Jalpaiguri

Jalpaiguri
Jalpaiguri Location of Jalpaiguri in West Bengal and India
Coordinates	26°31′N 88°44′E / 26.52°N 88.73°E / 26.52; 88.73
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District(s)	Jalpaiguri district
Chairman	Mohan Bose
Population • Density	100,212 (2001[update]) • 1,426 /km2 (3,693 /sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	70.29 km2 (27 sq mi) • 89 m (292 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 735 101 • Telephone • +03561 • Vehicle • WB-71 WB-72

Jalpaiguri (Bengali: জলপাইগুড়ি Jôlpaiguṛi) is a town in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of Jalpaiguri district, and the divisional headquarters of the North Bengal region.

History

Jalpaiguri was initially founded as a trading centre, as the origins of its name suggests. The name Jalpaiguri may come from the Bhutanese term je-le-pe-go-ri, which means 'a place where warm clothes are bought and sold'. Others attribute the name to the more common Bengali term jôlpai "olive" and thus the name meaning "town of olives".

For some time, the town was capital of the Raikats of Baikunthapur. The town was part of the Duars area of the old Kamarupa and later the Bhutanese kingdoms, which was later annexed by the British in 1864. They divided the captured area into two parts and merged the eastern half into the Goalpara district (now in Assam) and converted the western half into a new district of Western Duars and then in 1869, it was reorganised and renamed to Jalpaiguri, with Jalpaiguri town becoming the district headquarters.

The town saw its main boom period during the late 19th and early 20th century, when the British found the region north-east of the town (called the Dooars region), near the foothills of the Bhutan hills very suitable for tea cultivation. Within a very small period the area was dotted with thousands of tea gardens, with Jalpaiguri town becoming the port-of-call for all going to those gardens. People flocked to the town to lay their hands on a part of the lucrative tea-trade. This resulted in the cosmopolitan nature of the town, with people from many parts of the country settling there. Business boomed and the town established itself as the premier commercial and cultural hub of the northern Bengal region. It also helped that the town was well connected with Kolkata (then Calcutta), as it lay on the main Railway link between Calcutta and Darjeeling (via the Hardinge Bridge and Parbatipur junction, now in Bangladesh).

The British had their own little spots in and around the town. The Jalpaiguri Club, the Race Course (now defunct), the beautiful bungalows along the banks of the Teesta and the Karala and the defunct airport at Panga, close to the town, bear testimony to this fact.

It is amazing how Jalpaiguri still retained most of its colonial character even fifty-plus years after independence. The core town possibly resembles more or less the same as it was during the end of the British rule. A walk along the Teesta beside the stately bungalows, built by the British, now housing the Government officials, would evoke the same feelings. A visit to the beautiful parks and gardens along the banks of the Karala gives peace to the strained city-dweller. This is colonial Bengal in all its glory.

Geography

Jalpaiguri is located at 26°31′N 88°44′E / 26.52°N 88.73°E / 26.52; 88.73^[1]. It has an average elevation of 75 metres (246 feet). Jalpaiguri lies in the middle of the vast fertile plains (Terai) south of the Himalayas, watered by innumerable rivers and rivulets rising from and flowing down the Himalayas. On a clear sunny day, Mount Kanchenjunga is visible from the town itself.

Teesta River

The town lies on the banks of the Teesta River, possibly the second largest river in West Bengal after the Ganga. A mass flood in 1968 nearly flattened out the town and huge spurs had to be built and the river diverted to some kilometers outside the town to avoid the same carnage as it caused. Other than Teesta, there are three other rivers passing by the town: Karala, Dharala and Panga.

The tiny River Karala flows through the middle of the town bisecting the town into two halves, thus prompting the remark, 'the Thames of Jalpaiguri'. Karala meets the Teesta some five kilometres south of the town.

Climate

The town experiences three seasons, namely Summer, Monsoons and Winter. Summers are tropical and quite hot with temperatures ranging in the mid-thirties. Monsoons are very severe with the town experiencing high amount of rainfall, sometimes stalling all life and activities. Winters are again quite severe and chilly, with the cold Himalayan winds blowing straight into the town. Temperatures are around 3 to 8 degrees Celsius during this period.

Economy

The economy of the town is centred around the tea industry. A Tea Auction Centre has recently come up in the town. The second largest employer in the town is the Government. Jalpaiguri is home to a number of district-level and divisional-level offices, thus having a large government-employee workforce. The recent setting up of the North Bengal bench of the Kolkata High Court has only added to the numbers. Business in the town is mainly centered around retailing goods, with the main centres around Merchant Road, D.B.C.Road and Temple Street.

