Chhapra (Hindi: छपरा Urdu: چہَپرَ) is a city and headquarters of the Saran district in the Indian state of Bihar. Also known as Chapra, it is situated near the junction of the Ghaghara River and the Ganges River.
Chhapra grew in importance as a river mart in the 18th century when the Dutch,^[1][2] French, Portuguese, and English established saltpeter refineries there. It was recognized as a municipality in 1864. The town has major rail and road connections with the rest of India.
MISHRA
Various hypotheses exist about the origin of the city's name. General Cunningham suggested that Saran (or asylum) was a name given to a stupa (pillar) built by Emperor Ashoka. Another hypothesis says that the name Saran was derived from Saranga-Aranya (or the deer forest), for its wide expanses of forest and deer in prehistoric times.

[edit] History

The earliest authentic historical record concerning this district is supposedly from 898 AD. It suggests that the village of Dighwara Dubauli in Saran had supplied a copper plate issued during the reign of King Mahendra Paldeva. Maharshi Dadhichi, who donated his bones to the gods for the manufacture of arms, belongs to Saran. The cottage of Dronacharya was situated there. Gautamasthan, which is 8 km from chapra, used to be Maharshi Gautam's ashram. Lord Rama gave Devi Ahiylya (wife of Maharshi Gautam) her life back after she turned to stone due to a curse. The fight of "Gaj" (Elephant) and "Grah" (Crocodile) was made at Sonepur in Saran also.Ambica Sthan or Ambika Bhawani (Ami, Dighwara) is famous for the goddess Durga.