Chandannagar was previously known as Chandarnagar and it was a French colony. This is located 30 km north of Kolkata, West Bengal. Situated on the banks of the river Ganges, Chandannagore was established as a French colony in 1673. The French after getting permission from Ibrahim Khan, who was the Nawab of Bengal, set up their base as a trading post on the banks of the river ganges or Hughly. This marked the beginning of the French domination in a way after the Mughal preponderance in the area. The year 1688 marked the permanence of the French settlement with Joseph François Dupleix as the governor in 1730. That time being the French colony it was known as `Farasdanga`. This era of Dupleix`s tenure saw the rise of more than two thousand brick houses in the town, along with increased maritime activities. This was favored by the Ganges and it for quite some time remained the hub of all trade and commerce in Bengal.
Chandannagore , the name is considered to be derived from the shape of the river Ganga, which had e bent almost like the crescent moon. Others believe it might have been named so due to the flourishing trade of chandan or sandalwood. Beliefs that due to the temple of Goddess `Chandi`, the city is named so. The history of Chandannagar dates back to the time of the French dominations, which is discussed earlier, and then encompassing the British era, which began after they took it over from the French in 1794. Again in 1816, the city, along with a 3 sq. mi. enclave of surrounding territory was returnedback to the French. Until 1950, it was governed as part of French India, under the political control of the governor-general in Pondicherry. After Indian independence under a plebiscite it was decided that it should be taken under the political control of India. Hence in 1950, the Indian governement became the de facto ruler of the city, and finally in 1955, it was integrated into the state of West Bengal.
2001 India census, claims that Chandannagar had a population of 162,166.out of which the percentage of males was 52% of the population and females was 48%. The average literacy rate was 78%, which is higher than the national average of 59.5%. Percentage of male literates here is 82% and female literate is 74%. Education is an important topic of discussion here. Numerous missionaries have taken up number of activities regarding education and western education forms a part of it. A small school founded by the missionaries for the Bengali boys on the south of Chandannagar has now transformed into a convent at present. The important subjects that were taught here were Bengali and French were. The missionaries were the pioneers in beginning a glorious era in education, under which the Dupleix College is worth mentioning. This was Duplex College later evolved into Duplex school from 1901. There was again a shift in the name of the school and the school was renamed as Kanailal Vidyamandir on May 17, 1948, after the name of the revolutionary Kanailal Dutta, who was a student of this school. Another important school is Banga Vidyalaya established on Baisakh 20, 1288 (Bengali calendar) with just three boys only on roll at a small rented house. Durga Charan Rakshit established primary schools in 1885 after his own name, and the other by Harihar Sett after his father`s name as Nritya Gopal Sett Prathamik Vidyalaya. In 1926, Krishnabhabini Narisiksha Mandir was established by Harihar Sett after his mother`s name. This school achieved the glory of being the first girl`s high school in the district. Apart from these, convent for girls was also set up here at Chandannagar. A host of boys schools in the are Kanailal Vidyamandir, Chandannagore Banga Vidyalaya , Adarsa Shikshalaya etc. among the girls school at present are Krishnabhabini Narisiksha Mandir , St. Joseph Convent, St. Anthony etc.
Chandannagore is the inheritor of a heritage that has been overwhelming tourists and the natives. There are numerous places to visit, like the Chandannagore Strand, which is along the banks of the river Ganga. It`s a wonderfully decorated with lights bounded by excessive greenery. The place is about 1 km in length and 7 meters in width. Many historical buildings abound this place, which is always visited by tourists and the local people. The strand is highly enjoyable in the evenings when we see the small boats sail by and the excellent breeze makes it a lovely experience. On the banks of the Ganges is the Vivekananda Mandir (a meditation centre) , and it is beieved to be the most decorative along the entire length of 2500 km. The next destination hehe is the Chandannagore Museum and Institute, which is one of the oldest and finest museums of the whole of ir. It can charm anyone with its beautiful collection of French antiques, which includes cannons that have been used in Anglo-French war and wooden furniture. There is a very rare collection, which might not be prevalent anywhere in the whole world. Here in the institute, regular French classes are being held, which reminds of the lost French flavor that the city was used to one upon a time. This place also has the prevalence of some most impressive churches, being the territory of the French and the English. one among them is the Sacred Heart Church (l`Eglise du Sacré Cœur), Chandannagar, which is two centuries old. One can remain spellbound in admiration of the beauty of architecture during the French period. This place not only attracts the historians but also common people who can find divine peace in this holy place. There are also few churches that could not sustain the ravages of time, and their remnants still remain. One such Church is the Church of St. Louis, which is another place to visit. The Underground House or the Patal-Bari, which again exemplifies advanced architectural pattern along with aesthetic appeal. The lowest floor pf the house is submerged in the River Ganga, and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore has also visited this place. Such was the appeal in the building that he himself praised it for being inspired by its beauty. This is evident from his mention of patal bari in many of his novels. Pandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar also stayed in the building, among other eminent personalities.
In the religious scenario one cannot do away with the temples, one of which is the Nandadulal Temple, which wasbuilt in 1740 by Indranarayan Roychoudhury. The temple brilliantly presents an excellent specimen of ancient Indian sculptures. Its antiquity is what that still pulls a lot of crowd towards it. Other temples are the ones dedicated to Kali, Shiva and other deities, which also are exquisitely representative of good craftsmanship. Artistic sensibilities were no doubt expressed through the monuments which, still remains as replicas of either Christian or Hindu specimens.
The beautiful city of Chandannagore not only has these wonderful places, but also has rich religious festivals. One among such is the most famous Jagaddhatri Pujo. This festival is a very big occasion that assembles people from different sectors of life and is a major social and cultural event. The puja has a very old history and is associated with Indranarayan Chowdhury, who was the originator of this puja, in Chandannagar. This occasion dates back to 1750. There are numerous rituals associated with the puja. The Jagaddhatri idol is decorated with shola[stick] and background painting. This resembles the goddesss Durga in numerous ways only basic difference lies in Mayatantra.
Chandannagore holds the legacy of being French and British colonies and still retains that aura of colonial rule in the nook and corners of the city. The beautiful view of the Ganges make enhances the picturesque landscape of the city. Its one of the places to visit if one has to go down the memory lane back into the ancient past.
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