Kaliganj (community development block)

History

The Battle of Plassey was fought at Palashi in this block on 23 June 1757 between Siraj ud-Daulah, the last independent ruler of Bengal and the forces of the British East India Company under Lord Clive. The victory of the British forces in the battle marked the advent of British rule in Bengal, which over the next century expanded to cover most of India. There is a memorial stone, set up in 1883, that marks the victory of the British.

Location

Kaliganj is located at 23°44′N 88°14′E.

Kaliganj CD Block is bounded by Beldanga II CD Block, in Murshidabad district, in the north, Tehatta II and Nakashipara CD Blocks in the east, Katwa II CD Block, in Bardhaman district across the Bhagirathi, in the south and Katwa I and Ketugram II CD Blocks, in Bardhaman district across the Bhagirathi, in the west.

Area

Kaliganj community development block has an area of 317.18  km².

Physical features

Nadia district is mostly alluvial plains lying to the east of Hooghly River, locally known as Bhagirathi. The alluvial plains are cut across by such distributaries as Jalangi, Churni and Ichhamati. With these rivers getting silted up, floods are a recurring feature.

Gram panchayats

Gram panchayats of Kaliganj block/ panchayat samiti are: Barachandghar, Debagram, Faridpur, Gobra, Hatgachha, Juranpur, Kaliganj, Matiary, Mira I, Mira II, Palitbegia, Panighata, Plassey I, Plassey II and R Ghoraikhetra.

Demographics

As per 2011 Census of India Kaliganj CD Block had a total population of 334,881, of which 306,197 were rural and 28,684 were urban. There were 171,912 (51%) males and 162,569 (49%) females. The population below 6 years was 47,473. Scheduled Castes numbered 50,979 and Scheduled Tribes numbered 1,642.

As per 2001 census, Kaliganj block had a total population of 290,845, out of which 149,750 were males and 141,095 were females. Kaliganj block registered a population growth of 21.82 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for the district was 19.51 per cent. Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent.

Census towns and large villages

There are two census towns in Kaliganj CD Block (2011 census figures in brackets): Mira (14,391) and Matiari (14,293).

Large villages in Kaliganj CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Palashi (19,984), Uttar Hajratpota (8,180), Erardanga (4,001), Bara Kulberia (6,662), Kaliganj (8,575), Gabindapur (6,756), Jamalpur (8,900), Sajapur (5,064), Radhakantapur (6,550), Panighata (4,951), Kamari (4,050), Juranpur (6,165), Gobra (4,221), Bashar Khola (4,419), Debagram (32,695), Rautara (5,642), Bara Atagi (4,571), Ballabhpara (4,997), Molamdi (8,397), Bara Chandghar (16,713) and Chhota Chandghar (8,761).

Literacy

As per 2011 census the total number of literates in Kaliganj CD Block was 193,975 (65.89 % of the population over 6 years) out of which 104,124 (54%) were males and 85,951 (46%) were females.

As per 2011 census, literacy in Nadia district was 74.97. Literacy in West Bengal was 77.08% in 2011. Literacy in India in 2011 was 74.04%.

Language

Bengali is the local language in these areas.

Economy

Since time immemorial Kaliganj was most popular in respect of manufacturing shola hats which was being widely used by government officials, specially the police personnel. With the advent of other varieties of hats which also gained the approval for the use by the government officials the industry was closed.

Transportation

The Ranaghat-Lalgola branch line was opened in 1905. It passes through this CD Block and there are stations at Plassey, Pagla Chandi and Debagram.

NH 34 passes through this block.