English Bazar (community development block)

2026-01-18T05:39:45Z

172.81.80.3: update section for clarity also and added references

{{Infobox settlement
| name = English Bazar
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Community development block
| image_skyline = English Block.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_map = English Bazar in Malda (West Bengal).svg
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India
| coordinates = {{coord|24.9166|N|88.1358|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[West Bengal]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Malda district|Maldah]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Representative democracy]]
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 251.85
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 274,627
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[English language|English]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 732101, 732102, 732103
| area_code_type = [[Subscriber trunk dialling|STD]]/ telephone code
| area_code = 03512
| registration_plate =
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Maldaha Dakshin (Lok Sabha constituency)|Maldaha Dakshin]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[English Bazar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|English Bazar]], [[Maldaha (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Maldah]], [[Manikchak (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Manikchak]]
| website = {{URL|malda.nic.in/}}
| footnotes =
}}
'''English Bazar''' is a [[Community development block in India|community development block]] that forms an administrative division in [[Malda Sadar subdivision]] of [[Malda district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[West Bengal]].

==History==
===Gauda and Pandua===
[[Gauḍa (city)|Gauda]] was once the "capital of the ancient bhukti or political division of Bengal known as [[Pundravardhana]] which lay on the eastern extremity of the [[Gupta Empire]]." During the rule of the [[Sena Dynasty]], in the 11th-12th century, Gauda was rebuilt and extended as Lakshmanawati (later Lakhnauti), and it became the hub of the Sena empire. Gauda was conquered by [[Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji]] in 1205. During the Turko-Afghan period, "the city of Lakhnauti or Gauda continued to function initially as their capital but was abandoned in 1342 by the [[Ilyas Shahi dynasty|Ilyas Shahi sultans]] in favour of [[Pandua, Malda|Pandua]] because of major disturbances along the river course of the [[Ganges|Ganga]]." "Pandua then lay on the banks of the [[Mahananda River|Mahananda]], which was the major waterway of the sultanate at the time. However, when the Mahananda too began to veer away from the site of Pandua in the mid-15th century, Gauda was rebuilt and restored to the status of capital city by the [[Hussain Shahi dynasty|Hussain Shahi sultans]]"... With the ascent of [[Akbar]] to the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] throne at Delhi... the Mughals annexed the ancient region of [[Gauḍa (region)|Gauda]] in 1576 and created the Diwani of Bengal. The centre of regional power shifted across the Ganga to [[Rajmahal]]. Following the demise of the independent sultanate, the regional importance of the Gauda or Malda region declined irreversibly and the city of Gauda was eventually abandoned.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Human%20Development%20Report | title = District Human Development Report, Malda | work = pages 3-4: Malda in Historical Perspective | publisher = Department of Planning, Statistics and Programme Monitoring, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 6 November 2018 | archive-date = 19 January 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180119150840/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Human%20Development%20Report | url-status = dead }}</ref>

===Malda district===
With the advent of the British, their trading and commercial interests focused on the new cities of Malda and English Bazar. Malda district was formed in 1813 with "some portion of outlying areas of Purnia, Dinajpur and Rajshahi districts". A separate treasury was established in 1832 and a full-fledged Magistrate and Collector was posted in 1859. Malda district was part of Rajshahi Division till 1876, when it was transferred to Bhagalpur Division, and again transferred in 1905 to Rajshahi Division. With the [[Partition of Bengal (1947)|partition of Bengal]] in 1947, the [[Radcliffe Line]] placed Malda district in India, except the Nawabganj subdivision, which was placed in East Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1906_PART_A_DCHB_MALDAH.pdf |title = District Census Handbook Maldah, Series 20, Part XII A | work= Census of India 2011, Pages 6-8: Brief History of the District |publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal | access-date = 6 January 2019}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[Mahadipur]], a constituent panchayat of English Bazar community development block, is located at {{coord|24.9166|N|88.1358|E|source:yahoomaps_region:IN-WB |format=dms}}.

