![]() History of Birbhum District When tracing the history of Birbhum district right back to its earliest times, it is seen that Birbhum was initially divided into two tracts, part of it was included in the Rarh district, and the other part in the tract called Vajjrabhumi. The Jains claim that Lord Mahavira, the last great trithankara, had wandered through these tracts as far back as the 5th century AD. The district was under the rule of a number of renowned dynasties. Initially it formed part of the Maurya Empire. Subsequently it went on to be ruled by the imperial Gupta dynasty, the Shahshankas, Harshavardhana, the Pala dynasty and the Sena dynasty. The district came under Muslim rule in the 13th century A.D. They left the reigns of administration to the Hindu chiefs, Bir Rajas. Following this, Birbhum came under British rule and was administered by them. It was re-constituted into a separate district in 1820. Geography of Birbhum District The district is well drained by a number of rivers and rivulets running in nearly every case from west to east with a slight southerly inclination. Only two are rivers of any magnitude, viz., the Mor and the Ajay, the latter of which marks the southern boundary, while the Mor runs through Birbhum from West to East. Both rivers are of considerable size when they enter the district, their width varying according to the configuration of the country, from two hundred yards to half a mile. ![]() Economy of Birbhum District Birbhum is an important district in the Rarh region having a considerable area under undulating topography in the western part of the district. It is primarily an agriculture-based district. The district has made a gradual progress in the field of agriculture through the gradual development of irrigation facilities, introduction of high yielding varieties and adoption of improved technology by the cultivators. Rice is the major crop of this district and occupies about 70 percent of the grossed cropped area. The other important crops are wheat, potato, mustard, vegetables, sugarcane and pulses. Now the district has attained surplus production in case of paddy, potato and vegetables. The agriculture extension wing of the state Government has played the key role in achieving this success. There are two major irrigation sources in this district - Mayurkhshi Reservoir Project is the biggest and Hinglow River Project is the other. Utilizing the existing prospects of horticultural crops in the district, the Food Processing Industries and Horticulture Department, Government of West Bengal has opened up the avenues among the growers for expansion of horticulture e.g., vegetables, fruits, flowers, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants etc. which in turn would increase the nutritional status as well as standard of living. ![]() Tourism in Birbhum District There are a number of places of tourist interest located in the Birbhum district. By far the most famous tourist spot here, and in fact a top draw in all of West Bengal, is Shantiniketan. It is the place where Rabindranath Tagore lived and composed some of his most famous literary pieces. It is now a University town, and the famous Visva- Bharati University is also found located here. A number of seasonal festivals are celebrated here with great pomp and vigour. Apart from this, places of pilgrimage, called piths are also found in the district. The piths are said to be the places where one of the many dismembered parts of Sati fell. These piths in the Birbhum district are located at Tarapith, Bakreshwar, Kaklitala, Labpur etc. |
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Birbhum District