Realsouravbiswas at 03:03, 14 August 2025

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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Ilambazar
| official_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| settlement_type = [[Census Town]]
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| nickname =
| pushpin_map = India West Bengal
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| coordinates = {{coord|23.63|N|87.53|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[West Bengal]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Birbhum District|Birbhum]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 1.8648
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 54
| population_total = 7,125
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 731214
| area_code = 91 3463
| area_code_type = Telephone/[[Subscriber trunk dialling|STD]] code
| registration_plate =
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]
| blank1_info_sec1 = 843 [[male|♂]]/[[female|♀]]
| website = {{URL|birbhum.nic.in}}
| footnotes = CD Block
| demographics1_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[English language|English]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Bolpur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Bolpur]]
| blank3_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank3_info_sec1 = [[Bolpur (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Bolpur]]
}}
'''Ilambazar''' is a [[census town]], with a police station, in [[Ilambazar (community development block)|Ilambazar]] [[Community development block in India|CD block]] in [[Bolpur subdivision]] of [[Birbhum district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[West Bengal]].

==History==
Ilambazar developed as a trade centre because of its location at the junction of thoroughfares and the river front. It also had the advantage of being near weaving centres.<ref>Gupta, Dr. Ranjan Kumar, ''[[iarchive:dli.bengal.10689.13368/page/n279/mode/2up|The Economic Life of a Bengal District: Birbhum 1770 – 1857]]'', p. 14, The University of Burdwan, 1984.</ref> The [[British East India Company]] had a factory at Ilambazar. The [[Compagnie de Calonne|French East India Company]] also made a foray in the Ilambazar area in the 1780s, which drove prices up to the benefit of the weavers. The English assumed direct administration of [[Birbhum district]] in 1786.<ref>Gupta, Dr. Ranjan Kumar, p. 152</ref>

Birbhum was badly impacted by the [[Great Bengal famine of 1770]]. Many villages were wiped out entirely, and even in large towns, over three quarters of households perished.<ref>Gupta, Dr. Ranjan Kumar, p. 257</ref> During a peasants' insurrection in June 1789, Ilambazar was sacked, although it recovered and became a magnet for manufacturing and trade.<ref>Gupta, Dr. Ranjan Kumar, pp. 44, 47, 260</ref> When the district was surveyed by Captain W. S. Sherwill from 1848-1852, the town's population was 2,235.<ref>Gupta, Dr. Ranjan Kumar, p. 260</ref>

In the mid 19th century, John Erskine of Ilambazar was one of the leading [[sugar]] manufacturers and exporters in the area.<ref>Gupta, Dr. Ranjan Kumar, p. 189</ref> Ilambazar was once a significant area for indigo cultivation, traces of which can still be found.<ref>Sarkar, Joydeep, Paryatan Boichitre Birbhum Jela, Paschim Banga, Birbhum Special Issue, February 2006, {{in lang|bn}}, p. 199, Information & Cultural Department, Government of West Bengal.</ref> The Erskine family also had [[indigo]] factories.<ref>Gupta, Dr. Ranjan Kumar, p. 191</ref>

