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{{Short description|District in Bihar, India}}
{{About|the district|its eponymous headquarters|Banka, Bihar||Banka (disambiguation){{!}}Banka}}
{{More citations needed|date=June 2008}}
{{use Indian English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Banka district
| settlement_type = [[List of districts of Bihar|District]]
| image_skyline = Mandar Parbat Banka District.jpg
| image_caption = Mandar Parvat
| total_type = Total
| native_name =
| image_map = Bihar district location map Banka.svg
| map_caption = Location of Banka district in Bihar
| mapframe =
| coordinates = {{coord|24|52|48|N|86|55|12|E|type:city}}
| coor_pinpoint = Banka, Bihar
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|Bihar Government Banner.png}} [[Bihar]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Administrative divisions of Bihar|Division]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Bhagalpur division|Bhagalpur]]
| established_title = Established
| established_date =
| seat_type = Headquarters
| seat = [[Banka, Bihar|Banka]]
| parts_type = [[Tehsils of India|Tehsils]]
| parts_style = para
| p1 =
| area_total_km2 = 3020
| area_footnotes =
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_total = 2,034,763
| population_footnotes =
| population_urban =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = Demographics
| demographics1_title1 = [[Literacy in India|Literacy]]
| demographics1_info1 = 58.17%
| demographics1_title2 = Sex ratio
| demographics1_info2 = 907
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| leader_title1 = [[Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha constituencies]]
| leader_name1 = [[Banka Lok Sabha constituency|Banka]]
| leader_title2 = [[Vidhan Sabha|Vidhan Sabha constituencies]]
| leader_name2 = [[Banka Assembly constituency|Banka]], [[Belhar Assembly constituency|Belhar]], [[Amarpur, Bihar Assembly constituency|Amarpur]], [[Katoria Assembly constituency|Katoria]], [[Dhoraiya Assembly constituency|Dhoraiya]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +05:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number]]
| postal_code = 813101-813102 [https://indiapincodes.net/Bihar/Banka/]
| area_code_type = [[Telephone numbers in India|STD Code]]
| area_code = 06424
| registration_plate = BR-51
| blank_name_sec1 =
| blank_info_sec1 =
| blank_name_sec2 = Average annual precipitation
| blank_info_sec2 = 1200 mm
| website = {{URL|https://banka.nic.in/}}
}}
'''Banka district''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɑː|ŋ|k|ə}}) is a [[Districts of Bihar|district]] in the southeastern region of the Indian state of [[Bihar]].<ref>{{cite book | last=Cohen | first=Saul Bernard | title=The Columbia Gazetteer of the World: A to G | publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] | date=2008 | isbn=978-0-231-14554-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KYEYAQAAMAAJ |page=305|quote=Banka (BAHN-kah), district (1.166 sq mi/3,031.6 sq km; 2001 population 1,608,778), SE BIHAR state, INDIA, in the Deoghar Upland; BANKA: Carved out of the BHAGALPUR district of Bihar. Chief crop is rice.}}</ref> It is a part of [[Bhagalpur division]]. The district headquarters of Banka is situated in [[Banka, Bihar|Banka town]]. The district was established on 21 February 1991.<ref name='Banka district'>{{cite web | url = http://banka.bih.nic.in/brief_history_of_district.htm | title = Banka district: Brief History | publisher = [[Government of Bihar|Govt of Bihar]] | quote = Bank district | access-date = 12 July 2015 | archive-url = http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090410054322/http://banka.bih.nic.in/brief_history_of_district.htm | archive-date = 10 April 2009 | url-status = dead}}</ref>

==History==
{{more citations needed|date=September 2011}}
Banka is the homeland of the revolutionary Satish Prasad Jha, one of seven martyrs{{clarify|date=December 2012}} who hoisted the [[flag of India]] at the Secretariat building near [[Patna]] on 11 August 1942. Jha was born in [[Kharhara]] near Dhakamod. Bhubaneswar Mishra, a noted regional revolutionary from village Faga has contributed a lot in the freedom movement. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing many cruel British forces. Banka has been an attractive destination for veteran socialists.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} Banka played a vital role in the freedom of India.{{original research inline|date=December 2012}}
Banka also honors the memory of [[Shashi Prasad Singh]], who served as the General Secretary of the Bhagalpur District Congress Committee and was martyred during the [[Quit India Movement]] in 1942. His legacy is preserved through the [[Shaheed Shashi Prasad Singh College]] in Shambhuganj, which serves as a major educational institution in the district.

