SIWAN

city, northwestern Bihar state, northeastern India. It lies 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Chapra town on the eastern bank of the Daha River. The city's name is derived from savayana (Sanskrit: bier); according to legend, Buddha's bier, during its journey to Kusinara for cremation, was set on the ground in Siwan for a short time. The city is a junction on the North Eastern Railway and is connected by paved roads with nearby areas. It is a commercial and manufacturing centre, and pottery, brass ware, and articles made from phul (a locally smelted alloy) are produced. There are also a sugar mill and a distillery. The area in which Siwan is situated composes part of the Middle Ganges Plain. The economy of the region is primarily based on agriculture; crops include rice, wheat, corn (maize), pulse (legumes), sugarcane, cotton, and oilseeds. Pop. (1991 prelim.) city, 81,092.