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Bihar, a state rich in culture, history, and heritage, has given India some of its most remarkable and influential personalities. From ancient times to the modern era, these icons have made significant contributions in fields such as politics, literature, education, and sports, leaving a lasting impact on the nation. In this blog, we will explore the lives and achievements of 10 famous personalities from Bihar who have made India proud. Among them are historical figures like Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President, and modern-day achievers such as actor Shah Rukh Khan, who rose to global fame. These individuals not only made a mark in their respective fields but also inspired generations with their determination and achievements. Let’s take a closer look at these icons who helped shape India’s identity and continue to inspire millions today.
Table of Contents
List of 10 Famous Personalities from Bihar
Here is a list of famous personalities from Bihar with their respective occupations. All of these personalities have made significant contributions which we will know further in this article.
| No. | Name | Lifespan | Field of Contribution | Important Achievements and Recognition |
| 1 | Dr. Rajendra Prasad | 1884-1963 | Politics, Law | First President of India, Key figure in the Indian independence movement, President of the Constituent Assembly. |
| 2 | Jayaprakash Narayan | 1902-1979 | Social Reform, Politics | Prominent freedom fighter, spearheaded the “Total Revolution” movement, widely known as “Loknayak.” |
| 3 | Babu Kunwar Singh | 1777-1858 | Freedom Fighting | A key leader in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, known for his bravery and resistance against the British. |
| 4 | Sri Krishna Sinha | 1887-1961 | Politics, Administration | First Chief Minister of Bihar, a key figure in the independence movement, known as “Bihar Kesari.” |
| 5 | Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’ | 1908-1974 | Poetry, Literature, Politics | Renowned Hindi poet, freedom fighter, nationalist writer, recipient of the Jnanpith Award for “Urvashi.” |
| 6 | Ustad Bismillah Khan | 1916-2006 | Classical Music (Shehnai) | Legendary Shehnai maestro who brought international recognition to the instrument, recipient of the Bharat Ratna. |
| 7 | Anand Kumar | born 1973 | Mathematics, Education | Mathematician and founder of “Super 30,” coaching underprivileged students for IIT entrance exams. |
| 8 | Prakash Jha | born 1952 | Film Direction & Production | National Award-winning film director known for socially and politically relevant films. |
| 9 | Manoj Bajpayee | born 1969 | Acting | Critically acclaimed and versatile Bollywood actor with numerous awards for his performances. |
| 10 | Ravish Kumar | born 1974 | Journalism | Influential journalist and media personality known for independent reporting, recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award. |
Also Read – 5+ Famous Personalities of Maharashtra You Should Know
Know All About the Famous Personalities from Bihar
Here we will discuss all the famous personalities of Bihar who made us proud with their hard work and determination. We will get to see many things about each personality like their honours and awards, occupation, alma mater etc, one by one.
Rajendra Prasad
Rajendra Prasad was born in Bihar, India in 1884. He was a lawyer by profession. He was a great supporter of the Indian Independence from British rule. To make India free he worked with many other great leaders also. When India got its independence in 1947, Rajendra Prasad was chosen to be the country’s first prime minister. He was a good leader and made efforts to make India grow and become stronger.
| About Rajendra Prasad | |
| Name | Rajendra Prasad |
| Born | 13 February 1952 |
| Died | 28 February 1963 (aged 78) Patna, Bihar, India |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Alma mater | University of Calcutta |
| Occupation | Politician, lawyer, journalist, scholar |
| Awards | Bharat Ratna (1962) |
Jayaprakash Narayan
Jaya Prakash Narayana was a significant Indian leader born on October 11, 1902. He was best known for his” total revolution” campaign against Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and he was also a key figure in India’s independence movement. He advocated for democracy and social change and received the Bharat Ratna which is India’s highest civilian honour.
| About Jaya Prakash Narayan | |
| Name | Jayaprakash Narayan Srivastava |
| Born | 11 October 1902 |
| Other names | JP, Jay Prakash Narayan, Lok Nayak |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin (M.A., sociology) Ohio State University (B. A., behavioural science) University of Iowa (CHE, discontinued) U.C. Berkeley (chemistry, discontinued) |
| Occupations | Activist, theorist, politician |
| Political party | Indian National CongressJanata Party |
| Movement | Quit India, Sarvodaya, JP Movement |
| Awards | Ramon Magsaysay Award (1965) Bharat Ratna (1999) (posthumously) |
Mahavira
Mahavira was a wise teacher who lived in India many years ago. He used to teach people about peace, love, and kindness. He was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism, a religion that believes in non-violence and respect for all living things. He left his home at a very young age to become a wandering monk. He spent many years learning and meditating. He is remembered as a great spiritual leader and a symbol of peace and non-violence.
