Krishnanagar, Nadia

Krishnanagar কৃষ্ণনগর Krishnagar/ ‘Reui’ (রেউই)
City
External view of Royal Palace
Nickname(s): KNJ
Krishnanagar Show map of West Bengal Krishnanagar Show map of India Location in West Bengal, India
Coordinates: 23°24′N 88°30′E / 23.4°N 88.5°E / 23.4; 88.5Coordinates: 23°24′N 88°30′E / 23.4°N 88.5°E / 23.4; 88.5
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District	Nadia
Government
• Type	Municipal
• Body	Krishnanagar Municipality
Area
• Total	18.48 km2 (7.14 sq mi)
Elevation	14 m (46 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
• Total	1,81,182
Languages
• Official	Bengali, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area code(s)	03472
Vehicle registration	WB-52-XXXX
Lok Sabha constituency	Krishnanagar
Vidhan Sabha constituency	Krishnanagar Uttar/Krishnanagar dakshin (Vidhan Sabha constituency)
Website	nadia.nic.in

Entrance of Royal Palace

Krishnanagar /ˌkrɪʃnəˈnʌɡər/ is a city and administrative/district headquarters of Nadia district (নদিয়া) in the Indian state of West Bengal. Krishnanagar is situated on the southern banks of the Jalangi river. She is claimed to be named after Krishna Chandra Ray (1728 – 1782). The Rajbari built here during the reign of zaminder Krishna Chandra Roy is a prominent place of tourist attraction though the remnants of the past glory have been eroded and only a dilapidated structure of the exquisite places with carving on its inner walls exists today.

Geography

Krishnanagar is located at 23°24′N 88°30′E / 23.4°N 88.5°E / 23.4; 88.5.^[2] It has an average elevation of 14 metres (45 feet). Krishnanagar is beside the Jalangi River. The Tropic of Cancer passes through outskirts of Krishnanagar, Coordinates of Tropic of Cancer: 23°26'5"N 88°28'2"E.

History

Krishnanagar municipality was established in the year 1864.

This place got its name after Raja Krishnachandra who ruled in this region.

Culture

Krishnanagar is an important centre for culture and literature. It counts literary figures such as Bharat Chandra, Ramprasad Sen, Dwijendralal Ray and Narayan Sanyal among many others.There is also a strong tradition of stage acting.^[3]

The second place of interest in Krishnanagar is the famous area called Ghurni which is the neighbourhood of the clay artists. Raja Krishnachandra invited a few of the families of these clay artists in this region.Open studios and shops of the artists comprise an important attraction for tourists. It is said that initially it was Raja Krishnachandra who had settled a few families of talented clay artists in the area.. Jagaddhatri Puja is celebrated with great grandeur in Krishnanagar, when lightings from the town of Chandannagar are brought.^[3]

Climate

In summer, i.e. from April to June, the weather remains hot and temperature ranges from maximum of 35 °C to minimum of 26 °C.

Monsoon season prevails during beginning-June to mid-September. Also retrieving monsoon from mid-October till mid-November^[2]

The weather is quite pleasant, the summers and winters are moderate. The level of moisture increases during summers.