A industrial park just 10 km from the town en route to Siliguri has come up at Raninagar. A number of companies like Coca Cola, Hindustan Lever(now it is not there), etc., have set up shop there.

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census^[2], Jalpaiguri had a population of 100,212. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Jalpaiguri has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 75%. In Jalpaiguri, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Civic administration

Administration is the responsibility of the Jalpaiguri Municipality, one of the oldest in West Bengal. Setup in 1905, it is headed by a Chairman who is elected by the residents of the town. The responsibility of the welfare of the town and maintenance of public properties lies in its hands.

Politics

Current MLA from Jalpaiguri assembly constituency is Debaprasad Roy of INC, who won the seat in State elections of 2006. Previous MLAs from this seat include Gobinda Roy of FBL who won this seat in 2001, Anupam Sen of INC who won in 1996 and in 1991, and Nirmal kumar Bose of FBL who had won in 1987, 1982 and 1977.^[3]

Jalpaiguri assembly constituency is part of Jalpaiguri (Lok Sabha constituency).^[4]

Places of interest

Jalpaiguri Rajbari Gate

• Jalpaiguri Rajbari, at Rajbaripara. "Rajbari" means Palace. The palace gate at Rajbari is a large unreinforced concrete arch structure..
• Sun rise, sun rise at Teesta spur is a real refreshment.
• River Karala, Walking through the bank of river Karala and enjoy the nature.

• Several lakes in Rajbari Palace ground.
• Jalpaiguri Nawab Bari (now the Jalpaiguri circuit bench of the Kolkata High Court).
• Jubilee Park, a park located on the spurs of the River Teesta.
• India's first Forensic Science laboratory in the Police Lines, Racecourse Para.
• King Shaheber Ghat
• Rabindra Bhawan (also called the Arya Natya Samaj).
• The River Teesta.
• Teesta Udyan, a children's park along the banks of the River Karala.
• Sarojendra Deb Raikat Kala Kendra, an Art Gallery opposite the Town Club Stadium.
• Town Club Stadium.
• Jogomaya Kalibari, a famous temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali on Temple Street. It also houses a temple of Baba Loknath.
• Kali Temple at Paharpur.
• Several Tea Gardens (Karala Valley Tea Garden, Raipur Tea garden, Jaipur Tea garden, Denguajhar T.G.) are very near to Jalpaiguri Town and are worth a visit.
• Jalpesh Temple. An old Shiva temple about 15 km from the town.

Jalpesh Temple

• Jatileshar Temple , Tie a stone on the branch of the old tree and wish for good.
• Jaldapara Wildlife sanctuary, about 50 km west of the town
• Gorumara National Park, a wildlife national park located north towards the northern part of Jalpaiguri district.

Education

Schools

Other than the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education, there are private schools administered by either the CNI or Catholic or other non Christian schools --- these schools are affiliated mostly to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations. Jalpaiguri is home to some of the best known schools under the WBCHSE, like the Zilla School and the Govt. Girls' School. Karala Girls' School (now Suniti Bala Girls High School) is the oldest girls' school in the region. Jalpaiguri Zilla School is also 125+ years old school. Some of the prominent schools in the town are -

Urban Area

• Jalpaiguri Zilla School.
• Jalpaiguri Govt. Girls' High School
• Fanindra Deb Institution(FDI)
• Shishuniketan School
• Central Girls School
• Holy Child School
• Sunity Bala Academy (formerly known as Sadar Girls' School)
• Sonaullah High Secondary School
• Sonali Girls School
• Kadamtala Girls High School
• Jalpaiguri High School
• Arabindanagar Uchamadhyamik Vidyalaya
• Saint Anthony's School---Badest school in Jalpaiguri.
• St.Paul's School
• Radclif School
• Jalpaiguri Hindi High School
• Deshbandhunagar boys high school, Deshbandhunagar, W/No. 14. Jalpaiguri
• Deshbandhunagar Girls School, Deshbandhunagar, W/No. 14. Jalpaiguri
• Ashalata Basu Vidyalaya, Old Police Line

Rural Area

• Mohitnagar Taraprasad Uchcha Vidyalaya (Boye's/Girl's), Mohitnagar
• Ursuline Girls School (Hindi)
• St. Viani School
• St. Ambrose Open School
• Raninagar Rabindra Nath Uchcha Vidyalaya, Raninagar.
• Mudipara Nagendra Nath High School, Belakoba.
• Mundabasti Primary School, Assam More.
• Banizer Hat High school,satkhamar
• Debnagar Satish Lahiri Higher Secondary School
• Kumudni Balika Vidyalaya, Debnagar.

