Ausgram I

Ausgram I is a community development block that forms an administrative division in Bardhaman Sadar North subdivision of Purba Bardhaman district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

Ausgram I
Community development block
Location in West Bengal
Coordinates: 23°31′04″N 87°39′37″E / 23.51778°N 87.66028°E / 23.51778; 87.66028
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District	Purba Bardhaman
Parliamentary constituency	Bolpur
Assembly constituency	Ausgram
Area
• Total	85.85 sq mi (222.34 km^2)
Elevation	125 ft (38 m)
Population  (2011)
• Total	119,363
• Density	1,400/sq mi (540/km^2)
Time zone	UTC+5.30 (IST)
PIN	713156 (Ausgram)
Telephone/STD code	03452
Vehicle registration	WB-37,WB-38,WB-41,WB-42,WB-44
Literacy Rate	69.39 per cent
Website	http://purbabardhaman.gov.in/

History

Medieval history

The area between the Damodar and Ajay was known as Gopbhum, where the Sadgope kings ruled for many centuries, prior to the advent of the Muslims. The Sura kings also occupy a somewhat mythical position in the region. Adi Sura of this dynasty is credited with having brought the five Brahmins and Kayasthas (two important upper castes in Bengal) from Kannauj in what is now Uttar Pradesh.^[1]

In the 18th century the area faced massive attacks of the Bargi warriors.^[2]

Movements

This being a canal-irrigated area it had faced agitations against the imposition of taxes for canal water.^[3]

Damage to embankments of the Ajay and consequent flooding was a regular problem in the Ausgram and Mangalkot area. The devastating flood of 1943 caused immense suffering and lead to a mass movement for restoration/ repair of the embankments. A massive meeting was organised at Guskara in 1944, with Uday Chand Mahtab, Maharaja of Bardhaman. However, the government did not take any action,. Ultimately, the Communist Party, which had been at the forefront of agitations for some years, provided a huge work force for the purpose and completed the repair work. It laid the foundation for the party's popularity in the area.^[4]

Geography

 

CD blocks of Purba Bardhaman district

Location

Ausgram is located at 23°31′04″N 87°39′37″E / 23.5178°N 87.6602°E / 23.5178; 87.6602.

Ausgram I CD Block is part of the Kanksa Ketugram plain, which lies along the Ajay. The river forms a boundary with Birbhum district on the north for a long stretch and then flows through district.^[5] The uneven laterite territory found in the western part of Bardhaman district extends up to Ausgram and then the alluvial flood plains commence.^[6] The entire Durgapur- Kanksa-Faridpur-Ausgram area was densely forested even in more recent times. The influx of refugees from East Pakistan and their rehabilitation in the area, and irrigation facilities extended by Damodar Valley Corporation led to destruction of much of the forests in the area, but some still remain.^[7]

Ausgram I CD Block is bounded by Ausgram II on the north and the west, Mangolkote and Bhatar CD Blocks on the east and Galsi II CD Block on the south.^[8]

Ausgram I CD Block has an area of 222.34 km². It has 1 panchayat samity, 7 gram panchayats, 92 gram sansads (village councils), 61 mouzas and 58 inhabited villages. Ausgram police station serves this block.^[9] Headquarters of this CD Block is at Guskara.^[10]

Ramnabagan Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1981 and covering an area of 0.14 km² forms a part of Ausgram I block.^[11]

Gram panchayats of Ausgram I block/panchayat samiti are: Ausgram, Berenda, Billagram, Dignagar I, Dignagar II, Guskara II and Ukta.^[12]

Demographics

Population

As per the 2011 Census of India Ausgram I CD Block had a total population of 119,363, all of which were rural. There were 60,521 (51%) males and 58,842 (49%) females. Population below 6 years was 13,581. Scheduled Castes numbered 42,659 (35.74%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 15,577 (13.05%).^[13]

As per 2001 census, Ausgram I block had a total population of 106,813, out of which 54,623 were males and 52,190 were females. Ausgram I block registered a population growth of 13.75 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for Bardhaman district was 14.36 per cent.^[14] Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent.^[15] Scheduled castes at 39,576 formed around one-third the population. Scheduled tribes numbered 14,191.^[16]

Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in Ausgram I CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Ban Nabagram (4,917), Karatia (4,021), Ausgram (5,533), Shibada (4,484), Belgram (4,345), Dignagar (8,313) and Bhota (4,022),^[13]

