Aerial View of Biratnagar, Eastern Nepal

Biratnagar विराटनगर
Metropolitan City
Biratnagar Metropolitan City
From top, left to right: Biratnagar Gate, Biratnagar industrial skyline, Biratnagar market skyline, Greenery panorama seen from Biratnagar Eye Hospital
Nicknames:  Capital of Nepal[1][2][3]
Biratnagar Location of Biratnagar in Koshi Province Show map of Koshi Province Biratnagar Biratnagar (Nepal) Show map of Nepal
Coordinates: 26°27′15″N 87°16′47″E / 26.45417°N 87.27972°E / 26.45417; 87.27972
Country	Nepal
Province	Koshi Province
District	Morang
Incorporated	1914 (as district headquarters)
Upgraded to metropolitan city	2017
Wards	19
Government
• Type	Mayor-council
• Body	Biratnagar Metropolitan City Council
• Mayor (2022-2027)	Nagesh Koirala (Congress)[4]
• Deputy Mayor	Shilpa Niraula Karki (CPN-UML)
• Chief Administrative Officer	Rajendra Parajuli [5]
Area
• Total	77 km2 (30 sq mi)
Elevation	80 m (260 ft)
Population  (2021[6])
• Total	244,750
• Rank	6th (Nepal)[6] 1st (Koshi Province)
• Density	3,200/km2 (8,200/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Nepali
• Regional	Maithili
Time zone	UTC+5:45 (NST)
Postal code	56613
Area code	021
Website	biratnagarmun.gov.np

Biratnagar (Nepali: विराटनगर) is a metropolitan city in Nepal, which serves as the capital of Koshi Province.^[7][8][9] With a Metropolitan Urban Agglomeration population of 756,000 as per the 2022 census,^[10] it is the largest city in the province and also the headquarters of Morang district.^[11] As per the preliminary report of 2022 Nepal census, Biratnagar Metropolitan has an estimated city population of 756,000, including the population of connected towns like Katahari, Tankisinuari, etc. It is the administrative center of the Greater Birat Development Area which incorporates the cities of Biratnagar-Itahari-Gothgau-Biratchowk-Dharan^[12] primarily located on the Koshi Highway in Eastern Nepal, with an estimated total urban agglomerated population of 804,300 people living in 159,332 households including town of Ithari.^[13] Biratnagar is located 399 km (248 mi) east of the capital, Kathmandu, and 6 km (3.7 mi) north of the bordering town of Jogbani in the Indian state of Bihar.

Biratnagar was declared a metropolitan city on 22 May 2017,^[14] a merger with additional wards pushing the total population to over 240,000.^[15] It is the second most populous city of Nepal after Kathmandu, with 7,56,000 inhabitants living in 4

90,104 households as per 2021 Nepal census.^[6] It is the most densely populated city among all cities out of the Kathmandu Valley.

The city is home to the Biratnagar Jute Mills, the first large-scale industry of Nepal. Besides being considered as the industrial capital of Nepal, the city has contributed actively to the Nepalese democracy movement by being the birthplace of five prime ministers of democratic Nepal. The latter claim is also evident from the fact that the first labor strike leading to the anti-Rana movement started from Biratnagar.

Modern-day Biratnagar serves as an entry point to eastern Nepal^[16] as well as north-eastern India.^[17] It is the second Nepalese city, after Janakpur, to have a connection with the Indian Railways^[18][19] and the only city other than Birgunj to operate an integrated check post (ICP) on the Indian border.^[20][21]

History

In 1914, Colonel Jit Bahadur Khatri, the then district governor, laid the foundations of modern Biratnagar by moving the hospital, post office, prison and the customs, land registry, forestry and auditor offices to Gograha Bazaar from Rangeli, the then district capital of Morang.^[22]

The recorded history of Biratnagar dates back to the beginning of the 7th century, when King Mung Mawrong Hang came to prominence in the terai lands of Limbuwan (present-day Sunsari, Morang, and Jhapa areas). He cleared much of the forest area in present-day Rangeli, east of Biratnagar, and built a town there. He named his Kingdom Morang after his name and rose to power.^[23][24]

The old name of Biratnagar was Gograha Bazaar. The ruins of temples, palaces, and ponds are scattered in a vast area to the south of the current city, in Vedhyari, Buddhanagar. The preservation of this heritage has been a major problem citing the encroachment of newcomers into the city.

