74-518: Memari is a town and a municipality in Purba Bardhaman district in the Indian state of West Bengal . Memari is located at 23°12′N 88°07′E / 23.2°N 88.12°E / 23.2; 88.12 . It has an average elevation of 25 metres (82 feet). 95.54% of the population of Bardhaman Sadar South subdivision live in the rural areas. Only 4.46% of the population live in
148-500: 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
222-457: A "warlike monarch." His endless invasions and conquests tell of a king intent upon growing his kingdom. Sen describes Shashanka as a 'military adventurer', not unlike Yasodharman . But for a pre-medieval Indian king, endless battles, regicide, revenge and intrigue are not uncommon. Like many pre-medieval Indian kings, Shashanka is said to have grasped the importance of consolidating his position. He formed astute political alliances, notably with
296-657: A Gauda king, possibly Jayanaga . Whether Shashanka was a feudatory under the Maukharis or the Guptas is not known. By 605 C.E. following Mahasenagupta's death, Shashanka had established what became known as the Gauda Kingdom . From there, he issued gold coins to celebrate his triumph, and came to be addressed as Maharajadhiraja (king of great kings). Not many historical references to the Gauda Army are available. Like its predecessor,
370-430: A grudge", and that it was led by Shashanka. Now because the ruling dynasties of Kanyakubja and Sthaniswara were related by matrimony, Thanesar king Rajyavardhana immediately set out with 10,000 cavalrymen to recapture Kanyakubja and avenge his sister Rajyashri. Rajyavardhana fought and killed Devagupta on the way. As he continued towards Kanyakubja, he came across Shashanka's army. c. 606 C.E. Rajyavardhana
444-545: 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
518-416: Is 429.36 km. As per the 2011 Census of India Memari had a total population of 41,451, of which 20,957 (51%) were males and 20,494 (49%) were females. Population below 6 years was 3,809. As of 2001 India census , Memari had a population of 36,191. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Memari has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy
592-511: Is 75%, and female literacy is 63%. In Memari, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Memari College was established at Memari in 1981. Memari has thirteen primary, and six higher secondary schools. Memari Vidyasagar memorial Institution (unit-1) & (unit-2) are the higher secondary schools, established in 1892. Memari Rasiklal Smriti Balika Vidyalaya school for girls. Memari al-amin Mission, Memari High Madrassa, Memari Jamiya Islamiya are
666-594: 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
740-573: Is a part of Harsha's Invasion of Bengal, Shashanka marched towards Karnasubarna and sieged it, Harsha's general fled to the East Bengal from the battlefield and by this Harshavardhana got a heavy damage from the side of Gauda Kingdom. Shashanka first established himself in Gauda and set his eyes on Magadha. Magadha at that time was under Maukhari rule, and Shashanka vowed to free it again. Sen (1977) has shown that none other than Shashanka could have defeated
814-514: 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
SECTION 10
#1733085128670888-487: Is found in the 7th century hill fort Rohtasgarh in the small town of Rohtas in the kingdom of Magadha. The seal bore a curt inscription, "Mahasamanta Shashankadeva." Some historians believe that Shashanka began his career as a feudatory chief (maha samanta ) under Mahasenagupta, of the Later Gupta Dynasty . And that after the death of Mahasenagupta, Shashanka drove the later Guptas and other prominent nobles out of
962-507: 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. Some historians link the name of the district to the 24th and last Jain tirthankara , Mahavira Vardhamana , who came to preach in
1036-415: Is mentioned as She-Shang-Kia. He is also called Śaśānka Gaur, which initially lent credence to the claim that he was descended from the later Gaur. In Sinha's Dynastic History of Magadha, the names 'Śaśānka' and 'Soma' are used interchangeably. The Gupta Empire saw a series of weak kings after the death of Skandagupta in 467 C.E. On top of that, starting circa 480 C.E. Alchon Hun armies began attacking
1110-596: 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
1184-455: 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
1258-453: Is the contemporary of Harsha and of Bhaskaravarman of Kamarupa . His capital was at Karnasuvarna , in present-day Murshidabad in West Bengal. There are several major contemporary sources of information on his life, including copperplates from his vassal Madhavavarma (king of Ganjam ), copperplates of his rivals Harsha and Bhaskaravarman, the accounts of Banabhatta , who was a bard in
1332-467: 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
1406-415: 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
1480-759: The Ajay valley in the Mesolithic age, around 5,000 BC. In early historical times Bardhamanbhukti , 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
1554-431: The Gauda Kingdom . He reigned in the 7th century, some historians place his rule between c. 600 and 636/7 CE , whereas other sources place his reign between 590 and 625 CE. Shashanka, is credited with creating the Bengali calendar. The term Bangabda (Bangla year) is found too in two Shiva temples many centuries older than Akbar era, suggesting that a Bengali calendar existed long before Akbar's time. He
SECTION 20
#17330851286701628-631: The Malva king, Devagupta , to counteract the combined might of the Kanauj-Thaneshwar coalition. As king, Shashanka continued many Gupta-era traditions, e.g., making land grants to Brahmins, as evidenced by the copperplate inscriptions from the era. Gold and silver coins, known as Dinars, issued by Shashanka have also been discovered. He vigorously propagated Hinduism, and had Sakadvipi Brahmins and Vedic Brahmins invited into his kingdom, presumably from Kanyakubja, among other places. Historians argue that
