West Bengal

West Bengal is a state in India. It has an area of 88,752 sq kms. Population of this state is 80,176,197 as per census of 2001. Kolkata is its capital city. Principal language of this state is Bengali.

History and Geography

The State of Bengal finds a coveted place, even in pre-historic times. At the time of Alexander's invasion, a powerful kingdom called Gangaridai ruled over Bengal. Ascendancy of the Guptas and the Mauryas had somewhat little effect on Bengal. Later, Sasanka became King of Bengal, and is said to have played an important role in north-eastern India in the early half of the seventh century. He was succeeded by Gopala, who founded the Pala dynasty, which ruled for centuries and had created a huge empire. The Palas were followed by the Sena dynasty, which was ended by Muslim rulers from Delhi. Bengal was ruled by various Muslim rulers and governors till the Mughal period in sixteenth century.

After the Mughals, history of modern Bengal began with the advent of European and English trading companies. Battle of Plassey in 1757 changed the course of history, when the English first gained a strong foothold in Bengal and India. In 1905, it was partitioned to achieve some political returns but people’s growing movement under the of Congress led to the reunion in 1911. This triggered off hectic movement for freedom, which culminated with Independence in 1947, and the partition thereafter.

After 1947, the merger of native settlement began, which ended with its final reorganisation in 1956 (as per Recommendations of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956), when some Bengali speaking areas of a neighbouring state were transferred to West Bengal.

The land frontier of the State touches Bangladesh in the east, and is separated from Nepal in the west. Bhutan lies in the north-east, while Sikkim is on the north. On the west are the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, while in the south lies Orissa, and the Bay of Bengal, washing its southern frontiers.

There are 42 Lok Sabha and 294 Vidhan Sabha constituencies in the state.

Districts

Bankura District Bardhaman District Birbhum District Cooch Behar District Dakshin Dinajpur District Darjeeling District Hooghly District Howrah District Jalpaiguri District Kolkata District Malda District Murshidabad District Nadia District North 24 Parganas District Paschim Medinipur District Purba Medinipur District Purulia District South 24 Parganas District Uttar Dinajpur District

Lok Sabha and their Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) constituencies

1 Cooch Behar Lok Sabha Constituency (SC) - 2 Mathabhanga Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 3 Coochbehar Uttar Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 4 Coochbehar Dakshin Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 5 Sitalkuchi Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 6 Sitai Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 7 Dinhata Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 8 Natabari Vidhan Sabha Constituency.

2 Alipurduars Lok Sabha Constituency (ST) - 9 Tufanganj Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 10 Kumargram Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST), 11 Kalchini Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST), 12 Alipurduars Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 13 Falakata Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 14 Madarihat Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) and 21 Nagrakata Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST)

3 Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha Constituency (SC) - 1 Mekliganj Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 15 Dhupguri Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 16 Maynaguri Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 17 Jalpaiguri Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 18 Rajganj Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 19 Dabgram-Fulbari Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 20 Mal Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST)

4 Darjeeling Lok Sabha Constituency - 22 Kalimpong Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 23 Darjeeling Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 24 Kurseong Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 25 Matigara-Naxalbari Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 26 Siliguri Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 27 Phansidewa Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) and 28 Chopra Vidhan Sabha Constituency

5 Raiganj Lok Sabha Constituency - 29 Islampur Vidhan Sabha Constituency in West Bengal, 30 Goalpokhar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 31 Chakulia Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 32 Karandighi Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 33 Hemtabad Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 34 Kaliaganj Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) and 35 Raiganj Vidhan Sabha Constituency

6 Balurghat Lok Sabha Constituency - 36 Itahar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 37 Kushmandi Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 38 Kumarganj Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 39 Balurghat Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 40 Tapan Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST), 41 Gangarampur Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) and 42 Harirampur Vidhan Sabha Constituency

7 Maldaha Uttar Lok Sabha Constituency - 43 Habibpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST), 44 Gazole Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 45 Chanchal Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 46 Harischandrapur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 47 Malatipur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 48 Ratua Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 50 Maldaha Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC)

8 Maldaha Dakshin Lok Sabha Constituency - 49 Manikchak Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 51 English Bazar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 52 Mothabari Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 53 Sujapur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 54 Baisnabnagar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 55 Farakka Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 56 Samserganj Vidhan Sabha Constituency

9 Jangipur Lok Sabha Constituency - 57 Suti Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 58 Jangipur Vidhan Sabha Constituency in West Bengal, 59 Raghunathganj Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 60 Sagardighi Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 61 Lalgola Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 65 Nabagram Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) and 66 Khargram Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC)

