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{{Infobox settlement | |||
| name = Rarh | |||
| native_name = | |||
| type = Geographical region | |||
| subdivision_type = Country | |||
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}} | |||
| subdivision_type1 = State | |||
| subdivision_name1 = [[West Bengal]] | |||
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|Districts covered]] | |||
| subdivision_name2 = [[Murshidabad district|Murshidabad]], [[Birbhum district|Birbhum]], [[Bankura district|Bankura]], [[Paschim Bardhaman district|Paschim Bardhaman]], [[Purba Bardhaman district|Purba Bardhaman]], [[Paschim Medinipur district|Paschim Medinipur]], [[Purba Medinipur district|Purba Medinipur]], [[Nadia district]] | |||
| blank_name_sec1 = Regional Language(s) and/or dialect(s) | |||
| blank_info_sec1 = [[Rarhi dialect]] of the [[Bengali language]] | |||
| area_total_km2 = | |||
| population_as_of = | |||
| population_total = | |||
| population_density_km2 = | |||
| population_demonym = | |||
| image_skyline = File:Dharmarajtala Surmanagar Arnab Dutta.JPG | |||
| image_caption = Dharmarajtala, the sacred shrine of Dharmathakur, at Surmanagar village, Bankura district | |||
}} | |||
'''Rarh''' (রাঢ়) is a natural geographical region primarily in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[West Bengal]]. | |||
==Etymology== | |||
The word Rarh originated in the ancient [[Austroasiatic languages|Austric language]] and means 'a land of red soil'. <ref name = ‘rarh’>{{cite web| url = https://bangadarpan.blogspot.com/2010/03/rarh-region-in-west-bengal.html | title= Rahr Region in West Bengal | publisher= Banga Darpan | access-date = 3 August 2023}}</ref> | |||
==History== | |||
Rarh is the oldest part of [[Gondwana]] which was formed 300 million years ago.<ref name = ‘rarh’/> | |||
According to Acharanga Sutra, [[Mahavira|Mahāvīra]] (599-527 BCE), the 24th [[Tirthankara|Tīrthāṅkara]] of [[Jainism]] travelled in the pathless country of 'Ladha' in [[Vajjabhumi]] and [[Subbhabhumi]] at a time (5th Century BC) when the country was lawless, and the people were harsh at Mahavira. Many great people were born in the Rarh region form ancient times: [[Patanjali]], who systematized [[Yoga]], [[Kashiram Das]] and [[Krittibas Ojha]] retold the Indian classics [[Mahabharata]] and [[Ramayana]] in simple Bengali and is still popular as Kashidasi Mahabharat and Kirittibasi Ramayan. <ref>{{cite web| url = https://bardhaman.com/history/ | title= History |publisher= Bardhaman.com | access-date = 3 August 2023}}</ref> | |||
==Geography== | |||
The Rarh region is a high, undulating continuation of the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]]. <ref>{{cite web| url =https://www.britannica.com/place/Rarh | title= Rarh | publisher= Brittanica| access-date = 3 August 2023}}</ref>It lies between the Chota Nagpur Plateau and the [[Ganges Delta]].<ref name = ‘rarh’/> | |||
The eastern Rarh region is composed of the western part of [[Murshidabad district|Murshidabad]], the northern part of [[Birbhum district|Birbhum]], [[Purba Bardhaman district]], [[Hooghly district|Hooghly]], [[Howrah district|howrah]], [[Purba Medinipur district|Purba Medinipur]] and [[Indas (community development block)|Indas]] in [[Bankura district|Bankura]].<ref name = ‘rarh’/> | |||
The Western Rarh region is composed of [[Santhal Pargana division|Santhal Parganas]], most of [[Birbhum district|Birbhum]], [[Paschim Bardhaman district|Paschim Bardhaman]], parts of [[Bankura district|Bankura]], [[Kasmar block|Kasmar]], [[Petarwar block|Petarwar]], [[Jaridih block|Jaridih]] of [[Bokaro district]], Gola block of [[Ramgarh district]], [[Silli block|Silli]], [[Sonahatu block|Sonahatu]], [[Bundu block|Bundu]], [[Tamar block|Tamar]] of Ranchi district, [[Singhbhum district|Singhbhum]], [[Jhargram district|Jhargram]] and parts of [[Paschim Medinipur district|Paschhim Medinipur]].<ref name = ‘rarh’/> | |||
According to the Bhuvaneshvara inscription of Bhatta Bhavadeva, Rarh was a dry, waterless and woody region. In old texts there is mention of Bhurisrsta or Bhurishresthika {now Bhurshut in Howrah}, Navagram (now in Hooghly}) and Damunya or Daminya (in Burdwan).<ref>{{cite web| url = https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Radha2| title= Radha2 | publisher= Banglapeda | access-date = 3 August 2023}}</ref> | |||
Rivers flowing through the Rarh region include: [[Damodar River|Damodar]], [[Ajay River|Ajay]], [[Mayurakshi River|Mayurakshi]], [[Dwarakeswar River|Dwarakeshwar]], [[Shilabati River|Shilabati/Shilai]] and [[Kangsabati River|Kangsabati/Kasai]]. All the rivers originate on the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] and flow down to meet the [[Hooghly River|Hooghly]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.easternheavens.com/sp-rarh-bengal | title= Rarh Bengal Hills & Forests & Lakes | publisher= Eastern Heavens | access-date = 4 August 2023}}</ref> | |||
==Language== | |||
