice announced the relocation of the Mokameh Ghat Passenger Jetty to Hathidah Ghat due to changes in the course of the River Ganges.

To ensure seamless travel, a special shuttle train service was introduced between Mokameh Junction and Hathidah Ghat, helping passengers connect with B. & N.W. Railway steamers.

This fascinating notice highlights how railway operations in colonial India adapted to the dynamic geography of the Ganges over a century ago.

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📜 A Century-Old Glimpse into Bihar’s Railway History

On 5 June 1926, The Behar Herald published a notice announcing the introduction of a Shuttle Train Service between Mokameh Junction and Patna Junction, effective from 1 June 1926.

🚂 The train connected key stations including Barh, Bakhtiyarpur, Fatuha, and Patna City, stopping at all stations along the route. According to the published timetable, it departed Mokameh at 9:00 AM and arrived at Patna Junction at 12:55 PM.

At a time when railways were the lifeline of communication and commerce, this service marked a significant step in improving regional connectivity across Bihar. What we now call daily commuter rail services had their foundations laid nearly a century ago through initiatives like this.

📖 Featured here is the original notice issued by the East Indian Railway and published in The Behar Herald on 5 June 1926, a fascinating reminder of how Bihar’s railway network evolved over the decades.

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