Bihar Banyan Tree Named World’s Oldest Accurately Dated

A banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) in Munger, Bihar, has been identified as the world’s oldest accurately dated banyan tree. Scientists estimated its age at about 700 years through high-precision radiocarbon dating of alpha-cellulose from wood samples.

Banyan Tree and Scientific Dating

The tree stands on the Indian Tobacco Company campus in Munger and has been linked to the historic Burra Bunglow area. The study used radiocarbon dating, a method that measures the decay of carbon-14 in organic material and is used in archaeology, geology, and palaeosciences. Tropical broadleaf trees such as banyans usually do not form distinct annual growth rings, which makes conventional dendrochronology difficult. The use of alpha-cellulose from wood samples provides a more precise material for radiocarbon analysis in long-lived trees.

Research Institution and Publication

The dating work was led by Dr. Trina Bose from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences in Lucknow, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology. Dr. Mayank Shekhar and Dr. Akhilesh K. Yadava also participated in the study. The findings were published in the international journal Quaternary Research in April 2026. Quaternary Research is a peer-reviewed journal that covers the Quaternary period, which includes the last 2.58 million years of Earth history.

Heritage Tree and Regional Context

The scientific dating places the banyan several centuries older than the Burra Bunglow, which was earlier believed to be associated with the tree’s planting. The tree is likely a surviving remnant of a natural forest that once covered parts of the region. Banyan trees belong to the genus Ficus and are known for aerial roots that grow downwards and form additional trunks. Ficus benghalensis is the national tree of India and is widely found in tropical and subtropical regions of South Asia.

Important Facts for Exams

• Ficus benghalensis is the scientific name of the banyan tree.
• Radiocarbon dating measures the decay of carbon-14 in organic remains.
• Alpha-cellulose is a stable component of wood used in scientific dating studies.
• Quaternary Research is a journal linked to studies of the Quaternary period.

Static GK on Banyan Trees

Banyan trees belong to the family Moraceae, which also includes figs and mulberries. The aerial roots of banyan trees can reach the ground and develop into prop roots, allowing the tree to spread over a large area.