Purulia district: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|District in West Bengal, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name                           = Purulia district
| name               = Purulia district
| settlement_type                = District of West Bengal
| native_name       =  
| native_name                     =
| other_name        =  
| image_skyline                  =   File:Chhau Nritya (1).jpg
| settlement_type    = [[List of districts of West Bengal|District]] of [[West Bengal]]
| image_caption                  = Chhau dance of Purulia
| image_skyline      = {{Photomontage
| subdivision_type                = Country
|photo1a = Joychandi Pahar (14694282039).jpg
| subdivision_name                = {{flag|India}}
|photo1b = Old Deul Temple at Banda.jpg
| subdivision_type1              = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
|photo2a = Chau Dance.jpg
| subdivision_name1              = [[West Bengal]]
|photo2b = Ajodhya Purulia 21.jpg
| subdivision_type2              = [[Administrative divisions of India|Division]]
|photo3a = Purulia 45.jpg
| subdivision_name2              = [[Medinipur division]]
|size = 300
| established_title              =  
|foot_montage = Clockwise from top-left: [[Joychandi Pahar]], Banda Deul temple, [[Ajodhya Hills]], Winding hill-road, [[Chhau dance]]
| established_date                =  
| seat_type                      = Headquarters
| seat                            = [[Purulia]]
| pushpin_map                    = India West Bengal
| map_alt                        =
| map_caption                    = Location in West Bengal
| coordinates                    = {{coord|23.34|N|86.36|E|display=inline,title}}
| area_total_km2                  = 6259
| area_footnotes                  =
| population_as_of                = 2011
| population_total                = 2930115
| population_footnotes            =
| population_urban                =
| population_density_km2          = auto
| demographics_type1              = Demographics
| demographics1_title1            = Literacy
| demographics1_info1            = 64.48
| demographics1_title2            = Sex ratio
| demographics1_info2            =
| leader_title                    =
| leader_name                    =
| leader_title1                  = [[Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha constituencies]]
| leader_name1                    =
| leader_title2                  = [[Vidhan Sabha|Vidhan Sabha constituencies]]
| leader_name2                    =
| timezone1                      = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1                    = +05:30
| registration_plate              =
| blank_name_sec1                = Major highways
| blank_info_sec1                =
| blank_name_sec2                = Average annual precipitation
| blank_info_sec2                = 1000-1600 mm
| website                        = {{URL|purulia.gov.in/}}
}}
}}
'''Purulia district''' is one of the districts of the [[India]]n state of [[West Bengal]].
| image_map          = Purulia in West Bengal (India).svg
| mapsize            = 200
| map_caption        = Location of Purulia district in West Bengal
| coordinates        = {{Coord|23|20|N|86|22|E|source:itwiki_type:adm3rd|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type  = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name  = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[West Bengal]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Administrative divisions of West Bengal|Division]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Medinipur division|Medinipur]]
| seat_type          = Headquarters
| seat              = [[Purulia]]
| established_title  = Established
| established_date  = {{date|1 November 1956}}<ref name="districtcensus" />
| founder            =
| named_for          = [[Purulia]] town
| parts_type        = District subdivisions
| parts_style        = para
| p1                = {{hlist|[[Purulia Sadar subdivision|Puruliya Sadar]] | [[Manbazar subdivision|Manbazar]] |
[[Jhalda subdivision|Jhalda]] |  [[Raghunathpur subdivision|Raghunathpur]]}}
| leader_title1      = [[District magistrate|District Magistrate]]
| leader_name1      = Kontham Sudhir, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]<ref>{{cite web |title=District Magistrate |url=https://purulia.gov.in/divisions/dm-office/ |website=Purulia District, Government of West Bengal |access-date=31 October 2024}}</ref>
| leader_title2      = [[Superintendent of Police]]
| leader_name2      = Vaibhab Tewari, [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Superintendent Of Police
|url=https://purulia.gov.in/police/|website=Purulia District, Government of West Bengal |access-date=27 November 2024}}</ref>
| total_type        = Total
| area_total_km2    = 6259
| area_footnotes    =
| population_as_of  = 2011
| population_total  = 2,930,115
| population_footnotes = <ref name="districtcensus" />
| population_urban  =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = Demographics
| demographics1_title2 = [[Literacy in India|Literacy rate]]
| demographics1_info2 = 75.48%
| demographics1_title1 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]
| demographics1_info1 = 955 [[male|♂]]/1000 [[female|♀]]
| demographics1_title3 = [[Scheduled Castes]]
| demographics1_info3 = {{percent and number|567767|2930115|2}}
| demographics1_title4 = [[Scheduled Tribes]]
| demographics1_info4 = {{percent and number|540652|2930115|2}}
| demographics_type2 = Languages
| demographics2_title1 = Official
| demographics2_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]]<ref name="wblangoff">{{cite web|title=Fact and Figures|url=https://wb.gov.in/portal/web/guest/facts-and-figures;jsessionid=JzdD9RHb7aMY5esZPtcsIVLy|website=Wb.gov.in|access-date=5 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India|url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|website=Nclm.nic.in|publisher=[[Ministry of Minority Affairs]]|access-date=5 July 2019|page=85|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>
| demographics2_title2 = Additional&nbsp;official
| demographics2_info2 = [[English language|English]],<ref name="wblangoff"/> Santali, [[Kurmali language|Kudmali]]
| timezone1          = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1        = +05:30
| website            = {{URL|http://purulia.gov.in}}
| demographics2_info3 = [[Kurmali language|Kudmali]]<ref name="wblangoff"/>
}}
 
'''Purulia district''' ({{IPA|bn|puruliːaː|link=yes}}) is one of the twenty-three districts of [[West Bengal]] state in [[Eastern India]]. [[Purulia]] is the administrative headquarters of the district. Some of the other important towns of Purulia district are [[Raghunathpur, Purulia|Raghunathpur]]-[[Adra, Purulia|Adra]], [[Manbazar]], [[Jhalda]], [[Anara, Purulia|Anara]] and [[Balarampur, Purulia|Balarampur]].


==History==
==History==
Purulia district was created on 1 November 1956 by partitioning of the erstwhile [[Manbhum]] district, then in [[Bihar]] by the [[States Reorganisation Commission]] under Bihar and West Bengal (Transfer of Territories) Act 1956.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://purulia.gov.in/ | title= Purulia | work= About District-History |publisher= Government of West Bengal | access-date = 4 July 2023}}</ref>
 
===Pre history===
The territory of present Purulia district was a part of Banga,<ref name="cityofmine">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmine.in/history-tradition-culture-heritage-tourism-festivals-of-purulia|title=History, Tradition, Culture, Heritage, Tourism & Festivals of Purulia|access-date=17 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104150746/http://www.cityofmine.in/history-tradition-culture-heritage-tourism-festivals-of-purulia|archive-date=4 November 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{sps|date=February 2025}} one of the 16 [[Mahajanapadas]] according to Jaina Bhagavati [[Sutra]] (c. fifth century CE) and was also a part of the country known as Vajra-bhumi in ancient period.<ref name=purulia /><ref name="bharatonline">{{cite web|url=http://www.bharatonline.com/west-bengal/travel/purulia/history.html|title=History of Purulia, Bharatonline.com|access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref><ref name="sabjanta">{{cite web|url=http://sabjanta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=96:purulia-district-at-a-glance&catid=27:purulia&Itemid=47 |title=An Overview of Purulia District, Sabjanta.com|access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref>{{sps|date=February 2025}} Little is known about Purulia before the [[British East India Company]] acquired this territory by obtaining the grant of Diwani of the [[Subah (province)|subahs]] of Bengal, Bihar, Odisha in 1765.{{cn|date=February 2025}}
{{stack|[[File:The Sketch Map Showing Provincial and District Divisions to Accompany the Administration Report, 1872–73 (Cropped to Bihar, Chota Nagpur, and Odisha).jpg|thumb|Purulia Under Chota Nagpur Division of the Bengal Presidency, 1872]]}}
===Pre independence===
By Regulation XVIX of 1805, a [[Jungle Mahals]] district composed of 23 parganas and mahals including the present Purulia was formed. By Regulation XIII of 1833 the Jungle Mahals district was broken up and a new district called [[Manbhum]] was constituted with headquarters at [[Manbazar]]. The district was very large in size and included parts of [[Bankura]] and [[Bardhaman]] districts of present [[West Bengal]] state and [[Dhanbad]], [[Dhalbhum]] and [[Seraikela Kharsawan district|Seraikela-Kharswan]] districts of present [[Jharkhand]] states. In 1838 the district headquarters was transferred from Manbazar to [[Purulia]]. Since the formation of the district it was withdrawn from regular administration and placed under an officer called Principal Assistant to the agent to the Governor-General for [[South-West Frontier Agency|South-West Frontier]]. Under Act XX of 1854, the Principal Agent was redesignated as Deputy Commissioner, and the [[Chota Nagpur Division]] was formally established.<ref name="calcuttahighcourt">{{cite web|url=http://calcuttahighcourt.nic.in/district_courts/purulia.htm|title=HISTORICAL BACKGROUND, Purulia District|access-date=17 January 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130116152654/http://calcuttahighcourt.nic.in/district_courts/purulia.htm|archive-date=16 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
===Post independence===
{{Main|Bengali Language Movement (Manbhum)}}
Finally in 1956 Manbhum district was partitioned between [[Bihar]] and West Bengal following the States Reorganization Act and the Bihar and West Bengal (Transfer of Territories) Act 1956 and the present Purulia district was born on 1 November 1956.<ref name="bharatonline" />{{sps|date=February 2025}}
The district used to be a part of the [[Red Corridor]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://intellibriefs.blogspot.com/2009/12/naxal-menace-83-districts-under.html |title=83 districts under the Security Related Expenditure Scheme |publisher=IntelliBriefs |date=11 December 2009 |access-date=17 September 2011 |archive-date=27 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027115807/http://intellibriefs.blogspot.com/2009/12/naxal-menace-83-districts-under.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{sps|date=February 2025}}


