Rajabazar, Kolkata
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Rajabazar is a locality situated in the city of
Kolkata Kolkata, also known as Calcutta ( its official name until 2001), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary ...
, West Bengal, India. Geographically, it lies between CIT Road and APC Road, with the neighborhood developing around Narkeldanga Main Road, now renamed Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Sarani, which connects CIT Road and APC Road. Consequently, Rajabazar is positioned between Maniktala, Narkeldanga, and Sealdah. The locality boasts a prime location, with
Sealdah Railway Station Sealdah railway station (station code: SDAH) is an NSG–1 category Indian railway station in Sealdah railway division of Eastern Railway zone. It is one of the five terminal railway stations serving the Kolkata metropolitan area, the o ...
situated just a short distance from the Rajabazar crossing. Rajabazar is well-equipped with various civic amenities, including hospitals, colleges, schools, sanitation services, malls, gyms, shopping complexes, cinema halls, mosques, and temples. Notably, Dr. B.C. Roy Children's Hospital is located approximately 2–3 kilometers from Rajabazar.


History Raja Ramlochun Ray Kolkata

The bazaar was established in about 1842 AD on the land owned by Raja Ramlochun Ray, a small land owner, by Muslim merchants, businessmen, butchers and cattle traders from
Bihar Bihar ( ) is a states and union territories of India, state in Eastern India. It is the list of states and union territories of India by population, second largest state by population, the List of states and union territories of India by are ...
and
Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh ( ; UP) is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. With over 241 million inhabitants, it is the List of states and union territories of India by population, most populated state in In ...
, who had immigrated to
Calcutta Kolkata, also known as Calcutta (List of renamed places in India#West Bengal, its official name until 2001), is the capital and largest city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern ba ...
due to the poor economic condition of Muslims in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, following the
Sepoy Mutiny The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was a major uprising in India in 1857–58 against the rule of the British East India Company, which functioned as a sovereign power on behalf of the British Crown. The rebellion began on 10 May 1857 in the form ...
. However, Rajabazar area was settled by Urdu-speaking Muslims from 1880 onwards. The market-place colony was established around the same time as the Harrison Road (now called MG Road) was being built in Calcutta, connecting
Sealdah Station Sealdah railway station (station code: SDAH) is an NSG–1 category Indian railway station in Sealdah railway division of Eastern Railway zone. It is one of the five terminal railway stations serving the Kolkata metropolitan area, the othe ...
to Howrah Station. A mosque was built which still exists today known as the Rajabazar Barri Masjid and there is another larger mosque being renovated which is Jama Masjid Darur-Salaam on Narkeldanga Main Road. Several residential quarters were established around that area. A police station (
Narkeldanga Narkeldanga is a neighbourhood in North Kolkata in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. History The East India Company obtained from the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar, in 1717, the right to rent from 38 villages surrounding their ...
Police Station) was established in 1915 near the canal, on Canal West road. The area is known as "Khalpul" due to the bridge over the canal that connects Rajabazar to
Narkeldanga Narkeldanga is a neighbourhood in North Kolkata in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. History The East India Company obtained from the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar, in 1717, the right to rent from 38 villages surrounding their ...
. Before the building of the bridge in 1910, there was a bamboo-stilt bridge over the canal. Boat ferries were also used to transport people and supplies across the canal. Over the decades, further population growth and immigration resulted in the growth and extension of the original settlement further, up to
Narkeldanga Narkeldanga is a neighbourhood in North Kolkata in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. History The East India Company obtained from the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar, in 1717, the right to rent from 38 villages surrounding their ...
and
Phoolbagan Phoolbagan is a neighbourhood in North Central Kolkata in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Subhas Sarovar is one of the famous tourist attraction of Kolkata present in the locality of Phoolbagan. Geography Police district P ...
in the east,
Sealdah Sealdah is a neighbourhood of Central Kolkata in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Etymology Jackals (''sheal'' in Bengali) howled around Sealdah. Antiquarians identify it as Shrigaldwipa (Jackal Island). Nearby Beliaghata ...
to the south, Mechua and Kalabagan to the west and further north. Today, the area is densely populated and crowded, with alleys and lanes established. After the riots of 1947 (during the
Partition of India The partition of India in 1947 was the division of British India into two independent dominion states, the Dominion of India, Union of India and Dominion of Pakistan. The Union of India is today the Republic of India, and the Dominion of Paki ...
), many Muslims from other parts, like
Sealdah Sealdah is a neighbourhood of Central Kolkata in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Etymology Jackals (''sheal'' in Bengali) howled around Sealdah. Antiquarians identify it as Shrigaldwipa (Jackal Island). Nearby Beliaghata ...
,
Manicktala Maniktala is a residential area of North Kolkata, in Kolkata district, West Bengal, India. Etymology The tomb of Manik Pir is located in lane near Maniktala crossing, therefore some locals suggest the neighbourhood is named after him. Others ...
and
Beliaghata Beliaghata, also known as Beleghata (বেলেঘাটা), is a neighbourhood of Central Kolkata, in Kolkata district, West Bengal, India. History The East India Company obtained from the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar, in 1717, the right ...
moved to Rajabazar. During the Hindu-Muslim riots in Calcutta in 1964, Mr. Skaikh Mahmood helped Muslims living in areas like
Maniktala Maniktala is a residential area of North Kolkata, in Kolkata district, West Bengal, India. Etymology The tomb of Manik Pir is located in lane near Maniktala crossing, therefore some locals suggest the neighbourhood is named after him. Other ...
,
Sealdah Sealdah is a neighbourhood of Central Kolkata in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Etymology Jackals (''sheal'' in Bengali) howled around Sealdah. Antiquarians identify it as Shrigaldwipa (Jackal Island). Nearby Beliaghata ...
,
Beliaghata Beliaghata, also known as Beleghata (বেলেঘাটা), is a neighbourhood of Central Kolkata, in Kolkata district, West Bengal, India. History The East India Company obtained from the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar, in 1717, the right ...
and throughout Calcutta, flock to Rajabazar. Over time, it got transformed into a ghetto. After the 1992-93 Hindu-Muslim riots in Calcutta, more Muslims moved to Rajabazar, as a result of which, today, Rajabazar boasts of having the second largest Muslim population in Calcutta after
Metiabruz Garden Reach is a neighbourhood of Kolkata in West Bengal, India. It is situated in the south-western part of Kolkata on the eastern banks of the Hooghly River. Localities within Garden Reach include Metiabruz, South Eastern Railway Colony, BNR C ...
. There is a shrine (''mazaar'') of a Muslim Sufi saint in Rajabazar. The area spans the canal, and crosses over the bridge. There are 9 Mosques located at Rajabazar. The bazaar is famous for its jewellery, bangles, kites, sweetmeats and mutton and beef shops. Rajabazaar is a major cattle and goat trading center in
West Bengal West Bengal (; Bengali language, Bengali: , , abbr. WB) is a States and union territories of India, state in the East India, eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabi ...
called Bakrichar. A movie hall, "Tasveer Mahal", is also located at Rajabazar.


