Sheohar district

The area of present-day Sheohar has historical connections with the wider Mehsi Pargana region. Historical records of Champaran describe Mehsi and Babra as parganas associated with the Sheohar Raj during the late 18th century. The two parganas were included in the 1791 Decennial Settlement and the arrangement was subsequently confirmed under the Permanent Settlement in 1793. These historical administrative and zamindari relationships predate the creation of the present-day Sheohar district in 1994 and illustrate the historical links between Mehsi and the surrounding territory of northern Bihar.

The district occupies an area of 349 km and had a population of 656,246 in the 2011 Census. Agriculture is an important part of the district economy. The district has a predominantly rural population and is affected by seasonal flooding.

The district headquarters, Sheohar, is located about 27 km south of Sitamarhi. It is connected by road with Sitamarhi, Bairgania, Mehsi and Muzaffarpur. Mehsi is located approximately 31 km north-east of Sheohar and forms an important road connection between Sheohar and the Muzaffarpur region. The road network connects Sheohar with neighbouring towns and districts in northern Bihar.

The name Sheohar is traditionally associated with the words Shiva (शिव) and Har (हर), names associated with Shiva. Agriculture is the mainstay of the district. Sheohar is among the flood-affected districts of Bihar, particularly because of flooding associated with the Bagmati and Budhi Gandak river systems. Devkuli is a religious site known for its ancient temple dedicated to Shiva.

As of the 2011 Census, Sheohar was the second least populous district in Bihar, after Sheikhpura.