10 Baharampur Lok Sabha Constituency - 67 Burwan Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 68 Kandi Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 69 Bharatpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency in West Bengal, 70 Rejinagar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 71 Beldanga Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 72 Baharampur Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 74 Naoda Vidhan Sabha Constituency

11 Murshidabad Lok Sabha Constituency - 62 Bhagabangola Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 63 Raninagar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 64 Murshidabad Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 73 Hariharpara Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 75 Domkal Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 76 Jalangi Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 77 Karimpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency

12 Krishnanagar Lok Sabha Constituency - 78 Tehatta Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 79 Palashipara Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 80 Kaliganj Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 81 Nakashipara Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 82 Chapra Vidhan Sabha Constituency in West Bengal, 83 Krishnanagar Uttar Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 84 Nabadwip Vidhan Sabha Constituency

13 Ranaghat Lok Sabha Constituency (SC) - 85 Krishnanagar Dakshin Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 86 Santipur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 87 Ranaghat Uttar Paschim Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 88 Krishnaganj Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 89 Ranaghat Uttar Purba Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 90 Ranaghat Dakshin Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) and 91 Chakdaha Vidhan Sabha Constituency

14 Bangaon Lok Sabha Constituency (SC) - 92 Kalyani Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 93 Haringhata Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 94 Bagda Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 95 Bangaon Uttar Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 96 Bangaon Dakshin Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 97 Gaighata Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) and 98 Swarupnagar Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC)

15 Barrackpur Lok Sabha Constituency - 102 Amdanga Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 103 Bijpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 104 Naihati Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 105 Bhatpara Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 106 Jagatdal Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 107 Noapara Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 108 Barrackpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency

16 Dum Dum Lok Sabha Constituency - 109 Khardaha Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 110 Dum Dum Uttar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 111 Panihati Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 112 Kamarhati Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 113 Baranagar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 114 Dum Dum Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 117 Rajarhat Gopalpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency

17 Barasat Lok Sabha Constituency - 100 Habra Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 101 Ashoknagar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 115 Rajarhat New Town Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 116 Bidhannagar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 118 Madhyamgram Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 119 Barasat Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 120 Deganga Vidhan Sabha Constituency

18 Basirhat Lok Sabha Constituency - 99 Baduria Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 121 Haroa Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 122 Minakhan Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 123 Sandeshkhali Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST), 124 Basirhat Dakshin Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 125 Basirhat Uttar Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 126 Hingalganj Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC)

19 Jaynagar Lok Sabha Constituency (SC) - 127 Gosaba Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 128 Basanti Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 129 Kultali Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 136 Jaynagar Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 138 Canning Paschim Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 139 Canning Purba Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 141 Magrahat Purba Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC)

20 Mathurapur Lok Sabha Constituency (SC) - 130 Patharpratima Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 131 Kakdwip Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 132 Sagar Vidhan Sabha Constituency in West Bengal, 133 Kulpi Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 134 Raidighi Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 135 Mandirbazar Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) and 142 Magrahat Paschim Vidhan Sabha Constituency

21 Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha Constituency - 143 Diamond Harbour Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 144 Falta Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 145 Satgachhia Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 146 Bishnupur Vidhan Sabha Constituency in Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha (SC), 155 Maheshtala Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 156 Budge Budge Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 157 Metiaburuz Vidhan Sabha Constituency

22 Jadavpur Lok Sabha Constituency - 137 Baruipur Purba Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 140 Baruipur Paschim Vidhan Sabha Constituency , 147 Sonarpur Dakshin Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 148 Bhangar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 150 Jadavpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 151 Sonarpur Uttar Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 152 Tollyganj Vidhan Sabha Constituency

23 Kolkata Dakshin Lok Sabha Constituency - 149 Kasba Vidhan Sabha Constituency in West Bengal, 153 Behala Purba Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 154 Behala Paschim Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 158 Kolkata Port Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 159 Bhabanipur Vidhan Sabha Constituency in West Bengal, 160 Rashbehari Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 161 Ballygunge Vidhan Sabha Constituency

24 Kolkata Uttar Lok Sabha Constituency - 162 Chowrangee Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 163 Entally Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 164 Beleghata Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 165 Jorasanko Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 166 Shyampukur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 167 Maniktala Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 168 Kashipur Belagachhia Vidhan Sabha Constituency

25 Howrah Lok Sabha Constituency - 169 Bally Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 170 Howrah Uttar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 171 Howrah Madhya Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 172 Shibpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 173 Howrah Dakshin Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 174 Sankrail Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) and 175 Panchla Vidhan Sabha Constituency

