75-674: Katwa is a sub-divisional town and railway junction in Purba Bardhaman district of the Indian state of West Bengal . It is the headquarters of the Katwa subdivision . The town was built at the confluence of Ganga and Ajay. Katwa is a border city of three districts; Purba Bardhaman District, Nadia District and Murshidabad District . Katwa is located at 23°39′N 88°08′E / 23.65°N 88.13°E / 23.65; 88.13 . It has an average elevation of 21 m (69 ft). It
150-500: A Kali temple associated with the poet-devotee Kamalakanta . The 108 Shiva temple complex has a picturesque setting located near Bardhaman. The idol at Babladihi is of archaeological interest as it is believed to have been built in the Pala era . Christ Church Bardhaman , the oldest church in the district is in Bardhaman town. Katwa had close association with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and so
225-492: A number of private nursing centers that serve the town, as well. Anandaniketan Society for Mental Health Care is a not-for-profit organization situated five kilometers outside of Katwa, providing residential care to 350 children, adolescents, and adults who have physical, mental, and/or intellectual disabilities. Purba Bardhaman District Police's Katwa Police Station has jurisdiction over Katwa and Dainhat municipality areas and Katwa I and Katwa II CD Blocks. The area covered
300-611: A part of the Rarh region , was ruled successively by the Magadhas , Mauryas , Kushanas and Guptas . In the 7th century AD, when Shashanka was king, the area was part of the Gauda Kingdom . It was subsequently ruled by the Palas and Senas . Bakhtiyar Khilji captured it in 1199 AD. The early Muslim rulers ruled over major parts of Bengal from Gauda or Lakhnauti. In Ain-i-Akbari , Bardhaman
375-551: A total area of 8.53 km with a population density of 9,681/km. A steady flow of refugees from East Pakistan increased the population of the area in the fifties. The economy of Katwa is based on agriculture and agro-related trades. The fertile soil of the surrounding areas is enriched by the alluvium from the Hooghly, Ajay and Damodar rivers. The major crops farmed in the countryside surrounding Katwa include rice, jute, mustard, sugarcane,tea, coffee and various tropical vegetables. Katwa
450-449: A town-wide, festival-like ambiance (jovially named ladai or battle) enjoyed by all participants and spectators. Katwa is served by WB State Highway 6 ,also known as STKK Road, connecting Katwa to Suri, Birbhum in north and Nabadwip , Kalna City , Bansberia and Grand Trunk Road in south, and WB State Highway 14 connecting Katwa to Balgona , Bardhaman , Guskara , National Highway 19 (previously known as National Highway 2 ) in
525-545: A tropical climate - hot and humid. While the hottest month is May, the coldest is January. The monsoon season is from June to September, with an annual average rainfall of 1,400 mm, 75% of it falling in the monsoon months. Localised thunderstorms, called kalbaisakhi in Bengali, are a special feature from March until the monsoon sets in. Purba Bardhaman district is divided into the following administrative subdivisions: The district comprises four subdivisions: As per
600-531: Is 351.03 km. The dominant culture of Katwa is identical to that of most of West Bengal and is deeply influenced by Hindu Bengali culture. Some of the popular festivals in Katwa include: Katwa and its surrounding areas are especially well known for their raucous Kartik Puja, colloquially known as Kartik Larai ( Larai means "battle" in Bengali). The object of worship is the boy-faced deity, Kartik in reference to
675-594: 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
750-514: Is a vibrant weaving network around Kalna , Dhatrigram and Samudragarh . The Howrah-Bardhaman main line and Howrah-Bardhaman chord , both part of Kolkata Suburban Railway system, enter this district and converge at Saktigarh railway station . The Bardhaman-Asansol section , which is part of Howrah-Delhi main line , Howrah-Gaya-Delhi line and Howrah-Allahabad-Mumbai line , and the Bardhaman-Kiul Sahibganj Loop leave at
825-410: Is an essential center for marketing the region's agricultural products and for providing retail and consumer services to the surrounding population. Industries are limited to cottage industries and small-scale agro-related industries, e.g. rice mills, jute products, etc. Within the urban area, as of 2011, 0.81% of workers are employed in the primary (agricultural) sector, 5.96% of workers are employed in
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#1732854641320900-478: 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. Some historians link the name of the district to the 24th and last Jain tirthankara , Mahavira Vardhamana , who came to preach in the area. Alternatively, Bardhamana means a prosperous and growing area. It
