Dr. Anugrah Narain Singh was born on 18th June, 1887 in Poiyavan village of the erstwhile Gaya district (today known as Aurangabad) of Bihar. His father was Vishweshwar Dayal Singh.

A brilliant student right from the beginning of his academic career, Dr. Anugrah Narain Singh obtained  his  initial education  in  the  viilage school.  From Junior  school till  graduation  he headed the lists at every examination obtaining an M.A. (History) in 1914 from Calcutta Uni­versity, he was appointed Professor of History at  Bhagalpur University  where  he  remained, known  as an ideal teacher,  till  1916. Then he began successfully practising law at Patna High Court. But in 1917 heeding the call of Mahatma Gandhi  to  the  nation  he  left  the  flourishing practice to join the Champaran Satyagraha Movement.  In  1930 he took an active part in the Salt Satyagraha. His patriotism earned him 15 months of imprisonment in 1933-34. He returned from jail to continue serving the nation.

He was now well known to the people who elected him member of the Central Council (1935) and of the Bihar Legislative Assembly (1936). He was among the first freedom fighters to respond to Gandhiji's call for Satyagrah in 1940-41. But he  was arrested by the British authorities and imprisoned in the Hazaribagh Central Jail in 1942. In 1944 he was released and devoted himself to serving the epidemic ridden  people.

After independence he dedicated himself to the all round development of Bihar as a minister and as the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. He served India's international interests. He successfully led the Indian Food and Agriculture delegation to Nepal and also the Indian delegation of I.L.O. in Canada and Switzerland. He also actively led a large number of Government and voluntary organisations in India and abroad.

On  5th  July,   1957,  Dr.  Anugrah  Narain Singh passed away leaving behind him a legend of patriotism  and  sacrifice.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India