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Hooghly district

2026-05-05T07:27:15Z

2A02:587:3E0B:FA00:2422:6075:D820:7816:

{{Short description|District in West Bengal, India}}
{{About|the district|its eponymous headquarters|Hugli-Chuchura}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Hooghly district
| other_name =
| settlement_type = [[List of districts of West Bengal|District]] of [[West Bengal]]
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
|photo1a = Shiva Durga temple or simply, Durga temple of Bally Diwanganj of Goghat PS in Hooghly district of West Bengal (06).jpg
|photo1b = Reflection of Hooghly Imambara.jpg
|photo2a = Bandel Church.jpg
|photo2b = Danish Cemetery. All ancient structure & Tombs.jpg
|photo3a = Hooghly River, Serampore.jpg
|size = 300
|foot_montage = Clockwise from top-left: Durga temple of [[Bali Dewanganj]], [[Hooghly Imambara]], Danish cemetery at [[Serampore]], [[Hooghly River]], [[Bandel]] Church at [[Bandel]]
}}
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-point = none
| mapsize = 300
| map_caption1 = Location of Hooghly district in West Bengal
| coordinates = {{coord|22.90|N|88.39|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[West Bengal]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Administrative divisions of West Bengal|Division]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Burdwan division|Burdwan]]
| seat_type = Headquarters
| seat = [[Hooghly-Chinsurah|Chuchura]]
| leader_title = [[List of subdivisions of West Bengal|Subdivisions]]
| leader_name = [[Chinsurah subdivision|Chinsurah Sadar]], [[Chandannagar subdivision|Chandannagar]], [[Serampore subdivision|Serampore]], [[Arambag subdivision|Arambag]]
| leader_title1 = [[Community Development Block|CD Blocks]]
| leader_name1 = [[Balagarh (community development block)|Balagarh]], [[Chinsurah Mogra]], [[Dhaniakhali (community development block)|Dhaniakhali]], [[Pandua (community development block)|Pandua]], [[Polba Dadpur]], [[Haripal (community development block)|Haripal]], [[Singur (community development block)|Singur]], [[Tarakeswar (community development block)|Tarakeswar]], [[Chanditala I]], [[Chanditala II]], [[Jangipara (community development block)|Jangipara]], [[Serampore Uttarpara]], [[Khanakul I]], [[Khanakul II]], [[Goghat I]], [[Goghat II]], [[Pursurah (community development block)|Pursurah]]
| leader_title2 = [[List of constituencies of the Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha constituencies]]
| leader_name2 = [[Arambagh (Lok Sabha constituency)|Arambagh]], [[Hooghly (Lok Sabha constituency)|Hooghly]], [[Serampore (Lok Sabha constituency)|Serampore]]
| leader_title3 = [[List of constituencies of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly|Vidhan Sabha constituencies]]
| leader_name3 = [[Uttarpara (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Uttarpara]], [[Sreerampur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Sreerampur]], [[Champdani (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Champdani]], [[Singur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Singur]], [[Chandannagar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Chandannagar]], [[Chunchura (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Chunchura]], [[Balagarh (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Balagarh]], [[Pandua (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Pandua]], [[Saptagram (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Saptagram]], [[Chanditala (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Chanditala]], [[Jangipara (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Jangipara]], [[Haripal (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Haripal]], [[Dhanekhali (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Dhanekhali]], [[Tarakeswar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Tarakeswar]], [[Pursurah (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Pursurah]], [[Arambag (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Arambag]], [[Goghat (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Goghat]], [[Khanakul (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Khanakul]]
| total_type = Total
| area_total_km2 = 3149
| area_footnotes =
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_total = 5,519,145
| population_footnotes =
| population_urban =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = Demographics
| demographics1_title1 = [[Literacy in India|Literacy]]
| demographics1_info1 = 82.55 per cent
| demographics1_title2 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]
| demographics1_info2 = 961 [[male|♂]]/[[female|♀]]
| demographics_type2 = Languages
| demographics2_title1 = Official
| demographics2_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]]<ref name="wblangoff">{{cite web|title=Fact and Figures|url=https://wb.gov.in/portal/web/guest/facts-and-figures;jsessionid=JzdD9RHb7aMY5esZPtcsIVLy|website=Wb.gov.in|access-date=5 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India|url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|website=Nclm.nic.in|publisher=[[Ministry of Minority Affairs]]|access-date=5 July 2019|page=85|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>
| demographics2_title2 = Additional official
| demographics2_info2 = [[English language|English]]<ref name="wblangoff"/>
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +05:30
| website = {{url|https://hooghly.nic.in}}
}}

'''Hooghly district''' is one of the 23 [[Districts of West Bengal|districts]] in the [[Indian state]] of [[West Bengal]]. It can alternatively be spelt ''Hoogli''. The headquarters of the district is [[Hugli-Chuchura|Chuchura]]. The district is named after the [[Hooghly River]] and is located in the [[Burdwan division]]. There are four subdivisions of the district: [[Chinsurah subdivision|Chinsurah Sadar]], [[Serampore subdivision|Serampore]], [[Chandannagore subdivision|Chandannagore]], and [[Arambag subdivision|Arambagh]].

== History ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2025}}
The district of Hooghly derived its name from the town of Hooghly on the west bank of the [[Hooghly River]] about 40 km north of [[Kolkata]]. This town was a major river port for trade in India before colonization.

The district has thousands of years of rich heritage as part of the Bengali kingdom of [[Bhurshut]]. In 1536 Portuguese traders obtained a permit from Sultan [[Mahmud Shah (Sultan of Bengal)|Mahmud Shah]] to trade in this area. In those days the Hooghly River was the main route for transportation and Hooghly served as an excellent trading port.

Within a few decades, the town of Hooghly turned into a major commercial centre and the largest port in Bengal. In 1579–80, [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] Emperor [[Akbar]] gave permission to a Portuguese captain Pedro Tavares to establish a city anywhere in the Bengal province. They chose Hooghly, and it became the first European settlement in Bengal. In 1599, the Portuguese traders built a [[convent]] and a [[Church (building)|church]] in [[Bandel]]. This was the first Christian church in Bengal and is known as ‘Bandel Church’ today.

The Portuguese traders started [[History of slavery|slave trading]], [[robbery]] and [[Religious conversion|converting natives into Christians]] by pressure. At one point they stopped paying taxes to the [[Mughal Empire]]. As a result, Emperor [[Shah Jahan]] ordered the then-ruler of Bengal province, [[Qasim Khan Juvayni]], to blockade the city of Hooghly. This led to a war in 1632 in which the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] were defeated.

Among other European powers that came to Hooghly were the [[Netherlands|Dutch]], the [[Denmark|Danish]], the [[United Kingdom|British]], the [[France|French]], the [[Belgium|Belgians]] and the [[Germany|Germans]]. Dutch traders centred their activities in the town [[Hugli-Chuchura|Chuchura]] which is south of Hooghly. [[Chandannagar]] became the base of the French and the city remained under their control from 1816 to 1950. Similarly, the Danish establishment in settlement in [[Serampore]] (1755). All these towns are on the west bank of the [[Hooghly River]] and served as ports. Among these European countries, the British ultimately became most powerful.
[[File:Chinsurah N.S Road.jpg|thumb|left|Chinsurah N.S Road]]

Initially the British were based in and around the city of Hooghly like traders from other countries. In 1690 [[Job Charnock]] decided to shift the British trading centre from Hooghly-Chinsura to [[Calcutta]]. The reason behind this decision was the strategically safe location of Calcutta and its proximity to the [[Bay of Bengal]]. As a result, trade and commerce in the [[Bengal]] province shifted from the town of Hooghly to Calcutta. Hooghly lost its importance as Calcutta prospered.

