Baharampur Information
Baharampur (Bengali: বহরমপুর) (also spelled Berhampore or Berhampur) is a city in the West Bengal state of India. Baharampur is the third largest city after Kolkata (Calcutta) and Siliguri and situated in central part of West Bengal. Baharampur (Berhampore) is nominated for becoming the municipal corporation. In earlier days it was known as Brahmapur because many of the brahmin families settled there in earlier days were the cause from which the city got its name. 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.
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History
Fort at Baharampur, c. 1850Berhampore was fortified in 1757 by the East India Company, after the Battle of Plassey in June 1757, and it continued as a cantonment until 1870. But the foundation of the city of Berhampore remains questionable. As Karnasubarna which is very near from Berhampore has a history dated back to 600 AD. and also all of the major European colonial forces did come to Berhampore and early settlements of Dutch, Armenians, French, British could still be seen scattered in the city. Many architectures of late 1600 could still be seen. The cantonment was constituted as a municipality in 1876 and was the headquarters of Murshidabad district. The Berhampore College was founded in 1853 and in 1888 made over to a local committee, mainly supported by Rani Swarnamayi.
On 25 February 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].
Geography
Baharampur is located at 24°06′N 88°15′E / 24.1°N 88.25°E.[3] It has an average elevation of 18 metres (59 feet).
hazarduariThe city is located approximately 200 km north of Kolkata at 24°4′N 88°9′E / 24.067°N 88.15°E and is situated on the eastern side of the Hooghly River, a major distributary 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. This is a type of brass that is used to make utensils like dishes & bowls.
Baharampur is also popular for a special type of fried sweets called "Chanabora". It is also a rail and road hub of the bihar state and is an important agricultural center.Recently a new bus terminus has been set up here, which is said to be one of a kind in the state. Saidabad Raj Bari,Manindra Chandra Vidyapith school [previously named Hardinz school], Berhampore central jail [where Netaji SuBhas Chandra Bose was prisoned], K.N.College [where Master da (Surya Sen) studied], Barrack Square [where sipoy mutiny started at 1857], Ghatbandar, Saidabad, Khagra are the most popular places of Berhampore. The bridge of Ramendrasunda Trivedi joins Berhampore with North Bengal.
Demographics
kathgola palaceAs of 2001[update] Indian 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.
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', the savoury 'Khaja', sweet 'Manohara' and also very famous for Murshidabad Silk.
Schools
Krishnath College School ( West Bengal Board, Estd. 1853 AD), Iswar Chandra Institution (Estd. 1916 AD), Mary Immaculate School (ICSE and ISC), Berhampore J N Academy, Maharani Kaseswari Girls High School ( West Bengal Board), Gurudas Tarasundari Institution, Manindra Chandra Vidyapith, Shilpa Mandir, Prabha Rani Public School, Holy Garden Model School, Gitaram Academy, Berhampore Central School (CBSE), Lipika Memorial School, Mahakali Pathshala,Manindra Nagar High School (Cossimbazar) are the most prominent schools.
Colleges
- Government College of Engineering & Textile Technology, Berhampore (old name: College of Textile Technology Berhampore, also known as GCETTB)
- Krishnath College
- Girls' College
- Berhampore College
- Murshidabad College of Engineering & Technology
- B.T College
- Murshidabad Institute Of Technology or MIT (Polytechnic college offering Diploma in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering)
- Murshidabad College of Engineering & Technology Science & Management campus (BBA&BCA)
Transport
Rail - Berhampore Court Station (BPC), cossimbazar Station (CSZ) and Murshidabad Station (MBB) stands on the Sealdah-Lalgola line of the eastern railway. Bhagirathi express, Hazarduari express, Berhampore Court Express (Dhanadhanye Express), Lalgola Fast Passenger, Lalgola Passenger are trains that takes the Sealdah-Lalgola route. Khagraghat (KGLE) is another station that is connected by Howrah. Intercity express and passenger trains, Jansatabdi express takes this route. If one wish to come to Berhampore from north of West Bengal it is best to take the Khagraghat station as destination.