[[Bengali language|Bengali ]] is the sixth most spoken first language in the world. <ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/world/ | title= World| work= Languages |publisher= World Factbook | access-date = 4 August 2023}}</ref>It is the second most widely spoken language in India after [[Hindi]]. There are mainly six dialects of Bengali: Bangali dialect, [[Rarhi dialect|Rarhi]], Manbhumi, Varendri, [[KRNB lects|Rangpuri]] and Sundarbani. | |||
==Religion== | |||
[[Dharmathakur]] is a Hindu-deity worshipped by many followers in the Rarh region. A special village god (gram devata) he is represented by a shapeless stone daubed with vermillion and is normally placed under a tree or placed in the open, but sometimes enshrined in a temple. <ref>O'Malley, L.S.S., ICS, ''Birbhum'', ''Bengal District Gazetteers'', p. 36, 1996 reprint, first published 1910, Government of West Bengal</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dharma-Thakur | title= Dharma-Thakur | publisher= Brittanica | access-date = 4 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Dharma_Thakur | title= Dharma Thakur | work= Sambaru Chandra Mohanta |publisher= Banglapedia | access-date = 4 August 2023}}</ref> | |||
==References== | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
{{West Bengal}} | |||
[[Category:Regions of West Bengal]] | |||
[[Category:Geographical regions of India]] | |||
Revision as of 13:04, 4 August 2023
Rarh | |
|---|---|
Geographical region | |
 Dharmarajtala, the sacred shrine of Dharmathakur, at Surmanagar village, Bankura district | |
| Country |  India |
| State | West Bengal |
| Districts covered | Murshidabad, Birbhum, Bankura, Paschim Bardhaman, Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur, Nadia district |
| Regional Language(s) and/or dialect(s) | Rarhi dialect of the Bengali language |
Rarh (রাঢ়) is a natural geographical region primarily in the Indian state of West Bengal.
Etymology
The word Rarh originated in the ancient Austric language and means 'a land of red soil'. [1]
History
Rarh is the oldest part of Gondwana which was formed 300 million years ago.[1]
According to Acharanga Sutra, Mahāvīra (599-527 BCE), the 24th Tīrthāṅkara of Jainism travelled in the pathless country of 'Ladha' in Vajjabhumi and Subbhabhumi at a time (5th Century BC) when the country was lawless, and the people were harsh at Mahavira. Many great people were born in the Rarh region form ancient times: Patanjali, who systematized Yoga, Kashiram Das and Krittibas Ojha retold the Indian classics Mahabharata and Ramayana in simple Bengali and is still popular as Kashidasi Mahabharat and Kirittibasi Ramayan. [2]
Geography
The Rarh region is a high, undulating continuation of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. [3]It lies between the Chota Nagpur Plateau and the Ganges Delta.[1]
The eastern Rarh region is composed of the western part of Murshidabad, the northern part of Birbhum, Purba Bardhaman district, Hooghly, howrah, Purba Medinipur and Indas in Bankura.[1]
The Western Rarh region is composed of Santhal Parganas, most of Birbhum, Paschim Bardhaman, parts of Bankura, Kasmar, Petarwar, Jaridih of Bokaro district, Gola block of Ramgarh district, Silli, Sonahatu, Bundu, Tamar of Ranchi district, Singhbhum, Jhargram and parts of Paschhim Medinipur.[1]
According to the Bhuvaneshvara inscription of Bhatta Bhavadeva, Rarh was a dry, waterless and woody region. In old texts there is mention of Bhurisrsta or Bhurishresthika {now Bhurshut in Howrah}, Navagram (now in Hooghly}) and Damunya or Daminya (in Burdwan).[4]
Rivers flowing through the Rarh region include: Damodar, Ajay, Mayurakshi, Dwarakeshwar, Shilabati/Shilai and Kangsabati/Kasai. All the rivers originate on the Chota Nagpur Plateau and flow down to meet the Hooghly.[5]
Language
Bengali is the sixth most spoken first language in the world. [6]It is the second most widely spoken language in India after Hindi. There are mainly six dialects of Bengali: Bangali dialect, Rarhi, Manbhumi, Varendri, Rangpuri and Sundarbani.
Religion
Dharmathakur is a Hindu-deity worshipped by many followers in the Rarh region. A special village god (gram devata) he is represented by a shapeless stone daubed with vermillion and is normally placed under a tree or placed in the open, but sometimes enshrined in a temple. [7][8][9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Rahr Region in West Bengal". Banga Darpan. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ↑ "History". Bardhaman.com. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ↑ "Rarh". Brittanica. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ↑ "Radha2". Banglapeda. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ↑ "Rarh Bengal Hills & Forests & Lakes". Eastern Heavens. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ↑ "World". Languages. World Factbook. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ↑ O'Malley, L.S.S., ICS, Birbhum, Bengal District Gazetteers, p. 36, 1996 reprint, first published 1910, Government of West Bengal
- ↑ "Dharma-Thakur". Brittanica. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ↑ "Dharma Thakur". Sambaru Chandra Mohanta. Banglapedia. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
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