After the [[Battle of Buxar]] this region was brought under direct British rule until India's independence in 1947. After independence, this district merged into the state of [[West Bengal]].

Though the city of Hooghly is more than 500 years old, the district of Hooghly was formed in 1795 with the city of Hooghly as its headquarters. Later the headquarters shifted to the town of [[Hugli-Chuchura|Chuchura]]. In 1843 the [[Howrah district]] was created from the southern portion of this district. And in 1872, the south-west portion of this district was merged into the [[Medinipur district]]. The last change in area occurred in 1966.
[[File:Some_village_in_Hooghly.jpg|thumb|A village in Hooghly]]

== Tarakeswar Temple ==
The [[Taraknath Temple]], dedicated to the Hindu god [[Shiva]] worshiped as Taraknath, is a major pilgrimage spot in the town of [[Tarakeswar]]. Built in 1729, the temple is an ‘atchala’ structure of Bengal temple architecture with a ‘[[Nata mandir|natmandir]]’ in front. Close by are the shrines of [[Kali]] and [[Lakshmi Narayan]]. Dudhpukur, a tank to the north of the Shiva temple is believed to fulfil the prayers of those taking a dip in it.

Pilgrims visit the temple throughout the year, especially on Mondays. Thousands of pilgrims visit Tarakeswar on the occasions of [[Shivaratri]] and ‘[[Gajan (festival)|Gajan]]’, the former taking place in [[Phalguna|Phalgun]] (Feb-March) while the latter lasts for five days ending on the last day of Chaitra (mid-April). The month of [[Shraavana|Sravana]] (mid-July to mid-August) is seen to be auspicious for Shiva when celebrations are held on each Monday.

== Geography ==
[[File:Map of hooghly district .jpg|thumb|Map of Hooghly District showing CD blocks and municipal areas]]
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2024}}
The district is flat, with no place having an elevation of more than 200 meters.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The River Hooghly borders it to the east. Another major river is the [[Damodar River|Damodar]]. The district is bordered by [[Howrah district]] to the south, [[Purba Bardhaman]] District to the north, and to the east by the [[River Hooghly]]. [[Bankura]] District lies to the north-west, with [[Paschim Medinipur]] District to the south-west.

== Economy ==
Hooghly is one of the most economically developed districts in West Bengal. It is the main [[jute cultivation]], [[jute industry]], and [[jute trade]] hub in the state. The jute mills are along the banks of the river Hooghly in [[Tribeni, Hooghly|Tribeni]], Bhadreswar, Champdani and Sreerampur.

There are a number of industrial complexes including one of the largest car manufacturing plants in India, the Hindustan Motors plant in Uttarpara.

It was also home to the [[Tata Nano Singur controversy|Singur Tata Nano controversy.]] Hindustan Motors plant was closed in 2014.
Bandel Thermal power plant and Tribeni tissue plant (ITC) are running smoothly.

== Divisions ==
=== Administrative subdivisions ===
[[File:Subdivision of Hooghly District.jpg|thumb|right|Subdivision of Hooghly district map]]
The district comprises four subdivisions: Chinsurah, Chandannagore, Srirampore and Arambagh.
* [[Chinsurah subdivision]] consists of two municipalities ([[Hugli-Chuchura]] and [[Bansberia]]) and five community development blocs: Balagarh, Chinsurah–Mogra, Dhaniakhali, Pandua and Polba–Dadpur.
* [[Chandannagore subdivision]] consists of [[Chandannagar]] municipal corporation and three municipalities ([[Bhadreswar, Hooghly|Bhadreswar]], [[Champdani]] and [[Tarakeswar]]) and three community development blocs: Haripal, Singur and Tarakeswar.
* [[Srirampore subdivision]] consists of six municipalities ([[Serampore]], [[Uttarpara Kotrung]], [[Dankuni]], [[Konnagar]], [[Rishra]] and [[Baidyabati]]) and four community development blocks: Chanditala–I, Chanditala–II, Jangipara and Sreerampur Uttarpara.
* [[Arambag subdivision|Arambagh subdivision]] consists of [[Arambag]] municipality and six community development blocks: Arambag, Khanakul–I, Khanakul–II, Goghat–I, Goghat–II and Pursurah.<ref name=blocdir>{{cite web |url=http://wbdemo5.nic.in/writereaddata/Directoryof_District_Block_GPs(RevisedMarch-2008).doc |title=Directory of District, Sub division, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal, March 2008 |date=19 March 2008 |access-date=4 December 2008 |work=West Bengal |publisher=National Informatics Centre, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225032419/http://wbdemo5.nic.in/writereaddata/Directoryof_District_Block_GPs%28RevisedMarch-2008%29.doc |archive-date=25 February 2009 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

[[Hugli-Chuchura]] is the district headquarters. There are 23 police stations, 18 development blocks, 12 municipalities and 207 [[gram panchayat]]s in this district.<ref name=blocdir /><ref name=adminsetup>{{cite web |url=http://hooghly.nic.in/Municpal_elec/General_information.htm |title=Municipal General Election 2005: Hooghly District |publisher=Official website of Hooghly district |access-date=13 December 2008}}</ref>

Other than municipality area, each subdivision contains community development blocks that are divided into rural areas and census towns. There are 41 urban units: 12 municipalities and 64 [[census town]]s.<ref name=adminsetup /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/02/FrameTable4_12.htm |title=Population, Decadal Growth Rate, Density and General Sex Ratio by Residence and Sex, West Bengal/ District/ Sub District, 1991 and 2001 |access-date=4 December 2008 |work=West Bengal |publisher=Directorate of census operations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719035701/http://web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/02/FrameTable4_12.htm |archive-date=19 July 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==== Chinsurah subdivision ====
* Two municipalities: [[Hugli-Chinsurah]] and [[Bansberia]]
* [[Balagarh (community development block)|Balagarh]] community development block consists of rural areas with 13 gram panchayats and four census towns: [[Jirat]], [[Sripur, Hooghly|Sripur]], [[Badhagachhi]], [[Mirdhanga]].
* [[Chinsurah Mogra]] community development block consists of rural areas with 10 gram panchayats and eight census towns: [[Kodalia]], [[Raghunathpur (PS-Magra)|Raghunathpur]], [[Madhusudanpur]], [[Amodghata]], [[Shankhanagar]], [[Chak Bansberia]], [[Kulihanda]], [[Simla, West Bengal|Simla]].
* [[Dhaniakhali (community development block)|Dhaniakhali]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 18 gram panchayats.
* [[Pandua (community development block)|Pandua]] community development block consists of rural areas with 15 gram panchayats and three census towns: [[Boinchi]], [[Pandua, Hooghly|Pandua]] and [[Batika]].
* [[Polba Dadpur]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 12 gram panchayats.

==== Chandannagore subdivision ====
* [[Chandannagar]] municipal corporation
* Three municipalities: [[Bhadreswar, Hooghly|Bhadreswar]], [[Champdani]], and [[Tarakeswar]]
* [[Haripal (community development block)|Haripal]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 15 gram panchayats one census town: [[Bargachhia]].
* [[Singur (community development block)|Singur]] community development block consists of rural areas with 16 gram panchayats and one census town: [[Singur]].
* [[Tarakeswar (community development block)|Tarakeswar]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 10 gram panchayats.

