|
|
Introduction BANKURA district of West Bengal is of 2646 sq.miles in area, situated in between longitude 86°40' and 87°45' in East West and in North South, in between latitude 22°40' and 23°40'. In the north river Damodar separates the districts of Bankura and Burdwan. The East has common border with the district of Burdwan and Hooghly. Midnapur district covers the south boundary and Purulia district covers its West. Principal rivers are Damodar, Dwarakeswar, Silabati and Kangsabati. The rivers flow from West to East - mostly indicating ground slope, carry less water to dry season. The less populated western part (60% area) is mostly barren with bushy jungles unfit for agriculture, undulating with laterite soil and stone. Many years back this area was mostly covered with deep forest - a continuation of Chotanagpur Plateau. Ancient remains indicate that this area came under the influence of Jainsism and Buddhism in earlier times. It's eastern part (40% area) adjacent to Burdwan and Hooghly districts is thickly populated, rich in cultivation and has many monuments. The district has 3522 villages. The total number of monuments recorded in the list area 336 of which only 97 are decorated with Terracotta. Out of them 2 date back to Pre-Muslim period (Siddeswara Deul - Bhulara and abandoned deul-Sonatopal). The latest temple is dated 1910 (Biswanath Siva-Narayanpur). A stone built deul without Terracotta decoration (Siva Deul-Harmasra) was built in 12th century. In late mediaeval age Malla Kings of Bishnupur embraced Vaisnabism and built numerous monuments and some of them were brick built with Terracotta decoration - considered unique and trend setter in Terracotta art work. The photographic documentation consists of 2132 exposures. |
| |