English Bazar CD Block is part of the Diara, one of the three physiographic subregions of the district. "The Diara is a relatively well drained flat land formed by the fluvial deposition of newer alluvium in the transitional zone between the Barind upland and the marshy Tal tract. The soil is light with sandy appearance and is very fertile. Mango gardens are common and mulberry is also grown in this natural division." It covers 32.16% of the total area of the district. 42.81% of the population of the district live in this sub-region. The [[Mahananda River]] flows along the eastern boundary of the CD Block.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1906_PART_A_DCHB_MALDAH.pdf |title = District Census Handbook Maldah, Series 20, Part XII A | work= Census of India 2011, Pages 13-15: Physiography |publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal | access-date = 24 October 2018}}</ref><ref name=censusmap>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1906_PART_A_DCHB_MALDAH.pdf |title = District Census Handbook Maldah, Series 20, Part XII A | work= Census of India 2011, Page 555: Map of English Bazar CD Block|publisher = Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal | access-date = 24 October 2018}}</ref>

English Bazar CD Block is bounded by [[Ratua II]] CD Block on the north, [[Old Malda (community development block)|Old Malda]] CD Block on the east, [[Bholahat Upazila]] and [[Shibganj Upazila, Chapai Nawabganj|Shibganj Upazila]] of Chapai Nawabganj District, Bangladesh, on the south, and [[Kaliachak III]] CD Block, [[Kaliachak I]] CD Block, [[Kaliachak II]] CD Block and [[Manikchak]] CD Block on the west.<ref name=censusmap/><ref name="Google maps">Google maps</ref>

English Bazar CD Block has an area of 251.85 km2.<ref name=admin>{{cite web| url = http://malda.nic.in/ |title = English Bazar at a Glance|access-date = 14 February 2011|work = Maldah District |publisher = District administration}}</ref> It has 1 [[Panchayat Samiti (Block)|panchayat samity]], 11 [[gram panchayat]]s, 169 gram sansads (village councils), 135 [[mouza]]s and 108 inhabited villages. [[English Bazar#Police stations|English Bazar]] police station serves this block.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook |title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Malda |work = Table 2.1 |publisher = Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal |access-date = 29 October 2018 |archive-date = 21 January 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190121045803/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook |url-status = dead }}</ref> Headquarters of this CD Block is at Malda.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1906_PART_A_DCHB_MALDAH.pdf |title = District Census Handbook: Maldah, Series 20 Part XII A | work= Map of Maldah with CD Block HQs and Police Stations (on the fourth page) |publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011 | access-date = 29 October 2018 }}</ref>

165.5 km of the India-Bangladesh border is in Malda district. CD Blocks on the border are Bamangola, Habibpur, Old Malda, English Bazar and Kaliachak-III.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.wbdmd.gov.in/writereaddata/uploaded/DP/Malda.pdf|title = Foreword | publisher= District administration | access-date = 15 November 2018 }}</ref>

[[Mahadipur]] is a land port and border checkpoint, on the [[Bangladesh-India border]], being developed (in 2018) as an integrated checkpost (ICP) for the smooth movement of goods and people.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://lpai.gov.in/content/innerpage/next-phase.php | title = Next phase: Road map of ICPs | publisher = Land Ports Authority of India | access-date = 15 November 2018 | archive-date = 16 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181116000958/http://lpai.gov.in/content/innerpage/next-phase.php | url-status = dead }}</ref>

[[Gram panchayat]]s of English Bazar block/ panchayat samiti are: Sovanagar, Milki, [[Binodpur Gram Panchayat|Binodpur]], Amriti, Phulbaria, Kazigram, Jadupur I, Jadupur II, Mahadipur, Kotwali, Narhatta.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/PANCHAYATS.aspx |title = Directory of District, Subdivision, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal |work = Malda district - Revised in March 2008 | publisher= Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 6 November 2018}}</ref>