Notable personalities

DwijendraLRoy

• Dwijendralal Roy^[4] (1863-1913) poet, playwright and lyricist, was born on 19 July 1863 at Krishnanagar in Nadia district, where his father, kartikeya chandra roy, was the dewan. His mother, Prasannamayee Devi, was a descendant of Adwaita Prabhu. Dwijendralal graduated in arts from Hughli College in 1883 and obtained his MA degree in English from Presidency College a year later. In 1905 Dwijendralal established a literary society, Purnima Milon, in Kolkata. He became the editor of the monthly bharatvarsa in 1913. Dwijendralal had a literary bent of mind and started writing poems while still in his teens. While still a student he wrote Aryagatha (part 1, 1882). During his stay in England he wrote The Lyrics of Ind in 1886. Among his other books are collections of poems and songs: Aryagatha (part 2, 1894), Hasir Gan (1900), Mandra (1902), Alekhya (1907), and Triveni (1912). His sketches and satires include Ekghare (1889), Samaj Bibhrat O Kalki Avatar (1895), Tryahasparsha (1900), Prayashchitta (1902), and Punarjanma (1911). He also wrote plays, many of which are included in university syllabi. Among his mythical plays are Pasani (1900), Sita (1908) and Visma (1914). His social plays include Parapare (1912) and Banganari (1916). He also wrote a number of historical plays: Tarabai (1903), Rana Pratapsingh (1905), Mebar Patan (1908), Nurjahan (1908), Sajahan (1909) and Chandragupta (1911). Most of his plays were successfully staged in Kolkata and elsewhere. He is specially remembered for his historical plays. He was also a well-known composer of modern songs; dwijendragiti still form a regular feature of radio and television programmes. He died on17 May 1913 in Kolkata.
• Ramtanu Lahiri (1813-1898)^[4] was a Young Bengal leader, a renowned teacher and a social reformer. Peary Chand Mitra wrote about him, “There are few persons in whom the milk of kindness flows so abundantly. He was never wanting in appreciation of what was right, and in his sympathy with the advanced principles.” Sivanath Sastri’sRamtanu Lahiri O Tatkalin Bangasamj, published in 1903, was not only his biography but also an overview of Bengali society of the era, “a remarkable social document on the period of the Bengal Renaissance.” It is still widely read and used as reference material for the period.
• Bijoylal Chattopadhyaya^[4] was born in1898. Bijoylal Chattopadhyay, started setting the local community on the path of social reforms. Since then the name has been changed to Harijan Palli. In independent India’s first election in 1951Bijoylal Chattopadhyay of Congress won the Krishnagar seat.
• Jagadananda Roy^[4](1869-1933) Jagadananda Roy was born in a landed aristocratic family of Krishnanagar, Nadia. He taught in a local missionary school for some time. His flair for writing on scientific matters in a simple and lucid style brought him into contact with Rabindranath who was then the editor of Sadhana. Rabindranath found these writings very attractive and when he found that Jagadananda was in dire straits, he offered him a job on his estate. Knowing that this work was not appropriate for someone like Jagadananda, he also asked him to teach his children. When the Brahmacharyasrama was founded, he brought Jagadananda over to Santiniketan as a teacher. He was the first Sarvadhyaksha of the school. A dedicated teacher, he taught continuously till his retirement in 1932, after which he continued to take Mathematics classes voluntarily. He wrote a number of books on popular science, his mission being to propagate scientific truth in simple Bengali in the manner of Ramendrasundar Trivedi. Graha-nakshatra, Prakritiki, Vaijnaniki, Jagadishchandrer Avishkar, Banglar Pakhi were some of his books.

Bagha Jatin

• Jatindranath Mukhopadhyay (Bagha Jatin) born Jatindranath Mukherjee (Jotindrônāth Mukhōpaddhāē) (7 December 1879 – 10 September 1915) was an Indian Bengali revolutionary philosopher against British rule. He was the principal leader of the Yugantar party that was the central association of revolutionaries in Bengal. Having personally met the German Crown-Prince in Calcutta shortly before the World War I, he obtained the promise of arms and ammunition from Germany; as such, he was responsible for the planned German Plot during World War I.
• Soumitra Chattopadhyay^[4] born 19 January 1935 in Krishnanagar is an Indian film and stage actor and poet. He is best known for his collaborations with film director Satyajit Ray, with whom he worked in fourteen films, and his constant comparison with the Bengali cinema screen idol Uttam Kumar, his contemporary leading man of the 1960s and 1970s.

Hemanta Kumar Sarkar, Haripada Chattapadhyaya, Dilip Kumar Roy, Lahiri Mahasaya, Subhash Mukhopadhyay were born in this City. Some of the notable names of personalities who resided in this city are - Subhash Mukhopadhyay, Dr. Khudiram Das (Ram Tanu Lahiri Professor, Calcutta University).

Landmarks

A piece of work at ghurni

• Ghurni is the birthplace of Yogiraj Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri Mahasaya, fountain-head of Kriya yoga.^[5]
• Rajbari:^[4] (Royal Palace) with a Durga temple in the courtyard. Every year, the Jhulan Mela is celebrated around the Rajbari in July–August and Baro Dol (as it is held 12 days after Dol Purnima) in March–April every year.Rajbari also known as the Krishnanagar Palace is by far the most widely visited architectural marvel in the city and is mostly visited for the celebration of different festivals. These include the popular Jhulan Mela and the festival of colours Holi or Baro Dol. The historical monument surrounded by a water-body known as Dighi has a beautiful Goddess Durga temple erected in its central courtyard.
• Roman Catholic Church:^[4] The church is famous for its architectural and sculptural splendour. There are 27 oil paintings describing the life of Lord Jesus Christ. Of special mentions are the wooden sculptures by Italian artists. The Church portrays the awesome architecture and wooden sculpture of that era. There are twenty seven oil paintings depicting the entire life of Jesus Christ.
• Krishnanagar Government College:^[4] The college is under the Maintenance of ASI, It was established in the year 1846. Various popular dignitaries studied here in past.
• Company Bagan is a horticultural garden run by the state government.
• Krishnanagar Collegiate School^[4](1846) (the former house of barrister Monomohun Ghose)

Places of interest

• Bethuadahari Forest :^[4] A forest covering about 67 hectares is located at Bethuadahari which is situated at a distance of about 22 km from Krishnanagar. This forest is actually an extended deer park. The forest was established in 1980 to preserve the biodiversity of the central Gangetic alluvial zone. A census of 1998 reveals a population of 295 deer in this forest and other wildlife includes python, jungle cat, porcupine, monitor lizard, snake and a variety of birds (around 50 species).
• Bahadurpur Forest^[4] situated by the side of N.H.-34 in Krishnanagar-II Block has been chosen as a prospective spot for jungle safari.
• Hasadanga Beel^[4] adjacent to Bahadurpur Forest is a vast waterbody which can be transformed into a water sports complex. This beel has the potential to be developed as a safe haven for the seasonal migratory birds.

