South 24 Parganas

South 24 Parganas (Pron: pɔrɡɔnɔs) (abv. 24 PGS (S)) or sometimes South Twenty Four Parganas is a district in the Indian state of West Bengal, headquartered in Alipore. It is the largest district of West Bengal by area and second largest by population. It is the sixth most populous district in India (out of 640). On one side is the urban fringe of Kolkata and on the other, the remote riverine villages in the Sundarbans.[3]

South 24 Parganas
Location of South 24 Parganas in West Bengal
Coordinates: 22.1815262°N 88.53780484°E / 22.1815262; 88.53780484
Country India
State West Bengal
DivisionPresidency
HeadquartersAlipore
SubdivisionAlipore Sadar, Baruipur, Canning, Diamond Harbour, Kakdwip
Government
  Lok Sabha constituenciesJaynagar (SC), Mathurapur (SC), Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin
  Vidhan Sabha constituenciesGosaba (SC), Basanti (SC), Kultali (SC), Patharpratima, Kakdwip, Sagar, Kulpi, Raidighi, Mandirbazar (SC), Jaynagar (SC), Baruipur Purba (SC), Canning Paschim (SC), Canning Purba, Baruipur Paschim, Magrahat Purba (SC), Magrahat Paschim, Diamond Harbour, Falta, Satgachia, Bishnupur (SC), Sonarpur Dakshin, Bhangar, Sonarpur Uttar, Behala Purba, Maheshtala, Budge Budge, Metiaburuz, Jadavpur, Tollyganj, Kasba, Behala Paschim
Area
  Total9,960 km2 (3,850 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
  Total8,161,961
  Density820/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
  Urban
1,089,730
Demographics
  Literacy78.57 per cent
  Sex ratio949 /
Languages
  OfficialBengali[1][2]
  Additional officialEnglish[1]
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationWB-19 to WB-22, WB-95 to WB-99
Major highwaysNH-12, SH-1
Average annual precipitation1750 mm
Websitewww.s24pgs.gov.in

History

Originally, the capital of Raja Bikramaditya and Maharaja Pratapaditya was at Dhumghat. Later it was transferred to Ishwaripur (Originated from the name Jeshoreshwaripur). Maharaja Pratapaditya declared the independence of South Bengal from the Mughal Empire.

Pratapaditya's father Shrihari (Shridhar), a Kayastha, was an influential officer in the service of Daud Khan Karrani. Upon the fall of Daud, he fled with the government treasure in his custody. He then, in 1574, set up a kingdom for himself in the marshy land to the extreme south of Khulna district and took the title of Maharaja. Pratapaditya inherited the kingship in 1574. The Baharistan and travel diary of Abdul Latif, and the contemporary European writers, testify to Pratapaditya's personal ability, political pre-eminence, material resources and martial strength, particularly in war-boats. His territories covered the greater part of what is now included in the greater Jessore, Khulna and Barisal districts. He established his capital at Dhumghat, a strategic position at the confluence of the Jamuna and Ichhamati rivers.

Among the Bengal zamindars, Pratapaditya was the first to send his envoy to Islam Khan Chisti with a large gift to win the favour of the Mughals, and then, in 1609, tendered personal submission to the Subahdar. He promised military assistance and personal service in the Mughal campaign against Musa Khan, a pledge he did not keep. To punish Pratapaditya for his disloyalty and to subjugate his territory, a large expedition was launched under the command of Ghiyas Khan, which soon reached Salka, near the confluence of the Jamuna and Ichhamati, in 1611. Pratapaditya equipped a strong army and fleet and placed them under expert officers. His eldest son Udayaditya constructed an almost impregnable fort at Salka with natural barriers on three sides. In battle, the Jessore fleet gained an initial advantage but the imperial army cut off the Jessore fleet, made a breach in its ranks and broke its unity and discipline. In the melee that followed, the admiral, Khwaja Kamal, was killed. Udayaditya lost heart and hastily fled to his father, narrowly escaping capture.

Pratapaditya prepared himself to fight a second time from a new base near the confluence of the Kagarghat canal and the Jamuna river. He constructed a fort and gathered all his available forces there. The imperialists began the battle on January, 1612 with an attack on the Jessore fleet, compelling it to seek shelter beneath the fort. But their advance was checked by the heavy cannonade of the Jessore artillery. However, a sudden attack by the imperialists completely defeated the Jessore fleet and they fell upon the fort with elephants in front, compelling Pratapaditya to evacuate the fort and retreat.