The town was named Biratnagar in 1919 (1976 BS) by Keshar Shamsher Rana after the ruins of a palace, thought to be of King Virat (not proved), and other objects of historical importance were found.^[22] Kingdom of Virata mentioned in Mahabharata is however believed to be Viratnagar, located in present-day Rajasthan. King Virata was the king of the Matsya Kingdom, in whose court the Pandavas spent a year in concealment during their exile. According to the Markandeya Purana, the famous seven Kirata kingdoms during the Mahabharat time were Aswakut or Kabul, Kulya or Kulu Valley, Matsya or North Bihar Paundra or Bengal, Sumer or Assam, Malak or Mlek or Lohit, Kinner Kirat or Garhwal and Nepal. In those days, the Kirat people were ruling all the lands from Himalayan Mountains to the sea shores of the Bay of Bengal.^[25]

In Nepali, Birat (Nepali: विराट) refers to King "Virata" of the Matsya Kingdom and Nagar (Nepali: नगर) means "City"; Literally King Virata's City.

On 4 March 1947, the first anti-Rana movement in Nepal started in Biratnagar at the Biratnagar jute mills under the leadership of Girija Prasad Koirala and B. P. Koirala. This sparked a countrywide anti-Rana demonstration that eventually led to the abolishment of Rana rule in Nepal.

Climate

The highest temperature ever recorded in Biratnagar was 43.0 °C (109.4 °F) on the 14 April 1992, while the lowest temperature ever recorded was −1.0 °C (30.2 °F) in December 1970 and January 1971.^[26]

Demography

At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Biratnagar Metropolitan City had a population of 218,526. Of these, 39.4% spoke Maithili, 38.3% Nepali, 5.3% Urdu, 2.5% Rajasthani, 2.3% Tharu, 2.1% Rajbanshi, 2.0% Bhojpuri, 1.9% Hindi, 1.6% Newar, 0.8% Bengali, 0.6% Magahi, 0.5% Tamang, 0.4% Rai, 0.3% Gurung, 0.3% Limbu, 0.3% Magar, 0.2% Bhujel, 0.2% Uranw/Urau, 0.1% Bantawa, 0.1% Santali, 0.1% Sunuwar and 0.2% other languages as their first language.^[28]

In terms of ethnicity/caste, 18.7% were Hill Brahmin, 10.0% Chhetri, 8.3% Musalman, 5.2% Yadav, 4.6% Newar, 3.6% Kewat, 3.3% Marwadi, 2.9% Dhanuk, 2.8% Teli, 2.8% Tharu, 2.6% Mallaha, 2.6% Rajbanshi, 2.2% other Terai, 2.0% Musahar, 1.8% Halwai, 1.6% Kathabaniyan, 1.5% Kayastha, 1.4% Sudhi, 1.3% Nuniya, 1.2% Dusadh/Paswan/Pasi, 1.2% Magar, 1.2% Rai, 1.0% Bengali, 1.0% Tamang, 0.9% Hajam/Thakur, 0.8% Kalwar, 0.8% Rajput, 0.7% Bantar/Sardar, 0.6% Chamar/Harijan/Ram, 0.6% Gurung, 0.6% Kami, 0.6% Koiri/Kushwaha, 0.6% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 0.6% Tatma/Tatwa, 0.5% Terai Brahmin, 0.5% Kurmi, 0.5% Limbu, 0.5% Sonar, 0.4% Badhaee, 0.3% other Dalit, 0.3% Dhobi, 0.3% Dom, 0.3% Gangai, 0.3% Gharti/Bhujel, 0.3% Jhangad/Dhagar, 0.3% Khatwe, 0.3% Majhi, 0.3% Punjabi/Sikh, 0.2% Badi, 0.2% Baraee, 0.2% Damai/Dholi, 0.2% Dev, 0.2% Khawas, 0.2% Sarki, 0.2% Thakuri, 0.1% Amat, 0.1% Bantawa, 0.1% Bin, 0.1% Chamling, 0.1% Danuwar, 0.1% Dhimal, 0.1% foreigners, 0.1% Gaderi/Bhedihar, 0.1% Halkhor, 0.1% Kahar, 0.1% Kumal, 0.1% Kumhar, 0.1% Lohar, 0.1% Satar/Santal, 0.1% Sunuwar, 0.1% Yakkha and 0.2% others.^[29]

