Konnagar
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Konnagar is a town and a municipality of
Hooghly district Hooghly district () is one of the districts of the Indian state of West Bengal. It can alternatively be spelt ''Hoogli'' or ''Hugli''. The district is named after the Hooghly River. The headquarters of the district are at Hooghly-Chinsurah (' ...
in the
India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
n
state State most commonly refers to: * State (polity), a centralized political organization that regulates law and society within a territory **Sovereign state, a sovereign polity in international law, commonly referred to as a country **Nation state, a ...
of
West Bengal West Bengal (; Bengali language, Bengali: , , abbr. WB) is a States and union territories of India, state in the East India, eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabi ...
. The town is under the jurisdiction of the
Uttarpara Uttarpara or Uttarpara Kotrung is a city and a municipality of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). Uttarpara is located at , within 10 k ...
police station in Serampore subdivision. It is a part of the area covered by
Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is the statutory planning and development authority for the Kolkata metropolitan area in the Indian state of West Bengal West Bengal (; Bengali language, Bengali: , , abbr. WB) is a S ...
(KMDA).


History

In 1931,
Tomáš Baťa Tomáš Baťa () (3 April 1876 – 12 July 1932) was a Czech entrepreneur and founder of the Bata shoe company. His career was cut short when he died in a plane accident due to bad weather. Baťa's half-brother Jan Antonín Baťa took over h ...
, the Czechoslovak shoe tycoon, established his first Indian operation in Konnagar. By 1936, the plant was phased out. In May 1931, Baťa sold his business interests to his brother
Jan Antonín Baťa Jan Antonín Baťa (7 March 1898 – 23 August 1965) (also known as Jan Antonin Bata or Jan Bata, called the King of Shoes) was a Czech-Brazilian shoe manufacturer from Uherské Hradiště (southeastern Moravia), half-brother of Tomáš Baťa. ...
, who founded Batanagar, Bata's first permanent shoe factory in India. The Bata brand was launched on 24 August 1894 in
Zlín Zlín (in 1949–1989 Gottwaldov; ; ) is a city in the Czech Republic. It has about 75,000 inhabitants. It is the seat of the Zlín Region and it lies on the Dřevnice River. It is known as an industrial centre. The development of the modern city ...
, then in
Austria-Hungary Austria-Hungary, also referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Dual Monarchy or the Habsburg Monarchy, was a multi-national constitutional monarchy in Central Europe#Before World War I, Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. A military ...
(now in the
Czech Republic The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the south ...
). The company first established itself in India in 1931 by renting a building to start an experimental shoe production plant in Konnagar, with 75 Czech experts. Jan Antonín Baťa also built factories in
Digha Digha (), is a seaside resort town in the state of West Bengal, India. It lies in Purba Medinipur district and at the northern end of the Bay of Bengal. The town has a low gradient with a shallow sand beach. It is a popular sea resort in India ...
, near
Patna Patna (; , ISO 15919, ISO: ''Paṭanā''), historically known as Pataliputra, Pāṭaliputra, is the List of state and union territory capitals in India, capital and largest city of the state of Bihar in India. According to the United Nations, ...
, and elsewhere in India, employing more than 7,000 people. Batanagar, under Baťa's ideals, became one of the bigger suburban towns near
Kolkata Kolkata, also known as Calcutta ( its official name until 2001), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary ...
. Konnagar has been the home of many notable personalities. It was the ancestral home of the great nationalist and religious leader
Sri Aurobindo Sri Aurobindo (born Aurobindo Ghose; 15 August 1872 – 5 December 1950) was an Indian Modern yoga gurus, yogi, maharishi, and Indian nationalist. He also edited the newspaper Bande Mataram (publication), ''Bande Mataram''. Aurobindo st ...
and noted physicist
Sisir Kumar Mitra Sisir Kumar Mitra (or ''Shishirkumar Mitra'') MBE, FNI, FASB, FIAS, FRS (24 October 1890 – 13 August 1963) was an Indian physicist. Early life and education Mitra was born in his father's hometown of Konnagar, a suburb of Kolkata (the ...
. Shafiur Rahman one of the martyrs of the language movement in East Pakistan was born in Konnagar. The town had been visited by the greats of
Tagore Rabindranath Thakur (; anglicised as Rabindranath Tagore ; 7 May 1861 – 7 August 1941) was a Bengalis, Bengali polymath who worked as a poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer, and painter of the Bengal Renai ...
,
Mahasweta Devi Mahasweta Devi (14 January 1926 – 28 July 2016)
''
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 Sri Aurobindo (born Aurobindo Ghose; 15 August 1872 – 5 December 1950) was an Indian Modern yoga gurus, yogi, maharishi, and Indian nationalist. He also edited the newspaper Bande Mataram (publication), ''Bande Mataram''. Aurobindo st ...
'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 Mangal-Kāvya (; '' lit.'' "Poems of Benediction") is a group of Bengali religious texts, composed more or less between 13th and 18th centuries, notably consisting of narratives of indigenous deities of rural Bengal in the social scenario of t ...
. 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 organised on the grounds adjacent to the temple. Apart from this Puja, there is another important puja in this small city. Rajrajeshwari Puja has been organised in Konnagar for over 300 years now. It is held on the eve of Maghi Purnima (February).