==Demographics==


===Population===
As per [[2011 Census of India]], English Bazar CD Block had a total population of 274,627, of which 242,797 were rural and 31,830 were urban. There were 140,932 (51%) males and 133,695 (49%) females. Population below 6 years was 39,721. [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Castes]] numbered 47,532 (17.31%) and [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Tribes]] numbered 5,187 (1.89%).<ref name=census2011>{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/pca/cdb_pca_census/Houselisting-housing-WB.html |title = C.D. Block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA) | work= West Bengal – District-wise CD Blocks|publisher= Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India | access-date = 21 October 2018}}</ref>

Census towns in English Bazar CD Block were (2011 population in brackets): [[Milki Town|Milki]] (12,581), [[Sonatala, Malda|Sonatala]] (10,589) and [[Bagbari]] (8,662).<ref name=census2011/>

Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in English Bazar CD Block were (2011 population in brackets): Uttar Chandipur (8,807), Bhabanipur (11,930), Khaskol (9,752), [[Sattari, Malda|Sattari]] (10,538), Atgama (7,247), Niamatpur (11,089), Phulbaria (5,097), Nagharia (6,408), Lakshmighat (5,543), Jot Basanta (11,438), Anandipur (4,798), Madapur (7,962), [[Uttar Jadupur]] (5,911), Dakshin Jadupur (5,623), Bara Phulbari (4,854), Tiakati (4,378) and Mahadipur (8,638).<ref name=census2011/>

Other villages in English Bazar CD Block included (2011 population in brackets): Binodpur (595) and Narhatta (1,107).<ref name=census2011/>

'''Decadal [[Population growth|Population Growth]] Rate (%)'''
{{Graph:Chart
|width=300
|height=200
|legend=Legend
|xAxisTitle=X
|yAxisTitle=Y
|type= rect
|x=1971-1981,1981-1991,1991-2001,2001-2011
|y1 = 30.85,33.48,25.38,21.39
|y2 = 26.00,29.78,24.78,21.22
|y3 = 23.17,24.73,17.77,13.93
|colors = olive,yellow,violet
|y1Title= English Bazar CD Block
|y2Title=Malda district
|y3Title=West Bengal
}}
Note: The CD Block data for 1971-1981, 1981-1991 and 1991-2001 is for English Bazar PS

The decadal growth of population in English Bazar CD Block in 2001-2011 was 21.39%.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1906_PART_A_DCHB_MALDAH.pdf |title = District Census Handbook: Maldah, Series 20 Part XII A | work= Brief Analysis of Inset Tables based on Primary Census Abstract 2011 (Inset Tables 1-35), Table I: Decadal change in population of Tahsils (Sub-district) by Residence, 2001-2011, Page 50 |publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011 | access-date = 30 April 2018 }}</ref> The decadal growth of population in English Bazar PS covering English Bazar CD Block in 1991-2001 was 25.38%. The decadal growth of population in English Bazar PS in 1981-91 was 33.48% and in 1971-81 was 30.85%.<ref name="humandev1">{{cite web | url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Human%20Development%20Report | title = District Human Development Report, Malda | work = pages 11-14 | publisher = Department of Planning, Statistics and Programme Monitoring, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 30 October 2018 | archive-date = 19 January 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180119150840/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Human%20Development%20Report | url-status = dead }}</ref> The decadal growth rate of population in Malda district was as follows: 30.33% in 1951-61, 31.98% in 1961-71, 26.00% in 1971-81, 29.78% in 1981-91, 24.78% in 1991-2001 and 21.22% in 2001-11.<ref name="growthmalda">{{cite web | url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook | title = District Statistical Handbook | work = Malda - Table 2.3 Growth of Population by sex on different census years in the district of Malda | publisher = Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011 | access-date = 30 October 2018 | archive-date = 21 January 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190121045803/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook | url-status = dead }}</ref> The decadal growth rate for West Bengal in 2001-11 was 13.93%.<ref name="Decadal Growth Rate">{{cite web | url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/prov_data_products_wb.html | title = Census of India 2011: Provisional Totals for West Bengal | publisher = Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India | access-date = 26 April 2018}}</ref> The decadal growth rate for West Bengal was 13.93 in 2001-2011, 17.77% in 1991-2001.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/prov_data_products_wb.html | title = Provisional population totals Paper I: West Bengal | publisher = Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India |access-date = 30 October 2018}}</ref> 24.73% in 1981-1991 and 23.17% in 1971-1981.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgs%20north.PDF| title = District Human Development Report: North 24 Parganas| work = Page 40, Table 3.2.1| publisher = Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2010| access-date = 20 April 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180205044900/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgs%20north.PDF| archive-date = 5 February 2018| url-status = dead}}</ref>

