Baharampur

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the settlement in Bangladesh, see Baharampur, Bangladesh.
  ?Baharampur
West Bengal • India
Coordinates: 24°06′N 88°15′E / 24.1, 88.25
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
• Elevation
• 18 m (59 ft)
District(s) Murshidabad
Population 160,168 (2001)

Coordinates: 24°06′N 88°15′E / 24.1, 88.25

Baharampur (Bengali: বহরমপুর)(also spelled Berhampore or Berhampur) is a city in the West Bengal state of India. Baharampur is the administrative headquarters of the Murshidabad district.It is located about 200 km (124 mi) from Kolkata (earlier known as Calcutta), the state capital.

Contents

[edit] History

Fort at Baharampur, c. 1850
Fort at Baharampur, c. 1850

Baharampur was founded and fortified in 1757 by the British East India Company, after the Battle of Plassey, in June 1757, and it continued as a cantonment until 1870. The cantonment was constituted as a municipality in 1876, and was the headquarters of Murshidabad district. The Berhampur college was founded in 1853, and in 1888 made over to a local committee, mainly support by Rani Svarnamayi.

On February 25, 1857, the first major armed battle of the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 took place in Baharampur [1], while Berhampur was ruled by Raja Krishnath and his ancestors.

In 1901, Baharampur had a population of 24,397, and included the ancient town of Kasim Bazar [2].

[edit] Geography

Baharampur is located at 24.1° N 88.25° E.[3] It has an average elevation of 18 metres (59 feet).

The city is located approximately 185 km north of Calcutta at 24°4′N, 88°9′E and is situated on the east side of the Bhagirathi River, a major tributary of the Ganges. The city’s industries include silk weaving, ivory carving, rice and oil-seed milling, and precious metal working. A famous type of metal used to make bells called "Khagrai Kansha" is made in the city.

A special type of fried sweets called "Chanabora" is also very popular. It is also a rail and road hub of the West Bengal state and is an important agricultural center.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[4] Baharampur had a population of 160,168. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Baharampur has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 53% of the males and 47% of females literate. 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Economics

Khagra, a neighbourhood in Bahrampur is renowned for its manufacture of bell-metal and brass utensils, as well as ivory and wood carving.[5][6]

Baharampur is famous for the sweet 'Chhana-bora' and the savoury 'Khaja'.

[edit] Schools

Mary Immaculate School, Krishnanath College School, Gurudas Tarasundari Institution, Maharani Kaseswari Girls High School, Manindra Chandra Vidyapith, Shilpa Mandir, Iswar Chandra Institution, Berhampore J N Academy, Prabha Rani Public School, Holy Garden Model School, Gitaram Academy , Gurah-Pashla Sripati Konar Sikshaniketan are the most prominent schools here.

[edit] Colleges

Krishnath College, Girls' College, Berhampore College, Murshidabad College of Engineering & Technology, College of Textile Technology, Domkal College

[edit] Parks

Laldighi Park & Motijhil Park (this is a nice one, near the historical tourist and present day picnic spot called "Motijhil". )

[edit] Tourist Spot

Bahrampur is a famous place for tourist under tourist map of West Bengal. It gets tourist flow from local and foreigners. As it is the first East India Company head quarter and got a long history enriched by the Nawabs. People generally come to see Hazardwari (1000 Door) Palace, Imambara, Katra Mosque, Moti Jhil and etc. These places are situated at Lalbag area which is almost 30 km from Berhampore Main bus stand. Lalbag is well connected with Berhampore with railway and bus services.

[edit] Accommodation

Bahrampur host a wide range of hotel from luxury to budget, few of those are Samrat (****), Berhampore Lodge, Bhaghirathi, Mayur Hotel, White House. These hotels are situated near the Berhampore Bus stand and Berhampore Court railway station. But one want to see the historical places in Lalbag area which are some 10 km away from Berhmapore Bus Stand, they could rent a hotel in Lalbag area only.

[edit] Literature

Md. Sajjad Hossain of this city has written “All my song is for my dear heart”, a dissertation on Nazrul in 20000 words refuting all the charges against the poet that he is simply a rebel poet proving him as one of the greatest love poets in the world.
Had Nazrul, as has been researched by Mr. Hossain, had the opportunity of being read and assessed by Europeans in translation, he could have been easily judged as one of the greatest love poets in the world. Mr. Hossain has tried to fill up this vacuum by translating the poet into English language keeping his original flavour almost intact.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Berhampur, Murshidabad, India This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain..
  2. ^ Kasim Bazar This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain..
  3. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Baharampur
  4. ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  5. ^ Handicrafts and silk industry. Murshidabad district administration. Retrieved on 2007-09-08.
  6. ^ Crafts and artisans of India. craftandartisans.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-08.

[edit] Sources

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Cities and towns in Murshidabad District
Mushidababad
Cities and towns
in other districts