In terms of religion, 88.9% were Hindu, 8.2% Muslim, 1.1% Buddhist, 0.7% Kirati, 0.4% Christian, 0.3% Jain, 0.1% Prakriti and 0.2% others.^[30]

In terms of literacy, 79.0% could read and write, 1.5% could only read and 19.4% could neither read nor write.^[31]

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Transport

Biratnagar Airport Terminal

• Air: Biratnagar Airport serves as a regional hub for the eastern part of the country. A subtotal of 10 flights per day are operated to Kathmandu which makes it the busiest domestic airport in the country after Pokhara. Frequent flights are also operated to Tumlingtar as well as other airports within the country.

Koshi Highway across Biratnagar

• Road: Biratnagar is roughly 544 kilometres (340 mi) by road from Kathmandu. It is also well connected to all the parts of Province No. 1 including Dharan, Itahari and Dhankuta as well as to most parts of the country through regular bus service. The easternmost border-point of Kakarbhitta lies at a distance of 108 km (67 mi) from the city and can be reached via frequent buses running half-hourly from the buspark.

Rickshaw in Biratnagar

• Trains: There are direct trains from the Indian cities of Katihar, Kolkata and New Delhi to the border town of Jogbani. The rail line ends in Jogbani, Araria district on the Indian side. Biratnagar is 7 km (4 mi) north of Nepal's southern border with Bihar, India. The crossing has a customs checkpoint for goods called as Rani Bhansar.^[34] Indian and Nepalese nationals cross the border freely. A monorail extension to Biratnagar has been proposed and surveyed. As of 1 August 2019, the provincial government of Province No. 1 plans to establish a monorail system^[35] running 30 km (19 mi) from Rani, Biratnagar to Itahari at an estimated budget of Rs. 30 billion.
• Intracity: Cycle, motor vehicles, rickshaws, and taxis serve the city center. Auto rickshaws (Tempos) are available for longer distances outside the center. City safari or electric rickshaws are the most used transportation here, connect all parts of Biratnagar, and are very cheap as well as environmentally friendly.

Economy

Morang Vyapar Sangh Gate

Biratnagar is the economic center of eastern Nepal. The first industry in Nepal, the Biratnagar jute mills, was established here. Biratnagar is driven by a startup culture. The multi-million dollar business house, Golchha Organisation, has its roots in Biratnagar where it started as a small startup business. Biratnagar is connected to a major custom route with India and has the second-largest land port in Nepal.

Tourism

Biratnagar is a hub for explorers of places in eastern Nepal like Ilam, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha and Panchthar. A number of colorful haat bazaars (weekly markets) are held each week in different parts of the town, where farmers from the rural hinterland set up stalls to trade agricultural products, spices and handicrafts. There are several gardens, temples and places of religious importance in Biratnagar. Gopal garden, located near Hathkhola and Hridreyandra Bal Udhhyan near Thulo Mill are two main gardens. Temples have been the jewel of Biratnagar. They are decorated in vibrant ways to make them attractive.

Dharan is 46 km (30 mi) and Itahari is 24 km (10 mi) north of Biratnagar. These places are famous for Taltalaiya, Ocean Park, Gokulam Resort, Dantakali Temple, Pindeshwor Temple, Budha Subba Temple and Panch Kanya. The hill-station of Bhedetar is a local viewpoint. The tea gardens of Ilam are approximately 4 hours' drive away. Another place of interest is the hilly district of Dhankuta with its orange orchards. The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, popular with bird-watching enthusiasts, is a 90-minute drive from the city. It is home to the endangered wild buffaloes called "Arna" in Nepali. The largest rhododendron forests of Tinjure, Milke and Jaljale can be reached in about 3–4 hours. Treks with views of Mt. Makalu and Kanchenjunga can be started from the small towns of Basantapur or Tumlingtar.

