Lalgola

Lalgola is a census town in the

8km
5miles

B

A

N

G

L

A

D

E

S

H

Kiriteswari Temple

H

Rosnaiganj

H

Nashipur

H

Baranagar

H

Gorba
Nala

Bhairab
River

Jalangi
River

Padma River

Bhagirathi River

Khushbagh

H

Shaikhpara

R

Sagarpara

R

Sadikhanr Diar

R

Raninagar

R

Kasbagoas

R

Jalangi

R

Domkal

R

Bhagirathpur

R

Ranitala

R

Nasipur

R

Nabagram

R

Lalgola
border checkpost

R

Krishnapur

R

Kismattatla

R

Bhagawangola

R

Azimganj

M

Jiaganj

M

Murshidabad

M

Islampur

CT

Harharia Chak

CT

  

Cities, towns and locations in the Lalbag and Domkal subdivisions, Murshidabad district
M: municipal town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical place
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly

Location

Lalgola is located at 24°25′N 88°15′E / 24.42°N 88.25°E / 24.42; 88.25.^[3] It is located near the Padma River, which is the principal distributary of the Ganges, and which forms the border between India and Bangladesh in this area; thus Bangladesh bounds the town on the north and east. The average elevation is about 23 metres (75 ft)

The climate is similar to the rest of Gangetic West Bengal. The maximum temperature during the summer is about 45 °C (113 °F); the minimum during the winter is between 8 and 10 °C (46 and 50 °F).

Border checkpoint

Lalgola is a

While the Lalbag subdivision is spread across both the natural physiographic regions of the district, Rarh and Bagri, the Domkal subdivision occupies the north-eastern corner of Bagri. In the map alongside, the Ganges/ Padma River flows along the northern portion. The border with Bangladesh can be seen in the north and the east. Murshidabad district shares with Bangladesh a porous international border which is notoriously crime prone (partly shown in this map). The Ganges has a tendency to change course frequently, causing severe erosion, mostly along the southern bank.^[6][7][8][9] The historic city of Murshidabad, a centre of major tourist attraction, is located in this area. In 1717, when Murshid Quli Khan became Subahdar, he made Murshidabad the capital of Subah Bangla (then Bengal, Bihar and Odisha).^[10] The entire area is overwhelmingly rural with over 90% of the population living in the rural areas.^[11]

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivisions. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

Civic administration

Police station

Lalgola police station has jurisdiction over Lalgola CD block.^[12]

CD block HQ

The headquarters of Lalgola CD block are located at Lalgola.^[13]

Open Air Jail

Probably, the most special thing about Lalgola is that, the first 'Open Air Jail', officially Lalgola Open Air Correctional Home, was founded here in the year 1987.^[2] For this purpose Sri Birendra Narayan Roy, popularly known as Biren Roy, descendants of Lalgola Raj family and erstwhile king of Lalgola, gifted their residential palace to the Government. Royal residence made way first for female lunatic convicts and later, from 1987, the open-air correctional home. Open Air Correctional Home is a relatively new and revolutionary concept. Situated over 100 acres (0.40 km²) of land and mango garden containing about 1000 mango trees, this Open Air Jail is a correction home for the prisoners. Convicts sentenced to imprisonment for a period of 7 years or more and such of them as have already served 2/3 of their sentence and have maintained all along a good jail record are eligible for transfer to the open jail after thorough screening and personal interview by a board constituted for such selection.^[2]

Demographics

According to the

• Lalgola College was established in 2006 and began offering courses in the 2007–08 academic year, under the University of Kalyani.

• Mahesh Narayan Academy provides education up to class XII. It was established in 1914 by Maharaja Jogendra Narayan Ray.
• Rahmatullah High Madrasah was established in 1919. It was also patronized by Maharaja. Initially it was affiliated with Dhaka Board. It is now affiliated to West Bengal Board of Madrasa Education.
• Sekhalipur High School (H.S)
• Sailaja Memorial Girls' High School
• Laskarpur High School (HS)
• Shree Padmaprava Digamber Jain Vidyalaya
• Synergy Mission School
• Ramkrishna Vidyapith
• Chamapara Primary School.

There is a public library, Mahesh Narayan Academy Town Library, was established in 1913.

Culture

Almost all major and minor Hindu and Muslim festivals are celebrated here. A popular Bengali proverb is baro mase tero parbon, translated as thirteen festivals in twelve months.

One of the main festivals is the Hindu Durga Puja, when pandals (ceremonial structures) are constructed throughout the town.

The Muslim

• River bank erosion along the Ganges in Malda and Murshidabad districts

References