Bihar heading towards era of development & prosperity? History, Present & Future of Bihar? 67th BPSC

Summary

Bihar, once the cradle of Indian civilization, has faced significant socio-economic challenges, from colonial exploitation to post-independence political instability. Despite a historical legacy marked by prosperity under the Mauryas and Guptas, the state struggled with poverty, underdevelopment, and poor governance. However, in recent years, Bihar has seen remarkable improvements, including economic growth, infrastructure development, and a rise in literacy rates. With reforms focused on better governance, law and order, and private investment, Bihar is on the path to revitalization, offering hope for its future transformation into a model of development and governance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bihar was historically the cradle of Indian civilization, home to great empires like the Mauryas and Guptas, and centers of learning like Nalanda and Vikramshila universities.
• 😀 The British colonial policies, such as the Permanent Settlement system, led to the exploitation of farmers and economic stagnation in Bihar, setting the stage for its decline.
• 😀 Post-independence, Bihar continued to face underdevelopment, with low literacy rates, high poverty, and weak industrial growth compared to other states in India.
• 😀 The political instability and poor governance in Bihar, exacerbated by caste-based politics and a lack of cohesive leadership, hindered its progress for several decades.
• 😀 Bihar's revival began in 2005 under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, with a focus on improving governance, law and order, and social development.
• 😀 Key reforms under Nitish Kumar's administration included decentralization of power, better monitoring of government spending, and empowerment of the bureaucracy.
• 😀 Infrastructure development, particularly in roads, energy, and communication networks, played a crucial role in Bihar's economic recovery.
• 😀 Bihar’s economic revival has been evident in its growth in sectors such as construction, banking, and insurance, with a rising growth rate surpassing many other states.
• 😀 The state's focus on improving education, healthcare, and social indicators led to significant improvements, including an increase in female literacy and a reduction in infant and maternal mortality rates.
• 😀 Despite progress, Bihar still faces challenges like high poverty levels, underdeveloped industries, and low quality of life indicators compared to more developed states in India.
• 😀 Bihar’s transformation is an example of how political will, good governance, and strategic reforms can reverse the fortunes of a historically underdeveloped state.

Q & A

What was Bihar's role in ancient Indian civilization?

Bihar was considered the cradle of Indian civilization, hosting ancient cities like Nalanda and Patliputra. It was a cultural and economic hub, home to great scholars like Aryabhata and Chanakya, and important rulers such as Emperor Ashoka, Gautama Buddha, and Mahavir.

What led to Bihar's decline after its golden age?

Bihar's decline can be attributed to the British colonial policies, especially the zamindari system and permanent settlement, which drained the state's resources, led to agricultural stagnation, and promoted exploitation of lower castes. Additionally, poor governance and lack of investment in infrastructure further worsened the situation.

How did British colonialism affect Bihar's economy?

British colonialism, through the zamindari system, imposed fixed land taxes, which drained farmers of their resources, leading to agricultural stagnation. Furthermore, the exploitative nature of these policies resulted in widespread poverty and an underdeveloped economy in Bihar.

What was the impact of the zamindari system on Bihar's agriculture?

The zamindari system extracted high taxes from farmers, which left them with little resources to reinvest in agriculture. This led to stagnation, with farmers often forced into debt from moneylenders, and resulted in Bihar's agricultural sector being underdeveloped.

Why did Bihar's development not improve post-independence?

Post-independence, Bihar's development stagnated due to poor governance, political instability, and the dominance of regional parties. Additionally, national policies, such as the freight equalization policy, did not benefit Bihar, and the state lacked the industrial infrastructure to capitalize on its resources.

How did regional politics impact Bihar's development?

Regional politics in Bihar, particularly the influence of local parties, often resulted in political instability and inconsistent governance. This hindered the state's ability to implement long-term developmental policies and led to Bihar being deprived of necessary resources and investments.

What reforms led to the revival of Bihar's economy?

Under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Bihar implemented key reforms, including decentralizing decision-making, empowering bureaucracy, improving law and order, and investing in infrastructure. These reforms helped drive economic growth, particularly in sectors like construction, banking, and communication.

What has been the impact of governance reforms in Bihar since 2015?

Governance reforms since 2015 have had a significant positive impact on Bihar, with improvements in administrative efficiency, better monitoring of public spending, and a focus on social development sectors like health and education. These efforts have led to increased literacy rates and a reduction in poverty.

What are the key sectors driving Bihar's economic growth today?

Key sectors driving Bihar's economic growth include agriculture, construction, banking, insurance, and communication. The state has also seen an increase in private investments, particularly in infrastructure and real estate, contributing to its growth.

What challenges does Bihar still face despite its recent progress?

Despite recent progress, Bihar still faces challenges such as high levels of poverty, low per capita income, and a need for further improvements in infrastructure. Social disparities, particularly in education and health, continue to be significant hurdles to achieving long-term development.