Madhesh Province

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Madhesh Province
मधेश प्रदेश
Province
Janki Mandir alt version.jpg
Kankalini Temple 5983.jpg
Shankharacharya Gate, Birgunj.jpg
Chinnamasta Temple Rajbiraj Saptari NPSAP01 (13).jpg
Gadhimai temple.jpg
Official seal of Madhesh Province
Seal
Location of Madhesh Province
Location of Madhesh Province
Map of Madhesh Province, Nepal
Country   Nepal
Formation20 September 2015
Capital CityJanakpur[1]
Largest cityBirgunj
Districts8
Government
 • TypeSelf governing province
 • BodyGovernment of Madhesh Province
 • GovernorHari Shankar Mishra[2]
 • Chief MinisterLalbabu Raut
 • High CourtJanakpur High Court
 • Provincial AssemblyUnicameral (107 seats)
 • Parliamentary constituency32
Area
 • Total9,661 km2 (3,730 sq mi)
 • Rank7th
Population
 (2020)
 • Total6,126,288
 • Rank1st
 • Density630/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
  • Rank1st
Time zoneUTC+5:45 (NST)
Area code(s)041
Official languageNepali (under Constitution of Nepal)
Other Official language(s)1. Maithili
2. Bhojpuri
3. Bajjika
HDI0.512 (low)
Literacy57.28%
Sex ratio101.2 ♂ /100 ♀ (2011)
GDPUS$4.73 billion
GDP rank4th
Websitehttps://provincialassembly.p2.gov.np/

Madhesh Province (Nepali: मधेश प्रदेश) is a province in the southeastern region of Nepal that was formed after the adoption of the Constitution of Nepal. It is Nepal's most populous province,[3] and smallest province by area. It borders Province No. 1 to the east, Bagmati Province to the north, and India’s Bihar state to the south. It has an area of 9,661 km2 (3,730 sq mi)-about 6.5% of the country's total area. It has a population of 6,126,288 as per the 2021 Nepal census, making it the most populated province of Nepal.[4][5]

The Koshi River and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve acts as provincial demarcation border between Madhesh Province and Province No.1 in the east. And the demarcation line between Chitwan National Park and Parsa National Park (previously Wildlife Reserve) acts as provincial demarcation border between Madhesh Province and Bagmati Province in the west.

The province includes eight districts from Saptari District in the east to Parsa District in the west. The majority of the province's population speaks Maithili, Bhojpuri, Bajjika and Nepali.[4]

The Capital city, a sub-metropolitan city of Janakpur, also known as Janakpurdham,[6] is a centre for religious and cultural tourism.[7] It is also thought to have been the capital of the Videha dynasty that ruled Mithila region in ancient times.[6]

The first urban planned municipality of Nepal, Rajbiraj, is also the oldest municipality of the Terai belt of Nepal.[8][9] The town is believed to have been named after the ancient Rajdevi temple, which dates back to the 1700s. The metropolitan city of Birgunj is an economically important industrial centre and the only metropolitan city in the province.[10][11][12][13][14][15]

On 17 January 2022, the meeting of Provincial assembly declared Janakpur as capital of Province No. 2 while the province was renamed to Madhesh Province.[16] Hari Shankar Mishra is the Head of Province while Mohammad Lalbabu Raut Gaddhi is the current Chief Minister.[17]

Etymology[]

The word madhesh is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit madhya desh (मध्य देश), literally the middle country, which refers to "the central region, the country lying between the Himalaya and the Vindhya mountains".[18][19] However, in the context of Nepal, Madhesh refers to the region in the Nepal Terai located south of the Siwalik Hills.[20][21] Madhesh has also been defined as the cultural and linguistic space existing as a basis for identity among the people of the Terai.[22]

The term Madheshi literally means the people of Madhesh, but it is in fact a political term used by the Hill Nepalis (the pahadis) to refer to "non-pahadis with plains languages as their mother tongue, regardless of their place of birth or residence".[21] The International Crisis Group stated in 2007 that it was often used pejoratively for any people residing in the Terai not considered "true Nepali".[21] One Madheshi stated in an interview that the ascription was "forced" upon the Madheshi people, but they accepted it and owned it by declaring that their land is Madhesh, hence they are Masheshis.[23] The term Madheshi became a widely recognised name for Nepali citizens with an Indian cultural background only after 1990.[24][25]

Presence at National level[]

As a political center of the region, its home to prominent leaders like Ram Baran Yadav, Bimalendra Nidhi and Pradeep Giri from the Nepali Congress, Mahantha Thakur from Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, Nepal, Matrika Yadav from CPN (Maoist Centre) and Dharmanath Prasad Sah, Bansidhar Mishra, Ram Chandra Jha from the CPN (Unified Socialist) who have been ministers at various point of time and are still active at National level.[26] In local level, Nepali congress remains the single largest party.[27]

Geography[]

The region is surrounded by:[28]

As per Central Bureau of Statistics(CBS)[29] the province covers about 9,661 km2 (3,730 sq mi). of Nepal's total area of 147,516 km2 (56,956 sq mi). with total number of 5,404,145 inhabitants(2011), it is the second most populous province in Nepal after Bagmati.[3][30]

The province is located on flat plains of Terai, and Chure (Churiya) or the Shiwalik Hills are the natural border of the province which falls on the northern side. The southern side has an international border with India. Koshi River on its eastern side acting as a natural border with Province No. 1. Madhesh Province has eight districts in a series (parallel). Koshi River, Bagmati River, Kamla River, Lakhandei River and Bishnumati River are the main rivers of the province.

