The Dinhata Municipality has population of 36,124 of which 18,344 are males while 17,780 are females as per report released by Census India 2011. The Governor is the Head of State appointed by the President of India. … [20][21], In 2011 the Government of West Bengal proposed a change in the official name of the state to PaschimBanga (Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Pôshchimbônggô). [230] Other major Bengali newspapers are: Bartaman, Sangbad Pratidin, Aajkaal, Jago Bangla, Uttarbanga Sambad and Ganashakti. [231], Doordarshan is the state-owned television broadcaster. Executive authority is vested in the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister although the titular head of government is the Governor. Noida & Greater Noida Combined Population 2019, Andaman & Nicobar islands Population 2019. The Scottish Church College, the oldest Christian liberal arts college in South Asia, started in 1830. Rabindra Jayanti, Kolkata Book Fair, Kolkata Film Festival, and Nazrul Jayanti. [160][161] The proportion of people living below the poverty line in 2013 was 19.98%, a decline from 31.8% a decade ago. For example, the foothills of the Himalayas, the Dooars, are densely wooded with sal and other tropical evergreen trees. Bengali 24-hour television news channels include ABP Ananda, News18 Bangla, Tara Newz, Kolkata TV, News Time, Zee 24 Ghanta, Mahuaa Khobor, CTVN Plus, Channel 10 and R Plus. [148] The Darjeeling district also has a large Nepali immigrant population, making Nepali a widely spoken language there. In early summer, brief squalls and thunderstorms known as Kalbaisakhi, or Nor'westers, often occur. 41. The economy of West Bengal is the sixth-largest state economy in India.In 2018–19, its public debt stood at ₹ 4.0 lakh crore (US$56 billion) or 33% of GSDP. The Durgapur centre has established a number of industries in the areas of tea, sugar, chemicals and fertilisers. The Council of Ministers are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. Although Hindus are the predominant community, the state has a large minority Muslim population. The state is a basic agricultural producer and it is the 6th major contributor to the GDP of the country. Contents: Cities and Towns. There are couples of ethnic minorities fundamentally in the capital city of Kolkata, including Chinese, Punjabi’s, and Parsis. [191][192], The capital, Kolkata, was the workplace of several social reformers, including Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar and Swami Vivekananda. Dum Dum is a Lok Sabha / Parliamentary constituency in Greater Kolkata region of West Bengal in East India. [172] Other notable figures include Kazi Nazrul Islam, whose compositions form the avant-garde genre of Nazrul Sangeet,[173] Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, whose works on contemporary social practices in Bengal are widely acclaimed,[174] and Manik Bandyopadhyay, who is considered one of the leading lights of modern Bengali fiction. Both West and East Bengal experienced large influxes of refugees during and after partition in 1947. 91,276,115. The Indian National Army was subsequently routed by the British. Tollygunj in the city of Kolkata is the zone of various Bengali film studios and the name of Tollywood is basically inspired from Bollywood. After Indian Independence, important groups such as the Calcutta Group and the Society of Contemporary Artists were formed in Bengal and came to dominate the art scene in India. [84] At night, a cool southerly breeze carries moisture from the Bay of Bengal. In most of the state, cycle rickshaws and in Kolkata, hand-pulled rickshaws and electric rickshaws are used for short-distance travel. The famous festival is undoubtedly Durga Puja and it is commended in the month of September-October. Major English language newspapers include The Telegraph, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, The Statesman, The Indian Express and Asian Age. [81] The Teesta, Torsa, Jaldhaka and Mahananda rivers are in the northern hilly region. [233] Vodafone, Airtel, BSNL, Jio, Reliance Communications, Uninor, Aircel, MTS India, Idea Cellular and Tata DoCoMo are available cellular phone providers. It is celebrated with much fanfare in Kolkata as well as in rural Bengal. The population of all cities and towns in the State … [185], West Bengali films are shot mostly in studios in the Kolkata neighbourhood of Tollygunge; the name "Tollywood" (similar to Hollywood and Bollywood) is derived from that name. [104], As of 2017, West Bengal is divided into 23 districts. [13][14] There