Birbhum district

Birbhum district (IPA: [biːrbʰuːm]) is an administrative unit in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the northernmost district of Burdwan division—one of the five administrative divisions of West Bengal. The district headquarters is in Suri. Other important cities are Rampurhat, Bolpur and Sainthia.[1][2] Jamtara, Dumka and Pakur districts of the state of Jharkhand lie at the western border of this district; the border in other directions is covered by the districts of Bardhaman and Murshidabad of West Bengal.

Birbhum district
District of West Bengal
Kali temple in Akalipur
Location of Birbhum district in West Bengal
Country India
State West Bengal
DivisionBurdwan
Government
 • Lok Sabha constituenciesBirbhum (Lok Sabha constituency), Bolpur (Lok Sabha constituency)
 • Vidhan Sabha constituenciesSainthia
Suri
Bolpur
Rampurhat
Nalhati
Dubrajpur
Mayureswar
Murarai
Labpur
Nanoor
Hansan
Area
 • Total4,545 km2 (1,755 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total3,502,404
 • Density770/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
 • Urban
449,448
Demographics
 • Literacy70.68
 • Sex ratio956
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
Websitewww.birbhum.gov.in

Often called "the land of red soil",[3] Birbhum is noted for its topography and its cultural heritage which is somewhat different from the other districts in West Bengal. The western part of Birbhum is a bushy region, a part of the Chhota Nagpur Plateau. This region gradually merges with the fertile alluvial farmlands in the east.[4]

This district saw many cultural and religious movements in history. The Visva Bharati University at Santiniketan, established by Rabindranath Tagore, is one of the places Birbhum is known for.[5] Many festivals are celebrated in the district, including Poush Mela.[6]

Birbhum is primarily an agricultural district with around 75% of the population being dependent on agriculture.[7] Principal industries of the district include cotton and silk harvesting and weaving, rice and oilseed milling, lac harvesting, stone mining and metalware and pottery manufacture.[8] Bakreshwar Thermal Power Station is the only heavy industry in the district.[9]

Etymology

The name Birbhum comes probably from the term 'land' ('bhumi') of the 'brave' ('bir') or Bir king').[10][11] Another theory says that the district bears the name of Bagdi king Bir Malla, who ruled in the area from 1501 to 1554 CE.[10][11] Bir in the Santali language means forests; therefore, Birbhum could also mean a land of forests.[10][11]

Geography
Map of Birbhum district showing CD blocks and municipal areas
Mama Bhagne Hills area in Birbhum

Situated between 23° 32' 30" (right above the tropic of cancer) and 24° 35' 0" north latitude and 87° 5' 25" and 88° 1' 40" east longitudes, and about 4,545 square kilometres (1,755 sq mi) in area, this district is triangular. River Ajay forms the southern base and the apex of the triangle points north. The river forms the boundary between the districts of Birbhum and Bardhaman. The state of Jharkhand is at the northern and the western border of Birbhum and Murshidabad is at the east.[2][8][10]

Geographically, this area lies at the northeastern end of the Chota Nagpur Plateau, as it slopes down and merges with the alluvial plains of the Ganges. In the district there is only hilly area of natural rock formation situated near Dubrajpur town called Mama Bhagne Pahar (Hill). The western portion of the district is historically known as Vajjabhumi or Bajrabhumi.[4][12] It is an undulating upland that is generally barren. The comparatively more fertile eastern portion, constituting the northeastern Rarh region, merges with the Gangetic plain. Vajjabhumi is included in the Rarh region, and the rest of Rarh is called Sumha to differentiate it from Vajjabhumi.[4][12]

Climate
Rivers and towns of Birbhum

The climate on the western side is dry and extreme but is relatively milder on the eastern side. During summer, the temperature can shoot well above 40 °C (104 °F) and in winters it can drop to around 10 °C (50 °F).[8] Rainfall is higher in the western areas as compared to the eastern areas. The annual average rainfall in Rajnagar is 1,405 millimetres (55.3 in) and in Nanoor it is 1,212 millimetres (47.7 in), mostly in the monsoon months (June to October).[4][10]

Climate and rainfall chart of Birbhum District

MonthNormal rainfall (in mm)
January9.7
February23.2
March23.3
April40.7
May88.7
June234.2
July324.5
August295.7
September258.2
October105.4
November17.5
December9.4
Yearly1430.5