Malda district has the second highest decadal population growth rate, for the decade 2001-2011, in West Bengal with a figure of 21.2% which is much higher than the state average (13.8%).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/1906_PART_B_DCHB_MALDAH.pdf | title = Census of India 2011: District Census Handbook Maldah| work= Series 20, Part XII B, Page 15 | publisher = Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal |access-date = 30 October 2018}}</ref> Uttar Dinajpur district has the highest decadal growth rate in the state with 23.2%.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/1904_PART_B_DCHB_UTTAR%20DINAJPUR.pdf | title = Census of India 2011: District Census Handbook Uttar Dinajpur| work= Series 20, Part XII B, Page 14 | publisher = Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal |access-date = 30 October 2018}}</ref> Decadal growth rate of population is higher than that of neighbouring Murshidabad district, which has the next highest growth rate.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/1907_PART_B_DCHB_MURSHIDABAD.pdf| title = Census of India 2011 District Census Handbook Murshidabad| work= Series 20, Part XII B, Page 14 | publisher = Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal |access-date = 30 October 2018}}</ref>

Population density in the district has intensified from 162 persons per km2 in 1901 to 881 in 2001 (i.e., around five times), which is highest amongst the districts of North Bengal. However, unlike the densely populated southern regions of West Bengal, urbanisation remains low in Malda district. North Bengal in general, and Malda in particular, has been witness to large scale population movement from other states in India and other districts of West Bengal, as well as from outside the country. The District Human Development Report for Malda notes, "Malda district has been a principal recipient of the human migration waves of the 20th century."<ref name="humandev1"/>

The decadal growth rate of population in neighbouring [[Chapai Nawabganj District]] in Bangladesh was 15.59% for the decade 2001-2011, down from 21.67% in the decade 1991-2001.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://203.112.218.65:8008/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/PopCenZilz2011/Zila_ChapaiNawabganj.pdf | title = Bangladesh Population and Housing Census 2011: Zila Report – Chapai Nawabganj | work = Page 17: Table PT 02 Population and Growth Rate, 1974-2011 | publisher = Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Ministry of Planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh | access-date = 19 December 2018 | archive-date = 28 September 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220928210419/http://203.112.218.65:8008/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/PopCenZilz2011/Zila_ChapaiNawabganj.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref>

There are reports of [[Illegal immigration to India|Bangladeshi infiltrators]] coming through the international border. Only a small portion of the border with Bangladesh has been fenced and it is popularly referred to as a porous border.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.thequint.com/news/india/bangladesh-government-warns-india-of-increased-infiltration-by-jihadis-jmb-huji | title = Bangladeshi Govt warns India of increased infiltration by jihadis | date = 21 March 2017 | publisher = the quint |access-date = 30 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/12105-infiltration-decreasing-through-india-bangla-border | title = Infiltration decreasing through India Bangla border | date = 23 December 2017 | publisher = Sunday Guardian | access-date = 30 October 2018 | archive-date = 7 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181107010145/https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/12105-infiltration-decreasing-through-india-bangla-border | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rediff.com/news/report/why-bsf-wants-817-km-of-indo-bangla-border-fenced-urgently/20160821.htm | title = Why BSF wants 81.7 km of Indo-Bangla border fenced urgently | publisher = Rediff.com. 21 August 2016 | access-date = 30 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/bangladeshi-infiltration-the-reality-check.html | title = Bangladeshi Infiltrators – the Reality Check | publisher = The Pioneer, 27 June 2015 | access-date = 30 October 2018}}</ref>

