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West Bengal GK(General Knowledge)

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West Bengal Physical map

West Bengal

West Bengal GK article covers all the important facts and data for UPSC, SSC, IBPS, Defence Exam, State PSCs and other competitive exams. West Bengal is a culture-rich state which is 1500 km away from India’s capital Delhi. It consists of 7.54% population of India. It is quite significant in terms of culture, politics and economy.

Also read in : GK in Bangla

         Topic                 Data/Facts
1 History1.1 In 1947, at the time of partition of the country, The eastern sector of Bengal, largely Muslim populated, became East Pakistan (later Bangladesh); the western sector became India’s West Bengal state.

1.2 In 1950 the princely state of Cooch Behar was integrated with West Bengal.
1.3 It was founded on 26th January, 1950. 
1.4 In 1955 the former French enclave of  Chandannagar, which had passed into Indian control after 1950, was integrated into West Bengal; portions of Bihar were also subsequently merged with West Bengal.
1.5 The Bengali word Bongo might have been derived from the ancient kingdom of Vanga (or Banga).
2 Geography2.1 Climate:
(i) West Bengal’s climate varies from tropical savanna in the southern portions to humid subtropical in the north.
(ii) The main seasons are summer, the rainy season, a short autumn and winter.
(iii) While the summer in the delta region is noted for excessive humidity, the western highlands experience a dry summer like northern India.
(iv) The highest daytime temperatures range from 38 °C (100 °F) to 45 °C (113 °F).
(v) At night, a cool southerly breeze carries moisture from the Bay of Bengal. In early summer, brief squalls and thunderstorms known as Kalbaisakhi, or Nor’westers, often occur.
(vi) West Bengal receives the Bay of Bengal branch of the Indian Ocean monsoon that moves in a southeast to northwest direction. Monsoons bring rain to the whole state from June to September.
(vii) Winter (December–January) is mild over the plains with average minimum temperatures of 15 °C (59 °F).
(viii) A cold and dry northern wind blows in the winter, substantially lowering the humidity level. The Darjeeling Himalayan Hill region experiences a harsh winter, with occasional snowfall.
2.2   Agriculture:
(i) Rice and potato are considered to be the principal food crops. The state is the largest source of the important food crop of rice, a staple diet across India, with an annual output of around 16.1 million tonnes (in FY 2015–16), and the second-largest producer of potatoes in India with an average annual output of 11 million tonnes (in FY 15-16).
(ii) West Bengal is also the second-largest fish producing state after Andhra Pradesh.
(iii) Apart from these, jute, sugarcane and wheat are the top crops of the state.Other major food crops include maize, pulses, oil seeds, wheat, barley, and vegetables.
(iv) Tea is another important cash crop. Darjeeling is globally recognised for tea plantation of the acclaimed Darjeeling tea variety. It is also the second largest tea-producing state in India.
(v) West Bengal accounts for nearly 10% of the country’s edible oil production.
(vi) West Bengal produced around 4961 thousand tonnes of milk in FY14-15.
(vii) The state is the third largest meat producing state in the country (including poultry) after Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, producing 0.648 million tonnes of meat in 2012-13 and it is the largest producer of goat meat.
(viii) The Darjeeling region also produces oranges, apples, pineapples, ginger, and cardamom.  
2.3 Natural Resources:
(i) West Bengal stands third in the country in terms of mineral production.
(ii) The state contributes about one-fifth to the total production of minerals in the country.
(iii) Coal constitutes 99% of the minerals extracted in West Bengal; fireclay, China clay, limestone, copper, iron, wolfram, manganese and dolomite are mined in small quantities.
(iv) There are good possibilities of obtaining mineral oil and natural gas in the areas near the Bay of Bengal, in Purba Medinipur, Sundarbans, South 24 Parganas and North Bengal plains.
(v) West Bengal is the third largest state for coal production, accounting for about half of India’s total.
(vi) Limestone which is used in cement industry is mined in Bankura, Purulia, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri.
(vii) West Bengal ranks next to Bihar and Madhya Pradesh in production of fireclay.
(viii) There are copper mines in Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. Small quantities of low-quality iron-ore are mined in Bardhaman, Purulia, Birbhum and Darjeeling.
(ix) There is manganese in the Jhargram region of Paschim Medinipur, Purulia and Bardhaman. Wolfram is mined at Jhilimili in Bankura.
(x) The state’s production of dolomite comes from the Dooars region of Jalpaiguri.
2.4 Major rivers:  
Rivers drain into Bay of Bengal:
Hoogly, Matla, Gosaba, Saptamukhi, Haribhanga, Piyali, Thakuran/ Jamira, Raimangal, Kalindi and Ichhamati.  
Rivers with inland drainage into Bhagirathi:
Mayurakshi, Ajay, Damodar, Kangsabati, Rupnarayan,  Brahmani, Dwarka, Bakreshwar, Kopai, Khari, Behula, Kansabati, Keleghai and Churni.  
Rivers with inland drainage into Brahmaputra:
Teesta, Raidak, Sankosh and Mahananda.  
Some Important facts of Rivers
(i) The Damodar is known as the ‘’sorrow of Bengal’’ as it was flood-prone. It is now controlled by making the Damodar Valley Project.
(ii) This silting of Ganga into Bhagirathi and Padma is causing great inconvenience for the Kolkata Port and often result flooding in the years of heavy rain.  
2.5 Animals:
(i) Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian rhinoceros, Indian elephant, deer, leopard, gaur, tiger and crocodiles, as well as many bird species. Migratory birds, barking deer, red panda, chinkara, takin, serow, pangolin, minivet and kalij pheasants.
(ii) The mangrove forest also acts as a natural fish nursery, supporting coastal fishes along the Bay of Bengal.
 
