94.117.117.246: added references

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← Older revision		Revision as of 19:52, 5 May 2026
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	\| caption7 = Victor Palace		\| caption7 = Victor Palace
	\| image8 = Madan Mohan Bari Cooch Behar.jpg		\| image8 = Madan Mohan Bari Cooch Behar.jpg
	\| caption8 = [[Madan Mohan Temple]]}}		\| caption8 = [[Madan Mohan temple, Cooch Behar\|Madan Mohan Temple]]}}
	\| mapframe = yes		\| mapframe = yes
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	==Towns and villages==		==Towns and villages==
	<!---♦♦♦ Only add a location to this list if they already have their own article on the English ~~Bharatpedia~~ ♦♦♦--->		<!---♦♦♦ Only add a location to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
	<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->		<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
	*[[Bhetaguri]]		*[[Bhetaguri]]
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	==Notable people==		==Notable people==
	<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their OWN article on the English ~~Bharatpedia~~ ♦♦♦--->		<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their OWN article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
	<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by the LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->		<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by the LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
	*~~Abbasi~~ family of ~~Tufanganj~~		*Ahmed family of Balarampur
			**[[Maziruddin Ahmed]] (born 1898), Cooch Behar politician<ref>{{cite book\|title=Who's Who in India\|page=71\|publisher=West Bengal Legislative Assembly Secretariat\|year=1957}}</ref>
	**[[Abbasuddin Ahmed]] (1901–1959), musician		**[[Abbasuddin Ahmed]] (1901–1959), musician
	**[[Mustafa Kamal (judge)\|Mustafa Kamal Abbasi]] (1933–2015), 9th Chief Justice of Bangladesh		**[[Mustafa Kamal (judge)\|Mustafa Kamal Abbasi]] (1933–2015), 9th Chief Justice of Bangladesh
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	**[[Mustafa Zaman Abbasi]] (1936–2025), musicologist		**[[Mustafa Zaman Abbasi]] (1936–2025), musicologist
	**[[Nashid Kamal]] (born 1958), singer		**[[Nashid Kamal]] (born 1958), singer
	*[[Maziruddin Ahmed]] (born 1898), Cooch Behar politician<ref>{{cite book\|title=Who's Who in India\|page=71\|publisher=West Bengal Legislative Assembly Secretariat\|year=1957}}</ref>
	*[[Tamser Ali]] (born 1953), MLA for Natabari		*[[Tamser Ali]] (born 1953), MLA for Natabari
	*Guha family of Dinhata		*Guha family of Dinhata

182.93.71.248 at 08:35, 17 June 2021

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{{About|the district|its eponymous headquarters|Cooch Behar}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Cooch Behar district
| settlement_type = [[List of districts of West Bengal|District]] of [[West Bengal]]
| total_type = Total
| native_name =
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
|photo1a = Cooch Behar Palace alias Victor Jubilee Palace of Cooch Behar Town at Cooch Behar district in West Bengal 20.jpg
|photo1b = Gadadhar River.JPG
|photo2a = Madan Mohan Temple of Cooch Behar Town at Cooch Behar district in West Bengal 14.jpg
|photo2b = Mound of Rajpat of Gosanimari at Cooch Behar district in West Bengal 21.jpg
|photo3a = Torsa river in Coochbehar town 01.jpg
|size=250
}}
| image_caption = Clockwise from top-left: Cooch Behar Palace, Gadadhar river near [[Tufanganj]], Mount of Rajpat in [[Gosanimari]], Torsa river near Cooch Behar, Madan Mohan temple
| image_map = Cooch Behar district.svg
| map_caption = Location of Cooch Behar district in West Bengal
| coordinates =
| coor_pinpoint = Cooch Behar
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|..West Bengal Flag(INDIA).png}} [[West Bengal]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Administrative divisions of India|Division]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Jalpaiguri division|Jalpaiguri]]
| established_title = Established
| established_date =
| seat_type = Headquarters
| seat = [[Cooch Behar]]
| parts_type = [[Tehsils of India|Tehsils]]
| parts_style = para
| p1 =
| area_total_km2 = 3387
| area_footnotes =
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_total = 2819086
| population_footnotes =
| population_urban = 10.27%
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = Demographics
| demographics1_title1 = [[Literacy in India|Literacy]]
| demographics1_info1 = 74.78% (2011)
| demographics1_title2 = Sex ratio
| demographics1_info2 = 942 (2011)
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| leader_title1 = [[Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha constituencies]]
| leader_name1 = [[Cooch Behar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Cooch Behar]]
| leader_title2 = [[Vidhan Sabha|Vidhan Sabha constituencies]]
| leader_name2 = [[Mathabhanga (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Mathabhanga]], [[Cooch Behar Uttar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Cooch Behar Uttar]], [[Cooch Behar Dakshin (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Cooch Behar Dakshin]], [[Sitalkuchi (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Sitalkuchi]], [[Sitai (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Sitai]], [[Dinhata (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Dinhata]], [[Natabari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Natabari]], [[Tufanganj (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Tufanganj]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +05:30
| registration_plate = WB-64
| blank_name_sec1 = [[Indian road network|Major highways]]
| blank_info_sec1 = [[National Highway 17 (India)|NH 17]]
| blank_name_sec2 = Average annual precipitation
| blank_info_sec2 = 3201 mm
| website = {{url|http://coochbehar.nic.in}}
}}