==Geography==
==Geography==
Purulia district covers an area of 6259 sq. km. <ref>{{cite web| url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130605211704/http://www.westbengalonline.in/about/districts/Purulia.html| title= Purulia district, West Bengal | work= Facts & Figures |publisher= IndiaOnline Network | access-date = 4 July 2023}}</ref>
Purulia lies between 22.60 degrees and 23.50 degrees north latitudes and 85.75 degrees and 86.65 degrees east longitudes. Compass Declination 0º22'W. The geographical area of the district is {{cvt|6259|km2}}. This district is bordered on the east by [[Bankura district|Bankura]], [[Jhargram district|Paschim Medinipur]] districts, on the north by [[Bardhaman district]] of West Bengal state and [[Dhanbad district]] of [[Jharkhand]] state, on the west by [[Bokaro district|Bokaro]], Ramgarh district and [[Ranchi district|Ranchi]] districts of Jharkhand state and on the south by [[West Singhbhum district|West Singhbhum]] and [[East Singhbhum district|East Singhbhum]] districts of Jharkhand state.{{cn|date=February 2025}}
 
Purulia is the westernmost district of West Bengal with an all-India significance because of its tropical location, its shape as well as function like a funnel. It funnels not only the tropical monsoon current from the Bay to the subtropical parts of north-west India, but also acts as a gateway between the developed industrial belts of West Bengal and the hinterlands in Odisha, Jharkhand, [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]].
 
===Climate===
Using the [[Köppen climate classification|Köppen classification]], Purulia has a tropical savanna climate ''(Aw)'' and receives most of its rainfall during the monsoon season. Temperature is high in summer, averaging {{cvt|40|°C}} and average in winter, around {{cvt|10|°C}}.<ref name="puruliazp">{{cite web |url= http://www.puruliazp.in/upload/tourism/99956249_1277302099.pdf|title=Profile of the district, Purulia Zilla Parisad |access-date=15 January 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141104160004/http://www.puruliazp.in/upload/tourism/99956249_1277302099.pdf|archive-date=4 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Rainfall defines the climate of the district. South west monsoon is the principal source of rainfall in the district. Average annual rainfall varies between {{cvt|1100 and 1500|mm}}. The relative humidity is high in monsoon season, being 75% to 85%. But in hot summer it comes down to 20% to 35%.<ref name="westbengalonline" />
 
{{Weather box
| location = Purulia (1981–2010, extremes 1901–2001)
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| width = auto
| Jan record high C = 33.4
| Feb record high C = 37.3
| Mar record high C = 41.7
| Apr record high C = 46.0
| May record high C = 46.3
| Jun record high C = 46.2
| Jul record high C = 40.7
| Aug record high C = 37.8
| Sep record high C = 39.0
| Oct record high C = 39.4
| Nov record high C = 35.1
| Dec record high C = 33.3
| year record high C = 46.3
| Jan high C = 24.6
| Feb high C = 27.9
| Mar high C = 33.1
| Apr high C = 37.5
| May high C = 38.0
| Jun high C = 35.1
| Jul high C = 32.1
| Aug high C = 31.6
| Sep high C = 31.7
| Oct high C = 31.3
| Nov high C = 28.7
| Dec high C = 25.3
| year high C = 31.4
| Jan low C = 11.2
| Feb low C = 14.1
| Mar low C = 18.7
| Apr low C = 23.1
| May low C = 24.8
| Jun low C = 25.0
| Jul low C = 24.5
| Aug low C = 24.4
| Sep low C = 23.7
| Oct low C = 20.9
| Nov low C = 16.3
| Dec low C = 12.2
| year low C = 19.9
| Jan record low C = 3.8
| Feb record low C = 6.3
| Mar record low C = 10.7
| Apr record low C = 13.5
| May record low C = 15.6
| Jun record low C = 18.3
| Jul record low C = 17.8
| Aug record low C = 17.2
| Sep record low C = 17.0
| Oct record low C = 13.2
| Nov record low C = 7.7
| Dec record low C = 5.7
| year record low C = 3.8
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 15.4
| Feb rain mm = 22.9
| Mar rain mm = 30.4
| Apr rain mm = 39.1
| May rain mm = 78.6
| Jun rain mm = 282.6
| Jul rain mm = 326.1
| Aug rain mm = 295.9
| Sep rain mm = 244.8
| Oct rain mm = 93.3
| Nov rain mm = 21.4
| Dec rain mm = 15.2
| year rain mm = 1465.9
| Jan rain days = 1.5
| Feb rain days = 2.0
| Mar rain days = 2.3
| Apr rain days = 2.9
| May rain days = 5.6
| Jun rain days = 13.0
| Jul rain days = 16.4
| Aug rain days = 16.0
| Sep rain days = 11.6
| Oct rain days = 4.1
| Nov rain days = 1.1
| Dec rain days = 1.0
| year rain days = 77.5
| time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 55
| Feb humidity = 46
| Mar humidity = 39
| Apr humidity = 38
| May humidity = 48
| Jun humidity = 67
| Jul humidity = 79
| Aug humidity = 80
| Sep humidity = 77
| Oct humidity = 67
| Nov humidity = 60
| Dec humidity = 59
| year humidity = 59
| source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]]<ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| title = Station: Purulia Climatological Table 1981–2010
| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = January 2015
| pages = 633–634
| access-date = 28 February 2021}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M239
| access-date = 28 February 2021}}</ref>
}}
 
===Rivers and lakes===
[[File:Kansabati River.jpg|thumb|Kansabati River]]
Several rivers flow across Purulia district. Among these [[Kangsabati]], Kumari, Silabati (silai), [[Dwarakeswar river|Dwarakeswar]], [[Subarnarekha River|Subarnarekha]] and [[Damodar River|Damodar]] are the important ones. Although several rivers flows across the district, 50% of the water run off due to the undulated topography.<ref name="westbengalonline">{{cite web|url=http://www.westbengalonline.in/about/districts/Purulia.html|title=River, About the District WestBengalOnline|access-date=15 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605211704/http://www.westbengalonline.in/about/districts/Purulia.html|archive-date=5 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> There are also several Small dams like Futiyary, Murguma, Pardi, Burda, Gopalpur, which are mainly used for irrigation of agriculture field.<ref name=purulia>{{cite web |title=Forest Divisions in Purulia District |url=http://purulia.gov.in/distAdmin/departments/forest/forest.html |website=purulia.gov.in |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> Saheb Bandh is one of the popular and famous waterbodies of Purulia. It is located in the heart of the purulia town. It is a shelter of the migratory birds which comes from Bangladesh, Burma, Sindh, Baluchistan during December to March.<ref name="puruliazp" />
 
===Geology===
Due to undulated topography nearly 50% of the rainfall flows away as runoff. The district is covered by mostly residual soil formed by weathering of bed rocks.{{cn|date=February 2025}}
 
==Economy==
The economy of the Purulia district is mainly driven by the industrial & Agricultural sector and tourism. Among these, the industrial sector is the backbone of the economy of the district.{{cn|date=February 2025}}
 
From 2001, with the new industrial policies of government of West Bengal, this district has attracted investments in steel, cement and power sectors. The district has large scale industries like [[Santaldih Thermal Power Station]] at [[Santaldih]], Pumped Storage Project at [[Baghmundi]], [[ACC Limited|ACC]] Damodar Cement Factory at [[Madhukunda]]. The Purulia Pumped Storage Project of West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. consists of 4 units with a capacity of 224 MW each, which generates 900 MW of electricity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.constructionupdate.com/products/projectsinfo/2008/14-20-april-2008/007.html|title=Purulia Pumped Storage Project|date=17 January 2013|access-date=17 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527115704/http://www.constructionupdate.com/products/projectsinfo/2008/14-20-april-2008/007.html|archive-date=27 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> DVC is involved with a thermal power plant in Raghunathpur sub division with a capacity of 2400 MW. It has investments in steel and cement sectors. The manufacturing sector specially the [[sponge iron]] sector got an investment of 306.17 crores, which is comparable to the economically developed districts of West Bengal.<ref name="puruliazp" />
 
Among small scale industries, the [[Lac (resin)|lac]] industry and sericulture industry is another major source of income of this district. Purulia produces 90% of the lac produced in West Bengal. Lac is cultivated in all the blocks of Purulia and about 70,000 people are associated with this industry. [[Sericulture]] industry is supported by the ample amount of caterpillar larvae as raw materials.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maharashtraweb.com/WestBengal/cities/maps/puruliyamap.asp|title=Purulia: History, Geography, Tourism, Map|access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref>
 