1702-520: The Maukhari rulers of Magadha. Next, he focused on extending his kingdom to Odissa , parts of Central Provinces, and Bihar. Though Shashanka remains known, and referred to, as the Lord of Gauda , his kingdom included more than just that region. By the end of his reign, his domain stretched from Vanga to Bhuvanesha while in the east, his kingdom bordered Kamarupa . Shashanka, at first glance, appears like
1776-629: 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
1850-533: 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
1924-401: 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
1998-952: 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
2072-733: 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
2146-502: 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
2220-683: The Egra Copperplate, was discovered near Kharagpur and bears no date. A 12th century text states that Shashanka destroyed the Buddhist stupas of Bengal and was an oppressor of Buddhism. Shashanka is reputed to have cut the Bodhi tree where the Buddha found enlightenment, in the Mahabodhi Temple of Bodh Gaya . R. C. Majumdar states that this account is doubtful because it was written 500 years after
2294-579: 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
Memari - Misplaced Pages Continue
2368-630: The Hindu Vastu Shastra school of architecture, design and aesthetics. According to Bengali folk lore and legends, the dighi was excavated at the behest of King Shashanka. Published in 1914, Shashanka is a historical novel penned by the famous Indian archaeologist Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay , who is best known for his discoveries in Mohenjo Daro . He found Shashanka to be a potent symbol of Bengal's glorious past and future political aspirations. The Bengali movie Karnasubarner Guptodhon (2022)
2442-659: The Late Gupta army, Shashanka's army had infantry and cavalry units. D. C. Sircar (1990) reports that the Gauda army also fielded a strong elephant corps in Kamarupa. Kamarupa king Bhaskaravarman describes the Gauda army as fielding a strong naval force. It appears that between 595 and 600 C.E. the Gauda army had carried out attacks against the Varman King Susthitavarman of Kamarupa (Assam). The Varman king died early in
2516-569: The Magadha Guptas. These views are opposed by other historians like B. S. Sinha and John Middleton, citing lack of evidence. Shashanka's name appears in multiple forms, including Śaśānka and Śaśānka-deva. The name is derived from Sanskrit , as another name for the Moon. Śaśānka-deva therefore loosely translates to Moon god. The Hindu god Shiva is also known as Shashank Sekhar as He holds the moon on his head. The Chinese monk Xuanzang 's writings, he
2590-420: The alleged persecution, and that it is "unsafe to accept the statements recorded in this book as historical". Radhagovinda Basak states that there is no reason to believe that this 12th century Buddhist author had cherished any ill feeling about 7th century Shashanka, and he may have had reasons to describe the events as they occurred. Following his death, Shashanka was succeeded by his son, Manava , who ruled
2664-469: 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,
2738-552: The area. Alternatively, Bardhamana means a prosperous and growing area. It 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
2812-450: The army and attacked Kannauj. Shashanka and his allies fought a major war with the then emperor of Thanesar , Harsha , and his allies. It is evident that Shashanka had to retreat from Kannauj. The result of the battle was inconclusive as Shashanka is documented to have retained dominion over his lands. Shashanka continued to rule Gauda with frequent attacks from Harsha, which he is known to have faced bravely. Siege of Karnasubarna This
2886-515: 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. Shashanka Shashanka ( IAST : Śaśāṅka, Sanskrit : शशाङ्क Bengali : শশাঙ্ক) was the first independent king of a unified polity in the Bengal region, called
2960-508: The court of Harsha, and of the Chinese monk Xuanzang , and also coins minted in Shashanka's reign. Not much is known about the early life of Shashanka. Historian D K Ganguly is reported to have concluded that he was a native of Magadha. The same source reports that the historian Padmanath Bhattacharya took Shashanka to be a son of Mahasenagupta. R D Banerji concluded that he was descended from
3034-506: The death of Shasanka the capital city Karnasuvarna passed in to the hands of Bhaskaravarman. However Hiuen Tsang who travelled in Bengal about 638 CE, shortly after the death of Shashanka, didn't mention the name of Karnasuvarna's ruler in his description. Hans Bakker argues that the army that set out to attack the Maukharis in Kanyakubja was more of a "confederation of all those who held
Memari - Misplaced Pages Continue
3108-499: The declining empire from multiple sides. Defence of the vast empire put a strain on the royal treasury. Though the Huns were initially driven out, the protracted invasions quickened the downfall of the Gupta kings. It may be noted that Indian archeologist Shanker Sharma has argued that the empire's end was precipitated by a massive deluge around the middle of the sixth century C.E. Near the end of
3182-429: 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
3256-578: The demise of the Gauda Kingdom. In Pala inscriptions, this time is called Matsyanyayam, implying times of 'jungle rule' when big fish swallow up small fish. It is thought that the development of the Bengali calendar took place under Shashanka's reign. Situated in present-day Midnapore , Sarasanka is a massive dighi (manmade lake) measuring over 140 acres. That is nearly equal to the total area of 80 football fields. Its aesthetics show clear influences of
