Purba Bardhaman district
Purba Bardhaman | |
---|---|
Clockwise from top-left: 108 Shiva Temple at Nababhat, Manteswar. | |
Area | |
• Total | 5,432.69 km2 (2,097.57 sq mi) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 4,835,532 |
• Density | 890/km2 (2,300/sq mi) |
Demographics | |
• Literacy | 74.73 per cent |
• Sex ratio | 945 |
Time zone | UTC+05:30 (IST) |
HDI (2004) | 0.640[1] (medium) |
Average annual precipitation | 1442 mm |
Website | http://purbabardhaman.gov.in/ |
Purba Bardhaman district is in the Indian state of West Bengal. Its headquarters is in Bardhaman. It was formed on 7 April 2017 after the division of the previous Bardhaman district. Great revolutionary Rash Behari Bose was born in village Subaldaha in the district of Purba Bardhaman.
Etymology
Some historians link the name of the district to the 24th and last
History
The district is recorded in the early 20th century British chronicles as 'the richest tract in Bengal and the area of its oldest and most settled cultivation'. Archaeological excavations at
In 1689, Raja Krishnaram Roy, of the
After the victory of the British in the
In 1765, when East India Company acquired the diwani of Bardhaman, it was composed of Bardhaman, Bankura, Hooghly and a third of Birbhum. Hooghly was separated in 1820, Bankura and Birbhum in 1837.[3]
In 1765, Tilakchand Ray, as the zamindar of Bardhaman, controlled 75 parganas and also looked after the law and order. At the time of the Permanent Settlement of Lord Cornwallis in 1793, the chaklas were reduced in size, in order to make them more manageable, and districts were created. Six subdivisions were created in Bardhaman district – Bud Bud in 1846, Katwa, Raniganj, Jahanabad (later named Arambagh), Bardhaman Sadar in 1847 and Kalna in 1850. The parganas were converted to thanas (police stations). At that time Bardhaman district had 22 thanas. Later, Jahanabad was transferred out of Bardhaman. Some minor changes continued.[3]
The Permanent Settlement ultimately led to the dismemberment of the Bardhaman estate. As the rajas often failed to pay the rent demands, some parts of the estate were auctioned off. However, there were bright spots. Mahatabchand was appointed additional member of the
Bardhaman district was bifurcated into two districts, Purba Bardhaman and Paschim Bardhman, on 7 April 2017.[6]
Geography
Overview
Purba Bardhaman district is a flat
Climate
Purba Bardhaman district has a tropical climate - hot and humid. While the hottest month is May, the coldest is January. The
Administrative divisions
Purba Bardhaman district is divided into the following administrative subdivisions:[10][6]
Subdivision | Headquarters | Area km2 |
Population (2011) |
Rural Population % (2011) |
Urban Population % (2011) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bardhaman Sadar North | Bardhaman | 1,958.43 | 1,586,623 | 73.58 | 26.42 |
Bardhaman Sadar South | Bardhaman | 1,410.03 | 1,198,155 | 95.54 | 4.46 |
Katwa | Katwa | 1,070.48 | 963,022 | 88.44 | 11.56 |
Kalna | Kalna |
993.75 | 1,097,732 | 87.00 | 13.00 |
Purba Bardhaman district | Bardhaman | 5,432.69 | 4,835,532 | 84.98 | 15.02 |
The district comprises four subdivisions:[6][10][11]
- Manteswar, Purbasthali I and Purbasthali II.
- Katwa subdivision consists of two municipalities at Katwa and Dainhat and five CD blocks: Katwa I, Katwa II, Ketugram I, Ketugram II and Mongakote.
- Bardhaman Sadar North subdivision consists of two municipalities at Bardhaman and Guskara and seven CD blocks: Ausgram I, Ausgram II, Bhatar, Burdwan I, Burdwan II, Galsi I and Galsi II.
- Bardhaman Sadar South subdivision consists of one municipality at Memari and six CD blocks: Khandaghosh, Jamalpur, Memari I, Memari II, Raina I and Raina II.