Other villages in Ausgram I CD Block included (2011 census figures in brackets): Beranda (2,214), Ukta (2,969), Dwariapur (3,579),^[13] Alefnagar, Aligram, Alutia (P), Asinda, Ausgram Chak, Baburbandh, Bahamanpur, Bara Chatra, Batagram, Belari, Beluti, Beranda, Bhada, Bhatgonna, Brajapur, Chonari, Deasa, Digha, Gangarampur, Gopinathbati, Gobindapur Purbba, Gonna, Jadabganj, Jaykrishnapur, Kalyanpur, Karanji, Karatia, Kayrapur, Kumarganj, Kunjanagar, Kurumba, Lakshmiganj, Majhergram, Mallikpur, Nabagram, Naoda, Nripatigram, Parasurampur, Pichkuri, Purbba Tati, Ramchandrapur, Sahapur, Shibbati, Shitalgram, Silut, Soara, Somaipur, Srikrishnapur, Srinagar, Sundalpur, Takipur, Telota and Warishpur.^[17]

Literacy

As per the 2011 census the total number of literates in Ausgram I CD Block was 73,406 (69.39% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 40,948 (76.32% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 32,458 (62.26% of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 14.06%.^[13]

As per 2001 census, Ausgram I block had a total literacy of 62.53 per cent for the 6+ age group. While male literacy was 71.85 per cent female literacy was 52.77 per cent. Bardhaman district had a total literacy of 70.18 per cent, male literacy being 78.63 per cent and female literacy being 60.95 per cent.^[18]

See also – List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate

Literacy in CD Blocks of Bardhaman district
Bardhaman Sadar North subdivision
Ausgram I – 69.39%
Ausgram II – 68.00%
Bhatar – 71.56%
Burdwan I – 76.07%
Burdwan II – 74.12%
Galsi II – 70.05%
Bardhaman Sadar South subdivision
Khandaghosh – 77.28%
Raina I – 80.20%
Raina II – 81.48%
Jamalpur – 74.08%
Memari I – 74.10%
Memari II – 74.59%
Kalna subdivision
Kalna I – 75.81%
Kalna II – 76.25%
Manteswar – 73.08%
Purbasthali I – 77.59%
Purbasthali II – 70.35%
Katwa subdivision
Katwa I – 70.36%
Katwa II – 69.16%
Ketugram I – 68.00%
Ketugram II – 65.96%
Mongalkote – 67.97%
Durgapur subdivision
Andal – 77.25%
Faridpur Durgapur – 74.14%
Galsi I – 72.81%
Kanksa – 76.34%
Pandabeswar – 73.01%
Asansol subdivision
Barabani – 69.58%
Jamuria – 69.42%
Raniganj – 73.86%
Salanpur – 78.76%
Source: 2011 Census: CD Block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data

Languages and religion

Religion in Ausgram I CD block (2011)^[19]
Hinduism			76.11%
Islam			23.48%
Other or not stated			0.41%

In the 2011 census Hindus numbered 90,850 and formed 76.11% of the population in Ausgram I CD Block. Muslims numbered 28,024 and formed 23.48% of the population. Christians numbered 329 and formed 0.28% of the population. Others numbered 160 and formed 0.13% of the population.^[19]

In Bardhaman district the percentage of Hindu population has been declining from 84.3% in 1961 to 77.9% in 2011 and the percentage of Muslim population has increased from 15.2% in 1961 to 20.7% in 2011.^[20]

Languages of Ausgram I CD block (2011)^[21]

  Bengali (86.76%)

  Santali (12.91%)

  Others (0.33%)

At the time of the 2011 census, 86.76% of the population spoke Bengali and 12.91% Santali as their first language.^[21]

Rural poverty

As per poverty estimates obtained from household survey for families living below poverty line in 2005, rural poverty in Ausgram I CD Block was 42.11%.^[22]

Economy

Livelihood

In Ausgram I CD Block in 2011, amongst the class of total workers, cultivators formed 17.04%, agricultural labourers 63.24%, household industry workers 4.48% and other workers 15.24%.^[9]

In Ausgram I CD Block, cultivators or agricultural labourers formed a large portion of the workforce, comparatively less workers were engaged in the secondary and tertiary sectors.^[23]

Infrastructure

There are 58 inhabited villages in Ausgram I CD block. All 58 villages (100%) have power supply. 54 villages (93.10%) have drinking water supply. 20 villages (34.48%) have post offices. 52 villages (89.66%) have telephones (including landlines, public call offices and mobile phones). 24 villages (41.38%) have a pucca (paved) approach road and 33 villages (56.90%) have transport communication (includes bus service, rail facility and navigable waterways). 13 villages (22.41%) have agricultural credit societies. 5 villages (8.62%) have banks.^[24]

