Ranaghat

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title: "Ranaghat" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["cities-and-towns-in-nadia-district", "cities-in-west-bengal"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranaghat" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameRanaghat
settlement_typeCity
pushpin_mapIndia West Bengal#India3
pushpin_label_positionright
pushpin_map_captionLocation in West Bengal, India
coordinates
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameIndia
subdivision_type1State
subdivision_name1West Bengal
subdivision_type2District
subdivision_name2Nadia
established_title
government_typeMunicipality
governing_bodyRanaghat Municipality
leader_titleChairman
leader_nameKoshaldev Bandyopadhyay
unit_prefMetric
area_footnotes
area_total_km27.72
area_metro_km230
elevation_m8
population_total75365
population_metro235583
population_as_of2011
population_density_km2auto
demographics_type1Languages
demographics1_title1Official
demographics1_info1Bengali, English
timezone1IST
utc_offset1+5:30
postal_code_typePIN
postal_code741201, 741202, 741256
area_code_typeTelephone code
area_code91-3473-2xxxxx
registration_plateWB-51, WB-52
blank1_name_sec1Lok Sabha constituency
blank1_info_sec1Ranaghat
blank2_name_sec1Vidhan Sabha constituency
blank2_info_sec1Ranaghat Uttar Paschim
website
blank_emblem_size400px
leader_partyAll India Trinamool Congress
leader_title1Vice Chairman
leader_name1Ananda Dey
::

| name = Ranaghat | other_name = | nickname = | settlement_type = City | pushpin_map = India West Bengal#India3 | pushpin_label_position = right | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India | coordinates = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = India | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = West Bengal | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Nadia | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | government_type = Municipality | governing_body = Ranaghat Municipality | leader_title = Chairman | leader_name = Koshaldev Bandyopadhyay | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = 7.72 | area_metro_km2 = 30 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 8 | population_total = 75365 | population_footnotes = | population_metro = 235583 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_rank = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = Bengali, English | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = PIN | postal_code = 741201, 741202, 741256 | area_code_type = Telephone code | area_code = 91-3473-2xxxxx | registration_plate = WB-51, WB-52 | blank1_name_sec1 = Lok Sabha constituency | blank1_info_sec1 = Ranaghat | blank2_name_sec1 = Vidhan Sabha constituency | blank2_info_sec1 = Ranaghat Uttar Paschim | website = | footnotes = | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_size = 400px | leader_party = All India Trinamool Congress | native_name_lang = | leader_title1 = Vice Chairman | leader_name1 = Ananda Dey Ranaghat is a city and a municipality in Nadia district in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of the Ranaghat subdivision. It is known for its handloom industry, various types of flowers and floriculture.

History

After the independence of India, Ranaghat was chosen to be the district capital of Nadia, but later Krishnanagar city was selected instead.

Ranaghat has existed since the British invaded India. The most likely origin for the name of the town comes from Rani (Queen) or Rana (a Rajput warrior) and Ghat (steps leading to the river). A myth is still prevalent that the name of the town came from the bandit 'Rana Dacoit', who used to pillage this area five or six hundred years back and he used to give pujas to the goddess Kali to thank her.

A large percentage of Ranaghat's population are the families of Hindu refugees from Bangladesh, who fled during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 with Pakistan. There are also many families who had extensive ties to foreign investments in the town. Ranaghat also played an important role in the Indian struggle for freedom.

The area grew to prominence when Krishna Panti, a humble pan seller who lived in a mud hut, became one of the wealthiest merchants of India, known as one of the "5 Great Noblemen of Bengal" due to his honesty and piety, according to local legend. Offered the title of raja, he humbly declined, receiving instead the title Pal-Chaudhuri. The family built 3 palaces, of which the last to remain was in Ranaghat, with 300 rooms, designed by Scottish architects. The Pal-Chaudhuri family which ruled much of Nadia, was known for charitable works, building schools and temples throughout Nadia, and established Ranaghat Pal Choudhury High School in 1853. Pal Choudhury family founded the Ramakrishna Vedanta Vidyapith, Shakti Empowerment Institute.

