SaraD96423049267 at 14:32, 27 February 2026

2026-02-27T14:32:23Z

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{{Short description|City in Bihar, India}}
{{About|the municipal corporation in India|its namesake district|Katihar district}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Katihar
| native_name = ''Katīhār''
| native_name_lang = hi and ur
| other_name = 
| settlement_type = [[Urban Agglomeration]]
| image_skyline = Katihar Junction Railway Station.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = {{rws|Katihar Junction}}
| nickname =
| pushpin_map = India Bihar#India3
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in [[Bihar]]##Location in India
| coordinates = {{coord|25.53|N|87.58|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of region of India|Region]]
| subdivision_type3 = Subregion
| subdivision_type4 = [[List of divisions in India|Division]]
| subdivision_type5 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|Bihar Government Banner.png}} [[Bihar]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 25, 2020|first=Kumar Shakti|last=Shekhar|title=Bihar assembly elections 2020: BJP eyes winning push from Mithila|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-assembly-elections-2020-bjp-eyes-winning-push-from-mithila/articleshow/78314749.cms|access-date=2021-11-29|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=29 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129184825/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-assembly-elections-2020-bjp-eyes-winning-push-from-mithila/articleshow/78314749.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Thakur |first=Ripunjay Kumar |date=1 March 2022|title=Historical Geography of Early Medieval Mithila: From Videha to Tirhut.|url=https://www.academia.edu/72670545|publisher=New Archaeological & Genological Society, Kanpur, India|issn=2348-8301|access-date=21 August 2025}}</ref>
| subdivision_name3 = [[Kosi-Seemanchal]]
| subdivision_name4 = [[Purnia Division|Purnia]]
| subdivision_name5 = [[Katihar district|Katihar]]
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Municipal Corporations in India|Municipal Corporation]]
| leader_title1 = [[Member of Parliament (India)|MP]]
| leader_name1 = [[Tariq Anwar (politician)|Tariq Anwar]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-02-11 |title=Tariq's post triggers debate over Cong's poll strategy |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/tariqs-post-triggers-debate-over-congs-poll-strategy/articleshow/118151585.cms |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> ([[Indian National Congress|INC]])
| leader_title2 = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]]
| leader_name2 = [[Tarkishore Prasad]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-11-16 |title=Tarkishore Prasad, frontrunner in race for Bihar deputy CM, is part of BJP's Bengal plan. Here's how |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/tarkishore-prasad-frontrunner-in-race-for-bihar-deputy-cm-is-part-of-bjp-s-bengal-plan-here-s-how/story-HDOFD0WeOvYHMD2mu1KMyK.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101022030/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bihar-election/tarkishore-prasad-frontrunner-in-race-for-bihar-deputy-cm-is-part-of-bjp-s-bengal-plan-here-s-how/story-HDOFD0WeOvYHMD2mu1KMyK.html |archive-date=1 November 2021 |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref> ([[BJP]])
| leader_title3 = District Magistrate
| leader_name3 =
| leader_title4 = [[Mayor (India)|Mayor]]
| leader_name4 = Usha Devi Agarwal<ref>{{Cite web |title=Katihar Municipal Corporation |url=https://katiharnagarnigam.net/bmc/public |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=katiharnagarnigam.net}}</ref>
| governing_body = [[Katihar Municipal Corporation]]
| unit_pref = metric
| area_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cseindia.org/katihar-6891|title=KATIHAR|website=Cseindia.org|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 50.46
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 35.25
| population_total = 240,565
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 =
| population_rank = 117 in india
| population_demonym = Katiharites
| demographics_type1 = [[Language]]
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi]]<ref name="langoff">{{cite web|title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities In India|url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|website=nclm.nic.in|publisher=[[Ministry of Minority Affairs]]|access-date=4 October 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>
| demographics1_title2 = Additional official
| demographics1_info2 = [[Urdu]]<ref name="langoff"/>
| demographics1_title3 = Regional
| demographics1_info3 =
[[Angika]],[[Maithili language|Maithili]],<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=18MwBQAAQBAJ&dq=katihar+maithili&pg=PA138 | title=Encyclopedia of Bihar: Encyclopedia of Bihar: Uncovering the Rich Heritage and History by Arunima Kumari | isbn=9789350483909 | last1=Kumari | first1=Arunima | date=19 January 2021 | publisher=Prabhat Prakashan }}</ref> [[Bengali language|Bengali]]<ref>{{cite book | url=https://www.bhaskar.com/bihar/katihar/news/lakkhi-puja-celebrated-with-pomp-in-bengali-community-in-katihar-074610-5712162.html | title=कटिहार में बंगाली समुदाय में धूमधाम से मनाई गई लक्खी पूजा }}</ref> and [[Surjapuri language]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 854105 (Katihar Main),854109 (katihar north),854103 (katihar South) ,854107 (katihar west) <ref>[https://katihar.nic.in/std-pin-codes/]</ref>
| registration_plate = BR-39
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Katihar Lok Sabha constituency|Katihar]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Katihar Assembly constituency|Katihar]]
| website = {{URL|http://katihar.bih.nic.in/}}
| footnotes =
| official_name =
}}

