The term Bihar comes from "Vihar" meaning monastery as hundreds of monasteries have been excavated here due its connection to the Buddha's life. It is thought that about 2500 years ago, the Buddha obtained illumination at Bodh Gaya under a tree, what is now known as the famous "Bodhi Tree". An ancient Bodhi tree there is thought to have originated from the original tree. Presently the location of the Mahabodhi Temple marks the exact site of Buddha's enlightment.

Mahavira was also born on this ancient realm of Vaishali where he achieved supreme enlightment The author of the Hindu epic; The Ramayana, the great Rishi Valmiki also lived in Ancient Bihar. The birth location of Sita Mata is a village called "Punaura", situated at Sitamarhi district in Bihar. Gurugovind Singh was born at Patna Sahib noticeable by a magnificent Gurudwara called the the "Takht Sri Patna Sahib" built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The famous Vishnupad Temple (12km, at Gaya) was built by Queen Ahilya Bai on the banks of river Falgu. The temple has some grand structural design and that attracts devotees and tourists alike. It is considered to have the footprint of lord Vishnu.

Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire in 322 B.C. by overthrowing the Nanda dynasty and also liberated the trans-Indus area from Greek occupation by defeating Seleucus-I of Alexander's army. It was this very region that stood up to the foreign invaders of ancient ages and united whole of south Asia under one banner. The Mauryan Empire (220 years later) ruled by the Mauryan dynasty, is considered the major and most significant political and military kingdom of ancient India. Magadha or ancient Bihar had its capital in Patliputra (Patna) that stretched from Afghanistan to most of the South and the east coast of India. After the well-known Kalinga (Orrisa) conflict Ashoka the Great ended the military growth of the empire and converted to Buddhism. It is considered as the greatest empire to rule the Indian subcontinent. Tribute goes to Ashoka for the establishment of Buddhism in China and Sri Lanka. Ashoka was the last great king of the Mauryan Empire. His successors were of no importance and in 184 B.C. the last of the Mauryan kings was assassinated ending first empire of India derives from Bihar.

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