The state of West Bengal has three administrative divisions among which one is Burdwan. Birbhum is the northernmost district of Burdwan. Suri is the district headquarters. It is aligned by Jharkhand on the western side and by Bardhaman and Murshidabad on the other side. Birbhum can be broken into Bir which means Brave and Bhum meaning land. Hence, it is the land of the brave. Some say that the place derives its name from the Bir kings who once ruled the land. Also, the word Bir means the forests in Santali language. Hence, it could also be called the Land of Forests.

Its topography is different from the other districts of West Bengal. The western part of Birbhum forms a part of the Chhota Nagpur plateau and has a bushy region. After some distance, it merges with the alluvial soil. The area is marked by many movements regarding culture and religion. Birbhum is world renowned for Vishwa Bharti University, Shantiniketan. It was established by Rabindranath Tagore and calls for talent from all over the world. Poush Mela is one of the notable festivals. Seventy five percent of the population depends on agriculture as their main economy. The major industries in the area are cotton, silk harvesting and weaving, rice and oilseed milling, lac harvesting, stone mining and metal ware and pottery industry. The only heavy industry is the Bakreshwar thermal power plant.

Birbhum History

The administrative unit of Birbhum was formed under the British East India Company in the year 1787. Before that, it was administered by Murshidabad district. The intial Beerbhum was much more in area than the present were. Then, in the 1793, it also included Bishnupur which now forms a part of the Bankura district. Santhal rebellion broke out in the year 1857 which led to the separation of the western tribal majority. Sidhu and Kanu were remembered as the martyrs.

Birbhum Climate

The eastern and western sides have different climates. Dry and extreme climate prevails in the western side while the eastern on is relatively milder and humid. The maximum temperature can go up to 40 degrees and can come down to 10. Rainfall is more in the western area than the eastern. June to October is the monsoon months.

Birbhum Tourism

Tourist places in Birbhum
Bolpur - Sriniketan
Tarapith
Bakreswar
Kankalitala
Labpur
Nanoor
Joydev-Kenduli
Dubrajpur
Nalhati
Patharchapuri
Rajnagar
Hetampur
Kaleswar Shiv Mandir