Guskara
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| ?Guskara West Bengal • India |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| District(s) | Barddhaman |
| Population | 31,863 (2001) |
| Website: bardhaman.gov.in/ | |
Guskara (Bengali: গুস্করা) is a city and a municipality under Ausgram police station [1] of Sadar subdivision in Barddhaman district in the Indian state of West Bengal.
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[edit] Geography
Guskara is located in the alluvial flood plains of several rivers. [2] Kunur flows past it. [3]
[edit] History
The area between the Damodar and Ajay was known as Gopbhum, where the Sadgope kings ruled for many centuries, prior to the advent of the Muslims. The Sur kings also occupy a somewhat mythical position in the region. Adi Sur of this dynasty is credited with having brought the five Brahmins and Kayasthas (two important upper castes in Bengal) from Kannauj in what is now Uttar Pradesh. [4]
Damage to embankments of the Ajay and consequent flooding was a regular problem in the Ausgram and Mangalkot area. The devastating flood of 1943 caused immense suffering and lead to a mass movement for restoration/ repair of the embankments. A massive meeting was organised at Guskara in 1944, with Udaychand Mahtab, Maharaja of Bardhaman. However, the government did not take any action,. Ultimately, the Communist Party, which had been at the forefront of agitations for some years, provided a huge work force for the purpose and completed the repair work. That laid the foundation for the party’s popularity in the area. [5]
[edit] Economy
Guskara has a wholesale market. . [6] The area thrives on brick kilns, wood craft and cloth sales. [7]
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India census[8], Guskara had a population of 31,863. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Guskara has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 72%, and female literacy is 59%. In Guskara, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Steady flow of refugees from East Pakistan swelled the population of the area in the fifties. [9]
[edit] Education
Guskara has sixteen primary, one upper primary, one secondary and three higher secondary schools. BODHODAYA is one of the model schools for the talented and genious kids competing district and state-level competitions. The prime objective of Bodhodaya School is to prepare pupils in a way that can enable them to become successful in ICSE,CBSE,WBBSE system of education in their future.The syllabi of the school keep objective control over subjective learning and the learning process of the school enhances the strength of mind and expances the intellect of the pupil in such a manner that facilitates in rousing self-belief and understanding ability among the taught.[10]
[edit] Art
The area is renowned for its dokra art castings.[11]In particualr, Dariapur village in the area is famous for its dokra metal craft.[12]
[edit] References
- ^ District-wise list of stautory towns
- ^ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti (History and Folk lore of Bardhaman District.), (Bengali), Vol I, p18, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3
- ^ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p35
- ^ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, pp 150-151
- ^ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p482
- ^ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p673
- ^ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, pp664-666
- ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
- ^ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p57
- ^ 7th All-India School Education Survey 2003
- ^ Dokra Art
- ^ West Bengal – Traditional Crafts. Dokra. Bharat Heritage. Retrieved on 2007-09-09.