Demographics
As per the
As per the 2011 census data, recast after bifurcation of Bardhaman district in 2017, the total number of literates in Purba Bardhaman district was 3,232,452 (74.73% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 1,781,090 (80.60% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 1,453,362 (68.66% of the female population over 6 years).[12]
Religion
Religion | Population (1941)[14]: 74 | Percentage (1941) | Population (2011)[13] | Percentage (2011) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hinduism | 922,290 | 71.77% | 3,566,068 | 73.75% |
Islam | 277,573 | 21.60% | 1,215,737 | 25.14% |
Tribal religion[a] | 84,493 | 6.58% | 32,396 | 0.67% |
Others [b] | 687 | 0.05% | 21,331 | 0.44% |
Total Population | 1,285,043 | 100% | 4,835,532 | 100% |
Hinduism is the majority religion, while Islam is the second-largest religion. The many zamindars of Bardhaman, largely Hindus, built many family temples which dot the landscape. Most of the tribals follow Hinduism but with the flavour of their tribal religion.
Islam is more concentrated in rural areas, and makes up a significant minority in Ketugram I (46.77%) and Manteswar (41.77%) CD blocks.[13]
Languages
According to the 2011 census, 92.86% of the population in what is now Purba Bardhaman district spoke Bengali, 5.03% Santali and 1.66% Hindi as their first language.[15]
Flora
The flora of Purba Bardhaman district is composed mostly of woody plants. Amongst the flora are: Simul (Salmalia malabarica), neem (Azadirachta indica, amlaki (Phyllanthus emblica), Indian ash tree (Lannea coromandelica), coconut, date palm, tal (Palmyra palm / Borassus flabellifer), bat (banyan/ Ficus benghalensis), asvattha (pipal/ Ficus religiosa), palash (Butea monosperma), krishnachuda (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) and am (mango/ mangifera indica). There are some shrubby plants: ashsheoda (orangeberry/ Glycosmis pentaphylla, pianj (onion), rasun (garlic), rajanigandha (tube rose/Agave amica), gulancha (Tinospora cordifolia), tulsi (basil/ Ocimum tenuiflorum) etc.[16]
The common aquatic or marsh weeds found in jheels (lakes) and swamps of the eastern part of the district (in the Bhagirathi Basin) are: bena (andropogon squarrosos), water hyacinth (
Fauna
The mammals of the district include
The principal varieties fish caught are rohu, mrigala, catla, kharke bata (reba), bhangan bata (bata), shrimp (smaller variety of prawn), maurala, pabda, tengra, bele, chela, punti, boal, aid, galda (large variety of prawn), vacha, chital, pholoi, khaira, fensa, silon, and bhola.[16]
Rural poverty
According to the District Human Development Report, Bardhaman, "The legendary prosperity of Bardhaman in history has to be taken as that of the ruling class – the rich, the royals and their assistants." It is only in the relatively recent past that the focus has shifted to the toiling masses.[17]
As per the rural household survey conducted by the state government in 2005, the percentage of rural households living
Economy
Agriculture
Purba Bardhaman is an agriculturally prosperous district of West Bengal. The soil and climate of the district favour the production of food grains. The undivided Bardhaman district was the largest producer of rice in West Bengal, and bulk of it was produced in what is now Purba Bardhaman district. Rice, the major crop has three varieties – Aus (in autumn), Aman (in winter) and Boro (in summer). Other than cereals and pulses, cash crops such as mustard, til, jute and potatoes are also grown.[19]
The year 1953 was a major turning point for agriculture in the district. Prior to 1953, cultivation was largely monsoon-dependent. In 1953, the irrigation projects of Damodar Valley Corporation were implemented. Irrigation and intensive cropping pattern provided the real momentum to agriculture. The undivided Bardhaman district topped the state with maximum irrigated land. The district utilises both surface water and groundwater for irrigation. In 2003–2004, 27.07% of the gross cropped area was under irrigation. 65.51% of the reported area was net sown area.[19]
Operation Barga provided tenurial security and increased the share of produce in favour of the tenants. In the 1980s agricultural production reflected robust growth rates against stagnation in the previous decades. Horticulture, pisciculture, dairy etc. have successfully emerged as economically rewarding viable options for diversifying.[19]
Industry and crafts
At the time of bifurcation of Bardhaman district in 2017, the mining and industrial areas of the district were placed in Paschim Bardhaman district and the Purba Bardhaman district was composed of rural/ agricultural areas.