Banka became a district on 21 February 1991.<ref name="Banka district" />

== Geography==
[[File:Boundaries of Banka district.png|thumb|Map showing the boundaries of Banka district|left]]
The district is part of [[Bhagalpur Division|Bhagalpur division]], has its headquarters in [[Banka, Bihar|Banka]] town. Banka district occupies an area of {{convert|3020|km2|sqmi}},<ref name="Reference Annual">{{cite book|title=India 2010: A Reference Annual |editor=Srivastava, Dayawanti |publisher=Additional Director General, Publications Division, [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)]], [[Government of India]]|year=2010|isbn=978-81-230-1617-7|edition=54th|location=New Delhi, India|pages=1118–1119|chapter=States and Union Territories: Bihar: Government}}</ref> comparatively equivalent to [[Canada]]'s [[Akimiski Island]].<ref name='Islands'>{{cite web | url = http://islands.unep.ch/Tiarea.htm | title = Island Directory Tables: Islands by Land Area | access-date = 11 October 2011 | date = 18 February 1998 | publisher = [[United Nations Environment Program]] | quote = Akimiski Island 3,001km2 | archive-date = 1 December 2015 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20151201081219/http://islands.unep.ch/Tiarea.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref> About 60% of the district consists of hilly regions (southern Banka). The northern part has alluvial plains. The Chanan is the main river of [[Banka, Bihar|Banka]] along with the Badua and Burigeria rivers. 70% of cultivable land is used for [[paddy cultivation]]. Agriculture in southern Banka is rain–dependent.<ref>{{cite book | last1=Choudhary | first1=Abhishek Kumar | last2=Singh | first2=Vivekanand | title=Hydrological Modeling | chapter=Drought Analysis Using Standardized Precipitation Index and Supplemental Irrigation Planning in Banka, Bihar | publisher=Springer International Publishing | publication-place=Cham | volume=109 | date=2022 | isbn=978-3-030-81357-4 | doi=10.1007/978-3-030-81358-1_11 | chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-030-81358-1_11 |page=127-128| access-date=22 June 2025}}</ref>

===Flora and fauna===
The district has some forested area under Banka, Bounsi Katoriya forest ranges. The wood of Banka range lies on the hill slopes, those in the other two ranges lie in the undulating land. Among the prominent variety of trees in forested areas are the [[Sal tree|Sal]] which is usually found associated with Abuns, Asan, Kendu and Mahua. [[Tasar silkworm|Tasar worms]] are reared on Asan trees. Some other trees are Bahera, Kadam, Amaltas. Among the specials of the Acacia are Babul, Sirish, and Sain Babul. Among the fruit trees, those of Mango and Jackfruit are common. [[True plantains|Plantains]], [[date plant]]s, Plums, and Blackberry are some of the other important fruit trees.

Monkeys are common in the district, particularly the Hanuman, as well as Jackal, Deer, Lion, Bear, Leopards, and Elephants. Among the latter are [[Barasingha|Barsingha]] and [[Sambar deer|Sambar]]. Wild geese, Duck, Leel, and Quail are some of the game birds inhabiting the district. Peacocks, Parrots, Hawks, and Doves are other birds found in Katoriya/Chandan forest. Sparrows, Crows and Vultures are also common.

Several kinds of fish, such as Rohu, Katla, Boari, Tengra, Bachwa, Jhinga, and Pothi, are found.

==Demographics==
{{historical populations|11=1901|12=4,18,997|13=1911|14=4,26,110|15=1921|16=3,97,570|17=1931|18=4,58,161|19=1941|20=5,23,596|21=1951|22=5,87,760|23=1961|24=6,88,814|25=1971|26=8,40,749|27=1981|28=10,38,674|29=1991|30=12,92,504|31=2001|32=16,08,773|33=2011|34=20,34,763|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>{{cite web |title=Table A-02 Decadal Variation in Population Since 1901: Bihar |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/43343/download/47022/10%20A-2%20Bihar.pdf |website=census.gov.in|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>|align=center}}