2.6 Neighbouring States:
(i) Jharkhand and Bihar – West
(ii) Sikkim, Assam– North-East
(iii) Odisha – South-West
2.6.1 Countries sharing boarder of West Bengal
(i) Bangladesh – East
(ii) Bhutan         -North East
(iii) Nepal         – North-West
2.6.2:   Bay of Bengal – South
2.7 Capital city: Kolkata (The third-largest metropolis, and seventh largest city by population in India)  
2.8 Total Land Area:
(i) Total area is 88,752 sq. km.
(ii) 13th largest state in India.
2.9:  In Darjeeling region Sandakfu, which, at 3,636 m (11,929 ft), is the highest peak in the state.  
(Facts/ data are important for competition point of view for West Bengal GK)
3 Forestry
3.1 Forest:
(i) Forest Cover: 16,901.51 sq. km.
(ii) Very Dense Forest: 3,018.52 sq. km.
(iii) Moderately Dense Forest: 4,160.26 sq. km.
(iv) Open Forest: 9,722.73 sq. km.
(Data as per ISFR 2019 assessment)
(Facts/ data are important for competition point of view for West Bengal GK)
3.2 National Parks:
(i) Gorumara National Park, Jalpaiguri
(ii) Jaldapara National Park, Alipurduar
(iii)Neora Valley National Park, Kalimpong
(iv) Singalila National Park, Darjeeling
(v) Sundarbans National Park, South-24-Paraganas  
3.3 Wild Life Sanctuary:
(i) Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, Jalpaiguri
(ii) Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary, South-24-Paraganas
(iii) Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary, South-24-Paraganas
(iv) Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Darjeeling
(v) Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary, South-24-Paraganas
(vi)Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, Darjeeling
(vii)Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Birbhum
(viii)Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary, Nadia
(ix) Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary, North-24-Paraganas
(x) Ramnabagan Wildlife Sanctuary, Bardhaman
(xi) Jore Pokhri Wildlife Sanctuary,Darjeeling
(xii) Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary, North Dinajpur  
3.4 Birds Sanctuary:
(i) Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary, Kolkata
(ii) Rasikbill Bird Sanctuary, Cooch Behar
(iii) Kulik Bird Sanctuary, North-Dinajpur  
(Facts/ data are important for competition point of view for West Bengal GK)
3.5 Tiger Reserves:
(i) Buxa Tiger Reserve, Jalpaiguri
(ii) Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, South-24-Paraganas    
4 Economy4.1 Major Economic Data:
(i) GDP Growth: 14.3% (2020–21 est.)
(ii) GDP: Nominal ₹1,428,571 crore (US $ 200 billion) 2020-21
(iii) GDP Rank: 6th
(iv) Per Capita Income: ₹115,348 (US$1,60 0) (2020–21)  
4.2 Industries: Major industries are as under: –
(i) Kolkata is noted as one of the major centres for industries including the jute industry.  
(ii) There are numerous steel plants in the state apart from the alloy steel plant at Durgapur.
(iii) The centre has established a number of industries in the areas of tea, sugar, chemicals and fertilisers.
(iv) West Bengal is at the forefronts of leather processing and leather goods manufacturing.
(v) Kharagpur has also numerous industries of various types such as iron works, cement, chemicals, etc.
(vi) The service sector has grown at a rate higher than the national rate.
5 Transportation5.1 Air, Rail, Bus, Road by car, Ferry-Service, Chakra Rail, Cycle Rickshaw, Auto Rickshaw, Hand-pulled Rickshaw and Electric Rickshaw.  
5.2 Other Important facts:
(i) Kolkata is the headquarters of three zones of the Indian Railways—Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway and the Kolkata Metro, which is the newly formed 17th zone of the Indian Railways
(ii) The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, part of NFR, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) serves the northern parts of the state.
(iii) The Kolkata metro is the country’s first underground railway.
(iv) As of 2011, the total length of surface roads in West Bengal was over 92,023 kilometres.
(v) Ghum Railway station in Darjeeling district is the highest railway station in the world.  
5.3 Major Railway Stations Howrah, Jalpaiguri, Bardhaman, Durgapur, Raniganj, Asansol, Alipurduar, Andal, Arambagh, Azimganj, Bally, Balurghat, BHandel, Chandannagore and Bankura.  
5.4 Major Air Ports:  
International Airports:
(i) Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata
(ii) Bagdogra International Airport, Siliguri  
Domestic Airports:
(i) Balurghat Airport, Balurghat
(ii) Cooch Behar Airport, Cooch Behar
(iii) Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, Durgapur  
Indian Air Force Stations:
(i) Barrackpore Air Force Station,
(ii) Barrackpore Hasimara Air Force Station,
(iii) Hasimara Kalaikunda Air Force Station,
(iv) Kharagpur Panagarh Airport, Panagarh
6 Infrastructures6.1 Power installed Capacity:
(i) Total Power: 11061.88 MW
(ii)Thermal: 9097.62 MW
(iii)Nuclear: 0
(iv)Hydro: 1396.00 MW
(v) Renewable Energy Source: 568.26 MW   
(Facts/ data are important for competition point of view for West Bengal GK)
        