'''Cooch Behar district''' ({{IPA-bn|ˈkuːtʃ biˈɦaːr|pron}}) is a district of the state of [[West Bengal]], India, as well as the district's namesake town. During the [[British Raj]], the town of [[Cooch Behar]] was the seat of a [[princely state]] of [[Cooch Behar State|Koch Bihar]], ruled by the Koch dynasty.

==Etymology==
{{main| Etymology of Cooch Behar}}
The name ''Cooch Behar'' is derived from the name of the Koch or ''[[Rajbongshi people|Rajbongshi]]'' tribes indigenous to this region.<ref>{{cite book |last= Pal |first= Dr. Nripendra Nath |title= Itikathai Cooch Behar (A brief history of Cooch Behar) |year=2000 |publisher=Anima Prakashani |location=Kolkata | pages = 11–12}}</ref> The word ''behar'' is derived from {{lang-sa| विहार}} ''[[vihara]]''.

==History==
[[File:Maharaja-Jagaddipendra-Narayan.jpg|right|thumb|Maharaja Nripendra Narayan]]

===Early period===
{{See also|Kamarupa Kingdom|Kamata kingdom|Koch dynasty}}
[[File:Gosanimari Rajpat at Gosanimari village in Coochbihar district 31.jpg|thumb|[[Gosanimari]] archaeological site, former capital of [[Kamtapur]] kingdom]]
Cooch Behar formed part of the [[Kamarupa|Kamarupa Kingdom]] of Assam from the 4th to the 12th centuries. In the 12th century, the area became a part of the [[Kamata Kingdom]], first ruled by the [[Khen dynasty]] from their capital at Kamatapur. The Khens were an indigenous tribe, and they ruled till about 1498 [[Common Era|CE]], when they fell to [[Alauddin Hussain Shah]], the independent Pathan Sultan of [[Gauḍa (city)|Gour]]. The new invaders fought with the local [[Baro-Bhuyan|Bhuyan chieftains]] and the [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom]] king [[Suhungmung]] and lost control of the region. During this time, the Koch tribe became very powerful and proclaimed itself ''Kamateshwar'' (Lord of Kamata) and established the Koch dynasty.

The first important Koch ruler was [[Biswa Singha]], who came to power in 1510 or 1530 CE.<ref name="web2">[http://coochbehar.nic.in/HTMfiles/royal_history.html Royal history of Cooch Behar]. Coochbehar.nic.in (1 January 1950). Retrieved on 18 July 2015.</ref> Under his son, [[Nara Narayan]], the Kamata Kingdom reached its zenith.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://coochbehar.gov.in/HTMfiles/royal_history.html |title=Royal History of Cooch Behar |access-date=22 October 2006}}</ref> Nara Narayan's younger brother, Shukladhwaj ([[Chilarai]]), was a noted military general who undertook expeditions to expand the kingdom. He became governor of its eastern portion.