{{bar box
|title=Religions in Banka district (2011)<ref name="religion">{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-01 Population by Religion: Bihar |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11366/download/14479/DDW10C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]] |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=14 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314224309/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11366/download/14479/DDW10C-01%20MDDS.XLS |url-status=live }}</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|darkorange|87.12}}
{{bar percent|[[Bihari Muslims|Islam]]|green|12.33}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.55}}
}}
According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 Indian census]], Banka district has a population of 2,034,763,<ref name=districtcensus>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=District Census Handbook: Banka |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/254/download/666/DH_2011_1023_PART_A_DCHB_BANKA.pdf |website=[[Census of India]] |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref> This gives it a ranking of 228th in India (out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name=districtcensus/> The district has a population density of {{convert|672|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}}.<ref name=districtcensus/> Its [[Family planning in India|population growth rate]] from 2001 to 2011 was 26.14%.<ref name=districtcensus/> Banka has a [[sex ratio]] of 907 [[Women in India|females]] for every 1000 males,<ref name=districtcensus/> and a [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] of 60.12%. 3.50% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 12.18% and 4.44% of the population respectively.<ref name=districtcensus/>

=== Religion ===
In the [[2001 Indian census]], it had a population of 1,608,773. There were 1,489,352 [[Hindus]] and 100,051 [[Muslims]].

==== BY C.D. Blocks ====
<ref name="districtcensus" />{{fv|date=March 2024|reason=No page number is provided, and this is a 1200-page document. I can't seem to find these fitures in the referenced document, so I thik this reference needs to be improved if this material is meant to stay.}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|CD block
| style="background:darkorange" |[[Hinduism]]
| style="background:green;color:white" |[[Bihari Muslims|<span style="Color:white;">Islam</span>]]
|Others
|-
|Amarpur
| style="background:darkorange" |85.80%
|13.73%
|0.47%
|-
|Banka
| style="background:darkorange" |88.33%
|11.45%
|0.22%
|-
|Barahat
| style="background:darkorange" |79.85%
|19.97%
|0.18%
|-
|Belhar

| style="background:darkorange" |97.03%
|1.88%
|1.10%
|-
|Bausi
| style="background:darkorange" |82.92%
|15.38%
|1.70%
|-
|Chandan
| style="background:darkorange" |88.63%
|10.81%
|0.57%
|-
|Dhuraiya
| style="background:darkorange" |68.46%
|31.26%
|0.28%
|-
|Fullidumer
| style="background:darkorange" |98.11%
|1.64%
|0.25%
|-
|Katoria
| style="background:darkorange" |91.59%
|7.42%
|0.89%
|-
|Rajoun
| style="background:darkorange" |94.32%
|5.53%
|0.15%
|-
|Shambhuganj
| style="background:darkorange" |91.85%
|7.96%
|0.18%
|}

===Languages===
{{Pie chart
|caption = Languages of Banka district (2011)<ref name="Language">{{Cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html |title=2011 Census of India, Population By Mother Tongue |access-date=27 September 2019 |archive-date=15 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815035759/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|label1 = 'Other' Hindi |value1 = 82.05 |color1 = deeppink
|label2 = [[Hindi]] |value2 = 8.32 |color2 = orange
|label3 = [[Santali language|Santali]] |value3 = 4.20 |color3 = darkturquoise
|label4 = [[Urdu]] |value4 = 4.03 |color4 = green
|label5 = Others |value5 = 1.40 |color5 = grey
}}
Banka falls within the [[Angika language|Angikā-speaking]] region of eastern and southern Bihar, alongside neighbouring districts such as [[Bhagalpur]], [[Munger]], and parts of [[Santhal Pargana division|Santal Parganas region]].<ref>{{cite book | last1=Prakash | first1=Om | last2=Kumar | first2=Rajesh | title=Linguistic Foundations of Identity: Readings in Language, Literature and Contemporary Cultures | publisher=[[Routledge]] | date=2 November 2020 | isbn=978-1-000-21796-4 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WBEHEAAAQBAJ | page = 328|quote=Angika is known by many names Aangi, Angbhaashaa, Chika-Chiki, bhagalpuri, deshi bhasha and Angika. Angika speaking belt is stretched in 50408 square kms. The distance between North-South stretch is 302 km and between East-West is 294 kms... It consists of Bhagalpur, Munger, Banka, Lakhisarai, Jamui and Seikhpura district in Southern Bihar; Katihar, Purnia, Madhepura, Saharsa, Araria, Kishanganj, Supaul, Khagaria and Begusarai District in Northern Bihar and Sahebganj, Dumka, Godda, Deoghar, Pakur, and Giridih district of Jharkhand.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Masica | first=Colin P. | title=The Indo-Aryan Languages | publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] | date=9 September 1993 | isbn=978-0-521-29944-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J3RSHWePhXwC&pg=PA12|page=12|quote=Also in the "Bihari" group are ... Angika in eastern Bihar (Monghyr, Bhagalpur, Santal Parganas. Purnea, according to Pandey 1979: Grierson, who calls it Chhikāchhiki Boli, excludes Purnea)}}</ref> Although Angikā is not included in the [[Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India|Eighth Schedule]] of the Indian Constitution, there have been ongoing [[Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India#Demands for expansion|demands]] for its official recognition.<ref>{{cite web | title=Constitution of India, Eighth schedule | url=https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/Eighth_Schedule.pdf|publisher=[[Government of India]] | access-date=21 June 2025}}</ref>

