India's first district, was once full of robbers, now a smart city with all modern facilities; its located in...,name is...
Purnia, the first district established in India during the colonial era, was once infamous for being a hub of dacoits, but today its a modern smart city. (AI-generated/Representational)
There are currently 780 districts in India, including both census districts and administrative districts, spread across 28 states and eight Union Territories of the country. But did you know that India's first district was established as far back as 1770 by the British East India Company, but the area was notorious for being infested by dacoits and robbers. India's first district
The Purnia district in Bihar, holds the distinction of being the country's first district, which was established by the East India Company in 1770 as a military frontier province towards the end of the Mughal era in India. The British conquered Purnia, which was a densely forested area at the time, in 1765, and five years later, established a trading center here, and declared it a district on February 10, 1770.
At that time, Purnia was infamous for being a hub of dacoits, robbers, and highwaymen, and locals did not dare to venture into the deep forests, even after the British took over and began a campaign to eliminate criminals and anti-social elements. From dacoit land to Smart City
Since independence, Purnia, akin to many other parts of the country, has witnessed a radical transformation, and is now a smart city featuring all modern amenities, including schools, colleges, public parks, hospitals, developed roads, and historic places renovated for promoting local tourism.
In many ways, Purnia provides a peak into the rich culture of Bihar, and despite the onset of modernity, the local traditions still reflect the region's ancient. roots.
Today, Purnia is one of thirty-eight districts of Bihar, with the administrative headquarters located in Purnia city. Interestingly, the city of Purnia hoists the national flag at exactly at 12:07 am on every Independence Day, a tradition which it has continued since 1947, when the country became a sovereign, independent nation.
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The author is a heritage explorer with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
