Total population | |
---|---|
c. 105 million | |
Regions with significant populations | |
India | 103,804,637 |
Pakistan | A significant percentage of the 20 million Muhajirs |
Bangladesh | 250,000 |
Languages | |
Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Magahi, Maithili, Angika, and Bajjika, | |
Religion | |
Predominantly: Hinduism Minorities: |
|
Related ethnic groups | |
Indo-Aryan peoples, Maithil |
The Biharis ( listen ) is a demonym given to the people who live in the Indian state of Bihar and the adjoining regions of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and the Terai region of Nepal. Bihar is home to many different ethnic groups and castes. Biharis speak languages such as Magahi, Bajjika, Maithili, Awadhi, Angika, Bhojpuri, and other local dialects, as well as Hindustani (Hindi-Urdu) and Nepali.
Besides the state of Bihar, Biharis can be found throughout Purvanchal, North India, West Bengal, Assam, Maharashtra, and in the neighbouring countries of Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh. During the partition of India in 1947, many Bihari Muslims migrated to East Bengal (later East Pakistan and subsequently Bangladesh). Bihari people are also well represented in Pakistan's (formerly West Pakistan) Muhajir people as a result of the partition of India, as well as the recent relocation of some Bihari refugees from Bangladesh to Pakistan.