Danapur or Dinapore - the 'City of Grains' or 'City of Sages', is amongst the oldest cantonments established by Lord Robert Clive in 1765 strategically located on the banks of the Ganges.

Post the Battle of Buxar, the Bengal Army under the East India Company (EIC) was reorganised and three cantonments were established in India on 05 Aug 1765 at Munger, Allahabad and Bankipore. While Munger Cantonment was disbanded after some years and Allahabad Cantonment was discontinued and reinstated after few years, it was only Bankipore Cantonment that never ceased since the day it was established. In 1767, the Cantonment was re-located 14 km West of Patna to Danapur.

Located on the Southern banks of the Ganges, Danapur was chosen due to availability of inland water route to Calcutta through the Ganges and was utilized as a staging area for mov of troops and logistics from Bengal to the NWFP. Bankipur Cantonment's relocation to & establishment at Danapur continued uninterrupted from 1765 until the present day, thus making it amongst the oldest cantonments in the Indian subcontinent.

In World War II it served as administrative base for the British Expeditionary Forces towards Northern India. It was known as Little England owing to its greenery, cleanliness and historical churches, the St Luke's & St Stephen's, built in the 18th Century. Danapur played key role in the First Battle of Independence, on 25 Jul 1857 Sepoys stationed at Danapur mutinied against the British that influenced Eastern UP, Bengal & Orissa.

Danapur today is a hub for meaningful welfare for veterans & veernaris of Bihar & Jharkhand.

ECHS Coverage in Bihar & Jharkhand

ECHS coverage in Bihar & Jharkhand is through a network of offices dedicated for the purpose one each at Danapur Cantt, Muzaffarpur, and Gaya in Bihar and Ranchi, Ramgarh and Jamshedpur in Jharkhand with a Regional Centre each at Danapur & Ranchi for the two States. There are 17 ECHS Polyclinics (PC) in Bihar and 07 in Jharkhand.

Rajya Sainik Boards & Zila Sainik Boards

RSB (Bihar) and RSB (Jharkhand) are functioning under the respective state Governments in both the states and providing relevant welfare facilities and assistance to the Veterans & Veernaris of their states. RSBs are functioning through nine ZSBs in Bihar and five ZSBs in Jharkhand.

Army Welfare Placement Organisation

In order to provide assistance in dignified employment post-retirement to veterans, there is a Regional Office of AWPO functional in Danapur Cantt. The office may be approached for any employment related assistance.

Helplines

Various helplines have been made functional at Station HQs in Bihar & Jharkhand for the assistance of our Veterans & Veernaris. These helplines provide relevant information and guidance for resolution of any issues faced by the Veterans & Veernaris.