Transport
The
The
Kolkata-Agra National Highway 19 (old numbering NH 2), covering a large part of the old Grand Trunk Road passes through this district.[29] The other highways passing through the district are: National Highway 114, State Highway 6, State Highway 7, State Highway 13 (covering a large part of the old Grand Trunk Road), State Highway 14 and State Highway 15.[30]
Education
Educational facilities in Purba Bardhaman district in 2013-14[31]
Primary school–3,008
Middle school–127
High school–373
Higher secondary school–245
General degree college–19
University–1
Professional/ technical institutions–60
Institutions for non-formal education– 7,571
The first vernacular school in erstwhile Bardhaman district was set up by Captain Stuart in 1816. Prior to that there were chatuspathis and maktabs run by local pundits and maulavis. There also were Sanskrit tols, Persian and Arabic schools.[32]
The box alongside provides information about educational facilities in Purba Bardhaman district, subsequent to bifurcation of the district in 2017, with data for 2013–2014. There were almost 250,000 students in the primary schools and more than 50,000 students studied at the college and university levels in the district.[33][32] More than 6,000 schools (in erstwhile Bardhaman district) serve cooked midday meal to more than 900,000 students.[34]
The infrastructure available is an important element in the education arena. The table below shows the availability and accessibility of facilities in rural areas of erstwhile Bardhaman district (percentage of villages within specified distance):[32]
Indicator | Within village | Within 1 km | Beyond 1 km |
---|---|---|---|
Nearest primary school | 92.7 | 4.1 | 3.3 |
Nearest middle school | 28.5 | 27.6 | 43.9 |
Nearest secondary/ higher secondary school | 16.3 | 10.0 | 73.7 |
Nearest college | 1.6 | 0.8 | 97.6 |
97% of the primary schools have pucca buildings and 99% have sanitation facilities. All primary and high schools have drinking water facility. Availability of teachers per school are 3 in primary schools, 12 in secondary schools and 20 in higher secondary schools.[32]
The University of Burdwan was founded in 1960, as part of Dr. B.C.Roy's master plan to expand the scope of higher education beyond the metropolis of Kolkata. The university was privileged to inherit a large part of the estate of the erstwhile Bardhaman Raj.[35]Burdwan Raj College was established at Bardhaman in 1881.[36] All other degree colleges in the district came up after independence. Amongst the specialized institutes are: Burdwan Medical College,[37] University Institute of Technology, Burdwan University[38] and College of Agriculture (Extended Campus of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidalaya)[39] Meghnad Saha Planetarium was opened at Bardhaman in 1994.[40]
Literary traditions
Purba Bardhaman district has rich literary and cultural traditions.
Culture
Festivals and fairs
The Bengali proverb baro masey tero parban (thirteen festivals in twelve months) indicates the abundance of festivities in the state.
Numerous fairs are held in Purba Bardhaman district. Researchers have been listing the fairs over the years. Dr. Asok Mitra had listed 369 fairs in Bardhaman district and Dr. Gopikanta Konar had listed 482 fairs. Information about some of the prominent fairs follows. A month-long fair is held around Makar Sankranti at Dadhia in Mongalkote PS. There is a Nangteswar Shiva fair during Maha Shivaratri at Babladihi. A week-long fair is held during Rama Navami at Kairapur in Ausgram PS. A fair is organised at Karui to celebrate the Gajan of Shiva on the last day of the Bengali month of Choitro. At Kaigram Kusumgram, Neredighi and Suata, Urs of a Pir is celebrated with fairs in the Bengali month of Falgun. The Santals organise a fair at Baidyapur during Aswin Nabami. A fair is organised during Bhadu Utsab in the Bengali month of Bhadro at Sitahati in Ketugram PS. There are many more fairs in the district.[43]
Purba Bardhaman district had rich religious traditions. The religion related institutions draw in large number of pilgrims/ tourists. The temple of the deity of Sarbamangala, the presiding deity of the
Shah Alam's Dargah, built in the early 18th century by
Healthcare
The health infrastructure in Purba Bardhaman district, as per 2013-14 data, can be summed up as follows: 3 hospitals, 5 rural hospitals, 19 block primary health centres, and 74 primary health centres. These facilities are provided by the Health and Family Welfare department of the Government of West Bengal. Additionally 2 medical units are provided by other departments of the state government, 1 medical unit by the Central Government/ PSUs and there are 109 private nursing homes.[46]
The district had 4,360 hospital beds.[46] Out of this 1,105 beds were in the medical college at Bardhaman and 809 beds were in the four subdivisional towns and the balance in the rural areas in 2005–2006.[47]
The rural areas of Purba Bardhaman district are flooded frequently and that affects health. Some blocks near the Bhagirathi have been facing the problem of arsenic contamination in ground water.[47]
In 2001, in most of the blocks, even 25% of the households did not have individual sanitation latrines but since then the situation has improved and the district had been moving towards the 100% target. The district has become a nirmal jilla. The availability of safe drinking water is also moving towards the 100% target.[47]
Public healthcare is no longer an illusion for the poor. The district has come a long way from the colonial era. However, the scenario of undernourished mothers and babies has not vanished even in the 21st century. Health for all, the clarion call of world bodies, still remains to be achieved.[47]
Electoral constituencies
The last delimitation of electoral constituencies in West Bengal was done in 2006,
The
The
Notable people
- Maladhar Basu, Bengali poet of 15th century
- Rajshekhar Basu, Bengali writer, chemist and lexicographer better known by his pen name Parashuram
- Sadhak Kamalakanta Bhattacharya, Bengali Shakta poet and yogi of India
- Rash Behari Bose, Indian revolutionary leader known for organising Indian National Army
- Ghanaram Chakrabarty, Bengali poet of the Early modern period
- Batukeshwar Dutt, Indian socialist revolutionary and independence fighter
- Satyendranath Dutta, Bengali poet
- Rash Behari Ghosh, Indian politician, lawyer, social worker and philanthropist. The street Rashbehari Avenue in Kolkata was named after him.
