Government and Governance
Bihar is the ninth largest state in area in India, and has the second largest population. Its levels of poverty and per capita income are among the worse in the country, and way below the national average. Much of the cause of this situation can be related to Government and Politics. It may be more correct to say mis-Government. This is a rich and fertile land, well watered by major rivers. In the past great civilizations flourished here, and the land has supported people for thousands of years.
The decline of the area into the poverty and lack of industrial development that exist today began in the Middle Ages when India was torn by foreign invasion and internal strife. This period ended with India being controlled by Great Britain, and led to hundreds of years of British rule. It was not the goal of the British rulers of India to raise the standard of living of its people, nor did their long term economic future hold much interest to them. It was to make a profit that would benefit Great Britain. Despite the technological advances and industrial might of Great Britain, these foreign rulers never seemed to grasp the idea that they were ruling a people who were enjoying an advanced culture while the ancestors of the British were wearing furs and huddling in caves.
This conflict of cultures, and the exploitation of the people is the major factor that reduced Bihar to its current state of poverty and underdevelopment. All of the blame can not be placed on the British either, as the local government was caste driven, and riddled with corruption. The leaders and the wealthy were those whose interests best coincided with the Colonial rulers rather than the farmer in the small village.
It is not wonder that Bihar gave birth to the revolution that eventually ended the British occupation and established the present country of India. It was to Bihar that Gandi came on his return from India, and it was here that he launched the first non-violent protest. The issue of this protest was the forced cultivation of indigo, which was desired by the British but was ruinous to the land.
Today, Bihar is a State in the nation of India. India has been called the sleeping giant of Asia, and seems poised on the verge of emerging as a true World power, and a World leader. Yet, even today, Bihar is still somewhat of a poor sister to the modern India. A few years ago, the most prosperous and industrialized part of the region was taken away to form a new state. Bihar still feels today somewhat isolated from the main stream of political power, and when the majority of the people must worry each day how to fill their stomachs, not much energy remains for political organization.
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