[13]

Rivers

Several rivers flow across Birbhum. Some of these are Ajay, Mayurakshi (Mor), Kopai, Shal, Bakreshwar, Brahmani, Dwarka, Hinglo, Chapala, Bansloi, Pagla, Chandravaga etc.[2][8] A project on the Mayurakshi that includes the Tilpara Barrage (near Suri), provides irrigation for about 2,428 square kilometres (937 sq mi).[14] Almost all the rivers originate higher up on the Chota Nagpur plateau and flow across Birbhum in a west–east direction. These rivers are furious during the monsoons but shrink during the dry summer months. The cyclical rotation of drought and floods of the rivers destroy lives and property, and adds to the difficulties of life in the district.[4][7]

History

Prehistory
Terracota design depicting Ramayana war at Jayadev Kenduli
Statue of Rabindranath Tagore by K P Krishnakumar at Amar Kutir

The area now known as Birbhum was inhabited from pre-historic times. Some of the archaeological sites related to Pandu Rajar Dhibi of chalcolithic remains are located in Birbhum.[15] Stone age implements have been found at several places in the district.[16]

According to the old Jain book Acaranga Sutra, the last (24th) great Tirthankara Mahavira had wandered through this land, referred to as the "pathless country of Ladha in Vajjabhumi and Subbhabhumi (probably Suhma)" in the 5th century, B.C.[2][12][17] According to some historians, the spread of Jainism and Buddhism in the Rarh region was part of the process of Aryanisation of the area.[18] Based on Divyabdan, a Buddhist text, Dr. Atul Sur has inferred that Gautam Buddha probably traversed this area to go to Pundravardhana and Samatata.[19]

The Rarh region, once a part of the Maurya empire was later included in the empires of the imperial Guptas, Shashanka and Harshavardhana. After dismemberment of Harshavardhana's empire, the region was ruled by the Palas till the 12th century AD, when overlordship of the area passed into the hands of the Senas.[2] During the rule of the Pala dynasty Buddhism, particularly the Vajrayana cult, flourished here.[20] In the 7th century A.D., the Chinese traveller Xuanzang described some of the monasteries he visited.[12][19]

Medieval age
Krishna travelling to Mathura in a 17th-century painting from Birbhum

The 13th century witnessed the advent of Muslim rule in the region. However, control over the western parts of the district appears to have been nominal, and the area was ruled by the local Hindu chiefs, known as the Bir Rajas (Bagdi Malla dynasty).[2] The three towns of Hetampur, Birsinghpur and Rajnagar contain their relics.[21] Hetampur and Rajnagar Kingdoms ruled most of Birbhum and parts of Burdwan, Maldah and Jharkhand from Dubrajpur (meaning two kingdoms - Hetampur & Rajnagar). Minhaj-i-Siraj, the author of the Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, mentions Lakhnur as the thanah (headquarters) of the Rarh wing of the Muslim rule and an important frontier post. The location of Lakhnur, though not yet identified, falls in Birbhum.[2][12]

Mythology has it that the forests of Vajjabhumi (west Birbhum) were hot-spots of Hindu and tantric activities.[19][22] Some authors have called Birbhum by the name Kamkoti which relates to its tantric heritage. Tantrics, including the Vajrayana, the Shaktas, and the Buddhists established many temples for tantra sadhana rituals and Shakti worship. Birbhum has many Shakti Peethas such as Tarapith, Bakreshwar, Kankalitala, Fullara near Labhpur, Sainthia and Nalhati. One of the famous Shakti worshippers of Tarapith was Bamdev, popularly known as Bama Khyapa.[23]

Modern era
1779 map of the Jungle Terry District.

During the time of British East India Company, the administrative unit by the name Birbhum was formed in 1787. Before that, it was administratively a part of Murshidabad district. In 1787, when the official "District Beerbhoom" was established, the district was much bigger than it is now. Till 1793, it included "Bishenpore" or Bishnupur, which is now part of the Bankura district. Till the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny, the Santhal Parganas was part of Birbhum; the district thus sprawled up to Deoghar in the west. The immediate reason then for separating the western tribal majority areas was the Santhal rebellion of 1855–56, which was quelled. Sidhu and Kanu are remembered in Birbhum as martyrs of this uprising.[2][12]

