In ancient times, when Tamralipta was an active port, Ghatal had its own ‘Bandar’ (port), 3 km east of Ghatal PS, used for anchoring boats and ships with goods. Now, the place is the confluence of the Dwarakeswar, Shilabati, Damodar and Jhumi. Ghatal was famous for manufacturing of cotton goods, tussar silk, bell metal utensils etc., and the Dutch had a factory here. The activities continued until the early British period.[2]
In the early British period, Ghatal PS and Chandrakona PS were a part of Jahanabad (later Arambagh) in Hooghly district and were transferred in 1872 to Midnapore district. These became a part of the newly formed Ghatal subdivision in 1876. Daspur PS became a part of it in 1877. Ghatal municipality was formed in 1869.[3]
Geography
8km 5miles
Rupnarayan River
Uttar Bar
H
Radhanagar
H
Radhakantapur
H
Palashpai
H
Narajole
H
Laoda
H
Lachhipur
H
Kotalpur
H
Jayantipur
H
Jalshara
H
Iswarpur
H
Gobindanagar
H
Gangadaspur
H
Dihi Baliharpur
H
Chaipat
H
Baikunthapur
H
Alui
H
Ajuria
H
Birsingha
R
Sonakhali
R
Daspur
R
Ramjibanpur
M
Khirpai
M
Kharar
M
Ghatal
M
Chandrakona
M
Cities and towns in Ghatal subdivision of Paschim Medinipur district M: municipal city/ town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical/ religious centre Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
Ghatal is a flood-prone area and in many years is flooded by the Shilabati River. The Shilabati divides the city into two parts. Near Bandar, the Shilabati and the Darkeswar river join the Rupnarayan river. The Ghatal Police station lies on the west bank of the river. There is one peculiar floating bridge on the river made by joining boats tied with rope from both sides in the banks, called "Bhasa Pool" (floating bridge). Also, one cement bridge is constructed on the main pitch road or State Highway 4 passing through Chandrakona Town, Ghatal, Daspur, and Mechogram.
Ghatal subdivision, shown in the map alongside, has alluvial soils. Around 85% of the total cultivated area is cropped more than once.[7] It has a density of population of 1,099 per km2, but being a small subdivision only a little over a fifth of the people in the district reside in this subdivision. 14.33% of the population lives in urban areas and 86.67% lives in the rural areas.[8]
Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.
Demographics
As per 2011 Census of India, Ghatal had a total population of 54,591 of which 27,882 (51%) were males and 26,709 (49%) were females. Population in the age range 0–6 years was 5,399. The total number of literate persons in Ghatal was 44,016 (89.48% of the population over 6 years).[9]
As of 2001[update] India census,[10] Ghatal had a population of 51,586. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Ghatal has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 69%. In Ghatal, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Ghatal police station has jurisdiction over Ghatal and Kharar municipalities and Ghatal CD block.[12][13]
Transportation
Ghatal is well connected by roads and highways with nearby cities like Kolkata, Howrah, Midnapore, Kanthi, Digha, Burdwan, Bankura. For local transportation buses (both state and private), minibusses, tempos and cycle-rickshaws are available. Panskura Railway Station is the nearest railway station. SH 4 passes through Ghatal.
Education
Ghatal Rabindra Satabarsiki Mahavidyalaya was established in 1961. Affiliated with the Vidyasagar University, it offers honors courses in Bengali, Sanskrit, English, Political Science, Philosophy, History, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Zoology, Botany, Geography, Economics, and Accountancy; post graduate courses in Bengali, English, Sanskrit, History, Philosophy, and Mathematics, and general courses in arts, science, and commerce.[14]
Ghatal Government Polytechnic, established in 2016, offers diploma courses in civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
Ghatal Government ITI, an Industrial Training Institute established in 2016, offers ITI courses in Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Surveyor, Dress Making, and Electronic Mechanic. This ITI college is located at Birsingha (Birth place of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar).
Ghatal Vidyasagar High School is a Bengali-medium coeducational institution established in 1886. The school has facilities for teaching from class V to class XII. It has a library with 11,000 books, 26 computers and a playground.[15] The school was founded by Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar.
Ghatal Basanta Kumari Girls High School is a Bengali-medium girls only institution established in 1957. The school has facilities for teaching from class V to class XII. It has a library with 2,000 books, 4 computers and a playground.[16]
Ghatal Yogoda Satsanga Sri Yukteswar Vidyapith is a Bengali-medium coeducational institution established in 1958. The school has facilities for teaching from class V to class XII. It has a library with 3,200 books.[17]
Culture
The common people of this area maintained a culture something different from other parts of the district in conducting and observing their way of work in rituals and customs. They cherish their customs. For example, the people celebrating the worship of Maa Sitala Buri and other Maa Sitalas in an around Ghatal Town used to carry hundreds of dhaks in procession and arrange open operas acting on the stage dragged and pushed by the men on pitch road running through the town.