This second defeat sealed the fate of Pratapaditya. At Kagarghat he tendered submission to Ghiyas Khan, who personally escorted Pratapaditya to Islam Khan at Dhaka. The Jessore king was put in chains and his kingdom was annexed. Pratapaditya was kept confined at Dhaka. No authentic information is available regarding his last days, however, he probably died as a prisoner at Benares, on his way to Delhi.[4]

Divisions

Administrative Subdivisions

The district comprises five subdivisions: Alipore Sadar, Baruipur, Diamond Harbour, Canning and Kakdwip.[5]

Alipore is the district headquarters. There are 33 police stations, 29 community development blocks, 7 municipalities and 312 gram panchayats in the district.[5][6] The Sunderbans area is covered by 12 CD blocks, viz. Sagar, Namkhana, Kakdwip, Patharpratima, Kultali, Mathurapur I, Mathurapur II, Jaynagar II, Canning I, Canning II, Basanti and Gosaba.[6] The district contains 37 islands.[6]

Other than the municipality areas, each subdivision contains community development blocks which in turn are divided into rural areas and census towns. In total there are 118 urban units: 7 municipalities and 111 census towns.[6][7]

Alipore Sadar Subdivision

The Alipore Sadar subdivision consists of:[5]

Baruipur Subdivision

The Baruipur subdivision consists of:[5]

Canning Subdivision

The Canning subdivision consists of:[5]

  • Basanti, a community development block consisting of rural areas with thirteen gram panchayats and one census town: Basanti.
  • Canning I, a community development block consisting of rural areas with ten gram panchayats and eight census towns: Kalaria, Gaur Daha, Banshra, Rajapur, Taldi, Bayarsingh, Matla and Dighirpar.
  • Canning II, a community development block consisting of rural areas with nine gram panchayats and one census town: Makhal Tala.
  • Gosaba, a community development block consisting of rural areas with only fourteen gram panchayats.

Diamond Harbour Subdivision

The Diamond Harbour subdivision consists of:[5]

Kakdwip Subdivision

The Kakdwip subdivision consists of:[5]

  • Kakdwip, a community development block consisting of rural areas with only eleven gram panchayats.
  • Namkhana, a community development block consisting of rural areas with only seven gram panchayats.
  • Patharpratima, a community development block consisting of rural areas with only fifteen gram panchayats.
  • Sagar, a community development block consisting of rural areas with only nine gram panchayats.

Parliamentary Constituencies

The district has five parliamentary constituencies:

  1. Jaynagar (SC) (parliamentary constituency no. 19)
  2. Mathurapur (SC) (parliamentary constituency no. 20)
  3. Diamond Harbour (parliamentary constituency no. 21)
  4. Jadavpur (parliamentary constituency no. 22)
  5. Kolkata Dakshin (parliamentary constituency no. 23)

Representation

1997 to 2008

Based on the 1991 census, the district was divided into thirty-two legislative assembly constituencies

  1. Gosaba (SC) (assembly constituency no. 100)
  2. Basanti (SC) (assembly constituency no. 101)
  3. Kultali (SC) (assembly constituency no. 102)
  4. Jaynagar (assembly constituency no. 103)
  5. Baruipur (assembly constituency no. 104)
  6. Canning Paschim (SC) (assembly constituency no. 105)
  7. Canning Purba (assembly constituency no. 106)
  8. Bhangar (assembly constituency no. 107)
  9. Sonarpur (SC) (assembly constituency no. 109)
  10. Bishnupur Purba (SC) (assembly constituency no. 110)
  11. Bishnupur Paschim (assembly constituency no. 111)
  12. Behala Purba (assembly constituency no. 112)
  13. Behala Paschim (assembly constituency no. 113)
  14. Garden Reach (assembly constituency no. 114)
  15. Maheshtala (assembly constituency no. 115)
  16. Budge Budge (assembly constituency no. 116)
  17. Satgachhia (assembly constituency no. 117)
  18. Falta (assembly constituency no. 118)
  19. Diamond Harbour (assembly constituency no. 119)
  20. Magrahat Paschim (assembly constituency no. 120)
  21. Magrahat Purba (SC) (assembly constituency no. 121)
  22. Mandirbazar (SC) (assembly constituency no. 122)
  23. Mathurapur (assembly constituency no. 123)
  24. Kulpi (SC) (assembly constituency no. 124)
  25. Patharpratima (assembly constituency no. 125)
  26. Kakdwip (assembly constituency no. 126)
  27. Sagar (assembly constituency no. 127)
  28. Jadavpur (assembly constituency no. 108)
  29. Tollyganj (assembly constituency no. 150)
  30. Alipore (assembly constituency no. 148)
  31. Dhakuria (assembly constituency no. 151)
  32. Kabitirtha (assembly constituency no. 147)