Economy
A common Birbhum village scene
Product display of Amar Kutir

Birbhum is primarily an agricultural district with around 75% of the people dependent on agriculture.[7] While 159.3 km2 (61.5 sq mi) of land is occupied by forests, 3,329.05 km2 (1,285.35 sq mi) of land is used for agricultural purposes.[8] 91.02% of the population live in villages.[7] Out of total 4,50,313 farmers(holding 3,20,610 hectares of land), 3,59,404 are marginal farmers(holding 1,41,813 hectares altogether), 63,374 are small farmers(holding 95,144 hectares altogether), 26,236 are semi-medium farmers(holding 76,998 hectares altogether), 1,290 are medium farmers(holding 6,215 hectare altogether), and 9 are large farmers (holding 440 hectares of land). The average size of land holding per farmer is 0.71 hectares. 6,07,172 people work as agricultural labourers in Birbhum.[13] Major crops produced in the district include rice, legumes, wheat, corn (maize), potatoes and sugar cane.[7] The district has thirteen cold storages.[8] Land with irrigation facilities in 2001-02 totalled 2,763.9 km2 (1,067.1 sq mi).[7] There are five barrages, providing irrigation support. Canada Dam on the Mayurakshi river at Massanjore lies close to the border of Birbhum and the Dumka district in Jharkhand. Further down the Mayurakshi is the Tilpara Barrage at Suri.[7]

Birbhum is a major centre of cottage industries. Perhaps the most notable cottage industry is a non-profit rural organisation named Amar Kutir. Other main industries in Birbhum are agriculture-based industries, textiles, forestry, arts and crafts. Sriniketan is noted for its dairy industry and as a forestry centre. Some of the notable forms of cottage industries of Birbhum include textile—especially cotton and locally harvested tussar silk, jute works, batik, kantha stitch, macramé (weaving by knotting threads), leather, pottery and terracotta, solapith, woodcarving, bamboo and cane craft, metal works and tribal crafts.[8] There are 8,883 small and medium scale industries. Principal industries of the district include cotton and silk harvesting and weaving, rice and oilseed milling, lac harvesting, and metalware and pottery manufacture.[8] Bakreshwar Thermal Power Station (210 MW x 3 + 210 MW x 2 under construction) is the only heavy industry in the district.[9]

Sainthia is known as business capital of Birbhum and an economically important city. Sainthia is the major centre for export and import of cottage industries. Huge numbers of businesses run in this city and its economy stands tall due to sales of agricultural based products.[24]

In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Birbhum one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).[25] It is one of the eleven districts in West Bengal currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).[25]

Political and Administrative divisions

The district comprises three subdivisions: Suri Sadar, Bolpur and Rampurhat.[1] Suri is the district headquarters. There are 26 police stations, 19 development blocks, 6 municipalities and 167 gram panchayats in this district.[1][26] Other than municipality area, each subdivision contains community development blocs which in turn are divided into rural areas and census towns. There are seven urban units: six municipalities and one census town.[26][27] The latest amongst the urban units to have a municipality was Nalhati in 2000.[28]

Before delimitation the district was divided into 12 assembly constituencies (AC):[29]Nanoor (AC #283), Bolpur (AC #284), Labhpur (AC #285), Dubrajpur (AC #286), Rajnagar (AC #287), Suri (AC #288), Mahammad Bazar (AC #289), Mayureswar (AC #290), Rampurhat (AC #291), Hansan (AC #292), Nalhati (AC #293) and Murarai (AC #294). The constituencies of Nanoor, Rajnagar, Mayureswar and Hansan were reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates.[29]Vidhan Sabha was elected in 2006 assembly elections, which took place before the rearrangement of parliamentary and assembly constituencies as per order of the Delimitation Commission in respect of the delimitation of constituencies in the West Bengal. Delimitation was made effective for all elections in the state of West Bengal that was held on or after 19 February 2008.[30] 2009 Indian general election was based on the newly formed parliamentary constituencies and the newly formed assembly constituencies have representatives in the 2011 elections of West Bengal.