Politics

Governor (Badahakim) Shiva Pratap Shumsher Thapa, Rana-Era Governor of Morang

The district headquarters of Morang were moved to Biratnagar from Rangeli in 1914 by the then district governor, Colonel Jit Bahadur Khatri. The next governor, Shiva Pratap Shumsher Thapa, further developed the town.^[36] Krishna Prasad Koirala was the first major political leader based in Biratnagar. His sons Matrika Prasad Koirala and Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala were the prime ministers of Nepal after the fall of the Rana rule. Since then Biratnagar has been a major contributor to Nepali politics, and is the most politically active city in the country. Girija Prasad Koirala, the younger brother of Matrika and BP Koirala, was elected prime minister on four occasions; from 1991 to 1994, 1998 to 1999, 2000 to 2001, and from 2006 to 2008. He also served as the acting Head of State from January 2007 to July 2008. Man Mohan Adhikari, the first communist prime minister of Nepal was also born in Biratnagar. Leaders like Bharat Mohan Adhikari, Shailaja Acharya, Sushil Koirala, Lal Babu Pandit, Amod Prasad Upadhyay and Mahesh Acharya all hail from this city. The 1973 plane hijack, which was to fund the political revolution, took place at the Biratnagar Airport. The hijack plan, masterminded by Girija Prasad Koirala, was executed by Durga Subedi, Nagendra Dhungel and Basant Bhattarai.^[37]

Nepali Congress's Nagesh Koirala and CPN UML's Shilpa Nirala Karki are the current Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the metropolitan respectively.

Education

Biratnagar is the center of education in eastern Nepal. Biratnagar is home to old constituent campus of Tribhuvan University, the Mahendra Morang Adarsh Multiple Campus.

Art and literature

Biratnagar has been the ground for many prominent literary personalities like, Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, Tarini Prasad Koirala, Dev Kumari Thapa, Bal Krishna Pokharel, Parashu Pradhan, Krishna Bhooshan Bal, Suman Pokhrel, Bhola Rijal, Bhuwan Dhungana and others. Some of the prominent books in Nepali literature have emerged from Biratnagar. Landmark books in Nepali poetry, Bholi Basne Bihan by Krishna Bhooshan Bal and Jeevanko Chheubaata by Suman Pokhrel were first published in this city. There is a popular culture of poetry recitation in regular sessions in various locations of Biratnagar.^[38]

Biratnagar is the birthplace of the theater group, Aarohan Gurukul. The theater group was founded and registered with District Administration Office, Morang here in Biratnagar in 1982. The group has expanded its activities to Kathmandu and aboard.^[39] This theatre group has produced dozens of theatrical plays including Agniko Katha and Yajnaseni and has got them performed across the countries. At present day, Aarohan Gurukul is considered as one of the major places of public attraction in Biratnagar.^[40][41][42]

Sports

Sahid Rangsala

Cricket and association football are the most popular sports in Biratnagar. Biratnagar City F.C. is one of the heart beats of the footballing culture of the city. Sahid Rangsala with a capacity of 10,000+ spectators is the largest football stadium in the city. Sahid Maidan is the home stadium of Morang Football Club. The Mahendra Gold Cup, now Birat Gold Cup, is held in the stadium along with district divisional league matches. There is a covered hall nearby Sahid Maidan where indoor events can be organized. A cricket stadium is being constructed in Baijanathpur on the outskirts of Biratnagar with the objective of organizing local and national-level cricket tournaments. Other facilities in the city include lawn tennis and basketball courts

Notable residents

See also

• 2022 Biratnagar municipal election

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Biratnagar.

• 26°27′15″N 87°16′47″E / 26.4542°N 87.2797°E / 26.4542; 87.2797Official website

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Biratnagar.