West Bengal

State in eastern India

West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India along the Bay of Bengal. With over 91 million inhabitants, it is India's fourth-most populous state. It has an area of 88,752 km² (34,267 sq mi). It is bordered by the countries of Bangladesh to the east, and Nepal and Bhutan to the north. It is also bordered by the Indian states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim, and Assam. The state capital is Kolkata, the seventh-largest city in India. The main ethnic group is the Bengalis, with Bengali being the official language.

History

Sasanka Deva, king of Gauda circa 600-630

The history of West Bengal is intertwined with the history of the larger region of Bengal, which was a major center of the Indus Valley Civilization and later the Maurya Empire. The region was ruled by several major dynasties, including the Gupta Empire, the Pala Empire, and the Sena dynasty.

In the early 7th century, the region was ruled by Sasanka, the king of Gauda, who is considered the first independent king of Bengal. The region later came under the control of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire.

Map of Asia in 800 AD

During the British Raj, Bengal was a major center of the Indian independence movement. The partition of Bengal in 1947 led to the creation of the state of West Bengal as part of the newly independent India.

Geography

West Bengal is located in the eastern part of India and is characterized by a diverse geography. The state stretches from the Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal in the south. The northern part of the state is mountainous, while the southern part is a fertile plain.

The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the southern part of the state and is home to the Bengal tiger.

Bengal Tiger

Economy

West Bengal has a mixed economy, with agriculture, industry, and services all playing important roles. The state is a major producer of rice, jute, and tea. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a major tourist attraction.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Culture

West Bengal has a rich cultural heritage, with a long tradition of literature, music, and art. The state is known for its Bengali literature, which includes the works of Rabindranath Tagore, the first non-European Nobel laureate in literature.

The state is also known for its Durga Puja festival, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Politics

West Bengal has a parliamentary system of government, with a Governor as the head of state and a Chief Minister as the head of government. The state has a unicameral legislative assembly.

Related pages

• Bengal
• Kolkata
• Sundarbans
• Darjeeling