After Chilarai's death, his son Raghudev became governor of this portion. Since Nara Narayan did not have a son, Raghudev was seen as the heir apparent. However, a late child of Nara Narayan removed Raghudev's claim to the throne. To placate him, Nara Narayan had to anoint Raghudev as a vassal chief of the portion of the kingdom east of the [[Sankosh river]]. This area came to be known as [[Koch Hajo]]. After the death of Nara Narayan in 1584, Raghudev declared independence. The kingdom ruled by the son of Nara Narayan, [[Lakshmi Narayan]], came to be known as Cooch Behar. The division of the Kamata Kingdom into Koch Behar and Koch Hajo was permanent. Koch Behar aligned itself with the [[Mughal Empire]] and finally joined the India as a part of the West Bengal, whereas remnants of the Koch Hajo rulers aligned themselves with the Ahom kingdom and the region became a part of [[Assam]].

As the early capital of the Koch Kingdom, Cooch Behar's location was not static and became stable only when shifted to Cooch Behar town. Maharaja [[Rup Narayan]], on the advice of an unknown saint, transferred the capital from Attharokotha to [[Guriahati]] (now called Cooch Behar town) on the banks of the [[Torsa river]] between 1693 and 1714. After this, the capital was always in or near its present location.

In 1661 CE, Maharaja Pran Narayan planned to expand his kingdom. However, [[Mir Jumla II|Mir Jumla]], the [[subedar]] of [[Bengal]] under the Mughal emperor [[Aurangazeb]], attacked Cooch Behar and conquered the territory, meeting almost no resistance.<ref>{{cite book |last= Pal |first=Dr. Nripendra Nath |title= Itikathai Cooch Behar (A brief history of Cooch Behar) |year=2000 |publisher=Anima Prakashani |location=Kolkata | page = 68}}</ref>
The town of Cooch Behar was subsequently named Alamgirnagar.<ref name="bnpedia1">{{cite book |last=Bhattacharyya |first=PK |year=2012 |chapter=Kamata-Koch Behar |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Kamata-Koch_Behar |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}</ref> Maharaja Pran Narayan regained his kingdom within a few days.

===British Raj===
[[Image:1907-bengal-sikkim3.jpg|left|thumb|1907 Map of Bengal with Sikkim]]
{{main|Cooch Behar State}}
In 1772–1773, the king of [[Bhutan]] attacked and captured Cooch Behar. To expel the Bhutanese, the kingdom of Cooch Behar signed a defence treaty with the [[British East India Company]] on 5 April 1773. After expelling the Bhutanese, Cooch Behar again became a princely kingdom under the protection of British East India company.<ref>{{cite book |last= Pal |first=Dr. Nripendra Nath |title= Itikathai Cooch Behar (A brief history of Cooch Behar) |year=2000 |publisher=Anima Prakashani |location=Kolkata | page = 73}}</ref>

The [[Victor Jubilee Palace]] was based on [[Buckingham Palace]] and built in 1887, during the reign of Maharaja [[Nripendra Narayan]].<ref name="bnpedia1" /> In 1878, the maharaja married the daughter of [[Brahmo]] preacher [[Keshab Chandra Sen]]. This union led to a renaissance in Cooch Behar state.<ref>{{cite book |last= Pal |first=Dr. Nripendra Nath |title= Itikathai Cooch Behar (A brief history of Cooch Behar) |year=2000 |publisher=Anima Prakashani |location=Kolkata | page = 75}}</ref> Maharaja Nripendra Narayan is known as the architect of modern Cooch Behar town.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://coochbehar.gov.in/Htmfiles/history_book5.html|title=Royal History of Cooch Behar 5 |access-date=22 October 2006}}</ref>

===Post Independence===
Under an agreement between the kings of Cooch Behar and the Indian Government at the end of British rule, Maharaja [[Jagaddipendra Narayan]] transferred full authority, jurisdiction and power of the state to the Dominion [[Government of India]], effective 12 September 1949.<ref name="web1">{{cite web|url=http://coochbehar.gov.in/HTMfiles/brief_history.html|title=Brief Royal History of Cooch Behar 5|access-date=22 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724080258/http://www.coochbehar.gov.in/Htmfiles/brief_history.html|archive-date=24 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Eventually, Cooch Bihar became part of the state of West Bengal on 19 January 1950, with Cooch Behar town as its headquarters.<ref name="web1" />