Among many festivals in Ghatal Sishu Mela (around the month of February) is most popular. Many people of Ghatal town and its neighbouring blocks take part in the Sishu Mela. Vidyasagar Mela is also popular, which takes place in Birsingha (the birthplace of Iswarchandra Vidyasagar). The regular Bengali festivals like Durga Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Saraswati Puja and Kali Puja are well attended and observed with glorious themed pandals. Other common pujas in the worship of Sitala, Jagaddhatri, Holi, Janmastami, Bheema Puja, Jhulan also takes place.
Science exhibitions, seminars on science and literature, awareness programmes on health and agriculture are usually held in Ghatal Town hall. Besides that musical, dance and magic shows are also held in Ghatal Town hall.
The Visalaxmi temple at Barada and Khipteswari temple at Ghatal are the main tourist attractions. There is also the Kushpata Satsanga Ashram. The largest Thakur Anukul Chandra temple of West Bengal is situated on the bank of Shilabati River which is 1.5 km (1 mi) away from Ghatal Vidyasagar Setu. Here one can see several temples of Anukul Thakur. There is a large prayer room for the common people. Every day a huge number of people go to the temple to worship GOD, spend some great time with their families, and enjoy the silence with beautiful greenery on the banks of the river Shilabati. There are many ashramas like Anukul Thakurer Satsanga ashram, Nigamanand er ashram, Ramkrishna Mission, and Swami Debananda ashram.
There is an Independent Short Film Production House Named Niltara Films. The Production house was established in 2018. It is situated on the riverside of Silaboti near the electric office. Niltara Films has made different kinds of Short films and got many awards. Their most remarkable Project is Joker (Short Film -2019), The Stranger (short film – 2020). And their upcoming short film is Laxmi The Curse. It will be released in 2021. Niltara Films is the first Film making production House at Ghatal.
The Vrindaban Chandra temple as a West Bengal nava-ratna with ridged rekha turrets, built in 1794, with rich terracotta façade, it measures 17’ 6” square.
The Ragunatha temple at Nimtala as a nava-ratna with smooth rekha turrets, built in 1801 with rich terracotta facade; measuring 20’ 11” x 19’ 8”.
The Raghunatha temple as a small flat-roofed or chandni type, built in 1797, it has terracotta archway panels etc.
The Sridhara temple at Katan as a double storied flat roofed temple, the upper storey was added in 1885, with rich terracotta, measuring hh14’ 10” x 16’.
The Simhavahini temple as char-chala temple with a char-chala porch, built in 1490, with slight terracotta, measuring 13’ square + 8’ 9” square.
Ghatal picture gallery
Vrindabana Chandra temple at Konnagar
Terracotta relief at Vrindabana Chandra temple
Shridharjiu temple of Jana family at Chauli
Terracotta panel in Sridharjiu temple
Simhavahini temple at Konnagar
Tourist spots
Bhasapool (Polton Bridge) - Heritage of India
Kushpata Satsanga Ashram of Anukul Thakur
Visalaxmi Temple at Barada
Birsingha - birthplace of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
Eco park- picnic destination
Birsingha Bhagabati Vidyalaya (H.S) - established by Pandit Ishwar Vidyasagar
Rural hospitals: (Name, CD block, location, beds) [20]
Khirpai Rural Hospital, Chandrakona I CD block, Khirpai, 30 beds
Chandrakona Rural Hospital, Chandrakona II CD block, Chandrakona, 60 beds
Daspur Rural Hospital, Daspur I CD block, Daspur, 30 beds
Sonakhali Rural Hospital, Daspur II CD block, Sonakhali, 30 beds
Block primary health centres: (Name, CD block, location, beds)[21]
Viidyasagar Block Primary Health Centre, Ghatal CD block, Birsingha, 10 beds
Primary health centres : (CD block-wise)(CD block, PHC location, beds)[22]
Chandrakona I CD block: Ramjibanpur (10), Ramkrishnapur (PO Tatarpara) (10), Mangrul (PO Goaldanga Mangrul) (10), Dingal (PO Dingal-Kumargeria) (10), Jara (2)
Chandrrakona II CD block: Basanchora (PO Chhatraganj) (10), Bhagabantapur (4),
^"District Census Handbook: Paschim Medinipur"(PDF). Map of Paschim Medinipur with CD Block HQs and Police Stations (on the fifth page). Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
^McCutchion, David J., Late Mediaeval Temples of Bengal, first published 1972, reprinted 2017, pages 52,53, 63, 67, 71. The Asiatic Society, Kolkata, ISBN978-93-81574-65-2
^"Health & Family Welfare Department"(PDF). Health Statistics – Block Primary Health Centres. Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original(PDF) on 16 August 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