Gosaba, Basanti, Kultali, Canning Paschim, Sonarpur, Bishnupur Purba, Magrahat Purba, Mandirbazar and Kulpi constituencies are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates. Along with one assembly constituency from North 24 Parganas district, Gosaba, Basanti, Kultali, Jaynagar, Canning Paschim and Canning Purba assembly constituencies form the Jaynagar (Lok Sabha constituency), which is reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC). Baruipur, Bishnupur Purba, Kabitirtha, Jadavpur, Behala Paschim, Behala Purba and Magrahat Paschim constituencies form the Jadavpur (Lok Sabha constituency). Bishnupur Paschim, Garden Reach, Maheshtala, Budge Budge, Satgachhia, Falta and Diamond Harbour constituencies form the Diamond Harbour (Lok Sabha constituency). Magrahat Purba, Mandirbazar, Mathurapur, Kulpi, Patharpratima, Kakdwip and Sagar constituencies form the Mathurapur (Lok Sabha constituency), which is reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC). Along with six assembly segments from North 24 Parganas district, Bhangar assembly constituency forms the Basirhat (Lok Sabha constituency). Along with three assembly constituencies from Kolkata district, Alipore, Dhakuria, Tollyganj, Sonarpur form the Kolkata Dakshin (Lok Sabha constituency).

2008 to Date

In the 2008 order of the Delimitation Commission in respect of the delimitation of constituencies in the West Bengal, the district was divided into thirty-one assembly constituencies. Baruipur Purba, Basanti, Bishnupur, Canning Paschim, Gosaba, Kultali, Jaynagar, Magrahat Purba and Mandirbazar constituencies are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates.[8][9]

South 24 Parganas District 2008 Delimitation Order
by Lok Sabha Constituency (LSC)
Jaynagar
LSC
Mathurapur
LSC
Diamond Harbour
LSC
Jadavpur
LSC
Kolkata Dakshin
LSC
Assembly
Constituency
No. Assembly
Constituency
No. Assembly
Constituency
No. Assembly
Constituency
No. Assembly
Constituency
No.
Gosaba (SC)127Patharpratima130Diamond Harbour143Baruipur Purba (SC)137Kasba149
Basanti (SC)128Kakdwip131Falta144Baruipur Paschim140Behala Purba153
Kultali (SC)129Sagar132Satgachhia145Sonarpur Dakshin147Behala Paschim154
Jaynagar (SC)136Kulpi133Bishnupur (SC)146Bhangar148
Canning Paschim (SC)138Raidighi134Maheshtala155Jadavpur150
Canning Purba139Mandirbazar (SC)135Budge Budge156Sonarpur Uttar151
Magrahat Purba (SC)141Magrahat Paschim142Metiaburuz157Tollyganj152

Demographics

Population of South 24 Parganas 
CensusPopulation
19011,051,060
19111,192,22313.4%
19211,270,1916.5%
19311,382,2648.8%
19411,714,17624.0%
19512,087,41421.8%
19612,729,26930.7%
19713,663,78834.2%
19814,388,10219.8%
19915,715,03030.2%
20016,906,68920.9%
20118,161,96118.2%
source:[10]

Religion in South 24 Parganas district (2011)[11]

  Hinduism (63.17%)
  Islam (35.57%)
  Christianity (0.81%)
  Other (0.14%)
  Atheist (0.30%)

Languages of South 24 Parganas (2011)[12][13]

  Bengali (97.82%)
  Hindi (1.68%)
  Others (0.50%)

According to the 2011 census of India, South 24 Parganas district had a total population of 8,161,961,[3] roughly equal to the nation of Honduras[14] or the US state of Virginia.[15] This made in the 6th most populous district in India out of a total of 640.[3] The district had a population density of 819 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,120/sq mi).[3] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 18.05%.[3] South 24 Parganas had a sex ratio of 949 females for every 1000 males,[3] and a literacy rate of 78.57%.[3]

