| Khirpai | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 Khirpai
|
|
| Coordinates: 22°42′N 87°37′E / 22.7°N 87.62°ECoordinates: 22°42′N 87°37′E / 22.7°N 87.62°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | West Bengal |
| District | West Midnapore |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 14,548 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Bengali, English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 721232 |
| Sex ratio | 931 ♂/♀ |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Arambagh |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Chandrakona |
| Website | paschimmedinipur |
Khirpai also known as Kshirpai, is a town and a municipality in West Midnapore in the Indian state of West Bengal. The town is situated near the banks of river Shilabati and Kethai. The municipality is one of the oldest municipality in India. Location of the municipality is between Ghatal and Chandrokona Town. Khirpai is also famous for its ‘Babarsha’, a special type of sweetmeat, which is not available elsewhere.
Contents
History[edit]
In the 18th and 19th century, Khirpai was a big and famous trading place. Cotton and handicrafts of this area were exported in the foreign lands. In British periods Khirpai became famous for indigo plantation.Also in the British Era, It is the famous business centre. That time 'Neel' was the main product.On the south-east side of Khirpai town, there is a lake, ruins can be found in the south east corner of this lake. Once, it was the trade-house of the European merchants. French, Hollander, Portuguese and British stepped here for trade, as before 1660 and by that time they thronged here for purchasing cotton and silk, which are of exclusive status. In 1763, French built a workshop in this place.
In the 18 th century, Khirpai become famous for cotton-cloth weaving and manufacture of brush and bell metal. The waiving industry was further developed in the second half of the century by the location of an important factory of East India Company in Khirpai.But in the 19 th century the Industry declined owing to the withdrawal of company from commercial undertakings and particularly due to the importation of the English piece goods. Since Khirpai lost her proud as a business centre, the population density of Khirpai also decreases gradually at that time.
Geography[edit]
Khirpai is located at 22°42′N 87°37′E / 22.7°N 87.62°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 7 metres (26 feet).
Demographics[edit]
As of 2001[update] India census,[2] Khirpai had a population of 14,548. Males constitute 57% of the population and females 43%. Khirpai has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 62%. In Khirpai, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Near Khirpai there is a river named Kethia.
Economy[edit]
Main economy of this area is agriculture. Besides town area the people of the villagers basically earn their livlihood by producing crops, like Paddy, Potato, Wheat, Jute and vegetables of different kindes. A few of the percentage of the people are government employees, School Teachers and employed in other small private sectors.The financial status of most of the people is in middle class and lower middle class category.
Transportation[edit]
Khirpai is well connected by roads/highways with other nearby cities like Midnapore, Kharagpur, Kolkata, Howrah,Ghatal, Burdwan, Panskura, Kanthi, Tamluk, Hooghly. For local transportation bus, taxi, minibus, cycle-rikshaws are available. Panskura and chandrokona road railway stations are two nearest railway station.
Education[edit]
There are no of schools and primary schools in Khirpai. There is one coeducational high school and one girls school. The name of the schools are - 1. Khirpai H.S. Multipurpose School 2. Khirpai S.K.Barman Memorial Girls High School. Ghatal Rabindra Satabarsiki Mahavidyalaya and Chandrakona Vidyasagar Mahavidyalaya are two nearest college of khirpai. There is also a vocational training institute named Dr Ambedkar Training Institute.
Health[edit]
There is a hospital in the Khirpai town and one Community Based primary Health Center run by Khirpai municipality. People of Khirpai and its nearest areas mainly depends on the hospital. Also There are many private chambers of doctors in the Khirpai. Health of common people is generally well.
Culture[edit]
Among many festivals of in Khirpai, 'Santoshi Mela' is the most popular. Many people from Khirpai and its nearest villages take part in the Santoshi Mela. There is also some riligious places in Khirpai named Pancharatna Mandir, Parbatinath Temple, Radha Damodar Jew Temple.Radhamadhab Temple of Malpara is on Ghatal-Khirpai Road .This age old temple is ‘Pancharatna’(ratna means pinnacle) but the terracotta works still exist with glory. These works depict Krishnalila, Dasavatar and battle of Ram Ravana, even hunting scenes and floral ornamentations. It was built in 1817. Radha Damodar Jew Temple is famous for his terracota works. ‘Dalan Mandir’ in Paharipara is also notable. This temple is dedicated to Singhabahini, incarnation of Devi Durga. This was built on 1746 and probably the oldest temple of Khirpai region.The massive structure of ‘Sitalanda Tin Temple’ is situated in Hattala (Khirpai). It faces southwards and is of the atchala style. Some terracotta specimens still can be found. It is built by Pani family on 1839. There is a Shiva temple in the village Gangadaspur, Ward no.-6 of khirpai municipality which bears the age-old culture of this locality. This temple is almost 300 years old and it is the largest and highest of this area. This temple is newly renovated. It upholds the cultural heritage of this area. The regular Bengali festivals like Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja and Kali Puja are well attended. Other common pujas in the worship of Sitala, Jagaddhatri, Holi,Janmastami, Bheema Puja also takes place. A special type of sweet named Babarsa only in Bengal available here.
References[edit]
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Khirpai
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- How India clothed the world: the world of South Asian textiles, 1500-1850 [1]
- History of Bagree-Rajya (Garhbeta)[2]
- Midnapore the Forerunner of India's Freedom Struggle [3]
- Changing Profile of the Frontier Bengal [4]
- District handbooks [5]
External links[edit]
- Paschim Medinipur District Official Website
- Purba Medinipur District Official Website
- Khirpai Municipality
- Midnapore - Website for East and West Midnapore
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