West Bengal

West Bengal is a state located in the eastern part of India, known for its rich cultural heritage, political history, literary traditions, and economic significance. It stretches from the Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal in the south, covering an area of approximately 88,752 square kilometres. The state shares international borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, and domestic borders with Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, and Sikkim. Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) serves as the capital and is one of India’s major metropolitan cities.

Historical Background

The history of West Bengal is deeply interwoven with the broader history of Bengal, one of the most historically and culturally advanced regions of the Indian subcontinent. Ancient Bengal was part of the Mauryan Empire and later ruled by dynasties such as the Guptas, Palas, and Sen kings. The Pala Empire (8th–12th centuries CE), with its capital at Gaur and later Pataliputra, marked a golden age of Buddhism and learning.
With the advent of the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th century, Bengal came under Muslim rule, followed by the establishment of the Bengal Sultanate in the 14th century. The region flourished as a centre of trade, art, and architecture. The Mughal Empire incorporated Bengal in the 16th century, with Dhaka (now in Bangladesh) as a major provincial capital.
The arrival of European traders, particularly the British East India Company, transformed Bengal’s history. Following the Battle of Plassey (1757), the British defeated Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah and established their control over Bengal, making Calcutta the capital of British India until 1911. Bengal became the economic and political centre of colonial India but also suffered from exploitative trade policies and famines, notably the Great Bengal Famine of 1943.
The region played a leading role in India’s struggle for independence. The Bengal Renaissance of the 19th century fostered modern education, literature, and science, led by luminaries such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Rabindranath Tagore.
After independence in 1947, Bengal was partitioned along religious lines: the eastern part became East Pakistan (later Bangladesh), while the western part became the Indian state of West Bengal.

Geography and Climate

West Bengal has a diverse geography encompassing the Himalayan foothills, fertile plains, plateaus, and coastal areas. The Darjeeling Himalayas in the north include the famous hill station of Darjeeling, known for its tea plantations and views of Kanchenjunga. The Gangetic plains dominate central and southern Bengal, providing fertile alluvial soil suitable for agriculture.
The Sundarbans delta, formed by the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers, lies in the south and is home to the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger. Major rivers include the Ganga (locally known as the Hooghly), Teesta, and Damodar.
The climate varies from subtropical in the plains to temperate in the hills. Summers are hot and humid, while monsoons (June–September) bring heavy rainfall. Winters are mild and pleasant, particularly in central and northern regions.

Demographics and Language

West Bengal has a population exceeding 90 million, making it one of India’s most densely populated states. The majority of people are ethnic Bengalis, with minority communities including Biharis, Nepalis, Santhals, and Marwaris.
Bengali is the official and most widely spoken language, followed by Hindi, Urdu, Nepali, and English. The state’s literacy rate is above 77 per cent, reflecting its strong emphasis on education since the colonial era.
Hinduism is the dominant religion, followed by Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and Buddhism. The coexistence of multiple faiths and communities has historically shaped Bengal’s pluralistic identity.

Economy and Industry

West Bengal’s economy is diverse, driven by agriculture, manufacturing, services, and trade. The fertile Gangetic plains make agriculture the backbone of the rural economy, with key crops including rice, jute, potatoes, sugarcane, and tea. The Darjeeling tea industry is globally renowned.
Kolkata is the state’s economic and industrial centre, hosting sectors such as information technology, textiles, chemicals, steel, and jute manufacturing. The Haldia and Durgapur-Asansol industrial belts are major hubs for petrochemicals and heavy engineering.
The state’s large labour force and port facilities at Kolkata Port and Haldia Dock make it a key trade gateway to north-eastern India and neighbouring countries. The service sector, particularly education, healthcare, and tourism, contributes significantly to the state’s GDP.

Culture and Heritage

West Bengal is a cradle of Indian art, literature, and intellectual thought. The Bengal Renaissance fostered advances in education, social reform, and modern science. Figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, and Subhas Chandra Bose shaped not only Bengal but also modern Indian consciousness.
The state’s cultural identity is deeply tied to Bengali literature, music, and cinema. Tagore’s works, including Gitanjali, earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. The films of Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, and Ritwik Ghatak brought international acclaim to Indian cinema.
Festivals play a vital role in social life, with Durga Puja being the most prominent, celebrated across the state with grandeur, art, and devotion. Other major festivals include Kali Puja, Eid, Christmas, and Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year).
Cuisine is another hallmark of Bengali culture, featuring rice, fish, sweets like rasgulla and sandesh, and vegetarian delicacies such as shukto and aloo posto.

Education and Science

West Bengal has historically been a centre of learning and research. The University of Calcutta, established in 1857, was among the first modern universities in Asia. Other premier institutions include Jadavpur University, Presidency University, Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), and Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-KGP), India’s first IIT.
The state has made significant contributions to science and technology through figures like Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, Prafulla Chandra Ray, and Satyendra Nath Bose, after whom the boson particle is named.

Tourism and Natural Attractions

Tourism in West Bengal offers a blend of natural beauty, heritage, and spirituality. Key destinations include:

• Kolkata: the cultural and historical capital, featuring the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, and Indian Museum.
• Darjeeling: known for its Himalayan scenery, toy train (UNESCO-listed), and tea estates.
• Sundarbans: home to the world’s largest mangrove forest and the Royal Bengal Tiger.
• Shantiniketan: founded by Rabindranath Tagore, a global centre of education and art.
• Murshidabad and Bishnupur: showcasing Mughal and terracotta temple architecture.
• Digha and Mandarmani: coastal towns popular for beaches and seaside tourism.

Adventure, heritage, and eco-tourism are growing sectors, with initiatives promoting rural tourism in North Bengal and Dooars.

Governance and Administration

West Bengal operates under a parliamentary system, with a Governor as the constitutional head and a Chief Minister as the executive leader. The West Bengal Legislative Assembly consists of 294 members.
Administratively, the state is divided into 23 districts, grouped into five divisions — Presidency, Medinipur, Burdwan, Malda, and Jalpaiguri. Kolkata serves as both the administrative and economic heart of the state.

Environment and Biodiversity

West Bengal is ecologically diverse, encompassing high-altitude forests, fertile plains, and coastal wetlands. The Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve is one of the most significant ecosystems in the world, providing protection against cyclones and serving as a habitat for unique species.
Environmental challenges include deforestation, river pollution, and the effects of climate change on coastal regions. The state government has initiated several conservation projects, including afforestation and sustainable fishery programmes.