==== Srirampore subdivision ====
* Six municipalities: [[Serampore]], [[Uttarpara Kotrung]], [[Konnagar]], [[Rishra]], [[Dankuni]] and [[Baidyabati]]
* [[Chanditala I]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 9 gram panchayats and 2 census towns: [[Masat, Hooghly|Masat]], [[Gangadharpur]], Aniya, Bhagabatipur, Haripur, Krishnarampur, Kumirmorah, Nawabpur, Sheakhala.
* [[Chanditala II]] community development block consists of rural areas with 11 gram panchayats and 10 census towns: [[Purba Tajpur]], [[Kharsarai]], [[Begampur, India|Begampur]], [[Chikrand]], [[Pairagachha]], [[Monoharpur]], [[Barijhati]], [[Garalgachha]], [[Krishnapur, Chanditala|Krishnapur]] and [[Mrigala]].
* [[Jangipara (community development block)|Jangipara]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 10 gram panchayats.
* [[Sreerampur Uttarpara]] community development block consists of rural areas with six gram panchayats and six census towns: [[Raghunathpur (PS-Dankuni)|Raghunathpur]], [[Dakshin Rajyadharpur]], [[Bamunari]], Rishra, [[Nabagram Colony|Nabagram]] and [[Kanaipur]].

==== Arambagh subdivision ====
* One municipality: [[Arambag]].
* Arambag community development block consists of rural areas only with 15 gram panchayats.
* [[Khanakul I]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 13 gram panchayats.
* [[Khanakul II]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 11 gram panchayats.
* [[Goghat I]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 8 gram panchayats.
* [[Goghat II]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 9 gram panchayats.
* [[Pursurah (community development block)|Pursurah]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 8 gram panchayats.

=== Blocks map ===
<gallery widths="150px" heights="100px">
File:ARAMBAG CD BLOCK MAP.svg|Arambag CD block map showing GP and urban areas
File:Balagarh CD block map.svg|Balagarh CD block showing GP areas
File:CHANDITALA-I CD BLOCK MAP 1.svg|Chanditala-I CD block map showing GP areas
File:CHANDITALA-II CD BLOCK MAP.svg|Chanditala-II CD block map showing GP and urban areas
File:Chinsurah-Mogra CD Block.svg|Chinsurah-Mogra CD block map showing GP and urban areas
File:Dhaniakhali CD block map.svg|Dhaniakhali CD block showing GP areas
File:Goghat-I CD block map.svg|Goghat-I CD block map showing GP areas
File:Goghat-II CD block map.svg|Goghat-II CD block showing GP areas
File:HARIPAL CD BLOCK MAP.svg|Haripal CD block map showing GP areas
File:JANGIPARA CD BLOCK MAP.svg|Jangipara CD block map showing GP areas
File:Khanakul-I CD Block.svg|Khanakul-I CD block map showings GP areas
File:Khanakul-II CD block map.svg|Khanakul-II CD block Map showing GP areas
File:Map of Pursurah CD block.svg|Pursurah CD block map showing GP areas
File:Pandua CD Block map.svg|Pandua CD block map showing GP areas
File:Polba-Dadpur CD block .svg|Polba-Dadpur CD block map showing GP areas
File:SINGUR CD BLOCK MAP.svg|Singur CD block map showing GP and urban areas
File:Sreerampur Uttarpara CD Block Map.svg|Seerampur-Uttarpara CD block map showing GP and urban areas
File:Tarokeswr CD Block Map.svg|Tarokeswr CD block map showing GP and urban areas
</gallery>

=== Assembly constituencies ===
The district is divided into 18 [[assembly constituency|assembly constituencies]]:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S25/WB_ACPC.pdf |title=General election to the Legislative Assembly, 2001–List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies |access-date=19 November 2008 |work=West Bengal |publisher=Election Commission of India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060504185949/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S25/WB_ACPC.pdf |archive-date=4 May 2006 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!No.
!Constituency
!Lok Sabha
!MLA
!colspan="2"|[[2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|2026 Winner]]
!colspan="2"|2024 Lead
|-
|185
|[[Uttarpara Assembly constituency|Uttarpara]]
|rowspan="3" |[[Sreerampur Lok Sabha constituency|Sreerampur]]
|Dipanjan Chakraborty
|{{Full party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party|rowspan=9}}
|{{Full party name with color|Trinamool Congress|rowspan=5}}
|-
|186
|[[Sreerampur Assembly constituency|Sreerampur]]
|Bhaskar Bhattacharya
|-
|187
|[[Champdani Assembly constituency|Champdani]]
|Dilip Singh
|-
|188
|[[Singur Assembly constituency|Singur]]
|rowspan="6" |[[Hooghly Lok Sabha constituency|Hooghly]]
|Arup Kumar Das
|-
|189
|[[Chandannagar Assembly constituency|Chandannagar]]
|Dipanjan Guha
|-
|190
|[[Chunchura Assembly constituency|Chunchura]]
|Subir Nag
|{{Full party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party|rowspan=2}}
|-
|191
|[[Balagarh Assembly constituency|Balagarh (SC)]]
|Sumana Sarkar
|-
|192
|[[Pandua Assembly constituency|Pandua]]
|Tushar Kumar Majumdar
|{{Full party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}
|-
|193
|[[Saptagram Assembly constituency|Saptagram]]
|Swaraj Ghosh
|{{Full party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}
|-
|194
|[[Chanditala Assembly constituency|Chanditala]]
|rowspan="2" |[[Sreerampur Lok Sabha constituency|Sreerampur]]
|[[Swati Khandoker]]
|{{Full party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}
|{{Full party name with color|Trinamool Congress|rowspan=5}}
|-
|195
|[[Jangipara Assembly constituency|Jangipara]]
|Prosenjit Bag
|{{Full party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party|rowspan=2}}
|-
|196
|[[Haripal Assembly constituency|Haripal]]
|[[Arambagh Lok Sabha constituency|Arambagh]]
|Madhumita Ghosh
|-
|197
|[[Dhanekhali Assembly constituency|Dhanekhali (SC)]]
|[[Hooghly Lok Sabha constituency|Hooghly]]
|[[Ashima Patra]]
|{{Full party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}
|-
|198
|[[Tarakeswar Assembly constituency|Tarakeswar]]
|rowspan="5" |[[Arambagh Lok Sabha constituency|Arambagh]]
|Santu Pan
|{{Full party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party|rowspan=5}}
|-
|199
|[[Pursurah Assembly constituency|Pursurah]]
|[[Bimal Ghosh (politician)|Biman Ghosh]]
|{{Full party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}
|-
|200
|[[Arambag Assembly constituency|Arambagh (SC)]]
|Hemanta Bag
|{{Full party name with color|Trinamool Congress}}
|-
|201
|[[Goghat Assembly constituency|Goghat (SC)]]
|Prashanta Digar
|{{Full party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party|rowspan=2}}
|-
|202
|[[Khanakul Assembly constituency|Khanakul]]
|[[Susanta Ghosh (politician)|Susanta Ghosh]]
|}

12 constituencies Balagarh, Dhaniakhali, Khanakul and Goghat constituencies are reserved for [[Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes|Scheduled Castes (SC)]] candidates. Along with two assembly constituencies from [[Howrah district]], Jangipara, Chanditala, Uttarpara, Sreerampur and Champdani constituencies form the [[Sreerampur Lok Sabha constituency]]. Chandannagar, Singur, Chunchura, Balagarh, Saptagram, Pandua and Dhanekhali constituencies form the [[Hooghly Lok Sabha constituency]]. Tarakeswar, Pursurah, Khanakul, Arambagh, Haripal and Goghat constituencies are part of the [[Arambagh Lok Sabha constituency]], which contains two assembly segments in [[Paschim Medinipur district]].