In 2013-14, there were 79 fertiliser depots, 23 seed stores and 46 fair price shops in the CD Block.^[9]

Agriculture

Persons engaged in agriculture
in Ausgram I CD Block

  Bargadars (6.67%)

  Patta holders (18.39%)

  Small farmers (4.32%)

  Marginal farmers (12.62%)

  Agricultural labourers (58.00%)

Although the Bargadari Act of 1950 recognised the rights of bargadars to a higher share of crops from the land that they tilled, it was not implemented fully. Large tracts, beyond the prescribed limit of land ceiling, remained with the rich landlords. From 1977 onwards major land reforms took place in West Bengal. Land in excess of land ceiling was acquired and distributed amongst the peasants.^[25] Following land reforms land ownership pattern has undergone transformation. In 2013-14, persons engaged in agriculture in Ausgram I CD Block could be classified as follows: bargadars 6.67%, patta (document) holders 18.39%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 4.32%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 12.62% and agricultural labourers 58.00%.^[9]

In 2003-04 net cropped area in Ausgram I CD Block was 14,110 hectares and the area in which more than one crop was grown was 6,850 hectares.^[26]

In 2013-14, Ausgram I CD Block produced 3,763 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop from 1,344 hectares, 2,414 tonnes of Aus paddy (summer crop) from 982 hectares, 5,624 tonnes of Boro paddy (spring crop) from 1,403 hectares, 305 tonnes of wheat from 123 hectares, 38,175 tonnes of potatoes from 1,867 hectares and 721 tonnes of sugar cane from 9 hectares. It also produced pulses and oilseeds.^[9]

In Bardhaman district as a whole Aman paddy constituted 64.32% of the total area under paddy cultivation, while the area under Boro and Aus paddy constituted 32.87% and 2.81% respectively. The expansion of Boro paddy cultivation, with higher yield rates, was the result of expansion of irrigation system and intensive cropping.^[27] In 2013-14, the total area irrigated in Ausgram I CD Block was 11,385.18 hectares, out of which 11,372.76 hectares were irrigated by canal water and 12.42 hectares by deep tube wells.^[9]

Banking

In 2013-14, Ausgram I CD Block had offices of 6 commercial banks and 2 gramin banks.^[9]

Transport

v t e Khana–Barharwa section
Legend
km     to Sahibganj loop   0 Barharwa       to New Farakka Junction on Howrah–New Jalpaiguri line   Gumani Bridge   7 Gumani   14 Kotalpukur   22 Tilbhita   26 Pakur     NH 114A   32 Nagarnabi       Jharkhand West Bengal   37 Rajgram   43 Banshlai Bridge   Bansloi River   SH 7   48 Murarai   SH 7   56 Chatra       to Nalhati–Azimganj branch line   65 Nalhati   72 Swadinpur       to Jasidih–Dumka–Rampurhat line   79 Rampurhat     NH 114A   86 Tarapith Road   91 Mallarpur     NH 14   Dwarka River   99 Gadadharpur     NH 114A   Mayurakshi River   107 Sainthia     NH 114A       to Andal–Sainthia branch line   114 Bataspur   120 Ahmadpur       to Ahmadpur–Katwa line   SH 6   Bakreshwar River   129 Kopai   Kopai River   135 Prantik     NH 114A   139 Bolpur Shantiniketan   Ajay River   SH 13   147 Bhedia   152 Pichkuridhal   Kunur River   SH 14   158 Guskara   163 Noadar Dhal   168 Banpas   174 Jhapater Dhal       to Mughalsarai on Main line   178 Khana     to Bardhaman–Asansol section

Ausgram I CD Block has 4 originating/ terminating bus routes.^[9]

The Khana-Barharwa section of Sahibganj Loop passes through the CD Block and there is a station at Guskhara.^[28]

SH 13, running from Mollarpui Maghipara (in Birbhum district) to Dankuni (in Hooghly district), passes through this CD Block.^[29]

Education

In 2013-14, Ausgram I CD Block had 94 primary schools with 6,781 students, 12 high school with 6,288 students and 5 higher secondary schools with 4,408 students. Ausgram I CD Block had 2 technical/ professional institutions with 250 students and 221 institutions for special and non-formal education with 9,183 students^[9]

As per the 2011 census, in Ausgram I CD block, amongst the 58 inhabited villages, all villages had a school, 35 villages had two or more primary schools, 20 villages had at least 1 primary and 1 middle school and 15 villages had at least 1 middle and 1 secondary school.^[30]

More than 6,000 schools (in erstwhile Bardhaman district) serve cooked midday meal to more than 900,000 students.^[31]

Culture

The area is renowned for its dhokra art castings.^[32] In particular, Dariapur village in the area is famous for its dhokra metal craft.