==Geography==
{{OSM Location map
| width=400| height=300| zoom=10
| coord={{coord|23|44|0|N|87|40|0|E}}| float=left|caption='''Cities and towns in Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district''' M: municipal city/ town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, U: University. Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
|mark-coord1= {{coord|23|40|13|N|87|39|5|E}} | label-pos1=right|label1=Surul | numbered1=CT| mark-title1= [[Surul]] (CT)|label-color1=#800000 |label-size1=13| mark-size1=13|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1=#A40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2= {{coord|23|37|45|N|87|32|30|E}} | label-pos2=left|label2= Ilambazar | numbered2=CT| mark-title2= Ilambazar (CT)|shape-color2=black| label-size2=13|label-color2=black 
|mark-coord3={{coord|23|46|44|N|87|52|21|E}} | label-pos3=left|label3=Parota | numbered3=CT| mark-title3= [[Parota, Birbhum]] (CT)|
|mark-coord4={{coord|23|49|47|N|87|47|49|E}} | label-pos4=left|label4=Labhpur | numbered4=CT| mark-title4= [[Labhpur]] (CT)|
|mark-coord5={{coord|23|40|16|N|87|41|19|E}} | label-pos5=right|label5=Bolpur |label-size5=14 | numbered5=M| mark-title5= [[Bolpur]] (M)|label-color5=#800000
|mark-coord6={{coord|23|41|10|N|87|39|40|E}} | label-pos6=left|label6= Shantiniketan| numbered6=R| mark-title6= [[Shantiniketan]] (R)|shape-color6=#A40000
|mark-coord7={{coord|23|42|0|N|87|51|36|E}} | label-pos7=right|label7= Nanoor| numbered7=R| mark-title7= [[Nanoor]] (R)|shape-color7=#A40000
|mark-coord8={{coord|23|39|30|N|87|39|40|E}} | label-pos8=left|label8= Sriniketan| numbered8=R| mark-title8= [[Sriniketan]] (R)|shape-color8=#A40000
|mark-coord9={{coord|23|45|47|N|87|52|40|E}} | label-pos9=bottom|label9= Kirnahar| numbered9=R| mark-title9= [[Kirnahar]] (R)|shape-color9=#A40000
|mark-coord10={{coord|23|38|12|N|87|38|49|E}} | label-pos10=right|label10= Raipur| numbered10=R| mark-title10= [[Raipur, Birbhum]] (R)|shape-color10=#A40000
|mark-coord11={{coord|23|36|39|N|87|53|49|E}} | label-pos11=left|label11= Khujutipara| numbered11=R| mark-title11= [[Khujutipara]] (R)|shape-color11=#A40000
|mark-coord12={{coord|23|45|38|N|87|32|11|E}} | label-pos12=right|label12= Khustigiri| numbered12=R| mark-title12= [[Khustigiri]] (R)|shape-color12=#A40000
|mark-coord13={{coord|23|38|40|N|87|25|48|E}} | label-pos13=right|label13= Jaydev Kenduli| numbered13=R| mark-title13= [[Jaydev Kenduli]] (R)|shape-color13=#A40000
|mark-coord14={{coord|23|42|53|N|87|43|22|E}} | label-pos14=right|label14= Kankalitala| numbered14=R| mark-title14= [[Kankalitala]] (R)|shape-color14=#A40000
|mark-coord15={{coord|23|41|0|N|87|40|25|E}} | label-pos15=right|label15= Visva-Bharati University| numbered15=U| mark-title15= [[Visva-Bharati University]] (U) |shape-color15=#967117
|mark-coord16={{coord|23.8882|87.7549}}| label16=Mayurakshi River| label-color16 = #77A1CB| label-angle16= 16| label-pos16=right| label-size16=10| mark-size16=0| mark-title16 =none
|mark-coord17={{coord|23.7998|87.7254}}| label17=Bakreshwar River| label-color17 = #77A1CB| label-angle17=7| label-pos17=top| label-size17=10| mark-size17=0| mark-title17 =none
|mark-coord18={{coord|23.7546|87.7528}}| label18=Kopai River| label-color18 = #77A1CB| label-angle18=-45| label-pos18=top| label-size18=10| mark-size18=0| mark-title18 =none
|mark-coord19={{coord|23.5809|87.7668}}| label19=Ajay River| label-color19 = #77A1CB| label-angle19=20| label-pos19=top| label-size19=10| mark-size19=0| mark-title19 =none}}

===Location===
Ilambazar is located at {{Coord|23.63|N|87.53|E|}}. It has an average elevation of {{convert|54|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/28/Ilam_Bazar.html | title = Ilam Bazar, India Page | access-date = 2008-08-19 | work =West Bengal | publisher = Falling Rain Genomics}}</ref>

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the area. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

Ilambazar is located on the northern bank of [[Ajay River]]. It is on the four-lane [[Panagarh–Morgram Highway]]. The highway has been completed at a cost of $150-million.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=1&id=9669&usrsess=1| title = $210 m ADB loan for north-south corridor | access-date = 2007-09-17 | publisher = The Statesman, 28 May 2001 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> A road connects to [[Bolpur]]/[[Santiniketan]] and ( [[Suri, Birbhum|Suri]] - [[Kirnahar]] - [[Katwa]] ) Road