As per order of the [[Delimitation Commission]] in respect of the [[delimitation of constituencies]] in the West Bengal, the district will be divided into 18 assembly constituencies:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wbgov.com/e-gov/English/DELIMITATION.pdf |title=Press Note, Delimitation Commission |access-date=19 November 2008 |work=Assembly Constituencies in West Bengal |publisher=Delimitation Commission}}</ref> Balagarh, Dhanekhali, Arambag and Goghat constituencies will be reserved for [[Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes|Scheduled Castes (SC)]] candidates. Along with two assembly constituencies from [[Howrah district]], Uttarpara, Sreerampur, Champdani, Chanditala and Jangipara constituencies will form the [[Sreerampur (Lok Sabha constituency)]]. Singur, Chandannagar, Chunchura, Balagarh, Pandua, Saptagram and Dhanekhali constituencies will form the [[Hooghly (Lok Sabha constituency)]]. Haripal, Tarakeswar, Pursurah, Arambag, Goghat and Khankul constituencies will be part of the [[Arambag (Lok Sabha constituency)]], which will contain one assembly segment in [[Paschim Medinipur district]].

=== Police administration ===
Hooghly District comes under Burdwan Police Range. Hooghly Rural Police District was created on 30 June 2017, curbing out of erstwhile Hooghly district. Presently it consists of sixteen police station with jurisdiction, one women police station and one Cyber Police Station. The head quarter of Hooghly Rural Police District was shifted to Kamarkundu under Singur PS from Chinsura.
Chandannagar Police Commissionerate was formed after bifurcation of the Hooghly Police District, and has nine police stations under its jurisdiction established on 30 June 2017, is a police force with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within certain urban parts of Hooghly district. The Commissionerate is part of the West Bengal Police, and comes under the Department of Home & Hill Affairs, Government of West Bengal.

For the functioning of 23 police stations of the district, District Intelligence Branch, District Enforcement Branch and District Reserve Police Force SP, Hooghly is assisted by three additional superintendents:
* HQ: Having his office at Chinsurah, he looks after the Sadar Sub-Division and District Police Force, being assisted by Dy.S.P. (HQ) and Dy.S.P. (D&T).
* Industrial: He is in Serampore. He is the supervising officer for Serampore and Chandernagore Sub Divisions, assisted by SDPO: Serampore and SDPO: Chandernagore.
* Rural: He is in Arambagh and is the supervising officer for Arambagh Sub Division; being assisted by SDPO: Arambagh.

== Transport ==
=== Rail ===
The railway communication of the district, especially at the suburban area, are available throughout the district.

There are four junction stations in Hooghly:
* [[Bandel Junction railway station]]
* [[Dankuni Junction railway station]]
* [[Sheoraphuli railway station]]
* [[Kamarkundu]]
The railway is under Howrah Division. The Howrah – New Delhi Rajdhani Route passes through the district

=== Bus ===

There are several bus stands in Hooghly district. [[Grand Trunk Road]] passes through the district and Private and Govt. buses are available.

== Demographics ==

{{historical populations|11=1901|12=10,76,416|13=1911|14=11,15,927|15=1921|16=11,05,907|17=1931|18=11,41,558|19=1941|20=14,15,934|21=1951|22=16,05,004|23=1961|24=22,31,288|25=1971|26=28,72,116|27=1981|28=35,57,306|29=1991|30=43,55,230|31=2001|32=50,41,976|33=2011|34=55,19,145|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901]</ref>|align=center}}

According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]] Hooghly district has a [[Demographics of India|population]] of 5,519,145,<ref name=districtcensus>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=District Census Handbook: Hooghly |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/1350/download/4414/DH_2011_1912_PART_A_DCHB_HUGLI.pdf |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref> roughly equal to the nation of [[Denmark]]<ref name="cia">{{cite web |author=US Directorate of Intelligence |title=Country Comparison:Population |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613004507/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 June 2007 |access-date=1 October 2011 |quote=Denmark 5,529,888, July 2011 est.}}</ref> or the US state of [[Wisconsin]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php |title=2010 Resident Population Data |publisher=U. S. Census Bureau |access-date=30 September 2011 |quote=Wisconsin 5,686,986 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019160532/http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php |archive-date=19 October 2013 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> This gives it a ranking of 16th in India (out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name=districtcensus /> The district has a population density of {{convert|1753|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}}.<ref name=districtcensus /> Its [[Family planning in India|population growth rate]] over the decade 2001–2011 was 9.49%.<ref name=districtcensus /> Hugli has a [[sex ratio]] of 958 [[Women in India|females]] for every 1000 males,<ref name=districtcensus /> and a [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] of 82.55%. 38.57% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 24.35% and 4.15% of the population respectively.<ref name=districtcensus />

{{See also|List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate}}

=== Religion ===
{{bar box
|title = Religion in Hooghly district (2011)<ref name="religion"/>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in West Bengal|Hinduism]]|darkorange|82.89}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in West Bengal|Islam]]|green|15.77}}
{{bar percent|[[Sarnaism|Sarna]]|maroon|0.89}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.45}}
}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Religion in Hooghly district
!Religion
!Population (1941)<ref name="1941religion">{{cite web |title=CENSUS OF INDIA, 1941 VOLUME VI BENGAL PROVINCE |url=https://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10973/37365/GIPE-020591.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y |access-date=13 August 2022}}</ref>{{rp|75}}
!Percentage (1941)
!Population (2011)<ref name="religion">{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-01 Population by Religion: West Bengal |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11396/download/14509/DDW19C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>
!Percentage (2011)
|-
|[[Hinduism]] [[File:Om.svg|16x16px]]
|799,688
|74.2%
|4,574,569
|82.89%
|-
|[[Islam]] [[File:Star_and_Crescent.svg|15x15px]]
|207,077
|19.2%
|870,204
|15.77%
|-
|Tribal religion{{Efn|All tribals were counted under 'Tribal' in the 1941 census irrespective of actual religion practiced.}}
|69,500
|6.45%
|49,050
|0.89%
|-
|Others{{efn|Including [[Jainism]], [[Christianity]], [[Buddhism]], [[Zoroastrianism]], [[Judaism]], [[Ad-Dharmi]]s, or not stated}}
|1,464
|0.15%
|25,322
|0.45%
|-
|'''Total Population'''
|'''1,077,729'''
|'''100%'''
|'''5,519,145'''
|'''100%'''
|}
Hindus are the majority community in the district. Muslims are the largest minority, concentrated more in rural areas.