Geography

| width=400| height=250| zoom=10 | coord=| float=left|caption=Cities and towns in Ranaghat subdivision of Nadia district M: municipal town/ city/notified area, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre. Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly |mark-coord1= | label-pos1=left|label1=Nrisinghapur | numbered1=CT| mark-title1= Nrisinghapur (CT)|label-color1=#800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1=#A40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2 |mark-coord2= | label-pos2=bottom|label2=Ghoralia | numbered2=CT| mark-title2= Ghoralia (CT) |mark-coord3= | label-pos3=left|label3= Harinadibhastsala | numbered3=CT| mark-title3= Harinadibhastsala (CT) |mark-coord4= | label-pos4=right|label4= Beharia | numbered4=CT| mark-title4= Beharia, Nadia (CT) |mark-coord5= | label-pos5=left|label5= Phulia | numbered5=CT| mark-title5= Phulia (CT) |mark-coord6= | label-pos6=right|label6= Bagula | numbered6=CT| mark-title6= Bagula (CT) |mark-coord7= | label-pos7=right|label7= Badkulla | numbered7=CT| mark-title7= Badkulla (CT) |mark-coord8= | label-pos8=left|label8= Patuli | numbered8=CT| mark-title8= Patuli, Nadia (CT) |mark-coord9= | label-pos9=right|label9= Gangni | numbered9=CT| mark-title9= Gangni (CT) |mark-coord10= | label-pos10=right|label10= Kamgachhi | numbered10=CT| mark-title10= Kamgachhi (CT) |mark-coord11= | label-pos11=left|label11= Raghabpur | numbered11=CT| mark-title11= Raghabpur, Nadia (CT) |mark-coord12= | label-pos12=right|label12= Panpara | numbered12=CT| mark-title12= Panpara (CT) |mark-coord13= | label-pos13=left|label13= Aistala | numbered13=CT| mark-title13= Aistala (CT) |mark-coord14= | label-pos14=left|label14= Satigachha | numbered14=CT| mark-title14= Satigachha (CT) |mark-coord15= | label-pos15=left|label15= Anulia | numbered15=CT| mark-title15= Anulia (CT) |mark-coord16= | label-pos16=right|label16= Gopalpur | numbered16=CT| mark-title16= Gopalpur, Nadia (CT) |mark-coord17= | label-pos17=right|label17= Parbbatipur | numbered17=CT| mark-title17= Parbbatipur (CT) |mark-coord18= | label-pos18=right|label18= Halalpur Krishnapur | numbered18=CT| mark-title18= Halalpur Krishnapur (CT) |mark-coord19= | label-pos19=right|label19= Hijuli | numbered19=CT| mark-title19= Hijuli, Nadia (CT) |mark-coord20= | label-pos20=right|label20= Ranaghat (CT) | numbered20=CT| mark-title20= Ranaghat (CT) (CT) |mark-coord21= | label-pos21=right|label21= Nasra | numbered21=CT| mark-title21= Nasra, Ranaghat (CT) |mark-coord22= | label-pos22=right|label22= Gangnapur | numbered22=CT| mark-title22= Gangnapur (CT) |mark-coord23= | label-pos23=left|label23= Belgharia | numbered23=CT| mark-title23= Belgharia, Nadia (CT) |mark-coord24= | label-pos24=left|label24= Ranaghat | numbered24=M| mark-title24= Ranaghat (M) |shape-color24=black| label-size24=13|label-color24=black |mark-coord25= | label-pos25=left|label25= Shantipur |label-size25=13 | numbered25=M| mark-title25= Shantipur (M)|label-color25=#800000 |mark-coord26= | label-pos26=right|label26= Birnagar |label-size26=13 | numbered26=M| mark-title26= Birnagar (M)|label-color26=#800000 |mark-coord27= | label-pos27=right|label27= Cooper's Camp |label-size27=11 | numbered27=M| mark-title27= Cooper's Camp (M)|label-color27=#800000 |mark-coord28= | label-pos28=right|label28= Taherpur |label-size28=11 | numbered28=M| mark-title28= Taherpur (M)|label-color28=#800000 |mark-coord29= | label-pos29=right|label29= Panikhali| numbered29=R| mark-title29= Panikhali (R)| shape-color29=#C40000 |mark-coord30= | label-pos30=right|label30= Aranghata| numbered30=R| mark-title30= Aranghata (R)| shape-color30=#C40000 |mark-coord31= | label-pos31=top|label31= Duttapulia| numbered31=R| mark-title31= Duttapulia (R)| shape-color31=#C40000 |mark-coord32= | label-pos32=left|label32= Hanskhali| numbered32=R| mark-title32= Hanskhali (R)| shape-color32=#C40000 |mark-coord33= | label-pos33=left|label33= Habibpur| numbered33=R| mark-title33= Habibpur, Nadia (R)| shape-color33=#C40000 |mark-coord34= | label-pos34=right|label34= Dhantala| numbered34=R| mark-title34= Dhantala (R)| shape-color34=#C40000 |mark-coord35= | label-pos35=right|label35= Nokari| numbered35=R| mark-title35= Nokari (R)| shape-color35=#C40000 |mark-coord36= | label-pos36=left|label36= Payradanga| numbered36=R| mark-title36= Payradanga (R)| shape-color36=#C40000 |mark-coord37=|label37= Bhagirathi| labela37=River|label-color37 = #77A1CB| label-angle37=-75| label-pos37=top| label-size37=11| mark-size37=0| mark-title37=none |mark-coord38=|label38= Churni |labela38 = River| label-color38 = #77A1CB| label-angle38=-65| label-pos38=top| label-size38=11| mark-size38=0| mark-title38=none |arc-coordA=|arc-textA= BANGLADESH| arc-text-colorA=hard grey| arc-angleA=70| arc-gapA=3.0| arc-radiusA=0.35}}

