RuebenFrankfurte at 12:35, 2 December 2025

2025-12-02T12:35:48Z

New page

{{Short description|none}} 
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}}
{| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style="margin: 0.5em 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|+<big><big>'''Geography of Bankura district'''</big></big>
|-
| style="background:#efefef; text-align:center;" colspan="2"|
{| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"
|-
| style="text-align:center; width:180px;"|
|}
|-
| '''[[Country]]''' || [[India]]
|-
| '''[[States and territories of India|State]]''' || [[West Bengal]]
|-
| '''[[Area]]''' || {{convert|6788|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}
|-
| '''Land borders''' || N & NE: [[Bardhaman district]] SE: [[Hooghly district]] S: [[Paschim Medinipur district]] W: [[Purulia district]]
|-
| '''Highest point''' || [[Biharinath]] {{convert|448|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

|-
| '''Longest river (on border)''' || [[Damodar River]]
|-
| '''Longest river (inside)''' || [[Dwarakeswar River]]
|-
| '''[[Climate]]''': || Dry and hot summers with moderate [[monsoons]], winters are cool
|-
| '''[[Terrain]]''': ||W&S: Lower edge of [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] E & NE: [[alluvial plains]]
|-
| '''Natural resources''' ||
|-
| '''Natural hazards''' || [[Nor'wester (Bangladesh)|Nor'westers]] are frequent in early summer
|-
| '''Environmental issues''' ||
|}

'''Geography of Bankura district''' refers to the geography of the present [[Bankura district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[West Bengal]].

Bankura is one of the districts of [[Burdwan division]]. It is situated between 22° 38’ and 23° 38’ north latitude and between 86° 36’ and 87° 46’ east longitude. It has an area of {{convert|6788|km2}}<ref name= omalley1>O’Malley, L.S.S., ICS, ''Bankura'', Bengal District Gazetteers, pp. 1-20, first published 1908, 1995 reprint, Government of West Bengal</ref> On the north and north-east the district is bounded by [[Bardhaman district]], from which it is separated by the [[Damodar River]]. On the south-east it is bounded by [[Hooghly district]], on the south by [[Paschim Medinipur district]] and on the west by [[Purulia district]].<ref>{{cite web | url= http://bankura.gov.in/Location/location.htm
| title=Bankura, West Bengal |work= Location and extent| publisher=District administration | access-date=2008-12-20}}</ref>

==Configuration==
[[File:Joypur Jungle Road.JPG|thumb|Joypur jungle]]
Bankura district has been described as the "connecting link between the [[Ganges Delta|plains of Bengal]] on the east and [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] on the west." The areas to the east and north-east are low lying [[Alluvium|alluvial]] plains, similar to predominating rice lands of Bengal. To the west the surface gradually rises, giving way to undulating country, interspersed with rocky hillocks. Much of the country is covered with jungles.<ref name= omalley1/>

The area consists of two different tracts. The western portion marks the gradual descent from the table land of Chota Nagpur to the delta of lower Bengal, consisting largely of [[Spur (mountain)|spurs]] projecting from the western tableland and of low swelling ridges. However, there is no marked ridge of hills. In the central portion of the district there are rolling downs eventually merging with the alluvial plains.<ref name= omalley1/>

The western part of the district has poor, [[Iron oxide|ferruginous]] soil and hard beds of [[laterite]] with scrub jungles and ''sal'' ([[Shorea robusta]]) woods. Long broken ridges with irregular patches of more recent alluvium have marks of seasonal cultivation. During the long dry season large extents of [[Ultisols|red soil]] with hardly any trees lend the country a scorched and dreary appearance. In the eastern part the eye constantly rests on wide expanses of rice fields, green in the rains but parched and dry in summer.<ref name= omalley1/>

==Hills==
[[File:Susunia.jpg|Susunia hills|thumb]]
The hills of the district consist of outliers of the Chota Nagpur plateau and only two are of any great height – [[Biharinath]] and [[Susunia]]. While the former rises to a height of {{convert|448|m}}, the latter attains a height of {{convert|440|m}}. There are a number of low hills in the [[Saltora]] area. There are small hills, e.g. the Mejia hill rising to a mere {{convert|60|m}} from the base or the Karo hill, halfway between [[Mejia (community development block)|Mejia]] and [[Bankura]], rising a little higher to about {{convert|120|m}}. To the south, in the police station areas of [[Khatra]] and [[Raipur, Bankura|Raipur]] there are picturesque low hills, locally called Masaker Pahar.<ref name= omalley1/>