===Language===
{{ Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Languages of Hooghly district (2011)<ref name="languages"/>
|label1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]] |value1 = 87.49 |color1 = orchid
|label2 = [[Hindi]] |value2 = 7.59 |color2 = orange
|label3 = [[Santali language|Santali]] |value3 = 2.37 |color3 = darkturquoise
|label4 = [[Urdu]] |value4 = 1.72 |color4 = Green
|label5 = Others |value5 = 0.83 |color5 = Grey
}}

At the time of the 2011 census, 87.49% of the population spoke [[Bengali language|Bengali]], 7.59% [[Hindi]], 2.37% [[Santali language|Santali]] and 1.72% [[Urdu]] as their first language. Hindi and Urdu speakers are predominantly found in urban areas.<ref name="languages">{{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: West Bengal|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10226/download/13338/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1900.XLSX|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

== Education ==
[[File:Chandernagore Govt. College.jpg|thumb|Chandernagore Govt. College]]
There are 2992 primary schools, 408 high schools, 127 higher secondary schools, 22 colleges, and 6 technical institutes in Hooghly district.
Notable institutions include:


* [[Balagarh Bijoy Krishna Mahavidyalaya]]
* Chatra Nandalal Institution
* [[Furfura Fatehia Senior Madrasah]] established in 1902
* [[Government College of Engineering & Textile Technology, Serampore]]
* [[Hooghly Branch Government School]]
* [[Hooghly Collegiate School]] established in 1812
* [[Hooghly Madrasah]] established in 1817<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://twocircles.net/2010apr12/two_hundred_year_old_hooghly_madrasa_facing_closure.html|title=Two-hundred-year-old Hooghly Madrasa facing closure – TwoCircles.net|last=TwoCircles.net|date=12 April 2010|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-01}}</ref>
* [[Hooghly Mohsin College]] established in 1836
* [[Mahesh High School]]
* [[Mahesh Sri Ramkrishna Ashram Vidyalaya (Higher Secondary)]]
* [[Rani Rashmoni Green University]] established in 2018
* [[Sarat Centenary College]]
* [[Saroj Mohan Institute of Technology]]
* [[Serampore College]]
* [[Serampore Girls' College]]
* [[Serampore Girl's High School]]
* [[Serampore Union Institution]]
* [[St Joseph's Convent, Chandannagar]]
* [[Vivekananda Mahavidyalaya, Haripal]]

== Historical places ==
[[File:Babataraknathtemple.jpg|thumb|[[Taraknath Temple|Taraknath Temple, Tarakeswar]]]]
{{unsourced section|date=August 2023}}
*[[Tarakeswar]], home of [[Taraknath Temple]].{{when|date=August 2023}}
* [[Serampore]], where the [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]] was established
* [[Bandel]], home of [[Bandel Church]], West Bengal's oldest church
* [[Furfura Sharif]], [[Shrine]] of Pir [[Mohammad Abu Bakr Siddique]]

== Notable people ==
This is a list of notable people from Hooghly District:
*[[Sridhara]] was an Indian mathematician, Sanskrit pandit and philosopher. Sridharacharya's formula is also known as the [[Quadratic formula]] or Sridharacharya's method.
*[[Panchanan Karmakar]], inventor of wooden [[Bengali language|Bengali]] alphabet typeface
*[[Anil Chatterjee]] is an actor.
*[[Brajendra Nath Seal]] was a humanist philosopher.
*[[Diwan Mohanlal]], born in [[Guptipara]], was a [[Hindus|Hindu]] King, and the Chief commander of [[Nawab Siraj au Daulla]].
*[[Raja Ram Mohan Roy]], born in [[Radhanagore]]. He is considered as the "Father of the Indian Renaissance". He was one of the founders of the Brahmo Sabha, the precursor of the Brahmo Samaj, a socio-religious (Hindu) reform movement in Undivided India.
*[[Nibaran Chandra Mukherjee]] was a Brahmo reformer.
*[[Haji Muhammad Mohsin]] was a famous philanthropist.
*Bhaduri Mahasaya, revered as Maharishi Nagendranath Bhaduri, once guided young minds as headmaster of Janai Training High School.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chatterjee |first=Jaba |title=LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF MAHARSHI NAGENDRANATH |publisher=Sabitadeb Banerjee |year=2023 |edition=3rd |location=Sanatan Dharma Pracharini Sabha (1891), Shree Shree Nagendra Math (1916), Nagendra Mission (2005), 2B Rammohan Roy Road, Kolkata- 700 009 |pages=12 |language=English}}</ref> Bhaduri Mahasaya was also known as "The Levitating Saint" due to accounts of his levitation during intense [[pranayama]] practices, as described by [[Paramahansa Yogananda]] in his [[Autobiography of a Yogi]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Yogananda |first=Paramhansa |title=The Levitating Saint, AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI |publisher=YOGODA SATSANG SOCIETY OF INDIA |year=2023 |isbn=978-81-93939-71-0 |location=Yogoda Satsang Math, 21, U.N Mukherjee Road, Dakshineswar, Kolkata 7000076 |pages=59 |language=English}}</ref> His maternal uncle’s home in Chatra, [[Serampore]] was a cherished haven, where he often stayed and immersed himself in quiet contemplation.
*[[Satish Chandra Mukherjee]], born in Banipur, was a pioneer in establishing a system of national education in India.
*[[Ramdas Adak]], Bengali and Sanskrit poet, one of the composers of [[Dharmamangal]]
*[[Subroto Mukherjee]] was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force.
*[[Ganga Prasad Mukherjee]] was a physician.
*[[Jagannath Tarka Panchanan]] was a legendary Sanskrit scholar and pundit of ancient Hindu Laws.
*[[Ramakrishna]] was a Hindu mystic, saint, and religious leader in 19th century Bengal.
*[[Nagendranath Basu]] was an archaeologist, encyclopaedist and a nationalist social historian of Bengal.
*[[Amiya Chakravarty]] was a literary critic, academic, and Bengali poet. He was a close associate of [[Rabindranath Tagore]], and edited several books of his poetry.
*[[Ganapati Chakraborty]] was a magician known for his mesmerizing tricks and is considered to be the pioneer of modern magic in Bengal.
*[[Rangalal Bandyopadhyay]] was a Bengali poet, journalist and author.
*[[Kali Mirza]] was an 18th-century composer of tappā music in Bengal. A contemporary of [[Nidhu Babu]], he composed over 400 tappās.
*[[Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri]] was an Indian monk and yogi, and the guru of [[Paramahansa Yogananda]] and [[Swami Satyananda Giri]].
*[[Nagendranath Chattopadhyay]] was a noted Sanskrit scholar and grammarian.
*[[Murari Mohan Mukherjee]] was a plastic surgeon.
*[[Krishna Chandra Bhattacharya]] was a philosopher at the [[University of Calcutta]] known for his method of "constructive interpretation" through which relations and problematics of ancient Indian philosophical systems are drawn out and developed so that they can be studied like problems of modern philosophy.
*[[Sisir Kumar Mitra]] was a physicist.
*[[Madhusudan Gupta]] was a translator and Ayurvedic practitioner who was also trained in Western medicine and is credited with having performed India's first human dissection at Calcutta Medical College (CMC) in 1836, almost 3,000 years after Susruta.
*[[Prabhat Kumar Mukhopadhyay]] was a Bengali author.
*[[Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay]] was a Bengali novelist and short story writer of the early 20th century.
*[[Akshay Chandra Sarkar]] was a poet, an editor and a literary critic of Bengali literature.
*[[Raja Digambar Mitra]] was one of the leading Derozians and first Bengali Sheriff of Kolkata.
*[[Kanailal Dutta]] was a revolutionary in India's freedom struggle belonging to the Jugantar group.
*[[Ashapurna Devi]] was a prominent Indian novelist and poet in Bengali language.
*[[Brahmabandhav Upadhyay ]] was a theologian, journalist and Indian freedom fighter. He was closely attached with [[Keshub Chandra Sen]], classmate of [[Swami Vivekananda]] and close acquaintance of [[Rabindranath Tagore]].
*[[Ramnidhi Gupta]] was commonly known as Nidhu Babu . He was one of the great reformers of Bengali tappā music.
*[[Kirity Roy]], a civil rights activist working in West Bengal
*[[Motilal Roy]] was a Bengali revolutionary, journalist, social reformer. He founded the "Prabartak Sangha", a nationalist organisation for social works.
*[[Dwarka Nath Mitra]] was a famous lawyer and judge of the [[Calcutta High Court]].
*[[Nabagopal Mitra]] was an Indian playwright, poet, essayist, patriot and one of the founding fathers of Hindu nationalism. He founded the Hindu Mela, the pioneer institution behind the genesis of Hindu nationalism. Mitra also founded National Press, National Paper, National Society, National School, National Theatre, National Store, National Gymnasium and National Circus, earning him the sobriquet 'National Mitra'.
*[[Barindra Kumar Ghosh]] was an Indian revolutionary and journalist. He was one of the founding members of "Jugantar" , a Bengali weekly, a revolutionary outfit in Bengal. Barindra Kumar Ghosh was the younger brother of [[Shri Aurobindo]].
*[[Manmohan Ghose]] was an Indian poet and one of the first from India to write poetry in English. He was a brother of [[Sri Aurobindo]].
*[[Ashim Kumar Majhi]] is a politician.
*[[Nirmal Jibon Ghosh]], an Indian revolutionary and member of the Bengal volunteers.
*[[Premendra Mitra]] belonged to the renowned Mitra family of Konnagar.
*[[Surajit Dhara]], recipient of the [[Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar]] Prize for Science and Technology for his contributions to physical sciences in 2020<ref name="LIST">{{cite web |title=List of recipients |year=2020 |website=Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science & Technology |publisher=Government of India |access-date=16 August 2021|url=https://ssbprize.gov.in/WriteReadData/LatestUpdates/202009260117197601874ShantiSwarupBhatnagarPrize2020Website.pdf}}</ref>
*[[Chandranath Basu]] was an Indian [[litterateur]] who coined the term "[[Hindutva]]" and has been regarded as a doyen of economic and [[Indian nationalism]] in Bengal.
*[[Abbas Siddiqui]], religious scholar.
*[[Kasem Bin Abu Bakar]], Bengali novelist

