Sitamarhi Town
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Sitamarhi Town
Head-quarters of the subdivision of the same name in Muzaffarpur District, Bengal, situated in 26° 35' N. and 85° 29' E., on the west bank of the Lakhandai river. Population (1901), 9,538. A large fair lasting a fortnight is held here about the end of March, and is attended by people from very great distances. Siwan pottery, spices, brass utensils, and cotton cloth form the staple articles of commerce ; but the fair is especially noted for the large quantity of bullocks brought to it, the Sitamarhi cattle being a noted breed. Tradition relates that the lovely Janaki or Sita here sprang to life out of an earthen pot into which Raja Janaka had driven his plough- share. Sitamarhi is situated on a branch of the Bengal and North- Western Railway, and is also connected by road with the Nepal frontier, Darbhanga, and Muzaffarpur. The Lakhandai river is spanned by a fine brick bridge. The town has a large trade in rice, sakhwd wood, oilseeds, hides, and Nepal produce. The chief manufactures are salt- petre and the janeo or sacred thread worn by the twice-born castes. Sitamarhi was constituted a municipality in 1882. The income during the decade ending 190 1-2 averaged Rs. 9,900, and the expenditure Rs. 7,800. In 1903-4 the income was Rs. 12,000, half of which was derived from a tax on persons (or property tax) ; and the expenditure was Rs. 8,000. The town contains the usual public offices : the sub- jail has accommodation for 26 prisoners.
