city, central Bihar state, northeastern India, located east of the Paimar River, a tributary of the Ganges (Ganga) River. It served as the capital of the Pala dynasty (Pāla Dynasty) (10th century CE) and contains a 5th-century-CE Gupta pillar and several mosques and Muslim tombs, the best-known being the tomb of Malik Ibrahim Baya atop Pir Pahadi Hill. Nearby lie the remains of Odantapuri (Odantapurī), a great vihara, or college of Buddhist learning, from which the name Bihar was derived. In 1869 the city was constituted a municipality. It is now a road and rail hub, as well as an agricultural trade centre. It has several colleges affiliated with Magadh University at Bodh Gaya. Nalanda (Nālanda), a Buddhist monastic centre, lies southwest of Bihar Sharif. Pop. (2001) 232,071.