Title: Bihar - Wikipedia
Headings: Bihar
Bihar
Contents
Etymology
History
Ancient period
Medieval period
Colonial era
Pre- and post-Independence
Geography and climate
Flora and fauna
Demographics
Government and administration
Politics
Public health
Economy
Agriculture
Industry
Income distribution
Culture
Paintings
Performing arts
Cinema
Media
Tourism
Tourist attraction in Bihar
Transport
Airways
Inland Waterways
Education
See also
References
Further reading
External links
Government
General information

Content: Magadha, Anga and Vajjian Confederacy of Mithila, c. 600 BCE. Ancient period
Chirand, on the northern bank of the Ganga River, in Saran district, has an archaeological record from the Neolithic age (c. 2500–1345 BC). Regions of Bihar – such as Magadha, Mithila and Anga – are mentioned in religious texts and epics of ancient India . Mithila gained prominence after the establishment of the Videha Kingdom. During the late Vedic period (c. 1100–500 BCE), Videha became one of the major political and cultural centers of South Asia, along with Kuru and Pañcāla. The kings of the Videha Kingdom were called Janakas. Sita, a daughter of one of the Janaks of Mithila is mentioned as the consort of Lord Rama, in the Hindu epic Ramayana, written by Valmiki. The Videha Kingdom later became incorporated into the Vajji confederacy which had its capital in the city of Vaishali, which is also in Mithila. Vajji had a republican form of government where the king was elected from the rajas. Based on the information found in texts pertaining to Jainism and Buddhism, Vajji was established as a republic by the 6th century BCE, before the birth of Gautama Buddha in 563 BCE, making it the first known republic in India.