Tamluk is the site of the ancient city known as Tamralipta or Tamralipti. The present town is located on the banks of the Rupnarayan river close to the Bay of Bengal.
According to some scholars the city`s name derived from the Sanskrit word, Tamra Lipta, which means "Full of Copper". The name must have been originated during the Copper age, when Tamralipti was exported the ore and the metal to the peninsular India.
According to local folklore the name Tamralipta came from the King Tamradhwaja (which means The King with Copper Flag/symbol) of the Mayura-Dhwaja (Peacock) dynasty.
History
This ancient port city and kingdom was bounded by the Bay of Bengal in the south, river Rupnarayana in the east and Subarnarekha in the west. The Rupnarayana is the joint flow of the river Dwarkeshwar and the river Shilai. The Bay of Bengal and these great rivers and their numerous branches created a prosperous and easy water navigational system fostering commerce, culture and early contacts with the people outside the region. At the same time, these rivers helped to develop the agriculture in this region.
History tells us that the rivers have been central to urban settlement and development in the subcontinent from the ancient period. The Indus and the Ganges were cradles of ancient civilization. Tamluk was a civilisation based on Bay of Bengal and river Rupnarayana. And the most important natural resource of this area was water from the rivers and sea.
It was known as Tramralipti or Tamralipta in Mahabharata or Tamalitti in foreigners` descriptions or Tamoluk in the British Raj. It was a seaport, now buried under river silt. For this reason, Tamluk has many ponds and lakes remaining today.
According to Jain sources, Tamralipti was the capital of the kingdom of Venga and was long known as a port.
Geography
Tamuk is located at 22.3°N 87.92°E. It has an avarage elevation of seven meters.
Economy
Tamluk is mainly an agricultural area. About 60% of the land is under cultivation. Tamluk is one of the largest producer and exporter of the Pan Leaf. Once Fishing was an important occupation of the local residents. Hilsa Fish ( Ilish Mach ) of the River Rupnarayan is very famous for its taste
Main crops of Tamuk are Rice,Bananas , Coconut , Potatoes,Cotton,Fresh Vegetables and the agricultural products of the region are Pan Leaf and Cashew nuts.
Tamluk is also one of the highest "Premium Collecting Area" of LIC in pan India basis.
Government
The District magistrate, who is one of thr officer of Indian Administartive division is the head of the tamluk and its district Purba Midnapur. And the Superintendent of Police, an officer belonging to the Indian Police Service, is responsible for maintaining law and order in the district.
Transport
By Rail- Tamluk is well connected with the other districts of West Bengal including Haldia, Digha, Contai and Kharagpur.
By Road- By road Tamluk is well connected with the several neighbour cities and districts.
Division
The district head quarters of Purba Midnapur, Tamluk is divided into three subdivisions. They are Tamluk, Contai and Haldia.
Demographics
As per 2001 Census of India, Tamluk had a population of 45,826. Males constitute 52% and females 48% of the population. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Tamluk has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 72%.
Culture
People of Tamluk are sober, cultured. Tamluk is always praised for its reach cultural activities. There are lots of Arts schools, Dance Schools and Drama groups. There is also an important craft center is located just 85 km south-west of Kolkata.
Tamluk was always well connected with the Gangetic Plains. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that the culture of Aryavarta influenced life in early Tamluk. The worship of Bheema is a sign of the socio-religious acceptance of Aryan culture in this area. Even in the recent past, Tamluk was divided into many areas based on caste and occupation, such as Malakar Para (Flower traders), Adhikary Para (Brahmins), Dey Para (Gold traders), and Mathore Para (Sweeper`s colony).
Following are the special religious places of interest of Tamluk:
Barghobhima Mandir
Harir Mandir & Mahaprabhur Dalan ( Near Jelkhanar More )
Jishnu-Hari Mandir Radhamadhav & Radharaman Mandir ( at Rajbari )
Ramkrishna Mission Sevashram
Sanatan Shakti Peeth is an important pilgrim place of the Hindus and one of the 51 sacred places of Shakti Peeth.
The temple`s presiding deity is known as Shri Barghobhima Devi.
Following are the Special religious festivals of Tamluk:
Charak Mela
Makar Sankrant Barunir Mela ( Very famous )
Bhim Mela ( On 11th day of Bengali month Magha )
Kali Mela(at RAJARAMPUR in the bengali month of Chaitra)
Ratha Jatra(at Harir Hat in the bengali month of Ashar).
Visiting Places of Tamluk
The bank of river Rupnarayan and green fields near the rail station are the popular picnic sports in Tamluk.
Tamluk Rajbari is on the outskirts of town. The literal translation for "rajbari" is king`s house, once housing one of the many kings in West Bengal.
There is an Archeological Museum in Tamluk which is a must see place of the town. Mr Kamal Kundu is the one of the prominent person who did his best to run this museum.
The Tamralipta Museum at Tamluk contains artifacts of tamra or copper. Inscribed copper templates comprise the documents of this museum. The museum has preserved a tamralipta of Greek inscriptions. The Tamralipta Museum preserves the historical heritage of Bengal.
Rakhit bati is the another place to visit in Tamluk. In the beginning of 19th century it was famous as a secrete center of the then revolutionary party `Anusilan Samiti` & `Gupta samiti`.
Matangani Sahid Smarak at the side of pond called Banpukur at Abasbari Para near Tamluk Court is another place of tourist interest. During the `Ahimsa` movement of 1942, while a crowd trying to capture Tamluk administrative building, British police open fire in which Smt Matangini Hazara became `Sahid`. Later on Mahatma Gandhi appreciated her bravery and titled her as `Birangana`. This monument is a homage to her by Ex- prime-minister, Smt Indira Ghandhi. This is about 7Km from Tamluk station and on the way to Tamluk college.
Education
Tamluk Hamilton High School is one of the oldest institution in district of Medinipur. This school produced a lot of jewels, but this school is famous due to theKhudiram Bose, the first martyr, who sacrificed his life to free the nation from the hands of British rule. He was a student of this school from 1900 to 1903.
The other famous schools are
Rajkumari Santonamoyee Girls` High School
Tamluk High School ( Town School )
Vidyapeeth Girls School
Tamluk Central School
Tamralipta Public School.
Among the collegesTamralipta Mahavidyalay ( Tamluk College ) is one of the oldest college of this south-west region of West Bengal. It has BA, B.Sc, B-ed section. The building is old and has a big ground of it own.
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(Last Updated on : 14/06/2010)