Others include the College Bhavan (1846), The Public Library (1856),Anandamoyi Tola Kali Bari (আনন্দময়ীতলা), Siddheshwari Kalibari Mandir, Bishop Morrow School, Krishnanagar Academy and the Protestant Church.

Economy

Initially, most of the residents of this city were government employees and there were few agricultural as well as silk traders. Gradually, the importance of the city increased due to its geographic location and now it is also a business hub.The economy is primarily based on small- to medium-scale agro-industries and trades.

The other contributor to the economy is agriculture. Produce of the area are rice, jute, sugar, ceramics, and plywood; sugarmilling is the largest industry. The surrounding region produces mangoes, cattle, poultry and fish. There is unrealised demand for building large food storage, refrigeration and processing plants.^[6] Live cattle are smuggled across the nearby border to Bangladesh. There are a few sugar mills. Many expertised gems are to be found in this heritage city.

Krishnanagar

Krishnanagar^[4] is also famous for the sweet. Halwaikars or moyras (who prepare sweets) of Krishnanagar are famous. While they produce all varieties of sweets, there are some which bear the hallmark of the city. 'Sarbhaja' and 'Sarpuria' are inventions that mark the talent of Krishnanagar's halwaikars.The sweets are mostly prepared from the raw milk which is collected from the nearby villages.

Despite the economic boom in India in the 21st century,there have been no major industrial investment proposals for the city so far. Nowadays real estate business is one of the big business of this city.

Transport

Krishnanagar^[4] is 100 km north of Kolkata. Being the district headquarters, residents of Krishnanagar enjoy some unique facilities as far as transport is considered: wide roads, intra-city connectivity by auto-rickshaws, cycles,town service buses and magic taxis(aka toto). Express buses are available for places like Kolkata, Malda, Siliguri, Berhampore, Howrah, Purulia, Asansol , Bolpur , Kirnahar , Suri etc. from the city's Bus Stnd or PWD stand very close to NH 34. Nearest Airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra International Airport (CCU) which is 98 by road.

Bus Stand

Road

NH 34^[4] passess through Krishnanagar. As Krishnanagar is the administrative headquarters of the Nadia district and as it stands just in the centre position of West Bengal, it acts as the link between North Bengal and South Bengal. There are bus services on regular basis from South Bengal to North Bengal and Vicecersa. All buses that start from Kolkata to North Bengal halt at Krishnanagar( Pantha Tirtha/Church Gate/Palpara). Krishnanagar have main bus stand at the centre of the city, which is destination of various long, mid-and short distance places. It is connected directly to Kolkata, Siliguri by road. Locally it is connected to Ranaghat, Santipur, Mayapur,Nabadwip. Krishnanagar is connected with Nabadwip through Krishnanagar Route no 8. Krishnanagar connected with the Karimpur as well as Palashi para, Majdia.

Railway station

one of important route is krishnanagar patikabari bus through state highway 11 and via chapra,tehatta,palashipara.patikabari.

Rail

Krishnanagar^[4] is a junction on the broad gauge [Lalgola branch line] of Eastern Railway. Local EMU trains are the most convenient option to reach Kolkata.All trains going to or coming from Lalgola stop at the Krishnanagar.The MEMU trains departs from Ranaghat heading for Bahrampur and vice versa stops at Krishnanagar. EMU (Broad gauge local) train service between these two cities Santipur and Krishnanagar have started, and will be extended to Nabadwip and will be open for commutaion for passengers shortly. 13103/13104 Sealdah- Lalgola Bhagirathi Express, 13113/13114 Hazarduari Express,Lalgola Fast Passenger, and a few Lalgola Passenger are the trains that run daily. Kolkata-Lalgola tri weekly Express (Dhanadhanye Express) is also an express train that takes the Sealdah-Lalgola route. Ladies special from Krishnanagar to Sealdah runs everyday.

Water

As Krishnanagar^[4] is city just beside the river Jalangi(Tributary of River Ganges), one can also avail water transport.Regular boat transport is also available from Krishnanagar to other parts.

