Malda district, also spelt Maldah, is an administrative district in the state of West Bengal, India. The district headquarters is located at English Bazar (also known as Ingraj Bazar), which is sometimes referred to simply as Malda town. The district is historically significant as it contains the medieval capitals of Bengal at Gaur and Pandua, and is widely known for its production of the Fazli, Langra and Himsagar varieties of mango.
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| State | West Bengal |
| Division | Malda |
| Headquarters | English Bazar (Ingraj Bazar) |
| Region | North Bengal |
| Major river | Mahananda; Ganga (Padma) forms part of the boundary |
| Known for | Mango cultivation, silk, historical sites of Gaur and Pandua |
Malda district lies in the northern part of West Bengal, serving as a transitional zone between the northern districts of North Bengal and the southern Gangetic plain. It is bounded by Dakshin Dinajpur and Uttar Dinajpur districts to the north, Murshidabad to the south, Jharkhand to the west, and Bangladesh to the east.
The district is drained by the Mahananda, which divides it into two distinct natural regions. The area east of the Mahananda, called the Barind (Barendrabhumi), consists of older alluvial soil. The western tract is further divided by the Kalindri river into the Tal, a low-lying area to the north, and the Diara, a fertile tract of new alluvium to the south. The Ganga (Padma) flows along the southern and eastern fringes.
The territory of present-day Malda formed part of the ancient region of Pundravardhana and later Gauda. Two of its towns, Gaur and Pandua, served as capitals of Bengal at different periods between roughly the 13th and 16th centuries under the Delhi Sultanate, the Bengal Sultanate and briefly under Sher Shah Suri. Monuments such as the Adina Mosque, Eklakhi Mausoleum, Baroduari (Bara Sona) Mosque, Firoz Minar and Dakhil Darwaza date from this era.
Old Malda, on the confluence of the Mahananda and Kalindri, developed as a trading centre during the late medieval period. European factories, including those of the Dutch, French and English, were established in the 17th and 18th centuries, primarily for trade in silk and cotton. Following the British conquest of Bengal, Malda became part of the Bengal Presidency. The modern district of Malda was constituted in 1813. After the Partition of India in 1947, the district was divided, with parts going to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh); the remaining portion was incorporated into West Bengal.
Malda is the headquarters of the Malda administrative division of West Bengal. The district is divided into two subdivisions:
It contains a number of community development blocks, with English Bazar serving as the principal urban centre. The district is represented in the Lok Sabha through the Maldaha Uttar and Maldaha Dakshin parliamentary constituencies, and in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly through several assembly constituencies.
The economy of Malda is predominantly agricultural. The district is one of the largest producers of mango in India, particularly the Fazli, Langra, Himsagar, Gopalbhog and Lakshmanbhog varieties; "Laxman Bhog", "Khirsapati (Himsagar)" and "Fazli" mangoes from Malda have received Geographical Indication recognition. Other important crops include rice, jute, wheat, maize and pulses.
Malda has a long tradition of mulberry silk production, with sericulture concentrated around the English Bazar and Kaliachak areas. Handloom weaving, mango processing and small-scale trade also contribute to the local economy.
Malda Town railway station, on the Sahibganj Loop and Barharwa–Azimganj line of the Eastern Railway, is a major junction in eastern India and the headquarters of the Malda railway division. National Highway 12 (formerly NH 34) passes through the district, connecting it with Kolkata and the northern districts of West Bengal.
The historical sites at Gaur and Pandua, including mosques, gateways and tombs from the Bengal Sultanate, are protected under the Archaeological Survey of India and attract visitors interested in medieval Indo-Islamic architecture. The Ramkeli temple complex, associated with the Gaudiya Vaishnava saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, is a notable pilgrimage site. Gambhira, a traditional folk performance combining song, dance and social commentary, is closely identified with the district.
Educational institutions in the district include the University of Gour Banga, established in English Bazar, along with several government and private colleges affiliated to it. Malda Medical College and Hospital is the principal tertiary medical institution serving the district and adjoining regions.