Tourism is another source of income for this district. Forests, Hillocks, Rivulets, Streams, Wild Life, Flora & Fauna has tremendous scope to be explored by the tourist. The prominent of the district like [[Ajodhya Hills]], [[Matha]], [[Murguma Dam]] and Kuilapal Forests, Jaychandi Pahar, Panchakote Raj, [[Duarsini Hills]] and Forests attract quite a good number of visitors to Purulia every year.{{cn|date=February 2025}}
 
Due to the rough weather and soil, purulia lags behind in agricultural arena from the other districts of West Bengal. However cultivation of silk and lac are the main agricultural products.{{cn|date=February 2025}}
 
In 2006 the [[Ministry of Panchayati Raj]] named Purulia one of the country's 250 [[Poverty in India|most backward districts]] (out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name=brgf/> It is one of the eleven districts in West Bengal that has received funds from the [[Backward Regions Grant Fund]] programme (BRGF).<ref name=brgf>{{cite web|author=Ministry of Panchayati Raj|date=8 September 2009|title=A Note on the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme|publisher=[[National Institute of Rural Development]]|url=http://www.nird.org.in/brgf/doc/brgf_BackgroundNote.pdf|access-date=27 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405033402/http://www.nird.org.in/brgf/doc/brgf_BackgroundNote.pdf|archive-date=5 April 2012}}</ref>
 
==Divisions==
[[File:Purulia District Court in Purulia town 05.jpg|left|thumb|Purulia District Court]]
===Administrative subdivisions===
[[File:Purulia Subdivision Map (en).svg|thumb|Administrative map of Purulia by Subdivision and Blocks|left|326x326px]]
The district comprises four subdivisions: Purulia Sadar, Jhalda, Raghunathpur and Manbazar. Puruliya Sadar consists of [[Purulia]] municipality and five community development blocks: Purulia&ndash;I, Purulia&ndash;II, Hura, Puncha and Balarampur. Jhalda subdivision consists of [[Jhalda]] municipality and four community development blocks: Jhalda&ndash;I, Jhalda&ndash;II, Jaipur, Bagmundi. Raghunathpur subdivision consists of [[Raghunathpur, Purulia|Raghunathpur]] municipality and six community development blocks: Para, Raghunathpur&ndash;I, Raghunathpur&ndash;II, Neturia, Santuri and Kashipur. Manbazar subdivision consists of five community development blocks:  Manbazar&ndash;I, Manbazar&ndash;II Barabazar, Bandwan and Puncha.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/01/Table2_7.htm
| title = List of Districts/C.D.Blocks/ Police Stations with Code No., Number of G.Ps and Number of Mouzas
| access-date = 14 October 2008
| work = West Bengal
| publisher = Directorate of census operations
}}</ref> Purulia town is the district headquarters. There are 21 police stations, 20 development blocks, 3 municipalities, 170 [[gram panchayat]]s,<ref name=blocdir>{{cite web
|url          = http://wbdemo5.nic.in/writereaddata/Directoryof_District_Block_GPs(RevisedMarch-2008).doc
|title        = Directory of District, Sub division, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal, March 2008
|date        = 19 March 2008
|access-date  = 12 November 2008
|work        = West Bengal
|publisher    = National Informatics Centre, India
|url-status  = dead
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090225032419/http://wbdemo5.nic.in/writereaddata/Directoryof_District_Block_GPs(RevisedMarch-2008).doc
|archive-date = 25 February 2009
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> and 2459 inhabited villages in this district.<ref>{{cite web
|url          = http://purulia.nic.in/district_profile/adminis_units.html
|title        = Administrative Units
|publisher   = National Informatics Centre
|access-date  = 14 October 2008
|work        = Purulia district
|url-status  = dead
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20071222180224/http://purulia.nic.in/district_profile/adminis_units.html
|archive-date = 22 December 2007
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>
 
Each subdivision except Manbazar contains one municipality each along with community development blocks which in turn is divided into rural areas and census towns.<ref>{{cite web
|url          = http://web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/02/Table4_14.htm
|title        = Population, Decadal Growth Rate, Density and General Sex Ratio by Residence and Sex, West Bengal/ District/ Sub District, 1991 and 2001
  |access-date = 14 October 2008
|work        = West Bengal
|publisher    = Directorate of census operations
|url-status  = dead
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110928205850/http://web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/02/Table4_14.htm
|archive-date = 28 September 2011
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref> In total there are 11 urban units: 3 municipalities and 9 census towns.
 
====[[Purulia Sadar subdivision]]====
* [[Purulia]]: municipality
* [[Purulia I (community development block)|Purulia&ndash;I]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 8&nbsp;gram panchayats.
* [[Purulia II (community development block)|Purulia&ndash;II]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 9&nbsp;gram panchayats.
* [[Hura (community development block)|Hura]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 10&nbsp;gram panchayats.
* [[Balarampur, Purulia (community development block)|Balarampur]] community development block consists of rural areas with 7&nbsp;gram panchayats and one census town: [[Balarampur, Purulia|Balarampur]].
* [[Arsha (community development block)|Arsha]] is a community development block
 
====[[Manbazar subdivision]]====
* [[Manbazar I]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 10&nbsp;gram panchayats.
* [[Manbazar II]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 8&nbsp;gram panchayats.
* [[Bandwan (community development block)|Bandwan]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 8&nbsp;gram panchayats.
* [[Puncha (community development block)|Puncha]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 10&nbsp;gram panchayats.
* [[Barabazar (community development block)|Barabazar]] community development block consists of rural areas with 10&nbsp;gram panchayats and one census town: [[Barabazar]].
 
====[[Jhalda subdivision]]====
* [[Jhalda]]: municipality
* [[Jhalda I (community development block)|Jhalda&ndash;I]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 10&nbsp;gram panchayats.
* [[Jhalda II (community development block)|Jhalda&ndash;II]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 9&nbsp;gram panchayats.
* [[Joypur, Purulia|Joypur]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 7&nbsp;gram panchayats.
* [[Baghmundi (community development block)|Baghmundi]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 8&nbsp;gram panchayats.
 
====[[Raghunathpur subdivision]]====
* [[Raghunathpur, Purulia|Raghunathpur]]: municipality
* [[Para (community development block)|Para]] community development block consists of rural areas with 10&nbsp;gram panchayats and two census towns: [[Santaldih]] and [[Chapari]].
* [[Raghunathpur I]] community development block consists of rural areas with 7&nbsp;gram panchayats and one census town: [[Arra, Purulia|Arra]].
* [[Raghunathpur II]] community development block consists of rural areas with 6&nbsp;gram panchayats and one census town: [[Nabagram, Purulia|Nabagram]].
* [[Neturia (community development block)|Neturia]] community development block consists of rural areas with 7&nbsp;gram panchayats and two census towns: [[Hijuli]] and [[Par Beliya]].
* [[Santuri (community development block)|Santuri]] community development block consists of rural areas only with 6&nbsp;gram panchayats.
* [[Kashipur (community development block)|Kashipur]] community development block consists of rural areas with 13&nbsp;gram panchayats and one census town: [[Adra (India)|Adra]].


Purulia district is part of the lowest step of the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]].<ref>Sir John Houlton, ''Bihar, the Heart of India'', p 170, Orient Longmans, 1949.</ref> It has an undulating topography with plateaux, hills, low valleys and high ridges. A number of rivers flow through the district mostly having easterly or south-easterly courses – [[Damodar River|Damodar]], [[Kangsabati River|Kangsabati]], Kumari, [[Dwarakeswar River|Dwarakeswar]] and Subarnarekha. The annual rainfall is in the range of 1,000-1,600 mm. It has a forest cover of 75,050 hectares. <ref name= ‘MSME’>{{cite web| url = http://www.msmedikolkata.gov.in/uploads/2021/03/districtprofiles/2018-19/DIPS-Purulia-2018-19.pdf  | title= District Industrial Profile: Purulia 2018-19 | work= Climate, Topograhy, Forest, Location and Geographical Area |publisher=Ministry of MSME, Government of India | access-date = 4 July 2023}}</ref>
===Assembly constituencies===
The district is divided into  [[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/20070930092450/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S25/WB_ACPC.pdf | archive-date = 30 September 2007 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
#[[Bandwan Assembly constituency|Bandwan (ST)]] (assembly constituency no. 234)
#[[Manbazar Assembly constituency|Manbazar]] (assembly constituency no. 243),
#[[Balarampur, Purulia Assembly constituency|Balarampur (ST)]] (assembly constituency no. 235),
#[[Joypur, Purulia Assembly constituency|Joypur]] (assembly constituency no. 238),
#[[Purulia Assembly constituency|Purulia]] (assembly constituency no. 239),
#[[Para Assembly constituency|Para (SC)]] (assembly constituency no. 240),
#[[Raghunathpur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Raghunathpur (SC)]] (assembly constituency no. 241),
#[[Kashipur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Kashipur (ST)]] (assembly constituency no. 242)
# Bagmundi Vidhan Sabha
Para constituency was reserved for [[Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes|Scheduled Castes (SC)]] candidates. Banduan, Manbazar, Balarampur, Arsa, Jhalda, Jaipur and Purulia constituencies formed the [[Purulia (Lok Sabha constituency)]]. Para, Raghunathpur, Kashipur and Hura were assembly segments of [[Bankura (Lok Sabha constituency)]], which also contained three assembly segments from [[Bankura district]].{{cn|date=February 2025}}


