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Jalpaiguri

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This article is about the municipality in West Bengal, India. For its namesake district, see Jalpaiguri district.
Jalpaiguri
City
Country India
StateWest Bengal
DistrictJalpaiguri district
Government
 • ChairmanMohan Bose
Area
 • Total70.29 km2 (27.14 sq mi)
Elevation
89 m (292 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total169,013
 • Density1,426/km2 (3,690/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialBengali, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
735 101
Telephone code03561
Vehicle registrationWB-71 WB-72
Lok Sabha constituencyJalpaiguri (SC)
Vidhan Sabha constituencyJalpaiguri (SC), Rajganj (SC)
Websitejalpaiguri.gov.in

Jalpaiguri (Pron: ˌʤʌlpaɪˈgʊəri) (Bengali: জলপাইগুড়ি Jôlpaiguṛi) is a city in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of Jalpaiguri district, and the divisional headquarters of the North Bengal region.

History

Manasha Mandir, Near Jalpaiguri Rajbari
Palace gate, Jalpaiguri Rajbari

Historian Sailen Debnath has brought into light the antiquity of Jalpaiguri after a long research.[1] According to him, Jalpaiguri grew as an intermediary place between Mainaguri, the second oldest capital of Kamatapur, and Panchagarh, the third capital of Kamatapur. Panchagarh was built as a capital between Karatoya and Tista by king Prithu; and as it was a few miles to the south of present Chaolhati, for communication between Mainaguri and Panchagarh, Jalpaiguri, most probably named after Jalpesh,[2] a ninth century pious king of Kamatapur, became gradually populated as a centre of trade and commerce in early times. It has to be noted that in the seventh and eighth century, some Vaishnava saints came to Jalapaiguri traversing their way to Manipur.[3] Sailen points out that in subsequent times, during the period of the Raikats, Jalpaiguri developed faster; but for its modernization, the British colonial period with the expansion of tea plantation in Jalpaiguri district and the Dooars, was the most significant duration of time.[4]

Geography

Teesta River

Jalpaiguri is located at 26°31′N 88°44′E / 26.52°N 88.73°E / 26.52; 88.73.[5] It has an average elevation of 75 metres (246 feet). Jalpaiguri lies in the middle of the vast fertile plains (Terai) south of the Himalayas, watered by innumerable rivers and rivulets rising from and flowing down the Himalayas. On a clear sunny day, Mount Kanchenjunga is visible from the town itself.

The town lies on the banks of the Teesta River, possibly the second largest river in West Bengal after the Ganges. A mass flood in 1968 nearly flattened out the town and huge spurs had to be built and the river diverted to some kilometers outside the town to avoid the same carnage as it caused. Other than Teesta, there are three other rivers passing by the town: Karala, Dharala and Panga.

The tiny River Karala flows through the middle of the town bisecting the town into two halves, thus prompting the remark, 'the Thames of Jalpaiguri'. Karala meets the Teesta some five kilometres south of the town.

Climate

The town experiences three seasons, namely Summer, Monsoons and Winter. Summers are tropical and quite hot with temperatures ranging in the mid-thirties.The highest recorded temperature in Jalpaiguri is 40.9 degree Celsius. Monsoons are very severe with the town experiencing high amount of rainfall, sometimes stalling all life and activities. Winters are again quite severe and chilly, with the cold Himalayan winds blowing straight into the town. Temperatures are around 10 to 18 degrees Celsius during this period. The lowest recorded temperature in Jalpaiguri is 2.2 degree Celsius.[citation needed]

Economy

Demographics

In the 2011 census, Jalpaiguri Urban Agglomeration had a population of 169,013, out of which 85,226 were males and 83,787 were females. The 0–6 years population was 14,522. Effective literacy rate for the 7+ population was 86.03 per cent.[6]

See also: List of cities in West Bengal

As of 2001 India census,[7] Jalpaiguri had a population of 100,212. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Jalpaiguri has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 75%. In Jalpaiguri, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Civic administration

Administration is the responsibility of the Jalpaiguri Municipality, one of the oldest in West Bengal. Setup in 1885, it is headed by a Chairman who is elected by the residents of the town.It has 26 wards,from where the honourable concillors are elected.Presently the municipality is headed by Mr. Mohan Bose.At present the Indian National Congress is in power of this municipal body. The responsibility of the welfare of the town and maintenance of public properties lies in its hands.

Places of interest

  • Royal Palace of Baiknthapur Royal Estate, at Rajbaripara. The building has made in the early of twentieth century in place of the old palace made by Raja Jayantadev Raikot. The awe inspiring view of the royal palace gate can definitely catch any spectator. It is Asia's largest reinforced arch structure without any use of concrete.
  • Several lakes in Rajbari Palace ground among them, the largest one excavated in the time of Raja Sarbadev Raikot by famous contractor Deenu Gomasta of Dinajpur somewhere around the middle of nineteenth century.
  • Jalpaiguri Nawab Bari (now the Jalpaiguri circuit bench of the Kolkata High Court).
  • Jubilee Park, a park located on the spurs of the River Teesta, from where one can get a sprawling beauty of the Sunrise and Sunset
  • India's first Forensic Science laboratory in the Police Lines, Racecourse Para.
  • King Shaheber Ghat
  • Rabindra Bhawan (also called the Arya Natya Samaj), one of the pioneering cultural centre of the city since the early of the twentieth century.
  • The River Teesta.
  • Teesta Udyan, a children's park along the banks of the River Karala.
  • Sarojendra Deb Raikat Kala Kendra, an Art Gallery opposite the Town Club Stadium.
  • Town Club Stadium'
  • Jogomaya Kalibari, a famous temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali on Temple Street. It also houses a temple of Baba Loknath.
  • Durga Puja, especially "The Ravana Badh" at Babupara
  • Devi Bhramari Temple near the village of Boda on the banks of river Teesta which is regarded as

one of the 51 Shakti peethas of India. People believed that the sacred left toe of Devi Sati has fallen after the famous daksha-yajna.