Healthcare

In 2014, Ausgram I CD Block had 1 block primary health centre and 3 primary health centres with total 35 beds and 6 doctors (excluding private bodies). It had 21 family welfare subcentres. 2,612 patients were treated indoor and 228,599 patients were treated outdoor in the hospitals, health centres and subcentres of the CD Block.^[9]

Bononabagram Rural Hospital at Bononabagram (with 30 beds) is the main medical facility in Ausgram I CD block. There are primary health centres at Guskara (with 10 beds), Ukta, PO Pitchkuri Dhal (with 4 beds) and Dignagar (with 6 beds).^[33]

Ausgram I CD Block is one of the areas of Bardhaman district which is affected by a low level of arsenic contamination of ground water.^[34]

External links

• District map showing blocks

References

1. Chattopadhyay, Akkori, Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti (History and Folk lore of Bardhaman District.), (in Bengali), pp150-51, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3
2. Chattopadhyay, Akkori, pp209, 292-293
3. Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p472
4. Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p482
5. "Census of India 2011, West Bengal: District Census Handbook, Barddhaman" (PDF). Physiography, pages 13-14. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
6. Chattopadhyay, Akkori, Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti (History and Folk lore of Bardhaman District.), (in Bengali), Vol I, p18,28, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3
7. Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p38, 542
8. "Tehsil Map of Barddhaman". CD Block/ Tehsil. Maps of India. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
9. . Tables 2.7, 2.1, 8.2, 16.1, 17.2, 18.1, 18.2, 20.1, 21.2, 4.4, 3.1, 3.3 – arranged as per use. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
10. "District Census Handbook: Barddhaman" (PDF). Map of Barddhaman with CD Block HQs and Police Stations (on the fourth page). Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
11. . West Bengal Forest Department. Archived from the original on 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
12. "Directory of District, Subdivision, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal". Bardhaman - Revised in March 2008. Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
13. "C.D. Block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA)". 2011 census: West Bengal – District-wise CD Blocks. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
14. . Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
15. . Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
16. . Census 2001. Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
17. "Villages in Ausgram - I C.D.Block". vlist.in. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
18. . Census of India 2001. Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
19. "Table C-01 Population by Religion: West Bengal". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
20. "Census of Indiia 2011: District Census Handbook, Barddhaman" (PDF). Table 9: Population by religion in Badhaman district (1961-2011), Page 50. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
21. "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: West Bengal". www.censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
22. (PDF). Table 4.2: Empirical Measurement of Rural Poverty in Bardhaman 2005, page 94. Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
23. (PDF). Block/ Sub-division wise Variation in Occupational Distribution of Workers, page 47. Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
24. "District Census Handbook Barddhaman, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A" (PDF). Page 102 Table 36: Distribution of villages according to availability of different amenities, 2011. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
25. . (1) Chapter 1.2, South 24 Parganas in Historical Perspective, pages 7-9 (2) Chapter 3.4, Land reforms, pages 32-33. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2009. Archived from the original on 2016-10-05. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
26. (PDF). Table 3.10, Gross Cropped Area, Net Cropped Area and Cropping Intensity of different blocks of Bardhaman district 2003-04, Page 53. Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, May 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
27. (PDF). Occupational Structure, Status and levels of Livelihood, page 55. Development and Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
28. "53065 Bardhaman-Rampurhat Bamdev Passenger". Time Table. indiarailinfo. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
29. "List of State Highways in West Bengal". West Bengal Traffic Police. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
30. "District Census Handbook, Barddhaman, 2011, Series 20, Part XII A" (PDF). Page 1082, Appendix I A: Villages by number of Primary Schools and Appendix I B: Villages by Primary, Middle and Secondary Schools. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
31. "Midday Meal – Burdwan, WB". District Authorities. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
32. . Archived from the original on 2009-01-30. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
33. . Health Statistics. Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
34. "Groundwater Arsenic contamination in West Bengal-India (20 years study )". Bardhaman. SOES. Retrieved 9 September 2011.