Garbeta is a famous town in Medinipur Sadar subdivision of Paschim Medinipur district, in West Bengal, India that lies on the banks of the Shilabati. When the term "Garbeta" is bifurcated "Gar" in Bengali means a nullah. The name does not necessarily have its etymological source files rather historical origin. Myth has its implication that boundary of the earlier town was surrounded by a small nullah. Garhbeta can also be spelled as Garbeta. Garbeta is connected by highways and railways in each and every nooks and corner with nearby cities like Midnapore District, Kharagpur, Bankura, Ghatal, Howrah etc. For local transportation bus, minibus, auto rickshaws and van rickshaws are available. There is also a railway station named Garbeta Railway Station.
History of Garbeta
Garhbeta is entwined with a very rich history from ancient era. During the epic times the Garbeta was not only characterised by a rich past but even was called Bakadwip and its territorial span had been 450 sq. miles. It was in the time of Mahabharat that this area of Bakadwip was under the jurisdiction of Bakasur. Its kingdom was Betrabati.Bhimsen killed Bakasur. Lord Krishna came from Dwaraka to congratulate Bhim. Thus it was in the recollected remembrance of this that Yudhisthir set up an image of Krishna. During the contemporary time the present image of God Krishna Rai Jew in the village of Krishnanagar is the one set up by Yudhisthir.
Several mythical notions flare up the dusts of the region about the nomenclature of Grahbeta. A vast area was called Baghratati. Once, Siharuddin Bugrasah, the son of Samaduddiin Firoj Sah, the monarch of Bengal occupied this area. Hearing of the tremendous miraculous power of the goddess Sarbamangala, Then King Vikramaditya arrived in Garhbeta and dedicated himself loyally to meditation on the corpses (Sabsadhana). Pleased amicably with him the goddess Sarbamangala consecrated him with the power to dominate over Tal Betal, so called supernatural figures. To prove the success of goddess`s blessing showered upon him Vikramaditya regimented Tal Betal to turn the face of the temple from the south to the north and no sooner the king ordered the instruction was carried out.
The name of the place was given Beta after the name of Betal. During the reign of Kumar Gupta in the Gupta Age his courtier Betra Barma founded this town. Probably Betra Barma built a fort for protection of the town. `Fort` is called `Garh` in Bengali. The king excavated a deep canal round the fort. There were four gates to four sides of the fort. They were Lal Gate to the north, Pesha Gate to the south, Rahut Gate to the east and Hanuman Gate to the West. Probably at first the town was named Betra Garh. In course of time the term Betra Garh had been changed into Garh Betra and then into Garhbeta.
Economy of Garbeta
Garbeta economy is agrarian and the principal crops include rice, potatoes, wheat, jute and numerous sort of vegetable. However apart from the occupation of farming several villagers are engaged in fishing, hawking and weaving. A miniscule percentage of the townspeople are government employees and school teachers and they are trying hard enough to invite the goddess of wealth to their domain. Most of the population is the inhabitant of the middle class to lower middle class.