As per order of the Delimitation Commission in respect of the delimitation of constituencies in the West Bengal, the district is divided into 11 assembly constituencies:[31] Dubrajpur (AC #284), Suri (AC #285), Bolpur (AC #286), Nanoor (AC #287), Labpur (AC #288), Sainthia (AC #289), Mayureswar (AC #290), Rampurhat (AC #291), Hansan (AC #292), Nalhati (AC #293) and Murarai (AC #294). Dubrajpur, Nanoor and Sainthia constituencies are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates.[31]

Dubrajpur, Suri,Mayureswar , Rampurhat, Hansan, Nalhati and Murarai assembly segments form the Birbhum (Lok Sabha constituency).[31] Bolpur, Nanoor, Labhpur, and Sainthia constituencies are part of Bolpur (Lok Sabha constituency), which will contain three other assembly segments from Bardhaman district.[31]

Transport
Katwa to Ahmedpur Narrow gauge railway

The Panagarh–Morgram Highway runs through the district. All the towns and villages are connected by roads. The total length of roads in the district are: surfaced–2,413 km (1,499 mi) and unsurfaced–4,674 km (2,904 mi). Against this the total length of rail track in the district is 201.32 km (125.09 mi), including 26.55 km (16.50 mi) of the Ahmadpur-Katwa line, laid in 1917.[8] The Sahibganj Loop of the Eastern Railway, laid in 1862, passes through this district. There is a junction at Nalhati for the connection to Azimganj in Murshidabad district. The Andal-Sainthia Branch Line connects it to the main Howrah-Delhi main line at Andal.[8]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901902,280—    
1911940,162+0.41%
1921851,725−0.98%
1931947,554+1.07%
19411,048,317+1.02%
19511,066,889+0.18%
19611,446,158+3.09%
19711,775,909+2.08%
19812,095,829+1.67%
19912,555,664+2.00%
20013,015,422+1.67%
20113,502,404+1.51%
source:[32]

In 1901, Birbhum had a population of 902,280, which by 1981 rose to 2,095,829. According to the 2001 census data, the total population has further risen to 3,015,422. The following table summarises the population distribution:[33]

Rural/Urban Persons Males Females
Total 3,015,422 1,546,633 1,468,789
Rural 2,757,002 1,414,097 1,342,905
Urban 258,420 132,536 125,884

According to 2011 Indian census, Hindus formed around 62% of the total population with Muslims about 37%. Others, including religious groups and non-religion population fall below 1% of the population.[34]

In the 2001 Indian census survey of the district, Hindus formed around 65% of the population while 33% were Muslims.[35] There is a sprinkling of other religious groups in the population. According to the 2001 census, 29.5% of the population belong to the scheduled castes and 6.7% to the scheduled tribes.[36] Other than those speaking the local dialect of Bengali, there are tribal Santhals and ten other tribal communities in Birbhum with some presence, amongst whom Koda, Mahali and Oraons are more common.[37]

Religions of Birbhum District in 2011 census[34]
Religion Percent
Hindus
 
 62.3%
Muslims
 
 37.1%
Others
 
 0.6%

Languages of Birbhum District (2011).[38][39]

  Bengali (92.38%)
  Santali (6.01%)
  Others (1.02%)

According to the 2011 census Birbhum district has a population of 3,502,387,[40] roughly equal to the nation of Lithuania[41] or the US state of Connecticut.[42] This gives it a ranking of 84th in India (out of a total of 640).[40] The district has a population density of 771 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,000/sq mi).[40] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 16.15%.[40] Birbhum has a sex ratio of 956 females for every 1000 males,[40] and a literacy rate of 70.9%.[40]

Culture
Main article: Culture of Birbhum
Baul singers at Santiniketan

The bauls of Birbhum, their philosophy and their songs form a notable representation of the folk culture of the district. Birbhum has been home to kabiyals, kirtaniyas and other folk culture groups.[6][43]

The numerous fairs in Birbhum start with Poush Mela at Santiniketan and follows through the Bengali month of Poush till Makar Sankranti. Particularly lively is the fair at Jaydev Kenduli.[6] Festivities are organised across the seasons.[44] People of Birbhum patronise folk entertainment programmes such as jatra, kavigan and alkap.[45]

Many poets were born in this district, as for example, Chandidas (Rami).[45] In addition to being a confluence of Vaishnava, Shakta and Saiva cultures, Birbhum villages observe prehistoric customs like worship of gramdevta (gram means village and devta means deity) in many forms.[22][46]

Amongst the major attractions of Birbhum are Bakreshwar, Tarapith, Dwarbasini temple at Chondrapur and Patharchapuri. Birbhum has many old temples, such as the ones at Jaydev Kenduli, Surul and Nanoor, with delicate decorative tiles made of terra cotta (burnt clay).[47]

