Simlapal (community development block)

From Bishnupur kingdom to the British Raj

From around the 7th century AD till around the advent of British rule, for around a millennium, history of Bankura district is identical with the rise and fall of the Hindu Rajas of Bishnupur. The Bishnupur Rajas, who were at the summit of their fortunes towards the end of the 17th century, started declining in the first half of the 18th century. First, the Maharaja of Burdwan seized the Fatehpur Mahal, and then the Maratha invasions laid waste their country.^[1]

Bishnupur was ceded to the British with the rest of Burdwan chakla in 1760. In 1787, Bishnupur was united with Birbhum to form a separate administrative unit. In 1793 it was transferred to the Burdwan collectorate. In 1879, the district acquired its present shape with the thanas of Khatra and Raipur and the outpost of Simplapal being transferred from Manbhum, and the thanas of Sonamukhi, Kotulpur and Indas being retransferred from Burdwan. However, it was known for sometime as West Burdwan and in 1881 came to be known as Bankura district.^[1]

Red corridor

106 districts spanning 10 states across India, described as being part of the Left Wing Extremism activities, constitutes the Red corridor. In West Bengal the districts of Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia and Birbhum are part of the Red corridor. However, as of July 2016, there had been no reported incidents of Maoist related activities from these districts for the previous 4 years.^[2]

The CPI (Maoist) extremism which started in the district in the mid-nineties was mainly concentrated in five police station areas of Khatra subdivision – Sarenga, Barikul, Ranibandh, Raipur and Simlapal. They also functioned across the adjoining areas of Paschim Medinipur and Purulia districts.^[3] The Lalgarh movement, which started attracting attention after the failed assassination attempt on Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, then chief minister of West Bengal, in the Salboni area of Paschim Medinipur district, on 2 November 2008 and the police action that followed, had also spread over to these areas.^[4] The movement was not just a political struggle but an armed struggle that concurrently took the look of a social struggle. A large number of CPI (M) activists were killed. Although the epi-centre of the movement was Lalgarh, it was spread across 19 police stations in three adjoining districts – Paschim Medinipur, Bankura and Purulia, all thickly forested and near the border with Jharkhand. The deployment of CRPF and other forces started on 11 June 2009. The movement came to an end after the 2011 state assembly elections and change of government in West Bengal. The death of Kishenji, the Maoist commander, on 24 November 2011 was the last major landmark.^[4][5]

Places of interest

Simlapal Royal Palace area
Lakshmisagar Maa Rankini Temple
Hetyagora Kalindi Water Reservoir
Dhadkidanga Kharikhad

Population

As per the 2011 Census of India Simlapal CD Block had a total population of 143,038, of which 135,832 were rural and 7,206 were urban. There were 73,008 (51%) males and 70,030 (49%) females. Population below 6 years was 17,125. Scheduled Castes numbered 37,738 (26.38%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 21,277 (14.88%).^[9]

As per 2001 census, Simlapal block had a total population of 127,429, out of which 65,328 were males and 62,101 were females. Simlapal block registered a population growth of 14.48 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for the district was 13.79 per cent.^[10] Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent.^[11]

Census Towns in Simlapal CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Simlapal (7,200).^[9]

Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in Simlapal CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Lakshmisagar (5,304).^[9]

Other villages in Simlapal CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Dubrajpur (3,162), Machatora (667), Bikrampur (1,709) and Parsala (2,689).^[9]

Literacy

As per the 2011 census the total number of literates in Simlapal CD Block was 86,172 (68.44% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 50,372 (78.36% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 35,800 (58.09%) of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 20.28%.^[9]

See also – List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate

Languages and religion

Bengali is the local language in these areas.

There is a tribal presence in many of the CD Blocks of the district. Santali is spoken by around 10% of the population in the district. Some people also speak Mundari.^[12]

In the 2011 census Hindus numbered 110,512 and formed 77.26% of the population in Simlapal CD Block. Muslims numbered 5,667 and formed 3.96% of the population. Christians numbered 90 and formed 0.06% of the population. Others numbered 26,769 and formed 18.72% of the population.^[13] Others include Addi Bassi, Marang Boro, Santal, Saranath, Sari Dharma, Sarna, Alchchi, Bidin, Sant, Saevdharm, Seran, Saran, Sarin, Kheria,^[14] and other religious communities.^[13]

Infrastructure

190 or 94% of mouzas in Simlapal CD Block were electrified by 31 March 2014.^[16]

203 mouzas in Simlapal CD Block had drinking water facilities in 2013-14. There were 59 fertiliser depots, 18 seed stores and 48 fair price shops in the CD Block.^[16]

Agriculture

In 2013-14, persons engaged in agriculture in Simlapal CD Block could be classified as follows: bargadars 5.62%, patta (document) holders 17.78%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 5.85%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 18.27% and agricultural labourers 52.48%.^[16]

In 2003-04 net area sown Simlapal CD Block was 11,282 hectares and the area in which more than one crop was grown was 10,075 hectares.^[17]

In 2013-14, the total area irrigated in Simlapal CD Block was 19,144 hectares, out of which 11,853 hectares was by canal water, 1,790 hectares by tank water, 1,120 hectares by river lift irrigation, 116 hectares by deep tubewell, 2,400 hectares by shallow tubewell, 45 hectares by open dug wells and 1,820 hectares by other methods.^[16]

In 2013-14, Simlapal CD Block produced 99,087 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop, from 34,047 hectares, 181 tonnes of Aus paddy from 65 hectares, 3,290 tonnes of Boro paddy from 1,239 hectares, 237 tonnes of wheat from 105 hectares and 40,671,000 tonnes of potatoes from 2,214 hectares. It also produced maize, pulses and mustard.^[16]

Handloom and pottery industries

The handloom industry engages the largest number of persons in the non farm sector and hence is important in Bankura district. The handloom industry is well established in all the CD Blocks of the district and includes the famous Baluchari saris. In 2004-05 Simlapal CD Block had 507 looms in operation.^[18]

Bankura district is famous for the artistic excellence of its pottery products that include the famous Bankura horse. The range of pottery products is categorised as follows: domestic utilities, terracota and other decorative items and roofing tiles and other heavy pottery items. Around 3,200 families were involved in pottery making in the district in 2002. 20 families were involved in Simlipal CD Block.^[19]

Banking

In 2013-14, Simlapal CD Block had offices of 6 commercial banks and 4 gramin banks.^[16]