South Bengal (দক্ষিণবঙ্গ Dakṣiṇbaṅga) is the fertile delta region of the Indian state of West Bengal. Many major events of the state's history took place here, and it boasts a strong religious and colonial legacy.
Districts
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Map of South Bengal
This article covers the seven districts of West Bengal lying on the Ganges Delta. Rarh and Southwest Bengal are sometimes also considered parts of South Bengal, but they are covered separately due to their distinct geographies and cultures.
Cities
[edit]- 1 Baharampur (বহরমপুর) — a fortified British cantonment with Dutch, French, Mughal and Portuguese architecture and reminiscences
- 2 Bandel (ব্যান্ডেল Byānḍel) — historic port city, former Portuguese colony, home to Bandel Church
- 3 Barrackpore (ব্যারাকপুর Byārākpur) — a cantonment town with memories of the 1857 Rebellion
- 4 Chandannagar (চন্দননগর Candannagar) — a former French colony
- 5 Howrah (হাওড়া Hāoṛā) — Kolkata's twin city with a botanical garden, a monastery and the largest railway complex in India
- 6 Kolkata (কলকাতা Kalkātā) — the "City of Joy", the capital of West Bengal and the former capital of British India
- 7 Murshidabad (মুর্শিদাবাদ Murśidābād) — former capital of Bengal under the Nawabs
- 8 Nabadwip (নবদ্বীপ Nabadbīp) — temple city and heritage town
- 9 Taki (টাকি Ṭāki) — a border town with beautiful views of the Ichamati River
Other destinations
[edit]- 1 Sagar Island — a Hindu pilgrimage site with unspoilt beaches
- 2 Sundarbans National Park — a
UNESCO World Heritage Site with Royal Bengal Tigers and deer found in forests and mangrove swamps
Understand
[edit]South Bengal is an eastern extension to the North Indian plains. It is based around the Hooghly River, which is known in its upper reaches as the Bhagirathi River. The Hooghly is the lifeline of the entire South Bengal, with many of its major towns being on the banks of the river.