Purulia district is bounded by [[Paschim Bardhaman district]] and Dhanbad district of [[Jharkhand]] on the north, [[Bankura district]] and [[Paschim Medinipur district]] on the west, [[West Singhbhum district]] and [[East Singhbhum district]] of Jharkhand on the south and [[Bokaro district]] and Ranchi district of Jharkhand on the west.<ref name= ‘MSME’/>
====Impact of delimitation of constituencies====
[[File:Purulia Tehsil Map.svg|thumb|450px|left|Map of Purulia district showing the community developmet blocks]]
As per order of the [[Delimitation Commission]] in respect of the [[delimitation of constituencies]] in the West Bengal, the district is presently 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>
[[Administrative divisions of India|Subdivisions]] in Purulia district are: [[Purulia Sadar subdivision|Purulia Sadar]], [[Manbazar subdivision|Manbazar]], [[Jhalda subdivision|Jhalda]] and [[Raghunathpur subdivision|Raghunathpur]]. <ref name=‘admin1’>{{cite web| url = https://purulia.gov.in/block-municipality/ | title= Purulia | work= About District-Administrative Setup-Block & Municipality |publisher= Government of West Bengal| access-date = 4 July 2023}}</ref>
#[[Bandwan Assembly constituency|Bandwan (ST)]] (assembly constituency no. 234)
#[[Balarampur, Purulia Assembly constituency|Balarampur]] (assembly constituency no. 239),
#[[Baghmundi Assembly constituency|Baghmundi]] (assembly constituency no. 240),
#[[Joypur, Purulia Assembly constituency|Joypur]] (assembly constituency no. 241),
#[[Purulia Assembly constituency|Purulia]] (assembly constituency no. 242),
#[[Manbazar Assembly constituency|Manbazar (ST)]] (assembly constituency no. 243),
#[[Kashipur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Kashipur]] (assembly constituency no. 244),
#[[Para Assembly constituency|Para (SC)]] (assembly constituency no. 245) and
#[[Raghunathpur, West Bengal Assembly constituency|Raghunathpur (SC)]] (assembly constituency no. 246).


[[Community Development Block|Community development blocks]] in Purulia district are: [[Arsha (community development block)|Arsha]], [[Balarampur, Purulia (community development block)|Balarampur]], [[Hura (community development block)|Hura]], [[Purulia I]], [[Purulia II]], [[Barabazar (community development block)|Barabazar]], [[Bandwan (community development block)|Bandwan]], [[Puncha (community development block)|Puncha]], [[Manbazar I]], [[Manbazar II]], Baghmundi, [[Jhalda I]], [[Jhalda II]], [[Joypur, Purulia|Joypur]], [[Kashipur (community development block)|Kashipur]], [[Neturia (community development block)|Neturia]], [[Para (community development block)|Para]], [[Raghunathpur I]], [[Raghunathpur II]] and [[Santuri (community development block)|Santuri]]. <ref name=‘admin1’/>
Bandwan and Manbazar constituencies are reserved for [[Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes|Scheduled Tribes (ST)]] candidates, while Para and Raghunathpur constituencies are reserved for [[Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes|Scheduled Castes (SC)]] candidates. Banduan is an assembly segment of [[Jhargram (Lok Sabha constituency)]], which also contains six assembly segments from [[Paschim Medinipur district]]. Balarampur, Baghmundi, Jaipur, Purulia, Manbazar, Kashipur and Para constituencies will form the [[Purulia (Lok Sabha constituency)]]. Raghunathpur assembly segment is part of [[Bankura (Lok Sabha constituency)]], which also contains six assembly segments from Bankura district.{{cn|date=February 2025}}


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
As per the 2011 census, Purulia district had a total populationo f 2,930,115. 87.86% of the population lived in rural areas and 12.74% lived in urban areas. <ref name=‘admin2’>{{cite web| url = https://purulia.gov.in/district-profiles/ | title= Purulia | work= About District-District Profile |publisher= Government of West Bengal | access-date = 4 July 2023}}</ref>
{{historical populations
|1901|7,77,801
Purulia district had 2,459 inhabited villages, 3 statutory towns and 25 census towns. <ref name=‘admin2’/>
|1911|8,84,372
|1921|8,31,497
|1931|9,72,077
|1941|10,88,201
|1951|11,69,097
|1961|13,60,016
|1971|16,02,875
|1981|18,53,801
|1991|22,24,577
|2001|25,36,516
|2011|29,30,115
|source=Census of India<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901]</ref>|align=left}}
 
According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]] Purulia district has a [[Demographics of India|population]] of 2,930,115,<ref name="districtcensus">{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=District Census Handbook: Purulia |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/1354/download/4430/DH_2011_1914_PART_A_DCHB_PURULIYA.pdf |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</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 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070613004507/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 13 June 2007 | access-date = 1 October 2011 | quote = Jamaica 2,868,380 July 2011 est}}</ref> or the US state of [[Arkansas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php|title=2010 Resident Population Data|publisher=U. S. Census Bureau|access-date=30 September 2011| quote =Arkansas 2,915,918}}</ref> This gives it a ranking of 129th in India (out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name="districtcensus" /> The district has a population density of {{convert|468|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}}.<ref name="districtcensus" /> Its [[Family planning in India|population growth rate]] over the decade 2001-2011 was 15.43%.<ref name="districtcensus" /> Puruliya has a [[sex ratio]] of 955 [[Women in India|females]] for every 1000 males,<ref name="districtcensus" /> and a [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] of 65.38%. The literacy rates of male and female are 74.18% and 37.15% of the total population. 12.74% of the population lives in urban areas. [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes]] collectively account for 37.83% (SC: 19.38% and ST: 18.45%)<ref name="districtcensus" /> of the district's total population. The prominent communities in this group, in terms of the district's total population, are [[Santal people|Santal]] (11.57%), [[Bauri (caste)|Bauri]] (8.29%), [[Bhumij people|Bhumij]] (3.57%), Sunri (excluding Saha) (1.68%), [[Rajuar|Rajwar]] (1.61%), [[Kora (tribe)|Kora]] (1.14%), Hari (1.02%), [[Bhuiya]] (1.01%), Dom (0.98%), [[Chamar]] (0.88%), [[Dhobi|Dhoba]] (0.81%), [[Jalia Kaibarta|Jalia Kaibartta]] (0.62%), [[Ghasi]] (0.45%), Lohar (0.45%), Bagdi/Duley (0.44%), [[Munda people|Munda]] (0.35%), and [[Mahli|Mahali]] (0.35%). Additionally, populations ranging between ten thousand to one thousand include [[Kurukh people|Oraon]], Savar, [[Bedia (caste)|Bedia]], Keot, Mal, [[Lodha people|Lodha]]/[[Kharia people|Kharia]], [[Lohra (tribe)|Lohara]], Gorait, and Dosadh.<ref name=SCSTCensus2011>{{multiref2|{{cite web|title=A-10 Appendix: District wise scheduled caste population (Appendix), West Bengal - 2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/42898/download/46566/SC-19-PCA-A10-APPENDIX.xlsx |publisher=Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India}}|{{cite web|title=A-11 Appendix: District wise scheduled tribe population (Appendix) [2011] |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/43018/download/46686/ST-19-PCA-A11-APPENDIX.xlsx |publisher=Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India }}}}</ref>


Purulia district had a literacy rate of 64.48%.<ref name=‘admin2’/>
===Religion===
{{bar box
|title = Religion in Purulia district (2011)<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>
|titlebar=#FCD116
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in West Bengal|Hinduism]]|darkorange|80.99}}
{{bar percent|Other <small>(tribal religion)</small>|maroon|10.55}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in West Bengal|Islam]]|green|7.76}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.70}}
}}


==Economy==
===Language===
===Agriculture===
{{Pie chart
Purulia is a predominantly agriculture district. Cultivators form 21.51% and agricultural labourers form 39.39% of the total population. About 60% of the total cultivated land is upland and about 73% belongs to ‘small and marginal farmers having scattered and  small holding’. Cultivation is mostly [[Monsoon|monsoon]] dependent singe-cropped and only 15% cropped area is multi-cropped. 21.57% of the cropped area is irrigated. [[Kharif crop|kharif]] paddy cultivation covers 83% of the net cropped area.<ref name=‘admin2’/>Main crops are: rice, wheat, pulses, oil seeds and potatoe. It also produces fruits and vegetables. <ref>{{cite web| url =https://www.agrifarming.in/district-wise-crop-production-in-west-bengal-major-crops-in-west-bengal#purulia | title= District Wise Crop Production in West Bengal | work= Purulia  |publisher= | access-date = 4 July 2023}}</ref> 
|caption = Languages of Purulia district (2011)<ref name="languages"/>
|label1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]] |value1 = 80.56 |color1 = orchid
|label2 = [[Santali language|Santali]] |value2 = 11.17 |color2 = darkturquoise
|label3 = [[Kurmali language|Kurmali]] |value3 = 5.04 |color3 = indianred
|label4 = [[Hindi]] |value4 = 1.93 |color4 = orange
|label5 = Others |value5 = 1.30 |color5 = grey
}}