A geopolitical curiosity was that there were 92 Bangladeshi [[exclave]]s, with a total area of 47.7 km2 in Cooch-Behar. Similarly, there were 106 Indian exclaves inside Bangladesh, with a total area of 69.5 km2. These were part of the high stake card or chess games centuries ago between two regional kings, the Raja of Cooch Behar and the Maharaja of Rangpur.<ref name="A Great Divide">{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1877200-4,00.html | work=Time | title=A Great Divide | date=5 February 2009}}</ref>

Twenty-one of the Bangladeshi exclaves were within Indian exclaves, and three of the Indian exclaves were within Bangladeshi exclaves. The largest Indian exclave was Balapara Khagrabari which surrounded a Bangladeshi exclave, Upanchowki Bhajni, which itself surrounded an Indian exclave called [[Dahala Khagrabari]], of less than one hectare (link to external map here [http://geosite.jankrogh.com/enklaver/CoochBehar_Annotated.jpg]). But all this has ended in the historic India-Bangladesh land agreement. See [[Indo-Bangladesh enclaves]].

==Geography==
[[File:Cooch-behar-enclaves-schematisch.png|thumb|Former exclaves of India and Bangladesh in and around Cooch Behar district]]
Cooch Behar is a district under the [[Jalpaiguri Division]] of the state of [[West Bengal]]. Cooch Behar is located in the northeastern part of the state and bounded by the district of [[Jalpaiguri District|Jalpaiguri]] and [[Alipurduar district|Alipurduar]] in the north, [[Dhubri]] and [[Kokrajhar]] district of [[Assam]] in the east and by [[Bangladesh]] in the west as well as in the south. The district forms part of the Himalayan [[Terai]] of West Bengal.

A geopolitical curiosity was that there were 92 Bangladeshi [[exclave]]s, with a total area of 47.7 km2 in Cooch-Behar. Similarly, there were 106 Indian exclaves inside Bangladesh, with a total area of 69.5 km2. These were part of the high stake card or chess games centuries ago between two regional kings, the Raja of Cooch Behar and the Maharaja of Rangpur.<ref name="A Great Divide"/>

Twenty-one of the Bangladeshi exclaves were within Indian exclaves, and three of the Indian exclaves were within Bangladeshi exclaves. The largest Indian exclave was Balapara Khagrabari which surrounded a Bangladeshi exclave, Upanchowki Bhajni, which itself surrounded an Indian exclave called [[Dahala Khagrabari]], of less than one hectare (link to external map here [http://geosite.jankrogh.com/enklaver/CoochBehar_Annotated.jpg]). But all this has ended in the historic India-Bangladesh land agreement. See [[Indo-Bangladesh enclaves]].

===Rivers and topography===
Cooch Behar is a flat region with a slight southeastern slope along which the main rivers of the district flow. Most of the highland areas are in the Sitalkuchi region and most of the low-lying lands lie in Dinhata region.

The rivers in the district of Cooch Behar generally flow from northwest to southeast. Six rivers that cut through the district are the [[Teesta River|Teesta]], [[Jaldhaka]], [[Torsha]], [[Kaljani]], [[Raidak]], [[Gadadhar]] and [[Ghargharia]].

==Divisions==

===Sub-divisions===
The district of Cooch Behar comprises five sub-divisions:
* [[Cooch Behar Sadar subdivision]]
* [[Dinhata subdivision]]
* [[Mathabhanga subdivision]]
* [[Tufanganj subdivision]]
* [[Mekhliganj subdivision]]

===Assembly constituencies===
The district is divided into 8 [[assembly constituency|assembly constituencies]]:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S25/WB_ACPC.pdf |title=General election to the Legislative Assembly, 2001 – List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies |access-date=16 November 2008 |work=West Bengal |publisher=Election Commission of India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411104739/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S25/WB_ACPC.pdf |archive-date=11 April 2008 }}</ref>
#[[Sitalkuchi (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Sitalkuchi (SC)]] (assembly constituency no. 2),
#[[Mathabhanga (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Mathabhanga (SC)]] (assembly constituency no. 3),
#[[Cooch Behar Uttar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Cooch Behar North]] (assembly constituency no. 4),
#[[Cooch Behar Dakshin (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Cooch Behar West]] (assembly constituency no. 5),
#[[Sitai (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Sitai]] (assembly constituency no. 6),
#[[Dinhata (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Dinhata]] (assembly constituency no. 7),
#[[Natabari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Natabari]] (assembly constituency no. 8) and
#[[Tufanganj (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Tufanganj (SC)]] (assembly constituency no. 9).