The following Municipalities and Census Towns in South 24 Parganas district were part of Kolkata Urban Agglomeration in 2011 census: Joka (CT), Chata Kalikapur (CT), Ganye Gangadharpur (CT), Rameswarpur (CT), Asuti (CT), Hanspukuria (CT), Kalua (CT), Ramchandrapur (CT), Samali (CT), Maheshtala (M), Uttar Raypur (CT), Balarampur (CT), Buita (CT), Benjanhari Acharial (CT), Abhirampur (CT), Nischintapur (CT), Birlapur (CT), Chak Kashipur (CT), Chak Alampur (CT), Bowali (CT), Dakshin Raypur (CT), Poali (CT), Pujali (M), Budge Budge (M), Daulatpur (CT), Bhasa (CT), Bishnupur (CT), Kanyanagar (CT), Nahazari (CT), Nadabhanga (CT), Kanganbaria (CT), Bora Gagangohalia (CT), Chanddandaha (CT), Barkalikapur (CT), Patharberia (CT), Ramkrishnapur (CT), Amtala (CT), Kriparampur (CT), Chak Enayetnagar (CT), Maricha (CT), Bhangar Raghunathpur (CT), Gobindapur (CT), Radhanagar (CT), Danga (CT), Ramchandrapur (CT), Bidyadharpur (CT), Kalikapur (CT), Chak Baria (CT), Sahebpur (CT), Rajpur Sonarpur (M), Petua (CT), Garia (CT), Panchghara (CT), Mallikpur (CT), Hariharpur (CT), Champahati (CT), Solgohalia (CT), Naridana (CT), Salipur (CT), Khodar Bazar (CT), Komarhat (CT), Baruipur (M), Raynagar (CT), Kalikapur Barasat (CT), Baharu (CT), Uttarparanij (CT), Alipur (CT), Uttar Durgapur (CT) and Jaynagar Majilpur (M).[16]

Flora & Fauna

In 1984, South 24 Parganas district became home to Sundarbans National Park, which has an area of 1,330 km2 (513.5 sq mi).[17] It shares the park with North 24 Parganas district and is also home to four wildlife sanctuaries: Haliday Island, Lothian Island, Narendrapur, and Sajnekhali.[17][18]

Sundarbans, formerly Sunderbunds, is a vast tract of forest and saltwater swamp forming the lower part of the Ganges Delta and extending about 260 kilometres (160 mi) along the Bay of Bengal from the Hooghly River Estuary in the north to the Meghna River Estuary in Bangladesh in the east. The whole tract reaches inland for 100 to 130 kilometres (60– to 80 miles).

A network of estuaries, tidal rivers, and creeks intersected by numerous channels, it encloses flat, marshy islands covered with dense forests. The name Sundarbans is perhaps derived from the word meaning "forest of sundari," a reference to the large mangrove tree that provides valuable fuel. Along the coast the forest passes into a mangrove swamp; the southern region, with numerous wild animals and crocodile-infested estuaries, is virtually uninhabited. It is one of the last preserves of the Royal Bengal tiger and the site of a tiger preservation project. The cultivated northern area yields rice, sugarcane, timber, and betel nuts.

The region is also famous for some commonly domesticated livestock breeds which includes the Garole breed of sheep and China hens or Muscovy ducks, the Garole sheep is considered as the progenitor of the Booroola merino sheep and is noted for its prolific character. However, the wool of the sheep which can be a valuable natural asset does not find any use among the natives. Bakkhali beach resort, located on one of the islands jutting out into the Bay of Bengal, is gaining in popularity, with improvements in transport links with Kolkata. The area has been declared as world heritage site by the UNESCO. Boat tours are provided at many places in the region.

Economy

Agriculture, Industry and Pisciculture are all at their peak in the district. On the west side of the district is the Falta Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which houses various types of industry.

In 2006, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named South 24 Parganas one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).

