Suri, Birbhum

Suri
সিউড়ি
City
Siuri
Siuri railway station, Suri Municipality, Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church, Suri
Suri is located in West Bengal
Suri
Suri
Location in West Bengal, India
Suri is located in India
Suri
Suri
Suri (India)
Suri is located in Asia
Suri
Suri
Suri (Asia)
Coordinates: 23°54′36″N 87°31′37″E / 23.910°N 87.527°E / 23.910; 87.527
Country India
State West Bengal
DistrictBirbhum
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • BodySuri Municipality
Area
 • Total9.47 km2 (3.66 sq mi)
Elevation
71 m (233 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total67,864[1]
 • Density7,166/km2 (18,560/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialBengali[3][4]
 • Additional officialEnglish[3]
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
731101 (Suri main)

731102 (Hatjan Bazar) 731103 (Barabagan)

731126 (Karidhya)
Telephone/STD code+91 / 03462
Vehicle registrationWB-54
Lok Sabha constituencyBirbhum
Vidhan Sabha constituencySuri
Websitebirbhum.nic.in

Suri (pronounced [sIʊərɪ]) (also spelt as Siuri) is a city and a municipality in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarters of the Birbhum district.

Geography[edit]

8km
5miles
none
Ajay River
Bakreshwar
River
Mayurakshi
River
Tilpara
Barrage
B
Mayurakshi River#Tilpara Barrage (B)
Patharchapuri
R
Patharchapuri (R)
Bakreshwar
RV
Bakreshwar (R)
Deucha
R
Deucha (R)
Bara Chaturi
R
Bara Chaturi (R)
Nakrakonda
R
Nakrakonda (R)
Abinashpur
R
Abinashpur (R)
Hetampur
R
Hetampur (R)
Purandarpur
R
Purandarpur (R)
Angar Garia
R
Angar Garia (R)
BTPP Township
R
Bakreswar Thermal Power Plant Township (R)
Kankartala
R
Kankartala (R)
Khoyrasol
R
Khoyrasol (R)
Panrui
R
Panrui (R)
Chandrapur
R
Chandrapur, Birbhum (R)
Lokpur
R
Lokpur (R)
Mohammad Bazar
R
Mohammad Bazar, Birbhum (R)
Dubrajpur
M
Dubrajpur (M)
Sainthia
M
Sainthia (M)
Suri
M
Rajnagar
CT
Rajnagar, Birbhum (CT)
Ahmedpur
CT
Ahmedpur, Birbhum (CT)
Kalipur
CT
Kalipur, Birbhum (CT)
Karidhya
CT
Karidhya (CT)
Map
Cities and towns in Suri Sadar subdivision of Birbhum district
M: municipal city/ town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, B: Barrage.
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly

Location[edit]

Suri is located at 23°54′36″N 87°31′37″E / 23.910°N 87.527°E / 23.910; 87.527.[5] Suri is 220 km from State capital Kolkata (Calcutta), 90 km from Durgapur, 34 km from BolpurSantiniketan, 55 km from Andal and 19 km from Sainthia on the Andal–Sainthia branch line of Eastern Railway.[6] It is on Panagarh–Morgram Highway.(known as N.H 60). It has an average elevation of 71 metres (233 feet).[7] It is situated on the extended part of Chota Nagpur Plateau. Tilpara barrage on Mayurakshi River is located 3 km north-west of Suri.

As per the District Census Handbook 2011, Suri covered an area of 9.47 km2.[8]

History[edit]