  • Several Tea Gardens (Karala Valley Tea Garden, Raipur Tea garden, Jaipur Tea garden, Denguajhar T.G.) are very near to Jalpaiguri Town and are worth a visit.
  • GOSALA mela near Denguajhar (Organised by Shri Baikunthnath Pinjrapol Gosala)
  • Devi Chaudhurani Mandir- It is believed that Devi Chaudhurani the bandit queen from the novel of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, has her Kali Temple near the bank of Karala and has an underground sub-way till the banks of Teesta.
  • Jalpesh Temple An old Shiva temple about 15 km from the town, established more than five hundred years ago.
  • Jatileshar Temple- Another ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, from the time of Sen period.
  • Jaldapara National Park, about 80 km (50 mi) west of the town.
  • Gorumara National Park, a wildlife national park located north towards the northern part of Jalpaiguri district.
  • Subham Building the house with beautiful look,and which was honoured by the presence of Desh Bondhu Chittaranjan Das,Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose,Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy,and many other freedom fighters, and which still shows the business sector and techniques to the district.(Verification needed.)

Education

Schools

Other than the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education, there are private schools administered by either the CNI or Catholic or other non Christian schools—these schools are affiliated mostly to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations. Jalpaiguri is home to some of the best known schools under the WBCHSE, like the Zilla School and the Govt. Girls' School, Fanindra Dev Institution (FDI). Karala Girls' School (now Suniti Bala Girls High School) is the oldest girls' school in the region. Jalpaiguri Zilla School is also 125+ years old school.

Universities and colleges

All colleges in the town are affiliated to the North Bengal University, Raja Rammohanpur, Siliguri except Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College which is affiliated to the West Bengal University of Technology. Ananda Chandra College is the leading science and arts college in the district of Jalpaiguri. There is a LAW college also in Jalpaiguri.

Sports

Stadiums

Jalpaiguri has two main stadium. The Town Club Stadium and newly built Jalpaiguri Sports Complex.

Sports clubs

Jalpaiguri Town Club is a century old club in this town. Other old sports clubs in Jalpaiguri are: JYMA, FUC and JYCC Olympia . SPOOTNIC CLUB at Kamar Para led by Barendra Krishna Bhowmik played an important role in freedom struggle and sports during British Raj Milan Sangha, Mohan Bagan Fans Club,East Bengal Fans Club,Netaji Modern Club 'o' Pathagar (NMC),RSA (Raikatpara Sporting Association),Shakti Sangha, Agragami Sangha, Jagrata Sangha, Tarun Dal, Mohitnagar Club 'O' Pathagar and Sanghasree Club are some other notable clubs of the town.

Transport

The main mode of public transport is the rickshaw, city auto and city Bus by NBSTC. Amongst personal transport, people use bicycles and other two-wheelers. Use of four-wheelers is also catching up slowly.

Bus services

There are several bus stands.

  • NBSTC depot. Govt. Buses are available from here.
  • Kadamtala Bus Terminus. Private buses to Siliguri are available from here.
  • Super Bus Stand. near the Railway Station - Super (or non stop) bus services to Siliguri are available from here.
  • Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Private Bus Terminus Netaji Para - Buses to the Dooars region, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Mathabhanga, Malbazar etc. are available from here.
  • Haldibari Bus Stand at the Bow Bajar - Bus services to Haldibari are available from here

Simanacharya Tours and Travels operates in all modes of transport. The town is very well connected to Siliguri (45 km away), Kolkata and all neighbouring towns and districts.

  • City Buses has also started functioning regularly from 8 am to 8 pm, at minimal rates.

Train services

Jalpaiguri lies in the Northeast Frontier Railway zone of the Indian Railways. There are Railway links to the rest of the country directly and via Kolkata as well. The major railway junction is New Jalpaiguri (Code:NJP) is just 40 km from the town. The other stations servicing the town directly are Jalpaiguri Road (Code:JPE) and Jalpaiguri (Code:JPG). Nearly the whole country is connected via the stations of New Jalpaiguri and Jalpaiguri Road. Also all the trains headed towards North-Eastern India pass through Jalpaiguri Road; and many have stops here.

Music

Jalpaiguri has a rich tradition of folk music. Folk music of the Rajbanshis (Original residents of the district) is named "Bhawaiya". Melancholic tune of Bhawaiya can take away all the tireness and sorrow of the listeners. The effect of traditional Bengali song as well as Western music can be easily found here.

Notable residents

Samaresh Majumdar

References

  1. ^ Sailen Debnath, The Dooars in Historical Transition, ISBN 9788186860441, N.L. Publishers
  2. ^ Sailen Debnath, Essays on Cultural History of North Bengal, ISBN 9788186860427, N.L. Publishers
  3. ^ Sailen Debnath, Essays on Cultural History of North Bengal, ISBN 9788186860427, N.L. Publishers
  4. ^ Sailen Debnath, The Dooars in Historical Transition, ISBN 9788186860441, N.L. Publishers
  5. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Jalpaiguri
  6. ^ "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  7. ^ Template:GR
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