Education

South 24 Parganas district had a literacy rate of 77.51% as per the provisional figures of the census of India 2011. Alipore Sadar subdivision had a literacy rate of 81.14%, Baruipur subdivision 77.45%, Canning subdivision 70.98%, Diamond Harbour subdivision 76.26% and Kakdwip subdivision 82.04%[19]

Given in the table below (data in numbers) is a comprehensive picture of the education scenario in South 24 Parganas district, with data for the year 2013–14:[19]

Subdivision Primary
School
Middle
School
High
School
Higher Secondary
School
General
College, Univ
Technical /
Professional Instt
Non-formal
Education
Institution Student Institution Student Institution Student Institution Student Institution Student Institution Student Institution Student
Alipore Sadar 531 53,719 34 4,455 50 16,471 91 66,813 5 8,122 6 3,094 1,379 53,429
Baruipur 883 132,649 65 8,954 50 26,443 128 129,195 8 27,657 7 6,735 3,116 138,507
Canning 532 81,697 59 9,181 29 10,515 55 57,921 4 5,490 1 n/a 2,105 96,622
Diamond Harbour 1,212 116,407 61 6,680 98 38,470 145 113,147 7 20,061 5 1,774 3,140 137,378
Kakdwip 598 53,058 45 5,654 48 20,383 82 56,192 3 5,420 1 100 1,844 78,897
South 24 Parganas district* 3,756 437,530 264 34,924 275 118,282 501 423,268 27 66,750 20 11,703 11,584 504,833

.* Does not include data for portions of South 24 Parganas district functioning under Kolkata Municipal Corporation

Healthcare

The table below (all data in numbers) presents an overview of the medical facilities available and patients treated in the hospitals, health centres and sub-centres in 2014 in South 24 Parganas district.[20]

Subdivision Health & Family Welfare Deptt, WB Other
State
Govt
Deptts
Local
bodies
Central
Govt
Deptts /
PSUs
NGO /
Private
Nursing
Homes
Total Total
Number
of
Beds
Total
Number
of
Doctors
Indoor
Patients
Outdoor
Patients
Hospitals
Rural
Hospitals
Block
Primary
Health
Centres
Primary
Health
Centres
Alipore Sadar - 3 3 7 1 3 - 48 65 1,159 199 33,498 633,233
Baruipur 1 6 1 18 - 2 - 66 94 1,045 201 48,114 1,266,244
Canning 1 3 1 6 - - - 15 26 351 49 22,467 666,377
Diamond Harbour 1 6 3 17 - - - 68 95 1077 169 65,051 1,325,535
Kakdwip 1 3 1 11 - - - 20 36 458 73 28,707 405,501
South 24 Parganas district 4 21 9 59 1 5 - 217 316 4,090 691 197,837 4,397,890

Note: The district data does not include data for portions of South 24 Parganas district functioning under Kolkata Municipal Corporation. The number of doctors exclude private bodies.

References

  1. "Fact and Figures". Wb.gov.in. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  2. "52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India" (PDF). Nclm.nic.in. Ministry of Minority Affairs. p. 85. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  3. "District Census 2011". Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  4. Muazzam Hussain Khan (Banglapedia)
  5. "Directory of District, Sub division, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal". National Informatics Centre, India. 19 March 2008. Retrieved 3 December 2008.
  6. "District Profile". Official website of South 24 Parganas district. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 3 December 2008.
  7. "Population, Decadal Growth Rate, Density and General Sex Ratio by Residence and Sex, West Bengal/ District/ Sub District, 1991 and 2001". West Bengal. Directorate of census operations. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2008.
  8. "Press Note, Delimitation Commission" (PDF). Assembly Constituencies in West Bengal. Delimitation Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  9. "Electors Details as on 30-10-2010: South 24 Parganas" (PDF). South 24 Parganas District. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2013.
  10. Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901
  11. "C-1 Population By Religious Community". Census. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  12. http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html
  13. "DISTRIBUTION OF THE 22 SCHEDULED LANGUAGES-INDIA/STATES/UNION TERRITORIES - 2011 CENSUS" (PDF).
  14. US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Retrieved 1 October 2011. Honduras 8,143,564
  15. "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2011. Virginia 8,001,024
  16. "Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011" (PDF). Constituents of Urban Agglomeration Having Population Above 1 Lakh. Census of India 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  17. Indian Ministry of Forests and Environment. "Protected areas: West Bengal".
  18. "Protected Area Network in India" (PDF). Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. 1 September 2011.
  19. "District Statistical Handbook 2014 South Twety-four Parganas". Basic data: Table 4.4, 4.5, Clarifications: other related tables. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  20. "District Statistical Handbook 2014 South Twety-four Parganas". Table 3.1, 3.3. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 29 October 2019.

See also

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