Kolkata, one of the many cities in the state of West Bengal has been nicknamed the City of Palaces. This comes from the numerous palatial mansions built all over the city. Unlike many north Indian cities, whose construction stresses minimalism, the layout of much of the architectural variety in Kolkata owes its origins to European styles and tastes imported by the British and, to a much lesser extent, the Portuguese and French. The buildings were designed and inspired by the tastes of the English gentleman around and the aspiring Bengali Babu (literally, a nouveau riche Bengali who aspired to cultivation of English etiquette, manners and custom, as such practices were favourable to monetary gains from the British). Today, many of these structures are in various stages of decay. Some of the major buildings of this period are well maintained and several buildings have been declared as heritage structures.
From historical point of view, the story of West Bengal begins from Gour and Pandua situated close to the present district town of Malda. The twin medieval cities had been sacked at least once by changing powers in the 15th century. However, ruins from the period still remain, and several architectural specimens still retain the glory and shin of those times. The Hindu architecture of Bishnupur in terracotta and laterite sandstone are renowned world over. Towards the British colonial period came the architecture of Murshidabad and Coochbehar.
From historical point of view, the story of West Bengal begins from Gour and Pandua situated close to the present district town of Malda. The twin medieval cities had been sacked at least once by changing powers in the 15th century. However, ruins from the period still remain, and several architectural specimens still retain the glory and shin of those times. The Hindu architecture of Bishnupur in terracotta and laterite sandstone are renowned world over. Towards the British colonial period came the architecture of Murshidabad and Coochbehar.
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Area :
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88,752 square kilometers.
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Capital :
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Kolkata
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Population :
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8,02,21,171
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Language :
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Bengali. Other languages include
Hindi,Santhali (dialect) and Nepali.
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Economy :
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Agriculture is the main occupation of
the people. Major crops that are cultivated include Rice and Jute. West
Bengal has the largest eastern Indiaoil refinery.
Other important industries are shipbuilding,automobile manufacture, and chemical and fertilizer production. Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri are known for their production of high-quality tea. Darjeeling also produces oranges,apples,pineapple,ginger and cardamom. |
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Climate :
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West Bengal has a tropical climate. The
plains are hot except during the short winter season. The mountanious region
in the north is cold. Humidity is high because of the altitude. There are
vaguely six seasons - Spring,Summer,the rainy,Autumn,mild Winter and severe
Winter. The hot season lasts from mid-March to mid-June,with the day
temperature ranging from 38o C to 45 C in different parts of the state.
Winter lasts about three months,is mild over the plains,the average minimum
temperature not falling 15 C.
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History :
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The first great dynasty to rule over West
Bengal were Palas who ruled till the 9th century AD. In the 7th century
AD,Adimalla founded the Malla dynasty, and ruled for over a thousand years in
areas of western Bengal. The Mallas built some spectacular temples in
Vishnupur,their capital.
In the 16th century,European traders established their trading factories in India and were attracted to Bengal but themost successful were English East India Company. In 1690,they established a factory at Sutanati,which later became modern Calcutta. In the 18th century the last independent Nawab of Bengal called Siraj ud Daulah lost to the British in the year 1757. In 1765,the British obtained the right to collect revenue from Bengal,Orissa and Bihar. In the late 19th century,Calcutta now called Kolkata became a major centre for the Indian nationalist movement. In 1905,Bengal was partitioned,to control the growing nationalist movement. But this led to huge protests,boycott of British goods and terrorist activities and in 1911,King George V revoked the partition. In 1947 after independence,Bengal was partitioned and its western half became the present state of West Bengal. |
| Notable site of West Bengal Cooch Behar · Cooch Behar · Darjeeling · Kalimpong · Kurseong · Dooars · Digha · Bishnupur · Malda · Mukutmanipur · Ayodhya Hills · Murshidabad · Kolkata. | Places of Worship Dakshineswar Kali Temple · Kalighat Temple · Birla temple · Belur Math · Bhoothnath · Tipu Sultan Mosque · Nakhoda Mosque · St. Paul’s Cathedral · St. John's Church · Parsi Fire Temples · Japanese Buddhist Temple · Pareshnath Jain Temple |
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