Most of the forests in Birbhum district are on laterite soil but the Choupahari sal forests in the Ilambazar area (area 13.9 km2) are on alluvial soil.<ref>Ghosh, Kanailal, Birbhumer Bon Udbhidjo O Banyapran, Paschim Banga, Birbhum Special Issue, February 2006, {{in lang|bn}}, p. 193, Information & Cultural Department, Government of West Bengal.</ref>

===Police station===
Ilambazar police station has jurisdiction over [[Ilambazar (community development block)|Ilambazar]] CD block.<ref name=handbook2008>{{cite web| url = http://birbhum.nic.in/dept/BAES_DIST_STAT_BK_2008.pdf |title = District Statistical Handbook 2008, Birbhum |work = Table 2.1 | publisher= Bureau of Applied Economics and Statistics, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 30 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://birbhumpolice.org/policestation.php | title = Birbhum Police | work = Police Stations | publisher = West Bengal Police | access-date = 30 January 2018 | archive-date = 12 February 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180212131641/http://birbhumpolice.org/policestation.php | url-status = dead }}</ref>

===CD block HQ===
The headquarters of Ilambazar CD block are located at Ilambazar.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/1908_PART_B_DCHB_BIRBHUM.pdf |title = District Census Handbook: Birbhum, Series 20, Part XII B | work= Map of Birbhum with CD Block HQs and Police Stations (on the fourth page) |publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011 | access-date = 1 February 2018 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
As per the [[2011 Census of India]], Ilambazar had a total population of 7,125 of which 3,632 (51%) were males and 3,493 (49%) were females. Population below 6 years was 443. The total number of literates in Ilambazar was 5,246 (82.67% of the population over 6 years).<ref name=census3-2011>{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/pca/pcadata/Houselisting-housing-WB.html |title = 2011 Census – Primary Census Abstract Data Tables | work= West Bengal – District-wise |publisher= Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India | access-date = 1 February 2018 }}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
As per the District Census Handbook 2011, Ilambazar covered an area of 1.8648 km2. There is a railway station at [[Bolpur]] 18 km away. Buses are available in the town. It has 70 km roads and both open and closed drains. The major source of protected water supply is from bore well pumping and over head tank. There are 1,654 domestic electric connections and 100 road light points. Amongst the medical facilities it has 2 hospitals with 280 beds, 4 dispensaries/ health centres and 3 maternity and child welfare centres. Amongst the educational facilities it has are 2 primary schools, 1 secondary school and 1 senior secondary school. Amongst the social, recreational and cultural facilities there is 1 cinema theatre, 1 auditorium/ community hall and 1 public library. It has the branches of 3 nationalised banks, 1 cooperative bank, 1 agricultural credit society and 2 non-agricultural credit societies. Amongst the commodities it produced were rice milling products, bamboo products and kantha stitch products.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1908_PART_A_DCHB_BIRBHUM.pdf | title = District Census Handbook Birbhum, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A | work= Section II Town Directory, Pages 1025- 1033 | publisher = Directorate of Census Operations V, West Bengal |access-date = 16 July 2019}}</ref>

