Purnia has a tradition of at least a few centuries behind it. Under the Mughal rule, the district comprised Sarkar Tajpur, east of the Mahananda and Sarkar Purnia, west of the river. Purnia, at that time was a great military seat under the rule of a Fauzadar as a frontier district; Purnia has always had an extra administrative importance. The district of Purnea in modern history was formed by the East India Company on 14 February 1770. Even in the early British days, Purnia was considered to be an important responsibility particularly as it was located on the border of Nepal
