Bihar is deeply linked with ancient Indian history. The greatest empires of ancient India built their capital cities here. Buddhism, too , began its triumphant march across East Asia from Bihar. Bihar falls into two parts, the northern region in the Gangetic plain and , the southern region in the north Deccan plateau area known as Chota Nagpur. Ancient Sanskrit texts mention four kingdoms in the region but by the sixth century BC, the time of the Buddha, Magadha had established its supremacy under the rulers Bimbisara and Ajatashatru.

Southern Bihar is very different from the north. The main towns in the region , Ranchi , Jamshedpur and Dhanbad , are all industrial towns .Ranchi is still a quiet place and some times considered a minor hill station . At 651 meters, it has a more pleasant climate than much of the state during the monsoon and winter months . Jamshedpur , further to the south near the border with Orissa , is India's industrial showpiece.