RowenaProctor6 at 11:33, 29 October 2025

2025-10-29T11:33:59Z

New page

{{Short description|Town in West Bengal, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Birnagar
| nickname =
| settlement_type = City
| image_skyline = Birnagar.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Temples in Birnagar, Rajshekhar Basu (bottom right) & Nabin Chandra Sen (right)
| pushpin_map = India West Bengal#India3
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India
| coordinates = {{coord|23.2433|N|88.5582|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 = [[Nadia district|Nadia]]
| established_title = <!d -->
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Municipal Corporations in India|Municipality]]
| governing_body = Birnagar Municipality
| website = {{URL|www.birnagarmunicipality.org/}}
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|title=Birnagar City|url=https://www.ranaghat.gov.in/overview-of-birnagar-municipality.html}}</ref>
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 6
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 13
| population_total = 32,799
| 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_code = 741127
| registration_plate =
| footnotes =
| image_blank_emblem =
| blank_emblem_size = 600px
}}

'''Birnagar''' (formerly known as '''Ula''') is an island town situated in the [[Hooghly River]], within the [[Ranaghat]] subdivision of [[Nadia district]] in [[West Bengal|West Bengal, India]]. It traces its origins back to the pre-colonial era when it was established. Prior to the [[British Empire|British colonization]] of India, Birnagar was known as "Ula."

[[Birnagar railway station|The Birnagar railway station]] is located 81 kilometers north of [[Kolkata]] within the [[Sealdah railway division]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.wbcensus.gov.in/DataTables/01/Table-3.htm
|title=District Wise List of Statutory Towns
|access-date=2007-10-06
|work=Census of India 2001, Urban Frame
|publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927041827/http://www.wbcensus.gov.in/DataTables/01/Table-3.htm
|archive-date=2007-09-27
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

Birnagar is the oldest municipality in Nadia district, consisting of 14 wards. The first chairman of Birnagar was the renowned poet [[Nabinchandra Sen]].

==History==
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2019}}

[[File:Ruined_Bishnu_temple_at_Ula_Birnagar_in_Nadia_district,_West_Bengal_03.jpg|220x124px|thumb|right|alt=The oldest temple found at Ula is the Vishnu temple located to the north-east of the Mitra-Mustafi house.|The oldest temple found at Ula is the Vishnu temple located to the north-east of the Mitra-Mustafi house.]]
According to historical records, Birnagar was initially an island in the Hoogly River, but its course shifted away from the then settlement of Ula around 1707. Before British colonization, the area was referred to as Ula or Ulo. The name "Ula" still persists in the titles of some local institutions, such as the library and hospital, and is also mentioned in [[Rabindranath Tagore]]'s short story ''Post Master''. The Birnagar Municipality has a history of around 150 years, with its inaugural chairman being Kabi Nabinchandra Sen. In the past, Birnagar was divided between two [[Zamindar|zamindars]]: the Mukherjees and the Mustafis.