975-399: Is less. The Bardhaman-Katwa line , after conversion from narrow gauge to electrified broad gauge, was opened to the public on 12 January 2018. The Ahmedpur-Katwa Railway line has been converted from narrow gauge to broad gauge which provides access to Rampurhat Junction railway station . Katwa is the site of a floating terminal on National Waterway 1 consisting of a pontoon placed on
1050-596: Is mentioned as a mahal or pargana of Sarcar Sharifabad . Some western parts of Bardhaman formed Gopbhum, ruled for many centuries by the Sadgop kings. There are remains of a fort at Amrargar . In 1689, Raja Krishnaram Roy, of the Bardhaman Raj family , obtained from Aurangzeb a farman (royal decree) which made him the zamindar (landlord) of Bardhaman, and since then the Raj family's history became identical with that of
1125-455: Is organised during Bhadu Utsab in the Bengali month of Bhadro at Sitahati in Ketugram PS. There are many more fairs in the district. 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 Bardhaman Raj is at Bardhaman . Kamalakanta Kalibari is
1200-544: Is situated between the Ajay River and the Hooghly River and so is bounded by water to the east, west, and north. Katwa police station has jurisdiction over Katwa and Dainhat municipalities, and Katwa I and Katwa II CD Blocks. The area covered is 351.03 km. 88.44% of the population of the Katwa subdivision live in rural areas. Only 11.56% of the population live in the urban areas. The map alongside presents some of
1275-467: 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. Languages of Purba Bardhaman district (2011) According to
1350-427: Is well connected by bus with numerous places all around. Most of the buses arrive and leave from Katwa bus stand. Katwa Junction is a railway junction on 5 ft 6 in ( 1,676 mm ) broad gauge railway line from Howrah railway station to New Jalpaiguri railway station via Azimganj Junction railway station . Although Katwa is a railway junction, the number of trains running through this station
1425-415: The 2011 Census of India data, recast after bifurcation of Bardhaman district in 2017, Purba Bardhaman district had a total population of 4,835,532. There were 2,469,310 (51%) males and 2,366,222 (49%) females. Population below 6 years was 509,855. 726,345 (15.02%) live in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 1,487,151 (30.75%) and 327,501 (6.77%) of the population respectively. As per
1500-451: The 2011 Census of India , Katwa had a total population of 81,615, of which 41,350 (51%) were males and 40,265 (49%) were females. The population below 6 years was 6,799. The total number of literates in Katwa was 65,187 (79.87% of the population over 6 years). In 2011, the population breakdown by religion was: Hindus (66,899), Muslims (14,488), Sikhs (50), Christians (44), Buddhists (9), Jains (4), and Unspecified/Not Stated (121). Katwa has
1575-657: The First Battle of Katwa (1742) and the Second Battle of Katwa (1745), with Nawab Alivardi Khan of Bengal defeating the Marathas both times. In the Battle of Plassey (1757), on 19 June 1757, Katwa was the last Nawabi garrison conquered by British forces before heading to Plassey . Robert Clive held a council of war in Katwa on 21 June 1757, where the decision was taken to cross the Hooghly River to Plassey. On 19 July 1763, Katwa
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#17328546413201650-629: 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
1725-653: The 'Delta Class' engines (since they were originally ordered by the Egyptian Delta Light Railways but were more successful in India) and they were very successful and a lot many were used in the following years till 1953 when the last order was placed. One of the 1916-built Bagnall locomotives has been preserved by the Phyllis Rampton Narrow Gauge Railway Trust at the Vale of Rheidol Railway in
1800-533: 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. 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
1875-401: 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). Hinduism is the majority religion, while Islam
1950-952: 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. 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. The common aquatic or marsh weeds found in jheels (lakes) and swamps of
2025-685: The British in the Battle of Plassey in 1757, Bardhaman, Medinipur and Chittagong were ceded to the East India Company . In 1857, the British Crown took over the administration of the country from the East India Company. 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. In 1765, Tilakchand Ray, as