Mekliganj, Sitalkuchi, Mathabhanga and Tufanganj constituencies are reserved for [[Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes|Scheduled Castes (SC)]] candidates. Mekhliganj constituency is part of [[Jalpaiguri (Lok Sabha constituency)]], which also contains six assembly segments from [[Jalpaiguri district]]. Sitalkuchi, [[Mathabhanga (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Mathabhanga]], Cooch Behar North, Cooch Behar West, Sitai, Dinhata and Natabari constituencies form the [[Cooch Behar (Lok Sabha constituency)]], which is reserved for [[Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes|Scheduled Castes (SC)]]. Tufanganj constituency is part of [[Alipurduars (Lok Sabha constituency)]], which also contains six assembly segments from [[Jalpaiguri district]].

====Impact of delimitation of constituencies====
As per order of the [[Delimitation Commission]] in respect of the [[delimitation of constituencies]] in the West Bengal, the district will be divided into 9 assembly constituencies:<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.wbgov.com/e-gov/English/DELIMITATION.pdf | title = Press Note, Delimitation Commission| access-date = 16 November 2008 | work = Assembly Constituencies in West Bengal| publisher =Delimitation Commission}}</ref>
#[[Mathabhanga (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Mathabhanga (SC)]] (assembly constituency no. 2),
#[[Cooch Behar Uttar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Cooch Behar Uttar (SC)]] (assembly constituency no. 3),
#[[Cooch Behar Dakshin (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Cooch Behar Dakshin]] (assembly constituency no. 4),
#[[Sitalkuchi (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Sitalkuchi (SC)]] (assembly constituency no. 5),
#[[Sitai (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Sitai (SC)]] (assembly constituency no. 6),
#[[Dinhata (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Dinhata]] (assembly constituency no. 7),
#[[Natabari (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Natabari]] (assembly constituency no. 8) and
#[[Tufanganj (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Tufanganj]] (assembly constituency no. 9).

Mekliganj, Mathabhanga, Cooch Behar Uttar, Sitalkuchi and Sitai constituencies will be reserved for [[Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes|Scheduled Castes (SC)]] candidates. Mekhliganj constituency will remain part of [[Jalpaiguri (Lok Sabha constituency)]], which will also contain six assembly segments from [[Jalpaiguri district]]. Mathabhanga, Cooch Behar Uttar, Cooch Behar Dakshin, Sitalkuchi, Sitai, Dinhata and Natabari constituencies will continue to form the [[Cooch Behar (Lok Sabha constituency)]], which will be reserved for [[Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes|Scheduled Castes (SC)]]. Tufanganj constituency will remain a part of [[Alipurduars (Lok Sabha constituency)]], which will also contain six assembly segments from [[Jalpaiguri district]].

