Bankura

Etymology

It comes from the old Austric word ráŕhá or ráŕho which means “land of red soil”. 2-n ancient times "China called Ráŕh by the name of 'Láti'". 3-n Santali, nhh means thread, nhh means tune and nhh means snake. 4-.Perhaps the Jain and Greek scholars used this original Austric word nhh to indicate this dry forest region which was very difficult. The popularity of Manasa Puja, the worship of Snake-Goddess Manasa, shows this opinion might have some relevance. According to Nilkantha, a commentator of the Mahabharata, the words sa (Sanskrit: suhma-bhūmi) and Rarh are synonymous.

Scholars differs in their opinion about the etymology of the name Bankura. In the words of the Kol-Mundas, orah or rah means habitation. Many places of Rarh have an added rah at the end of their names. One of the most influential gods of the district 6-Dharmathakur is called Bankura Roy. The name of the district may come from his name. Linguist Suniti Kumar Chatterjee thinks that the name came from the word banka (zig-zag), and its word-corruption banku, which means extremely beautiful, and he who must be worshiped. In 1979, the word “Bancoorah” was found in the map of Renal. In 1863, Gastrel referred this region as Bancoonda.

Bir Hambir was the 49th King of Malla dynasty. Bir Bankura was one of his two sons. Raja Bir Hambir divided his kingdom into 22 tarafs or circles and gave one to his each son. Taraf Jaybelia fell to the lot of Bir Bankura. He developed a town in his taraf and the town was later named as 'Bankura' after its founder's name.

