Bengala Occidental ( / b ɛ ŋ ɡ ɔ l / , bengalí : Paschim Banga [ˈPoʃtʃim ˈbɔŋgo] ( escuchar ) ) es un estado en la región oriental de la India a lo largo de la Bahía de Bengala . Con más de 91 millones de habitantes, es el cuarto estado más poblado y el decimocuarto estado más grande por área en la India. Con una superficie de 88.752 km 2 (34.267 millas cuadradas), también es la séptima subdivisión de países más poblada del mundo. Parte de la región de Bengala del subcontinente indio , limita con Bangladesh al este, Nepal y Bután.en el norte. También limita con los estados indios de Odisha , Jharkhand , Bihar , Sikkim y Assam . La capital del estado es Kolkata , la tercera metrópolis más grande y la séptima ciudad más grande por población en la India. Bengala Occidental incluye la región montañosa de Darjeeling en el Himalaya , el delta del Ganges , la región de Rarh y la costa de Sundarbans . El principal grupo étnico del estado son los bengalíes , y los hindúes bengalíes forman la mayoría demográfica.
al oeste de Bengala | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Desde arriba: Puente icónico de Howrah por la noche desde Howrah , Templo Dakshineswar Kali cerca de Calcuta , Puerta de Calcuta , también conocida como la Puerta Biswa Bangla en la Ciudad Nueva , jardín de té en la región de Dooars , Palacio Hazarduari , amanecer en la playa de Digha , tigre de Bengala en Sundarbans Parque Nacional , vista de Darjeeling desde Happy Valley Tea Estate | |||||||||||||||||||||
Emblema | |||||||||||||||||||||
Ubicación de Bengala Occidental en India | |||||||||||||||||||||
País | India | ||||||||||||||||||||
Establecido | 26 de enero de 1950 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Capital | Calcuta | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ciudad más grande | Calcuta | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distritos | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gobierno | |||||||||||||||||||||
• Cuerpo | Gobierno de Bengala Occidental | ||||||||||||||||||||
• Gobernador | Jagdeep Dhankhar [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||
• Ministro principal | Mamata Banerjee ( AITC ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
• Legislatura | Unicameral ( 294 asientos ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
• Circunscripción parlamentaria |
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• Tribunal Superior | Tribunal Superior de Calcuta | ||||||||||||||||||||
Área | |||||||||||||||||||||
• Total | 88,752 km 2 (34,267 millas cuadradas) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rango de área | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Población (2011) [2] | |||||||||||||||||||||
• Total | 91,347,736 | ||||||||||||||||||||
• Rango | Cuarto | ||||||||||||||||||||
• Densidad | 1,129 / km 2 (2,920 / millas cuadradas) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Demonym (s) | bengalí | ||||||||||||||||||||
GSDP (2019-20) [3] | |||||||||||||||||||||
• Total | ₹ 12.54 lakh crore (US $ 180 mil millones) | ||||||||||||||||||||
• Per cápita | ₹ 115,348 (US $ 1,600) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Idiomas | |||||||||||||||||||||
• Oficial | Bengalí • inglés [4] | ||||||||||||||||||||
• Oficial adicional | Nepalí • Urdu • Hindi • Odia • Santali • Punjabi • Kamtapuri • Rajbanshi • Kurmali • Kurukh • Telugu [4] [Nota 1] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Zona horaria | UTC + 05: 30 ( IST ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Código ISO 3166 | IN-WB | ||||||||||||||||||||
Registro de Vehículo | WB | ||||||||||||||||||||
IDH (2017) | 0,641 ( medio ) · 28º [5] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Alfabetización (2011) | 77,08% [6] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Proporción de sexos (2011) | 950 ♀ / 1000 ♂ [7] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sitio web | Página web oficial | ||||||||||||||||||||
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^ * 294 elegidos, 1 nominado |
