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South Bengal (দক্ষিণবঙ্গ Dakṣiṇbaṅga), the fertile delta region of the Indian state of West Bengal, is based around the Hooghly River. Many major events of the state's history took place here, and it boasts a strong religious and colonial legacy.
Districts
[edit | edit source]
This article covers the seven districts of West Bengal lying on the Ganges Delta. The districts can be grouped based on which bank of the Hooghly River they largely fall on.
Rarh and Southwest Bengal are usually also considered parts of South Bengal, but they are covered separately due to their distinct geography and culture.
East Bank
[edit | edit source]| Murshidabad The largest district of West Bengal by area. Covers the former Nawab-era capital and two commercial centres along the Bhagirathi River. |
| Nadia Known for the pilgrimage sites Nabadwip and Mayapur, the royal heritage of Krishnanagar, and a major railway interchange at Ranaghat. |
| North 24 Parganas The most populous district of West Bengal. |
| Kolkata The "City of Joy", the capital of West Bengal and the former capital of British India |
| South 24 Parganas Home to the Sundarbans National Park, the beach spot Bakkhali and the pilgrimage site Gangasagar. |
West Bank
[edit | edit source]| Hooghly Often called the "Little Europe" for its history of being colonised by different European powers. Also home to the pilgrimage sites Tarakeswar and Kamarpukur. |
| Howrah Home to the twin of Kolkata, opposite the Hooghly River. Features India's largest railway complex, a colonial-era botanical garden, the Ramakrishna Mission, and the scenic views of the Rupnarayan River. |
Cities
[edit | edit source]- 1 Bandel (ব্যান্ডেল Byānḍel) — historic port city, former Portuguese colony, home to Bandel Church
- 2 Barrackpore (ব্যারাকপুর Byārākpur) — a cantonment town with memories of the 1857 Rebellion
- 3 Berhampore (বহরমপুর Baharampur) — a fortified British cantonment with Dutch, French, Mughal and Portuguese architecture and reminiscences
- 4 Chandannagar (চন্দননগর Candannagar) — a former French colony
- 5 Howrah (হাওড়া Hāoṛā) — Kolkata's twin city with a botanical garden, a monastery and the largest railway complex in India
- 6 Kolkata (কলকাতা Kalkātā) — the "City of Joy", the capital of West Bengal and the former capital of British India
- 7 Murshidabad (মুর্শিদাবাদ Murśidābād) — former capital of Bengal under the Nawabs
- 8 Nabadwip (নবদ্বীপ Nabadbīp) — temple city and heritage town
- 9 Taki (টাকি Ṭāki) — a border town with beautiful views of the Ichamati River
Other destinations
[edit | edit source]- 1 Sagar Island — a Hindu pilgrimage site with unspoilt beaches
- 2 Sundarbans National Park — a
UNESCO World Heritage Site with Royal Bengal Tigers and deer found in forests and mangrove swamps
Understand
[edit | edit source]South Bengal (দক্ষিণবঙ্গ DOHCK-kheen-bawng-goh) is an eastern extension to the Indian plains. It is based around the Hooghly River, known in its upper reaches as the Bhagirathi River, with many of its major towns being on the banks of the river.
The Greater Kolkata area of 1,880 km2 (730 sq mi) is based around the Hooghly River in South Bengal, from Kalyani to Baruipur, home to around 22 million people, and nearly 23% of the state's population.