===Forest===
According to the 2011 census, 80.56% of the population spoke [[Bengali language|Bengali]], 11.17% [[Santali language|Santali]], 5.04% [[Kurmali language|Kurmali]] and 1.93% [[Hindi]] as their first language.<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>
According to Satellite imagery data forests cover 29.69% of the total land in the district. <ref name=‘admin2’/>


===Industry===
== Transport ==
In the Purulia district, in 2013-14, 316 registered industrial units provided employment to 1170 persons. Damodar Ispat Pvt. Ltd. at [[Nabagram, Purulia|Nabagam]] in [[ Neturia (community development block)|Neturia block]] and [[Santaldih Thermal Power Station]] at [[Santaldih]] in [[Raghunathpur II]] block are classified as large industrial units.<ref name= ‘MSME’/>[[Damodar Valley Corporation]]  has commissioned the Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station in 2016. <ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.psuconnect.in/news/raghunathpur-thermal-power-station-of-dvc-was-successfully-commissioned/26822 | title= RaghunathpurThermal Power Station of DVC was successfully commisioned | work=  |publisher= PSU Connect| access-date = 4 July 2023}}</ref>
Purulia district is well connected with other cities and towns of West Bengal and neighbourhood states by road and rail transport.<ref name="puruliazp" />


==Education==
=== Rail ===
In Purulia district there are 2971 primary schools, 144 high schools, 1 high madrasa, 86 higher secondary schools, 11 degree colleges, 1 B Ed college, 1 polytechnic and 1 industrial training institute. 258,596 students are enrolled in primary schools, drop outs from class I to IV was 43.16 %, children out of school was 79,394. Enrolment in secondary education was 174,357. <ref>{{cite web| url = https://purulia.gov.in/education-2/ | title= Purulia | work= Departments-Education |publisher= Government of West Bengal | access-date = 4 July 2023}}</ref>
The District is served by three Rail connections provided by the South Eastern Railways. One line runs from Jharkhand in the South through the district up to Asansol passing through Adra division. Another line runs between Bankura and Dhanbad also via the Adra Division. The third line connects purulia with Jharkhand. Major cities and towns like Ranchi, Tatanagar, Patna, Howrah, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Lucknow, Asansol, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Durgapur, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi are now well connected with this district by railways. The Railway Divisional Headquarter [[Adra railway division]], which is one of the major rail division of South Eastern Railway, is situated on the northeastern part of Purulia district.{{cn|date=February 2025}}
The following institutions are located in Purulia district:
The following institutions are located in Purulia Sadar subdivision:
*Sidho Kanho Birsha University was established in 2010 at [[Purulia]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://skbu.ac.in/  |title = Sidho-Kano-Birsha University    |publisher= SKBU  | access-date = 4 July 2023 }}</ref>
*[[Deben Mahata Government Medical College and Hospital]] at [[Hatuara]], Purulia.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://pgmch.edu.in/home|title = Purulia Government Medical College & Hospital  |publisher=  PGMCH | access-date = 4 July 2023 }}</ref>
*[[Ramkrishna Mahato Government Engineering College]] (earlier known as Purulia Government Engineering College) was established at [[Agharpur]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://rkmgec.ac.in/ | title = Ramkrishna Mahato Government Engineering College| publisher = RKMGEC  |access-date =   4 July 2023}}</ref>


<small>Note: More Information about private engineering colleges and degree colleges are available in the subdivision pages. </small>
=== Road ===
The road transport is another important transportation medium of Purulia. The road transport is adequate in terms of bus availability and goods flow. NH 18 (NH 32) connects this district with Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Chas and Dhanbad. National Highway 60A (now NH 314) connects Purulia with State Highway 9 at Bankura and subsequently to NH2 at Durgapur. State Highway 5 also plays an important role in district's transport network as it connects the towns like Raghunathpur, Adra, Santaldih and Neturia to NH2 at [[Neamatpur]] and [[Asansol]]. Purulia has excellent road connectivity with Raniganj-Asansol industrial belt. [[South Bengal State Transport Corporation]] runs 4 buses from Purulia to [[Kolkata]] via State Highway 5 thus connecting towns and cities like Raghunathpur, Adra, Neturia to the industrial belt of [[Asansol]], Raniganj, Durgapur and Burdwan. There are also many private bus operators on this route.{{cn|date=February 2025}}


==Culture==
==Culture==
[[Chhau dance]] is a semi classical [[India]]n dance with martial and folk traditions.{{Sfn|Williams|2004|pp=83-84, is a semi classical [[India]]n dance with martial, tribal and folk origins.}} It originates from Purulia district.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.utsavpedia.com/cultural-connections/indian-performing-arts/chhau-dance-of-purulia/ | title= Chhau Dance of Purulia| work=  |publisher= Utsavpedia | access-date = 4 July 2023}}</ref>It involves people as a whole.Male dancers are trained by gurus.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://indianculture.gov.in/intangible-cultural-heritage/performing-arts/chhau-dance | title= Chhau Dance | work= Indian Culture  |publisher=Governmen of India | access-date = 4 July 2023}}</ref>
[[File:Chau dance.jpg|thumb|[[Chhau dance]] of Purulia]]
 
Purulia has rich cultural heritage. It has the mixed culture of Bengal, Jharkhand, and [[Odisha]] as it was a part of these areas for various times.<ref name="puruliazp" /><ref name="prasad">{{cite book |last1=Huntington |first1=Susan L. |title= The "Pāla-Sena" Schools of Sculpture - Volume 10|date=January 1984 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xLA3AAAAIAAJ&q=History+of+purulia&pg=PA178 |access-date=17 January 2013 |volume=10 |publisher=Brill Archive|isbn= 9004068562|page=178 }}</ref> From archaeological evidences<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Medley of Faiths: Towards a Composite Religious Culture in Early Medieval Rāḍh |url=https://www.sahapedia.org/medley-of-faiths-towards-composite-religious-culture-early-medieval-r%C4%81%E1%B8%8Dh |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=Sahapedia |language=en}}</ref> to local festivals, every cultural event has got a tribal touch in it, which is the speciality of Purulia. Living mostly in rural areas and keeping intact many of their socio-cultural values, more or less in pristine forms, the rural people of Purulia have their folks to speak about many of their tenets. The distinctiveness of those is well demonstrated with the sentiments and feelings of the population and these are marked with splash of colours and often entwined with pathos, romanticism, velour and social consciousness. Purulia has a range of traditional song types, including [[Jhumair]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sinha |first=Manik Lal |url=http://archive.org/details/dli.ministry.15085 |title=Jhumar of the West Bengal highlands |date=1974 |publisher=Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=:::::: Daricha Foundation :::::: |url=http://www.daricha.org/sub_genre.aspx?ID=45&Name=Jhumur |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=www.daricha.org}}</ref> [[Ahirageet]], [[Bhadu (festival)|Bhadu]], [[Bihargeet]], [[Baul]], [[Karamgeet]], and [[Tusugeet]].<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Anustup|date=Winter 2016|title=Pashchim Puruliar Biyer Ganer Kabyamulya o Bhasagata Boishistya|last=Mandal|first=Goutam Kumar}}</ref> It is also the birthplace of a martial dance of Bengal [[Chhau dance|Chhau]].<ref name="puruliazp" />
Purulia has many old temples with wonderful artistic work. These temples are mainly Brahmanical with Jain influence at many places. The [[Banda Deul]] is an attractive historical structure. It is 72 feet high. The oldest temple at [[Para, Purulia|Para]] is a 40 feet high stone structure etched with decorations focussing on both social life and floral designs. Next it is a 45 feet high brick temple with exquisite designs. Some of the other temples are at  [[Pakbirra]], [[Deulghata]], [[Budhpur, Purulia|Budhpur]] and [[Suisa]].<ref>{{cite web| url =https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/68984/rediscover-purulias-timeless-heritage | title= Rediscover Purulia’s Timeless Heritage | work= Amitabha Gupta  |publisher= Outlook traveller | access-date = 4 July 2023}}</ref>


==Tourism==
==Tourism==
Some interesting tourist spots in Purulia district are: <ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attractions-g2406619-Activities-Purulia_Purulia_District_West_Bengal.html | title=Places to visit in urula | work=  |publisher= Trip Advisor | access-date = 4 July 2023}}</ref>
{{Main|Pakbirra Jain temples}}
*[[Ajodhya Hills]]
[[File:Palash at Baranti jungle.jpg|thumb|220px|right|Palash (''[[Butea monosperma]]'') woodland at Baranti Forest]]
*[[Garh Panchkot]]
[[File:Patralekha river.jpg|thumb|Patralekha River is a tributary of Kansabati River]]
*[[Baranti]]
Hundreds of thousands of tourists come to visit Purulia annually to witness the charm of the natural scenery of Ayodhya, Turga Falls, PPSP Upper and Lower Dam, Dawri khal in Kesto Bazar Dam, Lahoria Shiv Mandir, Matha and Kuilapal, falls and tribal habitations of [[Ajodhya Hills]] and Bagmundih, dams like Panchet, Murguma Dam and Futiari, heritage buildings like Panchakot Raj Place, trekking range of Matha proud with Pakhi Pahar, and [[Raghunathpur, Purulia#Joychandi Pahar|Joychandi Pahar]], picnic spots like [[Baranti]], Duarsini, Doladanga, Jamuna, traditional folk dance and culture like [[Chhou]] Dance and [[Jhumur]] Song.{{cn|date=February 2025}}