is moderate unemployment. [2] Bengalis, consisting of Bengali Hindus, Bengali Muslims, Bengali Christians and a few Bengali Buddhists, comprise the majority of the population. [84] A cold and dry northern wind blows in the winter, substantially lowering the humidity level. Its area is 88,752 sq km and density is 1100 people per sq km. It is home to indigenous innate Adivasis, for example, Santhal and Toto tribe. [118]:4, The economy of West Bengal has witnessed many surprising changes in direction. [241] The stadium is the home to various cricket teams such as the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Bengal cricket team and the East Zone. The Muslim voter is expected to play a key role in the West Bengal elections. West Bengal's total fertility rate was 1.6, lower than Bihar's 3.4, which is the highest in the entire country. [83], West Bengal's climate varies from tropical savanna in the southern portions to humid subtropical in the north. Handlooms are a popular way for the state's rural population to earn a living through weaving. Will the Muslims, constituting 27% of the State’s population… [58][59] Clashes with the administration took place at several controversial locations over the issue of industrial land acquisition. Only 14% of women aged 15–49 years in West Bengal have completed 12 or more years of schooling, compared with 22% of men. Richard Maxwell Eaton, The rise of Islam and the Bengal frontier, 1204–1760, 1993. West Bengal is also home to indigenous tribal Adivasis such as: Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Bhumij, Lodha, Kol and Toto tribe. Total population of rural areas of West Bengal state was 62,183,113. Rice, potato, jute, sugarcane and wheat are the state's top five crops. 2019 – 96.33904 Million. Today people of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds partake in the festivities. There are distinctive techniques for cooking fish dependent upon the surface, fat substance as well as the bones. The 2019 Lok Sabha election results are scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 2019. [118]:14 Tea is produced commercially in northern districts; the region is well known for Darjeeling and other high-quality teas. [117] Agriculture is the leading economic sector in West Bengal. [86], The "India State of Forest Report 2017", recorded forest area in the state is 16,847 km2 (6,505 sq mi),[87][88] while in 2013, forest area was 16,805 km2 (6,488 sq mi), which was 18.93% of the state's geographical area, compared to the then national average of 21.23%. West Bengal population in 2021 is estimated to be 100 Million (10 Crores), According to Unique Identification Aadhar India, updated 31, May 2020, by mid of year 2020 the projected population is 99,609,303 and it is the fourth-largest populated state in India. [217] In 1855 the Hindu College was renamed the Presidency College. [12] Today, the economy of West Bengal is the sixth-largest state economy in India with a gross state domestic product (GSDP) of ₹12.54 lakh crore (US$180 billion),[3] and has the country's 23rd-highest GSDP per capita of ₹115,748 (US$1,600). [89] Reserves and protected and unclassed forests constitute 59.4%, 31.8% and 8.9%, respectively, of forested areas, as of 2009. Vernacular newspapers such as those in Hindi, Nepali, Gujarati, Odia, Urdu and Punjabi are also read by a select readership. Population of India 2019- India Population 2019, Most Populated States. The population of Howrah as per 2019 and in terms of estimates is 1.896 Million + 0.1112 Million = 2.0072 Million. [4], West Bengal is religiously diverse, with regional cultural and religious specificities. It is the largest stadium in India by seating capacity. Islam was introduced through trade with the Abbasid Caliphate, but following the Ghurid conquests led by Bakhtiyar Khalji and the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate, the Muslim faith spread across the entire Bengal region. One theory suggests the word derives from "Bang", the name of a Dravidian tribe that settled the region around 1000 BCE. [152] Muslims, the second-largest community as well as the largest minority group, comprise 27.01% of the total population,[153] Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism and other religions make up the remainder. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Bengali literature was modernised in the works of authors such as Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, whose works marked a departure from the traditional verse-oriented writings prevalent in that period;[170] Michael Madhusudan Dutt, a pioneer in Bengali drama who introduced the use of blank verse;[171] and Rabindranath Tagore, who reshaped Bengali literature and music. [211], Some of the notable schools in the city are: Ramakrishna Mission Narendrapur, Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission, Sister Nivedita Girls' School, Hindu School, Hare School, La Martiniere Calcutta, Calcutta Boys' School, St. James' School (Kolkata), South Point School, St. Xavier's Collegiate School, and Loreto House, Loreto Convent, Asansol some of which rank amongst the best schools in the country. [121] The state's share of total industrial output in India was 9.8% in 1980–1981, declining to 5% by 1997–1998. The western plateau region has rivers like the Damodar, Ajay and Kangsabati. Smart cities are being planned close to Kolkata, and major roadway projects are in the offing to revive the economy. [115] The state's per capita income has lagged the all India average for over two decades. The state primarily dependent on agriculture and medium-sized industry, although services and heavy industries play an increasingly significant role in the economy of the country. [4] In 2012, the state government passed a bill granting additional official status to Hindi, Odia, Punjabi, Santali and Urdu in areas where speakers exceed 10% of the population. [135] The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, part of NFR, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Several independent Hindu states were established in Bengal during the Mughal period, including those of Pratapaditya of Jessore District and Raja Sitaram Ray of Bardhaman. [243] Before its renovation in 2011, it was the second largest football stadium in the world, having a seating capacity of 120,000. Darjeeling's schools include: St. Paul's, St. Joseph's North Point, Goethals Memorial School, and Dow Hill in Kurseong. [114] GSDP percent growth at current prices varied from a low of 10.3% in 2010–2011 to a high of 17.11% in 2013–2014. Natural resources like tea and jute in nearby areas has made West Bengal a major centre for the jute and tea industries. Following the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in the early 1700s, the proto-industrialised Mughal Bengal became a semi-independent state under the Nawabs of Bengal. [167], The Bengali language boasts a rich literary heritage it shares with neighbouring Bangladesh. There are two branches of government. This indicates the importance of public provision of health services to mitigate against poverty and the impact of illness on poor households. [4] As of 2001, in decreasing order of number of speakers, the languages of the state are: Bengali (85.27%), Hindi (7.17%), Santali (2.80%), Urdu (2.06%), and Nepali (1.28%). In actual numbers, males and females were 31,844,945 and 30,338,168 respectively. [158] The gender ratio is 947 females per 1,000 males. Christians, Buddhists and others form a minuscule part of the population. [223], There are several research institutes in Kolkata. [19], In 1947, at the end of British rule over the Indian subcontinent the Bengal Legislative Council and the Bengal Legislative Assembly voted on the Partition of Bengal along religious lines into two separate entities: West Bengal, which continued as an Indian state and East Bengal, a province of Pakistan, which came to be known be as East Pakistan and later became the independent Bangladesh. They are as follows: By checking out the population of West Bengal from 2014-18, it is evident that the population has gone up by 2.1992 Million in the previous 5 years. In all Hindu form majority religion in 16 out of 19 districts of West Bengal state. Different festivals are in like way are celebrated in the form of Eid, Laxmi Puja, Christmas, and others. [139] There is passenger service to Port Blair on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Broadband Internet is available in select towns and cities and is provided by the state-run BSNL and by other private companies. [206], Eid al-Fitr is the most important Muslim festival in West Bengal. The population density of the state is about 1030 persons per square kilometer. [98] Recognising its special conservation value, the Sundarbans area has been declared a Biosphere Reserve. For other uses, see, harvnb error: no target: CITEREFChandra1989 (, Population of West Bengal (80,221,171) is 7.8% of India's population (1,027,015,247), seventh-most populous country subdivision, West Bengal State Assembly Election in 2011, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation, List of institutions