Murshidabad district

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Murshidabad District is a district of West Bengal state in eastern India. Area of the district is 2,062 sq mi (5,341 km²) and population 5.863m (2001 census). The Baharampur town is the headquarters of the district. The historical town of Murshidabad is another important town of the district.

It borders West Bengal's Malda district to the north, Birbhum to the west, Bardhaman to the south-west and Nadia district due south. The international border with Bangladesh's Rajshahi division is on the east.

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[edit] Origin of name

The district is named after the historical town of Murshidabad. The town derived its name from its founder. Kartalab Khan was appointed as Diwan of Bengal Subah in 1701 CE by Aurangzeb. He shifted his office from Dacca (present day Dhaka) to Maksudabad in 1702 CE. In 1703 CE, Aurangzeb honoured him with the title of Murshid Quli Khan and granted the permission to rename the town as Murshidabad in 1704 CE after his newly acquired title [1].

[edit] Geography

The district comprises two distinct regions separated by the Bhagirathi River. To the west lies the Rarh, a high, undulating continuation of the Chota Nagpur plateau. The eastern portion, the Bagri, is a fertile, low-lying alluvial tract, part of the Ganges Delta. The district is drained by the Bhagirathi and Jalangi rivers and their tributaries. Rice, jute, legumes, oilseeds, wheat, barley, and mangoes are the chief crops in the east; extensive mulberry cultivation is carried out in the west.

Trade and business are conducted primarily with Asansol, Burdwan and Kolkata. There were some discussions between India and Bangladesh to open an internal water transport link between Dhulian and Rajshahi but it has not materialized yet.

[edit] Jhowbona

It is a popular village near nowda thana and also called greenvillage in West Bangal. The district became part of the Gaur kingdom in 1197 and passed to the British East India Company in the 18th century. Murshidabad is famous for Murshidabad Silk.

[edit] Divisions

The district is divided into five sub-divisions: Sadar, Jangipur, Lalbagh, Kandi and Domkal.

[edit] People

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Murshidabad This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain..

Coordinates: 24°00′N 80°30′E / 24, 80.5


v • d • e
Cities and towns in Murshidabad District
Mushidababad
Cities and towns
in other districts
v • d • e
Districts of West Bengal
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