Bihari

Bihari refers to things related to Bihar, a state in eastern India, or to people who originate from there. It is commonly used as a demonym for residents of Bihar and, in linguistic contexts, to describe the languages spoken in the region.

The core Bihari languages are Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magahi, with Angika often included in discussions of the group. These languages form the Bihari language group within the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European family and are distinct from Standard Hindi, though Hindi is widely spoken as a lingua franca in many parts of Bihar. There is no single officially designated language called "Bihari"; rather, Bihari languages are a collection of related languages spoken by different communities in the region.

Geographically, Bihar lies in eastern India. Bihari culture encompasses distinctive music, cuisine such as litti chokha, and festivals including Chhath Puja. The Mithila region in northeast Bihar is closely associated with Maithili language and Maithil culture, while central Bihar is historically linked with Magahi and the ancient Magadh region.

Historically, the area has deep roots in ancient India, with Magadha as a prominent center of the Maurya and Gupta empires. In the colonial era, Bihar was part of British India and was organized within the Bengal Presidency; it became a separate state in 1912 and was reorganized in 2000 when Jharkhand was carved out.

The Bihari diaspora is present in countries such as Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, and others, largely due to historical indentured labor and later migration. The term "Bihari" thus covers regional identity, linguistic variation, and a culturally diverse population.