==Education==
[[Kabi Joydeb Mahavidyalaya]] was established at Ilambazar in 2007. Affiliated to the [[University of Burdwan]], it offers honours courses in Bengali and English. Illambazar jatiya Yuva Computer Shaksharta Mission is one of the best Computer Training centre at Illambazar, It is a recognised by Government of India and Government of West Bengal.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://kjmahavidyalaya.co.in/ |title = Kabi Joydeb Mahavidyalaya | publisher= KJM | access-date = 9 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.collegeadmission.in/KabiJoydebMahavidyalaya/Kabi_Joydeb_Mahavidyalaya.shtml#! | title = Kabi Joydeb Mahavidyalaya | publisher = College Admission | access-date = 9 February 2018 | archive-date = 10 February 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180210002529/http://www.collegeadmission.in/KabiJoydebMahavidyalaya/Kabi_Joydeb_Mahavidyalaya.shtml#! | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==Culture==
===Temples===
The Gouranga temple at Ilambazar, and the Shiva temple at Ghurisha are amongst the state protected temples in the area.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wbgov.com/e-gov/English/Departments/DeptDetails.asp?DPId=120&LinkId=6&Type=1
| title = List of State Protected Monuments & Sites | access-date = 2007-08-24 | work = District Birbhum | publisher = Deptt of Information and Culture, Government of West Bengal}}</ref> Rameswara Shiva temple is one of the three temples at Ilambazar with exquisite [[terracotta]] work.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.indianheritages.blogspot.com/ | title = Indian Heritage | access-date = 2007-09-17 | work = Rameswara Shiva temple | publisher = indianheritages.blogspot.com }}</ref>

During the late 1940s Ilambazar terracotta temples were photo-documented by artist [[Mukul Dey]] of [[Santiniketan]].

[[David McCutchion|David J. McCutchion]] mentions several temples in the Ilambazar area: (1) the [[Shiva]] temple at Ilambazar as a standard (small) 19th century 'Birbhum-Bradhaman' type brick built rekha deul with rich [[terracotta]] façade, (2) the four Shiva temples at Uchkaron as standard (small) [[Char-chala|char chalas]], built in 1769, with rich terracotta facades, (3) the 19th century Lakshmi-Janardana temple at Ilambazar, as a standard West Bengal type [[Pancharatna (architecture)|pancharatna]] with ridged rekha turrets and porch on triple archway, (4) the 17-18th century Radha Vinode temple at [[Jaydev Kenduli]] as a low storied West Bengal [[Navaratna (architecture)|navaratna]] with ridged turrets, (5) the 19th century Lakshmi Janardana temple at Ghurisha is a straight corniced navaratna with very large upper tower and tiny clustering corner towers with rich terracotta, and (6) the 19th century temple in the market place at Ilambazar as an octagonal ridged [[Deula|rekha]] with rich terracotta on all sides.<ref>McCutchion, David J., ''Late Mediaeval Temples of Bengal'', first published 1972, reprinted 2017, pages 23, 30, 47, 53, 54, 59 . The Asiatic Society, Kolkata, {{ISBN| 978-93-81574-65-2}}</ref>

According to [[Binoy Ghosh]], there are three temples at Ilambazar with beautiful terracotta designs: the hexagonal temple at hattala, the Shiva temple in the village and the pancharatna Narayan temple. There are pictures of British people amongst the terracotta designs. Ghurisa, about 4 miles west of Ilambazar, has rich temple traditions but many of them are in a state of decay. There is a char chala temple, which was constructed in 1555. It is said that there was a golden idol of [[Rama]] in the temple, but the [[Bargi]]s took it away around 1742-48. Moukhira, a village about 3 miles south of Ilambazar, has many early 19th century temples. Benoy Ghosh notes that the portrayal of Europeans in the temple carvings in Birbhum district are more than in other places, perhaps because of the activities of the early European merchants in the area.<ref>Ghosh, Binoy, ''Paschim Banger Sanskriti'', {{in lang|bn}}, part I, 1976 edition, pages 267-271, Prakash Bhaban, Kolkata</ref>

===Temple picture gallery===
<gallery widths="250px" heights="200px">
File:Raghunathjee Temple with Shiva as deity at Ghurisha.jpg|Raghunathji Temple with Shiva deity at Ghurisha
File:Gouranga alias Mahaprabhu Temple at Ilambazar.jpg|Gouranga temple at Ilambazar
File:Four Shiva Temples at Uchkaran.jpg|Four Shiva temples at Uchkaron
</gallery>

==Healthcare==
Ilambazar Rural Hospital at Ilambazar has 30 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 =26 January 2018 | 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>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Birbhum District}}
{{Temple towns in West Bengal}}
{{Birbhum topics}}

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

Ilambazar - Revision history

Realsouravbiswas at 03:03, 14 August 2025