Geography

Konnagar is located at . It has an average elevation of 14 metres (45 feet). Konnagar is positioned between
Rishra Rishra is a city and a municipality in Srirampore subdivision of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). History The origin of Rishra situate ...
and Hind Motor on the Howrah-Bardhaman main line and
Grand Trunk Road Grand Trunk Road (formerly known as Uttarapath, Sadak-e-Azam, Shah Rah-e-Azam, Badshahi Sadak, and Long Walk) is one of Asia's oldest and longest major roads. For at least 2,500 years it has linked Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent. It r ...
. It is located on the west bank of the River Hooghly. Its approximate area is 4.32 km2. West side of the Konnagar railway station is called Nabagram and Kanaipur. 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 known for its famous Shakuntala Kalitala Mandir, Baro Mandir, Rajrajeswari Mandir, Shankaracharya Temple, Bungalow of Abanindranath Tagore, Paternal house of Rishi Aurobindo Ghosh, Bramhosomaj Ghat and house made by Raja Rammohan Roy. The first ever workshop of Bata Shoe Company Ltd. in India was initially set up in Konnagar in 1932. Baro Mandir (Dwadosh Mandir Ghat/Twelve Temples) was built in 1821 in the bank of Ganges river. The Bungalow of Abanindranath Tagore is a heritage place of the city.


