Introduction
East Indian States consist of classical cultural backdrop. The states in Eastern part of India witnessed the rule of different historical dynasties and later the British Government. East Indian states consist of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and also the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Bihar and West Bengal lies on the Indo-Gangetic plain. Jharkhand, on the Chhota Nagpur plateau, is a hilly and a heavily forested state rich in mineral wealth. Odisha lies on the Eastern Ghats and the Deccan Plateau.
East Indian States also houses hill stations which are worth to visit. The ruins of ancient Nalanda University and Puphagiri are found in the eastern region. This part includes many pilgrimage centers for Jainism and Buddhism. Bodhgaya and Puri are the most famous pilgrimage centers in this region.
History of Eastern India
History of East India is marked by the development of ancient civilizations, the rise and fall of empires, colonial rule, and post-independence progress. Spanning across modern-day states of West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand, East India has been a region of historical significance, from early agricultural settlements to modern economic advancements.
Ancient History of East India
The history of East India can be traced back to the Neolithic period when agriculture first began in South Asia. Archaeological evidence from sites like Chirand in Bihar and the Kabra-Kala mound in Palamu district suggests early human settlements. These areas have yielded artifacts such as pottery, tools, and other objects that provide insight into life during the Neolithic to medieval periods. Notable sites like Isko in Hazaribagh and Ushakothi in Sambalpur district contain ancient cave paintings dating back to the Meso-chalcolithic period.
The region’s ancient settlements were part of a larger cultural framework in India, with the emergence of several janapadas during the late Vedic period. By the 6th century BCE, the mahajanapadas were influential political entities in the subcontinent.
East India was the center of several prominent empires, including the Nanda, Maurya, Shunga, Gupta, and Pala dynasties. These empires controlled vast territories and influenced the cultural, political, and economic landscape of the region. After the Kalinga War, Mauryan Emperor Ashoka spread Buddhism across Asia, establishing important Buddhist centers in the region.
Notably, the Gupta Empire is known for its advancements in science, mathematics, and arts. Meanwhile, the Pala Empire, based in Bihar and Bengal, contributed significantly to Buddhist education, with the famed Nalanda University located in Bihar.
Medieval History of East India
The region faced Islamic invasions starting in the 13th century, which led to the decline of Hindu kingdoms. The Bengal Sultanate, founded in the 14th century by Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, marked a period of economic prosperity and military strength. By the 16th century, the region came under the control of the Mughal Empire, which brought significant administrative and cultural changes.
Despite the spread of Islam, Odisha remained a powerful Hindu stronghold through various dynasties like the Eastern Ganga and Bhanja. The region also saw the arrival of European colonial powers, with the Portuguese, Dutch, French, and English establishing trading posts along the Odisha Coast and Bengal.
The British East India Company established dominance in the region after the Battle of Plassey in 1757, making Calcutta the capital of British India. The region played a crucial role in the global economy, with Bengal Subah generating a significant portion of the empire's GDP. During the colonial period, Calcutta emerged as one of the world’s greatest ports, facilitating trade with Europe, the United States, and China.
The East Indian states also witnessed significant social unrest, with the Indian Rebellion of 1857 originating in Bengal. The rebellion, along with the growing discontent with British rule, contributed to the Indian independence movement. The region also became a hotspot for non-violent resistance, exemplified by Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran movement in Bihar.
Modern History of East India
The partition of India in 1947 had a profound impact on East India, leading to widespread communal violence and the displacement of millions. Bihar and Bengal saw significant migration, with many Bengali Muslims fleeing to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and Hindus moving to India.
Post-independence, the region faced several economic challenges, including natural calamities and political instability. However, industrialization began in the 1950s, with progress in sectors like steel, coal, and textiles. Despite facing hurdles such as naxalism and regional conflicts, states like Odisha have shown remarkable growth in recent years.
In the contemporary era, East India has witnessed significant economic growth. Odisha, for example, has become one of the fastest-growing economies in India, with a surge in infrastructure development and industrialization. The region’s mineral and coal-based industries, along with thriving ports and educational institutes, contribute to its economic development.
The creation of Jharkhand as a separate state in 2000 further contributed to the region's progress. Today, the East Indian states continue to play a vital role in India’s economy, with increasing contributions from sectors like manufacturing, energy, and education.
West Bengal
West Bengal is located in East India on the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the East Indian States that is also India`s fourth-most populous state. A part of the ethno-linguistic Bengal region, it borders Bangladesh in the east and Nepal and Bhutan in the north. It also has borders with five Indian states, including Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim and Assam. The capital of West Bengal. Kolkata is a significant economic and cultural hub in Eastern and Northeastern India. From the northern highlands at the feet of the Himalayas to the tropical forests of Sunderbans, West Bengal is a land of myriad beauty, each region is different from the other.
Kolkata, the largest metropolis in the region and the third largest in India, served as the capital of British India until 1911. It is a major center of commerce and is undergoing rapid development to become a hub for IT, IT-enabled services, and financial outsourcing. The city’s satellite areas, including Salt Lake and Rajarhat-New Town, play a critical role in supporting this growth.
