Paschim Bardhaman

Early Settlements and Ancient History

Archaeological evidence from Birbhanpur, near Durgapur, suggests that the Ajay valley had human settlements during the Paleolithic/Mesolithic age around 5,000 BC. In ancient times, various dynasties, including the Magadhas, Mauryas, Kushanas, and Guptas, ruled Bardhamanbhukti, which was part of the Rarh region. By the 7th century AD, King Shashanka incorporated it into the Gauda Kingdom. Later, the Palas and Senas controlled the region until Bakhtiyar Khilji conquered it in 1199 AD.

Medieval Period and Mughal Rule

During the early Muslim rule, Bengal’s administration operated from Gauda or Lakhnauti. The Ain-i-Akbari records Bardhaman as a mahal or pargana of Sarcar Sharifabad. The Sadgope kings ruled the area between the Damodar and Ajay rivers, known as Gopbhum, and left behind remnants found at Shymarupar Garh and Ichhai Ghosher Deul in Kanksa CD Block. In 1689, Raja Krishnaram Roy of the Bardhaman Raj family secured a farman from Aurangzeb, appointing him zamindar of Bardhaman. Other zamindars controlled parts of Asansol and Raniganj.

After Aurangzeb’s demise, the Mughal Empire weakened, and Murshid Quli Khan declared himself the Nawab of Bengal, acknowledging Mughal rule only in name. During Alivardi Khan’s reign, the Bargis raided and plundered Bardhaman.

British Rule and Administrative Changes

After the British victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the East India Company took control of Bardhaman, Medinipur, and Chittagong. In 1857, the British Crown assumed direct rule. By 1765, Bardhaman district included Bardhaman, Bankura, Hooghly, and parts of Birbhum. In 1805, authorities added some parts of Bankura and Asansol to Jungle Mahals but later returned them to Bardhaman. Hooghly became a separate district in 1820, followed by Bankura and Birbhum in 1837.

Lord Cornwallis’s Permanent Settlement in 1793 divided chaklas into smaller districts. Authorities reorganized Bardhaman into six subdivisions: Bud Bud (1846), Katwa, Raniganj, Jahanabad (later Arambagh), Bardhaman Sadar (1847), and Kalna (1850). In 1906, they renamed Raniganj as Asansol subdivision. At that time, Bardhaman had 22 thanas (police stations). In 1968, officials carved Durgapur subdivision out of Asansol.

Zamindari Abolition and District Bifurcation

The Permanent Settlement led to the fragmentation of the Bardhaman estate as the rajas struggled to meet revenue demands, resulting in land auctions. Despite these challenges, the Bardhaman zamindary survived until the Indian government abolished the zamindari system in 1954, following independence.

On 7 April 2017, authorities bifurcated Bardhaman district into Purba Bardhaman and Paschim Bardhaman, marking a crucial administrative reorganization.

Key Attractions

Paschim Bardhaman is known for Kalyaneshwari Temple, Maithon Dam, Nehru Park, Ghagar Buri Chandi Temple, Panchet Dam, Biharinath Hill, Garh Jungle, and Troika Park. These sites attract visitors for their religious significance, natural beauty, and recreational activities.