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 Bansberia is a city and a municipality of Hooghly district in the Indian States and territories of India, state of West Bengal. It is about away from Kolkata, at the western end of the Iswar Gupta Setu (Kalyani, West Bengal, Kalyani-Bansberia) ...
(M), Hugli-Chinsurah (M), Bara Khejuria (
Out Growth An out growth (OG) is an urban settlement contiguous to another urban area (such as a statutory town, census town, or city) that possesses urban characteristics but is not qualified as an independent town. It should not possess any uninhabited are ...
),
Shankhanagar Shankhanagar is a census town in Chinsurah Mogra CD Block in Chinsurah subdivision of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Geography Location Shankhanagar is located at . The area is composed of flat alluvial plains tha ...
(CT),
Amodghata Amodghata is a census town in Chinsurah Mogra CD Block in Chinsurah subdivision of Hooghly district in the state of West Bengal, India. Geography Location Amodghata is located at . The area is composed of flat alluvial plains that form ...
(CT),
Chak Bansberia Chak Bansberia is a census town in Chinsurah Mogra CD Block in Chinsurah subdivision of Hooghly district in the state of West Bengal, India. Geography Location Chak Bansberia is located at . The area is composed of flat alluvial plains ...
(CT), Naldanga (CT), Kodalia (CT),
Kulihanda Kulihanda is a census town in Chinsurah Mogra CD Block in Chinsurah subdivision of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Geography Location Kulihanda is located at . The area is composed of flat alluvial plains that form a p ...
(CT),
Simla Shimla, also known as Simla (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Himachal Pradesh, the official name until 1972), is the capital and the largest city of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summe ...
(CT), Dharmapur (CT), Bhadreswar (M),
Champdani Champdani is a city and a municipality of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is under Bhadreswar police station in Chandannagore subdivision. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (K ...
(M),
Chandannagar Chandannagar (), also known by its former names Chandannagore and Chandernagor (), is a city in the Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is headquarter of the Chandannagore subdivision and is a part of the area covered by Ko ...
(M Corp.),
Baidyabati Baidyabati is a city and a municipality of Hooghly district in the State of West Bengal in India. It is under Serampore police station of Srirampore subdivision. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KM ...
(M),
Serampore Serampore (also called Serampur, Srirampur, Srirampore, Shreerampur, Shreerampore, Shrirampur or Shrirampore) is a city in Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarters of the Srirampore subdivision. It is a part ...
(M),
Rishra Rishra is a city and a municipality in Srirampore subdivision of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). History The origin of Rishra situate ...
(M),
Rishra Rishra is a city and a municipality in Srirampore subdivision of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). History The origin of Rishra situate ...
(CT), Bamunari (CT),
Dakshin Rajyadharpur Dakshin Rajyadharpur is a census town in Sreerampur Uttarpara CD Block in Srirampore subdivision of Hooghly district in the state of West Bengal, India. Geography Location Dakshin Rajyadharpur is located at . Belumilki and Dakshin Rajyadh ...
(CT), Nabagram Colony (CT), Konnagar (M),
Uttarpara Kotrung Uttarpara or Uttarpara Kotrung is a city and a municipality of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). Uttarpara is located at , within 10 k ...
(M),
Raghunathpur (PS-Dankuni) Raghunathpur is a census town in Sreerampur Uttarpara CD Block in Srirampore subdivision of Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Geography Location Raghunathpur is located at . Rishra (CT), Bamunari, Nawapara, Nabagram ...
(CT), Kanaipur (CT) and Keota (CT).


Transport

Konnagar is well connected with
Howrah Howrah (; ; alternatively spelled as Haora) is a city in the Indian States and union territories of India, state of West Bengal. Howrah is located on the western bank of the Hooghly River, opposite to its twin city of Kolkata. Administratively ...
through trains. Konnagar lies on the Howrah-Bardhaman main line. Konnagar railway station has three platforms (1 for Down train, 2 for both and 3 for Up trains). Konnagar is also connected to
Kolkata Kolkata, also known as Calcutta ( its official name until 2001), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary ...
through roadways by State Highway 6/
Grand Trunk Road Grand Trunk Road (formerly known as Uttarapath, Sadak-e-Azam, Shah Rah-e-Azam, Badshahi Sadak, and Long Walk) is one of Asia's oldest and longest major roads. For at least 2,500 years it has linked Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent. It r ...
.


