Barrackpore: A sneak Peek

Nestled on the banks of the Hooghly River, Barrackpore is a city steeped in history and culture, located in the state of West Bengal. With its fascinating past and vibrant present, Barrackpore offers a treasure trove of experiences for locals and visitors alike. In this article, we delve into the captivating history and diverse cultural heritage that make Barrackpore a remarkable part of Bengal.

The ancient name of Barrackpore was Chanok. This name is found in the Monosha Bhashan grantha of Chand Shadagar. Some people also believe that name is derived from Job Charnock a British Person who came here. Chanak came under the control of Barbak Shah then went under the British rule.

Barrackpore's cultural heritage is a harmonious blend of indigenous traditions and colonial influences. The city's cultural fabric is adorned with various art forms, music, dance, and literature. The rich literary tradition of Barrackpore has produced renowned poets and authors who have contributed significantly to Bengali literature for example Taradas Bandyopadhyay who wrote later stories of "Taranath Tantrik" which was started by Bibhuti Bhushan Bandyopadhyay .

Rashtraguru Sir Surendranath Banerjee (1848–1925) was one of the founders of modern India and a proponent of autonomy within the British Commonwealth. He served as an Indian Civil Service officer till 1874, before becoming a teacher. He founded Ripon College, later renamed after him, in Calcutta and worked on the idea of nationalism. He was twice appointed the president of Indian National Congress, appealed to the British to modify the 1905 Partition of Bengal, and in 1921 he was knighted and accepted office as minister of Local Self-government in Bengal. He retired to write his autobiography, A Nation in Making in 1925 in Barrackpore

Rani Rashmoni's sister Jogodomba Dasi constructed a temple in Barrackpore just like the design Dakhineshwar temple dedicated to Maa Annapurna. Sri Ramakrishna was present in Barrackpore when this temple was being unveiled.

The town is controlled by Barrackpore municipality, cantonment board and Manirampur Panchayat.

A part of the film "The River" by Jean Renoir was also shot here. Sukanta Sadan and Barrackpore telephone exchange also form a part of this town. Detective and Police training college is situated in Latbagan in Barrackpore. A cancer research center along with a fish research center are also present in Baarrackpore. Barrackpore also had a zoo established by the British which was asias first, but it got transferred to the Alipore zoo in Kolkata later. For this reason Chiria more a prominent place in Barrackpore is named after that zoo.

Barrackpore holds immense historical significance as it witnessed pivotal events that shaped India's struggle for independence. It served as the headquarters of the British East India Company's Bengal Army and later became a prominent center for the Indian freedom movement. One of the most significant episodes in Barrackpore's history is the infamous Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, also known as the Barrackpore Mutiny, which marked a turning point in India's fight against British colonial rule.

The city boasts a plethora of landmarks and monuments that pay homage to its illustrious past. The Barrackpore Cantonment, established in 1772, showcases colonial architecture and stands as a living testament to the city's association with the British Raj. Another iconic landmark is the Mangal Pandey Park, named after the legendary freedom fighter who played a pivotal role in the Barrackpore Mutiny. It serves as a reminder of the courageous acts of those who fought for India's independence.

Barrackpore has also become now a Biryani (a type of indian food with meat and rice) hub, Dada Boudi Resturant and D. Bapi Biryani are its famous names. The Kochuri (type of bengali bread) and Rabdi (Bengali sweet) shops in Chiria more's Jolua's Sshop is also famous.

image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrackpore#/media/File:Barrackpore_Railway_Station_Area_-_North_24_Parganas_2012-04-11_9671.JPG