Bettiah (Hindi: बेतिया, Urdu: بیتیا) is the headquarters of West Champaran district in the state of Bihar, near the Indo-Nepal border, 225 Kilometres north-west of Patna. Bettiah, pronounced as 'Betiya', derived its name from 'baint' (A special type of plant which is similar to cane; used for furniture making and also finds its application during festivities). It was grown here extensively in the past but not at present. Its spelling - Bettiah was first used during British period and it remains so.
History
The city inherits a very rich culture. It is the birth place of famous poet Gopal Singh 'Nepali'. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi started the Satyagraha movement from here in 1917. In 1959, when The Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru visited Bettiah, said that "This city will be the fifth Metro City of the country.". During The British rule, the entire region surrounding Bettiah was extensively used for indigo plantation. Indigo cultivation yielded quick benefits to the British colonizers but frequent cultivation of indigo even for few years ruined the entire subsoil decreasing the possibility of any further cultivation of any kind. Even now, the regions of Indigo cultivation in the past are barren & have only scrub vegetation in stark contrast. Bettiah Raj was well known for its eighteen hundred square miles of land, yielding a rental of almost 2 million rupees which was second largest in BIHAR. In India the land rental system was termed as zamindari, which was later banned by the government and all the rented land was acquired.
Geography
Bettiah is located at 26.8°N 84.5°E.[2] It has an average elevation of 65 metres (213 feet). Bettiah has hot summers and chilling winters. In summers the temperature goes up to 44-46 degrees Celsius while in winters the temperature goes as low as 2–5 degrees Celsius. It has heavy annual rainfall of about 200–240 cm which often causes floods. Bettiah lies in the alluvial plains of gandak basin. It is located near the River Gandak. A small rainfeeded river name Kohda ( Means Red Pumpkin in Hindi) crosses this city near K R High School. The region faces mild thunders during the change of season. There is a huge forest reserve area near Bettiah which is called 'Udaypur forest area' (Udaypur Jungle), which comes under the tiger saving project called 'Valmiki Vyaghra Pariyojana'.There is one most famous village namely 'Jagirahan' 9 kilometers in west from Bettiah. It was well known since 1976 due to foundation of Madarsa Nurul Islam (Islamic Awareness School). This School was founded by Mr. Abdul Aziz who is the first Islamic scholar in the Baghi & Pipra Panchayet. Toward that day, It has been running properly & bringing up many students.
Prominent places
Bettiah has two notable open fields known as "Bada Ramana"("Ramana" means field in local vernacular) and "Chota Ramana" respectively. Bada Ramana also home to the football stadium known as "Maharaja Stadium" and an orphanage known as "Anathalaya" It borders with a "math"("Math" means spiritual place) known as "Santawan Das Math". Chota Ramana is home to the city centre known as "Town Hall". It is a venue for important meetings and functions. Chota Ramana borders with the "Saat Saheed Sthal"("The Seven Martyrs") and the city library. Notable markets in Bettiah are Meena Bazar and Lal Bazar.
Prominent Villages
1. Chuhari
2. Pipra Nawrangia
3. Belbanwa
4. Harpurwa ,
5. Machcharganwa
6. Mahabir Pur
7. Jagirahan
8. Tumkariya
9. Baishakhwa
10. Nautan
11. Bagahi Baghamarpur
12. Joggapatti (others names to be added)
Demographics
As of 2001 India census, Bettiah had a population of 116,692. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%.
Education
Schools
1. Alok Bharti Sikshan Sansthan
2. K.R.(Khrist Raja) High School
3. Assembly of God Church School
4. Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir
5. St.Michael Academy
6. St.Xavier's Higher Secondary School
7. St .Teresa Girls' High school
8. Notre Dame Public School
9. Natarhat Public School
10. Raj Inter College
11. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
12. Bipin High School
13. Kendriya Vidyalaya
14. National Public High School
15. Amna Urdu High School
16. Madrasa Islamia
17. Yatimkhana Badariya
18. Radha Dulari Sarswati Sisu mandir
19. Holly Mission Public School
20. Gyanoday Bharti School
21. St. Marry Public School
22. St. Remigious Public School
23. St. Jhon Girls High School
24. Tirwah National Public High School
25. Madrasa Nurul Islam Jagirahan
2. K.R.(Khrist Raja) High School
3. Assembly of God Church School
4. Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir
5. St.Michael Academy
6. St.Xavier's Higher Secondary School
7. St .Teresa Girls' High school
8. Notre Dame Public School
9. Natarhat Public School
10. Raj Inter College
11. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
12. Bipin High School
13. Kendriya Vidyalaya
14. National Public High School
15. Amna Urdu High School
16. Madrasa Islamia
17. Yatimkhana Badariya
18. Radha Dulari Sarswati Sisu mandir
19. Holly Mission Public School
20. Gyanoday Bharti School
21. St. Marry Public School
22. St. Remigious Public School
23. St. Jhon Girls High School
24. Tirwah National Public High School
25. Madrasa Nurul Islam Jagirahan
Alok Bharti Sikshan Sansthan: It was founded by Late Mr. Hari Babu in 1965. It is well known for Education and Discipline. The alumni of this school have joined the top universities/IITs/NITs/Medical/MBA/C.A/UPSC in India. There are many successful Engineers, Doctors, IAS Officers and NDAs. Some of them are A. Devnath, Sajjad, R.K.Barnawal, Md. Nehal, P.K. Gupta, J.K. Gupta, P.R. Dubey, A.K Pandey and many others.
