Overview
It is a city of historical importance on the bank of Ganges river, situated 220 km east of Patna and 410 km north west of Kolkata. Bhagalpur is the 2nd largest city after Patna in Bihar. The city was referred to as one of the biggest trade centers in eastern India by the 7th century Chinese travellers Hsüan-tsang and Fa-Hien. The city had a big harbour on the River Ganges at place called Champanagar (another name for Bhagalpur), now called Champanala, which flows on the western boundary of the present city near Nathnagar. During an archaeological excavation, many boats and coins of the Middle and Far East were found at the same place. Bhagalpur is well connected by rails and roadways.
The silk industry in this city is hundreds of years old and its inhabitants have been producing silk for generations. Located here are the Silk Institute and Agricultural University, the Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur College of Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, T.N.B.Law College and Homeopathic colleges. Recently, in 2010, Bihar Agricultural University was set up in Sabour, Bhagalpur. Bhagalpur Mangoes are one of the best in India.
The Gangetic plains are very fertile and the main crops include rice, wheat, maize, barley, and oilseeds. The economy of Bhagalpur is dependent mainly on agriculture and small businesses.
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