Demographics

Majority of the population of Rajabazar is
Sunni Muslim Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam and the largest religious denomination in the world. It holds that Muhammad did not appoint any successor and that his closest companion Abu Bakr () rightfully succeeded him as the caliph of the Musli ...
, mostly
Urdu Urdu (; , , ) is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in South Asia. It is the Languages of Pakistan, national language and ''lingua franca'' of Pakistan. In India, it is an Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of Indi ...
-speaking, descended from immigrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Mostly
Deobandi The Deobandi movement or Deobandism is a revivalist movement within Sunni Islam that adheres to the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. It was formed in the late 19th century around the Darul Uloom Madrassa in Deoband, India, from which the nam ...
theology is practised here, and Bareilvi theology population also co-exists peacefully. There are also many
shia Shia Islam is the second-largest branch of Islam. It holds that Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib () as both his political successor (caliph) and as the spiritual leader of the Muslim community (imam). However, his right is understood ...
families. Many Hindus also live at Rajabazaar. Most of the population is middle-class and lower-middle class, but many rich, educated Muslims also live here in high-rises. More or less there are a total of 12 mosques in the area, 9 managed by the
Tablighi Jamaat Tablighi Jamaat ( , also translated as "propagation party" or "preaching party") is an international Islamic schools and branches, Islamic religious movement. It focuses on exhorting Muslims to be more religiously observant and encourages f ...
(Deobandi), 2 mosques are managed by the
Sunni Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam and the largest religious denomination in the world. It holds that Muhammad did not appoint any successor and that his closest companion Abu Bakr () rightfully succeeded him as the caliph of the Mu ...
Bareilvi sect and 1 mosque is managed by Ahle Hadees Ahle Sunnat wal jammat.


