Howrah

The name came from the word Haor—Bengali word for a fluvial swampy lake, which is sedimentologically a depression where water, mud and organic debris accumulate. The word itself was rather used in eastern part of Bengal (now Bangladesh), as compared to the western part (now West Bengal).[11]

The history of the city of Howrah dates back over 500 years, but the district is situated in an area historically occupied by the ancient Bengali kingdom of Bhurshut. Venetian explorer Cesare Federici, who travelled in India during 1565–79, mentioned a place called Buttor in his journal circa 1578.[12] As per his description, this was a location into which large ships could travel (presumably the Hoogli river) and perhaps a commercial port.[12] This place is identifiable with the modern day neighbourhood of Bator.[12] Bator was also mentioned in the Bengali poetry Manasamangal written by Bipradas Pipilai in 1495.[13]

In 1713, the Bengal Council of the British East India Company, on the accession of the Emperor Farrukhsiyar, grandson of Aurangzeb, to the throne of Delhi, sent a deputation to him with a petition for a settlement of five villages on west bank of Hooghly river along with thirty-three villages on the east bank.[14] The list of villages appeared in the Consultation Book of the Council dated 4 May 1714. The five villages on the west bank on Hooghly river were: 'Salica' (Salkia), 'Harirah' (Howrah), 'Cassundeah' (Kasundia), 'Ramkrishnopoor' (Ramkrishnapur) and 'Battar' (Bator): all identifiable with localities of modern-day Howrah city.[15] The deputation was successful except for these five villages.[15] By 1728, most of the present-day Howrah district was part of either of the two zamindaris: Burdwan or Muhammand Aminpur.[15]

On 11 October 1760, as a result of the Battle of Plassey, the East India Company signed a treaty with Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, to take over the control of Howrah district.[16] In 1787 the Hooghly district was formed and in 1819 the whole of the present day Howrah district was added to it.[17] The Howrah district was separated from the Hooghly district in 1843.[18]

Dependent on definitions and geographical boundaries Howrah is measured as either the 2nd or 3rd largest city in West Bengal (behind Kolkata, and perhaps Asansol). As of 2011 Indian census, Howrah (not including the now re-incorporated Bally Municipality) had a population of 1,077,075 with households.[6] [note 1] In 2011 Bally had a population of 293,373.[19]

In the 1896 census of British India, Howrah had a population of 84,069, which grew to 157,594 in the 1901 census.[20][21] This rapid growth was due to abundance of job opportunities, which resulted in a 100% increase in male population during this period, whereas the female population grew only by 60%.[20]

Howrah Municipal Corporation is responsible for the administration of Howrah. As of August 2015, the Trinamool Congress is controlling the municipal board. The Howrah Police Commissionerate is responsible for law enforcement in the city.

Even though it is one of the largest cities in the state, Howrah did not undertake appropriate infrastructure development in the last century. As a result, Howrah is continuing to face its perennial problems like traffic congestion, population explosion and pollution.[30] The ratio of roadspace to the population is low in this city, even comparatively smaller towns like Baharampur enjoy a better ratio. The emigrant labour force from the rest of the state's rural areas and neighbouring states take refuge in the cheaper quarters in Howrah, bringing the already poor infrastructure to the brink of collapse. Many times such migrations reduce a locality to a poor-infrastructure slum. The name of the novel City of Joy, which has been often the name the Kolkata metropolis been called, is actually based on one such slum of Howrah.[31]

However, recently, work has been done on broadening the National Highways and several local roads. These activities are expected to help in improvement of traffic conditions. Of late, Howrah has seen a lot of new industrial proposals like the Kona Truck Terminus,[32] Kolkata West International City and relocation of the old smoky foundry plants.

The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority also plans growth in Howrah, as the city lies within the Kolkata Metropolitan Area.

Often termed as Sheffield of the East,[1] Howrah is known as an engineering hub, mainly in the area of light engineering industry.[1] In 1823, Bishop Reginald Heber described Howrah as the place "chiefly inhabited by shipbuilders".[33] There are small engineering firms all over Howrah, particularly around Belilios Road area near Howrah station[34] However these businesses are declining in the 21st century.[1] There are many foundries in Liluah area.

Burn Standard Company, a major company in heavy engineering industry, has its oldest manufacturing unit located in Howrah.[35] The Howrah plant of Shalimar Paints (established in 1902) was the first large-scale paint manufacturing plant to be set up not only in India but in entire South East Asia.[36] The jute industry suffered during the Partition of Bengal (1947), when the larger jute production area became part of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The foundry industry saw a decline in demand due to growth in steel industry.

