Barrackpore is reminiscent of the military and administrative activities of the British India. Situated on the eastern banks of the river Hoogly, West Bengal, falls under the district of North 24 Parganas. Barrackpore is well known as being the hub of many rebellious activities associated with the British rule, since here was located the first major military base of the East India Company in India. There is a history associated with the name by which it is known today. In the days of the Mughal Emperor Aurangjeb, the place majorly contributed to the collection of taxes, and its name used to be Barbakpur. With the advent of the British East India Company, the place evolved into Barrackpore. The place get its name from the word barracks, a military term in English, but prior to this the place was known as Chanak, as is evident in the Manasa Mangal.
2001 India census, states Barrackpur`s population to be 144,331, where in males constitute 53% of the population and females comprises 47%.
A quick look at the brief history of Barrakpore or Chanak as it was known as, would help to give us a better assessment of the whole region. The mention of this place can be traced to the writings of the Greek navigators, historians, and various geographers of the1st century BC to the 3rd century A.D. Numerous chronicles of that age has also mentioned this place for its religious, cultural and social history, and they referred to them as the Gangaridae, Gangaridai, Gandaritai and so on. This town known as Chanak, became highly populated by the 15th and 16th century, and prospered in trade and commerce. There was an extensive market for trade purpose and hence the economic status developed in this town among many others situated on the banks of the Hoogly. This data has been taken from the recorded facts by the Statistical Account of Bengal by W.W. Hunter in 1857. The area has been ruled under several Zamindars, the earliest of these being Kalidas Sarkar, who was followed by his son and grandson, Bishwambhar Sarkar and Nilmoni Sarkar, respectively. Amulyaratan Sarkar was the last ruling zamindar, of the established Zamindari system in Barrackpore. This speaks a lot about the administrative system, which marked the prominence of the zamindars. In the British history in India, in 1772 here was the first cantonment set, which marked the construction of the expansive Government House and the Government Estate for providing a suburban residence to the viceroy. Barrackpore was the seat of rebellion, in the 19th century, in 1824, under Sepoy Binda Tiwary and in the year 1857, under Mangal Pandey. He attacked his British commander, and henceforth court-martialed. This followed by the dissolution of his regiment, which is believed to have evoked anger among the sepoys, which led to the rebellion. The issue was the use of animal fat in the cartridges, which was protested by Pandey.
Barrackpore has a tropical type of a climate, which is very common in the Gangetic West Bengal. April and May months are often engulfed by thunderstorms and hail. Early June to mid September is the monsoon season, and the average rainfall during these months` ranges from 150-200 cm per year, which is not constant in all the years. Humidity prevails during summer months and the winters are dry. The weather remains dry during the winter (mid November to mid February) and humid during the summer. Average rainfall ranges from 150-200 cm per year and it generally fluctuates from year to year.
The administration of the present day Barrackpore subdivision is divided into 16 Municipalities and 2 Blocks. There are eleven Assembly Constituencies and two parliamentary constituencies in the subdivision. A Cantonment board and municipal chairmen has been entrusted with the administration.
Rural areas are under the administrative system of the `Gram Panchayats` (Village Committees), which have an election held every five years. Each municipality is under a municipal chairman who is elected by the municipal councilors, who are in turn elected by the constituents of the districts within the municipalities that they represent. Similar procedure of election is flowed by the Gram Panchayats in the rural areas. Drinking water facilities, maintenance of the roads and streetlights, supplying food and clothing in case of emergency along with control and prevention of tropical diseases like malaria and cholera. GAP (Ganga Action Plan) controls water pollution and release of pollutants to the river for protection of its plant and animal lives.