==Rivers==
The rivers of the area flow from the north-east to the south-west in courses roughly parallel to one another. They are mostly hill streams, originating in the hills in the west. The rivers come down in floods after heavy rains and subside as rapidly as they rise. In summer, their sand beds are almost always dry.<ref name= omalley1/>

[[Damodar River]] forms the northern boundary of the district with Bardhaman district for about {{convert|72|km}} and then flows into Bardhaman district. Floods in the Damodar rarely do much damage to the district. [[Sali River, Bengal|Sali River]] which drains the northern part of the district is an important tributary of the Damodar.<ref name= omalley1/>

Amongst the other rivers flowing through the district, the most important is [[Dwarakeswar River]]. It has many branches or old beds in [[Onda (community development block)|Onda]] and [[Bishnupur (Bankura)|Bishnupur]] police station areas. The main tributaries of Dwarakeswar River are the [[Gandheswari River|Gandheswari]], the Kukhra, and the Birai. Other major rivers are [[Shilabati River]] and [[Kangsabati River]], both of which enter the district from Purulia district, run along a short course in the territory and then enter [[Paschim Medinipur district]]. Gandheswari River is a tributary of Dwarakeswar River and flows in Bankura district. Flowing south-west of Susunia Hill and north of Bankura it joins the Dwarakeswar near Bhutsahar.<ref name= omalley1/> It is subject to sudden flooding during rains. There are some small but picturesque water falls along the course of the Shilabati near Harmasra, and along the course of the Kangsabati in the Raipur area. Amongst the minor rivers in the district are Jaypanda, a tributary of Shilabati, and Bhairabbanki.<ref name= omalley1/>

Mejia Beel is a large swamp formed by the overflow of the Damodar. There are several small tanks or artificial lakes developed by the former rajas, in and around Bishnupur.<ref name= omalley1/>

===River projects===
[[Kangsabati Project]] was started during the [[Five-year plans of India#Second Plan (1956-1961)|second five-year plan]] period (1956–1961). The dam across the Kangsabati has a length of {{convert|10098|m}} and a height of {{convert|38|m}}. Apart from this dam there are two pick up barrages in the Shilabati and the Bhairabbanki.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.abasar.net/bk_main.asp?what=B00053| title= Sankhipta Bharatkosh| publisher= abasar.net| access-date= 2009-06-15| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927024419/http://www.abasar.net/bk_main.asp?what=B00053| archive-date= 2007-09-27}}</ref>

There is a proposal for the construction of a dam across the Dwarakeswar. The preliminary project report on Dwarakeswar Gandheswari Reservoir was received in Central Water Commission in January, 2004 for which ‘in- principle’ consent of Central Water Commission for preparation of detailed Project Report has been conveyed to the State Government in March, 2004.<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://164.100.24.208/lsq14/quest.asp?qref=1823
|title = Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1670 to be answered on 2004-7-19
|access-date = 2007-02-19
|last = Yadav
|first = Jai Prakash Narayan
|work = Irrigation Schemes
|publisher = Ministry of Water Resources
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060210211126/http://164.100.24.208/lsq14/quest.asp?qref=1823
|archive-date = 2006-02-10
}}</ref>

==Geology==
The greater portion of the district consists of a rolling country covered by laterite and alluvium. While [[Metamorphic rock|metamorphic]] or [[gneiss]]ose rocks are found to the extreme west, to the east there is a wide plain of recent alluvium. Strong massive runs of [[Hornblende|hornblendic]] varieties stretch across the region in tolerably continuous lines, the general strike being nearly east and west.<ref name= omalley1/>

The most characteristic geological feature of the district is the area of laterite and associated rocks of sand and gravel. At some places one finds hard beds of laterite. At other places it is decomposed and reorganised. Locally, the ferruginous rock is called ''kankar''. The calcareous concretions, commonly used as the sources of lime, are known as ''ghutin''.<ref name= omalley1/>

The [[Gondwana]] system is represented in the northern portion of the district, south of the Damodar, between Mejia and Biharinath Hill. The beds covered with alluvium contains seams of coal belonging to the Raniganj system.<ref name= omalley1/>

==Climate==
The climate, especially in the upland tracts to the west, is much drier than in eastern or southern Bengal. From the beginning of March to early June, when the [[monsoon]] sets in, hot westerly winds prevail, the thermometer in the shade rising to around {{convert|45|C}}. The westerly winds die down around sunset and allow cool winds to blow from the south. [[Nor'wester (Bangladesh)|Nor'westers]] are frequent during this period and help to mitigate the excessive heat.<ref name= omalley1/>