Prior to the advent of the British in India and their acquisition of the territory of Bengal, Suri was but merely a small village. Yet, the British colonists preferred to choose Suri as the district headquarters of Birbhum, probably owing to convenience of transport and communication. Suri was well-connected to many places via road, however, it is not possible to tell about the conditions of those roads clearly. These roads can be traced in James Rennel's map of the 'Jungleterry District'(1779).[7] After the defeat of Siraj ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, the British placed many puppet-kings in his place. When Mir Quasim was the Nawab, he ordered all the zamindars (landlords) to pay more revenue. At this, the ruler of Rajnagar, Asad Jama Khan disagreed. In December 1760, the army of the Nawab and the British marched together to attack Birbhum. Asad Jama Khan also got prepared with a cavalry of about 5,000 soldiers, and an infantry of nearly 20,000. In the battle, Asad Jama Khan was defeated and his zamindari was snatched. He took shelter amidst the very dense woods of Chotanagpur. There he had a clandestine meeting with a Maratha army general, Shivabhatta, and Shivabhatta joined him with a cavalry of two to three thousand soldiers as well as a large infantry. Another battle was fought near Kariddhya in 1763 in which he was defeated again. Thus, the British got the control of Suri.[7] During the early years of the British rule, Bishnupur and Birbhum was administered from Murshidabad. Then, a new district was formed joining Birbhum and Bishnupur, and Suri was made the headquarters. During this time, British officials used the name '(Laat) Hydrabad', the name Suri was also used, but only later.[7] G.R. Foley was the first District Collector of Birbhum. He was appointed in 1786. Then, J. Sherburne became the collector and after him, Christopher Keating became the collector.[7] Suri Municipality started functioning from 1876. Then, the population of Suri was no more than 7,000. The first Chairman of the municipality was A.A. Owen. Rail transport arrived in Suri in 1913 when the first train started on the route AndalSainthia.[9]

Economics[edit]

The chief industries of Suri include rice milling, cotton and silk weaving, and furniture manufacture.

In March 2008, a private Kolkata-based firm, Ramsarup Group, unveiled a proposal for large-scale investment in a greenfield power plant and cement manufacturing plant worth Rs 2200 crores (US$550 million) was submitted to the Government of West Bengal.[10] Bakreshwar Thermal Power Plant is around 12 kilometres away from Suri town.

Demographics[edit]

Population of Suri
YearPop.±%
19018,692—    
19119,131+5.1%
19218,915−2.4%
193110,908+22.4%
194115,867+45.5%
195118,135+14.3%
196122,841+25.9%
197130,110+31.8%
198140,783+35.4%
199154,298+33.1%
200161,806+13.8%
201167,864+9.8%
2022106,789+57.4%
Source: District Census Handbook Birbhum,
Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A

As of 2011 Indian Census, Suri had a total population of 1,06,789, of which 54,589 were males and 52,200 were females. The sex ratio in Suri is 963. Population within the age group of 0 to 6 years was 8,935. The total number of literates in Suri was 94,348, which constituted 88.3% of the population with male literacy of 92.8% and female literacy of 85.7%. The effective literacy rate of 7+ population of Suri was 92.9%, of which male literacy rate was 94.8% and female literacy rate was 89.9%. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes population was 28,857 and 927 respectively. Suri had 25385 households in 2011.[1]

Transport[edit]

Suri has a well organized road transport system with both Govt. Bus Service (SBSTC, NBSTC & WBTC) and private bus service. The town is well connected to major towns and cities like - Kolkata, Durgapur, Asansol, Purulia, Bankura, Medinipur, Digha, Massanjore, Dumka, Bolpur, Burdwan, English Bazar, Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, Katwa, Balurghat, Raiganj etc. through roadway.

Siuri is a model Railway Station. It is situated at the southern part of the town, at Hatjan Bazar. It connects Suri directly with places like Howrah, Kolkata, Bardhaman, Durgapur, Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Malda, Siliguri, Puri, Chennai, Surat, Jhajha, Asansol, Ranchi Nagpur, Bilaspur, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, Dimapur, Jamshedpur, Purulia, Cuttack, Vijayawada, Raipur, Durg etc. Some of the important trains that run via Siuri are,

Language[edit]

Principal language of communication is Bengali and English.

Education[edit]

Colleges in Suri include Birbhum Mahavidyalaya and Suri Vidyasagar College, both affiliated to the University of Burdwan.[11] Birbhum Institute of Engineering & Technology and Sri Ramakrishna Shilpa Vidyapith, also known as "L. C. College" provide technical education. Another 2 Diploma Technical Colleges (private)at Tasarkanta, Suri, and Bandhersole, Suri. Also five D.ED. Colleges and five B.ED. colleges situated at Suri. Total 18 Higher Secondary Schools including a West Bengal Govt. School ( Birbhum Zilla School ) 4 C.B.S.E. Senior Secondary Schools namely K.E. Karmel, JNV, Kendriya Vidyalaya and UP Public School. One W.B.B.S.E. English Medium school-St.Andrews. The Albatross Public School follows CBSE curriculum and also allows Cambridge International Examination. The Levelfield School has also joined the list of private schools offering higher secondary education.