Demographics

As of the 2011 census,^[7] Krishnanagar city had a population of 181,182 (Males : 91583, Female : 89599), It is at the centre of a much bigger urban agglomeration which as of the 2011 census, had a population of 2,03,429.^[8] The urban agglomeration had a sex ratio of 978 females per 1,000 males.^[8] Child sex ratio of girls is 926 per 1000 boys. 7.5% of the population were under six years old.^[8] Effective literacy was 88.09 percent of which male and female literacy was 90.84 and 85.29 percent.^[8]

^[7]

Cinema halls and auditoriums

1. Krishnanagar V Cinemas(Sentrum Mall)
2. Sangeeta Cinema Hall.^[4]
3. Rabindrabhawan^[4]
4. Private Owned Conference Halls
5. Chayabani a.k.a Mimi now a days demolished
6. Chitramondir a very old cinema hall nowadays'demolished
7. Krishnagar Hut
8. Krishnagar Zilla parishad conference hall

Art and education

Several elegant pieces of hand-craft arts can also be found in this region, namely the handcraft in making of carpet, bamboo and jute crafts, miniature paintings. a horticultural research station and jute nursery, and an agricultural training centre. There are various Government and private run schools affiliated to West Bengal Board for Secondary Education,The Indian Council for Secondary Examination (ICSE), Delhi board and Kendriya Vidyalaya affiliated to the CBSE board.

Collegiate School

Schools (state/central government run)

• Krishnanagar High School
• Krishnanagar Government Girls'.
• Krishnanagar Lady Charmichael Girls' Higher Secondary School
• Krishnanagar Collegiate School
• Shaktinagar High School
• Krishnanagar Debnath High School
• Holy Family and Government Girls
• Kabi Vijoylal H.S. Institute
• Ram baux Chetlangia High School
• Krishnanagar C M S School
• Krishnanagar A V High School
• Mrinalini Girls High School
• Swarnamayee Girls High School
• Ghurni High School
• Helen Keller Smriti Vidya Mandir
• Krishnagar Akshay Vidyapith Girls High School
• Kalinagar High School(H.s)

Hellen Keller School

Schools (private)

• Bishop Morrow School (formerly known as Mary Immaculate School)
• Krishnanagar Academy
• Don Bosco Higher Secondary School
• Jagabandhu Sishu Niketan

Krishnanagar Government College

Colleges (government)

• Krishnanagar Government College
• Dwijendralal College
• Krishnanagar Women's College
• B.P.C. Institute of Technology (Polytechnic college)

Colleges (private)

• Global Institute of Management & Technology (B.Tech. college)
• Krishnanagar B.Ed. College.
• Pragati ITI

As per the education demographics, total literates in Krishnanagar city are 147,565 of which 76,746 are males while 70,819 are females.^[8] Average literacy rate of Krishnanagar city is 88.09 percent of which male and female literacy was 90.84 and 85.29 percent.^[8]

Medical facilities

As Krishnanagar is the headquarters of Nadia District, it gets some of the added benefits. Apart from Government Hospitals, there are private run nursing home as well.

Susrusa Hospital

Hospitals

• Krishnagar District Hospital, Shaktinagar (Bed Strength : 475)
• Sadar Hospital, Krishnanagar
• Mary Immaculate Hospital
• Rubistar Susrusa Hospital Medical Institute Pvt Ltd

Nursing homes

• Central Nursing Home
• Sunview Nursing Home
• Nadia Maternity and Nursing Home
• Prantik Nursing Home
• Kayakalpa Sadan Nursing Home
• Lakeview Nursing Home
• Few more
• Glocal Hospital

Also some organisations like Lions Club of Krishnanagar operates dental clinic, eye clinic with a minimal charge.

Also some quality diagonostic laboratories are there in the town. Central Pathology, Dr. Lal's Patholab are two prominent names. Also the city has ECHS poly clinic which is central office for Nadia and Murshidabad District

Civic administration

Krishnanagar Post Office

Krishnanagar city is governed by Municipal Corporation^[4] which comes under Krishnanagar Municipal Region. The area of the municipality is around 16 km² and is divided into 24 wards with 24 councillors. Krishnanagar is the administrative headquarters of the Nadia district. Krishnanagar is centre for all the administration purpose.^[4] The parties which contest for the elections are Trinomool Congress, Indian National Congress, BJP. The board of councillors elects a chairman from among its elected members; the chairman is the executive head of the municipality. The elected members of this body are authorised to manage education, health, tourism, and overall development of the area.

References

Sources

• Questia.Com
• Encyclopædia Britannica

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Krishnanagar, Nadia.

Krishnanagar travel guide from Wikivoyage

• Krishnanagar at Encyclopædia Britannica
• Krishnanagar at Nadia district gov't website
• Latitude and Longitude locations maps in India
• City populations in West Bengal
• Information of Krishnanagar
• Administration in Nadia