== See also ==
* [[Rathayatra of Mahesh]], Serampore

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Hooghly district}}
{{Commons category|Map of CD Block Hooghly District|Map of CD Blocks in Hooghly District }}
* [http://www.hooghly.gov.in/ Hooghly District official homepage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001213047/http://hooghly.gov.in/ |date=1 October 2020 }}
* [https://archive.today/20140729051259/http://www.wowbengal.com/hooghly Hooghly specific information on West Bengal Portal]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090125225855/http://www.calcuttaweb.com/maps/hoogli.shtml Hooghly District map]
* [http://www.hooghlydistrict.info/ Hooghly District information]

{{Geographic location
| Centre = Hooghly district
| North = [[Bardhaman district]]
| Northeast = [[Nadia district]]
| East = [[North 24 Parganas district]]
| Southeast =
| South = [[Howrah district]]
| Southwest =
| West = [[West Midnapore]] district
| Northwest = [[Bankura district]]
}}

{{Hooghly District}}
{{Districts of West Bengal}}
{{Hooghly topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hooghly district| ]]
[[Category:Districts of West Bengal]]

Keshpur community development block

2026-02-17T10:59:56Z

2A02:587:3E0B:FA00:2422:6075:D820:7816:

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Keshpur
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Community development block
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_map = Keshpur in Paschim Medinipur (West Bengal).svg
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India
| coordinates = {{coord|22.554497|N|87.461149|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[West Bengal]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Paschim Medinipur district|Paschim Medinipur]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Federalism in India|Federal democracy]]
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 483.15
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 43
| population_total = 339,258
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[English language|English]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 721150 (Keshpur)<br/>721122 (Anandapur)
| area_code = 03225
| registration_plate = [[List of RTO districts in India#WB.E2.80.94West Bengal|WB]]-34
| blank1_name_sec1 = Literacy
| blank1_info_sec1 = 85.24%
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Ghatal (Lok Sabha constituency)|Ghatal]]
| blank3_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank3_info_sec1 = [[Keshpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Keshpur]]
| website = {{URL|paschimmedinipur.gov.in/}}
| footnotes =
}}

'''Keshpur''' is a [[Community development block in India|community development block]] that forms an administrative division in [[Medinipur Sadar subdivision]] of [[Paschim Medinipur district]] in the Indian [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[West Bengal]].

==History==

===Electoral area control===
After the 1998 panchayat elections, the [[All India Trinamool Congress|Trinamool Congress]] started from this one-horse town, a programme to mobilise the surrounding villagers. It meant challenging the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)'s]] domination over the electoral process. It is widely suspected that particularly in the rural areas it followed a regime perfected by them in which the non-party voters were virtually debarred from voting. The Keshpur rebels began questioning this. From 1998 Keshpur was caught in bloody clashes between the CPI(M) and the Trinamul Congress over control of the area. Keshpur became a place synonymous with political vendetta and bloodshed.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Keshpur-Memories-smoulder-in-killing-fields/articleshow/4465783.cms | access-date = 17 July 2016 | title = Memories smoulder in the killing fields | publisher = The Times of India, 30 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060414/asp/bengal/story_6097653.asp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121023194705/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060414/asp/bengal/story_6097653.asp | url-status = dead | archive-date = October 23, 2012 | access-date = 11 November 2009 | title = Not in fray, but on all minds | publisher = The Telegraph, 14 April 2006 | location=Calcutta, India | first=Naresh | last=Jana | date=2006-04-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url =http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080310/jsp/nation/story_9001156.jsp | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121023194734/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080310/jsp/nation/story_9001156.jsp | url-status =dead | archive-date =October 23, 2012 | access-date = 11 November 2009 | title = Killing fields of Bengal's Keshpur | publisher = The Telegraph, 10 March 2008 | location=Calcutta, India | first=John | last=Mary | date=2008-03-10}}</ref>
As of 2016, Keshpur has continued with its political killing fields, the activities quite often spilling over to neighbouring areas such as Garhbeta.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141024/jsp/bengal/story_18957511.jsp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141029104633/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141024/jsp/bengal/story_18957511.jsp | url-status = dead | archive-date = October 29, 2014 | title = Sushanta named in murder FIR | publisher = The Telegraph, 24 October 2014 | location=Calcutta, India | access-date = 24 July 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.thequint.com/india/2016/04/26/west-bengal-2016-assembly-polls-mamata-bannerjee-cpim-violence-elections | title = Bengal's Violent Electoral Politics – No Badlav but lot of Badlaa | publisher = quint.com | first= Chandan | last= Nandy | date= 20 April 2016 | access-date = 24 July 2016}}</ref>

==Geography==

In Keshpur CD block 75% of the cultivated area has [[alluvium|alluvial]] soil and 25% has [[laterite|lateritic]] soil. Keshpur CD block is drought prone.<ref name="geography">{{cite web | url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/DHDR_Paschim%20Medinipur.pdf | title = District Human Development Report: Paschim Medinipur | work = page 26 (Predominant Soil), pages 265- 268 (Identification of Flood prone areas, Names of drought prone blocks) | publisher = Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2011 | access-date = 2 January 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170329040941/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/DHDR_Paschim%20Medinipur.pdf | archive-date = 29 March 2017 | url-status = dead}}</ref>

Keshpur is located at {{coord|22.554497|N|87.461149|E|format=dms|}}.

Keshpur CD block is bounded by [[Garhbeta III]] and [[Chandrakona II]] CD blocks in the north, [[Chandrakona I]], [[Daspur I]] and [[Debra (community development block)|Debra]] CD blocks in the east, [[Kharagpur II]] and [[Midnapore Sadar (community development block)|Midnapore Sadar]] CD blocks in the south and [[Salboni (community development block)|Salboni]] CD block in the west.

