Origin:
The name Burdwan
is the anglicized form of Barddhaman. There are two schools
of thoughts about the name Barddhaman. It might have been
named after the 24th Jaina Tirthankar. According to Kalpasutra
of the Jains, Mahavira spent sometime in Astikagram which
was formerly known as Barddhaman. According to the second
school, Barddhaman means prosperous growth centre. In the
progress of Aryanisation from Upper Ganges valley, the frontier
colony was called Barddhaman as a landmark of growth and prosperity.
The name came to stay as the Aryans failed to consolidate
their gains further east.
Geography:
The district extends
from 22056' to 23053' N latitude and from 86048' to 88025'
E longitudes. Lying within Burdwan Division, the district
is bounded on the north by Dumka (of Jharkhand), Birbhum and
Murshidabad, on the east by Nadia, on the south by Hooghly,
Bankura and Purulia and on the west by Dhanbad (of Jharkhand)
districts.
The river Barakar
forms the State boundary to the west; the Ajay separetes Birbhum
and Dumka to the north with exception of a portion of Katwa
subdivision; the Damodar forms a southern boundary with Purulia
and Bankura, while Bhagirathi forms the main eastern boundary
with a few exceptions. The maximum length from east to west
is 208 Km while the maximum breadth from north to south is
112 KM. In shape the district resembles a hammer.
The district with
it’s varied tectonic and riverine features is a transitional
zone between Chotanagpur Plateau and the Gangetic alluvium.
As per classification made under NARP, West Bengal has been
classified under six zones. District Burdwan having diversified
features, falls under three zones, namely old alluvial zone,
new alluvial zone and red and laterite soil zone. The KVK
farm at Bud Bud, however, falls under old alluvial zone.
Agriculture:
Burdwan is the only
district in the state of West Bengal that is fortunate both
in industry and agriculture. On an average about 58 percent
of the total population belongs to the agricultural population
while the non-agricultural sector accounts for the remaining
42 percent.
The eastern, northern,
southern and central areas of the district are extensively
cultivated but the soils of the western portion being extreme
lateritic type are unfit for cultivation except in the narrow
valleys and depressions having rich soil. Rice is the most
important crop of the district. Paddy covers maximum of the
gross cropped area. Among commercial crops, jute, sugarcane,
potato and oilseeds are major crops. Productivity of the major
crops grown in the district is indicated below. Major cropping
patterns include paddy-wheat-vegetables, paddy – potato
– sesame, paddy – vegetable – mustard and
jute – paddy – vegetables.
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