Nawada

Nawada is a city and a municipality in Bihar. It is also the headquarters of Nawada district. Headquarters town of the subdivision of the same name, lying on both sides of the river Khuri in 24º 53’ N and 85º 33’ E. The name is a corrupt-ion of Nau-abad or the new town. .

History

Nawada is a part of the famous ancient Magadh division of south Bihar. The origin of the name Nawada is believed to lie in a corruption of the old name Nau-abad or the new town which was earlier known as ‘The Eliot Market (Bazaar)’. Before its acquisition by the East India Company, Nawada was ruled by the nearly independent Rajas of Hisua, and after its acquisition it was the center of great disorder till 1845, when it became the headquarters of the newly created subdivision. The elements of disorder came to fore again during the Mutiny of 1857, when Nawada was overrun by marauding parties. The local offices were destroyed, but Government records were saved by the native officials who hid them in a cave in a neighboring hill. These are the only available public records dating back to an era before 1857, in the district.Two miles to the north, there is a handsome Jain temple standing in the middle of a large tank to the west of the public road, but city itself contains no important buildings and has but little historical interest.