Bankura

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?Bankura West Bengal • India
Bankura
Coordinates: 23°15′N 87°04′E / 23.25, 87.07
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 78 m (256 ft)
District(s)	Bankura
Population	128,811 (2001)
Website: bankura.gov.in/

Coordinates: 23°15′N 87°04′E / 23.25, 87.07

Bankura (Bengali: বাঁকুড়া) is a city and a municipality in Bankura District in the state of West Bengal, India. It is located in the western part of the Indian State of West Bengal. It is a part of Bardhaman Division of the State and included in the area known as "Rarh" in Bengal. It ranks fourth according to literacy rate of 2001 Census in the State. The District Bankura is bounded by latitude 22.38’ N and longitude 86.36’ E to 87.47’ E. River Damodar flows along the northern boundary of the district. The adjacent districts areBardhaman in the north, Purulia in th west and Paschim Medinipur in the south and Hooghly in the East. The Survey of India (SOI) toposheets covering the districts are 73I, 73J, 73M and 73N. Bankura town is the district head quarter of the Bankura District. Bishnupur (or Vishnupur) is a subdivisional town of Bankura district. It was the capital of the Mallabhum kingdom, once the most important Hindu dynasty in Bengal.This town famous for the Terracotta Temples made by the local red soils.This city oftern called as the 'Temple City' of Bengal.

Susunia and Beharinath is two main hills. Mukutmonipur dam and sutan is other tourist spot. Gouripur leprosy hospital is Asia's largest leprosy hospital. Mejia power plant is the only thermal power plant of this district. Darakaswar, Gandheaswari and Kansabati are the major rivers flow through the district.Jaipur forest is the only forest in the Southern Bengal plain. Bankura Medical college is the oldest medical college in this area.

1 Origin of the name
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Cultural contribution
5 Politics
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Origin of the name

In the Mahabharata, Bankura was described as Suhmobhumi. The word Larh or Rarh was introduced after 6th century A.D. In Santali, lar means thread, rarh means tune and larh means snake. Perhaps the Jain and Greek scholars used this original Austric word Larh to indicate this dry forest region which was very difficult to access that time. The popularity of Manasa Puja, the worship of Snake-Goddess Manasa, proves this opinion might have some relevance. According to Nilkantha, a famous commentator of the Mahabharata, both the words Suhmo 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 are named with the an added rah at the end of the name. One of the most influential God of the district 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.

[edit] Geography

Bankura is located at 23.25° N 87.07° E.^[1] It has an average elevation of 78 metres (255 feet).

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[2] Bankura town had a population of 128,811. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Bankura has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 56% of the males and 44% of females literate. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Cultural contribution

Bankura has a rich cultural contribution to the school of bengal. From Terracotta to modern art and from classic noth Indian musical genre Bishnupur Gharana to rock bangali band Jiggasa.

[edit] Politics

In the 2006 state assembly elections, Partha De of CPI(M) won the Bankura assembly seat defeating his nearest rival Kashinath Mishra of AITC. Kashinath Mishra of AITC defeated Partha De of CPI(M) in 2001. Partha De of CPI(M) defeated Asis Chakrabarty of INC in 1996, and Kashinath Mishra of INC in 1991 and 1987. Kashinath Mishra of INC defeated Partha De of CPI(M) in 1982. Partha De of CPI(M) defeated Anandi Kundu of Janata Party in 1977.^[3]

In the 2004 parliamentary elections, Basudeb Acharia of CPI(M), won in the Bankura (Lok Sabha constituency).^[4]