| About Mahavira | |
| Name | Mahavira |
| Born | Vardhamānac. 599 BCE |
| Venerated in | Jainism |
| Tree | Shala |
| Mantra | Śrī Mahāvīrāya Namaḥ |
| Died | 527 BCE |
| Dynasty | Ikshvaku dynasty |
| Festivals | Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, Diwali |
Shri Krishna Sinha
Shri Krishna Sinha was an Indian politician who served as the first chief minister of Bihar. He was born in 1887 in Ara, Bihar. He played a key role in India’s independence and was a leader of the Indian National Congress. He became the first chief minister of BIahr after India’s independence in 1947. He is known for his efforts and contribution to the development of Bihar.
| About Shri Krishna Sinha | |
| Name | Shri Krishna Singh |
| Nickname(s) | Bihar Kesari, Shri Babu |
| Born | 21 October 1887 |
| Died | 31 January 1961 |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Alma mater | University of Calcutta, Patna University |
| Occupation | Lawyer Nationalist Statesman Educationist Administrator |
Also Read – 7 Most Famous Personalities from Gujarat
Chandragupta Maurya
In ancient India Chandragupta Maurya was one of the powerful kings. He ruled the Mauryan Empire. He was born around 340 BC in Magdha, India. To build his empire he conquered many kingdoms. He appointed Chanakya as his adviser, proving he was a wise ruler. He ruled for many years and made India a strong and prosperous country.
| About Chandragupta Maurya | |
| Name | Chandragupta Maurya |
| Born | c. 350 BCE Pataliputra, Magadha, Nanda Empire |
| Coronation | c. 322 BCE |
| Died | c. 295 BCE Kalbappu (Chandragiri), Maurya Empire |
| Dynasty | Maurya |
| Issue | Bindusara |
| Religion | Brahmanism; Jainism (according to Jain tradition) |
Also Read – Chanakya: Life, Revenge, Books & More
Manoj Bajpayee
Manoj Bajpayee is a well-known Indian actor known for his powerful performances in Bollywood. In 1969 he was born in Bihar. Bajpayee started his acting career in 1969 and is best known for the characters that he played, such as Satya, Shool, Family Man, and Gangs of Wassepur. Including the Filmfare award and National Film Award, he has won many other awards also.
| About Manoj Bajpayee | |
| Name | Manoj Bajpayee |
| Born | 23 April 1969 Belwa, Bihar, India |
| Age | 55 |
| Education | St. Stanislaus Mission Middle School, Bettiah, Bihar Khrist Raja High School, Bettiah, Bihar Maharani Janaki Kunwar College, Bettiah, Bihar (class 11 & 12) |
| Alma mater | Ramjas College, Delhi University (BA History (Hons.), MA Pali Language (dropped out) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Honours | Padma Shri (2019) |
Bismillah Khan
Ustad Bismillah Khan was well known for his mastery of shehnai. He was a legendary Indian classical musician who was born on 21 March 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar and Orissa Province, British India. He used to learn shehnai from his father and later became a renowned musician. He holds a separate fanbase for the soulful melodies and technical brilliance. He was rewarded with the Bharat Ratna and passed away in 2006.
| About Ustad Bismillah Khan | |
| Name | Ustad Bismillah Khan |
| BirthName | Qamaruddin Khan |
| Born | 21 March 1916 Dumraon, Bihar and Orissa Province, British India |
| Died | 21 August 2006 (aged 90)Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Genres | Indian classical music |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Shehnai |
FAQs
Here are the names of famous people of Bihar – Dr Rajendra Prasad, Jayaprakash Narayan, Babu Kunwar Singh, Sri Krishna Singh, Yogendra Shukla etc.
Many heroes in Bollywood are from Bihar such as Manoj Bajpayee, Pankaj Tripathi and many more.
Some of the famous kings of Bihar are Chandragupta, Maurya, Bindusara, Ashoka and Samudragupta.
Bihar has given many brave freedom fighters to India. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, played a major role in the freedom movement. Jayaprakash Narayan was a key leader in the Quit India Movement and later led the Total Revolution. Kunwar Singh was a courageous leader in the 1857 revolt against the British. Ramdhari Singh Dinkar inspired people through his patriotic poems. Other notable fighters include Sher Ali, Babu Kunwar Singh, and Yadunandan Prasad Mehta. Their efforts and sacrifices greatly contributed to India’s independence.
Veer Kunwar Singh is remembered as the “Lion of Bihar” for his courage and leadership during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. He came from the Bhojpur region of Bihar and played a key role in fighting against British rule. Despite his old age, he bravely led a group of soldiers and challenged the British East India Company with great strength and spirit.
Relevant Reads
This was all about famous Personalities from Bihar. If you want to know more about other Famous Personalities then visit our General Knowledge page!