==Demographics==
{{bar box
|title=Religions of Cooch Behar in 2011 census<ref name="Religion">{{cite web |title=C-1 Population By Religious Community |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW19C-01%20MDDS.XLS|publisher=Census |access-date=14 November 2019}}</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hindus]]|orange|74.05}}
{{bar percent|[[Muslims]]|green|25.54}}
{{bar percent|Others|grey|0.4}}
}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Languages of Cooch Behar district (2011).<ref>https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1900.XLSX</ref>
|label1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]] |value1 = 96.79|color1 = blue
|label2 = [[Rangpuri language|Rajbongshi]] |value2 = 1.31 |color2 = turquoise
|label3 = [[Hindi]] |value3 = 1.52|color3 = orange
|label4 = Others |value4 =0.38 |color4 = grey
}}
According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]] Cooch Behar district has a [[Demographics of India|population]] of 2,819,086,<ref name="districtcensus">{{cite web | url = http://www.census2011.co.in/district.php | title = District Census 2011 | access-date = 30 September 2011 | year = 2011 | publisher = Census2011.co.in}}</ref> roughly equal to the nation of [[Jamaica]].<ref name="cia">{{cite web | author = US Directorate of Intelligence | title = Country Comparison:Population | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | access-date = 1 October 2011 | quote = Jamaica 2,868,380 July 2011 est
}}</ref> This gives it a ranking of 136th in India (out of a total of [[Districts of India|739]]).<ref name=districtcensus/> The district has a population density of {{convert| 833 |PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}} .<ref name=districtcensus/> Its [[Family planning in India|population growth rate]] over the decade 2001–2011 was 13.86%.<ref name=districtcensus/> Koch Bihar has a [[sex ratio]] of 942 [[Women in India|females]] for every 1000 males,<ref name=districtcensus/> and a [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] of 75.49%.<ref name=districtcensus/> With 50.1% of the population, Cooch Behar is the district with the highest proportion of [[Scheduled Castes]] in the country as per the 2011 census.<ref>{{cite web |title=Census of India : Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes Population |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/India_at_Glance/scst.aspx |website=www.censusindia.gov.in |access-date=5 February 2021}}</ref>

At the time of the 2011 census, 96.79% of the population spoke [[Bengali language|Bengali]], 1.31% [[Rangpuri language|Rajbongshi]], 1.52% [[Hindi]].<ref name=m>http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html</ref>{{historical populations|11=1901|12=5,65,116|13=1911|14=5,91,012|15=1921|16=5,90,599|17=1931|18=5,89,053|19=1941|20=6,38,703|21=1951|22=6,68,949|23=1961|24=10,19,806|25=1971|26=14,14,183|27=1981|28=17,71,643|29=1991|30=21,71,145|31=2001|32=24,79,155|33=2011|34=28,19,086|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901]</ref>|align=middle}}

==Flora and fauna==
In 1976 Cooch Behar district became home to the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary (now [[Jaldapara National Park]]), which has an area of {{convert|217|km2|mi2|abbr=on|1}}.<ref name=parks>{{cite web|author=Indian Ministry of Forests and Environment |title=Protected areas: Sikkim |url=http://oldwww.wii.gov.in/envis/envis_pa_network/index.htm |access-date=25 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823163836/http://oldwww.wii.gov.in/envis/envis_pa_network/index.htm |archive-date=23 August 2011 }}</ref> It shares the park with [[Alipurduar]] district.<ref name=parks/>

==See also==
* [[Indo-Bangladesh enclaves]]
* [[Koch Rajbongshi people]]
* [[Cooch Behar State|Koch Bihar]]
* [[List of enclaves and exclaves]]
* [[List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Moore, Lucy (2004) ''Maharanis: The Extraordinary Tale Of Four Indian Queens And Their Journey From Purdah To Parliament'', Penguin, {{ISBN|0-670-03368-5}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://coochbehar.nic.in/ Website of the district of Cooch Behar]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080911132810/http://ncrb.nic.in/crime2005/cii-2005/Table%201.14.pdf Crime Report]
* [http://geosite.jankrogh.com/enklaver/CoochBehar_Annotated.jpg Link to external map]

{{Geographic location
|Centre = Cooch Behar district
|North = [[Alipurduar district]]
|Northeast = [[Kokrajhar district]], Assam
|East = [[Dhubri district]], Assam
|Southeast =
|South = ''[[Bangladesh]]''
|Southwest =
|West = ''[[Bangladesh]]''
|Northwest = [[Jalpaiguri district]]
}}

{{Towns and Cities of Cooch Behar District}}
{{Cooch Behar topics}}
{{Districts of West Bengal}}
{{Minority Concentrated Districts in India}}
{{Proposed states and territories of India}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|26.32419|N|89.45103|E|display=title|region:IN-WB|format=dms}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cooch Behar District}}
[[Category:Cooch Behar district| ]]
[[Category:Districts of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Minority Concentrated Districts in India]]
[[Category:Proposed states and union territories of India]]

[[sv:Kutch Behar]]

Cooch Behar district - Revision history

94.117.117.246: added references

LinetteFisher at 03:31, 8 March 2026

150.129.101.74: robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

182.93.71.248 at 08:35, 17 June 2021