Barakar

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Barakar | type = city | latd = 23.73 | longd = 86.85
locator_position = right | state_name = West Bengal
district = Bardhaman
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population_as_of = 2001
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website = bardhaman.gov.in/
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Barakar ( _bn. বরাকর) is a town in Asansol subdivision of district Bardhaman district in the state of West Bengal. It is situated at the border of the states of Jharkhand and West Bengal. The Grand Trunk Road passes through Barakar. The town is located on the banks of Barakar River.

Geography

The Asansol-Durgapur region is composed of undulating latterite region. This area lies between two mighty rivers – the Damodar and the Ajay. They flow almost parallel to each other in the region – the average distance between the two rivers is around 30 km. For ages the area was heavily forested and infested with plunderers and marauders. The discovery of coal led to industrialisation of the area and most of the forests have been cleared. [ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, "Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti" (History and Folk lore of Bardhaman District.), Bn icon, Vol I, pp 14-15, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3 ] At the western fringe of the area the Barakar forms the boundary with Jharkhand.

Demographics

It mainly consists of Bengali , Marwari and Hindi-speaking people from Bihar and Jharkhand.

Economy

It is mainly a trade centre and surrounded by numerous refractories and other small factories. The place basically consists of a straight road consisting mainly of commercial establishments and residential areas thereafter.

Educational Institutions

Barakar High School (Dishergarh Road)Sree Marwari Vidyalaya - School for boys.Sree Adarsh Vidyalaya - School for boys.Srimati Jarao Devi Balika Vidyalaya - School for girls.

Famous Personalities

Deo Nath Singh

Championed the cause of education, secularism and the common man. He was a Sahitya Ratna and well known educational and social reformist. A legend in these parts, is credited with the setting up and development of this town in its current state. Died in the year 1994.

Transport

Roads

Grand Trunk road connects Barakar with Kolkata with the distance being roughly 250 km. The largest towns near to Barakar are: Asansol (17 km from Barakar) and Dhanbad (42 km from Barakar).

Railways

The train line passing through Barakar connects it to Kolkata and Delhi via Dhanbad.

ee also

References