Katihar district of Bihar is a part of the Purnia division. The main administrative headquarters of the Katihar district is in the town of Katihar. The district of Katihar came into existence in the year of 1973 when it was split from the district of Purnia. A long time after India achieved independence, the district of Katihar was literally ruled by the Chowdhury Family in spite of the presence of the administration. Before Independence the region was a part of Bengal. The region was separated owing to the Partition of Bengal by the British. The district of Katihar holds a land area of 3057 sq km, which accommodates a population of 30 lacs individuals approximately. The land is gifted with four rivers that flow through the mainland of the district. The rivers are: Ganges, Mahananda, Kosi and Righa. The district covers a majority of the north eastern part of the Gangetic plains that falls in Bihar. In spite of all the agricultural productivity the district finds itself in the list of the 250 most backward districts of India and is currently running on the funds by the Backward Regions Grant Fund Program.