Ranaghat is a city and a municipality in Nadia district in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of the Ranaghat subdivision. It is compact but one of the densely populated cities of West Bengal. It is known for its handloom industry, various types of flowers and floriculture and a flower market.
History
After the independence of India, Ranaghat was chosen to be the district capital of Nadia, but later Krishnanagar city was selected instead.
Ranaghat has existed since the British invaded India. The most likely origin for the name of the town comes from Rani (Queen) or Rana (a Rajput warrior) and Ghat (steps leading to the river). A myth is still prevalent that the name of the town came from the bandit 'Rana Dacoit', who used to pillage this area five or six hundred years back and he used to give pujas to the goddess Kali to thank her.[2]
A large percentage of the population are the families of Hindu refugees from Bangladesh, who fled during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 with Pakistan. There are also many families who had extensive ties to foreign investments in the town. Ranaghat also played an important role in the Indian struggle for freedom.[3]
This is the home town of some notable Bengali people. Film actress Raakhee Gulzar was born and brought up in a refugee colony in Ranaghat.[4] Athlete and olympian Soma Biswas is from Ranaghat. Poet Joy Goswami was brought up in the town near Chotobazar area. Krishna Panti was known as one of the "5 Great Noblemen of Bengal." He and his descendants the Pal-Chaudhuri family donated land and built many of the town's temples. He was given the title Pal-Chaudhuri and became Zamindar over a huge area of Nadia. Employing Scottish architects, he built palatial buildings, temples and gardens, which are some of the only such buildings in the region to remain mostly intact.[citation needed]
Cities and towns in Ranaghat subdivision of Nadia district M: municipal town/ city/notified area, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre. Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
Location
The town is exactly 74 kilometres north of Calcutta and 26 kilometres south of Krishnanagar, Nadia District headquarter. It is located on the banks of River Churni.
Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map. All the four subdivisions are presented with maps on the same scale – the size of the maps vary as per the area of the subdivision.
Police station
Ranaghat and Taherpur police stations have jurisdiction over Ranaghat, Birnagar, Taherpur and Ranaghat I CD Block.[5][6] The total area covered by the Ranaghat police station is 250 km2 and the population covered was 624,151 in 2001.[7]
As of 2001[update] India census,[8] Ranaghat had a population of 68,754.[9] Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Ranaghat had an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy was 87%, and female literacy was 80%. In Ranaghat, 8% of the population was under 6 years old.[citation needed]
In the 2011 census, Ranaghat Urban Agglomeration had a population of 235,583, out of which 119,578 were male and 116,005 were female. The 0–6 years population was 18,575. Effective literacy rate for the 7+ population was 86.10%. Male literacy was 89.77% and female literacy at 82.33%[10]
Ranaghat is an important place of business. Small traders from nearby towns and villages purchase goods from Ranaghat Town Bazar. Both wholesale and retail business have developed here.
The economy of Ranaghat and its surrounding region is mostly based on agriculture. Paddy (rice), flour, wheat and fruits are produced by farmers outside the main township. Various dairy products are transported to Kolkata every morning. A cold storage had been renovated by former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya at Nokari village, located on east half of the town.[citation needed]
The Department of Food Processing Industries of India was planning to set up a market complex exclusively for florists in Ranaghat.[12] Ranaghat has one of the most capturing market of flowers in West Bengal.[13]
Another industry which receives immense government patronage is handicraft and boutiques. At least a 1000 people depend on this for their livelihood. Aishtala (situated on the west bank of river Churni) is a place for textile weaving. Moreover, ready-made garments are trendy clothes of late became very popular among the teens and youths.[14]
A pandal during durga-pujaA glimpse of Rathyatra Utsav'09 at night
The town is inhabited mostly by Bengali Hindus. Durga-puja and Kali puja, like in all other Bengali communities, are the largest and most colourful festivals and are celebrated throughout the town.[citation needed][15]
A Hindu festival called 'Dol yatra' is celebrated everywhere at the town. A village named 'Harinagar' is known for 'kirtan',[citation needed] a gathering of Hindu religious people in a motive to know God Krishna, is very popular.
History of the ancient rath yatra[16] of Ranaghat: The history of Pal-Chowdhury and De-Chowdhury is closely associated with the Rath Yatra of the ancient city of Ranaghat. The 3 ancient chariots of Ranaghat are in the hands of this dynasty.Two different dynasties of the Pal Chowdhury ratha yatra in different ways. One is Krishnapanti and the other is Shambhupanti. It is known from earlier accounts that Krishnapanti and Shambhupanti bought the village of Ranaghat on the banks of the river Churni at auction. Today's Ranaghat town is made up of different lands donated by them.
Muslim community also present in court para. People from all ethnic/religious groups live together in a peaceful way and. The Christian community celebrates Christmas at Begopara Church outside the main township. During Christmas, people from all religions join the party. Moreover, there is a mosque at Nasra-para, on the outskirts of the town. Here people celebrate Eid, Durga Puja, Diwali and Christmas together.[citation needed][17]
Sports
Cricket and football are the most popular sports in Ranaghat. Karate has been a great interest amongst the youth of Ranaghat since the 1980s. Since then many boys and girls have excelled in this field and brought laurels for Ranaghat even from national and international arena.
The railway station at Ranaghat has a long history. The Sealdah–Ranaghat rail connection was made during the British period. This main line was opened in September 1862. Ranaghat–Kalyani and Ranaghat–Shantipur sections were electrified in the financial year 1963–64.[18]
Railway ministry of India are taking steps to make Ranaghat Railway station as a station of national importance. Numerous plans have been considered for the modernization and improvement of the platforms and the surrounding areas.
Roadways
Streets of Ranaghat.
The town has three bus-stands, one at Rathtala, one near Ranaghat College and one over GNPC Road opposite police phari. CSTC buses plying from Kolkata going to North Bengal also has a stop at Ranaghat on NH-34. Buses ply to Krishnanagar, Hanskhali, Aishmali, Palashi, Bethua and other parts of Nadia district. Long-distance night buses to north Bengal are also available. People in general, though prefer trains because of ready availability and more convenience.[citation needed]
India
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