Geography

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 |mark-coord1= | label-pos1=right|label1= Beliatore| numbered1=CT| mark-title1= Beliatore (CT)|label-color1= #800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1=#A40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2 |mark-coord2= | label-pos2=right|label2=Barjora| numbered2=CT| mark-title2= Barjora (CT) |mark-coord3= | label-pos3=right|label3=Ghutgarya| numbered3=CT| mark-title3= Ghutgarya (CT) |mark-coord4= | label-pos4=right|label4=Jhantipahari| numbered4=CT| mark-title4= Jhantipahari (CT) |mark-coord5=| label-pos5=right |label5=Bankura| numbered5=M| mark-title5 =Bankura (M)|shape-color5=black| label-size5=13|label-color5=black |mark-coord6=| label-pos6=left|label6=Achuri| numbered6=R| mark-title6= Achuri (R)| shape-color6=#C42222 |mark-coord7=| label-pos7=right|label7=Amarkanan| numbered7=R| mark-title7= Amarkanan (R)| shape-color7=#C42222 |mark-coord8=| label-pos8=left|label8=Bikna| numbered8=R| mark-title8= Bikna (R)| shape-color8=#C42222 |mark-coord9=| label-pos9=right|label9=Chhatna| numbered9=R| mark-title9= Chhatna (R)| shape-color9=#C42222 |mark-coord10=| label-pos10=left|label10=Durlabhpur| numbered10=R| mark-title10= Durlabhpur (R)| shape-color10=#C42222 |mark-coord11=| label-pos11=right|label11=Gangajalghati| numbered11=R| mark-title11= Gangajalghati (R)| shape-color11=#C42222 |mark-coord12=| label-pos12=right|label12=Kanchanpur| numbered12=R| mark-title12= Kanchanpur, Bankura (R)| shape-color12=#C42222 |mark-coord13=| label-pos13=left|label13=Maliara| numbered13=R| mark-title13= Maliara (R)| shape-color13=#C42222 |mark-coord14=| label-pos14=left|label14=Medinipur| numbered14=R| mark-title14= Medinipur, Bankura (R)| shape-color14=#C42222 |mark-coord15=| label-pos15=left|label15=Mejia| numbered15=R| mark-title15= Mejia, Bankura (R)| shape-color15=#C42222 |mark-coord16=| label-pos16=left|label16=Murakata| numbered16=R| mark-title16= Murakata (R)| shape-color16=#C42222 |mark-coord17=| label-pos17=left|label17=Onda| numbered17=R| mark-title17= Onda, Bankura (R)| shape-color17=#C42222 |mark-coord18=| label-pos18=left|label18=Pakhanna| numbered18=R| mark-title18= Pakhanna (R)| shape-color18=#C42222 |mark-coord19=| label-pos19=left|label19=Puabagan| numbered19=R| mark-title19= Puabagan (R)| shape-color19=#C42222 |mark-coord20=| label-pos20=right|label20=Saldiha| numbered20=R| mark-title20= Saldiha (R)| shape-color20=#C42222 |mark-coord21=| label-pos21=left|label21=Saltora| numbered21=R| mark-title21= Saltora (R)| shape-color21=#C42222 |mark-coord22=| label-pos22=right|label22=Susunia| numbered22=H| mark-title22= Susunia (H)| shape-color22=#87410E |mark-coord23=| label-pos23=right|label23=Biharinath| numbered23=H| mark-title23= Biharinath (H)| shape-color23=#87410E |mark-coord24= | label-pos24=top|label24=Bahulara| numbered24=T| mark-title24= Bahulara Ancient Temple (T) |shape-color24=#AA6666 |mark-coord25= | label-pos25=bottom|label25=Ekteswar| numbered25=T| mark-title25= Ekteswar (T) |shape-color25=#AA6666 |mark-coord26= | label-pos26=right|label26=Sonatapal| numbered26=T| mark-title26= Sonatapal (T) |shape-color26=#AA6666 |mark-coord27= | label-pos27=top|label27=Jagannathpur| numbered27=T| mark-title27= Jagannathpur, Bankura (T) |shape-color27=#AA6666 |mark-coord28=| label28= Durgapur|labela28= Barrage| label-color28 = #C42222 | label-angle28=0| label-pos28=right| label-size28=10| mark-size28=12| numbered28=B|mark-title28 =Durgapur Barrage| shape-color28=#C42222 |mark-coord29=| label29=Damodar River| label-color29 = #77A1CB| label-angle29=40| label-pos29=top| label-size29=10| mark-size29=0| mark-title29 =none |mark-coord30=| label30=Dwarakeswar| label-color30 = #77A1CB| label-angle30=70| label-pos30=top| label-size30=10| mark-size30=0| mark-title30 =none |mark-coord31=| label31= River| label-color31 = #77A1CB| label-angle31=20| label-pos31=top| label-size31=10| mark-size31=0| mark-title31 =none}}

Location

Bankura district is located in the north western part of the state of West Bengal. It is a part of Bardhaman Division of the State and is included in the area known as "Rarh" in Bengal. Bankura district is situated at . The Damodar River flows along the Northern boundary of the district. Bankura district is bounded by Purba Bardhaman and Paschim Bardhman district in the north and east, Paschim Medinipur district in the south and Purilia to the west.

The Bankura Forest composes about 21% of the entire district. It has degraded in some areas due to overuse by humans. 21.5% of the total geographical area of the district is made up of forest land, covering a total of 148,177 hectares. Net cultivable area of the district is 4.30 lakh (430,000) hectares.

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. It is a predominantly rural area with 89% of the population living in rural areas and only 11% living in the urban areas.

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.