La historia temprana del área presentó una sucesión de imperios indios , disputas internas y una lucha entre el hinduismo y el budismo por el dominio. La antigua Bengala fue el sitio de varias Janapadas importantes , mientras que las primeras ciudades se remontan al período védico . La región fue parte de varios imperios panindio antiguas, incluyendo la Vangas , Mauryans y el Gupta . La ciudadela de Gauḍa fue la capital del Reino de Gauḍa , el Imperio Pala y el Imperio Sena . El islam se introdujo a través del comercio con el califato abasí , pero tras las conquistas de los guríes dirigidas por Bakhtiyar Khalji y el establecimiento del sultanato de Delhi , la fe musulmana se extendió por toda la región de Bengala. Durante el Sultanato de Bengala , el territorio era una de las principales naciones comerciales del mundo y, a menudo, los europeos se referían a él como el "país más rico para comerciar". Fue absorbido por el Imperio Mughal en 1576. Simultáneamente, algunas partes de la región fueron gobernadas por varios estados hindúes y terratenientes Baro-Bhuyan , y parte de ella fue invadida brevemente por el Imperio Suri . Tras la muerte del emperador Aurangzeb a principios de 1700, la Bengala mogol protoindustrializada se convirtió en un estado semiindependiente bajo los nawabs de Bengala y mostró signos de la primera revolución industrial . [8] [9] La región fue conquistada más tarde por la Compañía Británica de las Indias Orientales en la Batalla de Plassey en 1757 y pasó a formar parte de la Presidencia de Bengala . [10] [11]
La región fue un semillero del movimiento de independencia de la India y sigue siendo uno de los grandes centros artísticos e intelectuales de la India. [12] Tras la violencia religiosa generalizada , el Consejo Legislativo de Bengala y la Asamblea Legislativa de Bengala votaron sobre la Partición de Bengala en 1947 a lo largo de líneas religiosas en dos dominios independientes : Bengala Occidental, un estado indio de mayoría hindú, y Bengala Oriental , un estado musulmán provincia mayoritaria de Pakistán que más tarde se convirtió en Bangladesh independiente.
Después de la independencia de la India, la economía de Bengala Occidental se basa en la producción agrícola y las pequeñas y medianas empresas . [13] Durante muchas décadas, el estado sufrió violencia política y estancamiento económico . [14] Hoy en día, la economía de Bengala Occidental es la sexta economía estatal más grande de la India con un producto interno bruto estatal (PIB) de ₹ 12,54 millones de rupias (180 mil millones de dólares), [3] y tiene el 23 ° PIB más alto del país. per cápita de ₹ 115,748 (US $ 1,600). [3] Bengala Occidental también tiene el puesto 28 más alto entre los estados de la India en el índice de desarrollo humano , siendo el valor del índice menor que el de la India. [5] La deuda del gobierno estatal de ₹ 4,0 lakh crore (US $ 56 mil millones), o el 32,6% del GSDP, es la quinta más alta de la India, pero ha caído del 40,65% desde 2010-11. [15] [16] Hay un desempleo moderado. [17] Bengala Occidental tiene dos sitios del Patrimonio Mundial y se ubica como el séptimo destino turístico más visitado de la India. [18] [19]
Etimología
El origen del nombre de Bengala ( Bangla y Bongo en bengalí es desconocido). Una teoría sugiere que la palabra deriva de "Bang", el nombre de una tribu dravidiana que se asentó en la región alrededor del año 1000 a. C. [20] La palabra bengalí Bongo podría haberse derivado del antiguo reino de Vanga (o Banga ). Aunque parte de la literatura sánscrita temprana menciona el nombre Vanga , la historia temprana de la región es oscura. [21]
En 1947, al final del dominio británico sobre el subcontinente indio, el Consejo Legislativo de Bengala y la Asamblea Legislativa de Bengala votaron sobre la Partición de Bengala a lo largo de líneas religiosas en dos entidades separadas: Bengala Occidental, que continuó como un estado indio y Bengala Oriental , un provincia de Pakistán , que llegó a ser conocida como Pakistán Oriental y más tarde se convirtió en el Bangladesh independiente . [22] [23]
En 2011, el gobierno de Bengala Occidental propuso un cambio en el nombre oficial del estado a Paschim Banga ( bengalí : পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Pôshchimbônggô ). [24] Este es el nombre nativo del estado, que literalmente significa "Bengala occidental" en el idioma nativo bengalí. En agosto de 2016, la Asamblea Legislativa de Bengala Occidental aprobó otra resolución para cambiar el nombre de Bengala Occidental a "Bengala" en inglés y "bengalí" en bengalí. A pesar de los esfuerzos del gobierno del Congreso de Trinamool para forjar un consenso sobre la resolución de cambio de nombre, el Congreso Nacional de la India , el Frente de Izquierda y el Partido Bharatiya Janata se opusieron a la resolución. [25] Sin embargo, el gobierno central ha rechazado la propuesta que mantiene que el estado debe tener un nombre único para todos los idiomas en lugar de tres y no debe ser el mismo que el de cualquier otro territorio (señalando que el nombre 'bengalí' puede crear confusión con el vecino Bangladesh ). [25] [26] [27]