Personalities
Rabindranath Tagore with Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi at Santiniketan in 1940

Many famous people lived and worked in Birbhum, specially at Santiniketan.[48] Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen is one of them.[48] Rabindranath Tagore made this district his home and established his great centre of learning, Visva Bharati University at Santiniketan. Jaydev Kenduli, which until recently was believed to be the birthplace of the 12th century Sanskrit poet Jayadeva, is on the bank of the river Ajay.[49]

Nanoor is the birthplace of the 14th-century poet Chandidas Rami.[50] Nityananda Swami (Nitai of the famous Nitai-Gaur pair) the co–founder of Vaishnav religion with Shri Chityanyadev was born at Ekachakra.[51] Tarashankar Bandopadhyay (1898–1971), one of the leading Bengali literary figures in recent times and who wrote extensively about life in Birbhum, belongs to Labhpur.[48] Justice Sattar, a former president of Bangladesh and a former chief election commissioner of Pakistan, was born in Birbhum district in 1906.[52]

Flora and fauna

The eastern area of Birbhum is a part of the rice plains of West Bengal, and the vegetation includes usual characteristics of rice fields in Bengal, such as species of Aponogeton, Utricularia, Drosera, Philcoxia, Scrophulariaceae and similar aquatic or palustrine genera.[10][53] In the drier western region of the district, the characteristic shrubs and herbs include species of Wendlandia, Convolvulaceae, Stipa, Tragus, Spermacoce, Ziziphus, Capparis and similar plants that grows on laterite soil.[53] Mango, palm, and bamboo are among common trees in Birbhum.[53] Other common species of plants are jackfruit, arjun, sal, guava, kend and mahua.[53]

Other than feral dogs and domestic cattle, the most frequently encountered non-human mammal is the hanuman, a long tailed grey langur prevalent in the Gangetic plain. Some wild boars and wolves may still be spotted in the small forests of Chinpai, Bandarsol and Charicha.[53] Leopards and bears are not to be seen any more in the wild.[53] Sometimes during the season when mahua trees bloom, wild Asiatic elephants from Jharkhand come in trampling crops and threatening life and property.[53] Birds of Birbhum include a mix of hilly and plain-land dwelling species like partridge, pigeon, green pigeon, water fowls, doyel, Indian robin, drongo, hawk, cuckoo, koel, sunbird, Indian roller, parrot, babbler, and some migratory birds.[53]

Educational facilities in Birbhum district:[8]
High School–256
Higher Secondary School–110
Junior High School–95
Junior High Madarsa–10
Senior Madarsa–4
Primary School–237
Sishu Sikhsha Kendra–495
Anganwadi Centre–2407
College–12
University–1
Engineering colleges–2
Polytechnic–1
Industrial Training Institute (ITI)–1

Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary near Santiniketan was declared a sanctuary in 1977.[54] Economically important trees are planted here and blackbucks, spotted deer, jackals, foxes and a variety of water birds live in its 2 km2 (0.8 sq mi).[54][55][56]

Literacy and education

According to the 2011 census Birbhum district had a literacy rate of 70.9%.[40] up from 62.16% in 2001. In 1951 census, the literacy rate was 17.74%. It increased to 48.56% in 1991.[57]

See also: List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate

The growth of literacy in the last decade of the twentieth century was particularly remarkable with special emphasis on the eradication of illiteracy. While it is feared that Birbhum may not be able to fulfill the national objective of sending all children in the age group 6–14 years to school by 2010, efforts are on in that direction.[57]

The district has 127 libraries supported by the government, one private library and one district library.[8]

Sports

One of the most popular outdoor sports in the villages of Birbhum used to be danguli (literal meaning "ball and stick").[44] However, in recent times cricket has replaced some of its popularity. A sport that can be played outdoors and indoors and is popular among children is marbles, which involves projecting a striker bead with fingers to hit an ensemble of black or green glass beads.

In addition to cricket, the other most popular outdoor sports of this district are football and kabadi and volleyball.[44]

Danguli and Marble used to be seen 50 years ago.

The main outdoor sports are Football and Cricket played everywhere in Birbhum, although there is a tennis court in Siuri, it is not played commonly.

Flying kites, swimming and karate are also common.

Notable people

References
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