'''Katihar''' ({{IPA|hi|kəʈɪɦaːr}}; {{IPA|bn|kaʈihar}}),<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 April 2022 |title=सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम का आयोजन:बंगला सिर्फ बंगाली समुदाय की भाषा नहीं, देश की भाषा : सांसद |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/bihar/katihar/news/bangla-is-not-just-the-language-of-the-bengali-community-it-is-the-language-of-the-country-mp-131185271.html |website=Dainik Bhaskar}}</ref> is the tenth largest city in the state of [[Bihar]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rana |first=Rajeev |date=2023-02-14 |title=Top Cities in Bihar by Population 2024 |url=https://www.findeasy.in/top-cities-in-bihar/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=Find Easy |language=en-US}}</ref> in [[India]] in terms of population, Along with being one of the largest economic, educational and administrative centre in the [[Purnia division|eastern part of Bihar]]. The city situated in the eastern bank of [[Kari Kosi]] river.<ref>{{Cite web |title=कारी कोसी और गंगा नदी का जलस्तर बढ़ने से निचले इलाकों में फैला बाढ़ का पानी |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/bhagalpur/story-katihar-flood-waters-spread-in-low-lying-areas-due-to-rise-in-water-level-of-river-kari-kosi-and-ganga-2760057.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926035037/https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/bhagalpur/story-katihar-flood-waters-spread-in-low-lying-areas-due-to-rise-in-water-level-of-river-kari-kosi-and-ganga-2760057.html |archive-date=26 September 2019 |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=www.livehindustan.com |language=hi |url-status=live }}</ref> It is the headquarters of [[Katihar district]] and [[Katihar railway division]] of [[Northeast Frontier Railway zone|Northeast Frontier Railway]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Katihar Railway Division of NFR |url=https://nfr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,6,655,656 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=nfr.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref> Historically, it was an important [[Metre-gauge railway|metre gauge]] railway station in the [[Bengal Presidency]] that linked [[North India]] with the regions of [[North Bengal]] and [[Northeast India]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=[IRFCA] The day the Northeast Frontier Railway was born |url=https://www.irfca.org/articles/clips/nfr-birth.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.irfca.org}}</ref><ref>Rao, M.A. (1988). ''Indian Railways'', New Delhi: National Book Trust, pp.42-4</ref> The main railway station of the city is [[Katihar Junction railway station|Katihar Junction]], a very important railway station on the [[Barauni–Guwahati line|Guwahati - Barauni railway line]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kagyung |first=Biplob |title=124 Departures from Katihar NFR/Northeast Frontier Zone - Railway Enquiry |url=https://indiarailinfo.com/departures/katihar-junction-kir/553 |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=indiarailinfo.com}}</ref>

==Transport==
===Road===
Katihar is connected through road network

*{{jct|NH|31|country=IND}} = {{jct|NH|231|country=IND}}
*{{jct|NH|27|country=IND}} = {{jct|NH|131A|country=IND}}
*{{jct|NH|12|country=IND}} = {{jct|NH|133B|country=IND}}
*{{jct|SH|98|country=IND}} = {{jct|SH|77|country=IND}}
*{{jct|SH|62|country=IND}} = {{jct|SH|65|country=IND}}

===Air===
The nearest airport is located at [[Purnia Airport]] near [[Purnea|Purnia]] (30 km)
The nearest airport is located at [[Bagdogra Airport]] (160 km) near [[Siliguri]] ([[West Bengal]])

===Rail===
[[Katihar Junction railway station|Katihar Junction]] is a major strategic Railway Junction under [[Northeast Frontier Railway zone|Northeast Frontier Railway]] which connects North East India with the rest of India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 August 2017 |title=Railways resume goods train services for North East states |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/railways-resume-goods-train-services-for-north-east-states-4819810/ |access-date=1 October 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=}}</ref>

==Education==
{{Main|List of institutions of higher education in Bihar}}



* [[Al-Karim University]]
* [[Katihar Engineering College]]
* [[Katihar Medical College and Hospital]] (KMCH), a private medical college in Katihar City suburbs, recognized by the [[Medical Council of India]] (MCI),<ref>{{cite web|title=Katihar Medical College|url=http://www.kmckatihar.org/ |publisher=[[Katihar Medical College]] |access-date=25 April 2017}}</ref>
* [[Suryadeo Law College]], Katihar<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://suryadeolawcollege.com/|title=Suryadeo Law College, Katihar | Law College in Katihar | Law College in Bihar|website=Suryadeolawcollege.com|access-date=30 June 2022}}</ref>