7 Census and Demography 7.1 Demographic Data:  
(i)  Population: 91,276,115 (9.13 Crores)
(ii)  Male: 46,809,027
(iii) Female: 44,467,088      
(iv) Gender Ratio: 950 females per 1000 males
(v)  Population Growth: 13.84%
(vi) Percentage of total population of the country: 7.54%
(vii) Density: 1,028/sq. km.
(viii) Rural Population: 62,183,113 (68.13%)
(ix) Urban Population: 29,093,002 (31.87%)
(x)  4th most populous state in India           
(Based on 2011 census)
(Facts/ data are important for competition point of view for West Bengal GK)
7.2 Major Religion followers:
(i) Hinduism: 64,385,546 (70.54%)
(ii) Christianity: 658,618 (0.72%)
(iii) Islam: 24,654,825 (27.01%)
(iv) Jainism: 60,141 (0.07%)
(v) Buddhism: 282,898 (0.31%)
(vi) Sikhism: 63,523 (0.07%)
(Based on 2011 census)
7.3 State Literacy Data:
(i)  Total: 61,538,281 (76.26%)
(ii)  Male: 33,818,810 (81.69%)
(iii) Female: 27,719,471 (70.54%)
(Based on 2011 census)  
(Facts/ data are important for competition point of view for West Bengal GK)
8 Culture8.1 Literature:
8.1.1 :Literary work is majorly found under categories: The Bengali language has got a rich literary heritage and it shares with neighbouring Bangladesh. West Bengal has a long tradition of folk literature.
8.1.2  Bengali literature was modernized in the works of authors such as Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, whose works are considered  a departure from the traditional verse-oriented writings prevalent in that period.
8.1.3 :  Manik Bandyopadhyay, is considered one of the leading lights of modern Bengali fiction.    
8.2 Major Poets & Authors:
(i) Rabindranath Tagore,
(ii) Manik Bandopadhyay,
(iii) Kazi Nazrul Islam,
(iv) Michael Madhusudan Dutt,
(v) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay,
(vi) Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay,
(vii) Jibanananda Das,
(viii) Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay,
(ix) Ashapurna Devi,
(x) Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay,  
(xi) Saradindu Bandopadhyay,
(xii) Buddhadeb Guha,
Mahashweta Devi,
(xiii) Samaresh Majumdar,
(xiv) Sanjeev Chattopadhyay,
(xv) Shakti Chattopadhyay,
(xvi) Buddhadeb Basu,
(xvii) Joy Goswami and
(xviii) Sunil Gangopadhyay.  
8.3 Major Festivals:
(i) Durga Puja,
(ii) Rath Yatra,
(iii) Poila Boisakh,
(iv) Kalipuja,
(v) Doljatra,
(vi) Lakshmi Puja,
(vii) Bhai Phonta,
(viii) Jagaddhatri Puja,
(ix) Vishwakarma Puja,
(x) Saraswati Puja,
(xi) Rabindra Jayanti,
(xii) Eid-ul-Fitr,
(xiii) Muharram,
(xiv) Christmas and
(xv) Makar Sankranti.  
8.4 Folk Dance:
(i) Chhau Dance of purulia.  
8.5 Major Religious Places:
(i) Gangasagar, South-24-Paraganas
(ii) Belur Math, Howrah
(iii) Dakshineshwar Temple, Kolkata
(iv) Kalighat,
(v) KolkataTarapith, Birbhum
(vi) Bandel Church,Hooghly
(vii) Furfura Sharif, Hooghly
(viii) Bada Imambara, Hooghly
(ix) Nakhoda Masjid, Kolkata
(x) St Pauls Cathedral, Kolkata
(xi) Mayapur, Nadia
8.6 Other important facts about literature:
Rabindranath Tagore is Asia’s first Nobel laureate and the composer of India’s national anthem.   
 