2100-502: 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. As per the rural household survey conducted by the state government in 2005, the percentage of rural households living below poverty line in
2175-579: 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. The district had 4,360 hospital beds. Out of this 1,105 beds were in the medical college at Bardhaman and 809 beds were in the four subdivisional towns and
2250-505: The UK. It is a small line—26’2 miles of narrow gauge. A private company was running it at a deficit and according to the agreement entered into with that company by the Central Government, we have been paying a subsidy, on an average, of Rs. 3 71 lakhs, from year to year. Therefore, we decided that it will be better to take over this and dismantle it, if adequate facilities are provided for
2325-469: The area has notable Vaishnavism religious centres. Sree Gouranga Mandir is believed to have been visited by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The ashram at Madhaitala has links with Jagai and Madhai, two famous disciples of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Kalna , is another place with Vaishanavism associations. There are popular temples attracting devotees – Gouranga temple, 109 Shiva temples (also called Naba Kailash ) and Kashinath Shiva temple. The temple of Sddheswari Ambika,
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2400-675: The balance in the rural areas in 2005–2006. 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. McLeod%27s Light Railways#Ahmedpur-Katwa Railway McLeod's Light Railways (MLR) consisted of following four 2 ft 6 in ( 762 mm ) narrow-gauge lines in West Bengal in India. The railways were built and owned by McLeod & Company, which
2475-429: The degree of excellence of products like, sola craft of Bankapasi and dhokra of Dwariapur is now acceptable to European markets. There are rural wood carving artisans who are maintain the continuity of their traditional art. Amongst the other crafts in Purba Bardhaman district are: clay craft, including terracotta work and idol making, wooden dolls, stone carving, bamboo and cane craft and kantha designing. There
2550-555: 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 . Educational facilities in Purba Bardhaman district in 2013-14 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
2625-717: The district include red-vented bulbul , bluethroat , Indian robin and common myna . Other bird species include fowls , crows , munia , sparrow , cuckoo , Asian koel , parakeet , woodpecker , kingfisher , owl , vulture , eagle , kite , hawk , stork , duck , pigeon , falcon and heron . The low lying swampy areas are home to migratory birds in winter. 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 . According to
2700-599: The district. After the death of Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire became weak and Murshid Quli Khan became the Nawab of Bengal , owning only nominal allegiance to the Mughal emperor. At that time Bardhaman was referred to as a chakla , a change from the earlier pargana . Subsequently, during the reign of Alivardi Khan , the Bargis attacked and plundered Bardhaman. After the victory of
2775-560: The eastern part of the district (in the Bhagirathi Basin) are: bena (andropogon squarrosos), water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ), padma ( nelumbo nucifera ), hogla ( Typha domingensis ) etc. The mammals of the district include wolf and golden jackal whilst wild boar and monkeys (including hanuman ) are seen frequently. Poisonous snakes such as Indian cobra , common krait and Russell's viper , as well as dhamnas and harmless grass snakes are very common. The common avifauna of
2850-550: The narrow gauge line. The BDR services were withdrawn in 1995 after it incurred huge losses due to higher maintenance costs, falling passenger numbers as well as falling freight. In 2005, the 120.3 kilometres (74.8 mi) long railway section was converted to 1,676 mm ( 5 ft 6 in ) Broad Gauge and train services were resumed which extended its part to Masagram in 2012, thus making Masagram Junction point of Bankura Damodar Railway & connecting Howrah–Bardhaman chord . The Bankura-Purulia Light Railway(BPLR)
2925-860: The north, the Kanksa Ketugram Plain lies along the Ajay , which joins the Bhagirathi . The Bardhaman Plain occupies the central area of the district, with the Damodar on the south and the south-east. On the southern part is the Khandaghosh Plain. The Bhagirathi flows along the eastern boundary of the district, and the Bhagirathi Basin occupies the eastern part of the district. The undulating laterite topography of Paschim Bardhaman district extends up to Ausgram area of this district. Purba Bardhaman district has
