History of Begusarai
Begusarai district in Bihar is known for its Gadhpura region, which was a noniya mitti area. Before 1930, the people of the noniya community in this region used to make salt on the orders of the British authorities. The salt prepared here was sold by the British in Bihar. When Mahatma Gandhi broke the salt law in Sabarmati, residents of Munger district in Bihar and the first Chief Minister of Bihar, Dr. Srikrishna Singh, also started the Salt Satyagraha movement here in April 1930. The noniya community of Gadhpura opposed the salt law in this movement, and after independence, this place came to be known as Bihar’s Dandi.
Satyagraha Movement in Gadhpura
Every year in April, local people from 18 villages in Bihar engage in discussions regarding the Salt Satyagraha site in Gadhpura. It is revealed that every April, there is a satyagraha related to the development of the region. Demand for conferring Bharat Ratna to Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Dr. Srikrishna Singh, is also raised during these discussions.
Impact of Satyagraha Movement
The impact of this Satyagraha movement is such that in this area, railway stations, major government schools, hospitals, and other institutions have been opened in the name of Dr. Srikrishna Singh. Local people believe that due to this movement, Begusarai district is also witnessing significant development. Almost all Chief Ministers of Bihar have visited this place and made plans for the development of the region. The noniya community still makes salt from the soil, and the history of making salt from noniya mitti dates back to the British era.
बिहार के बेगूसराय जिले का गढ़पुरा अंचल नोनिया मिट्टी का क्षेत्र रहा है। इस इलाके में नोनिया समुदाय के लोग अंग्रेजी हुकुकत के आदेश पर नमक बनाते थे। राष्ट्रपिता महात्मा गांधी ने साबरमती में नमक कानून तोड़ा जिससे बिहार के मुंगेर जिला वासी और बिहार के प्रथम मुख्यमंत्री डॉ. श्रीकृष्ण सिंह ने भी नमक सत्याग्रह आंदोलन की शुरूआत की। आजादी के बाद इस स्थान को बिहार का दांडी कहा जाने लगा। इस आंदोलन का इम्पैक्ट है की इस प्रखंड में डॉ. श्रीकृष्ण सिंह के नाम से स्थानीय संस्थानों की स्थापना हुई। नोनिया समाज के लोग आज भी मिट्टी से नमक बनाते हैं। इसी नमक सत्याग्रह की वजह से बेगूसराय जिले का भी विकास हो रहा है।