3330-555: 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
3404-717: 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
3478-599: 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
3552-560: 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
3626-623: The kingdom for eight months. However, Gauda was soon divided amongst Harsha and Bhaskaravarman of Kamarupa , the latter even managing to conquer Karnasuvarna . Commenting on the symbolism of Gauda, Akshay Kumar Maitreya remarked, “The whole of Gauḍa was once known as Gauḍa Desh. The Bengali language only a few days ago was known as Gauḍiya Bhasha… Even now in many parts of India Bengalis are known as Gauḍiya. So, if one attempts to write our history, one must begin with Gaur.” King Shashanka's unification, and subsequent defence, of local, disparate kingdoms including Vanga, Samatata and Gauda, against
3700-464: The mighty king Harsha , is considered seminal in the formation of the idea, and the polity, of Bengal . Many historians and commentators argue that Shashanka was the first independent king of not only Gauda, but of Bengal. As such he is a symbolic figure in the region's aspirations for independence and self-rule. Shashanka's feat in bringing the many tribes and kingdoms under a single flag becomes clear only after his death. Chaos broke out in Bengal with
3774-814: 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
SECTION 50
#17330851286703848-400: 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
3922-471: 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
3996-724: 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
4070-489: 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
4144-437: 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
4218-413: 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
4292-408: The region and established his own kingdom with his capital at Karnasubarna . Other historians like Sailendra Nath Sen are of the opinion that Mahasenagupta - already under pressure from the Maukharis (for failing to provide adequate protection) - wouldn't have knowingly appointed Shashanka to such an important position. Middleton (2015) argues in a similar vein that Shashanka served as maha samanta to
4366-555: The sixth century, the empire was ruled over by a feeble ruler belonging to the Later Gupta dynasty , Mahasenagupta (r. c. 562-601 C.E.). The decline of the Gupta empire had left the disintegrating empire in chaos. Numerous local kings and rulers like Yashodharman emerged, and started vying for control of the many pieces of the former empire. Shashanka emerged as one of these ambitious local rulers, aiming to seize control of Gauda and its surrounding region. The first mention of Shashanka
4440-507: 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
4514-444: 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
SECTION 60
#17330851286704588-540: The three major high schools. Memari railway station is situated on the Howrah-Bardhaman main line 82 kilometres (51 mi) from Howrah Station . SH 13 / GT Road , SH 15 passes through Memari. Memari is a bus stop for many Express, Local buses are available from here. Buses bound Asansol , Bardhaman , Chuchura , Durgapur , Krishnanagar , Katwa , Nabadwip , Tarakeswar , Salar are available. Purba Bardhaman district Purba Bardhaman district
4662-633: The unique Gauda style of composition developed with the development of poetry in the courts of the princes of Bengal. These princes of Bengal are none other than the Lords of Gauda. To commemorate his coronation, he started the Bengali era called 'Bangabda' in accordance with earlier Hindu tradition of year counting, which has now become a symbol of Bengal and Bengali cultural identity. Three copperplate inscriptions issued by King Shashanka have been discovered. Two of these were issued in his 8th and 10th regnal years and discovered from Midnapore. The other, known as
4736-405: The urban areas, and that is the lowest proportion of urban population amongst the four subdivisions in Purba Bardhaman district. The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map. Memari police station has jurisdiction over Memari municipal area, and Memari I and Memari II CD blocks. The area covered
4810-421: The war, and his two sons stepped up. The Doobi Copper Plate inscriptions tell us that the Gauda army fought and defeated the king, and princes Bhaskaravarma of kamrupa And Supratisthita The princes are described as fighting a mighty elephantry force. The princes were brought back to Gauda as prisoners but released shortly thereafter. They supposedly returned to their kingdom as feudatories under Shashanka. After
4884-520: 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
4958-441: 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
5032-411: 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
5106-493: Was killed by Shashanka. No conclusive evidence exists but it is possible that Shashanka, who joined the battle as an ally of Devagupta , murdered him. The only source available in this matter is the Harshacharita by Bāṇabhaṭṭa , who was a childhood friend and constant companion of Harsha ; neither of these men were present at the death. Harsha succeeded his brother as ruler of Thanesar in 606 C.E. and he once again gathered
5180-824: 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
5254-453: 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
5328-518: 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
5402-450: 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
5476-510: 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
#669330