It is located 24 km from [[Midnapore]], the district headquarters.

Keshpur CD block has an area of 483.15 km<sup>2</sup>. It has 1 [[Panchayat Samiti (Block)|panchayat samity]], 15 [[gram panchayat]]s, 230 gram sansads (village councils), 634 [[mouza]]s and 570 inhabited villages. [[Keshpur#Police station|Keshpur]] and [[Anandapur, Paschim Medinipur#Police station|Anandapur]] police stations serve this block.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook|title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Paschim Medinipur |work = Tables 2.1, 2.2 |publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal |access-date = 14 September 2020}}</ref> Headquarters of this CD block is at Keshpur.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/DCHB/DCHB_A/19/1918_PART_A_DCHB_PASCHIM%20MEDINIPUR.pdf |title = District Census Handbook: Paschim Medinipur | work= Map of Paschim Medinipur with CD block HQs and Police Stations (on the fifth page) |publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011 | access-date = 20 November 2016 }}</ref>

Keshpur CD block had a forest cover of 2,070 hectares, against a total geographical area of 47,567 hectares in 2005–06.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/DHDR_Paschim%20Medinipur.pdf | title = District Human Development Report, Paschim Medinipur | work = Table 2.4, Page 28 | publisher = Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, May 2011 | access-date = 2 January 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170329040941/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/DHDR_Paschim%20Medinipur.pdf | archive-date = 29 March 2017 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

[[Gram panchayat]]s of Keshpur block/ panchayat samiti are: Amanpur, Amarkuchi, Anandapur, Dhalhara, Enayatpur, Golar, Jagganathpur, Jhentla, Jorakeudi-Solidiha, Kalagram, Keshpur, Mugbasan, Sarishakhola, Sirsa and Teghori.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/PANCHAYATS.aspx |title = Directory of District, Subdivision, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal |work = Paschim Medinipur - Revised in March 2008 | publisher= Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 1 August 2016}}</ref>

==Demographics==

===Population===
According to the [[2011 Census of India]], Keshpur CD block had a total population of 339,248, all of which were rural. There were 173,504 (51%) males and 165,744 (49%) females. Population in the age range 0–6 years was 44,940. [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Castes]] numbered 89,726 (26.45%) and [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Tribes]] numbered 19,616 (5.78%).<ref name=census2011>{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/pca/cdb_pca_census/Houselisting-housing-WB.html |title = CD block wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA) | work= 2011 census: West Bengal – District-wise CD blocks|publisher= Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India | access-date = 3 May 2016}}</ref>

As per 2001 census, Keshpur block had a total population of 288,494, out of which 147,743 were males and 140,751 were females. Keshpur block registered a population growth of 19.37 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for the combined Midnapore district was 14.87 per cent.<ref name=census>{{cite web | url =http://web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/02/Table4_15.htm | title = Provisional population totals, West Bengal, Table 4, (erstwhile) Medinipur District | access-date = 22 July 2016 | work = Census of India 2001 | publisher = Census Commission of India|url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110928205819/http://web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/02/Table4_15.htm|archive-date=September 28, 2011}}</ref> Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.45 per cent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wbcensus.gov.in/DataTables/02/Table4_1.htm |title=Provisional Population Totals, West Bengal. Table 4 |access-date= 17 July 2016 |work=Census of India 2001 |publisher=Census Commission of India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927041813/http://www.wbcensus.gov.in/DataTables/02/Table4_1.htm |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref>

Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in Keshpur CD block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Keshpur (4,577), Mugbasan (4,838) and Anandapur (11,461).<ref name=census2011/>

Other villages in Keshpur CD block include (2011 census figures in brackets): Enayatpur (1,478), Sarisha Khola (1,957), Amarkuchi (2,598), Teghari (1,393), Jagannathpur (2,932), Golar (2,023), Amanpur (1,707), Jorakendi (719), Shirsha (611), Kalagram (1,937) and Dhalhara (822).<ref name=census2011/>

===Literacy===
As per the 2011 census the total number of literates in Keshpur CD block was 229,218 (85.24% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 128,345 (85.24% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 100,873 (70.18% of the female population over 6 years). The gender gap in literacy rates was 15.06%.<ref name=census2011/>

See also – [[List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate]]

{{Literacy in CD Blocks of Paschim Medinipur district|collapsible=y}}

===Language and religion===

{{bar box
|title=Religion in Keshpur CD block (2011)<ref name="religion"/>
|titlebar=#FCD116
|left1=
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in West Bengal|Hinduism]]|darkorange|71.95}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in West Bengal|Islam]]|green|27.65}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.49}}
}}

In the 2011 census Hindus numbered 248,550 and formed 71.95% of the population in Keshpur CD block. Muslims numbered 95,029 and formed 27.65% of the population. Others numbered 1,669 and formed 0.49% of the population.<ref name="religion">{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-01 Population by Religion: West Bengal |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11396/download/14509/DDW19C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref> Others include Addi Bassi, Marang Boro, Santal, Saranath, Sari Dharma, Sarna, Alchchi, Bidin, Sant, Saevdharm, Seran, Saran, Sarin, Kheria,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/SCST-Series/ST14A.html |title = ST-14 A Details Of Religions Shown Under 'Other Religions And Persuasions' In Main Table | work= West Bengal |publisher= Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India | access-date = 29 July 2016}}</ref> Christians and other religious communities. In 2001, Hindus were 72.52% and Muslims 26.64% of the population respectively.<ref name=censusreligion2001>{{cite web| url = https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/21481/download/24613/PC01_C01_19.xls|title = Table C01 Population by Religious Community: West Bengal |publisher = [[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]] |date=2001}}</ref>

{{Pie chart
|caption = Languages of Keshpur CD block (2011)<ref name="languages"/>
|label1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]] |value1 = 95.11 |color1 = orchid
|label2 = [[Santali language|Santali]] |value2 = 4.40 |color2 = darkturquoise
|label3 = Others |value3 = 0.49 |color3 = grey
}}

At the time of the 2011 census, 95.11% of the population spoke [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and 4.40% [[Santali language|Santali]] as their first language.<ref name="languages">{{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: West Bengal |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10226/download/13338/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1900.XLSX |website=www.censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

==BPL families==
In Keshpur CD block 39.90% families were living [[Below Poverty Line (India)|below poverty line]] in 2007.<ref name=bpl>{{cite web | url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/DHDR_Paschim%20Medinipur.pdf | title = District Human Development Report: Paschim Medinipur | work = May 2011. Page 177 | publisher = Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 8 January 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170329040941/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/DHDR_Paschim%20Medinipur.pdf | archive-date = 29 March 2017 | url-status = dead}}</ref>

According to the District [[Human Development Report]] of Paschim Medinipur: The 29 CD blocks of the district were classified into four categories based on the poverty ratio. Nayagram, Binpur II and Jamboni CD blocks have very high poverty levels (above 60%). Kharagpur I, Kharagpur II, Sankrail, Garhbeta II, Pingla and Mohanpur CD blocks have high levels of poverty (50-60%), Jhargram, Midnapore Sadar, Dantan I, Gopiballavpur II, Binpur I, Dantan II, Keshiari, Chandrakona I, Gopiballavpur I, Chandrakona II, Narayangarh, Keshpur, Ghatal, Sabang, Garhbeta I, Salboni, Debra and Garhbeta III CD blocks have moderate levels of poverty (25-50%) and Daspur II and Daspur I CD blocks have low levels of poverty (below 25%).<ref name=bpl/>