- Nawab Abdul Jabbar, British Indian bureaucrat, social worker
- Shakti Samanta, famous Indian film director
- Sukumar Sen, Bengali linguist and historian of the Bengali literature
- Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel laureate, Bengali poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer and painter whose ancestral village was Kush in this district
See also
Notes
- ^ In the 1941 census all tribals were counted under 'Tribal' religion, irrespective of their actual religion.
- ^ Including Jainism, Christianity, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Ad-Dharmis, or not stated
References
- ^ "West Bengal Human Development Report 2004" (PDF).
- ^ a b c d e f "Census of India 2011: District Census Handbook, Bardhaman, Part XII B" (PDF). Brief History of the district, pages 9 - 11. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
- ^ ISBN 81-85459-36-3
- ^ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, Vol I, pp 345-365
- ^ a b "Bardhaman District". History and Background. Bardhaman district administration. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ a b c "পূর্ব ও পশ্চিম, আজ বর্ধমান জেলা ভাগের আনুষ্ঠানিক ঘোষনা মুখ্যমন্ত্রীর" (in Bengali). ABP Ananda, 7 April 2017. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
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- ^ "Census of India 2011, West Bengal: District Census Handbook, Barddhaman" (PDF). Physiography, pages 13-14. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ "2011 District Census Handbook Bardhaman Part XII A" (PDF). Climate on page 17. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
- ^ a b "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Burdwan". Table 2.2, 2.4(a). Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ^ "Directory of District, Sub division, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal, March 2008". West Bengal. National Informatics Centre, India. 19 March 2008. Archived from the original on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
- ^ a b "District Census Handbook: Barddhaman" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
- ^ a b c "Table C-01 Population by Religion: West Bengal". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
- ^ "CENSUS OF INDIA, 1941 VOLUME VI BENGAL PROVINCE" (PDF). Retrieved 13 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: West Bengal". www.censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
- ^ a b c "Bardhaman District". Geography - Flora, Fauna. Bardhaman district administration. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ "District Human Development Report, Bardhaman, 2011" (PDF). Chapter I Introduction, page 2. Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "District Human Development Report, Bardhaman, 2011" (PDF). Chapter VI Poverty and Inequality in Bardhaman, pages 85-128. Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ a b c "District Human Development Report Bardhaman, March 2011" (PDF). pages 37, 50-58. Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
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- ^ "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Burdwan". Basic data: Table 4.4, 4.5, Clarifications: other related tables. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
- ^ "Midday Meal – Burdwan, WB". District Authorities. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ^ "University of Burdwan". History of Burdwan University. Burdwan University. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
- ^ "Burdwan Raj College". BRC. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ "Burdwan Medical College". BMC. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ "University Institute of Technology". UIT. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- ^ "College of Agriculture (Extended Campus of BCKV)". BCKV. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ^ "Meghnad Saha Planetarium". University of Burdwan. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- ^ "2011 District Census Handbook Bardhaman Part XII A" (PDF). Historical figures associated with this district, page 128. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- ^ "District Census Handbook Barddhaman, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A" (PDF). Pages 121-124: Major Social and Cultural Activities of the District like Festivals and Fairs. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
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- ^ "Next weekend you can be at ... Burdwan". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ^ a b "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Bardhaman". Table 3.1, 3.3. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ a b c d "District Human Development Report, Bardhaman, 2011" (PDF). Chapter 6, Health. Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
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