George Orwell Birth Place
Details: The birth place of George Orwell, born as Eric Arthur Blair on June 25, 1903, is a site of immense global literary significance. Orwell's father, Richard Walmesley Blair, worked as a Sub-Deputy Opium Agent for the British Indian Civil Service, which explains the family’s presence in this remote outpost. The bungalow where Orwell was born remained in a state of neglect for decades, often used by local students as a study haunt or left to the elements. It was only after a 1983 article by British journalist Ian Jack titled "In Search of Jaarj Arwill" that the world rediscovered this humble origin of the man who wrote 'Animal Farm' and 'Nineteen Eighty-Four'. In 2014, the Bihar Government undertook a massive restoration project to convert the dilapidated colonial quarters into a world-class museum. The site now serves as a bridge between the local history of Champaran and the global narrative of anti-totalitarian literature. Although Orwell left India at the age of one, his birth here connects the soil of Bihar to some of the most profound political critiques of the 20th century. The museum houses photographs, documents, and copies of his manuscripts, providing a deep dive into his life and the colonial era of Motihari. It stands as the only museum in the world dedicated specifically to his birth and early family history.
General information
-
Ideal Duration:
Duration: 2 HoursPlace Type:
Category: Historical & Literary MuseumEntry Fees:
Entry Fees:
General Entry: Free for all visitors as of 2026.
Photography: Mobile photography is free; professional cameras might require permission. ...Entry Fees:
General Entry: Free for all visitors as of 2026.
Photography: Mobile photography is free; professional cameras might require permission.Timing:
Special Events:
Special Event:
Orwell's Birthday: Celebrated every June 25 with seminars, book readings, and literary discussions involving scholars from around the world. ...Special Event:
Orwell's Birthday: Celebrated every June 25 with seminars, book readings, and literary discussions involving scholars from around the world.Best Photo Spots:
Best Photo Spots:
The Commemorative Plaque: The stone slab mentioning Orwell's birth details.
The Restored Facade: The white-and-red exterior of the main cottage.
The Opium W...Best Photo Spots:
The Commemorative Plaque: The stone slab mentioning Orwell's birth details.
The Restored Facade: The white-and-red exterior of the main cottage.
The Opium Warehouse: For a rustic, historical backdrop.Photo Gallery
Things To Do
-
Things to Do:
Literary Exploration: Spend time in the museum reading the timeline of Orwell's life and his connection to the Champaran indigo era.
Photography: Capture the contrast between the white-washed colonial walls and the green lawns.
Quiet Reflection: Use the Orwell Park for reading his essays in the very air he first breathed.
Interaction with Curators: Engage with local historians who can tell stories of the Blair family in Motihari.
Souvenir Shopping: Buy locally printed editions of Orwell’s books nearby.
Educational Tour: Ideal for students to learn about the transition from British administration to modern India.
...
Information
-
Why Famous:
Why Famous:
Birth of a Literary Giant: It is internationally renowned as the birthplace of George Orwell. The site is a pilgrimage for literature enthusiasts who admire his stance against oppression.
Colonial O...Why Famous:
Birth of a Literary Giant: It is internationally renowned as the birthplace of George Orwell. The site is a pilgrimage for literature enthusiasts who admire his stance against oppression.
Colonial Opium History: It represents the era of the British Opium Department, showcasing the administrative architecture of the Raj. -
Architecture:
Architecture:
Colonial Bungalow Style Dimensions: The main house is a three-roomed structure covering approximately 2,500 square feet within a 2. 5-acre compound. The architecture is typical of the early 20th-century British colonial "Misc...Architecture:
Colonial Bungalow Style Dimensions: The main house is a three-roomed structure covering approximately 2,500 square feet within a 2. 5-acre compound. The architecture is typical of the early 20th-century British colonial "Miscourt" style, featuring high ceilings to combat the tropical heat, thick lime-mortar walls, and red-tiled roofing. The adjacent opium warehouse, where Orwell's father worked, is a massive rectangular structure with heavy wooden beams and brick masonry designed for cool storage. The restoration maintained the original "Surkhi-Chuna" (lime-brick dust) plastering to preserve the authentic 1903 aesthetic. -
How To Reach:
How to Reach:
By Air: Jayprakash Narayan International Airport (Patna) is 153 KM away.
By Train: Bapudham Motihari Railway Station is just 2 KM from the site.
By Road: We... -
Near Tourist Places:
Near Places: 1. Gandhi Sangrahalaya (1 KM) 2. Moti Jheel (2 KM) 3. Champaran Satyagraha Park (1. 5 KM) 4. Areraj Temple (28 KM) 5. Kesariya Stupa (52 KM) 6. Bhitiharwa Ashram (80 KM) 7. Lauria Nandangarh (85 KM) 8. Raxaul Border (50 KM) 9. Valmiki National Park (120 KM) 10. Sitamarhi (75 KM)
Tourism Tips
-
Tourism Tips:
Health: Carry water; the museum area is well-shaded.
Packing: Light cottons for summer, light woolens for winter.
Accommodation: Numerous budget and mid-ra...
Reviews
Information about New and Updated Locations(521+) of Bihar Has Been Added :-
Card subtitle
Kesariya StupaKumhrar ParkRohtasgarh FortRuins of VikramshilaValmiki Tiger ReserveBio-Diversity ParkFanishwar Nath Renu JungleForbesganj Mela GroundJogbaniJokihat MosqueMaata Aasawar MandirRampur Over BridgeRaniganj Vriksh VatikaShiva MandirSultan PhokherBaba Bateshwarnath TempleBaithakji Hajipur Baraila Lake More PlacesNote:-
Information provided here in good Faith and for reference only.
All information and pictures will be updated soon, please keep visiting.
Near Places
Ashokan Pillar
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Bank of Triveni
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Bawangarhi
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Bettiah Qila
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Bhiknatohari
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Bhitiharwa Ashram
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Brindavan
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Gandhi Memorial Chandrahiah
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
Gandhi Sangrahalaya
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewhere
George Orwell Birth Place
Some quick example text to build on the card title and make up the bulk of the card's content.
Go somewherein Other Cities