The Barrackpore subdivision is connected by road, rail and air and the river accompanying it makes it convenient for the working of many industries flourishing in jute, engineering, paper, cotton mills trading and so on. It has the prevalence of a very efficient small-scale cottage industry and handicraft section. This contributes to the small-scale owners and economic prosperity for marginal workers. Being an important agricultural sector, Barrackpore`s economy thrives mainly on it apart from other related occupations. Agriculture is supported by a very good system of irrigation facilities. Agriculture has been given a boost by providing loans at low interest for the help of the farmers to have a better agricultural production. Developed Infrastructure for improved agricultural production and growth of it has also been the motto of the authorities, which helped the farmers in the long run. Pisciculture, horticulture and floriculture also have a very good base here and they equally contribute to the town`s economy. There are many such achievements that can be counted in Barrcakpore including the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, which has been established for a better production of fishes mainly in ponds and rivers. Rivers are important in the region and being on the banks of the Hoogly it makes a more important venue for such activities. In the industrial sector Barrackpore has the glory of having the Ishapore Rifle Factory, which is one of the most important arms factories of India, catering to the requirements of the security forces. There are jute factories, which are very important in the region due to geographical factors. One of the oldest power plants in India is the Mulazore Thermal Power Plant, which is situated at Shyamnagar, but unfortunately shut down in 2004. Other industries where dry cells are produced are located here like Exide, and Nicco that is noteworthy in cable production.
The literacy rate in the sub-division is higher than the average standard of the state and district. Its average literacy rate is 81%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; where 55% is of the males and 45% of females literate. 8% of the population is under 6 years of age. Barrackpore is well known for its number of schools, colleges and madrasas. Schools like Ramakrishna Mission, Rahara and Ramakrishna Mission Baranagar, Barrackpore Govt. High School are situated here; these have a reputation of their own. Among the colleges located in Barrackpore are BKC College Bonhooghly, Bhairab ganguly College, Barrackpore Surendranath College, and Panihati College. There are also 2 engineering colleges, along with several other polytechnic institutes and an international boarding school, Adamas international School. Other popular schools are Barrackpore Govt. High School St. Augustine`s School, Ramakrishna Vivekananda Mission Vidyabhawan, Army School, DAV School, 2 Kendriya Vidyalayas (Army and Airforce), Modern School, Kalyani Central Model School and Assembly of Christ School etc. Higher education has received an impetus with National Institute of Management & Technology (NIMT), affiliated to Sikkim Manipal University offering graduate and Master degree programs. Hence Barrackpore has an array for well established schools and colleges and institutes that impart quality education heightening the state`s pride assisting the development of education in the state level.
Barrackpore is the location of the only Military Cantonment and Police Training Academy in West Bengal.
Barrackpore has a rich and diverse cultural and religious history. People with different cultural and religious background, social status lives in this subdivision. Hence there is a prevalence of Mandirs, Gurdwaras, Masjids, ashrams, churches and so on. People of these diverse traditions immerse themselves in the festivities that take place there. Which includes the Durga puja, held annually in the autumn, a major festival in West Bengal. Apart from this, a month long fair is held in the month of `Pousha` at the temple of goddess Kali at Shyamnagar, is another attraction for tourists. There are various places of entertainment like movie halls and parks; among which is a very beautiful park "Sahid Mangal Pandey Uddan" that faces the Ganges.
The area apart from its developed agriculture and industrial sector has a strong communication system linked with many colleges and technical institutions, universities. It is connected with the two National Highways, NH-34 and NH-35, and several major State Highways passing through the area. The Barrackpore Trunk Road (B. T. Road), is one of the oldest metal roads in India that connects Barrackpore to Kolkata. The Ghoshpara Road connects the city of Barrackpore with Kanchrapara, a town on the boundary of the subivision, and also links with the adjacent districts of Nadia. Ferry services are available for the movement along the Hooghly River. Since this was an important center of the British Raaj, the area was among the first to be benefited by the railway facilities. Since 1862, rail facilities have been provided for the benefit of the natives and others. There are local trains that connect the town with the larger part of Kolkata. The Circular and Metro Railways of Kolkata also offer their services to the town. In January 2002 the rail connection to Bangladesh was reopened for goods movement to Benapole. The International Airport in West Bengal, Netaji Subhas International Airport at Dum Dum, is located in the sub-division.
Hence Barrackpore not only has a great historical past, but also has emerged as an important center in West Bengal in terms of education, economy, culture and so on. There are so many places to visit, and specially the history that has connections with the British.
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