Berachampa

Berachampa is a village in Deganga CD Block in Barasat Sadar subdivision of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Near Berachampa, there is the ancient archaeological site of Chandraketugarh, circa 300 BC. Deulia and Deganga are located nearby.

Berachampa
Village
Berachampa
Location in West Bengal, India
Coordinates: 22.70°N 88.69°E / 22.70; 88.69
Country India
StateWest Bengal
DistrictNorth 24 Parganas
Government
 • Block Development OfficerMr. Manobendro Das
 • MPKakali Ghosh Dastidar
 • MLARahima Mondal
Elevation
10 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total2,957
Languages
 • OfficialBengali, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
743424
Telephone code91 3216
Vehicle registrationWB24
Websitenorth24parganas.nic.in

History
The mound of Khana-Mihir or Baraha-Mihir on Prithiba road, Berachampa.

Near Berachampa, there is the archeological site of Chandraketugarh, thought to be a part of the ancient kingdom Gangaridai that was first described by Ptolemy. The history of Chandraketugarh dates back to almost the 3rd century BC, during the pre-Mauryan era. Artefacts suggest that the site was continuously inhabited and flourished through the Shunga-Kushana period, onwards through the Gupta period and finally into the Pala-Sena period. Archaeological studies suggest that Chandraketugarh was an important town and a port city. It had a high encircling wall complete with a rampart and moat. The residents were involved in various crafts and mercantile activities. Although the religious inclinations of the people are unclear, hints of the beginning of some future cults can be seen in the artefacts. Some of the potteries carry inscriptions in Kharoshthi and Brahmi scripts.[1]

PeriodDynastyYear
Period IMaurya300–200 BC
Period IIIShunga200 BC – 50 AD
Period IVKushan50–300 AD
Period VGupta300–500 AD
Period VIPost-Gupta500–750 AD
Period VIIPala-Chandra-Sena750–1250 AD

After these periods, there was no such example of any other civilization on the ruin of Chandraketugarh. Anyway, the history of Berachampa was same as the History of Bengal. The Deva dynasty, Ilyas Shahi dynasty, Ganesha dynasty and Hussain Shahi dynasty ruled this region finally before Mughal period started.

Chandraketugarh features many examples of terracotta art, displaying an unusual degree of precision and craftsmanship. These plaques are comparable to those found at other better-known sites such as Kaushambi and Ahichhatra. The terracotta plaques from these sites often carry similar motifs executed in nearly identical fashion. This similarity suggests an established communication link and common cultural heritage among these sites.

A large number of silver punch-marked coins and a few gold coins have been unearthed from Chandraketugarh, including a gold coin of Chandragupta-Kumardevi. A large number of semi-precious stone beads were also found here, along with items made of ivory and bone. Even a few wooden objects have survived.

Geography

Berachampa is located at 22°43'N 88°29'E. Berachampa is located in the Ganges Brahmaputra delta region in the district of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal state in eastern India. The village is roughly half-way between the towns of Barasat and Basirhat, approximately 34 kilometres (21 miles) from Kolkata.[2]

Climate

The climate is tropical, like the rest of West Bengal. A notable weather feature is the Monsoon season, which runs from early June to mid-September. The weather remains dry during the winter (mid-November to mid-February) and humid during summer. Typical temperature variations would be from 41 °C (106 °F) in May (high), to 10 °C (50 °F) in January (low). Relative humidity fluctuates between an average of 50% in March up to 96% in July.

Demographics

As per the 2011 Census of India, Berachanpa had a total population of 2,957, of which 1,506 (51%) were males and 1,451 (49%) were females. Population below 6 years was 279. The total number of literates in Berachanpa was 2,453 (91.60% of the population over 6 years).[3]

Economy

Cotton weaving is the major industry in Berachampa; it is also an important trade center for goods such as rice, legumes, jute, sugar cane, potatoes and coconuts. Many small industries can be found in and around the town, especially metalworking factories. Retail is a major source of income for the town, with the main market located near Taki Road.

Farming is a vital occupation in Berachampa. The presence of many leading banks (State Bank of India, United Bank of India, Allahabad Bank, Axis Bank, etc.) and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LICI) offices also provide employment.

