Konnagar

History

It was a small town that grew to be a town in the 19th century. Sib Chandra Deb, the renowned Derozian and Brahmo leader, contributed substantially towards development of Konnagar. A pioneer in women's emancipation, he assisted in the development of schools in the area. The railway station was opened in 1856 and the post office in 1858.

In 1931, Tomas Bata, the Czech shoe tycoon, established his first Indian operation at Konnagar. By 1936, the Konnagar plan was phased out. In May 1931, Tomas sold his business interests to his brother Jan Antonin Bata who established Batanagar, Bata's first permanent shoe factory in India. The Bata brand was established on August 24, 1894 in Zlín, Czech Republic. The company first established itself in India in 1931 by renting a building to start an experimental shoe production plant in Konnagar, West Bengal with 75 Czech experts. Though it was under Jan Antonin Bata administration that designed, developed and built the industrial city called Batanagar in 1934. Jan Bata also build factories in Digha near Patna, and elsewhere in India, employing more than 7,000 people. Batanagar, under Jan Bata's ideals became one of the bigger sub-urban towns near Kolkata.

The Sens of Konnagar are also very famous for their contribution to the cultural growth in the place. They were the zamindars till late 19th century, but slowly with the British rule coming to an end, the zamindari rules also collapsed. Konnagar has been the home of many notable personalities. It was the ancestral home of the great nationalist and religious leader Sri Aurobindo[1] and noted physicist Sisir Kumar Mitra. [2] Shafiur Rahman one of the martyrs of the language movement in East Pakistan was born in Konnagar. [3]

The town had been visited by the greats of Tagore, Mahasweta Devi and many others. Tagore was believed to be just a child when he and his family came to this town to escape the onslaught of Dengue which hit Kolkata. He revisited the town again when he was 19. He came to visit the Brahmasomaj Ghat along with his father Maharshi Debendranath. Shibram Chakraborty used to live here for a brief period of time in his childhood near G.T.Road beside Konnagar High School.Sri Aurobindo's father and famous Indian geographer Shashi Bhusan Chatterjee happened to be a pupil of Konnagar High School established in the 19th century. And the town though got recognition chiefly due to the initiatives of Sib Chandra Deb, its antiquity can hardly be denied. Its reference is there even in the 500-year-old Mangal-Kāvya.

Konnagar is well known for its Shakuntala Kali Temple. This temple is considered to be very sacred and people from various parts of West Bengal pay a visit. This is a Puja that was started by the Chakraborty Bari Zamindars and today it has become an important event in Konnagar's calendar. The annual Puja is held in the Bengali calendar month of Boisakh (April). A very interesting fact about this Puja is that the idol is completed on the day of Puja itself. There are grand Fairs organized on the grounds adjacent to the temple.

Apart from this Puja, there is another important puja in this small city. Rajrajeshwari Puja has been organized in Konnagar for over 300 years now. It is held on the eve of Maghi Purnima (February).

The town is known for quality sweets, musical excellence and dense population.

Geography

Konnagar is located at 22.7°N 88.35°E / 22.7; 88.35. It has an average elevation of 14 metres (45 feet).Konnagar is positioned between Rishra and Hindmotor on the Howrah-Bardhaman Main Line and Grand Trunk Road. It is located on the west bank of the River Hooghly. Approximate area is 4.32 km².

West side of the Konnagar railway station is called Nabagram. Most of the population in Nabagram is migrated from East Bengal. Being situated only 13.5 km from the heart of Kolkata the area enjoys semi urban status. Konnagar has an extensive fruit and vegetable market which is visited by people from the nearby areas. The market is famous for its affordable prices. Konnagar is filled with many cultural clubs which makes it a culturally rich town.

Konnagar is also the place of the famous Kalitala, Baro Mandir & Shankaracharya Temple. Baro Mandir (Twelve Temples)was built in 1821 near the Ganges river.

Demographics

As per 2011 Census of India Konnagar had a total population of 76,172 of which 38,653 (51%) were males and 37,519 (49%) were females. Population below 6 years was 5,815. The total number of literates in Konnagar was 63,911 (90.84% of the population over 6 years).

The following Municipalities and Census Towns in Hooghly district were part of Kolkata Urban Agglomeration in 2011 census: Bansberia (M), Hugli-Chinsurah (M), Bara Khejuria (Out Growth), Shankhanagar (CT), Amodghata (CT), Chak Bansberia (CT), Naldanga (CT), Kodalia (CT), Kulihanda (CT), Simla (CT), Dharmapur (CT), Bhadreswar (M), Champdani (M), Chandannagar (M Corp.), Baidyabati (M), Serampore (M), Rishra (M), Rishra (CT), Bamunari (CT), Dakshin Rajyadharpur (CT), Nabagram Colony (CT), Konnagar (M), Uttarpara Kotrung (M), Raghunathpur (PS-Dankuni) (CT), Kanaipur (CT) and Keota (CT).

As of 2001 India census, Konnagar had a population of 72,211. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Konnagar has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 77%. In Konnagar, 8% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Education

Nabagram Hiralal Paul College, a general degree college, was established in 1957, at Nabagram, Konnagar. Prof. Sudhangshu Sekhar Bhattacharya, from the Bhattacharya family of Nabagram was one of the early member of this college and a big contributor to the build-up of the college.

Culture

To accommodate the cultural events in Konnagar, the Municipality erected an auditorium "Rabindra Bhavan". This auditorium was built under supervision of the then Chairman of Konnagar Municipality, Samir Bandyopadhyay and his group of advisers such as Bireswar Bandyopadhay, Bishnupada Dutta and other renowned cultural personalities from Konnagar. Rabindra Bhavan is now rented for conducting school programs, other cultural activities. Recently a bust of Shibchandra Deb, the founder of modern Konnagar, has been unveiled.

A Book fair and Industrial Fair is also held every year by the Municipality at the Shakuntala Field in January/February.

Transport

Konnagar is well connected with Howrah through trains. Konnagar lies on the Howrah-Burdwan main line link. The railway station has three platforms (2 for Down trains and 1 for Up trains). Konnagar is also connected to Kolkata through roadways by Grand Trunk Road. Bus number 3 and 54/2 ply all day long. While Bus number 3 starts from Serampore, 54/2 starts from Rishra, 2 starts from Konnagar to Chuchura Court. There are few CTC busses that run from Serampore to Karunamoyee via New Town. There are regular auto services available too. Apart from this there are Ferry Services to Greater Kolkata on the other end of Ganges banks.

People