3000-563: The notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked on the map are linked in the larger full-screen map. Katwa (Skt. Kātādvīpa) has been proposed as the "Katadupa" mentioned by Pliny the Elder (circa 24-74 CE), marking it as the city by which flows the River Amystis, taken to imply the Ajay River. The small town has a historical background of five hundred years. The earliest name of Katwa
3075-454: The old Bardhaman district was 33.49%. Using the same data the percentage of households living below poverty line in Purba Bardhaman district is 37.14%. 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
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3150-536: The operation of this narrow gauge railway from McLeod & Company. The 52 km long railway section has been converted to 1,676 mm ( 5 ft 6 in ) broad gauge. The conversion work started in 2013 and was completed in early 2017. On 24 May 2018, the section was opened to passenger traffic. Bankura–Damodar Railway (also called as Bankura Damodar River Railway) connecting Bankura and Rainagar in Bankura and Bardhaman districts in now West Bengal
3225-471: The other end of the district. DEMU services are available on the Bankura-Masagram line . The Bardhaman-Katwa line , after conversion from narrow gauge to electrified broad gauge, was opened to the public on 12 January 2018. Kolkata-Agra National Highway 19 (old numbering NH 2), covering a large part of the old Grand Trunk Road passes through this district. The other highways passing through
3300-724: The presiding goddess, and Baikunthanath Shiva temple, are notable for their terracotta decorations. Shah Alam's Dargah, built in the early 18th century by Murshid Quli Khan is a place of archaeological interest. The Jima Masjid was constructed by Azim-us-Shan , subedar of Bengal, in the last part of the 17th century. The tomb of Bahman Pir and its adjoining dargah, in Ausgram II CD block, is popular with all communities. 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
3375-489: The primary schools and more than 50,000 students studied at the college and university levels in the district. More than 6,000 schools (in erstwhile Bardhaman district) serve cooked midday meal to more than 900,000 students. 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): 97% of
3450-437: 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. 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
3525-523: The principal economic activity being the riverine trade in salt. The modern town of Katwa was established in 1850 when it was granted the status of a subdivisional town under the 10th Act of Municipal Rules. The Municipality of Katwa as a governing entity was established on 1 April 1869. The urbanization of Katwa received a further boost with the construction of railroads in the early 20th century: Katwa-Azimganj (constructed in 1903), Katwa-Bandel (1912), Katwa-Bardhaman (1915), Katwa-Ahmedpur (1917). As per
3600-520: The public. The West Bengal Government also took up the matter with us and they gave an assurance that they would make all possible efforts; they said that the road services would be sufficiently developed in that area to cope with the normal traffic; That is the position so far as public are concerned As regards the staff of the Kalighat-Falta Railway, it had been decided by the Government of India to offer fresh employment(during 1952) to such of
3675-413: 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. Operation Barga provided tenurial security and increased the share of produce in favour of the tenants. In
3750-418: The route. Burdwan–Katwa Railway connecting Bardhaman (earlier known as Burdwan) and Katwa in now Bardhaman district , West Bengal was opened to traffic on 1 December 1915. The railway was built in 2 ft 6 in ( 762 mm ) gauge and total length was 53 kilometres (33 mi). The engines chugged along at the maximum speed of 30 km per hour. The 52 km long railway section
3825-478: The secondary (manufacturing) sector, and 93.70% of workers are employed in the tertiary (services) sector. The Katwa Super Thermal Power Station is a super critical (660MW x2) 1320 MW coal-fired power plant currently in planning stage by NTPC at Srikhanda Village , 8 km from Katwa. Areas of tourism interest in the town include: Katwa Sub-Divisional Hospital is a 250-bed public facility providing secondary healthcare to Katwa sub-divisional area. There are