of higher education in West Bengal, Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kalyani, National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research, Kolkata, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibers, National Institute of Research on Jute and Allied Fibre Technology, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, List of colleges and universities in West Bengal, "Centre appoints four new Governors, Jagdeep Dhankar now in-charge of West Bengal", "Area, population, decennial growth rate and density for 2001 and 2011 at a glance for West Bengal and the districts: provisional population totals paper 1 of 2011: West Bengal", Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, "Report of the Commissioner for linguistic minorities: 52nd report (July 2014 to June 2015)", "Official language status for Urdu in some West Bengal areas", "Kurukh language given official status by Bengal government", "Kamtapuri, Rajbanshi make it to list of official languages in", "Sex ratio, 0–6 age population, literates and literacy rate by sex for 2001 and 2011 at a glance for West Bengal and the districts: provisional population totals paper 1 of 2011: West Bengal", "Introduction and Human Development Indices for West Bengal", "Murder, most foul – the people of Bengal created the darkness that envelops them", "20 Indian States Have Debt Levels Higher Than Threshold, Shows RBI State Finances Report", "West Bengal – Medium Term Fiscal Policy & Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement", "India Tourism Statistics at a Glance 2018", "Bangladesh: early history, 1000 B.C.–A.D. The Marwari’s and Bihari people can actually be found in various corners of the state and also different indigenous Buddhist communities like Sherpas and ethnic Tibetans can be found around the hills of Darjeeling. [29] According to the Sri Lankan chronicle Mahavamsa, Prince Vijaya (c. 543 – c. 505 BCE), a Vanga Kingdom prince, conquered Lanka (modern-day Sri Lanka) and named the country Sinhala Kingdom. [121], In September 2017, West Bengal achieved 100% electrification, after some remote villages in the Sunderbans became the last to be electrified. [141] There are also private bus companies. [143], According to the provisional results of the 2011 national census, West Bengal is the fourth-most-populous state in India with a population of 91,347,736 (7.55% of India's population). The data for 2020 & 2021 is under process and will be updated in few weeks. The region was part of several ancient pan−Indian empires, including the Vangas, Mauryans, and the Guptas. Therefore, the population of West Bengal in 2019 is 95.8992 Million + 0.43984 Million = 96.33904 Million. [222], In addition, the state is home to Kalyani University, The University of Burdwan, Vidyasagar University, and North Bengal University all well as established and nationally renowned schools to cover education needs at the district level and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata. The Koch dynasty in northern Bengal flourished during the 16th and 17th centuries; it weathered the Mughals and survived until the advent of the British colonial era. Bolpur is a Lok Sabha / Parliamentary constituency in South West Bengal region of West Bengal in East India. [82] Damodar, another tributary of the Ganges and once known as the "Sorrow of Bengal" (due to its frequent floods), has several dams under the Damodar Valley Project. [52] Bengalis played a major role in the Indian independence movement, in which revolutionary groups such as Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar were dominant. West Bengal Caste/Religion Wise population, WestBengal Caste wise demographics, Demographics of Kolkata, West Bengal Religion wise population, West Bengal Population, West Bengal Population and Census, Religion in West Bengal, West Bengal Basic Information, Sikh population in West Bengal, upper caste population in West Bengal. [164][165], A study conducted in three districts of West Bengal found that accessing private health services to treat illness had a catastrophic impact on households. University of Calcutta, the oldest public university of India. The Farakka barrage over the Ganges feeds the Hooghly branch of the river by a feeder canal. Following the West Bengal State Assembly Election in 2011, the All India Trinamool Congress and Indian National Congress coalition under Mamata Banerjee of the All India Trinamool Congress was elected to power with 225 seats in the legislature. The territory of West Bengal is well known for its top-notch sweets. Marwari, Maithili and Bhojpuri speakers are scattered throughout the state; various indigenous ethnic Buddhist communities such as the Sherpas, Bhutias, Lepchas, Tamangs, Yolmosand et… Muslim Population in West Bengal is 2.47 Crore (27.01 percent) of total 9.13 Crore. Desserts incorporate a fundamental spot in the eating regimen of Bengali’s and at their social events. In 2012, Uttar Pradesh had the largest number of cattle but this population has come down by almost 4 per cent since. 