===Literacy===
As per the 2011 census, the total number of literates in English Bazar CD Block was 148,061 (63.03% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 80,848 (66.96% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 67,213 (58.88% of the female population over 6 years). The [[Literacy#Gender disparities|gender disparity]] (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 8.08%.<ref name=census2011/>

See also – [[List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate]]

{{Literacy in CD Blocks of Malda district|collapsible=y}}

===Language and religion===
{{bar box
|title=Religion in English Bazar CD block (2011)<ref name="religion"/>
|titlebar=#FCD116
|left1=
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Islam in West Bengal|Islam]]|green|51.49}}
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in West Bengal|Hinduism]]|darkorange|48.34}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.17}}
}}

Islam is the majority religion, with 51.49% of the population. Hinduism is the second-largest religion.<ref name="religion">{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-01 Population by Religion: West Bengal |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11396/download/14509/DDW19C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

As per 2014 District Statistical Handbook: Malda (quoting census figures), in the 2001 census, Hindus numbered 114,101 and formed 50.43% of the population in English Bazar CD Block. Muslims numbered 112,029 and formed 49.53% of the population. Christians numbered 52 and formed 0.02% of the population. Others numbered 54 and formed 0.02% of the population.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook| title = District Statistical Handbook Malda 2014| work = Table 2.10 (a)| publisher = Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal| access-date = 27 October 2018| archive-date = 21 January 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190121045803/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook| url-status = dead}}</ref>

[[Bengali language|Bengali]] is the predominant language, spoken by 97.77% of the population.<ref name="languages">{{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: West Bengal |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10226/download/13338/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1900.XLSX |website=www.censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

==Rural poverty==
As per the [[Human Development Report]] for Malda district, published in 2006, the percentage of rural families in [[Below Poverty Line (India)|BPL]] category in English Bazar CD Block was 40.0%. Official surveys have found households living in absolute poverty in Malda district to be around 39%.<ref name="humandev2">{{cite web | url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Human%20Development%20Report | title = District Human Development Report, Malda | work = pages 102-104 | publisher = Department of Planning, Statistics and Programme Monitoring, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 30 October 2018 | archive-date = 19 January 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180119150840/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Human%20Development%20Report | url-status = dead }}</ref>

According to the report, "An overwhelmingly large segment of the rural workforce depends on agriculture as its main source of livelihood, the extent of landlessness in Malda has traditionally been high because of the high densities of human settlement in the district… Although land reforms were implemented in Malda district from the time they were launched in other parts of West Bengal, their progress has been uneven across the Malda blocks… because of the overall paucity of land, the extent of [[Land reform in India|ceiling-surplus]] land available for redistribution has never been large… The high levels of [[rural poverty]] that exist in nearly all blocks in Malda district closely reflect the livelihood crisis… "<ref name="humandev2"/>

==Economy==
===Livelihood===
{{Pie chart
|caption= '''Livelihood in English Bazar CD Block'''
|value1 = 7.73
|label1 = Cultivators
|value2 = 23.80
|label2 = Agricultural labourers
|value3 = 12.47
|label3 = Household industries
|value4 = 56.00
|label4 = Other Workers}}

In English Bazar CD Block in 2011, amongst the class of total workers, cultivators numbered 7,635 and formed 7.73%, agricultural labourers numbered 23,502 and formed 23.80%, household industry workers numbered 12,311 and formed 12.47% and other workers numbered 55,296 and formed 56.00%.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1906_PART_A_DCHB_MALDAH.pdf |title = District Census Handbook Maldah, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A |work = Table 33: Distribution of Workers by Sex in Four Categories of Economic Activity in Sub-district 2011 | publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal| access-date = 30 October 2018}}</ref> Total workers numbered 98,746 and formed 35.96% of the total population, and non-workers numbered 175,881 and formed 64.04% of the population.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1906_PART_A_DCHB_MALDAH.pdf |title = District Census Handbook Maldah, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A |work = Table 30: Number and percentage of Main workers, Marginal workers and Non workers by Sex, in Sub-districts, 2011 | publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal| access-date = 30 October 2018}}</ref>

