West Bengal

Introduction to West Bengal
West Bengal, the gateway to the exotic east - is a land of passion and poetry, natural beauty and strong people, marked by a humane element, evident in every facet of their life. Bengal has a long history that dates back, before the Aryan invasions of India. Known as 'Gauda' or 'Vanga' in ancient Sanskrit literature, Bengal had a well settled civilisation and culture, at the time of the Aryan penetration. An integral part of succesive empires of the Mauryas and Guptas, Bengal also had its own dynasty of independent rulers, the Palas, who extended the existing boundaries, considerably. The Senas and the Muslim Sultanate who occupied Bengal, shaped the distinct identity of Bengal.

This fascinating land of the Hooghly, has a lot to offer to avid travellers. Calcutta, a unique city with its intriguing environs; Digha, the land of sand and sea; Vishnupur, an architectural treasure house; Shantiniketan, Tagore's abode of peace; the lost empire of Murshidabad; Malda-Gourand Pandua, relics of the Muslim rule; Darjeeling-a magnificent hill resort; the wildlife sanctuary at Doars, and the marshy mangrove jungles of Sunderbans, home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, are some of the major attractions of this fascinating state.

History :
Bengal finds a coveted place even in pre-historic times. At the time of Alexander's invasion a powerful king called Gangaridai ruled over Bengal Ascendancy of the Guptas and the Mauryas had little effect on Bengal. Later Sasanka became King of Bengal and is said to have played an important role in north-eastern India in the early half of the seventh century. He was succeed by Gopala, who founded

the Plaa dynasty which ruled for centuries and had created a huge empire. The Pllas were followed by the Sena dynasty which was ended by Muslim rulers from Delhi. Various Muslim rulers and governors till the Mugahal period in 16th century ruled Bengal.
After the Mugahls, history of modern Bengal begins with the advent of European and English trading companies. the Battle of Plassey in 1775 changed the course of history when the English first gained a strong foothold in Bengal and India. In 1905 it was partitioned to achieve some political returns but people's growing movement under the auspices of the congress Party led to the reunion in 1911. This triggered of the hectic movement for freedom which culminated with Independence in 1947 and partition.
After 1947, the merger of native settlement began which ended with its final reorganization in 1956 when some Bengali speaking areas of a neighbouring state were transferred to west Bengal.

Tourist Attraction:

Hill Stations: Major hill stations in West Bengal are Darjeeling and Kalimpong. The majestic Himalayas, sprawling tea gardens along the mountain slopes, the heritage of Toy Train (a World Heritage declared by UNESCO) and the colonial legacy - Darjeeling itself offers some of the biggest tourist attractions in West Bengal. On the Kalimpong embodies a beautiful slice of serenity.

Seat of Culture: A tremendously rich culture is one of the biggest tourist attractions in West Bengal. Once the capital of British India, Kolkata is still referred to as the cultural capital of the country, often. West Bengal has produced some of the great poet, painter, filmmaker and intellectuals who earned worldwide distinction by their merit. In places like Shantiniketan, where Tagore founded one of the world's renowned universities and in the temples of Vishnupur you would get enchanting glimpses of Bengali tradition.

Wild Lives: In both of its southern and northern sides, the state has rich forestlands, which are full of rare animals like wild elephants, one-horn-rhinos and so on. But the biggest of all tourist attractions in West Bengal is the Royal Bengal Tiger, which is found only in the large mangrove forest of Sunderbans in the southern Bengal. Other wild life destinations in the state are the jungles of Dooars and Jaldapara.

Beaches: In Digha and Shankarpur, the state has some of its scenic beaches, which draw hordes of tourists every year.

Religious Sites: Like all places in India, the state has its share of religious destinations too. The temples of Kalighat in Kolkata and those of Belur and Dakshineswar, which are located close to the city, are important sites for the enthusiasts.

Festivals: Festivals set the state in an altogether different mood. At the slightest excuse, the Bengali folks jump into gala festivities. But the greatest festival in the state is the Durga Puja. Though a Hindu festival, it is more secular in nature. A wondrous manifestation of art, culture, creativity, affluence and revelry takes place during October-November, which can hardly be believed unless visited.

Travel Information :

Air : Calcutta, the capital of West Bengal, is connected with Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Patna, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and other important cities. Calcutta also has a busy international airport.

Rail: Calcutta is connected with all major cities.

Road: Calcutta is connected by road with Delhi (1495 km), Mumbai (2060 km), Chennai (1734 km), Varanasi (676 km), Puri (555 km), Guwahati (1164 km) and Darjeeling (731 km).

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