Average temperatures and precipitation for selected communities in Madhesh Province [31]
Location August

(°F)

August

(°C)

January

(°F)

January

(°C)

Annual

Precipitation (mm/in)

Gaur 91/77.9 23/9.1 73.4/48.4 32.8/25.5 1590.2/62.6
Siraha 89.6/76.3 32/24.6 72.1/47.3 22.3/8.5 1293.1/50.9
Birgunj 84.7 29.3 60.8 16 1862.2/73.3
Jaleshwar 84.4 29.1 61.2 16.2 1492.9/58.8
Malangwa 84.4 29.1 60.8 16 1817.7/71.6
Janakpur 84.2 29 60.8 16 1516.5/59.7
Rajbiraj 83.3 28.5 60.4 15.8 1223.3/48.2
Lahan 83.3 28.5 60.3 15.7 1231.4/48.5

Government and Administration[]

Main articles: Government of Madhesh Province and Provincial Assembly of Madhesh Province

Executive[]

Main article: Lalbabu Raut cabinet

The Governor acts as the head of the province while the Chief Minister is the head of the provincial government. The present Governor and Chief Minister are Hari Shankar Mishra and Mohammad Lalbabu Raut respectively.[32][33]

Legislative[]

Main article: Provincial Assembly of Madhesh Province

The province has 107 provincial assembly constituencies and 32 House of Representative constituencies.[34]

Madhesh Province has a unicameral legislature, like all of the other provinces in Nepal. The term length of provincial assembly is five years. The Provincial Assembly of Madhesh Province is temporarily housed at the District Education Office in Janakpur.[35]

Province no.2 Assembly 2021.svg

Party Parliamentary party leader Seats
People's Socialist Party, Nepal Mohammad Lalbabu Raut 39
Nepali Congress Ram Saroj Yadav 22
Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Nepal Jitendra Prasad Sonal 16
CPN(Unified Socialist) Satrudhan Mahato 13
CPN(UML) Satya Narayan Mandal 8
CPN(Maoist centre) Bharat Sah 8
Nepal Federal Socialist Party Sabitri Devi Shah 1
Total 107

Judiciary[]

Main article:

The Chief Judge of the Janakpur High Court is the head of the judiciary.[36] The acting chief justice is Binod Sharma.[37]

Administrative subdivisions[]

See also: Districts of Nepal, List of cities in Nepal, and List of gaunpalikas of Nepal

Madhesh Province is divided into eight districts, which are listed below. A district is administrated by the head of the District Coordination Committee and the District Administration Officer. The districts are further divided into municipalities or rural municipalities. The municipalities include one metropolitan city, three sub-metropolitan cities, and 73 municipalities. There are 59 rural municipalities in the province.[38]

Name Headquarters Population (2011)
Sarlahi District Malangawa 769,729
Dhanusha District Janakpur 754,777
Bara District Kalaiya 687,708
Rautahat District Gaur 686,722
Saptari District Rajbiraj 639,284
Siraha District Siraha 637,328
Mahottari District Jaleshwar 627,580
Parsa District Birgunj 601,017

Demographics[]

According to the 2011 Nepal Census,the Province has a population of 5,391,349: 2,706,078 males and 2,685,271 females. The province has the second highest population in the country having 20.35%, and is the densest province in the country with a density of 640 people per square kilometer.[39]

Ethnic groups in Madhesh Province

  Yadav (14.80%)
   (11.59%)
  Tharu (5.27%)
  Teli (5.10%)
  Koeri (4.56%)
  Chamar (4.22%)
  Dhanuk (3.49%)
  Musahar (3.02%)
  Sharma badhee (2.83%)
  Paswan (2.79%)
  Hill Brahmin (2.34%)
  Mallaah (2.26%)
  Maithil Brahmin (2.2%)
  Tamang (2.17%)
  Other Madheshi (2.631%)
  Other Khas (3.38%)
  Other Janajati (3.03%)
  Others (0.64%)

Ethnic groups[]

Madhesis are the largest ethnic group in the province, while Maithils (Maithili speaking people) are the largest ethnolinguistic group. Yadav is the largest group among the Madhesis in the province making up around 14.80% of the population. Muslims are the second largest group making up 1.59% of the population. Teli (5.10%), Koiri/Kushwaha (4.56%), Chamar (4.22%), Dhanuk (3.49%), Musahar (3.02%), Kurmi (2.83%), Dusadh/Paswan (2.79%), Mallaah (2.26%), Maithil Brahmin (2.2%), and Karan Kayastha (1.5%) are other Madhesi pandit(8.0)groups in the province.[39]