Assembly of God Church School: The school is well known for its education quality and discipline. Students from here are well placed in almost each of the top university/C.A/IITs/Medical/MBA Colleges in India.
K.R.(Khrist Raja) High School: It was established in the year 1927 and was a boys school till 1998, when co-education started in this school. The alumni of this school have joined almost each of the top universities/IITs/ medical colleges in India. There are many successful Actors, Engineers, Doctors. Some of them are Satrudhan Sinha, Manoj Bajpai, A.K Roy, C.K Gupta, R.C Ram and many others.
St.Xavier's Higher Secondary School: It was established in the year 1999, in the K R High School campus and has emerged as one of the best schools of the town.
Saraswati Sishu/Vidya Mandir: It was built in the year 1989 and is located in Dr. Hedgewar Nagar which is 5 km east of Bettiah. The school has established itself as an important place for learning.
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya: It is another premier school for learning in the district. It is located in Vrindavan (6 km from Bus Stand).
Colleges
1. Maharani Janki Kunwar College (named after late Maharani Janki of Bettiah Raj)
2. Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav College (RLSY College, Bettiah)
3. Mahila College (Woman's College)
4. Gulab Memorial collage (named after Shaikh Gulab ,a freedom fighter).
2. Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav College (RLSY College, Bettiah)
3. Mahila College (Woman's College)
4. Gulab Memorial collage (named after Shaikh Gulab ,a freedom fighter).
Maharani Janki Kunwar College: There is a plan to convert Maharani Janki Kunwar Hospital (biggest hospital in North Bihar) into a Medical college and also to establish engineering and management colleges.
Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav College: This college transformed into a reputed educational institution from small college started from one room in early eighties. It's the first college to offer BCA Degree(Bachelor of Computer Application) in West Champaran.
Madarsa Nurul Islam Jagirahan: It was founded by Late Mr. Abdul Aziz Sahib in 1976 to bring religious revolution in Muslim people.
Banks
Due to developing market and business, many banks have come forward to provide with loans and facilities.
Lists of bank currently operating in Bettiah:
1. State Bank of India
2. Canara Bank
3. Axis Bank
4. Punjab National Bank
5. Allahabad Bank
6. ICICI Bank
7. ING Vysya
8. HDFC Bank
9.Bank Of Baroda
10.Union Bank of India
Lists of bank currently operating in Bettiah:
1. State Bank of India
2. Canara Bank
3. Axis Bank
4. Punjab National Bank
5. Allahabad Bank
6. ICICI Bank
7. ING Vysya
8. HDFC Bank
9.Bank Of Baroda
10.Union Bank of India
Call Center
1. S.V.BPO Solutions
Notable people
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, started Satyagrah Yatra from Bettiah in 1917
- Gopal Singh Nepali, poet
- Prakash Jha , Director (Bollywood)
- Manoj Bajpai, actor
Temples
1. Durga Badi Mandir
2. Durga Bagh Temple
3. Kali Mandir
4. Shiv Mandir ITI colony
5. Santoshi Mata Mandir
6. Santawan Das Math
7. Joda Shiwalay Mandir
8. Shri Rani Sati Mandir
9. Shiv Mandir Pioni Bagh Imali Chawk
2. Durga Bagh Temple
3. Kali Mandir
4. Shiv Mandir ITI colony
5. Santoshi Mata Mandir
6. Santawan Das Math
7. Joda Shiwalay Mandir
8. Shri Rani Sati Mandir
9. Shiv Mandir Pioni Bagh Imali Chawk
Masjids
1.Jangi Masjid
2.Madarsa Islamia Masjid
3.Kalibagh Masjid
4.Mansa Tola Masjid
5.Baswaria Masjid
6.Mahawat Toli Masjid
7.Chhawani Masjid
2.Madarsa Islamia Masjid
3.Kalibagh Masjid
4.Mansa Tola Masjid
5.Baswaria Masjid
6.Mahawat Toli Masjid
7.Chhawani Masjid
Churches
1. Catholic Church
Ponds
1. Sagar Pokhra
2. Uttarwari Pokhra
3. Haribatika Pokhra
2. Uttarwari Pokhra
3. Haribatika Pokhra
Cinema halls
1.Ajanta
2.Janta
3.Liberty
4.Supriya
5.Urvashi
6.Pitambra
2.Janta
3.Liberty
4.Supriya
5.Urvashi
6.Pitambra
Transportation
Bettiah is well connected by roads and railways and by airplane to all major cities. Railways provide with cheap transport and trade. Due to the opening of broad gauge and new trains, Bettiah has got new lease of life. There is a non - operative airport in Bettiah which was operated in the past during old British time.
