The British Rule in India and the Formation of Bihar as a Separate Province

During the British rule in India, Bihar was initially a part of the Bengal Presidency and was governed by Calcutta (now Kolkata). However, in 1912, Bihar was separated from Bengal and became a distinct administrative unit. Together with Orissa, Bihar formed a single province until the Government of India Act in 1935, which made Orissa a separate province.

1. Bihar as Part of the Bengal Presidency:
- Under British rule, India was divided into different administrative units known as presidencies.
- Bihar was initially a part of the Bengal Presidency, along with present-day West Bengal and parts of Bangladesh.
- The capital of the Bengal Presidency was Calcutta, which was the administrative center for Bihar as well.

2. Separation of Bihar from Bengal:
- In 1912, Bihar was separated from the Bengal Presidency and established as a separate administrative unit.
- This separation was primarily driven by the need for better governance and administration in Bihar, which had distinct socio-economic and cultural characteristics.

3. Formation of Bihar and Orissa as a Single Province:
- After the separation from Bengal, Bihar was joined with Orissa to form a single province.
- This decision aimed to streamline governance and provide better administrative control over the two regions.
- Bihar and Orissa shared historical, cultural, and linguistic ties, which made their amalgamation logical.

4. Government of India Act, 1935:
- The Government of India Act in 1935 brought significant changes to the administrative structure of India.
- It introduced provincial autonomy and empowered provinces to have their own governments.
- As a result of this act, Orissa was separated from Bihar and became a separate province in 1936.

Conclusion:
During the British rule in India, Bihar was initially a part of the Bengal Presidency and governed by Calcutta. However, in 1912, Bihar was separated from Bengal and formed a separate administrative unit. It was later joined with Orissa to form a single province until the Government of India Act in 1935. This act resulted in the separation of Orissa from Bihar and the establishment of Orissa as a separate province. These changes were made to improve governance and provide better administrative control over the regions based on their distinct characteristics.