==Healthcare==
==Notable people==
The major medical facilities in the district are:<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.wbhealth.gov.in/other_files/Directory_Medical_Inst.pdf | title= Directory of Medical Institutions: West Bengal (as on 31 March 2018| work= Bankura, page 5 |publisher= Directorate of Health Services, Government of West Bengal | access-date = 2 July  2023}}</ref>
* [[Ajitesh Bandopadhyay]], Bengali actor, playwright, activist and director
*[[Deben Mahata Government Medical College and Hospital]] at [[Purulia]] has 536 beds.
* [[Bhabini Mahato]], Indian freedom fighter
*Raghunathpur Superspeciality Hospital at Raghunathpur has 300 beds.
* [[Atul Chandra Ghosh]], Indian freedom fighter
*Raghunathpur Subdivisional Hospital at Raghunathpur has 200 beds.
* [[Basudeb Acharia]], politician
*Purulia Jail Hospital at Purulia has 33 beds.
* [[Gambhir Singh Mura]], Padmashree awardee and [[Chhau dance|Chhau]] dancer
*Purulia Mental Hospital at Purulia has 190 beds.
* [[Labanya Prabha Ghosh]], Indian freedom fighter
*Purulia Police Hospital at Purulia has 10 beds.
* [[Mabinul Haq]], Sahitya Akademi Award for Bengali Translation winning Bengali writer
*Santaldih Thermal Hospital at [[Santaldih]] has 10 beds.
* [[Mihir Sen]], first Indian to swim the English Channel from Dover to Calais in 1958
*South Eastern Railway Hospital at [[Kashipur, West Bengal|Kashipur]] has 198 beds.
* [[Nepal Mahata]], chhau artiste, He was awarded Padmashree in 1983.
* [[Pinki Pramanik]], an Indian track and field athlete winning silver at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, gold at the 2006 Asian Games, and gold at the 2005 Asian Indoor Games
* [[Shyam Sundar Besra]], Sahitya Akademi Award-winning [[Santali language|Santali]] and [[Hindi]] writer
* [[Anuparna Roy]], an Indian film director and screenwriter. She won the Best Director Award in the [[Orizzonti]] (Horizons) section at the [[82nd Venice International Film Festival]] in 2025 for her debut feature film ''[[Songs of Forgotten Trees]]''.


<small>Note: The subdivision and community development block pages provide information about medical facilities within their jurisdiction.</small>
==See also==
*[[Bengali Language Movement (Manbhum)]]
*[[Purulia arms drop case]]
*[[Pandri, Purulia district]] (First solar-powered village in India)


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Purulia District}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.purulia.gov.in Purulia district official website]
*[http://www.amarpurulia.com Purulia image gallery]
 
{{Districts of West Bengal}}
{{Districts of West Bengal}}
{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Purulia district
|North    = [[Dhanbad district]], [[Jharkhand]]
|Northeast = [[Bardhaman district]]
|East      = [[Bankura district]]
|Southeast = [[West Midnapore|West Midnapore district]]
|South    = [[East Singhbhum district]], [[Jharkhand]]
|Southwest = [[Saraikela Kharsawan|Saraikela Kharsawan district]], [[Jharkhand]]
|West      = [[Ramgarh district]], [[Jharkhand]] <br /> [[Ranchi district]], [[Jharkhand]]
|Northwest = [[Bokaro district]], [[Jharkhand]]
}}
{{Purulia topics}}
{{Purulia topics}}
{{Purulia District}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Purulia District}}
[[Category:Purulia district| ]]
[[Category:Districts of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Districts of West Bengal]]
[[Category:1956 establishments in West Bengal]]
[[Category:9th-century Jain temples]]

Latest revision as of 09:53, 13 February 2026


Purulia district
District of West Bengal
Clockwise from top-left: Joychandi Pahar, Banda Deul temple, Ajodhya Hills, Winding hill-road, Chhau dance
Location of Purulia district in West Bengal
Location of Purulia district in West Bengal
Coordinates: 23°20′N 86°22′E / 23.333°N 86.367°E / 23.333; 86.367
CountryIndia
StateWest Bengal
DivisionMedinipur
Established1 November 1956[1]
Named forPurulia town
HeadquartersPurulia
District subdivisions
Government
 • District MagistrateKontham Sudhir, IAS[2]
 • Superintendent of PoliceVaibhab Tewari, IPS[3]
Area
 • Total6,259 km2 (2,417 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total2,930,115
 • Density470/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Demographics
 • Sex ratio955 ♂/1000 ♀
 • Literacy rate75.48%
 • Scheduled CastesTemplate:Percent and number
 • Scheduled TribesTemplate:Percent and number
Languages
 • OfficialBengali[4][5]
 • Additional officialEnglish,[4] Santali, Kudmali
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
Websitepurulia.gov.in

Purulia district (bn) is one of the twenty-three districts of West Bengal state in Eastern India. Purulia is the administrative headquarters of the district. Some of the other important towns of Purulia district are Raghunathpur-Adra, Manbazar, Jhalda, Anara and Balarampur.

History[edit | edit source]

Pre history[edit | edit source]

The territory of present Purulia district was a part of Banga,[6]Template:Sps one of the 16 Mahajanapadas according to Jaina Bhagavati Sutra (c. fifth century CE) and was also a part of the country known as Vajra-bhumi in ancient period.[7][8][9]Template:Sps Little is known about Purulia before the British East India Company acquired this territory by obtaining the grant of Diwani of the subahs of Bengal, Bihar, Odisha in 1765.[citation needed]

Purulia Under Chota Nagpur Division of the Bengal Presidency, 1872

Pre independence[edit | edit source]

By Regulation XVIX of 1805, a Jungle Mahals district composed of 23 parganas and mahals including the present Purulia was formed. By Regulation XIII of 1833 the Jungle Mahals district was broken up and a new district called Manbhum was constituted with headquarters at Manbazar. The district was very large in size and included parts of Bankura and Bardhaman districts of present West Bengal state and Dhanbad, Dhalbhum and Seraikela-Kharswan districts of present Jharkhand states. In 1838 the district headquarters was transferred from Manbazar to Purulia. Since the formation of the district it was withdrawn from regular administration and placed under an officer called Principal Assistant to the agent to the Governor-General for South-West Frontier. Under Act XX of 1854, the Principal Agent was redesignated as Deputy Commissioner, and the Chota Nagpur Division was formally established.[10]

Post independence[edit | edit source]

Main article: Bengali Language Movement (Manbhum)

Finally in 1956 Manbhum district was partitioned between Bihar and West Bengal following the States Reorganization Act and the Bihar and West Bengal (Transfer of Territories) Act 1956 and the present Purulia district was born on 1 November 1956.[8]Template:Sps The district used to be a part of the Red Corridor.[11]Template:Sps

Geography[edit | edit source]

Purulia lies between 22.60 degrees and 23.50 degrees north latitudes and 85.75 degrees and 86.65 degrees east longitudes. Compass Declination 0º22'W. The geographical area of the district is 6,259 km2 (2,417 sq mi). This district is bordered on the east by Bankura, Paschim Medinipur districts, on the north by Bardhaman district of West Bengal state and Dhanbad district of Jharkhand state, on the west by Bokaro, Ramgarh district and Ranchi districts of Jharkhand state and on the south by West Singhbhum and East Singhbhum districts of Jharkhand state.[citation needed]

Purulia is the westernmost district of West Bengal with an all-India significance because of its tropical location, its shape as well as function like a funnel. It funnels not only the tropical monsoon current from the Bay to the subtropical parts of north-west India, but also acts as a gateway between the developed industrial belts of West Bengal and the hinterlands in Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Climate[edit | edit source]

Using the Köppen classification, Purulia has a tropical savanna climate (Aw) and receives most of its rainfall during the monsoon season. Temperature is high in summer, averaging 40 °C (104 °F) and average in winter, around 10 °C (50 °F).[12] Rainfall defines the climate of the district. South west monsoon is the principal source of rainfall in the district. Average annual rainfall varies between 1,100 and 1,500 mm (43 and 59 in). The relative humidity is high in monsoon season, being 75% to 85%. But in hot summer it comes down to 20% to 35%.[13]

