Establishment and Location
* Establishment Year: West Bengal was formed on August 15, 1947, following the partition of the Bengal province of British India along religious lines. It officially became a state of the Republic of India on January 26, 1950.
* Borders:
* Countries: It shares international borders with Bangladesh to the east, and Nepal and Bhutan to the north.
* Indian States: It borders five Indian states: Sikkim, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha (Orissa), and Assam.
Population, Language, and Religion (2011 Census Data)
* Population: According to the 2011 census, the population was 91,276,115. It is the fourth most populous state in India. (Estimated population for 2024 is over 102 million).
* Official Languages:
* Bengali and English are the official languages.
* Nepali is an additional official language in the Darjeeling and Kurseong sub-divisions.
* Several other languages (including Urdu, Hindi, Odia, Santali, Punjabi, Kamtapuri, Rajbanshi, Kudmali/Kurmali, Kurukh, and Telugu) are recognized as additional official languages in specific blocks, divisions, or districts where their speakers make up more than 10% of the population.
* Religion (as per 2011 Census):
* Hindu: 70.54% (Majority)
* Muslim: 27.01%
* Other Religions: The rest include Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, etc.
Chief Ministers and President's Rule
Chief Ministers of West Bengal
The list below details the state's Chief Ministers from its official formation, including their joining and leaving dates:
| # | Chief Minister | Political Party | Date Joined | Date Left |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bidhan Chandra Roy | Indian National Congress | Jan 26, 1950 | Jul 1, 1962 |
| 2 | Prafulla Chandra Sen | Indian National Congress | Jul 2, 1962 | Mar 1, 1967 |
| 3 | Ajoy Mukherjee | Bangla Congress | Mar 1, 1967 | Nov 21, 1967 |
| 4 | Prafulla Chandra Ghosh | Independent | Nov 21, 1967 | Feb 20, 1968 |
| 5 | Ajoy Mukherjee | Bangla Congress | Feb 25, 1969 | Mar 16, 1970 |
| 6 | Siddhartha Shankar Ray | Indian National Congress | Mar 20, 1972 | Apr 30, 1977 |
| 7 | Jyoti Basu | Communist Party of India (Marxist) | Jun 21, 1977 | Nov 6, 2000 |
| 8 | Buddhadeb Bhattacharya | Communist Party of India (Marxist) | Nov 6, 2000 | May 13, 2011 |
| 9 | Mamata Banerjee | All India Trinamool Congress | May 20, 2011 | Incumbent |
Note: This table includes the periods of President's Rule as gaps between tenures.
President's Rule
West Bengal has been under President's Rule (Article 356) a total of four times, all between 1968 and 1977, due to political instability or a breakdown of the constitutional machinery in the state.
????️ Famous Places and Products
West Bengal is known for its intellectual and cultural legacy, often called the "Cultural Capital of India," and its diverse geography.
Famous Places (Worldwide or in India)
* Kolkata (Calcutta): The state capital, known for its colonial architecture, Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, and as the cultural and intellectual hub of India.
* Darjeeling: Famous worldwide for its scenic beauty, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and tea plantations.
* Sundarbans: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major worldwide destination, housing the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forests in the world, famous as the habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger.
* Shantiniketan: The town where Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore established Visva-Bharati University, known for its educational and artistic heritage.
* Digha/Mandarmani: Popular sea resorts/beaches in India.
Famous Products (Worldwide or in India)
* Darjeeling Tea: A product with global recognition and a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, often referred to as the "Champagne of Teas."
* Hilsa Fish (Ilish): A highly prized and culturally significant delicacy, especially renowned in Bengal and Bangladesh.
* Sweets (e.g., Rasgulla, Sandesh): Bengali sweets, particularly the Rasgulla (or Rosogolla), are famous throughout India and globally among the diaspora.
* Terracotta Crafts: Particularly the famous Bankura Horse and terracotta temples of Bishnupur, which are known for their intricate craftsmanship.
* Handloom Textiles: Products like Baluchari Sarees and fine cotton muslins (Jamdani) are highly valued Indian handloom products.