9 Education 9.1 Major Universities:
(i) University of Calcutta, Kolkata
(ii) Jadavpur University, Kolkata
(iii) University of Burdwan, Bardhaman
(iv) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, Kolkata
(v) Visva-Bharati University, Bolpur
(vi) Presidency University, Kolkata
(vii) University of Kalyani, Kalyani
(viii) The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata
(ix) Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata
(x) University of North Bengal, Siliguri
(xi) West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Kolkata
(xii) Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Mohanpur
(xiii) Vidyasagar University, Midnapore
(xiv)West Bengal State University, Barasat
(xv)Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari
(xvi)University of Gour Banga, Malda
(xvii) Aliah University, Kolkata
(xviii)Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University, Cooch Behar
(xix) West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata
(xx) West Bengal University of Teachers’ Training, Education Planning and Administration, Kolkata
(xxi) Raiganj University, Raiganj
(xxii) St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata
(xxiii) Diamond Harbour Women’s University, Sarisha
(xxiv) The Sanskrit College and University, Kolkata  
9.3 Major Institutions:
(i) IIT Kharagpur
(ii) IIM Calcutta.Kolkata
(iii)NIT Durgapur
(iv) ISI Kolkata
(v) IIIT Kalyani
(vi) IISER Kolkata
(vii) IIST Shibpur, Howrah  
10 Tourism10.1 The state of West Bengal has significant architectural and natural heritage. The capital of the state, Kolkata is also known as the “City of Palaces”.
10.2 It is also known as the “City of Joy” as coined by French author Dominique Lappierre through his synonymous book.
10.3 West Bengal is famous for its terracotta temples of Bishnupur.  
10.4 Cooch Behar Palace built in 1887, was designed on the model of Buckingham Palace in London, during the reign of Maharaja Nripendra Narayan.  
10.5 Major Tourist Spots: The Victoria Memorial, Kolkata Howrah Bridge, KolkataHazarduari Palace, MurshidabadDarjeeling Hill Station, The Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, HowrahScience City, KolkataNicco park, KolkataSundarbans, South-24-Paraganas
10.6 Major Sea Beaches:
(i) Digha
(ii) Shankarpur
(iii) Mandarmani
(iv) Bakkhali
(v) Gangasagar
(vi) Tajpur
10.4 Hill Stations:
(i) Darjeeling ( it is world famous hill station)
(ii)Kuruseong, 
(iii) Kalimpong,
(iv) Rimbick,
(v) Lava and Loleygaon,
(vi) Mirik 
(vii) Sandakfu. 
(viii)Bagmundi      
11 Sports11.1 State Game:
(i) Football is the most popular game in West Bengal.
(ii) It is known as the football hub of India and there are many clubs like Mohun Bagan A.C., East Bengal Club, Mohammedan Sporting Club and ATK.
(iii) The oldest polo club of the world, Calcutta Polo Club is at Kolkata.
(iv) Outside Great Britain, the Royal Calcutta Golf Club is the oldest of its kind.
(v) Indian sports like kho- kho and kabaddi are also popular among the masses of West Bengal.
(Facts/ data are important for competition point of view for West Bengal GK)  
11.2 Major Stadium:
(i) Salt Lake Stadium(Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan), Kolkata( it has capacity of 85,0000.It is the 2nd largest stadium in India by seating capacity).
(ii) Eden Gardens, Kolkata