Universities and colleges

All colleges in the town are affiliated to the North Bengal University, Raja Rammohanpur, Siliguri except Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College which is affiliated to the West Bengal University Of Technology WBUT. Ananda Chandra College is the leading science and arts college in the district of Jalpaiguri.

Colleges

• Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College
• Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College
• Jalpaiguri Polytechnic Institute
• Junior Polytechnic Institute
• Jalpaiguri Law College
• Ananda Chandra College
• Ananda Chandra College of Commerce
• Prasanna Deb College
• B.T. College
• Institute of Pharmacy

The eminent educationists who had played pioneering role in spread of education in this district included Raja Prasannadev Raikut, Mr. Mahendra Lal Bose, Dr. Charu Chandra Sanyal, Mr. Jibangati Roy, Mr. Nalini Kanta Rahut, Mr. Upendra Nath Burman, Mr. Kaminikanta Rahut, Mr. Khagendra Nath Dasgupta, Mr. Jagadindradev Raikut, Munsi Md. Sonaullah etc.

Education of the Backward Classes

Majority of the local residents are Rajbonshis who have been economically and educationally backward as compared to the outsiders who are mostly Bengalis from Eastern Bengal (now Bangladesh) and South Bengal. Now the literacy among the Rajbonshis is gradually increasing and for this the credit must go to dedicated philanthropists and educationists like Raja Prasannadev Raikut (himself a Rajbonshi), Mr. Mahendra Lal Bose and Dr. Charu Chandra Sanyal. They made utmost efforts to establish schools in interior and remote villages resided by the Rajbonshis.

Sports

Stadiums

Jalpaiguri has two main stadium. The Town Club Stadium and newly built Jalpaiguri Sports Complex.

Sports clubs

Jalpaiguri Town Club is a century old club in this town. Other old sports clubs in Jalpaiguri are: JYMA, FUC and JYCC Olympia .

Milan Sangha, Mohan Bagan Fans Club,East Bengal Fans Club, RSA(Raikatpara Sporting Association) and Sanghasree Club are some other notable clubs of the town.

Transport

The main mode of public transport is the rickshaw. Amongst personal transport, people use bicycles and other two-wheelers. Use of four-wheelers is also catching up slowly.

Bus services

There are several bus stands.

• NBSTC depot.- Govt. Buses are available from here.
• Kadamtala Bus Terminus.- Private buses to Siliguri are available from here.
• Super Bus Stand near the Railway Station - Super (or non stop) bus services to Siliguri are available from here.
• Santipara Private Bus Terminus - Buses to the Dooars region, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Mathabhanga, Malbazar etc. are available from here.
• Haldibari Bus Standnear the Railway Station - Bus services to Haldibari are available from here

The town is very well connected to Siliguri (45 km away), Kolkata and all neighbouring towns and districts.

Train services

Jalpaiguri lies in the Northeast Frontier Railway zone of the Indian Railways. There are Railway links to the rest of the country directly and via Kolkata as well. The major railway junction of New Jalpaiguri (Code:NJP) is just 40 km from the town. The other stations servicing the town directly are Jalpaiguri Road (Code:JPE) and Jalpaiguri (Code:JPG). Nearly the whole country is connected via the stations of New Jalpaiguri and Jalpaiguri Road. The Jalpaiguri railway station (lying on the old Sealdah-Siliguri route via Bangladesh) is primarily used for a couple of trains to Kolkata (Sealdah).

Trivia

• Jalpaiguri is the largest district of North Bengal.
• Jalpaiguri experiences highest rainfall in West Bengal.
• The statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on the banks of the Karala, is said to be the oldest in the country.
• Forensic lab in Police Lines in Racecourse para is the first forensic lab in India.
• The 'Power House' in Nayabasti (Now Known as Nivedita Sarani) was inaugurated by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
• Jalpaiguri will soon have a stand alone Trauma Centre in whole North Bengal funded by Central govt.

Notable residents

• Debes Roy, famous Bengali author of novels & Short Stories
• Ratan Lal Basu, renowned fiction writer in English
• Samaresh Majumdar, famous Bengali author of novels like Uttoradhikar, Kalpurush, Kaalbela, etc.
• P.K.Banerjee, renowned football player and coach who represented India at the international level.
• Uday Shankar Sarker
• Laxman Moulik, notable freedom fighter and Tamrapatra receiver.
• Umesh Sharma, the most prolific author of books and articles on history and other aspects of Jalpaiguri and Raikut family.

References

shyamal singha most important poet of bengali poetry from 80s

External links

• Jalpaiguri Website
• West Bengal Jalpaiguri District
• Jalpaiguri Tourism
• Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority
• Tourist Destinations

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