At the time of the [[2011 Census of India|2011 Indian census]], 8.32% of the population in the district spoke [[Hindi]], 4.20% [[Santali language|Santali]], and 4.03% [[Urdu]] as their first language. 82.05% of the population spoke Other languages recorded under [[Hindi]] on the census.<ref name="languages">{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Bihar |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10196/download/13308/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1000.XLSX |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]] |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=14 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314224226/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10196/download/13308/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1000.XLSX |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Politics ==
{{transcluded section|source=18th Bihar Assembly}}
[[Madhu Limaye]] represented the [[Banka Lok Sabha constituency]] twice. [[George Fernandes]] and [[Raj Narain]] also contested the parliamentary election in this constituency. There were also a number of veteran leaders of the [[Indian National Congress]]: Vindhyavasini Devi, MLA (1957–1967); [[Shakuntala Devi]], ex MP; ex-[[Chief Minister of Bihar|chief minister of Bihar]] [[Chandrashekhar Singh]], Chaturbhuj Singh Ex. MLA; ex-[[Rajya Sabha]] MP [[Kamakhya Prasad Singh Deo|Kamakhya Prasad Singh]], ex-MP Manorama Singh; and ex-MLA Jai Prakash Mishra. Digvijay Singh (14 November 1955 – 24 June 2010) was an independent who represented [[Banka Lok Sabha constituency|Banka]] in the [[Lok Sabha]], the lower house of the Indian Parliament.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}}

[[Digvijay Singh (Bihar politician)|Digvijay Singh]] served as a Member of the Parliament of India five times – three times in the Lok Sabha (1998, 1999, and 2009) and two times in the Rajya Sabha (1990 and 2004). He served as [[Union Minister of State]] during the [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] government (1999–2004) and the [[Chandra Shekhar]] government (1990–1991). He was also a successful sports administrator, having served as president of the [[National Rifle Association of India]] since 1999. He was one of the three (George Fernandes, [[Digvijay Singh (Bihar politician)|Digvijay Singh]], and [[Nitish Kumar]]) founding members of the [[Samta Party]].

As of 2025, Banka constituency is represented in the [[Parliament of India]] by [[Giridhari Yadav]] who won by a margin of 2,00,532 votes.{{#section:18th Bihar Assembly|MLA Header}}
{{#section:18th Bihar Assembly|Banka district}}
|}

===Subdivisions and blocks===
The district comprises only one subsdivision, Banka, which is further divided into eleven blocks: Banka, [[Amarpur, Banka|Amarpur]], Shambhuganj, Belhar, Fullidumar, [[Katoria]], Chandan, Baunsi, Barahat, Dhoraiya, and Rajoun.