==Geography==
{{OSM Location map
| width=400| height=250| zoom=10
| coord={{coord|23|14|0|N|88|32|0|E}}| float=left|caption='''Cities and towns in Ranaghat subdivision of Nadia district'''<br/> M: municipal town/ city/notified area, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre.<br/>Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
|mark-coord1={{coord|23|13|53|N|88|23|15|E}} | label-pos1=left|label1=Nrisinghapur | numbered1=CT| mark-title1= [[Nrisinghapur]] (CT)|label-color1=#800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1=#A40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2={{coord|23|14|0|N|88|25|0|E}} | label-pos2=bottom|label2=Ghoralia | numbered2=CT| mark-title2= [[Ghoralia]] (CT)
|mark-coord3={{coord|23|15|15|N|88|28|52|E}} | label-pos3=left|label3= Harinadibhastsala | numbered3=CT| mark-title3= [[Harinadibhastsala]] (CT)
|mark-coord4={{coord|23|13|50|N|88|28|7|E}} | label-pos4=right|label4= Beharia | numbered4=CT| mark-title4= [[Beharia, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord5={{coord|23|12|5|N|88|30|22|E}} | label-pos5=left|label5= Phulia | numbered5=CT| mark-title5= [[Phulia]] (CT)
|mark-coord6={{coord|23|20|40|N|88|38|38|E}} | label-pos6=right|label6= Bagula | numbered6=CT| mark-title6= [[Bagula]] (CT)
|mark-coord7={{coord|23|18|45|N|88|31|48|E}} | label-pos7=right|label7= Badkulla | numbered7=CT| mark-title7= [[Badkulla]] (CT)
|mark-coord8={{coord|23|18|50|N|88|30|55|E}} | label-pos8=left|label8= Patuli | numbered8=CT| mark-title8= [[Patuli, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord9={{coord|23|17|20|N|88|31|47|E}} | label-pos9=right|label9= Gangni | numbered9=CT| mark-title9= [[Gangni]] (CT)
|mark-coord10={{coord|23|13|50|N|88|33|20|E}} | label-pos10=right|label10= Kamgachhi | numbered10=CT| mark-title10= [[Kamgachhi]] (CT)
|mark-coord11={{coord|23|12|55|N|88|33|40|E}} | label-pos11=left|label11= Raghabpur | numbered11=CT| mark-title11= [[Raghabpur, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord12={{coord|23|12|0|N|88|32|18|E}} | label-pos12=right|label12= Panpara | numbered12=CT| mark-title12= [[Panpara]] (CT)
|mark-coord13={{coord|23|11|15|N|88|33|32|E}} | label-pos13=left|label13= Aistala | numbered13=CT| mark-title13= [[Aistala]] (CT)
|mark-coord14={{coord|23|8|55|N|88|33|2|E}} | label-pos14=left|label14= Satigachha | numbered14=CT| mark-title14= [[Satigachha]] (CT)
|mark-coord15={{coord|23|8|15|N|88|33|6|E}} | label-pos15=left|label15= Anulia | numbered15=CT| mark-title15= [[Anulia]] (CT)
|mark-coord16={{coord|23|6|55|N|88|32|44|E}} | label-pos16=right|label16= Gopalpur | numbered16=CT| mark-title16= [[Gopalpur, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord17={{coord|23|6|10|N|88|33|20|E}} | label-pos17=right|label17= Parbbatipur | numbered17=CT| mark-title17= [[Parbbatipur]] (CT)
|mark-coord18={{coord|23|12|45|N|88|35|18|E}} | label-pos18=right|label18= Halalpur Krishnapur | numbered18=CT| mark-title18= [[Halalpur Krishnapur]] (CT)
|mark-coord19={{coord|23|11|15|N|88|35|0|E}} | label-pos19=right|label19= Hijuli | numbered19=CT| mark-title19= [[Hijuli, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord20={{coord|23|9|40|N|88|34|44|E}} | label-pos20=right|label20= Ranaghat (CT) | numbered20=CT| mark-title20= [[Ranaghat (CT)]] (CT)
|mark-coord21={{coord|23|8|5|N|88|34|24|E}} | label-pos21=right|label21= Nasra | numbered21=CT| mark-title21= [[Nasra, Ranaghat]] (CT)
|mark-coord22={{coord|23|7|51|N|88|38|28|E}} | label-pos22=right|label22= Gangnapur | numbered22=CT| mark-title22= [[Gangnapur]] (CT)
|mark-coord23={{coord|23|5|50|N|88|31|45|E}} | label-pos23=left|label23= Belgharia | numbered23=CT| mark-title23= [[Belgharia, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord24={{coord|23|10|30|N|88|31|40|E}} | label-pos24=left|label24= Ranaghat |label-size24=13 | numbered24=M| mark-title24= [[Ranaghat]] (M)|label-color24=#800000
|mark-coord25={{coord|23|16|4|N|88|26|13|E}} | label-pos25=left|label25= Shantipur |label-size25=13 | numbered25=M| mark-title25= [[Shantipur]] (M)|label-color25=#800000
|mark-coord26={{coord|23|15|25|N|88|33|29|E}} | label-pos26=right|label26= Birnagar | numbered26=M| mark-title26= Birnagar (M)|shape-color26=black| label-size26=13|label-color26=black 
|mark-coord27={{coord|23|8|50|N|88|35|21|E}} | label-pos27=right|label27= Cooper's Camp |label-size27=11 | numbered27=M| mark-title27= [[Cooper's Camp]] (M)|label-color27=#800000
|mark-coord28={{coord|23|16|25|N|88|32|8|E}} | label-pos28=right|label28= Taherpur |label-size28=11 | numbered28=M| mark-title28= [[Taherpur]] (M)|label-color28=#800000
|mark-coord29={{coord|23|13|34|N|88|40|30|E}} | label-pos29=right|label29= Panikhali| numbered29=R| mark-title29= [[Panikhali]] (R)| shape-color29=#C40000
|mark-coord30={{coord|23|14|34|N|88|36|17|E}} | label-pos30=right|label30= Aranghata| numbered30=R| mark-title30= [[Aranghata]] (R)| shape-color30=#C40000
|mark-coord31={{coord|23|14|44|N|88|42|21|E}} | label-pos31=top|label31= Duttapulia| numbered31=R| mark-title31= [[Duttapulia]] (R)| shape-color31=#C40000
|mark-coord32={{coord|23|22|3|N|88|36|4|E}} | label-pos32=left|label32= Hanskhali| numbered32=R| mark-title32= [[Hanskhali]] (R)| shape-color32=#C40000
|mark-coord33={{coord|23|9|45|N|88|30|38|E}} | label-pos33=left|label33= Habibpur| numbered33=R| mark-title33= [[Habibpur, Nadia]] (R)| shape-color33=#C40000
|mark-coord34={{coord|23|11|58|N|88|37|50|E}} | label-pos34=right|label34= Dhantala| numbered34=R| mark-title34= [[Dhantala]] (R)| shape-color34=#C40000
|mark-coord35={{coord|23|10|27|N|88|35|48|E}} | label-pos35=right|label35= Nokari| numbered35=R| mark-title35= [[Nokari]] (R)| shape-color35=#C40000
|mark-coord36={{coord|23|6|50|N|88|31|25|E}} | label-pos36=left|label36= Payradanga| numbered36=R| mark-title36= [[Payradanga]] (R)| shape-color36=#C40000
|mark-coord37={{coord|23|18|0|N|88|21|0|E}}|label37= Bhagirathi| labela37=River|label-color37 = #77A1CB| label-angle37=-75| label-pos37=top| label-size37=11| mark-size37=0| mark-title37=none
|mark-coord38={{coord|23|19|40|N|88|35|0|E}}|label38= Churni |labela38 = River| label-color38 = #77A1CB| label-angle38=-65| label-pos38=top| label-size38=11| mark-size38=0| mark-title38=none
|arc-coordA={{coord|23|22|30|N|88|46|0|E}}|arc-textA= BANGLADESH| arc-text-colorA=hard grey| arc-angleA=70| arc-gapA=3.0| arc-radiusA=0.35}}

