"Bihar" has been derived from the word "Vihar" which was symbol of Buddhist monasteries. Bihar is one of the places which has seen the birth of ancient civilisation and Indian history. Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim and Sikh Shrines abound in this ancient land where India's first major empire rose and fell. It is land of not only the religious preachers but also of Emperors and great warriors. It had four Kingdoms: Mithila(Videh), Vaishali, Ang and Magadh. 

During Vedic days Videh was ruled by Janak vanshi kings and Raja Janak ,"Sita's" father who was one of the kings. During 6th century B.C. this place had the first elected republic of the world. During the course of time, eight small republics were formed which later on merged with Lichhavi State. 

Vishal the son of Surya Vansha formed the Vaishali state. During 6th century B.C. Vaishali became a republic state. 

This state was established by a prince named Angad. Full details of this state is not available in the history except that Ang king married his daughter to Kaushambi king Udayan to save his kingdom from Puruthan the king of Magadh. Still this Kingdom could not be saved as Bimbisar of Haryak vansh conquered Ang and merged it with Magadh. 

The area of Patna and Gaya constituted the ancient Magadh kingdom having it's capital at Rajgrih. Barahyadrath, father of Jarasandh established the Magadh kingdom in 6th century B.C. Later on Bimbisara became the ruler of Magadh. Bimbisara and Ajatshatru expanded their Kingdom covering northern Bihar. Thereafter Shishunag became the ruler and conquered Awauti state. During 4th century B.C. Ugrasen of Nand Vansh became the ruler, who was dethroned by Chanakya and his disciple Chandragupta. Chandragupta was a great warrior who forced Sikander to leave India and also conquered Afghanistan & Baluchistan and made it a part of his kingdom. Chandragupta was succeeded by Bindusar and then by Ashoka the Great, who ruled from 273 century BC to 232 BC. King Ashoka became the follower of Buddhist religion after he attacked Kaling in which 1 million people were killed and 1.5 million people were taken as prisoners. He spread Buddhism throughout the world. History of next 500 years are not of great importance. From 26th Feb 320 AD rule of Gupta regime started and Chandragupta first became the king. He made Patliputra his kingdom and ruled till 330 AD. His son Samudragupta ruled from 330 Ad to 380 AD. And degeated 12 kings of south and became famous throughout the world. Samudragupta's son Chandragupta Vikramadutt became the ruler from 375 AD to 493 AD and conquered Gujrat, Kathivada & Ujjaini. The great poet Kalidas was one of the Ratna's of that period. Maukhri Vansh ruled Bihar for some time followed by Harshvardhan, Sashank & Adityasen. During 743 AD Palvansh ruled Magadh and the ruler were Gopal, Dharampal and Deopal. After the death of Deopal the kingdom started disintegrating. During 1236, Muslims attacked Bihar but Shershah Suri (1472-1545) brought stability again. Akbar, the great made Bihar a separate state consisting Magadh, Tirhut and Ang . Suja became the Governor of Bihar. In 1652 the British started business form Patna and after Palasi war they started ruling Bihar . The British ruled Bihar from 1765 to 1947 and thereafter Bihar became a state under the Union of India.