Susunia

Susunia is a hill of southern West Bengal, India. It is known for its holy spring, flora and the rock faces on which many mountaineers of the region started their journey. It is also a reserve for medicinal plants. Susunia is a part of the Eastern Ghats and is situated at the north-western part of Bankura District.[1]

For other uses, see Susunia (disambiguation).

Susunia
Front view of Susunia hill
Highest point
Elevation448 m (1,470 ft)
Listing
Geography
LocationChhatna, Bankura district, West Bengal, India
Parent rangeChota Nagpur Plateau

Geography
Places in Bankura Sadar subdivision in Bankura district
M: municipal town/ city, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: hill centre, T: temple/ religious centre, B: barrage
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly

Location

Susunia is located at 23°24′N 86°59′E.

Area overview

The map alongside shows the Bankura Sadar subdivision of Bankura district. Physiographically, this area is part of the Bankura Uplands in the west gradually merging with the Bankura-Bishnupur Rarh Plains in the north-east. The western portions are characterised by undulating terrain with many hills and ridges. The area is having a gradual descent from the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The soil is laterite red and hard beds are covered with scrub jungle and sal wood. Gradually it gives way to just uneven rolling lands but the soil continues to be lateritic. There are coal mines in the northern part, along the Damodar River.[2]It is a predominantly rural area with 89% of the population living in rural areas and only 11% living in the urban areas.[3]

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

History

Susunia Hill is a known archeological and fossil site. Fossil remains of Asiatic lion, giraffe, hyena and other animal species have been discovered from areas around. The so claimed 'oldest' rock inscription of West Bengal is located here. There is an ancient carved monolith (Narasingha stone) standing at the point where the spring water is coming out of another stone gargoyle or curved projected spout. It is also used as a location for camping and rock-climbing.

Susunia village itself is home to stone-carving craftsmen. Susunia is an important archaeological site in Bankura district, yielding stone age tools.[4] It is believed that there earlier was a fort built by King Chandravarman. Some 4th-century inscriptions are there, referring to a place called Pushkarana, once the capital of Chandravarman. Modern-day Pakhanna is considered to be ancient Pushkarana.The rock-edict reads that- The devotee of 'Chakkaswami' (Lord Vishnu), the King of Pushkarana, son of the King Simhavarmana, King Chandravarmana offers the revenue of the village named 'Dhoso' for the purpose of worship to his Lord Vishnu. There is a symbol of 'Wheel' or 'Chakra' near the rock-edict and towards the lower left side of the wheel, there is another line written in a script,not deciphered yet, probably the obscure 'Samkhalipi'(Conch shaped Script!), as opined by some experts.[5][6][7]

Susunia hill from the top

Susunia is a rock climbing centre.[8] It is 10 km North-East of Chhatna. Chhatna is 13 km from Bankura town on the Bankura-Purulia road.[9]

View of eastern side of the hill from the top

Culture

Two villages in the vicinity of Susunia have Dhokra craftsmen - Netkamla in the Saltora police station area and Bindhyajam in the Chhatna police station area.[10]

References
  1. Social Search, 1995. Published by Bankura Exploration Nature Academy, Kenduadihi, Bankura 722102, West Bengal, India.
  2. "District Census Handbook Bankura" (PDF). pages 13-17. Directorate of Census Operations West Bengal. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  3. "District Statistical Handbook 2013 Darjeeling". Table 2.4b. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  4. Mukherjee, Shyam Chand (2012). "Shushunia". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  5. "Susunia". seemyindia. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2008.
  6. Majumdar, R.C., History of Ancient Bengal, pp. 32, 444, Tulshi Prakashani.
  7. Pahar Susunia by Kisore Dhara. Published by Chalo Jai. 2006
  8. "Rock Climbing". Retrieved 19 March 2008.
  9. "Vishnupur". WB Tourism. Archived from the original on 29 March 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2008.
  10. Ghosh, Binoy, Paschim Banger Sanskriti, (in Bengali), part I, 1976 edition, pp. 408-409, Prakash Bhaban

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