==Demographics==


{{Historical populations
| 1901| 9,761
| 1911| 10,219
| 1921| 14,533
| 1931| 15,864
| 1941| 26,326
| 1951| 42,365
| 1961| 59,344
| 1971| 80,121
| 1981| 1,22,005
| 1991| 1,54,367
| 2001| 1,90,873
| 2011| 2,40,838
| title= Historical Population
| align = right
|footnote= Source: District Census Handbook<ref name="dchba">{{cite book|title=District Census Handbook katihar Part-A|publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Bihar|location=katihar|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/276/download/754/DH_2011_1000_PART_A_DCHB_KATIHAR.pdf}}</ref>}}
As per the 2011 census, Katihar Urban Agglomeration had a population of 240,565.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |access-date = 16 April 2012 }}</ref> Katihar Urban Agglomeration includes Katihar (municipal corporation plus outgrowth) and Katihar Railway Colony (outgrowth).<ref>{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_4_PR_UAs_1Lakh_and_Above_Appendix.pdf | title = Constituents of urban Agglomerations Having Population 1 Lakh & above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011|access-date = 16 April 2012 }}</ref> Katihar Municipal Corporation had a total population of 225,982, out of which 119,142 were males and 106,840 were females. It had a sex ratio of 897. The population below 5 years was 31,036. The literacy rate of the 7+ population was 79.87 per cent.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |access-date = 16 April 2012}}</ref> Katihar is at 193rd rank in terms of its population among the [[List of most populous cities in India|top 200 cities of India]] as per the 2011 census.

=== Religion ===
{{bar box|width = 300px
|barwidth = 250px |cellpadding="0"
|title=Religion in Katihar city (2011)
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|DarkOrange|76.90}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|Green|22.10}}
{{bar percent|Others|Black|1.00}}}}Hinduism is major religion in Katihar city with 185,196 [[Hindus]] (76.9%) and 53,213 [[Muslims]] (22.1%). Other religions include 794 [[Christians]] (0.33%), 373 [[Sikhs]] (0.15%), 221 Jains (0.09%), 70 Buddhists (0.03%) and 960 (0.4%) not stated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Katihar City Population 2022 - Sex Ratio, Population Density, Literacy |url=https://www.indiacensus.net/city/katihar |access-date=11 July 2022 |website=www.indiacensus.net |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Languages===
{{Pie chart
|thumb = righ
|caption = Languages spoken in Katihar City (2011)<ref>[https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16T/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-2000.XLSX 2011 census data] censusindia.gov.in</ref>
|label1= [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
|value1= 61.28
|color1 =orange
|label2= [[Urdu language|Urdu]]
|value2 = 14.57
|color2 =green
|label3 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]]
|value3 = 4.33
|color3 =red
|label4 = [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]]
|value4 = 4.08
|color4 =yellow
|label5 = [[Maithili language|Maithili]]
|value5 = 2.01
|color5 =brown
|label6 = [[Marwari language|Marwari]]
|value6 = 0.66
|color6 =pink
|label7 = Others
|value7 = 13.03
}}

==Climate==
The climate of Katihar has widespread rainfall during the [[monsoon]]s, sometimes bringing floods to the adjoining rural areas of the [[Katihar District]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 September 2024 |title=Bihar flood situation worsens as major rivers spate; IMD issues heavy rain alert |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-flood-situation-worsens-as-major-rivers-spate-imd-issues-heavy-rain-alert-101727683836219.html |access-date=2 October 2024 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 August 2021 |title=Floodwaters enter four blocks in Katihar district |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/floodwaters-enter-four-blocks-in-katihar-district/articleshow/85334800.cms |access-date=2 October 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== Rivers ==
Rivers in Katihar include:
* [[Ganges]]
* [[Kosi River]]
* [[Mahananda River]]

== See also ==
* [[List of cities in Bihar]]
* [[Kolasi]]
* [[Korha Assembly constituency|Korha]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.katihar.bih.nic.in katihar.bih.nic.in] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203055349/http://katihar.bih.nic.in/ |date=3 December 2019 }}
*[https://archive.today/20140806075344/http://districtcourts.nic.in/ecourts/Patna/Katihar/Katihar.php District Court, Katihar]

{{Purnia Division}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Katihar| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Katihar district]]

Katihar - Revision history

SaraD96423049267 at 14:32, 27 February 2026