Location

The town is exactly 74 kilometres north of Calcutta and 26 kilometres south of Krishnanagar, Nadia District headquarter. It is located on the banks of River Churni.

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. All the four subdivisions are presented with maps on the same scale – the size of the maps vary as per the area of the subdivision.

Police station

Ranaghat and Taherpur police stations have jurisdiction over Ranaghat, Birnagar, Taherpur and Ranaghat I CD Block. The total area covered by the Ranaghat police station is 250 km2 and the population covered was 624,151 in 2001.

Demographics

India census, Ranaghat had a population of 68,754. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Ranaghat had an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy was 87%, and female literacy was 80%. In Ranaghat, 8% of the population was under 6 years old.

In the 2011 census, Ranaghat Urban Agglomeration had a population of 235,583, out of which 119,578 were male and 116,005 were female. The 0–6 years population was 18,575. Effective literacy rate for the 7+ population was 86.10%. Male literacy was 89.77% and female literacy at 82.33%

The following municipalities, notified area, outgrowths and census towns were part of Ranaghat Urban Agglomeration in 2011 census: Ranaghat (M), Birnagar (M), Cooper's Camp (NA), Magurkhali (OG), Ranaghat (CT) (CT), Hijuli (CT), Aistala (CT), Satigachha (CT), Nasra (CT), Panpara (CT), Raghabpur (CT), Kamgachhi (CT), Anulia (CT) and Halalpur Krishnapur (CT).

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Churni_Bridge.jpg" caption="Churni Bridge"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Siddeshwari_Kali_Mandir.jpg" caption="Siddeshwari Temple"] ::

Economy

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Shankarpur_Farmland.jpg" caption="A farmland in Shankarpur, Ranaghat outskirt"] ::

Ranaghat is an important place of business. Small traders from nearby towns and villages purchase goods from Ranaghat Town Bazar. Both wholesale and retail business have developed here. The economy of Ranaghat and its surrounding region is mostly based on agriculture. Paddy (rice), flour, wheat and fruits are produced by farmers outside the main township. Various dairy products are transported to Kolkata every morning. A cold storage had been renovated by former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya at Nokari village, located on east half of the town.

The Department of Food Processing Industries of India was planning to set up a market complex exclusively for florists in Ranaghat. Ranaghat has one of the most capturing market of flowers in West Bengal.

Another industry which receives immense government patronage is handicraft and boutiques. At least a 1000 people depend on this for their livelihood. Aishtala (situated on the west bank of river Churni) is a place for textile weaving. Moreover, ready-made garments are trendy clothes of late became very popular among the teens and youths.

Education

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/PCHS_School.jpg" caption="Ranaghat College Entrance"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/St_mary's_english_school.jpg" caption="St Mary's English School"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/BRAJABALA_GIRLS_PRIMARY_SCHOOL_-_panoramio.jpg" caption="Brojobala Girls' High School"] ::

The town has a large number of primary and high schools and a college for higher education.

Schools

  • Ramakrishna Vidyapith - Shakti Empowerment Education

High schools

Boys School

  • Pal Choudhury High School (H.S)
  • Ranaghat Lal Gopal High school
  • Ranaghat Bharati High School (H.S)
  • Ranaghat Yusuf Boys Institution
  • Ranaghat Nasra Boys High School

Girls School

  • Brajabala Girls' High School
  • Ranaghat Debnath Girls High School
  • Ranaghat Nasra Girls High School
  • Ranaghat Pal Chowdhury Girls High School
  • Ranaghat Yusuf Girls High School
  • Ranaghat Lal Gopal Girls High School

English Medium School

  • Convent of Jesus & Mary (CJM)
  • St. Mary's High School
  • St. Stephen's High School

Colleges

Culture

Festivals

The town is inhabited mostly by Bengali Hindus. Durga-puja and Kali puja, like in all other Bengali communities, are the largest and most colourful festivals and are celebrated throughout the town.

A Hindu festival called 'Dol yatra' is celebrated everywhere at the town. A village named 'Harinagar' is known for 'kirtan', a gathering of Hindu religious people in a motive to know God Krishna, is very popular.