Road - as Berhampore locates just in the center position of West Bengal. This city is well connected by National Highway 34. There are bus services on regular basis from South Bengal to North Bengal and Vicecersa and there is a Bus Terminus called 'Mohona'. Any buses that starts from Kolkata to North Bengal halts at Berhampore. Buses from Kolkata, New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, Suri, Durgapur, Asansol, Dhubri, Bhutan, Malda for Berhampore is easily available.
Water - as Berhampore is city just beside the river Bhagirathi, one can also avail water transport. Launchboat from Kolkata to Berhampore and Hazarduari is available. Berhampore north to Berhampore south is connected via launchboats. Regular boat transport is also available from Berhampore to other towns of Murshidabad such as Azimganj and Jiaganj.
Tourist spot
Hazarduari at night Armenian church 1757 AD Old Cossimbazar Palace new Cossimbazar Palace European residency cemetery, late 1600 AD Dutch graveyardBerhampore is a famous place for tourists in West Bengal. It gets tourists' flow from locals and as well as from foreigners, being the first Head Quarter of the East India Company and having a long history enriched by the Nawabs, Kings, zamindars and other European colonial forces such as Dutch, Armenians, English and French.
- Hazarduari Palace - it was built in 1837 by General Duncan Mcleod.
- Imambara - built in 1847 AD. by Nawab Nazim Mansoor Ali Khan Feradun Jahat at a cost of more than 6 lacs. The Imambara, which is the largest in Bengal, is perhaps the largest in India.
- Katra Masjid - built by Nawab Murshid Quli Khan in 1723-24 and it remains one of the most important tourist attractions. The gorgeous building with its huge domes and high minarets has a simple cemetery of the Nawab below the front staircase.
- Moti Jhil - This beautiful horseshoe shaped lake was excavated by Nawazesh Mohammad, the husband of the famous Ghasseti Begum. In the palace adjoining it (now in ruins) Lord Clive celebrated the acquisition of the Dewani of Sube Bangla (Bengal, Bihar & Orissa) in 1765. Moti Jheel was the home of Warren Hastings when he became the Political President at the Durbar of the Nawab Nazim (1771 – 73 AD).
- Barrack square - It was used for British army. The very first rumble of The Sepoy Mutiny actually started here.
- Old British barracks - Built in late 1750s these barracks are on the north and south of Barrack Square.
- British administrative houses of Berhampore
- Central Jail
- Krishnath college - which is the exact replica of Oxford university, established in 1853, even earlier than the University of Kolkata (Calcuta), worth seeing for its European architectural style.
- Armenian Church - Oldest Armenian Church of the Eastern India at Saidabad, built in 1757 AD.
- British town hall - Earlier used for recreation purpose for the British.
- Saidabad Palace - This Palace is right now on the verge of extinction.
- Old Cossimbazar Palace - This Palace of Nandy dynasty is now on the verge of extinction.
- New Cossimbazar Palace - This Palace of Chatterjee kings is well maintained.
- Nasipur Palace - The Nasipur Palace was built by Kirti Chand, a descendent of Debi Singh. Debi Singh, who settled here from Punjab, was a tax collector in the early days of the East India Company
- Home of Jagatseth
- Jafarganj cemetery - The Cemetery contains the tombs of the Nawab’s Nazim, from Mir Jafar to Humayun Jah.
- Kathgola palace
- Footi mosque -
- Nimak Haram Deori - known as the Traiter's gate, Siraj ud Daulah was killed in this spot.
- Khoshbagh - The grave of Nawab Alivardi Khan, Alivardi’s Mother, Siraj-ud-Doula and his wife Lutfannesha and other members of the Nawab family lie here.
- Pataleshwar temple of Cossimbazar - Residing in Kasimbazar is one of the most famous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, the history of Pataleshwar Temple could be dated back to some thousand years.
- Residency cemetery of Babulbona - Numerous graves with memorials and pillar epitaphs. This huge European cemetery is one of the historical relics of Berhampore.
- Dutch graveyard of Cossimbazar
- Old English graveyard of Cossimbazar - The British Cemetery in Cossimbazar is where Mary, the first wife of Warren Hastings and their baby daughter Elizabeth lie here.
- Char bangla temples of Queen of Natore - Built by the Queen Bhavani of Natore in 1755 AD.