Climate data for Purulia (1981–2010, extremes 1901–2001)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 33.4
(92.1) 		37.3
(99.1) 		41.7
(107.1) 		46.0
(114.8) 		46.3
(115.3) 		46.2
(115.2) 		40.7
(105.3) 		37.8
(100.0) 		39.0
(102.2) 		39.4
(102.9) 		35.1
(95.2) 		33.3
(91.9) 		46.3
(115.3)
Average high °C (°F) 24.6
(76.3) 		27.9
(82.2) 		33.1
(91.6) 		37.5
(99.5) 		38.0
(100.4) 		35.1
(95.2) 		32.1
(89.8) 		31.6
(88.9) 		31.7
(89.1) 		31.3
(88.3) 		28.7
(83.7) 		25.3
(77.5) 		31.4
(88.5)
Average low °C (°F) 11.2
(52.2) 		14.1
(57.4) 		18.7
(65.7) 		23.1
(73.6) 		24.8
(76.6) 		25.0
(77.0) 		24.5
(76.1) 		24.4
(75.9) 		23.7
(74.7) 		20.9
(69.6) 		16.3
(61.3) 		12.2
(54.0) 		19.9
(67.8)
Record low °C (°F) 3.8
(38.8) 		6.3
(43.3) 		10.7
(51.3) 		13.5
(56.3) 		15.6
(60.1) 		18.3
(64.9) 		17.8
(64.0) 		17.2
(63.0) 		17.0
(62.6) 		13.2
(55.8) 		7.7
(45.9) 		5.7
(42.3) 		3.8
(38.8)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 15.4
(0.61) 		22.9
(0.90) 		30.4
(1.20) 		39.1
(1.54) 		78.6
(3.09) 		282.6
(11.13) 		326.1
(12.84) 		295.9
(11.65) 		244.8
(9.64) 		93.3
(3.67) 		21.4
(0.84) 		15.2
(0.60) 		1,465.9
(57.71)
Average rainy days 1.5 2.0 2.3 2.9 5.6 13.0 16.4 16.0 11.6 4.1 1.1 1.0 77.5
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) 55 46 39 38 48 67 79 80 77 67 60 59 59
Source: India Meteorological Department[14][15]

Rivers and lakes[edit | edit source]

Kansabati River

Several rivers flow across Purulia district. Among these Kangsabati, Kumari, Silabati (silai), Dwarakeswar, Subarnarekha and Damodar are the important ones. Although several rivers flows across the district, 50% of the water run off due to the undulated topography.[13] There are also several Small dams like Futiyary, Murguma, Pardi, Burda, Gopalpur, which are mainly used for irrigation of agriculture field.[7] Saheb Bandh is one of the popular and famous waterbodies of Purulia. It is located in the heart of the purulia town. It is a shelter of the migratory birds which comes from Bangladesh, Burma, Sindh, Baluchistan during December to March.[12]

Geology[edit | edit source]

Due to undulated topography nearly 50% of the rainfall flows away as runoff. The district is covered by mostly residual soil formed by weathering of bed rocks.[citation needed]

Economy[edit | edit source]

The economy of the Purulia district is mainly driven by the industrial & Agricultural sector and tourism. Among these, the industrial sector is the backbone of the economy of the district.[citation needed]

From 2001, with the new industrial policies of government of West Bengal, this district has attracted investments in steel, cement and power sectors. The district has large scale industries like Santaldih Thermal Power Station at Santaldih, Pumped Storage Project at Baghmundi, ACC Damodar Cement Factory at Madhukunda. The Purulia Pumped Storage Project of West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. consists of 4 units with a capacity of 224 MW each, which generates 900 MW of electricity.[16] DVC is involved with a thermal power plant in Raghunathpur sub division with a capacity of 2400 MW. It has investments in steel and cement sectors. The manufacturing sector specially the sponge iron sector got an investment of 306.17 crores, which is comparable to the economically developed districts of West Bengal.[12]

Among small scale industries, the lac industry and sericulture industry is another major source of income of this district. Purulia produces 90% of the lac produced in West Bengal. Lac is cultivated in all the blocks of Purulia and about 70,000 people are associated with this industry. Sericulture industry is supported by the ample amount of caterpillar larvae as raw materials.[17]

Tourism is another source of income for this district. Forests, Hillocks, Rivulets, Streams, Wild Life, Flora & Fauna has tremendous scope to be explored by the tourist. The prominent of the district like Ajodhya Hills, Matha, Murguma Dam and Kuilapal Forests, Jaychandi Pahar, Panchakote Raj, Duarsini Hills and Forests attract quite a good number of visitors to Purulia every year.[citation needed]

Due to the rough weather and soil, purulia lags behind in agricultural arena from the other districts of West Bengal. However cultivation of silk and lac are the main agricultural products.[citation needed]

In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Purulia one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).[18] It is one of the eleven districts in West Bengal that has received funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund programme (BRGF).[18]

Divisions[edit | edit source]

Purulia District Court

Administrative subdivisions[edit | edit source]

Administrative map of Purulia by Subdivision and Blocks

The district comprises four subdivisions: Purulia Sadar, Jhalda, Raghunathpur and Manbazar. Puruliya Sadar consists of Purulia municipality and five community development blocks: Purulia–I, Purulia–II, Hura, Puncha and Balarampur. Jhalda subdivision consists of Jhalda municipality and four community development blocks: Jhalda–I, Jhalda–II, Jaipur, Bagmundi. Raghunathpur subdivision consists of Raghunathpur municipality and six community development blocks: Para, Raghunathpur–I, Raghunathpur–II, Neturia, Santuri and Kashipur. Manbazar subdivision consists of five community development blocks: Manbazar–I, Manbazar–II Barabazar, Bandwan and Puncha.[19] Purulia town is the district headquarters. There are 21 police stations, 20 development blocks, 3 municipalities, 170 gram panchayats,[20] and 2459 inhabited villages in this district.[21]

Each subdivision except Manbazar contains one municipality each along with community development blocks which in turn is divided into rural areas and census towns.[22] In total there are 11 urban units: 3 municipalities and 9 census towns.

Purulia Sadar subdivision[edit | edit source]

  • Purulia: municipality
  • Purulia–I community development block consists of rural areas only with 8 gram panchayats.
  • Purulia–II community development block consists of rural areas only with 9 gram panchayats.
  • Hura community development block consists of rural areas only with 10 gram panchayats.
  • Balarampur community development block consists of rural areas with 7 gram panchayats and one census town: Balarampur.
  • Arsha is a community development block

Manbazar subdivision[edit | edit source]

  • Manbazar I community development block consists of rural areas only with 10 gram panchayats.
  • Manbazar II community development block consists of rural areas only with 8 gram panchayats.
  • Bandwan community development block consists of rural areas only with 8 gram panchayats.
  • Puncha community development block consists of rural areas only with 10 gram panchayats.
  • Barabazar community development block consists of rural areas with 10 gram panchayats and one census town: Barabazar.

Jhalda subdivision[edit | edit source]

  • Jhalda: municipality
  • Jhalda–I community development block consists of rural areas only with 10 gram panchayats.
  • Jhalda–II community development block consists of rural areas only with 9 gram panchayats.
  • Joypur community development block consists of rural areas only with 7 gram panchayats.
  • Baghmundi community development block consists of rural areas only with 8 gram panchayats.

Raghunathpur subdivision[edit | edit source]

  • Raghunathpur: municipality
  • Para community development block consists of rural areas with 10 gram panchayats and two census towns: Santaldih and Chapari.
  • Raghunathpur I community development block consists of rural areas with 7 gram panchayats and one census town: Arra.
  • Raghunathpur II community development block consists of rural areas with 6 gram panchayats and one census town: Nabagram.
  • Neturia community development block consists of rural areas with 7 gram panchayats and two census towns: Hijuli and Par Beliya.
  • Santuri community development block consists of rural areas only with 6 gram panchayats.
  • Kashipur community development block consists of rural areas with 13 gram panchayats and one census town: Adra.

Assembly constituencies[edit | edit source]

The district is divided into assembly constituencies:[23]

  1. Bandwan (ST) (assembly constituency no. 234)
  2. Manbazar (assembly constituency no. 243),
  3. Balarampur (ST) (assembly constituency no. 235),
  4. Joypur (assembly constituency no. 238),
  5. Purulia (assembly constituency no. 239),
  6. Para (SC) (assembly constituency no. 240),
  7. Raghunathpur (SC) (assembly constituency no. 241),
  8. Kashipur (ST) (assembly constituency no. 242)
  9. Bagmundi Vidhan Sabha

Para constituency was reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates. Banduan, Manbazar, Balarampur, Arsa, Jhalda, Jaipur and Purulia constituencies formed the Purulia (Lok Sabha constituency). Para, Raghunathpur, Kashipur and Hura were assembly segments of Bankura (Lok Sabha constituency), which also contained three assembly segments from Bankura district.[citation needed]

Impact of delimitation of constituencies[edit | edit source]

As per order of the Delimitation Commission in respect of the delimitation of constituencies in the West Bengal, the district is presently divided into 9 assembly constituencies:[24]

  1. Bandwan (ST) (assembly constituency no. 234)
  2. Balarampur (assembly constituency no. 239),
  3. Baghmundi (assembly constituency no. 240),
  4. Joypur (assembly constituency no. 241),
  5. Purulia (assembly constituency no. 242),
  6. Manbazar (ST) (assembly constituency no. 243),
  7. Kashipur (assembly constituency no. 244),
  8. Para (SC) (assembly constituency no. 245) and
  9. Raghunathpur (SC) (assembly constituency no. 246).

