Information and public relations minister Brishen Patel (right) and the department’s principal secretary Rajesh Bhushan release a book in Patna on Tuesday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Old shrines, great leaders, unsung heroes and the art and culture of Bihar were at the centre of attraction at a book release function held in a city hotel on Tuesday.

Information and public relations department (IPRD) minister Brishen Patel released five books, which narrate the past of the state, in presence of department principal secretary Rajesh Bhushan.

IPRD will bring out the books in a joint venture with a private publisher. Details about the marketing and pricing of the books will be chalked out later.

Bhushan said: “The first book, Devalay, deals with old temples of the state, which have a deep connection with Bihar and its people. The second book, Chirag-e-Sufiyana, gives in-depth information on various mosques in Bihar, including Sher Shah Suri’s tomb in Sasaram among others. Bihar has been a cradle of Sufism. Sufi saints of ancient times had made Bihar a centre for propagating their knowledge. So this book Chirag-e-Sufiyana deals with such important centres of Sufism and also carries pictures of different mosques with description of its past.”

He added: “The third book, Purodha, is on the lives of great leaders, who were born and brought up in Bihar and had contributed to the development of the state. The book also mentions those leaders who were born outside Bihar but made the state their workplace. In the fourth book, Karmayogi and Heroes of Bihar, the lives and deeds various unsung heroes of the state have been highlighted.”

The fifth book, Bihar-21vi Sadi Ka Sahyatri, is on various art forms, including traditional handicraft.

According to sources, while Bari Patan Devi, one of the oldest temples of Bihar, has clinched mention in the book, Devalay, Sher Shah Suri’s tomb in Sasaram and Bari and Choti dargahs of Manersharif have been described in another book, Chirag-e-sufiyana.

“Patna-based poet Satya Narayan, who wrote the Bihar anthem, Mere Bharat ke kanthahaar, has got mention in the book, Karmyogi and Heroes of Bihar. Narayan’s life history has been penned in this book,” said a source.

Patel said: “Documenting good things of its past would help preserve its glory. Chanakya and Aryabhatta were the sons of the soil of Bihar. Mahatma Gandhi too chose Bihar to start his freedom struggle. It is the duty of every resident of Bihar to preserve its past glory. These five books were an effort to preserve our rich past. By reading these books, the young generation would be able know about Bihar’s glorious past,” said Patel.