==Economy==
Banka is gradually becoming a [[religious tourism]] hotspot for [[Hinduism]] and [[Jainism]]. Old [[Mandar Parvat]] (also known as Mandarachal Parvat in Puran) is home to many religious attractions.<ref>{{cite web | last=Sopam | first=Reena | title=Ropeway to reach the top of Bihar's Mandar hill to be launched soon | website=[[Hindustan Times]] | date=10 September 2021 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/patna-news/ropeway-to-reach-the-top-of-bihar-s-mandar-hill-to-be-launched-soon-101631268718648.html | access-date=21 June 2025}}</ref> A Jain temple at the summit, in close proximity to a Vishnu temple, is a sign of religious tolerance. Every year in January, Bounsi Mela is organised, which depicts the village life of the Mandar region. A [[Ratha-Yatra]] procession of [[Madhusudanah|Lord Madhusudanah]] occurs every year on the same day as the Ratha-Yatra procession in [[Puri]]. Fourteenth-century [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]] saint [[Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]] started this Ratha-Yatra during his visit to Mandar.

Banka is a largely agrarian economy and is considered the "rice bowl" of Bihar. The main crops are rice, wheat, corn, and lentils. The [[Amarpur, Banka|Amarpur]] belt produces sugar cane and is home to [[Jaggery|gur sugar]] mills.

An issue for many smaller village industries in Bihar is the lack of branding for products. High-quality, locally produced goods, even in large volumes, contribute to lower earnings for business owners because of a lack of awareness of more profitable business practices.

Banka is strategically located near the source of raw materials for heavy industries. Its proximity to [[Jharkhand]] (bordering [[Deoghar]], [[Dumka]], and [[Godda]]) and the River Chandan makes it a very strong contender for coal-based power plant investment and other heavy industry. There is a 4000 MW thermal power plant is planned in Kakwara village.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rajesh |first1=Kumar |title=Decks cleared for thermal power plant in Banka |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Decks-cleared-for-thermal-power-plant-in-Banka/articleshow/52962098.cms |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=The Times of India |date=28 June 2016 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418100020/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Decks-cleared-for-thermal-power-plant-in-Banka/articleshow/52962098.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Abhijeet Group has planned to build a 1320 MW thermal power plant at Baunsi. Ericsson Power Ltd has planned to set up a 1320 MW thermal power plant at Prabhawati Nagar.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2012 |title=News Bihar |url=http://www.bihartimes.in/Newsbihar/2012/Sep/newsbihar12Sep11.html&hl=en-IN |website=www.bihartimes.in }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[Dalmia Group#Dalmia Bharat Group Companies|Dalmia Power]] has planned to set up a 1320 MW coal-based thermal power project in Dona village.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dalmia power plans |url=http://thermalpower.industry-focus.net/bihar-thermal-projects/457-dalmia-power-plans-1320-mw-coal-based-project-in-banka-dalmia-power-plans-1320-mw-coal-based-project-in-banka.html&hl=en-IN |website=thermalpower.industry-focus.net}}{{dead link|date=April 2024}}</ref>

In 2006, the Indian government named Banka one of the country's 250 [[Poverty in India|most backward districts]] (out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name="brgf" /> It is one of the 38 districts in Bihar currently receiving funds from the [[Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme|Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF)]].<ref name="brgf">{{cite web|author=Ministry of Panchayati Raj |date=8 September 2009 |title=A Note on the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme |publisher=National Institute of Rural Development |url=http://www.nird.org.in/brgf/doc/brgf_BackgroundNote.pdf |access-date=27 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405033402/http://www.nird.org.in/brgf/doc/brgf_BackgroundNote.pdf |archive-date=5 April 2012 }}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File: Mhillbanka.jpg|thumb|[[Mandar Parvat]]]]
[[File:Suiya Pahad.jpg|thumb|Suiya Pahad]]
A temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess [[Durga]] is located in Banka. Every year during [[Durga Puja]], devotees from many parts of India visit this temple. Two temples-Narshimha (one of the incarnations of [[Vishnu]] and the other one of goddess Kali) Temple and [[Digambar Jain Mahasabha|Digamber Jain]] Tirthanakar-are located at the top of a mountain known as [[Mandar Parvat|Mandar Parbat]], which is about {{convert|500|m}} tall and made of a single piece of stone. The management of the Narshimha temple is under a trust. Another temple, Avantika Nath, is located at the bottom of [[Mandar Parvat|Mandar Parbat]]. The Avantika Nath Temple Trust, founded by the late Babu Biro Singh of the village of Sabalpur, maintains the temple. A temple of Lord Shiva is in Jethore hill near Chanan River. The literal meaning of Jethore is "jyesth"{{which lang|date=July 2020}} meaning elder Gaur means brother of Deoghar temple. Maa Kali Mandir in Kamalpur village is another temple. A [[Lakshmi|Mahalakshmi]] temple is located in front of Paapharni Pond.