Amenities and transport

B.C. Roy Memorial Hospital and Sealdah ESI Hospital are located at a stone's throw distance from Rajabazar and Calcutta Medical College and Hospital is located just 5 km away, on College Street.
Narkeldanga Narkeldanga is a neighbourhood in North Kolkata in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. History The East India Company obtained from the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar, in 1717, the right to rent from 38 villages surrounding their ...
Police Station is located right in the heart and center of Rajabazar. Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road is the artery of Rajabazar. Surya Sen Street and Narkeldanga Main Road (Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Sarani) are also connected to APC Road in Rajabazar.Google maps
Sealdah Railway Station Sealdah railway station (station code: SDAH) is an NSG–1 category Indian railway station in Sealdah railway division of Eastern Railway zone. It is one of the five terminal railway stations serving the Kolkata metropolitan area, the o ...
and Rajabazar CTC (WBTC) Depot provide ample transport opportunities. WBTC buses C11, S3B, T8, EB1A; Private buses 3C/1, 3D, 3D/1, 12C/2, 30B, 30C/1, 30D, 34C, 44, 44A, 46B, 47/1, 79D, 202, 206, 217, 227, 230, 234, 235, KB17, KB21, K4; few minibuses and
Kolkata tram The Kolkata Tram System, is a tram system that serves Kolkata, the capital city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of West Bengal, operated by West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) after Calcutta Tramways Company (C ...
route no. 18 ply by Rajabazar. WBTC buses C24, MIDI1, S3A, T10; Private buses 12, 12/1, 13, 21, 21/1, 71 and Malipanchghara-Rajabazar minibus start from Rajabazar CTC (WBTC) Depot. Private buses 204/1, 213A, K6 and Ranihati-Rajabazar minibus, Fatikgachi-Rajabazar minibus,
Behala Behala is a locality of South West Kolkata in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Behala is a part of Kolkata Municipal Corporation area. It is broadly spread across Ward Numbers: 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, ...
-Rajabazar minibus,
Thakurpukur Thakurpukur is a neighborhood in Behala area of South West Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is majorly a residential region although there are quite a few numbers of Schools, Colleges, Hospitals and Shopping Malls. This was a re ...
-Rajabazar minibus start from Rajabazar Science College. The Mechua-Kadapara auto route plies through Rajabazar.
Kolkata Metro Green Line Green Line, also known as East–West Metro, is a rapid transit metro line of the Kolkata Metro in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It currently consists of two distinctly operational sections from Salt Lake Sector-V metro station, Salt Lake Sect ...
passes through
Sealdah Sealdah is a neighbourhood of Central Kolkata in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Etymology Jackals (''sheal'' in Bengali) howled around Sealdah. Antiquarians identify it as Shrigaldwipa (Jackal Island). Nearby Beliaghata ...
and
Phoolbagan Phoolbagan is a neighbourhood in North Central Kolkata in Kolkata district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Subhas Sarovar is one of the famous tourist attraction of Kolkata present in the locality of Phoolbagan. Geography Police district P ...
, which are very near to Rajabazar. For a long time Rajabazar was notorious as being one of the worst areas in
Kolkata Kolkata, also known as Calcutta ( its official name until 2001), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary ...
in terms of sanitation, cleanliness and amenities. However, from the late 1990s onwards, the pace has been slowly picked up on development, mainly through the efforts of local leaders.


Business

Small Scale Industry like Punching, Offset printing, Card Board Box , multi store and restaurant Making are common in this area. One of the biggest Paper Market of Asia is also located here by the name of Patwar Bagan.


Kolkata Municipal Corporation

The area of Rajabazar is composed of Wards 28, 36, 37 and 38 of the
Kolkata Municipal Corporation Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is the local government of the Indian city of Kolkata, the List of Indian state and union territory capitals, state capital of West Bengal. This civic administrative body administers an area of . Its motto, ' ...
. These wards were created in 1909. Presently, the KMC maintains health centres and free malaria check-up centres in these wards. The elected Councillor of Ward 28 is Mr Md iqbal (
Trinamool Congress The All India Trinamool Congress (; AITC), simply known as Trinamool Congress, is an Indian political party that is mainly influential in the Federated state, state of West Bengal. It was founded by Mamata Banerjee on 1 January 1998 as a Lis ...
). Mr. Prakash Upadhyay & Mousumi Ghosh are also popular Councillors. Somendra Nath Mitra (Somen Mitra) and Dr Subhodh Kr De are the veteran politicians of this area. Rajabazar is part of Jorasanko (Vidhan Sabha constituency) and Beliaghata (Vidhan Sabha constituency). It is a part of the
Kolkata Uttar (Lok Sabha constituency) Kolkata Uttar Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 543 parliamentary constituencies in India. The constituency is based on the northern parts of Kolkata in West Bengal. All the seven assembly segments of No. 24 Kolkata Uttar Lok Sabha constit ...
. Previously it was a part of Calcutta North East (Lok Sabha constituency).


Education

* University College of Science, Technology and Agriculture, a university campus of science and technology under
Calcutta University The University of Calcutta, informally known as Calcutta University (), is a Public university, public State university (India), state university located in Kolkata, Calcutta (Kolkata), West Bengal, India. It has 151 affiliated undergraduate c ...
. * "Azad National Day & Night School" in ward no 36 started as a private scholl but was later transferred to the government. *
Momin High School Momin High School a Government Sponsored co-educational Urdu-medium school in Kolkata, affiliated to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education and West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education. History It was founded on 23 July 1945 by ...
, a Government-aided co-educational Urdu-medium school affiliated to the West Bengal Board of Higher Secondary Education. It was founded in 1945 by the Momin Education Board. * Baitulmal Girls High School, is a well stablished girls school. * Rajabazar Boys & Girls' School, a co-educational English-medium school for minority and low earning peoples this land space was under Mr Shaik Mahmood he donated and Hindustan health club's all tools instruments to grow the school in early 1970 he expired 1976. * TAKI High School.


References

{{Kolkata neighbourhoods Neighbourhoods in Kolkata