Bandwan and Manbazar constituencies are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates, while Para and Raghunathpur constituencies are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates. Banduan is an assembly segment of Jhargram (Lok Sabha constituency), which also contains six assembly segments from Paschim Medinipur district. Balarampur, Baghmundi, Jaipur, Purulia, Manbazar, Kashipur and Para constituencies will form the Purulia (Lok Sabha constituency). Raghunathpur assembly segment is part of Bankura (Lok Sabha constituency), which also contains six assembly segments from Bankura district.[citation needed]

Demographics[edit | edit source]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1901777,801—    
1911884,372+13.7%
1921831,497−6.0%
1931972,077+16.9%
19411,088,201+11.9%
19511,169,097+7.4%
19611,360,016+16.3%
19711,602,875+17.9%
19811,853,801+15.7%
19912,224,577+20.0%
20012,536,516+14.0%
20112,930,115+15.5%
Source: Census of India[25]

According to the 2011 census Purulia district has a population of 2,930,115,[1] roughly equal to the nation of Jamaica[26] or the US state of Arkansas.[27] This gives it a ranking of 129th in India (out of a total of 640).[1] The district has a population density of 468 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,210/sq mi).[1] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 15.43%.[1] Puruliya has a sex ratio of 955 females for every 1000 males,[1] and a literacy rate of 65.38%. The literacy rates of male and female are 74.18% and 37.15% of the total population. 12.74% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes collectively account for 37.83% (SC: 19.38% and ST: 18.45%)[1] of the district's total population. The prominent communities in this group, in terms of the district's total population, are Santal (11.57%), Bauri (8.29%), Bhumij (3.57%), Sunri (excluding Saha) (1.68%), Rajwar (1.61%), Kora (1.14%), Hari (1.02%), Bhuiya (1.01%), Dom (0.98%), Chamar (0.88%), Dhoba (0.81%), Jalia Kaibartta (0.62%), Ghasi (0.45%), Lohar (0.45%), Bagdi/Duley (0.44%), Munda (0.35%), and Mahali (0.35%). Additionally, populations ranging between ten thousand to one thousand include Oraon, Savar, Bedia, Keot, Mal, Lodha/Kharia, Lohara, Gorait, and Dosadh.[28]

Religion[edit | edit source]

Religion in Purulia district (2011)[29]
Hinduism
 
 80.99%
Other (tribal religion)
 
 10.55%
Islam
 
 7.76%
Other or not stated
 
 0.70%

Language[edit | edit source]

Languages of Purulia district (2011)[30]

  Bengali (80.56%)
  Santali (11.17%)
  Kurmali (5.04%)
  Hindi (1.93%)
  Others (1.30%)

According to the 2011 census, 80.56% of the population spoke Bengali, 11.17% Santali, 5.04% Kurmali and 1.93% Hindi as their first language.[30]

Transport[edit | edit source]

Purulia district is well connected with other cities and towns of West Bengal and neighbourhood states by road and rail transport.[12]

Rail[edit | edit source]

The District is served by three Rail connections provided by the South Eastern Railways. One line runs from Jharkhand in the South through the district up to Asansol passing through Adra division. Another line runs between Bankura and Dhanbad also via the Adra Division. The third line connects purulia with Jharkhand. Major cities and towns like Ranchi, Tatanagar, Patna, Howrah, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Lucknow, Asansol, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Durgapur, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi are now well connected with this district by railways. The Railway Divisional Headquarter Adra railway division, which is one of the major rail division of South Eastern Railway, is situated on the northeastern part of Purulia district.[citation needed]

Road[edit | edit source]

The road transport is another important transportation medium of Purulia. The road transport is adequate in terms of bus availability and goods flow. NH 18 (NH 32) connects this district with Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Chas and Dhanbad. National Highway 60A (now NH 314) connects Purulia with State Highway 9 at Bankura and subsequently to NH2 at Durgapur. State Highway 5 also plays an important role in district's transport network as it connects the towns like Raghunathpur, Adra, Santaldih and Neturia to NH2 at Neamatpur and Asansol. Purulia has excellent road connectivity with Raniganj-Asansol industrial belt. South Bengal State Transport Corporation runs 4 buses from Purulia to Kolkata via State Highway 5 thus connecting towns and cities like Raghunathpur, Adra, Neturia to the industrial belt of Asansol, Raniganj, Durgapur and Burdwan. There are also many private bus operators on this route.[citation needed]

Culture[edit | edit source]

Chhau dance of Purulia

Purulia has rich cultural heritage. It has the mixed culture of Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha as it was a part of these areas for various times.[12][31] From archaeological evidences[32] to local festivals, every cultural event has got a tribal touch in it, which is the speciality of Purulia. Living mostly in rural areas and keeping intact many of their socio-cultural values, more or less in pristine forms, the rural people of Purulia have their folks to speak about many of their tenets. The distinctiveness of those is well demonstrated with the sentiments and feelings of the population and these are marked with splash of colours and often entwined with pathos, romanticism, velour and social consciousness. Purulia has a range of traditional song types, including Jhumair,[33][34] Ahirageet, Bhadu, Bihargeet, Baul, Karamgeet, and Tusugeet.[35] It is also the birthplace of a martial dance of Bengal Chhau.[12]

Tourism[edit | edit source]

Main article: Pakbirra Jain temples
Palash (Butea monosperma) woodland at Baranti Forest
Patralekha River is a tributary of Kansabati River

Hundreds of thousands of tourists come to visit Purulia annually to witness the charm of the natural scenery of Ayodhya, Turga Falls, PPSP Upper and Lower Dam, Dawri khal in Kesto Bazar Dam, Lahoria Shiv Mandir, Matha and Kuilapal, falls and tribal habitations of Ajodhya Hills and Bagmundih, dams like Panchet, Murguma Dam and Futiari, heritage buildings like Panchakot Raj Place, trekking range of Matha proud with Pakhi Pahar, and Joychandi Pahar, picnic spots like Baranti, Duarsini, Doladanga, Jamuna, traditional folk dance and culture like Chhou Dance and Jhumur Song.[citation needed]

Notable people[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "District Census Handbook: Purulia" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  2. ↑ "District Magistrate". Purulia District, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  3. ↑ "Superintendent Of Police". Purulia District, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Fact and Figures". Wb.gov.in. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  5. ↑ "52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India" (PDF). Nclm.nic.in. Ministry of Minority Affairs. p. 85. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  6. ↑ "History, Tradition, Culture, Heritage, Tourism & Festivals of Purulia". Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Forest Divisions in Purulia District". purulia.gov.in. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "History of Purulia, Bharatonline.com". Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  9. ↑ "An Overview of Purulia District, Sabjanta.com". Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  10. ↑ "HISTORICAL BACKGROUND, Purulia District". Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  11. ↑ "83 districts under the Security Related Expenditure Scheme". IntelliBriefs. 11 December 2009. Archived from the original on 27 October 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 "Profile of the district, Purulia Zilla Parisad" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "River, About the District WestBengalOnline". Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  14. ↑ "Station: Purulia Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 633–634. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  15. ↑ "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M239. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  16. ↑ "Purulia Pumped Storage Project". 17 January 2013. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  17. ↑ "Purulia: History, Geography, Tourism, Map". Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Ministry of Panchayati Raj (8 September 2009). "A Note on the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme" (PDF). National Institute of Rural Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  19. ↑ "List of Districts/C.D.Blocks/ Police Stations with Code No., Number of G.Ps and Number of Mouzas". West Bengal. Directorate of census operations. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
  20. ↑ "Directory of District, Sub division, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal, March 2008". West Bengal. National Informatics Centre, India. 19 March 2008. Archived from the original on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  21. ↑ "Administrative Units". Purulia district. National Informatics Centre. Archived from the original on 22 December 2007. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
  22. ↑ "Population, Decadal Growth Rate, Density and General Sex Ratio by Residence and Sex, West Bengal/ District/ Sub District, 1991 and 2001". West Bengal. Directorate of census operations. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
  23. ↑ "General election to the Legislative Assembly, 2001 – List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). West Bengal. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
  24. ↑ "Press Note, Delimitation Commission" (PDF). Assembly Constituencies in West Bengal. Delimitation Commission. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
  25. ↑ Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901
  26. ↑ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2011. Jamaica 2,868,380 July 2011 est
  27. ↑ "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 30 September 2011. Arkansas 2,915,918
  28. ↑ Template:Multiref2
  29. ↑ "Table C-01 Population by Religion: West Bengal". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: West Bengal". www.censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  31. ↑ Huntington, Susan L. (January 1984). The "Pāla-Sena" Schools of Sculpture - Volume 10. Vol. 10. Brill Archive. p. 178. ISBN 9004068562. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  32. ↑ "A Medley of Faiths: Towards a Composite Religious Culture in Early Medieval Rāḍh". Sahapedia. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  33. ↑ Sinha, Manik Lal (1974). Jhumar of the West Bengal highlands. Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi.
  34. ↑ ":::::: Daricha Foundation ::::::". www.daricha.org. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  35. ↑ Mandal, Goutam Kumar (Winter 2016). "Pashchim Puruliar Biyer Ganer Kabyamulya o Bhasagata Boishistya". Anustup.

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