BEGUSARAI

city, north-central Bihar state, northeastern India. It is situated in the Middle Ganges Plain, just north of the Ganges River. The name Begusarai is derived from serai (Persian, meaning "travelers' lodge"), a building in the centre of the town. It is an important commercial centre on the North Eastern Railway. The surrounding area is flat, has alluvial soil, and is traversed by numerous streams. The region's economy is dominated by subsistence agriculture: rice, pulse (legumes), wheat, barley, corn (maize), sugarcane, and oilseeds are grown. Industries produce textiles, canned fruit, dairy products, vegetable oil, chemicals, and paper. Pop. (1991 prelim.) city, 71,362; metropolitan area, 83,907.