Note: In the census records a person is considered a cultivator, if the person is engaged in cultivation/ supervision of land owned by self/government/institution. When a person who works on another person's land for wages in cash or kind or share, is regarded as an agricultural labourer. Household industry is defined as an industry conducted by one or more members of the family within the household or village, and one that does not qualify for registration as a factory under the [[Factories Act,1948, India|Factories Act]]. Other workers are persons engaged in some economic activity other than cultivators, agricultural labourers and household workers. It includes factory, mining, plantation, transport and office workers, those engaged in business and commerce, teachers, entertainment artistes and so on.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1906_PART_A_DCHB_MALDAH.pdf|title = District Census Handbook Maldah, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A |work = Census Concepts and Definitions, Page 31 | publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal| access-date = 30 October 2018}}</ref>

===Infrastructure===
There are 108 inhabited villages in English Bazar CD Block. All 112 villages (100%) have power supply. 101 villages (93.52%) have drinking water supply. 21 villages (19.44%) have post offices. 90 villages (83.33%) have telephones (including landlines, public call offices and mobile phones). 35 villages (32.41%) have a pucca (paved) approach road and 29 villages (26.85%) have transport communication (includes bus service, rail facility and navigable waterways). 5 villages (4.63%) have agricultural credit societies. 6 villages (5.56%) have banks.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1906_PART_A_DCHB_MALDAH.pdf| title = District Census Handbook, Maldah, 2011, Series 20, Part XII A | work = Pages 80-81 Table 36: Distribution of villages according to availability of different amenities,2011 | publisher = Directorate of Operations, West Bengal. | access-date = 2 November 2018}}</ref>

===Agriculture===
"Large parts of the Diara, now the most intensely settled region within Malda, began to attract a new population from the early 20th century, after the alluvial chars exposed by the Ganga’s westward migration were opened for revenue settlement… Agricultural land in the Tal and Diara is mostly irrigated and intensively cropped and cultivated… Rainfall in the district is moderate…"<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Human%20Development%20Report | title = District Human Development Report, Malda | work = pages 91-100 | publisher = Department of Planning, Statistics and Programme Monitoring, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 3 November 2018 | archive-date = 19 January 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180119150840/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Human%20Development%20Report | url-status = dead }}</ref>

English Bazar CD Block had 63 fertiliser depots, 11 seed stores and 50 [[Public distribution system|fair price shops]] in 2013-14.<ref name=handbook2014>{{cite web | url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook | title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Malda | work = Tables 16.1, 18.1, 18.2, 20.1, 21.2, 4.4, 3.1, 3.3 – arranged as per use | publisher = Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 3 November 2018 | archive-date = 21 January 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190121045803/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook | url-status = dead }}</ref>

In 2013-14, English Bazar CD Block produced 130,875 tonnes of [[Rice#Ecotypes and cultivars|Aman paddy]], the main winter crop from 32,122 hectares, 7,152 tonnes of Boro paddy (spring crop) from 1,779 hectares, 614 tonnes of Aus paddy (summer crop) from 316 hectares, 6,788 tonnes of wheat from 2,348 hectares, 1,013 tonnes of maize from 247 hectares, 5,928 tonnes of jute from 263 hectares, 472 tonnes of potatoes from 14 hectares and 803 tonnes of sugar cane from 9 hectares. It also produced pulses and oilseeds.<ref name=handbook2014/>

In 2013-14, the total area irrigated in English Bazar CD Block was 6,531 hectares, out of which 580 hectares were irrigated by river lift irrigation, 1,054 hectares by deep tube wells, 2,876 hectares by shallow tube wells and 2,021 hectares by other means.<ref name=handbook2014/>

===Mango===
25,500 hectares of land in Malda district produces mango varieties such as ''langra'', ''himasagar'', ''amrapali'', ''laxmanbhog'', ''gopalbhog'' and ''fazli''. The core area of mango production is Old Malda, English Bazar and Manikchak CD Blocks, from where it has spread to Kaliachak I & II, Ratua I & II and Chanchal I CD Blocks.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1906_PART_A_DCHB_MALDAH.pdf| title = District Census Handbook, Maldah, 2011, Series 20, Part XII A | work = Pages 20-21: A short note on mango production in the district | publisher = Directorate of Operations, West Bengal. | access-date = 2 November 2018}}</ref>