(iii) Kanchenjunga Stadium, Siliguri
(iv) East Bengal Ground, Kolkata
(v) Mohun Bagan Ground, Kolkata
(vi) Kalyani Stadium, Kalyani
(vii) Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata
(viii) Jadavpur Stadium, Kolkata
(ix) Mohammedan Sporting Ground, Kolkata
(x) Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata
(xi) Mela Ground, Kalimpong 
11.3 International Players from the state:
11.3.1 Cricket:
Sourav Ganguly
Jhulam Goswami
Wriddhiman Saha
Manoj Tiwary  
11.3.2 Tennis:
Leander Paes (Olympic Bronze Madalist)  
11.3.3 Football:
P.K. Banerjee
Chuni Goswami
Shailen Manna
11.3.4 Archer:
Dola Banerjee  
Rahul Banerjee
11.4 Heptathlon
Swapna Berman  (Gold medal winner in 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia)  
11.5 Chess:
Dibyandu Barua
11.6 Swimmer:
Mihir sen
11.7Athelete :
Jyotimoyee sikdar
(Facts/ data are important for competition point of view for West Bengal GK)
12 Governance & Administrative Divisions12.1 Administrative divisions:
(i)  Number of Districts: 23
(ii) Number of sub districts: 341
(iii) Number of Urban Towns: 3894
(iv)  Number of Villages: 40,783  
12.2 Official Languages:
Bengali & English (Official) Nepali, Urdu, Hindi, Odia, Santali, Punjabi, Kamtapuri, Rajbanshi, Kurmali, Kurukh and Telugu (Additional Official Languages)
(Facts/ data are important for competition point of view for West Bengal GK)
(Based on census-2011)
12.3 Constituent Facts:  
(i) Number of Assembly seats: 295
(ii) Number of Parliament seats: 42
(iii) Rajya Sabha : 16
(iv) Number of Gram panchayat: 48,636
Legislation: Unicameral  
12.4 Chief Minister:
Mamata Banerjee (9th Chief Minister of West Bengal) ( 1st CM : Prafulla Ghosh)  
12.5 Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar ( From 30 July, 2019) (1st Governor : C Rajgopalchari
12.6 Judiciary: The Calcutta High Court is the oldest High Court in India. It is located in B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal. It has jurisdiction over the state of West Bengal and the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The High Court building’s design is based on the Cloth Hall, Ypres, in Belgium. It was founded on 1st July 1862.  
12.6.1 Number of Judges: 72 (Permanent: 54 Addl: 18)
12.6.2 Judge Retirement Age: 62
13 Other Important facts13.1 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
(i) Sundarbans National Park, South-24-Paraganas
(ii) Himalayan Railways of India, Darjeeling
(iii)Temples of Bishnupur, Birbhum (Proposed)
(iv) Santiniketan,Birbhum (Proposed)
(v)Neora Valley National Park, Kalimpong (Proposed)
(Facts/ data are important for competition point of view for West Bengal GK) 

13.2 GI Tags:
(i) Darjeeling Tea (word and logo)
(ii) Nakshi Kantha
(iii) Leather goods in Santiniketan
(iv) Laxmanbhog Mango
(v) Khirsapati or Himsagar Mango
(vi) Fazli Mango
(vii) Shantipur Saree
(viii) Baluchari Saree
(ix) Dhaniakhali Saree
(x) Joynagar Moa
(xi) Bankura Panchmura Terracotta Craft
(xii) Bardhaman Sitabhog
(xiii) Bardhaman Mihidana
(xiv) Tulapanji Rice
(xv) Gobindobhog Rice
(xvi) Banglar Rasogolla  
Other Important Facts:
(i) State Ambassador: Shah Rukh Khan
(ii) Motto: Satyamev Jayate
(iii) Mammal: Fishing Cat
(iv) Bird: White-Throated Kingfisher
(v) Fish: Illish
(vi) Flower: Night-Flowering Jasmine
(vii) Tree: Chhatim Tree  

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