Known as the "City of Joy," Kolkata also anchors West Bengal's status as the leading contributor to GDP among eastern states. Additionally, mid-sized cities like Asansol, Durgapur, and Siliguri are emerging as rapidly growing urban centers.
West Bengal is a key industrial and economic hub in Eastern India, housing some of the tallest skylines in the region and contributing significantly to the nation’s infrastructure development. Its historical significance and economic contributions underline its pivotal role in India's growth trajectory.
Odisha
Odisha is a mineral rich state of the East Indian States. It borders on the Bay of Bengal. It is a culturally rich state. The Bhubaneswar-Puri-Konark golden triangle is the pride of the state. Traditionally, Odisha descended from the historical kingdom of Kalinga. It is a predominantly tribal belt. Bhubaneshwar is the present capital of Odisha.
Bhubaneswar is a city with a rich history spanning over 2,000 years. Originally the capital of the Chedi dynasty around the 2nd century BCE, it was known as Sisupalgarh. Over time, the city has been called Toshali, Kalinga Nagari, Nagar Kalinga, Ekamra Kanan, Ekamra Kshetra, and Mandira Malini Nagari, earning its title as the "Temple City of India." Today, Bhubaneswar is Odisha’s largest city and a hub of economic and religious significance.
With the economic liberalization policies of the 1990s, Bhubaneswar experienced rapid growth in telecommunications, IT, and higher education, particularly in science and engineering. The city hosts over 60 engineering colleges, bolstered by IT parks. These parks aim to attract IT-related industries with world-class infrastructure.
Eastern India, particularly Odisha, is rich in mineral resources, driving an economic boom in cities like Kalinganagar, Rourkela, and Paradeep. These regions have become industrial hubs, supporting mineral-based industries and contributing to the overall economic growth of the state.
Bihar
Bihar is home to key urban centers such as Patna, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Katihar, and Purnia, with Patna serving as the capital and largest city. As the second most populous city in Eastern India, Patna is a major hub for administration, industry, and education. It holds the distinction of being one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. The state is surrounded by Uttar Pradesh in the west, Nepal in the north, West Bengal in the east and Jharkhand in the south. The Bihar plain is split by the River Ganges which flows from west to east. The capital of Bihar is Patna. Bihar occupied an important position in the early history of India. Gaya is an important place of Hindu pilgrimage where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
Historically, Patna was known as Pataliputra, the capital of the Magadha Empire during the reigns of the Haryanka, Nanda, Mauryan, Shunga, Gupta, and Pala dynasties. Renowned as a center of learning and fine arts in ancient times, Pataliputra’s legacy is deeply intertwined with India’s cultural and intellectual history.
Modern Patna lies along the southern bank of the Ganges River, spanning 35 kilometers in length and up to 18 kilometers in width. It also intersects the rivers Sone, Gandak, and Punpun. In addition to its urban significance, Patna is a gateway to nearby pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. Sacred landmarks like Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda, Gaya, Bodhgaya, and Pawapuri surround the city, and it holds special importance for Sikhs as the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the last Sikh Guru. Patna uniquely blends historical grandeur with spiritual significance.
Jharkhand
Jharkhand was carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15th November 2000 and became an individual state among the East Indian States. Jharkhand shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh to the north-west, Chhattisgarh to the west, Odisha to the south and West Bengal to the east. Ranchi is the state capital, while Dumka functions as its sub-capital. Hindi serves as the official language.
Jharkhand tourism is also famous all over the world for its wildlife tourism that include Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Betla National Park, Jaivik Udyan, Hazaribagh National Park, Palamau Tiger Reserve and Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary.
The state is renowned for its natural features, including waterfalls, hills, and significant religious sites such as Baidyanath Dham, Parasnath, Dewri, and Rajrappa. Jharkhand is a major contributor to India’s mineral production, with substantial reserves of iron ore, coal, copper ore, mica, bauxite, graphite, limestone, and uranium. Much of the state is situated on the Chota Nagpur Plateau, which is intersected by rivers such as the Damodar, North Koel, Barakar, South Koel, Sankh, and Subarnarekha. The watersheds of these rivers originate within the state, further enhancing its ecological importance.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Andaman and Nicobar Islands is one of the 7 Union Territories of India that comes under East Indian States according to geographical divisions. These islands are a group of islands at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. The territory is 150 km north of Aceh in Indonesia and separated from Thailand and Myanmar by the Andaman Sea. It comprises two island groups, the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands, separated by the 10 degree North parallel, with the Andamans to the north of this latitude, and the Nicobars to the south. The Andaman Sea lies to the east and the Bay of Bengal to the west. The territory"s capital is the city of Port Blair. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are developing into a major tourism hub with exotic-looking beaches and pristine islands having equally exotic names, wonderful opportunities for adventure sports like snorkelling and sea-walking.