===Backward Regions Grant Fund===
Malda district is listed as a backward region and receives financial support from the [[Backward Regions Grant Fund]]. The fund, created by the Government of India, is designed to redress regional imbalances in development. As of 2012, 272 districts across the country were listed under this scheme. The list includes 11 districts of West Bengal.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.panchayat.gov.in/documents/10198/0/BRGFFINALGUIDELINES.pdf | title = Backward Regions Grant Funds: Programme Guidelines | publisher = Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India | access-date = 3 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171030225317/http://www.panchayat.gov.in/documents/10198/0/BRGFFINALGUIDELINES.pdf | archive-date = 30 October 2017 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=84879 | title= Backward Regions Grant Fund| work= Press Release, 14 June 2012 |publisher= Press Information Bureau, Government of India | access-date = 3 November 2018}}</ref>

==Transport==
{{Howrah–New Jalpaiguri line|collapse=yes}}
In 2013-14, English Bazar CD Block had 7 originating/ terminating bus routes.<ref name=handbook2014/>

There is a station at Malda Town on the [[Howrah–New Jalpaiguri line]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://indiarailinfo.com/train/timetable/malda-town-new-jalpaiguri-passenger-55711/14042/441/444#st | title= 55711/ Malda Town-New Jalpaiguri Passenger|publisher= indiarailinfo | access-date = 6 November 2018}}</ref>

[[National Highway 12 (India)|NH 12]] (old number NH 34) passes through English Bazar CD Block.<ref name="Google maps"/>

==Education==
In 2013-14, English Bazar CD Block had 140 primary schools with 21,948 students, 8 middle schools with 1,354 students, 11 high schools with 17,722 students and 16 higher secondary schools with 25,050 students. English Bazar CD Block had 7 technical/ professional institutions with 1,317 students and 390 institutions for special and non-formal education with 13,689 students.<ref name=handbook2014/>

As per the 2011 census, in English Bazar CD Block, amongst the 106 inhabited villages, 14 villages did not have a school, 62 villages had more than 1 primary school, 32 villages had at least 1 primary and 1 middle school and 20 villages had at least 1 middle and 1 secondary school.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1906_PART_A_DCHB_MALDAH.pdf | title = District Census Handbook, Malda, 2011, Series 20, Part XII A | work = Pages 720-21, Appendix I A: Villages by number of Primary Schools and Appendix I B: Villages by Primary, Middle and Secondary Schools | publisher = Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. | access-date = 3 November 2018}}</ref>

==Healthcare==
In 2014, English Bazar CD Block had 1 block primary health centre, 2 [[Primary Health Centre (India)|primary health centres]] and 2 nursing homes with total 170 beds and 13 doctors (excluding private bodies). It had 33 family welfare subcentres. 8,927 patients were treated indoor and 130,169 patients were treated outdoor in the hospitals, health centres and subcentres of the CD Block.<ref name=handbook2014/>

Milki Rural Hospital at [[Milki, Malda|Milki]] (with 30 beds) is the main medical facility in English Bazar CD Block. There are [[Primary Health Centre (India)|primary health centres]] at KG Chandipur (Chandipur PHC) (with 10 beds) and [[Mahadipur]] (with 10 beds).<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.wbhealth.gov.in/ | title = Health & Family Welfare Department | work = Health Statistics | publisher = Government of West Bengal | access-date = 14 November 2018 | archive-date = 28 October 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211028134305/https://qphs.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-99a499ee367f0c1530476c81086270c8 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|3}}

==External links==
* {{Wikivoyage inline|Malda}}
* {{Wikivoyage inline|Gour-Pandua}}

{{Municipalities of West Bengal}}
{{Malda topics}}

[[Category:Community development blocks in Malda district]]

Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

English Bazar (community development block)