21. [150], The state's official languages are Bengali and English;[4] [126][127][128] Steps are being taken to remedy this situation by promoting West Bengal as an investment destination. The state contributes 42 seats to the Lok Sabha[100] and 16 seats to the Rajya Sabha of the Indian Parliament. Notable handloom saris include tant, jamdani, garad, korial, baluchari, tussar and muslin. Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), is a multipurpose stadium in Kolkata, with a current capacity of 85,000. [207], Ganga Sagar Mela coincides with the Makar Sankranti, and hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims converge where the river Ganges meets the sea to bathe en masse during this fervent festival.[206]. [162] Scheduled castes and tribes form 28.6% and 5.8% of the population, respectively, in rural areas and 19.9% and 1.5%, respectively, in urban areas. [156] The Hindu population of West Bengal is 64,385,546 while the Muslim population is 24,654,825, according to the 2011 census. 70.54%. [108] Siliguri is an economically important city, strategically located in the northeastern Siliguri Corridor (Chicken's Neck) of India. As West Bengal goes to the polls for nine LS seats on Sunday, one question remains largely unanswered. [154] Buddhism remains a prominent religion in the Himalayan region of the Darjeeling hills; almost the entirety of West Bengal's Buddhist population is from this region. Some contemporary directors include veterans such as: Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Tarun Majumdar, Goutam Ghose, Aparna Sen, and Rituparno Ghosh, and a newer pool of directors such as Kaushik Ganguly and Srijit Mukherji. Part of the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent, it borders Bangladesh in the east, and Nepal and Bhutan in the north. Kharisha is a Census Town city in district of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal. Out of which 140334 are males while 136079 are females. According to the 2014 electoral rolls, the electorate included 7,59,317 men, 7,07,604 women and 0 voters of the third gender. Opposition parties accuse Mamata Banerjee of divisive vote bank politics. [79] The narrow Terai region separates the hills from the North Bengal plains, which in turn transitions into the Ganges delta towards the south. West Bengal's debt rose sharply for two-decades (FY 2000-01) in contrast to other Non-Special Category (NSC) states. The company gained the right to collect revenue in Bengal subah (province) in 1765 with the signing of the treaty between the East India company and the Mughal emperor following the Battle of Buxar in 1764. The estimated literacy level of Dum Dum is 90.66%. Its water flow management has been a source of lingering dispute between India and Bangladesh. Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, India's first private sector airport, serves the twin cities of Asansol-Durgapur at Andal, Paschim Bardhaman. This rural scheduled caste constituency has an estimated Scheduled Caste population of 31.4% and a Scheduled Tribe population of 7.01%. University of Calcutta (Focus Area—Electro-Physiological and Neuro-imaging studies including mathematical modelling) has also been selected under the "Centre with Potential for Excellence in a Particular Area" scheme. The Calcutta Cricket and Football Club is the second-oldest cricket club in the world.[242]. Refugee resettlement and related issues continued to play a significant role in the politics and socio-economic condition of the state. [10] Following widespread religious conflict, the Bengal Legislative Council and the Bengal Legislative Assembly voted on the Partition of Bengal in 1947 along religious lines into two independent dominions: West Bengal, a Hindu-majority Indian state, and East Bengal, a Muslim-majority province of Pakistan which later became the independent Bangladesh. The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science is the first research institute in Asia. [41], Subsequent Muslim conquests helped spread Islam throughout the region. [18] The Bengali word Bongo might have been