History of the ancient rath yatra of Ranaghat: The history of Pal-Chowdhury and De-Chowdhury is closely associated with the Rath Yatra of the ancient city of Ranaghat. The 3 ancient chariots of Ranaghat are in the hands of this dynasty. Two different dynasties of the Pal Chowdhury ratha yatra in different ways. One is Krishnapanti and the other is Shambhupanti.

Muslim community also present in court para. The Christian community celebrates Christmas at Begopara Church outside the main township. During Christmas, people from all religions join the party. Moreover, there is a mosque at Nasra-para, on the outskirts of the town. Here people celebrate Eid, Durga Puja, Diwali and Christmas together.

Transportation

Railways

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Ranaghat_railway_station_11.jpg" caption="Ranaghat}} is one of the most important railway junctions in the [[Sealdah]]–[[Lalgola]] railway section. The "[[Maitree Express]]" linking [[Kolkata]] and [[Dhaka]] passes through Ranaghat."] ::

The city is well connected to the Sealdah railway station through the Sealdah–Ranaghat line. Local and passenger trains are available frequently.

The railway station at Ranaghat has a long history. The Sealdah–Ranaghat rail connection was made during the British period. This main line was opened in September 1862. Ranaghat–Kalyani and Ranaghat–Shantipur sections were electrified in the financial year 1963–64.

From Ranaghat railway station, trains travel both north and south. Local trains are available to , Shantipur, Gede, Bangaon, Baharampur and Sealdah. Couple of ladies-special trains were inaugurated in the year 2010.

Roadways

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Ranaghat_Street.jpg" caption="Streets of Ranaghat."] ::

The town has three bus-stands, one at Rathtala, one near Ranaghat College and one over GNPC Road opposite police phari. CSTC buses plying from Kolkata going to North Bengal also has a stop at Ranaghat on NH-34. Buses ply to Krishnanagar, Hanskhali, Palashi and other parts of Nadia district. Long-distance night buses to north Bengal are also available. People in general, though prefer trains because of ready availability and more convenience.

SH 11 meets NH 12 at Ranaghat.

Auto rickshaw service are also available here.

Airways

The nearest airport from the town is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport at Dum Dum, almost 65 km from the town.

Notable people

References

References

  1. "Ranaghat City".
  2. "RANAGHAT POLICE DISTRICT".
  3. "More to this town than robber Rana".
  4. (2019-08-16). "In West Bengal, some villages celebrate Independence Day after August 15; here's why".
  5. (2 April 2023). "Unraveling the History of Ranaghat: From Brahmadanga to Ranaghat". Akhil Bharat Times News.
  6. "Alumni Profile: Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri '01, celebrity photographer {{!}} Princeton Alumni Weekly".
  7. "District Statistical Handbook 2014 Nadia". Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal.
  8. "Nadia District Police". West Bengal Police.
  9. "Ranaghat Police Station Details". Nadia Police.
  10. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India.
  11. "City Population site estimate".
  12. "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above". Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011.
  13. "Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011". Census of India 2011.
  14. [http://www.wbfpih.org/sectors.htm Flower Complex at Ranaghat] {{webarchive. link. (2008-06-20 Food Processing and Horticulture Department, West Bengal.)
  15. [http://www.wbidc.com/about_wb/agro.htm Flower Market in Ranaghat] {{Webarchive. link. (14 February 2008 WBIDC Reference)
  16. "Telegraph article on clothes market at Ranaghat".
  17. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bej5YgFPFXo YouTube]
  18. (13 July 2021). "রানাঘাটের প্রাচীন রথযাত্রার ইতিহাস". [[Ranaghat News]].
  19. "Nahabatkhana".
  20. Roy, Dr Sujit. (2023-08-02). "Emerging Horizons For Women Entrepreneurship: A Sociological Enquiry". Bani Bharati Publishers.
  21. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGZkDPD0AzM YouTube]
  22. [http://www.irfca.org/docs/electrification-history.html IRFCA reference] {{Webarchive. link. (25 December 2007 History of Railways Electrification surrounding Ranaghat)
  23. [http://www.india9.com/i9show/Ranaghat-67160.htm Train-routes] {{Webarchive. link. (6 June 2011 Article on India9.com)
  24. [http://www.newsfromnadia.com/news-reader/items/working-women-got-priority-from-the-railway-minister.html] Mamata Banerjee inaugurates new projects {{Webarchive. link. (14 July 2011)
  25. "Rationalisation of Numbering Systems of National Highways". Department of Road Transport and Highways.
  26. "List of State Highways in West Bengal". West Bengal Traffic Police.
  27. "Staff Directory, NCAR".

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