Climate

Bankura has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) with very warm conditions in the "cool" season from November to February, and hot to sweltering temperatures from March to October. Rainfall occurs mostly between June and September and the annual amount is about 1500 mm. Till 2020, the highest ever recorded temperature is 47.4 °C on 8 May 1977, and the lowest 4.8 °C on 9 January 2013. |Jan record high C = 34.0 |Feb record high C = 39.3 |Mar record high C = 43.1 |Apr record high C = 46.7 |May record high C = 47.4 |Jun record high C = 47.0 |Jul record high C = 41.2 |Aug record high C = 39.8 |Sep record high C = 39.0 |Oct record high C = 39.0 |Nov record high C = 37.0 |Dec record high C = 33.6 |Jan record low C = 4.8 |Feb record low C = 5.1 |Mar record low C = 10.8 |Apr record low C = 16.0 |May record low C = 17.0 |Jun record low C = 19.4 |Jul record low C = 18.6 |Aug record low C = 20.0 |Sep record low C = 19.2 |Oct record low C = 13.0 |Nov record low C = 10.5 |Dec record low C = 5.9 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240408025145/https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf | archive-date = 8 April 2024 | access-date = 17 July 2024}} | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf | archive-date = 5 February 2020 | access-date = 10 January 2021}} | Jan record high C = 34.0 | Feb record high C = 39.3 | Mar record high C = 43.1 | Apr record high C = 45.8 | May record high C = 47.4 | Jun record high C = 47.0 | Jul record high C = 41.2 | Aug record high C = 39.8 | Sep record high C = 39.0 | Oct record high C = 39.0 | Nov record high C = 37.0 | Dec record high C = 33.6 | year record high C = | Jan avg record high C = 28.9 | Feb avg record high C = 30.6 | Mar avg record high C = 36.7 | Apr avg record high C = 41.1 | May avg record high C = 42.2 | Jun avg record high C = 40.7 | Jul avg record high C = 37.2 | Aug avg record high C = 36.4 | Sep avg record high C = 36.6 | Oct avg record high C = 34.7 | Nov avg record high C = 32.6 | Dec avg record high C = 28.9 | year avg record high C = 42.5 | Jan avg record low C = 8.1 | Feb avg record low C = 12.1 | Mar avg record low C = 16.5 | Apr avg record low C = 20.1 | May avg record low C = 22.8 | Jun avg record low C = 23.4 | Jul avg record low C = 23.7 | Aug avg record low C = 24.0 | Sep avg record low C = 24.2 | Oct avg record low C = 20.1 | Nov avg record low C = 14.4 | Dec avg record low C = 9.7 | year avg record low C = 8.3 | Jan record low C = 0.8 | Feb record low C = 5.1 | Mar record low C = 10.8 | Apr record low C = 16.0 | May record low C = 17.0 | Jun record low C = 19.4 | Jul record low C = 18.6 | Aug record low C = 20.0 | Sep record low C = 19.2 | Oct record low C = 13.0 | Nov record low C = 10.5 | Dec record low C = 5.9

Demographics

In the 2011 census, Bankura city had a population of 137,386 of which 69,843 were males and 67,543 were females, giving a sex ratio of 967. The literacy rate was 86.12% and there were 12,148 children 0–6 years old

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Civic administration

Police stations

Bankura police station has jurisdiction over Bankura municipality, Bankura I and Bankura II CD Blocks. The area covered is 439 km2. There are 3 town outposts and an outpost at Rajagram.

Bankura Sadar Division woman police station, started in 2014, has jurisdiction over whole of Bankura Sadar subdivision.

Transport

Bankura Junction railway station is managed by the South Eastern Railways and is on the Adra-Kharagpur rail route. It is in Bankura city. Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express, Rupashi Bangla Express, Aranyak Express, Puri-New Delhi (Nandan Kanan) Superfast Express, Ernakulam-Patna Express, Howrah-LTT Samarsata Express and Purulia-Howrah Express pass through this station. It is the originating and terminating station of Bankura Damodar Railway which is connected to Barddhaman-Howrah Chord section. Computerized reservation facility is available. Going towards north-west, Adra Junction Railway Station is the nearest main station and moving to south, Kharagpur Railway Station is the major station next to Bankura.

National Highway 14 (India) running from Morgam (in Murshidabad district) to Kharagpur (in Paschim Medinipur district), State Highway 9 (West Bengal) running from Durgapur (in Paschim Bardhaman district) to Nayagram (in Jhargram district) and State Highway 5 (West Bengal) running from Rupnarayanpur (in Bardhaman district) to Junput (in Purba Medinipur) pass through Bankura. NH 14 links Bankura to NH 12 and NH 16. Both NH 14 and SH 9 link Bankura to NH 19 (Grand Trunk Road).