===Location===
Birnagar is situated at coordinates {{coord|23.2433|N|88.5582|E|display=inline}}.

According to the maps in the ''District Census Handbook 2011'' for Nadia, the census towns of [[Kamgachhi]], [[Raghabpur]], [[Panpara]], [[Aistala]], [[Satigachha]], [[Anulia]], [[Halalpur Krishnapur]], [[Hijuli]], and [[Ranaghat]] (CT) form a cluster around Ranaghat within the Ranaghat I and Ranaghat II CD blocks. Additionally, other localities such as [[Nokari]], Nasra, [[Cooper's Camp]], Birnagar, [[Habibpur]], [[Gopalpur, Odisha|Gopalpur]], and [[Parbbatipur]] are also associated with this cluster.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1910_PART_A_DCHB_NADIA.pdf | title = District Census Handbook Nadia, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A | work= Map of Ranaghat I CD block, page 449, and Map of Ranaghat II CD block, page 475| publisher = Directorate of census Operations V, West Bengal |access-date = 8 October 2020}}</ref>

===Area overview===
Nadia district consists mainly of alluvial plains located to the east of the [[Hooghly River]], locally known as Bhagirathi. These plains are intersected by distributaries such as [[Jalangi River|Jalangi]], [[Churni River|Churni]], and [[Ichamati River|Ichhamati]]. Due to the siltation of these rivers, floods occur periodically.<ref>Gangopadhyay, Basudev, ''Paschimbanga Parichay'', 2001, {{in lang|bn}}, p. 70, Sishu Sahitya Sansad</ref> The Ranaghat subdivision is bordered by the [[Bhagirathi River]] to the west, with [[Purba Bardhaman district|Purba Bardhaman]] and Hooghly districts situated on the opposite bank. Topographically, the Ranaghat subdivision encompasses the Krishnanagar-Santipur Plain, which occupies the central part of the district, and the Ranaghat-Chakdaha Plain, a low-lying area in the southeastern part. The Churni River separates these two plains. A portion of the eastern border forms the boundary with [[Bangladesh]], while the lower section is part of the [[North 24 Parganas district]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/DCHB/DCHB_A/19/1910_PART_A_DCHB_NADIA.pdf | title = District Census Handbook, Nadia, 2011, Series 20, Part XII A | work = Pages 13,14 | publisher = Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. | access-date = 16 October 2020}}</ref> The subdivision has experienced significant urbanization, with 41.68% of the population residing in urban areas and 58.32% living in rural areas.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook | title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Nadia | work = Table 2.2, 2.4(a) | publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 16 October 2020}}</ref>

<small>Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map. All the four subdivisions are presented with maps on the same scale – the size of the maps vary as per the area of the subdivision.</small>

==Demographics==
{{bar box
|title=Religion in Birnagar<ref>{{cite web|title=Towns in Birnagar - Religion 2011|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/801685-birnagar-west-bengal.html}}</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Birnagar
|right1=Percent
|float=left
|width=
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism|Hindu]]|Orange|98.32}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam|Muslim]]|Green|1.51}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity|Christian]]|blue|0.09}}
{{bar percent|[[Buddhist]]|blue|0.01}}
{{bar percent|Not stated |black|0.06}}
}}

According to the 2021 Indian census, Birnagar has a population of 41,200, comprising 16,658 males and 16,141 females, as reported by Census India in 2011.

