In ancient and classical India, the area that is now Bihar was considered a centre of power, learning, and culture.[17] From Magadha arose India’s first empire, the Maurya empire, as well as one of the world’s most widely adhered-to religions, Buddhism.[18] Magadha empires, notably under the Maurya and Gupta dynasties, unified large parts of South Asia under a central rule.[19] Another region of Bihar is Mithila which was an early centre of learning and the centre of the Videha kingdom.
Since the late 1970s, Bihar has lagged far behind other Indian states in terms of social and economic development.[22][23][24] Many economists and social scientists claim that this is a direct result of the policies of the central government, such as the freight equalisation policy,[25][26] its apathy towards Bihar,[16][27][28] lack of Bihari sub-nationalism,[26][29][30] and the Permanent Settlement of 1793 by the British East India Company.[26] The state government has, however, made significant strides in developing the state.[31] Improved governance has led to an economic revival in the state through increased investment in infrastructure,[32] better health care facilities, greater emphasis on education, and a reduction in crime and corruption.