#BiharPolls: How well do you know Jamui or 'Jambhiyaagram'?

Bihar's Jamui district goes to vote in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections. The tussle is between BJP candidate and sitting MLA Ajay Pratap, son of former minister Narendra Singh, and the RJD's Vijay Prakash. Jamui is also the Lok Sabha constituency of LJP leader and MP Chirag Paswan who might help draw Dalit votes.

As the voters put a stamp on the destinies of the candidates on the EVMs, here is a look at some interesting facts about the constituency.

At first glance

Situated in southern Bihar, the Jamui constituency came into existence on February 21, 1991, when it was separated from Munger district. Historical relevance.

Historical relevance

Photo: Wiki Commons

• Various literature indicates that Jamui was once known as Jambhiyaagram, where Jains believe the the 24th Tirthankara Lord Mahavira attained omniscience (Kevala Jnana) on the bank of a river named Ujjihuvaliya. Jrimbhikgram, situated on the bank of Rijuvalika river, resembles Jambhiyaagram.
• A historical copper plate preserved in the Patna Museum confirms that Jamui was known as Jambudani in the 12th century. The two ancient names of Jamui cement its historical and cultural importance as both, being significant to the Gupta dynasty, and as a religious spot for the Jain community.
• Historians claim that Jamui was also famous in the era of Mahabharata.

Flora and Fauna

In 1987, Jamui district turned home to the Nagi Dam Wildlife Sanctuary and Nakti Dam Wildlife Sanctuary. Both are famous for their bird life.

Famous personalities

Chandrashekhar Singh.Photo: Wiki Commons

• Politician Chandrashekhar Singh hailed from the Jamui district. Singh was a member of the Indian National Congress and served as the Bihar chief minister from August 1983 to March 1985. He also held a number of cabinet minister positions in the Cabinet of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. A museum in Singh's name was established in Jamui, in 1983, by the state government to preserve the antiquities of the surrounding areas.
• Freedom fighter Shyama Prasad Singh was an active participant in Mahatma Gandhi's civil disobedience movement. He was the editor of Calcutta Samachar and director of Nav Sakti Patna.
• Adding to Jamui's list of stalwarts is trap shooter Shreyasi Singh, who won the silver medal in the singles double trap event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and won Bronze at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.

A part of Red Corridor

Jamui ranks low in several development parameters like electricity, infrastructure and economic development and is a hotbed for Maoist activity.