Hill Brahmans and Chhetris are the largest Khas Arya group in the province making up 2.34% and 1.99% of the population respectively. Tharu (5.27%) is the largest non-Madhesi, non-Khas Arya group followed by Tamang (2.17%).[39]

  Maithili (45.36%)
  Bhojpuri (18.59%)
  Bajjika (14.68%)
  Nepali (6.56%)
  Others (21.37%)
  Hinduism (84.75%)
  Islam (11.55%)
  Buddhism (3.01%)
  Others (0.69%)

Languages[]

Maithili is spoken as the mother tongue by 45.36% of the population in the province. Bhojpuri and Bajjika are spoken by 18.59% and 14.68% of the population. Despite being the province's official language, Nepali is spoken as their mother tongue by only 6.56% of the population. Urdu (5.88%), Tharu (3.77%) and Tamang (1.94%) are other languages spoken in the province by a significant minority population.[39]

The Language Commission of Nepal has recommended Maithili, Bajjika and Bhojpuri as official language in the province. The commission has also recommended Urdu, Tharu and Tamang to be additional official languages, for specific regions and purposes in the province.[40]

Religion[]

Hinduism is the most followed religion in the province being followed by 84.75% of the population. Islam is the second largest religion with 11.55% of the population being Muslims and Buddhism is followed by 3.01% of the population.[39]

Cities[]

 
 
Largest cities or towns in Madhesh Province
Central Bureau of Statistics [1]
Rank District Pop. Rank District Pop.
Birgunj
Birgunj
Janakpur
Janakpur 		1 Birgunj Parsa 240,922 11 Bardibas Mahottari 66,354 Kalaiya
Kalaiya
Jeetpur Simara
Jeetpur Simara
2 Janakpur Dhanusha 159,468 12 Ishwarpur Sarlahi 59,986
3 Kalaiya Bara 123,659 13 Lalbandi Sarlahi 59,395
4 Jeetpur Simara Bara 117,496 14 Jaleshwor Mahottari 58,549
5 Lahan Siraha 91,766 15 Mahagadhimai Bara 54,474
6 Siraha Siraha 82,531 16 Golbazar Siraha 51,137
7 Chandrapur Rautahat 72,059 17 Garuda Rautahat 50,481
8 Barahathwa Sarlahi 69,822 18 Mirchaiya Siraha 50,079
9 Rajbiraj Saptari 69,086 19 Simraungadh Bara 49,939
10 Gaushala Mahottari 66,673 20 Manara Shiswa Mahottari 49,692

Infrastructure[]

Transport[]

Madhesh Province has no difficult terrains. However, Province is the only province with a passenger serviceable railway line in Nepal.

The only passenger train service of Nepal in Janakpur

Roadways[]

The major connecting link for the province is the Mahendra Highway (East-West Highway) which runs longitudinally across the province. All major cities of the province remain disconnected from this highway. Janakpurdham, Rajbiraj , Birgunj and Gaur lie 25,10, 24 and 42 kilometres south of the Mahendra Highway, respectively.[41] The Tribhuvan Highway does not cross as much of the province as the Mahendra Highway, but it is most important link as it connects the province to Kathmandu and to the India.[42] The starting point of Tribhuvan Highway i.e. Birgunj is the most important International Gateway and trade way for this province and entire country and hence known as "The Gateway of Nepal". In terms of revenue generation, Birgunj custom point is the largest. Birendra Highway which is connected to Mahendra highway from Headquarter of Rautahat district Gaur to the Chandranigahapur is 42 km in length.

Railways[]

Main article: Nepal Railways
Janakpur Train Station is the largest Railway Station in Nepal

A few other railway projects are under progress in the Madesh province All these projects are of Nepal Railways. Government of Nepal has proposed Janakpur as a Main Station for 1024 km east-west Metro Railway project and further be extended to India and China for connecting Nepal Railways with Indian Railways and China Railway for business and tourism promotion.[43]

Domestic Airports: Madhesh province has three domestic airports in use which are the busiest among the country.

International Airport:

See also[]

References[]

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  2. ^ "Government recommends Hari Shankar Mishra as provincial chief of Province 2". The Kathmandu Post. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  3. ^ a b Law, G. (2015). "Provinces of Nepal". statoids.com. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  4. ^ a b "National Population and Housing Census 2011" (PDF). Central Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  5. ^ "सबैभन्दा बढी जनसंख्या हुने प्रदेश मधेश". ekantipur.com (in Nepali). Retrieved 26 January 2022.
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  7. ^ Rastriya Samachar Samiti (2004). "More Indian tourists visit Janakpurdham". Himalayan Times, 17 January 2004.
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