Tourism

The place has contributed toward modern Bengal art and architecture The tourist spots can be divided into four zones.

Eastern Zone

• Joyrambati is 98 km from Kolkata. It is a holy place as it was the birthplace of Sree Sree Maa Sarada Devi. Temple of Singha Bahani Devi and Mayerepukur are also visiting sites.

Western Zone

• Susunia Hill is also a tourist spot of Bankura District. It is 50 km from Bisnupur and 21 km from Bankura town . It is known for a natural spring and a historical stone engraving.
• Biharinath Hill is the tallest (448 m) of Bankura District. It is in the northwestern edge of the district. It is 57 km from Bankura Town. It was an ancient centre of Jainism, and known for its natural environment. Biharinath has hills, dense forest, water bodies, river Damodar, and a temple of Lord Shiva.

South Zone

• Mukutmanipur is a tourist spot of Bankura District. It is 55 km from Bankura District headquarters. It is the second biggest earthen dam of India.
• Jhilimili has a dense natural forest. It lies 70 km from Bankura Town.

Northern Zone

• Durgapur Barrage
• Gangdua Dam
• Koro Pahar (Amar Kanan)

Healthcare

• Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital is the most important hospital of the district equipped with all major departments and diagnostic facilities.
• Bankura Sub-Divisional Hospital is an important hospital. It has a paediatric ward, blood test and OT.

Notable people

• Balaram Mukhopadhyay (born 1973), carbohydrate chemist and professor
• Jamini Roy, a renowned painter.
• Rocky Rupkumar Patra, a renowned film actor and director.
• Rajkumar Patra, a renowned Bengali film actor and producer.

References

References

1. "Bankura City".
2. P.R. Sarkar Rarh - The Cradle of Civilization, Ananda Marga Publications, 1981, Kolkata
3. www.bankura.org, COMPANY : SOFIA / Design: ANUPAM GANGOPADHYAY / Favorite website. "Welcome to History of Bankura.".
4. Bengal (India), West. (1968). "West Bengal District Gazetteers: Bānkurā by Amiya Kumar Banerji". State editor, West Bengal District Gazetteers.
5. "District Census Handbook Bankura". Directorate of Census Operations West Bengal.
6. (May 2021). "District Statistical Handbook 2013 Darjeeling". Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal.
7. "1981-2010 CLIM NORMALS (STATEWISE).pdf". India Meteorological Department.
8. "Bankura City Census 2011 data". census2011.co.in.
9. "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Bankura". Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal.
10. "Bankura PS". Bankura District Police.
11. "Bankura women PS Sadar subdivision". Bankura District Police.
12. "Could there be any real immersion of Pother Debota?".
13. "Train to Bankura".
14. "Rationalisation of Numbering Systems of National Highways". [[Department of Road Transport and Highways]].
15. "List of State Highways in West Bengal". West Bengal Traffic Police.
16. "History, Geography, Tourism and Map of Bankura".
17. "Tourism, Bankura".
18. "Kolkata to Jairambati".
19. "West Bengal Tourism, Bankura".
20. "Susunia Hill, Bankura's ancient attraction".
21. "Health Information of Bankura".
22. "Balaram Mukhopadhyay {{!}} Ph. D {{!}} Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Kolkata {{!}} Department of Chemical Sciences {{!}} ResearchGate".
23. "नशा जुर्म और गैंगस्टर्स के एक्टर-डायरेक्टर रॉकी रूपकुमार पात्रा की जर्नी है इंस्पायरिंग".
24. (5 April 2023). "Tollywood: 'আমায় কুপ্রস্তাবও দিয়েছেন ইন্ডাস্ট্রির কিছুজন'".