26 Uluberia Lok Sabha Constituency - 176 Uluberia Purba Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 177 Uluberia Uttar Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 178 Uluberia Dakshin Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 179 Shyampur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 180 Bagnan Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 181 Amta Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 182 Udaynarayanpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency

27 Sreerampur Lok Sabha Constituency - 183 Jagatballavpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 184 Domjur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 185 Uttarpara Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 186 Sreerampur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 187 Champdani Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 194 Chanditala Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 195 Jangipara Vidhan Sabha Constituency

28 Hooghly Lok Sabha Constituency - 188 Singur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 189 Chandannagar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 190 Chunchura Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 191 Balagarh Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 192 Pandua Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 193 Saptagram Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 197 Dhanekhali Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC)

29 Arambag Lok Sabha Constituency (SC) - 196 Haripal Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 198 Tarakeswar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 199 Pursurah Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 200 Arambag Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 201 Goghat Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 202 Khanakul Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 232 Chandrakona Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC)

30 Tamluk Lok Sabha Constituency - 203 Tamluk Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 204 Panskura Purba Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 206 Moyna Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 207 Nandakumar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 208 Mahisadal Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 209 Haldia Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) and 210 Nandigram Vidhan Sabha Constituency

31 Kanthi Lok Sabha Constituency - 211 Chandipur Vidhan Sabha Constituency in West Bengal, 212 Patashpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 213 Kanthi Uttar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 214 Bhagabanpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 215 Khejuri Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 216 Kanthi Dakshin Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 217 Ramnagar Vidhan Sabha Constituency in West Bengal

32 Ghatal Lok Sabha Constituency - 205 Panskura Paschim Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 226 Sabang Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 227 Pingla Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 229 Debra Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 230 Daspur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 231 Ghatal Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) and 235 Keshpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC)

33 Jhargram Lok Sabha Constituency (ST) - 220 Nayagram Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST), 221 Gopiballavpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 222 Jhargram Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 233 Garbeta Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 234 Salboni Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 237 Binpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) and 238 Bandwan Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST)

34 Medinipur Lok Sabha Constituency - 218 Egra Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 219 Dantan Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 223 Keshiary Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST), 224 Kharagpur Sadar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 225 Narayangarh Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 228 Kharagpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 236 Medinipur Vidhan Sabha Constituency

35 Purulia Lok Sabha Constituency - 239 Balrampur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 240 Baghmundi Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 241 Joypur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 242 Purulia Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 243 Manbazar Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST), 244 Kashipur Vidhan Sabha Constituency in West Bengal and 245 Para Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC)

36 Bankura Lok Sabha Constituency - 246 Raghunathpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency in West Bengal (SC), 247 Saltora Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 248 Chhatna Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 249 Ranibandh Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST), 250 Raipur Vidhan Sabha Constituency in West Bengal (ST), 251 Taldangra Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 252 Bankura Vidhan Sabha Constituency

37 Bishnupur Lok Sabha Constituency (SC) - 253 Barjora Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 254 Onda Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 255 Bishnupur Vidhan Sabha Constituency in Bishnupur Lok Sabha, 256 Katulpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 257 Indus Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 258 Sonamukhi Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 259 Khandaghosh Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC)

38 Bardhaman Purba Lok Sabha Constituency (SC) - 261 Raina Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 262 Jamalpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency in West Bengal (SC), 264 Kalna Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 265 Memari Vidhan Sabha Constituency , 268 Purbasthali Dakshin Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 269 Purbasthali Uttar Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 270 Katwa Vidhan Sabha Constituency

39 Bardhaman Durgapur Lok Sabha Constituency - 260 Bardhaman Dakshin Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 263 Monteswar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 266 Bardhaman Uttar Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 267 Bhatar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 274 Galsi Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 276 Durgapur Purba Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 277 Durgapur Paschim Vidhan Sabha Constituency

40 Asansol Lok Sabha Constituency - 275 Pandabeswar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 278 Raniganj Vidhan Sabha Constituency in West Bengal, 279 Jamuria Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 280 Asansol Dakshin Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 281 Asansol Uttar Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 282 Kulti Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 283 Barabani Vidhan Sabha Constituency

41 Bolpur Lok Sabha Constituency (SC) - 271 Ketugram Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 272 Mangalkot Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 273 Ausgram Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 286 Bolpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 287 Nanoor Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 288 Labpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency and 290 Mayureswar Vidhan Sabha Constituency

42 Birbhum Lok Sabha Constituency - 284 Dubrajpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC), 285 Suri Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 289 Sainthia Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) , 291 Rampurhat Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 292 Hansan Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 293 Nalhati Vidhan Sabha Constituency, and 294 Murarai Vidhan Sabha Constituency