Private bus

* 2 Chunchura Court -
Dakshineswar Dakshineswar is a neighbourhood in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian States and union territories of India, state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Autho ...
* 285
Serampore Serampore (also called Serampur, Srirampur, Srirampore, Shreerampur, Shreerampore, Shrirampur or Shrirampore) is a city in Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarters of the Srirampore subdivision. It is a part ...
- New Town *3
Serampore Serampore (also called Serampur, Srirampur, Srirampore, Shreerampur, Shreerampore, Shrirampur or Shrirampore) is a city in Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarters of the Srirampore subdivision. It is a part ...
-
Bagbazar Bagbazar (also spelt Baghbazar) is a neighbourhood of North Kolkata, in Kolkata district in the Indian States and territories of India, state of West Bengal. The area, under Shyampukur police station of Kolkata Police, has been, along with neighb ...
/
Salt Lake A salt lake or saline lake is a landlocked body of water that has a concentration of salts (typically sodium chloride) and other dissolved minerals significantly higher than most lakes (often defined as at least three grams of salt per liter). I ...
*D4/1
Serampore Serampore (also called Serampur, Srirampur, Srirampore, Shreerampur, Shreerampore, Shrirampur or Shrirampore) is a city in Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarters of the Srirampore subdivision. It is a part ...
-
Bagbazar Bagbazar (also spelt Baghbazar) is a neighbourhood of North Kolkata, in Kolkata district in the Indian States and territories of India, state of West Bengal. The area, under Shyampukur police station of Kolkata Police, has been, along with neighb ...
( up to
Belgachia Belgachia is a neighbourhood of North Kolkata in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. History The East India Company obtained from the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar, in 1717, the right to rent from 38 villages surrounding their ...
) There are regular auto services available also towards Bally and
Serampore Serampore (also called Serampur, Srirampur, Srirampore, Shreerampur, Shreerampore, Shrirampur or Shrirampore) is a city in Hooghly district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarters of the Srirampore subdivision. It is a part ...
. Apart from this, there are Ferry Services to Greater Kolkata (
Panihati Panihati is a city and a municipality of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian States and territories of India, state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). History There is a l ...
) on the other end of Ganges banks. Now ferry service becomes more frequent.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport () is an international airport serving the city of Kolkata and the Kolkata metropolitan area, the capital metropolis of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the primary aviation hub for eas ...
is 17 km from Konnagar.


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. Every year there is a alumni meet on first Sun day of the year. In Konnagar, there are quite a few higher secondary high schools including Konnagar Rajendra Smriti Vidyalaya, Konnagar Hindu Girls' High School, Konnagar Boys' High School, Nabagram Hiralal Paul Girls High School and Nabagram Vidyapith. There are many government secondary schools including ASHALATA BALIKA VIDYALAYA (HIGH), KONNAGAR K.P. BALIKA S.S., KONNAGARSRI ARABINDA VIDYAPITH, Konnagar Nagendra Nath kundu Vidya Mandir. All the above mentioned institutions are Govt. hold. Apart from it there are various (more than 5) private educational institutions are there of all different Boards. Mother international school konnagar is on of the private school of CBSE board.


Notable people

*
Aurobindo Ghosh Sri Aurobindo (born Aurobindo Ghose; 15 August 1872 – 5 December 1950) was an Indian yogi, maharishi, and Indian nationalist. He also edited the newspaper ''Bande Mataram''. Aurobindo studied for the Indian Civil Service at King' ...
(Rishi), a famous freedom fighter. *
Premendra Mitra Premendra Mitra (4 September 1904 – 3 May 1988)Samsad Bengali Charitabhidhan Vol.II edited Anjali Bose, Published by Sagitta Samsad, Kolkata, Edition January,2019,Page-240 was an Indian poet, writer and film director in the Bengali language. ...
a renowned Bengali writer is connected with Konnagar by family. *
Shafiur Rahman Shafiur Rahman (; 24 January 1918 – 22 February 1952) is considered in Bangladesh to be a martyr of the language movement which took place in the former East Pakistan. Early life Shafiur Rahman was born in Konnagar, near Serampore, in Be ...
, martyr of the 1952 Language Movement. * Digambar Mitra, famous Kolkata-based descendant of Mitra family of Konnagar. * Sisir Kumar Ghosh, Social reformer. *
Sisir Kumar Mitra Sisir Kumar Mitra (or ''Shishirkumar Mitra'') MBE, FNI, FASB, FIAS, FRS (24 October 1890 – 13 August 1963) was an Indian physicist. Early life and education Mitra was born in his father's hometown of Konnagar, a suburb of Kolkata (the ...
, Scientist and pioneer of radio-science in India.


References

{{Hooghly topics Cities and towns in Hooghly district Neighbourhoods in Kolkata Kolkata Metropolitan Area