The monsoon months, June to September, are comparatively pleasant, as the weather is not as sultry as in other parts of Bengal. The total average rainfall is {{convert|1400|mm}}, the bulk of the rain coming in the months of June to September.<ref name= omalley1/>

Winters are pleasant with temperatures dropping down to below {{convert|27|C}} in December.<ref name= omalley1/>

==Subdivisions==
The district comprises three subdivisions: [[Bankura Sadar subdivision|Bankura Sadar]], [[Khatra subdivision|Khatra]] and [[Bishnupur subdivision|Bishnupur]]. Bankura Sadar subdivision consists of [[Bankura]] municipality and eight community development blocs: Bankura — I, Bankura — II, Barjora, Chhatna, Gangajalghati, Mejia, Onda and Shaltora. Khatra subdivision consists of eight community development blocs: Indpur, Khatra, Hirbandh, Raipur, Sarenga, Ranibandh, Simlapal and Taldangra. Bishnupur subdivision consists of [[Bishnupur (Bankura)|Bishnupur]] and [[Sonamukhi]] municipalities and six community development blocks: Indas, Joypur, Patrasayar, Kotulpur, Sonamukhi and Bishnupur.<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=2008-03-19
|access-date=2008-12-06
|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(RevisedMarch-2008).doc
|archive-date=25 February 2009
}}</ref>

Bankura is the district headquarters. There are 21 police stations, 22 development blocks, 3 municipalities, 190 [[gram panchayat]]s and 5187 villages in this district.<ref name=blocdir/><ref name=adminsetup>{{cite web
|url = http://bankura.gov.in/Profile/administrative_features.htm
|title = Administrative Features
|publisher = Official website of Bankura district
|access-date = 2008-12-06
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080725065654/http://www.bankura.gov.in/Profile/administrative_features.htm
|archive-date = 2008-07-25
}}</ref>

Other than municipality area, each subdivision contains community development blocs which in turn are divided into rural areas and census towns. In total there are 5 urban units: 3 municipalities and 2 [[census town]]s.<ref name=adminsetup/><ref>{{cite web
| url = http://bankura.gov.in/Census/PCA/Table-1.xls
| title = Population, Decadal Growth Rate, Density and General Sex Ratio by Residence and Sex, West Bengal/ District/ Sub District, 1991 and 2001
| access-date = 2008-12-06
| work = Bankura
| publisher = Directorate of census operations, West Bengal
}}</ref>

===Bankura Sadar subdivision===
* One municipality: [[Bankura]]
* Bankura — I community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 6 gram panchayats.
* Bankura — II community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 7 gram panchayats.
* Barjora community development bloc consists of rural areas with 11 gram panchayats and two census towns: [[Barjora]] and [[Beliatore]].
* [[Chhatna]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 13 gram panchayats.
* [[Gangajalghati]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 10 gram panchayats.
* [[Mejia (community development block)|Mejia]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 5 gram panchayats.
* [[Onda, Bankura|Onda]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 15 gram panchayats.
* [[Shaltora]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 8 gram panchayats.

===Khatra subdivision===
* [[Indpur]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 7 gram panchayats.
* [[Khatra]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 7 gram panchayats.
* [[Hirbandh]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 5 gram panchayats.
* Raipur community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 10 gram panchayats.
* [[Sarenga, Bankura|Sarenga]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 6 gram panchayats.
* [[Ranibandh]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 8 gram panchayats.
* [[Simlapal]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 7 gram panchayats.
* [[Taldangra]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 9 gram panchayats.

===Bishnupur subdivision===
* Two municipalities: [[Bishnupur (Bankura)|Bishnupur]] and [[Sonamukhi]].
* [[Indas]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 10 gram panchayats.
* [[Joypur, Bankura (community development block)|Joypur]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 9 gram panchayats.
* [[Patrasayar]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 10 gram panchayats.
* [[Kotulpur]] community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 8 gram panchayats.
* Sonamukhi community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 10 gram panchayats.
* Bishnupur community development bloc consists of rural areas only with 9 gram panchayats.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Bankura topics}}

[[Category:Bankura district]]
[[Category:Geography of West Bengal by district|Bankura]]

Geography of Bankura district - Revision history

RuebenFrankfurte at 12:35, 2 December 2025