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#17328546413203900-597: The staff as are below the age of superannuation and are otherwise found suitable. Detailed instructions in this connection have already issued to the General Managers of the Eastern and the South-Eastern Railways So, on both these points, namely, hardship to the public and unemployment to the staff, we have taken measures so that the public will not be put to inconvenience when this line is eventually dismantled and
3975-507: The state, there are local festivals, as for example Gajan of Dharmaraj and Gajan of Shiva . 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
4050-444: The state. Durga Puja or Saradotsav, celebrated by Bengali Hindus, is the main festival in the state and the district. It is one of the largest festivals celebrated in the world. Other festivals are: Kali Puja , Saraswati Puja , Holi , Ratha-Yatra , Raksha Bandhan , Eid al-Fitr , Muharram , Christmas , Good Friday , Guru Nanak Gurpurab , Buddha Poornima and Mahavir Jayanti . In addition to these festivals organized throughout
4125-458: The town strategically important. Katwa was considered the gateway to Murshidabad , the erstwhile capital of the subah of Bengal . Nawab Murshid Quli Khan , Nawab of Bengal, first established a chowki at Katwa during his reign (1717-1727). Between 1742 and 1751, Katwa was invaded by the Bargis (break-away Maratha groups) several times, as part of the Maratha invasions of Bengal . It was the site of
4200-413: The waterfront with a berth of 30 m (98 ft). The town of Katwa is divided into twenty (20) administrative wards. Each ward elects a councilor to the governing body, Katwa Municipality. Municipal elections are held every five (5) years, with the most recent election held in 2022. Purba Bardhaman district Purba Bardhaman district is in the Indian state of West Bengal . Its headquarters
4275-419: The west and Palashi in the east. The closest bridge crossing over the Hooghly River is at Gouranga Setu at Nabadwip - Mayapur (41 km away). South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC), North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) and private operators operate buses from Asansol , Baharampur , Bolpur , Esplanade , Krishnanagar , Ranaghat , Kalyani , Malda , Raiganj and Siliguri . Katwa
4350-419: The youth of the deity. In the greater Katwa area, over 250 separate organizations organize pujas and unofficially compete with each other over the sophistication of the theme or the sculpture of the deity. After the day of the puja, the deities are paraded in carnival throughout town on their way to be ritually submerged in the nearby Hooghly River. The processions usually feature loud music and dancing, leading to
4425-401: Was Indranee Pargana. Later the name was changed to Kantak Nagari. In January 1510, Sri Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu received " Diksha " from his guru Kesava Bharati at the site of the current Sri Gauranga Bari Temple in Katwa. Since then, this small township has been a sacred place for Vaishnavites . The location of the town at the confluence of two navigable rivers, Ajay and Bhagirathi , made
4500-631: Was a forward frontier zone in the progress of Aryanisation by the people in the Upper Gangetic valley. Purba means east. 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 Pandu Rajar Dhibi have indicated settlements in the Ajay valley in the Mesolithic age, around 5,000 BC. In early historical times Bardhamanbhukti ,
4575-620: Was a powerful 0-6-4 T design from W. G. Bagnall of Stafford , but during the First World War some 2-6-2 T engines were also obtained from Bagnall, same as was ordered for the Egyptian Delta Light Railways (and hence known as the Delta class). The 1953 additions were also of this type. There were two Sentinel locomotives; one (No.8) is now preserved at the National Rail Museum, New Delhi . A steam loco shed at Bankura served
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#17328546413204650-507: Was a similar proposal to connect Bankura with Purulia via Dhaldanga, Puabagan, Kumidiya, Teghori, Hatgram, Bishpuria, Hura & Hutmura. The plan was to connect Bankura & Purulia belt with a 84.4 kilometres (52.4 mi) long Narrow Gauge railway line. From 1916-17 the line was laid from Bankura to Puabagan & from Purulia to Hura. But a catastrophic flood in 1917-18 washed away line from Bankura to Dhaldanga & lack of Passengers prompted McLeod Russell & Co. Ltd. to scrap
4725-634: Was built in 2 ft 6 in ( 762 mm ) gauge and total length was 27 miles (43 km). The KFR line was the first in India to use three brand new 2-6-2 side tank AK16 locomotives, built in November 1916 by W. G. Bagnall Ltd. of the Castle Engine Works at Stafford in England. They entered service with KFR in February 1917. The 'AK' in the name stood for 'Ahmedpur-Katwa'. They were also known as