derived from the ancient kingdom of Vanga (or Banga). West Bengal schools are run by the state government or private organisations, including religious institutions. Cargo ship service operates to ports in India and abroad, operated by the Shipping Corporation of India. [110] Other larger cities and towns in West Bengal are: Durgapur, Howrah, Bardhaman, Baharampur, Jalpaiguri, Kharagpur and Chandannagar. Diamond Harbour is a Lok Sabha / Parliamentary constituency in South East Bengal region of West Bengal in East India. The state capital is Kolkata, the third-largest metropolis, and seventh largest city by population in India. West Bengal  Population 2019 –96.33904 Million. Secondary schools are affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), the National Institute of Open School (NIOS), West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, or the West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education. [175] In modern times, Jibanananda Das has been acknowledged as "the premier poet of the post-Tagore era in India". [101], Politics in Bengal is dominated by the All India Trinamool Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, and the Left Front alliance (led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M)). [37], Rajendra Chola I of the Chola dynasty invaded some areas of Bengal between 1021 and 1023. A small coastal region is in the extreme south, while the Sundarbans mangrove forests form a geographical landmark at the Ganges delta. In Darjeeling, which is above 1,500 metres (4,900 ft), temperate forest trees like oaks, conifers and rhododendrons predominate. Winter (December–January) is mild over the plains with average minimum temperatures of 15 °C (59 °F). It is decked up in lighting decorations and thousands of colourful pandals are set up where effigies of the goddess Durga and her four children are displayed and worshipped. 16. [230] Ananda Bazar Patrika, published in Kolkata with 1,277,801 daily copies, has the largest circulation for a single-edition, regional language newspaper in India. [119] The Durgapur-Asansol colliery belt is home to a number of steel plants. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is a hub for flights to and from Bangladesh, East Asia, Nepal, Bhutan and north-east India. Dinhata is a Municipality city in district of Koch Bihar, West Bengal. Trends analysed by Prannoy Roy and his team show that the Muslim votes are significantly divided in Bengal, where their population is twice (28 per cent) that of … KOLKATA: The West Bengal government on Monday stayed all activities relating to the preparation and update of the National Population Register … [54] In 1950 the Princely State of Cooch Behar merged with West Bengal. Development Policy of a Communist Government: West Bengal Since 1977, This page was last edited on 12 January 2021, at 17:39. [22] This is the native name of the state, literally meaning "western Bengal" in the native Bengali language. [56] The 1974 smallpox epidemic killed thousands. This semi-urban general constituency has an estimated Scheduled Caste population of 20.63% and a Scheduled Tribe population of 0.18%. [202], Durga Puja is the biggest, most popular and widely celebrated festival in West Bengal. [38], Islam was introduced through trade with the Abbasid Caliphate. This rural general constituency has an estimated Scheduled Caste population of 25.23% and a Scheduled Tribe population of 6.54%. Every district has weaving clusters, which are home to artisan communities, each specialising in specific varieties of handloom weaving. [207], Poush Mela is a popular winter festival of Shantiniketan, with performances of folk music, Baul songs, dance, and theatre taking place throughout the town. It has hosted many national and international sporting events like the SAF Games of 1987 and the 2011 FIFA friendly football match between Argentina and Venezuela featuring Lionel Messi. To conclude it, the population of West Bengal in 2019 as per estimates = 96.33904 Million. One of the earliest foreign references to Bengal is a mention by the Ancient Greeks around 100 BCE of a land named Gangaridai located at the mouths of the Ganges. Rabindrasangeet, songs composed and set to words by Rabindranath Tagore, and Nazrul geeti (by Kazi Nazrul Islam) are popular. [149] India's sole Chinatown is in eastern Kolkata. One branch enters Bangladesh as the Padma, or Pôdda, while the other flows through West Bengal as the Bhagirathi River and Hooghly River. The state contributes 7.8% of India's population. Singur Block in Hugli District of West Bengal.