Bardhaman or Burdwan as popularly known is a city and headquarters of the Bardhaman district in West Bengal. It has always been an important city since the Mughal times, when it was known as Sharifabad. The history of the district has been a long tale of violent conflicts and skirmishes with the Pashtun, Mughal and the Marathas. Burdwan is known to be named after the Jain Tiranthakar Vardhamanswami or Mahavir; who lived here for a considerable time, according to the Kalpsutra scripture. While archeological evidence has proven that this region was inhabited even during 2000 B.C. In current times, just 100 km from Kolkata, Bardhwan is a sprawling city with modern infrastructure and amenities. However, despite modern industrialization, the small town feel and green suburbs are rejuvenating for people coming on business or taking a short vacation from fast paced city life. Despite being a major commercial and trading center that retains its rustic charm and traditional heritage, strong cultural ties still binds the community together and tourists are attracted by the typical Bengali culture, lip smacking cuisine and vibrant fairs.
The city is a major communications centre lying astride the Banka River just north of the Damodar River. Rice and oilseed milling and hosiery, cutlery, and tool manufacturing are the chief industries. Of historic interest are the Rajbari (the maharaja’s palace and gardens), several ancient Muslim tombs, and 108 Shiva linga, or phallic, 18th-century temples. The Rajbari houses the University of Burdwan, founded in 1960, with several affiliated colleges in the city. The city was constituted a municipality in 1865. The surrounding locality consists of two distinct regions. The eastern part is a low alluvial plain, densely populated and often waterlogged and swampy. The western region is one of the busiest industrial tracts in West Bengal, with rich coal, fireclay, and iron-ore deposits, especially in the Raniganj coalfield area. The Damodar Valley Corporation provides irrigation, industrial power supply, and flood control. Rice, corn (maize), legumes, and oilseeds are the chief crops in the east. Pop. (1991 prelim.) city, 244,789.
The majestic Curzon Gate, now known as Vijay Toran, was erected in 1903 in Lord Curzon’s honour. The Royal Palace is situated one kilometre from the gate. Visit Golapbag, the garden of roses, which is dotted by pretty water tanks. Hawa Mahal is another place of tourist interest.
The tomb of Sher Afghan, the last of the Afghan jagirdars in Bardhaman, is located at Pir Beharam in Kanchannagar.
Ambika Kalna was the summer residence of the Rajas of Bardhaman and is the unique meeting point of the Shakta and the Vaishnava forms of worship. The temples at Kalna are built of bricks with intricate terracotta designs. Unique among the temples are the ornate Palki Krishna Chanraji Temple and the Pratapeswar Temple, a 108 temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temples are divided into two circles with black and white lingas. Not to be missed are the Lalji Temples with 25 spires and the Ambika Temple
Bardhaman or Burdwan as it was called in the British days has been the district headquarters since the times of the Moghuls and later the British. It is thus a city with a long and interesting heritage. It is believed that the city was named as early as the sixth century BC after Vardhaman Mahavira, spent some time here. Mention of this is made in the Jain scripture of Kalpasutra. Bardhaman has a multi-cultural heritage: it has deuls (temples) reflecting Buddhist
architecture; various mosques and tombs built by Muslim rulers; as well as Hindu temples belonging to the Sakta and Vaishnava community. The famous Sufi Pir Baharam’s tomb is also here.
Bardhaman has witnessed numerous violent invasions by Mughal, Pashtun and Maratha rulers. It was visited by various famous people from Raja Todarmal to Daud Karnani, Sher Afgan, Kutub-ud-din and Shah Jahan. The tomb of Sher Afghan is witness to the celebrated love-story of Mehr-ul-Nissa and Jahangir. Sher Afghan, was the first husband of Mehr-ul-Nissa, and perished after she left him for the Mughal badshah. She later ruled India as Jahangir’s wife, but with a new name Noor Jahan. Today Bardhaman is a major communications hub and the centre of rice and oilseed milling, hosiery, cutlery, and tool manufacturing industries.