In Birnagar (M), a significant portion of the population belongs to the [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Schedule Caste]] (SC), comprising 35.40%, while [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Schedule Tribe]] (ST) members constitute 0.65% of the total population. The child sex ratio in Birnagar is approximately 943, compared to the West Bengal state average of 956.

In the 2011 census, the following municipalities, notified areas, outgrowths, and census towns were part of the Ranaghat Urban Agglomeration:[[Ranaghat]] (M), Birnagar (M), [[Cooper's Camp]] (NA), Magurkhali (OG), [[Ranaghat (CT)]] (CT), [[Hijuli, Nadia|Hijuli]] (CT), [[Aistala]] (CT), [[Satigachha]] (CT), [[Nasra, Ranaghat|Nasra]] (CT), [[Panpara]] (CT), [[Raghabpur, Nadia|Raghabpur]] (CT), [[Kamgachhi]] (CT), [[Anulia]] (CT) and [[Halalpur Krishnapur]] (CT).<ref>{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_4_PR_UAs_1Lakh_and_Above_Appendix.pdf | title= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 | work= Constituents of Urban Agglomeration Having Population Above 1 Lakh |publisher= Census of India 2011 | access-date = 18 October 2020}}</ref>

== Education ==

The town features several primary and high schools, along with institutions offering higher education.
;Higher-secondary schools
* Birnagar High School (Uttar Para)
* Shivkali Girls' High school (Library Para)

;Primary schools
*
* Birnagar High Attached GSFP School
; 1 NCPL

;Other schools
* Ramkrishna Ashramic primary (Bengali Medium) (Khan para)
* Gunedranath Public School (English medium) (Library Para)
* Chatterji Noble School (English Medium) (Kharda Para)

;College
* Birnagar Kabinabin Chandra Sen Teachers Training Institute<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://birnagarkncs-teachers-training-college.com/ |title=Birnagar Kabinabin Chandra Sen Teachers Training College |access-date=22 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223001607/http://birnagarkncs-teachers-training-college.com/ |archive-date=23 December 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

;Other institutions
* In addition to numerous computer centers, the town is home to various non-governmental organizations (NGOs). One such organization, YOURS (Ula Youth Organization For Reformation Service), organizes programs such as MDP, ESDP, and IMC focusing on various technical skills. Additionally, there are several dance and drawing schools available in the area.

;Computer training institutes:
* BCTI (Birnagar Computer Training Institute, W.B. Govt. Regd. Computer Training Institute, Estd: 2007) Birnagar, Hat, near Birnagar Municipality Market Complex
* Edutech Academy (Rashtriya Youth Computer Saksharata Mission # ISO 9001:2015 Certified # Govt. Of India Affiliated @ RYCSM) Palitpara Bazar, Birnagar, Nadia

The literacy rate of Birnagar city stands at 84.60%, surpassing the state average of 76.26%. In Birnagar, the male literacy rate is approximately 88.26%, while the female literacy rate is 80.82%.

==Library==
Ula Sadharon Pathagar<ref>http://rrrlf.nic.in/hindi/rrrlf_hindi/Book/Web/DigitalLibrary/ViewLibrary.aspx?Lib_ID=221300393{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> was founded in 1922, located in Library Para near Shivkali Girl's Higher Secondary School. Membership is open to individuals over 18 years of age, allowing them to borrow one book at a time for a duration of one month.

;Library statistics
*Total books - 12000
*Magazines - 13
*Rare books - 63
*Registered members - 856

==Birnagar Municipality==
Established over 200 years ago, Birnagar municipality holds the distinction of being the oldest municipality in the Nadia district. Notably, the first chairman of Birnagar municipality was the esteemed poet [[Nabinchandra Sen]]. The municipality comprises 14 wards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brnagar Municipality Official Website|url=http://birnagarmunicipality.org/about_us.php|access-date=8 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009185855/http://birnagarmunicipality.org/about_us.php|archive-date=9 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Birnagar Municipality oversees the administration of 6,702 households, providing essential services such as water and [[sewerage]]. Additionally, it possesses the authority to construct roads within the municipality's boundaries and levy taxes on properties falling within its jurisdiction.

==Notable people==
* [[Bhaktivinoda Thakur]] (born Kedarnath Datta)
* [[Nabinchandra Sen]]
* [[Rajsekhar Bose]] or Parasuram

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Nadia District}}
{{Municipalities of West Bengal}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Nadia district]]

Birnagar - Revision history

RowenaProctor6 at 11:33, 29 October 2025