- Bhavaniswar temple - Built by Queen of Natore in 1750 AD, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Jagatbandhudham - The birth-place of Prabhu Jagat-bandhu Sundar, a religious figure at a hamlet Dahapara near Lalbagh.
- Ancient remains of kingdom of Sasanka at Karnasubarna - remains of famous Rakta Mrittika vihara described by Hiuen Tsang. The remains could be dated back to 600 AD.
- Kiriteshwari - which is also known as guptapith is one of the 51 Saktipiths of India.
- cemetery of Burmese King Thibo
Parks
Laldighi Park is in Berhampore & Motijhil Park, a nice one, near the historical tourist and present day picnic spot called "Motijhil".
Accommodation
Bahrampur hosts a wide range of hotels from luxury ones to budget ones. Few of these are Hotel Sunshine (3 Star ), Berhampore Tourist Lodge (under WBTDC), Hotel Samrat (3 Star ), Berhampore Lodge, Bhaghirathi Hotel, Mayur Hotel and White House. These hotels are situated near the Berhampore Bus Stand and 'Berhampore Court' railway station.
Literature
Md. Sajjad Hossain[7] of this city has written “All my song is for my dear heart”[8], a dissertation on Nazrul in 12000 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. He has translated 108 love poems of this poet into English language. The name of this book is "Nazrul The Love poet".
He has again translated 40 short stories of Balaichand Mukhopadhaya (Banaphool) into English language.The name of the book is "Banaphool retold". He has also translated 50 Bengali poems into English language - the poets are: Shakti Chattopadhaya, Josimuddin, Kabirul Islam and the translator himself. The name of the book is "Four Poets". His another translation work is "Lalon - the great poet". In this book he has translated 50 Baul(Lalon) songs into English language. His another important work is "What is English". This book contains 4 essays, all dealing with different mechanisms of the English language. All these books have been warmly accepted by the intellectuals at home and abroad.
Legacy
The city of Berhampore also shares its name with Berhampore at Wellington, New Zealand. The daughter of Major Paul married local land owner George Hunter. Major Paul was an Indian army officer. George Hunter to show respect to his father in law gave Berhampore the name of the suburb and many streets of this suburb were also given Indian names such as Khandallah village, Ganges road, Simla, Agra etc. The old house of the "De" family ( Relatives of the Cossimbazar Raj)at Churamani Chowdhury Lane is also one of the oldest buildings in Berhampore and was at one point of time the property of the Cossimbazar Raj.
Notable people from Berhampore
Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay was the discoverer of Indus Valley Civilization- Mahasweta Devi (1926), daughter of poet Manish Ghatak, writes short stories and novels.
- Ramendra Sundar Tribedi, writer
- Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay, historian
- Chitta Ranjan Majumdar, Artist
- Tridib Chowdhury, Politician
Gallery
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New Cossimbazar palace
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Residency Cemetery (late 1600)
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Remains of Raktamrittika Mahavihar(600 ad)
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Terracota works on ancient Char Bangla temples.
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Katra
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The mighty thousand doors.
References
- ^ Berhampur, Murshidabad, India This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (Eleventh ed.). Cambridge University Press. .
- ^ Kasim Bazar This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (Eleventh ed.). Cambridge University Press. .
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Baharampur
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ^ "Handicrafts and silk industry". Murshidabad district administration. http://murshidabad.gov.in/handicraft.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-08.
- ^ "Crafts and artisans of India". craftandartisans.com. http://www.craftandartisans.com/ivory-bone-horn-of-west-bengal.html. Retrieved 2007-09-08.
- ^ http://www.shossain.info
- ^ Read the article, All my song is for my dear heart, from http://shossain.info/nazrul-islam-love-poet/
Sources
External links
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Baharampur |
- Hotel in Berhampore, Murshidabad
- Best Hotel in Berhampore, Murshidabad
- 3star Hotel in Berhampore, Murshidabad
- Luxury Hotel in Berhampore, Murshidabad
- Map of Murshidabad district on CalcuttaWeb.Com
- Latitude and Longitude locations maps in India
- City populations in West Bengal
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Categories: Cities and towns in Murshidabad district
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