60th-62nd Prelims 2017

Explanation:

The Government of Bihar (GoB), through the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS), an autonomous body under the Department of Rural Development, is spearheading the World Bank aided Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (BRLP), locally known as JEEViKA. Its objective is social and economic empowerment of the rural poor. The GoB is committed to poverty alleviation through building, supporting, and sustaining institutions of the poor and enhancing their livelihoods. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

SPUR stands for 'Support Programme for Urban Reforms'. The Urban Development and Housing Department (UD & HD), Government of Bihar, was supported by the Department for International Development (DFID) to implement SPUR. It aims to support the Government of Bihar in strengthening governance at state and urban local government levels, enabling affordable and sustainable access to basic services, especially for poor people. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

The Triveni Canal has been constructed on the river Gandak and irrigates lands of West Champaran district. In Bihar, canals, tubewells, wells, and ponds are chief sources of irrigation. Major canal systems include Eastern Son Canal (Patna, Aurangabad, Gaya, Jehanabad), Western Son Canal (Ara, Buxar, Rohtas), Eastern Kosi Canal (Murliganj, Janki Nagar, Purnia, Araria), Western Kosi Canal (Darbhanga), Saran Canal (Saran, Gopalganj, Siwan), Tirhut Canal (Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Champaran), Kamla Canal (Madhubani), and Sakri Canal (Munger, Gaya, Patna). [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

The Someshwar hilly range occupies the North-Western parts of Bihar. It is a small hilly region of 74 square kilometers, extending from the mouth of Triveni Canal up to Bhikna Thori Pass, forming a boundary between India and Nepal. The highest point is the Someshwar Fort, which is 874 meters high, the highest place in Bihar. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

River Tel is a tributary of the Mahanadi river. It flows through Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Balangir, and Boudh Sonepur District of Odisha and meets the Mahanadi at Sonepur (Subarnapur). It is not a tributary of any Bihar river. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

During 2001-11, Madhepura district recorded the highest population growth at 30.65%. Kishanganj recorded 30.44% while the state average for Bihar was 25.07%. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

Bhagalpur is known as the 'Silk City of Bihar' and is a prominent silk textile producing centre. It is located in southern Bihar in the Ganga basin, covering an area of 2569 sq. km., and comprises three sub-divisions: Bhagalpur Sadar, Kahalgaon, and Naugachia. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

Bharat Wagon and Engineering Corporation Limited is located at Mokama and deals with manufacturing rail wagons and other engineering products. Major industries in Bihar include Barauni Refinery (Begusarai), Bihar State Scooters Limited (Fatuha, Patna), Leather Industry (Mokama, Begusarai, Gaya, Muzaffarpur), Gun Factory & Cigarette Factory (Munger), Rail Engine Repair (Jamalpur), Paper Industry (Samastipur, Darbhanga), Plywood Industry (Hajipur), Jute Industry (Katihar), Match Stick Industry (Katihar), Utensils (Siwan), and Lac Industry (Gaya, Purnea). [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

Rajendra Prasad left his lucrative practice during the Non-Cooperation movement (1920-22). He presided over the Bihar Provincial Conference supporting Gandhi’s movement, laid the foundation of National College and Bihar Vidyapeeth, served as Principal at National School, and collaborated with Maulana Mazharul Haque at Sadaqat Ashram, which became a centre for the national movement. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

Sheel Bhadra Yajee joined Subash Chandra Bose to found the All India Forward Bloc and was actively associated with the Indian National Army (INA) movement. Born in 1906 at Bakhtiyarpur, Patna district, he participated in Bharat Naujawan Sabha (1931), became a lieutenant of Kisan leader Swami Sahajanand Saraswati, was a member of Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1937, and organized anti-compromise conferences and Quit India demonstrations. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

Jai Prakash Narayan left Patna College with 20 days remaining for his exams to participate in the Non-Cooperation movement. Inspired by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s speech against the Rowlatt Act, he joined Bihar Vidyapeeth founded by Rajendra Prasad and became one of the first students under Gandhian guidance. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

Raj Kumar Shukla convinced Mahatma Gandhi to visit Champaran to witness the exploitation of indigo planters over peasants. This led to Gandhi's Champaran Satyagraha, his first civil disobedience movement in India. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

The Odantipur Education Centre was situated in Bihar. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati established the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha in 1929 to mobilize peasants against Zamindari oppression. In 1936, the All India Kisan Sabha was formed at Lucknow with Sahajanand Saraswati as President and N.G. Ranga as Secretary. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

Bakhtiyar Khalji was the first Muslim conqueror of Bihar and founder of Turk rule. He attacked the fortified university town (Hisar-i-Bihar) in 1199 AD, plundered Odantipuri Mahavihara, and the place Bakhtiyarpur is named after him. His invasion is described in 'Tabaqat-i-Nasiri'. He launched the Tibet Campaign in 1206 AD and was assassinated by Ali Mardan upon returning to Bengal. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

Hari Simhadeva (Hari Singh Deva) was the last king of the Karnata dynasty of Mithila. The independent Karnata dynasty was founded by Nanyadeva in 1097 AD with Simraon as its capital. During the reign of Narshimadeva, Bakhtiyar Khalji passed through Tirhut in 1202 AD. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

Nalanda Vihar was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khalji in 1199 AD. He also plundered Odantapuri Mahavihara. Bakhtiyarpur in Bihar Sharif is named after him following this conquest. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

The Karnata dynasty of Mithila was founded by Nanyadeva in 1097 AD. Simraon in Champaran was the capital. Nanyadeva is called 'Karnatakshatriya' and 'Karnatakulabhushana'. Chronology: Nanyadeva – Gangadeva – Narshimadeva. During Narshimadeva's reign, Bakhtiyar Khalji passed through Tirhut en route to Lakhnauti in 1202 AD. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]

Explanation:

Babu Kunwar Singh led the revolutionaries in Bihar during the 1857 revolt. Born in November 1782 in Jagdishpur (present Bhojpur district), he belonged to the Ujjainiya Rajput clan. At age 80, he actively led the 'First War of Independence' in Bihar and died on 26th April, 1858. [60-62ND BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2017]