Howrah can be accessed from its many rail links, road links to National Highways, as well as its transport connections to Kolkata. Apart from the bridges connecting the cities, there are also ferry services between various jetties.

Rail

Howrah Station

Howrah Junction railway station (more commonly referred to as Howrah Station) is the major railway station serving Howrah, Kolkata and the neighbouring districts. It was established in 1854 when a railway line was constructed connecting the city to the coalfields of Bardhaman. Howrah Station serves as a terminal for two railway zones of India: the Eastern Railway and the South Eastern Railway, and it is connected to most of the major cities of India. From Howrah both Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway operates connecting various stations of the districts of Howrah, Hooghly, Bardhaman, East Midnapore and West Midnapore. Within Howrah city itself, there are twelve more stations, the most prominent being Shalimar.

Bridges

Howrah Bridge

Howrah and Kolkata are separated by the Hooghly River/Ganges and connected by four bridges across the river. These are the:

• Howrah Bridge, also known as Rabindra Setu
• Vidyasagar Setu, also known as the second Hooghly Bridge
• Vivekananda Setu, also known as Bally Bridge
• Nivedita Setu, also known as Second Bally Bridge

The cantilever style Howrah Bridge and the cable-stayed Vidyasagar Setu are counted among the longest bridges in the world within their types.[40]

Howrah has many various neighbourhoods, the most notable being Shibpur, Santragachi, Belur, Ramrajatala, Liluah and Bally. Shibpur hosts the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, containing the Great Banyan tree, and the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur.[42] Santragachi has a large railway station as well as the Santragachhi Jheel, a large lake that attracts migratory birds during winter. Belur hosts Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Ramrajatala hosts a famous Rama Temple. Near Howrah Station is the slum of Pilkhana which was the basis of the famous book and film "City of Joy".[31] Liluah host some of India's oldest railway factories and is also the educational Hub of Howrah.

The Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur is a public engineering and research institution. It is the second oldest engineering institution in India, and is an institute of national importance.[43]

Howrah's schools are either run by the state government or by private institutions. The medium of instruction is Bengali, English or Hindi. Schools are affiliated to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE), the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

Howrah Zilla School, established in 1845, is the only Governmental school in Howrah. Howrah's first vernacular Bengali medium school, established in 1857, was Santragachi Minor School. Currently the school is running as Santragachi Kedarnath Institution, Howrah.[44]

The Sailen Manna Stadium also known as the Howrah Municipal Corporation Stadium is a multi-use stadium that hosts sporting events for Football and Rugby.

See also: Media related to Howrah at Wikimedia Commons

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  Belur Math, headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission
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  The Great Banyan tree at Shibpur Botanic Garden
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  Rampuja at Ramrajatala
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  Second Hooghly Bridge (Vidyasagar Setu)
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  Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu)
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  Howrah Head Post Office- 711101
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  Nabanna H.R.B.C Building
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  Howrah Municipal Corporation Head Office
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  Sailen Manna Stadium (Howrah Municipal Corporation Stadium)
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  Nivedita Setu as seen from Bally Bridge
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  Dutta Chowdhury family's Durga mandap, Andul.
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  Howrah Rail Museum
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  Howrah Rail Museum
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  Avani Riverside Mall, Shibpur

• Bhattacherje, S. B. (2009). Encyclopaedia of Indian Events & Dates. Sterling Publishers Pvt. ISBN 978-81-207-4074-7.
• Gunguly, C. K.; Battarcharya, S. K. (2000). Dayaratnam, P (ed.). The Design Methodology and Construction Technique of 457 m Span Cable Stayed Bridge (Dead Load Composite) at Vidyasagar Setu. Cable stayed, supported, and suspension bridges. Universities Press (India). pp. 113–4. ISBN 978-81-7371-271-5.
• Holmström, Mark (1984). Industry and Inequality: The Social Anthropology of Indian Labour. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-26745-5. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
• Lach, Donald Frederick (1977). Asia in the Making of Europe. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-46731-7. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
• O'Malley, L. S. S.; Chakravarti, Monmohan (1909). "Bengal District Gazetteers: Howrah". Bengal Secretariat Book Depot. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
• Sen, Samita (1999). Women and Labour in Late Colonial India: The Bengal Jute Industry. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-45363-1. Retrieved 29 December 2008.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Howrah.

• Howrah travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Howrah at the Encyclopædia Britannica
• History of Howrah from India Government Site
• Howrah Municipal Corporation Site
• Satellite View of Howrah