4800-520: Was composed of rural/ agricultural areas. Purba Bardhaman district has some medium scale enterprises. Since it is an agro-based area, it has many rice mills. The other industries are: rice bran oil, cold storage, oil mill, chira mill, bakery, L.P.G. gas filling plant, transformer manufacturing/repairing, automobile spare parts etc. There is an industrial estate at Saktigarh . In a report by the Micro, Small and Medium Industries Development Institute, it says that
4875-441: Was conferred the title of Maharajadhiraj by Lord Minto in 1908. Uday Chand Mahtab took over in 1941 and served till abolition of the zamindary system in 1954, after independence of the country. Bardhaman district was bifurcated into two districts, Purba Bardhaman and Paschim Bardhman , on 7 April 2017. Purba Bardhaman district is a flat alluvial plain area that can be divided into four prominent topographical regions. On
4950-487: Was converted to 1,676 mm ( 5 ft 6 in ) broad gauge. The Bardhaman-Katwa line after conversion from narrow gauge to electrified broad gauge was opened to the public on 12 January 2018. Kalighat–Falta Railway connecting Gholeshapur in Behala to Falta was opened on 28 May 1917 and was extended a further 0.92 miles (1.48 km) to Kalighat, now Majherhat in West Bengal on 7 May 1920. The railway
5025-411: Was home to such great scholars as Raghunandan Goswami, the famous logician, Ganga Kishore Bhattacharya of Bengal Gazetti fame and Lal Behari Dey of Bengal Peasant Life fame. Modern Bengali poets such as Kalidas Roy and Kumud Ranjan Mullick also made this district proud. The Bengali proverb baro masey tero parban (thirteen festivals in twelve months) indicates the abundance of festivities in
5100-531: Was once again the scene of action during the Third Battle of Katwa , where British troops fought and defeated a contingent of troops loyal to Nawab Mir Qasim . Under the aegis of the British East India Company , Katwa became an urban settlement, encouraged by the presence of missionaries such as William Carey Jr., the son of William Carey . By the 1800s, Katwa had become a thriving trading town with
5175-824: Was opened at Bardhaman in 1994. Purba Bardhaman district has rich literary and cultural traditions. Kashiram Das well known for his Bengali adaptation of the Mahabharat was born in and lived in Purba Bardhaman district. Maladhar Basu , the author of শ্রীকৃষ্ণবিজয় , the Triumph of Lord Krishna, as well as poets of the Mangal-Kavya fame, such as Kavi Kankan Mukunda Ram Chakravarty, Ghanaram Chakrabarty and Rupram Chakrabarty belonged to Purba Bardhaman district. Vaisnava poets and saints such as Krishnadasa Kaviraja , author of Chaitanya Charitamrita , Brindabandas, Lochandas and Jnandas were born in this district. Purba Bardhaman district
5250-425: Was opened to traffic in sections between 15 December 1916 and 6 June 1917. The railway was built in 2 ft 6 in ( 762 mm ) gauge and total length was 97 kilometres (60 mi). The railway was known as Bankura Damodar Railway, as it used to terminate at Rainagar, which was on banks of Damodar River . People used to take ferries to cross river to go on other side. The standard locomotive for BDR
5325-453: Was privileged to inherit a large part of the estate of the erstwhile Bardhaman Raj . Burdwan Raj College was established at Bardhaman in 1881. All other degree colleges in the district came up after independence. Amongst the specialized institutes are: Burdwan Medical College , University Institute of Technology, Burdwan University and College of Agriculture (Extended Campus of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidalaya) Meghnad Saha Planetarium
5400-518: 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. 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
5475-450: 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. 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
5550-527: Was the subsidiary of a London company of managing agents, McLeod Russell & Co. Ltd. On 1 July 1967, the Bankura Damodar Railway was merged with South Eastern Railway . Ahmedpur–Katwa Railway connecting Ahmedpur and Katwa in West Bengal was opened to traffic on 29 September 1917. The railway was built in 2 ft 6 in ( 762 mm ) gauge and total length was 52 kilometres (32 mi). In 1966, Indian Railways had taken over
5625-510: Was transferred out of Bardhaman. Some minor changes continued. 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 Viceroy's Executive Council and in 1877 was allowed to use the title of His Highness before his name. Bijoy Chand Mahatab
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