What was the contribution of Bihar to the Indian independence struggle?

The contribution of Bihar to the Indian independence struggle was profound and pivotal, serving as a hotbed of political activity and leadership from the 19th century through to 1947.

Bihar's role was not just supportive; it was often at the very center of the freedom movement's most defining moments.

Key contributions from Bihar:

Revolt of 1857:Vir Kunwar Singh, the 80-year-old ruler of Jagdishpur, was one of the most effective and brilliant military leaders of the 1857 rebellion, liberating large parts of Bihar and posing a serious threat to the British East India Company.

• The Launchpad for Gandhi (1917): The Champaran Satyagraha (as detailed above) was the first major Gandhian movement in India, transforming the nature of the freedom struggle from elite-led to a mass movement.
• Center of Non-Cooperation (1920s): Bihar wholeheartedly participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement. Leaders like Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Mazharul Haque became key lieutenants of Gandhi, and many students left British-run schools to join national institutions like the Bihar Vidyapeeth.
• Civil Disobedience (1930s): During the Salt March, Bihar (being landlocked) focused on a "no-tax" campaign and defied the salt laws by manufacturing salt in various locations.
• The Quit India Movement (1942): Bihar's contribution here was legendary.22 After the arrest of national leaders, the movement became leaderless and intense.
• Secretariat Firing: In Patna, seven students were martyred by British police while trying to hoist the national flag at the Secretariat.
• Jayaprakash Narayan: Socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan ("JP") became a hero of this movement. He escaped from Hazaribagh jail and organized an underground resistance, further inspiring the nation.

Leaders like Dr. Rajendra Prasad (who became the first President of India) and Jayaprakash Narayan are prime examples of Bihar's central role in providing leadership and direction to the national independence struggle.