==Economy==
===Infrastructure===
562 or 89% of mouzas in Keshpur CD block were electrified by 31 March 2014.<ref name=handbook2014>{{cite web | url = http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook | title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Paschim Medinipur | work = Tables 2.1, 8.2, 16.1, 17.2, 18.2, 18.1, 20.1, 21.2, 4.4, 3.1, 3.3 – arranged as per use | publisher = Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 14 September 2020}}</ref>

564 mouzas in Keshpur CD block had drinking water facilities in 2013–14. There were 190 fertiliser depots, 85 seed stores and 61 [[Public distribution system|fair price shops]] in the CD block.<ref name=handbook2014/>

===Agriculture===
{{Pie chart
|caption= '''Persons engaged in agriculture<br/>in Keshpur CD block'''
|value1 = 8.80
|label1 = Bargadars
|value2 = 30.65
|label2 = Patta holders
|value3 = 3.46
|label3 = Small farmers
|value4 = 22.21
|label4 = Marginal farmers
|value5 = 34.88
|label5= Agricultural labourers}}

Although the Bargadari Act of 1950 recognised the rights of [[bargadar]]s to a higher share of crops from the land that they tilled, it was not implemented fully. Large tracts, beyond the prescribed limit of land ceiling, remained with the rich landlords. From 1977 onwards major land reforms took place in West Bengal. Land in excess of land ceiling was acquired and distributed amongst the peasants.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgsSouth/s24prg_main.htm | title = District Human Development Report: South 24 Parganas | work = (1) Chapter 1.2, South 24 Parganas in Historical Perspective, pages 7-9 (2) Chapter 3.4, Land reforms, pages 32-33 | publisher = Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2009 | access-date = 7 August 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161005044029/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgsSouth/s24prg_main.htm | archive-date = 5 October 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Following [[Land reform in India|land reforms]] land ownership pattern has undergone transformation. In 2013–14, persons engaged in agriculture in Keshpur CD block could be classified as follows: [[bargadar]]s 8.80%, patta (document) holders 30.65%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 3.46%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 22.21% and agricultural labourers 34.88%.<ref name=handbook2014/>

In 2005-06 the nett cropped area in Keshpur CD block was 36,219 hectares and the area in which more than one crop was grown was 24,526 hectares.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/DHDR_Paschim%20Medinipur.pdf | title = District Human Development Report, Paschim Medinipur | work = Table 2.4, Page 28 | publisher = Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, May 2011 | access-date = 2 January 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170329040941/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/DHDR_Paschim%20Medinipur.pdf | archive-date = 29 March 2017 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

The extension of irrigation has played a role in growth of the predominantly agricultural economy.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/DHDR_Paschim%20Medinipur.pdf | title = District Human Development Report: Paschim Medinipur | work = Chapter V: Economic Livelihoods, pages 129-131 | publisher = Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2011 | access-date = 2 January 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170329040941/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/DHDR_Paschim%20Medinipur.pdf | archive-date = 29 March 2017 | url-status = dead}}</ref> In 2013–14, the total area irrigated in Keshpur CD block was 31,965 hectares, out of which 2,500 hectares were irrigated by canal water, 3,000 hectares by tank water, 12,575 hectares by deep tubewells, 13,300 hectares by shallow tube wells, 540 hectares by river lift irrigation, 10 hectares by open dug wells and 50 hectares by other methods.<ref name=handbook2014/>

In 2013–14, Keshpur CD block produced 3,599 tonnes of [[Rice#Ecotypes and cultivars|Aman paddy]], the main winter crop, from 3,064 hectares, 474 tonnes of Aus paddy (summer crop) from 229 hectares, 39,108 tonnes of Boro paddy (spring crop) from 14,671 hectares, 1,493 tonnes of wheat from 717 hectares, 3,557 tonnes of jute from 228 hectares and 89,230 tonnes of potatoes from 7,551 hectares. It also produced pulses and oilseeds.<ref name=handbook2014/>

===Banking===
In 2013–14, Keshpur CD block had offices of 17 commercial banks and 1 [[Regional Rural Bank|gramin bank]].<ref name=handbook2014/>

==Transport==
Keshpur CD block has 3 ferry services and 19 originating/ terminating bus routes. The nearest railway station is 22 km from the CD block headquarters.<ref name=handbook2014/>

==Education==
In 2013–14, Keshpur CD block had 247 primary schools with 21,663 students, 30 middle schools with 3,788 students, 15 high schools with 13,099 students and 25 higher secondary schools with 25,553 students. Keshpur CD block had 1 general college with 1,181 students and 725 institutions for special and non-formal education with 34,391 students.<ref name=handbook2014/>

The [[United Nations Development Programme]] considers the combined primary and secondary enrolment ratio as the simple indicator of educational achievement of the children in the school going age. The infrastructure available is important. In Keshpur CD block out of the total 247 primary schools in 2008–2009, 87 had pucca buildings, 66 partially pucca, 1 kucha and 93 multiple type.<ref name=humandev2>{{cite web | url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/DHDR_Paschim%20Medinipur.pdf | title = District Human Development Report: Paschim Medinipur | work = May 2011. Page: 60 | publisher = Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 31 July 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170329040941/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/DHDR_Paschim%20Medinipur.pdf | archive-date = 29 March 2017 | url-status = dead}}</ref>

[[Sukumar Sengupta Mahavidyalaya]] is a coeducational college at [[Keshpur]] established in 2004. It is affiliated to [[Vidyasagar University]] and offers honours courses in Bengali, English, Sanskrit, geography, history, physics, chemistry and mathematics.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.collegeadmission.in/SukumarSenguptaMahavidyalaya/SukumarSenguptaMahavidyalaya.shtml |title = Sukumar Sengupta Mahavidyalaya | publisher= College Admission | access-date = 5 January 2017}}</ref>

There is also a government ITI college, named, Keshpur Government ITI '''[https://iti.wb.gov.in/institute/home/keshpur]''' in this block. This Industrial Training Institute offer courses in Fitter, Electrician, Electronic Mechanic, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Mechanic Diesel, Surveyor, Turner, Welder, and Wireman.

==Healthcare==
In 2014, Keshpur CD block had 1 rural hospital, 3 primary health centres, and 3 private nursing homes with total 82 beds and 9 doctors. It had 49 family welfare sub centres and 1 family welfare centre. 9,597 patients were treated indoor and 218,960 patients were treated outdoor in the hospitals, health centres and subcentres of the CD block.<ref name=handbook2014/>

Keshpur Rural Hospital, with 30 beds at [[Keshpur]] is the major government medical facility in the Keshpur CD block. There are [[Primary Health Centre (India)|primary health centres]] at Dhalhara (PO Pursura) (with 6 beds), Mahaboni (PO Mohabani) (with 10 beds) and Anandapur (with 6 beds).<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.wbhealth.gov.in/other_files/RH.pdf | title =Health & Family Welfare Department | work =Health Statistics – Rural Hospitals | publisher =Government of West Bengal | access-date =1 September 2020 | archive-date =8 October 2022 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20221008143352/https://www.wbhealth.gov.in/other_files/RH.pdf | url-status =dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.wbhealth.gov.in/other_files/PHC.pdf | title = Health & Family Welfare Department | work = Health Statistics – Primary Health Centres | publisher = Government of West Bengal | access-date = 1 September 2020 | archive-date = 21 April 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180421215645/https://www.wbhealth.gov.in/other_files/PHC.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|3}}

{{Municipalities of West Bengal}}
{{Paschim Medinipur topics}}

[[Category:Community development blocks in Paschim Medinipur district]]