Politics

Berachampa is a part of the Barasat (Lok Sabha constituency) and the Deganga (Vidhan Sabha constituency).

Transport

Roads

Berachampa can be reached from Kolkata via V.I.P Road (Najrul Islam Sarani), Jessore Road (National Highway 34) and Taki Road.

Berachampa contains a major road junction, connecting the following roads:

  • The Taki Road (SH 35), which leads to Taki, and ultimately to the Bangladesh border.
  • The Haroa Road, which leads to New Town via Haroa
  • Megacity Road.
  • Prithiba Road, which leads to Prithiba near Ashoknagar.
  • Baduria Road, which leads to Baduria.

Buses
Private Buses
DN Series
MM Series
Bus Routes without Numbers
  • Chakla – Salt Lake Karunamoyee
STA Bus
WBTC Bus

Rail

The nearest station is Harua Road railway station, which is attached to the Sealdah-Hasnabad Section of Eastern Railway. The Barasat-Basirhat Railway line was originally run by Martin's Light Railways, but is now run as a section of Sealdah division of Eastern Railways.

Air

Dumdum Airport (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport) is 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) from Berachampa.

Transport within the city

Most public transport within the city relies on cycle-rickshaws, and three-wheeled man-driven "cycle-vans". Auto rickshaws operate between Berachampa and nearby areas like Barasat, Kalitala, and Haroa.

Culture
Basanti Puja celebration in Berachampa

The culture of Berachampa is similar to other small towns in Bengal.Basanti puja is very famous in Berachampa. Debalaya Bhatri Sangha is the oldest club of Berachampa who organised Basanti Puja first. Deganga Book Fair is one of the most important book fairs of North 24 Parganas.

Education

Schools
Binapani Balika Vidyalaya

Colleges
Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Polytechnic
  • Chandraketugarh Sahidullah Smriti Mahavidyalaya was established at Berachampa in 1997. Affiliated with the West Bengal State University, it offers honours courses in Bengali, English, Sanskrit, Arabic, history, philosophy, education, political science, sociology and agriculture & rural development, and general courses in arts and science. The college has developed a "Chandraketugarh Museum".[4][5]
  • Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Polytechnic was approved in 1963. It offers diploma courses in civil, mechanical, electrical and electronics & telecommunication engineering.[6]
  • Rahmat-E-Alam Mission, a modern Educational Institute.[7]

Media

The media in Berachampa tends to be dominated by that of Kolkata. The state-owned television broadcaster Doordarshan provides two free terrestrial channels, while MSO provides a mix of Bengali, Hindi, English and other regional channels via cable.

Sports

Football is the main sport in the town, though cricket is also popular. Traditional Indian sports like Kabbadi and kho-kho are also played.

Some players, such as Hachibuddin Mondal, Mohidul Islam and Monirul Mondal, play for the Mohameddan sporting club.

Healthcare

Berachampa is one of the areas where ground water is affected by arsenic contamination.[8]

The North 24 Parganas District Hospital is located in Barasat. Berachampa also has several privately operated nursing homes and hospitals, such as the United Nursing Home, Janoseva Nursing Home, and Sundarban Nursing Home etc.

Notable people
Warren Hastings
  • Warren Hestings, lived in Berachampa during the early 18th century.
  • Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah, a linguist and scholar, lived in Berachampa.
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See also

References
  1. "Reference Study for Chandraketugarh". History of Bengal. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  2. "Berachampa". India 9. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  3. "C.D. Block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA)". West Bengal – District-wise CD Blocks. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  4. "Chandraketugarh". CSSM. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  5. "Chandraketugarh Sahidullah Smriti Mahavidyalaya". College Admission. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  6. "Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Polutechnic". ICBSE. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  7. "Rahmat-E-Alam Educational & Welfare Trust". REW. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  8. "Groundwater Arsenic contamination in West Bengal-India (19 years study )". Groundwater arsenic contamination status of North 24-Parganas district, one of the nine arsenic affected districts of West Bengal-India. SOES. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2007.
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