Suri Vidyasagar College main entrance

Some notable schools of Suri are Birbhum Zilla School (established-1851), R.T. Girls' High School (established-1884 as River Thompson Girls' High School, later renamed as Rabindranath Tagore Girls' High School), Suri Public and Chandragati Mustafi Memorial High School (established-1856 as Suri Middle English School), Suri Benimadhab Institution (established-1917), Kaligati Smriti Narishiksha Niketan, Suri Ramkrishna Vidyapeeth and Muuk-Badhir Vidyalaya (Deaf and Dumb School, established-1936).[7]Satsang Mission Medical College, Hospital & Cancer Research Institute is expected to be completed in the next 3 years followed by Tapaban Vidyalaya, Rishi Sandilya University, Purosattam Pharma & Retail Chain, Satsang Mission Krishi Vigyan Kendra by the Thakur Anukul Chandra Satsang Mission Sadhanpith at Haripur Dham, Chandrapur, Suri, Birbhum.[12]

Libraries[edit]

The first library set up in Suri was the library of Birbhum Zilla School(established-1851). Then, "Ratan Library" was set up by Sibratan Mitra, a writer as well as the father of another writer, Gourihara Mitra, in Malipara, Suri. It had a vast collection of rare manuscripts, ancient statues, idols, coins, maps and images. All these were donated to the library of the Visva-Bharati University later. The Ramaranjan Town Hall and Public Library was set up in 1900. Now it is known by the name -"Vivekananda Granthagaar o Ramaranjan Paurabhawan (Viivekananda Library and Ramaranjan Town Hall)". This library cum town hall has been a witness to many a great and remarkable incident in the history of Suri. The District Library of Birbhum(established-1955), set up during the implementation of the first five-year plan, stands beside the Vivekanada Library and Ramaranjan Town hall.[7]

Civil Administration[edit]

There is a Suri municipality. It is divided into 21 wards. It was controlled by the Indian National Congress-Trinamool Congress alliance. In the 2010 municipal elections, the municipality faced a hung verdict. Later, the Trinamool Congress with 8 councillors, formed the municipal board by taking the support of 6 Congress councillors. In municipal elections of 2015, TMC won 15 seats, INC won 3 seats, and BJP got 1 seat. Municipal Election 2021 Trinamool Congress won all 21 wards

Local specialities[edit]

Suri is famous for a special sweetmeat called Murabba & Achar (fruits/vegetables preserved in sugar syrup) comes in a wide number of varieties, which includes Murabba of Satamooli.[13]

Places of worship[edit]

Terracota panels. Click on the pic to see more details of the carvings.
Radha Damodar temple at Sonatopara in Suri

“Serious scholars of terracotta have accepted Birbhum as the place where some of the finest terracotta temples of Bengal are found… the oldest and the finest temple — known as Radha Damodar temple — is in Suri town. It’s a majestic aatchala dedicated to Damodar, the other name of Shiva.”[14]

David J. McCutchion mentions the aatchala Radha-Shyam temple built in the 17-18th century, brick-built with phulpathar facades richly carved.[15]

Suri is one of those places where religious harmony is found.

Some famous temples are situated in Suri. Moumachhi Club has established a Kali temple in Suri, which is unique and grand in this town. Other famous temples are Bamni Kalibari, Bhabatarini Kalibari, Dangalpara Anandapur Sarbajanin Matrimandir and Shib Mandir, Radha Ballav Mandir, Shani Mandir, Damodar Mandir, Rabindrapalli Kalibari, Rakshakali Temple, Kendua Dakshin Para Kali Mandir.

Durga temple of Chattoraj family is a very old and heritage temple of the town. it is situated at Seharapara. A lot of people visit this temple during the Durga Puja. The newly established Shiv Mandir attracts many people of the area. People will love to experience the rituals of the traditional Durga Puja.

Singha Bahini Mandir, situated in Barui-Para is another very old temple which attracts many devotees every day. The traditional-style Durga puja and Kali puja at the Singha Bahini Mandir is also enjoyed by the devotees.

