Bardhaman

Overview

Bardhaman, also spelt Burdwan, is a city in the Indian state of West Bengal. It serves as the administrative headquarters of the Purba Bardhaman district and is one of the principal urban centres of the state's western plains. Located on the banks of the Banka river, a tributary of the Damodar, the city is an important node on the Grand Trunk Road and a major junction on the Eastern Railway.

Key facts

Etymology

The name Bardhaman is derived from the Sanskrit term Vardhamana, meaning "growing" or "prosperous". The town is also associated by tradition with Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara of Jainism, whose given name was Vardhamana and who is said to have spent time in this region during his wanderings.

Geography

Bardhaman lies in the western part of southern Bengal, in the alluvial plains formed by the Damodar and its tributaries. The city sits at a relatively low elevation and is part of the agriculturally productive Rarh tract. Its surrounding district is sometimes referred to as the "rice bowl of Bengal" because of the extensive paddy cultivation in the region.

History

The area has a long settled history extending back to the early historic period, with associations to both Jain and Buddhist traditions. During the medieval period, Bardhaman emerged as an important centre under successive Muslim rulers of Bengal. It became particularly prominent from the seventeenth century onwards as the seat of the Maharajas of Burdwan, a zamindari family of Kapurthala origin whose estate grew to become one of the largest in eastern India.

The Burdwan Raj wielded considerable influence under both the Mughal and British administrations. After the grant of the Diwani of Bengal to the British East India Company in 1765, Burdwan became part of the early Company-administered districts of Bengal. The Permanent Settlement of 1793 further entrenched the position of the Burdwan zamindars.

In the colonial era the district town developed civic institutions, schools, and a railway connection. After Indian independence, Burdwan district remained a single unit until 7 April 2017, when it was bifurcated into Purba Bardhaman and Paschim Bardhaman; Bardhaman city became the headquarters of the former.

Civic administration

Municipal services in the city are provided by the Bardhaman Municipality. The city also hosts the offices of the District Magistrate and the District and Sessions Judge, along with various state government departments serving Purba Bardhaman.

Transport

Bardhaman Junction is one of the busiest railway stations in West Bengal and lies on the Howrah–Delhi main line as well as on the Howrah–Bardhaman chord and main lines. It is a key suburban terminus for trains running to and from Howrah and Kolkata. National Highway 19 (the historic Grand Trunk Road) passes through the district, providing road links westward to Asansol and Dhanbad and eastward to Kolkata.

Education

The city is the seat of the University of Burdwan, a state public university established in 1960. Other institutions include Burdwan Raj College, founded in the nineteenth century under the patronage of the Burdwan Raj, Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, and several government and aided schools that have served the region for many decades.

Culture and landmarks

Bardhaman retains numerous monuments associated with the Burdwan Raj, including temple complexes, garden estates, and gateways. Notable landmarks include the Curzon Gate (Bijoy Toran), built to commemorate a viceregal visit; the 108 Shiva Temple complex at Nawabhat; the Sarbamangala Temple, dedicated to the city's presiding deity; and the Krishnasayar Park, centred on a large tank constructed by the rajas. The