Recently, Lakshminarayan Temple was built in the centre of Paapharni through the contributions of locals. It is managed by a trust headed by Fateh Bahadur Singh of erstwhile Sabalpur state. {{Convert|3|km|mi|abbr=}} east of Rajoun village Mahada is situated, which has goddesses Durga Mandir and Kali Mandir, and god Shiva Mandir.

The district is known for its rich tribal culture and its handicrafts and handlooms. The homemade [[Khadi]] and silk of the area are popular. Most of the raw silk cocoon is produced in [[Katoria]]; in fact, major part of the raw materials required for silk industry in [[Bhagalpur]] is supplied from [[Katoria]].

===Tourism===
Mandargiri [[Digambar Jain Mahasabha|Digambar Jain]] Siddha Kshetra is located at the top of a mountain known as [[Mandar Parvat|Mandar Parbat]], which is about {{convert|500|m}} tall and made of a single piece of stone. This place is related to the three Kalyanka-Tup (penance), [[Keval Gyan]] (omniscience), & [[Moksha (Jainism)|Moksha]] of [[Vasupujya|Bhagawan Vasupujya]]. It means that this is the place where [[Vasupujya Swami]] accepted penance, achieved the supernatural knowledge and finally got salvation. Moolnayak of this temple is a coral-coloured idol of Lord Vasupujya in [[Padmāsana|Padmasana]] posture. A 5-foot tall statue of Vasupoojya is also present here. The temple also has a [[Dharamshala (type of building)|Dharamshala]] equipped with modern facilities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jain-Tirth-Mandargiri |url=http://jain.org.in/tirth-mandargiri.html |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=jain.org.in |archive-date=13 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413133827/http://jain.org.in/tirth-mandargiri.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shri Mandargiri Digamber Jain Siddha Kshetra Bihar |url=http://jainteerth.com/bihar-jain-teerth/shri-mandargiri-digamber-jain-siddha-kshetra-bihar/ |website=jainteerth.com |access-date=1 October 2016 |archive-date=2 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102022353/http://jainteerth.com/bihar-jain-teerth/shri-mandargiri-digamber-jain-siddha-kshetra-bihar/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mandar |url=http://jinaagamsaar.com/tirthall.php#mandar |website=jinaagamsaar.com}}</ref>

==Transport==
A railway line connects the existing [[Bhagalpur]] with Jasidih and [[Rampurhat]], which is well-connected to [[Howrah]]. Banka is also connected to [[Patna]], the capital of Bihar, by a dedicated Express train.

== Education ==
Banka district has one Government college, PBS College.

Other colleges and universities include DNS College, Pt Tarni Jha Women College, and Shyama Charan Vidyapeeth.<ref>{{Cite web|title=College/University {{!}} Welcome to Banka District {{!}} India|url=https://banka.nic.in/public-utility-category/colleges/|access-date=14 July 2020|language=en-US|archive-date=25 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425185054/https://banka.nic.in/public-utility-category/colleges/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Mahendra Gope]]
*[[Giridhari Yadav]]
* [[Shashi Prasad Singh]] – Independence activist and martyr of the [[Quit India Movement]] (1942); the Shaheed Shashi Prasad Singh College in Shambhuganj is named in his honor.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://banka.nic.in/ Official website]
* {{cite web|title= Census of India 2001 - Bihar - Series 11 - District Census Handbook, Part A & B - Banka|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/44086}}

{{Geographic location
|Centre = Banka District
|North = [[Bhagalpur district]]
|Northeast =
|East = [[Godda district]], [[Jharkhand]]
|Southeast = [[Dumka district]], [[Jharkhand]]
|South = [[Deogarh district]], [[Jharkhand]]
|Southwest =
|West = [[Jamui district]]
|Northwest = [[Munger district]]
}}

{{Districts of Bihar}}
{{Bhagalpur Division}}
{{Bhagalpur Division topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Banka District}}
[[Category:Banka district| ]]
[[Category:Districts of Bihar]]
[[Category:Bhagalpur division]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in Bihar]]

Banka district - Revision history

AracelyIqbal at 20:37, 10 March 2026