Bankura district (Pron: bænˈkʊərə) (Bengali: বাঁকুড়া জেলা) is one of the seven districts of Burdwan Division in the Indian state of West Bengal. The district has been described as the "connecting link between the plains of Bengal on the east and Chota Nagpur plateau on the west." The areas to the east and north-east are low lying alluvial plains. To the west the surface gradually rises, giving way to undulating country, interspersed with rocky hillocks.[2] Centre of the famous Malla kingdom of western Bengal, Bankura and its surrounding regions are identified with its historical and cultural significance for the later period of Middle Ages. Vaishnavism, which gained the status of state religion of the Malla kingdom in seventeenth century AD, shaped the culture of the region. The Malla Kingdom was annexed by British East India Company in 1765 and the modern Bankura district took its form in 1881 and was named after its headquarters. The hills of the district consist of outliers of the Chota Nagpur plateau and only two are of any great height -- Biharinath and Susunia. While the former rises to a height of 448 metres (1,470 ft), the latter attains a height of 440 metres (1,440 ft).[2] The rivers of the area flow from the north-east to the south-west in courses roughly parallel to one another. They are mostly hill streams, originating in the hills in the west. The rivers come down in floods after heavy rains and subside as rapidly as they rise. In summer, their sand beds are almost always dry. The principal rivers are: Damodar, Dwarakeswar, Shilabati,Kangsabati, Sali, Gandheswari, Kukhra, Birai, Jaypanda and Bhairabbanki. There are some small but picturesque water falls along the course of the Shilabati near Harmasra, and along the course of the Kangsabati in the Raipur area.[2] Kangsabati Project was started during the second five year plan period (1956--1961). The dam across the Kangsabati has a length of 10,098 metres (33,130 ft) and a height of 38 metres (125 ft).[14] Bankura is the headquarters of the district. Bishnupur (or Vishnupur) is a subdivisional town of Bankura district. It was the capital of the Mallabhum kingdom, once the most important Hindu dynasty in Bengal. This town famous for the Terracotta Temples made by the local red soils. This city often called as the 'Temple City' of Bengal. Susunia hills and Beharinath hills are located in the district. Mukutmonipur dam and Sutan are notable tourist spots. Gouripur leprosy hospital is Asia's largest leprosy hospital. Mejiapower plant is the only thermal power plant of this district. Darakaswar, Gandheaswari and Kansabati are the major rivers flow through the district. Jaipur forest is the only forest in the plains of Southern Bengal. Bankura Sammilani Medical College is the oldest medical college in this area. Birbhum district (Bengali: বীরভূম জেলা) (Pron: ˌbɪəˈbu:m) is an administrative unit in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the northernmost district of Burdwan division—one of the three administrative divisions of West Bengal. The district headquarters is located at Suri.[1][2]Jamtara, Dumka and Pakur districts of the state of Jharkhand lie at the western border of this district, whereas the border in other directions is covered by the districts of Bardhaman and Murshidabad of West Bengal. the Chhota Nagpur Plateau. This region gradually merges with the fertile alluvial farmlands in the east.[4] This district saw many cultural and religious movements in history. The Visva Bharati University at Santiniketan, established by Rabindranath Tagore, is one of the places Birbhum is internationally renowned for.[5] Many festivals are celebrated in this culturally rich district, including the notable Poush Mela.[6] Birbhum is primarily an agricultural district with around 75% of the population being dependent on agriculture.[7] Principal industries of the district include cotton and silk harvesting and weaving, rice and oilseed milling, lac harvesting, stone mining and metalware and pottery manufacture.[8] Bakreshwar Thermal Power Station is the only heavy industry in the district.[9] Birbhum and Bardhaman. The state ofJharkhand is located at the northern and the western border of Birbhum and Murshidabad is located at the east.[2][8][10] Geographically, this area lies at the north eastern end of the Chota Nagpur Plateau, as it slopes down and merges with the alluvial plains of the Ganges. The western portion of the district is historically known as Vajjabhumi or Bajrabhumi.[4][12] It is an undulating upland that is generally barren. The comparatively more fertile Surce by http://www.google.co.in/#q=birbhum+district&undefined;=undefined Surce by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bankura_district

• published: 13 Dec 2013
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