There are a few mosques in Suri and among them, the Masjid at Masjid More and the one at Madrasa Road deserve special mention. Suri is famous for Dargah of Hazrat Data Mehboob Shah. Dargah is flocked by thousands of devotees every day.

There are three churches in this town. The oldest one is Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church, Suri situated near Lalkuthipara in Suri.

Festivals[edit]

Every year in Suri there is a very famous fair held, called the 'Barobagan Mela'(Now postponed due to political problems). This historic fair was inaugurated by the then Governor of Bengal Lord Brabourne. Religious festivals like Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja, Kali Puja, Diwali, Jagaddhatri Puja, Janmashtami, Hanuman Puja, Ram Navami, Eid, Muharram, Christmas are celebrated in Suri. Book-fairs are also held every 3–4 years.

Climate[edit]

The climate of the district is generally dry, mild and healthy. The hot weather usually lasts from the middle of March to the middle of the June, the rainy season from the middle of June to the middle of October, and the cold weather from middle of October to the middle of March. They do not always correspond to these limit. The wind is from the south-east in the summer and from the north-west in the winter. The minimum and maximum temperature data for Suri is given below - For the Year 2011 (in degree Celsius)-

Month Maximum temperature Minimum temperature
January 29 6
February 35 11
March 40 12
April 39 19
May 38 20
June 39 24
July 36 23
August 37 24
September 36 23
October 34 16
November 32 14
December 30 7
Yearly 40 6

[16]

For the year 2012 (in degree Celsius)-

Month Maximum temperature Minimum temperature
January 28 7
February 35 8
March 40 13
April 41 19
May 45 22
June 48 24
July 38 24
August 35 24
September ... ...
October 35 16
November 32 11
December 30 7
Yearly 46 7

[16]

The average precipitation in Suri is 1307 mm (130.7 cm). It is the lowest in December with an average of 3 mm, while it is the highest in August (299 mm) and in July(297 mm). The average annual temperature is 26.2 °C.

Month January February March April May June July August September October November December
Rainfall (in mm) 17 14 19 27 66 217 297 299 224 111 13 3
Avg. maximum 25.8 28.5 34.3 38.2 37.0 35.2 32.1 31.9 32.3 31.7 29.2 26.2
Avg. minimum 11.6 14.1 19.0 23.5 25.6 26.1 25.6 25.6 25.3 22.6 16.6 12.5
Daily mean 18.7 21.3 26.6 30.8 31.3 30.6 28.8 28.7 28.8 27.1 22.9 19.3

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Census of India: Suri". www.censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Suri Municipality". Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Fact and Figures". www.wb.gov.in. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  4. ^ "52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India" (PDF). nclm.nic.in. Ministry of Minority Affairs. p. 85. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  5. ^ "GeoHack - Suri, Birbhum". www.geohack.toolforge.org.
  6. ^ Eastern Railway time table
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Suri Saharer Itihas by Sukumar Sinha, Ashadeep Publication
  8. ^ "District Census Handbook Birbhum, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A" (PDF). Section II Town Directory, Pages 1025- 1033. Directorate of Census Operations V, West Bengal. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  9. ^ Kamangulo Sab Gelo Koi(Where Have the Cannons Gone), Dayal Sengupta, the Anandabazaar Patrika
  10. ^ "Ramsarup Group plans Siuri greenfield project". mJunction. 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
  11. ^ "Affiliated Colleges". www.buruniv.ac.in.
  12. ^ "Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of Satsang Mission Medical College, Hospital & Cancer Research Institute along with various Projects held at Haripur Dham, Chandrapur, Suri, Birbhum".
  13. ^ MODERN LIFE ONLINE. "Suri: Old and Small City In Birbhum District You Must Visit". www.modernlifeonline.com. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  14. ^ Sengupta, Somen. "Next weekend you can be at Suri". The Telegraph, 20 April 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  15. ^ McCutchion, David J., Late Mediaeval Temples of Bengal, first published 1972, reprinted 2017, page 31. The Asiatic Society, Kolkata, ISBN 978-93-81574-65-2
  16. ^ a b http://birbhum.gov.in/DDAgri/PAO.htm#rail[dead link]