Maner, Bihar

{{Use Indian English|date=June 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Short description|Historic town and Sufi pilgrimage site in Patna district, Bihar, India}}

{{Infobox settlement | name = Maner | native_name = मनेर | native_name_lang = hi | other_name = Maner Sharif | nickname = The Land of Sufi Saints | settlement_type = Town | image_skyline = [[File:Maner dargah ... Bihar . INDIA.jpg|250px]] | image_alt = The Bari Dargah of Maner Sharif | image_caption = The '''Bari Dargah''' (Tomb of Shah Daulat), a major [[Sufi]] shrine | pushpin_map = India Bihar | pushpin_label_position = right | pushpin_map_alt = Location of Maner in Bihar | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Bihar, India | coordinates = {{coord|25.65|N|84.88|E|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|India}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = [[Bihar]] | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = [[Patna district|Patna]] | established_title = Historical significance | established_date = 8th–17th century CE | founder = | government_type = | governing_body = [[Nagar parishad]] | unit_pref = Metric | area_total_km2 = 12.5 | elevation_m = 54 | population_total = 26,912 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_density_km2 = auto | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi]], [[Urdu]], [[Magahi language|Magahi]] | timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code = 801108 | area_code = 0612 | registration_plate = BR-01 | website = {{URL|patna.nic.in}} }}

'''Maner''', also known as '''Maner Sharif''', is a historic town and a [[Community development block in India|block]] in [[Patna district]] of [[Bihar]], India. Situated approximately 24 km west of [[Patna]] on [[National Highway 922 (India)|NH-922]], it is renowned for its [[Mughal architecture|Mughal-era]] [[dargah]]s and as an important [[Sufism|Sufi]] pilgrimage center.

== Etymology == The ancient name of Maner was ''Maniyar Mathan'', meaning "musical city" in local tradition. The suffix "Sharif" (meaning noble) was added due to its association with Sufi saints.

== History == Excavation near Maner in 2012-13 found evidence of habitation as far back as the [[Chalcolithic]] period, including a [[soakage pit]], a drain connected to the pit, and various pottery samples such as jars, bowls, and basins. A later period is attributable to the [[Northern Black Polished Ware]] culture ({{circa}} 700-200 BCE), based on the presence of a few tiny shards of the namesake pottery itself. Various other pottery samples from this period were also found, as well as an iron spearhead and some thirty metal discs apparently made out of an [[alloy]] of copper and lead. Evidence of habitation during the [[Shunga dynasty|Shunga]], [[Kushan Empire|Kushan]], [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]], and post-Gupta periods was also found.<ref name="Indian Archaeology 2012-13">{{cite book |editor-last=Tewari |editor-first=Rakesh |title=Indian Archaeology 2012-13 — A Review |date=2015 |publisher=[[Archaeological Survey of India]] |location=New Delhi |url=https://asi.nic.in/admin/publications/ePublicationReportsDetails/download/16 |access-date=30 March 2026}}</ref>{{rp|8-9}}

A now-lost [[Indian copper plate inscriptions|copper plate grant]] found at Maner, dated to 11 May 1124, indicates that Maner was the seat of a ''[[pattala (district)|paṭṭalā]]'' (district) at that time. The grant records that the [[Gahadavala dynasty|Gāhaḍavāla]] king [[Govindachandra (Gahadavala dynasty)|Govindachandra]] donated two villages called Guṇāve and Paḍalī, both in the ''paṭṭalā'' of Maṇiari (i.e. Maner), to a [[brahmin|brāhmaṇa]] named Gaṇeśvaraśarman. The villages of Guṇāve and Paḍalī were presumably located somewhere near Maner, but their exact locations are unknown.<ref name="Majumdar 1922">{{cite journal |last1=Majumdar |first1=N. G. |author1-link=N. G. Majumdar |title=Maner Copperplate of Govindacandra, V. E. 1183 |journal=Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal |date=1922 |volume=XVIII |pages=81-4 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Journal_and_Proceedings_of_the_Asiatic_S/JB1FAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=maner%20copper%20plate%20inscription&pg=PA81&printsec=frontcover |access-date=10 June 2025}}</ref>

Later, Maner gained prominence during the medieval period as a center of [[Sufism]]:

* 13th century: Became associated with Sufi saint [[Makhdoom Yahya Maneri]] * 1608: Death of [[Makhdoom Shah Daulat]], another prominent Sufi saint * 1616: Construction of ''Bari Dargah'' (Great Shrine) by [[Ibrahim Khan Kakar]], the Mughal governor of Bihar * 1619: Construction of a mosque by Ibrahim Khan

The town flourished as a center of Islamic learning during the Mughal period.

== Geography == Maner is located at {{coord|25.65|N|84.88|E}} on the southern bank of the [[Ganges]] river. The [[Son River]] meets the Ganges at Haldi Chhapra near Maner.

=== Climate === Maner has a [[Humid subtropical climate]] (Köppen ''Cwa'') with: * Hot summers (April–June) * Monsoon rains (July–September) * Mild winters (November–February)

== Demographics == As of the [[2011 Census of India|2011 census]]: * Population: 26,912 * Gender ratio: 947 females per 1000 males * Literacy rate: 71.12% (higher than state average) * Major languages: [[Magahi language|Magahi]] (94.24%), [[Hindi]] (5.76%)

== Administration == Maner is a [[community development block]] consisting of 38 villages. It is part of the [[Maner (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Maner Assembly constituency]] and [[Pataliputra (Lok Sabha constituency)|Pataliputra Lok Sabha constituency]].

== Landmarks == === Religious sites === * '''Bari Dargah''': Tomb of Shah Daulat (1616), fine example of Mughal architecture * '''Chhoti Dargah''': Tomb of Makhdoom Yahya Maneri * '''Haldi Chhapra''': Confluence of Son and Ganges rivers * '''Maner Jain Temple''': Ancient Jain pilgrimage site

=== Other attractions === * '''Maner Fort''': Ruins of an ancient fort * '''British-era bridge''' over Son River

== Culture == === Festivals === * '''Urs''': Annual festival at the dargahs attracting thousands * '''Chhath Puja''': Celebrated at Haldi Chhapra ghat

=== Cuisine === * '''Maner ka Laddu''': Famous sweet made with [[ghee]] and [[chhana]] * Traditional Bihari dishes: [[Litti chokha]], [[Khaja]], [[Thekua]]

== Economy == Maner's economy is primarily based on: * Agriculture (rice, wheat, maize) * Small-scale industries * Religious tourism

The town is famous for its sweet shops, particularly '''Maner Sweets''' established in 1935.

== Transport == * '''Road''': Connected via NH-922 to Patna and Arrah * '''Rail''': Nearest station is [[Danapur railway station|Danapur]] (20 km) * '''Air''': [[Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport]] (30 km)

== Education == Notable educational institutions: * Ram Nagina Singh Inter College (established 1948) * Government Girls High School * Maner high school (affiliated to [[Bihar board]]) *Topper classes maner (for class 10th and 12th)

== Notable people == * [[Kunal Singh]] - Bhojpuri actor * [[Ramayan Tiwari]] - Bollywood actor

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Official website|http://patna.nic.in}} * [https://tourism.bihar.gov.in/destinations/patna/maner-sharif Maner Sharif on Bihar Tourism]

[[Category:Cities and towns in Patna district]] [[Category:Sufi shrines in India]]