Historia
Período antiguo y clásico
Se han excavado herramientas de la Edad de Piedra que datan de hace 20.000 años en el estado, lo que muestra la ocupación humana 8.000 años antes de lo que pensaban los eruditos. [28] Según la epopeya india Mahabharata, la región era parte del Reino de Vanga. [29] Varios reinos védicos estaban presentes en la región de Bengala, incluidos Vanga , Rarh , Pundravardhana y el Reino de Suhma . Una de las primeras referencias extranjeras a Bengala es una mención de los antiguos griegos alrededor del año 100 a. C. de una tierra llamada Gangaridai ubicada en las desembocaduras del Ganges . [30] Bengala tenía relaciones comerciales de ultramar con Suvarnabhumi (Birmania, Baja Tailandia, la península de Baja Malasia y Sumatra ). [31] Según la crónica de Sri Lanka Mahavamsa , el príncipe Vijaya ( c. 543 - c. 505 a . C. ), un príncipe del Reino de Vanga, conquistó Lanka (actual Sri Lanka) y nombró al país Reino Sinhala . [32]
El reino de Magadha se formó en el siglo VII a . C. y consta de las regiones que ahora comprenden Bihar y Bengala. Fue uno de los cuatro reinos principales de la India en la época de la vida de Mahavira , la figura principal del jainismo y Gautama Buddha , fundador del budismo . Consistía en varios janapadas o reinos. [33] Bajo Ashoka , el Imperio Maurya de Magadha en el siglo III a . C. se extendió por casi todo el sur de Asia , incluido Afganistán y partes de Baluchistán . Desde el siglo III al VI EC, el reino de Magadha sirvió como sede del Imperio Gupta . [34]
En algunos textos se dice que dos reinos, Vanga o Samatata y Gauda, aparecieron después del fin del Imperio Gupta, aunque los detalles de su ascendencia son inciertos. [35] El primer rey independiente registrado de Bengala fue Shashanka , que reinó a principios del siglo VII . [36] Shashanka se registra a menudo en los anales budistas como un gobernante hindú intolerante conocido por su persecución de los budistas. Asesinó a Rajyavardhana , el rey budista de Thanesar , y se destaca por destruir el árbol Bodhi en Bodhgaya y reemplazar las estatuas de Buda con lingams de Shiva . [37] Después de un período de anarquía, [38] : 36 la dinastía Pala gobernó la región durante cuatrocientos años a partir del siglo VIII . Siguió un reinado más corto de la dinastía hindú Sena . [39]
Rajendra Chola I de la dinastía Chola invadió algunas áreas de Bengala entre 1021 y 1023. [40]
El Islam se introdujo a través del comercio con el califato abasí . [41] Tras las conquistas de Ghurid dirigidas por Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khalji y el establecimiento del Sultanato de Delhi , se extendió por toda la región de Bengala. A lo largo de estas etapas se construyeron mezquitas , madrasas y khanqahs . Durante el Sultanato Islámico de Bengala , fundado en 1352, Bengala fue una de las principales naciones comerciales del mundo y, a menudo, los europeos se referían a ella como el país más rico para comerciar. [42] Más tarde, en 1576, fue absorbido por el Imperio Mughal . [43]
Períodos medieval y moderno temprano
Las posteriores conquistas musulmanas ayudaron a difundir el Islam por toda la región. [44] Fue gobernado por dinastías del Sultanato de Bengala y señores feudales bajo el Sultanato de Delhi durante los siguientes cientos de años. El Sultanato de Bengala fue interrumpido durante veinte años por un levantamiento hindú bajo Raja Ganesha . En el siglo XVI, el general mogol Islam Khan conquistó Bengala. La administración de los gobernadores designados por la corte del Imperio Mughal dio paso a la semiindependencia bajo los nawabs de Murshidabad , quienes nominalmente respetaban la soberanía de los mogoles en Delhi . Varios estados hindúes independientes se establecieron en Bengala durante el período mogol, incluidos los de Pratapaditya del distrito de Jessore y Raja Sitaram Ray de Bardhaman . Tras la muerte del emperador Aurangzeb y del gobernador de Bengala, Shaista Khan , la Bengala mogol protoindustrializada se convirtió en un estado semiindependiente bajo los nawabs de Bengala y mostró signos de la primera revolución industrial del mundo . [8] [9] La dinastía Koch en el norte de Bengala floreció durante los siglos XVI y XVII ; resistió a los mogoles y sobrevivió hasta el advenimiento de la era colonial británica. [45] [46]
Período colonial
Varios comerciantes europeos llegaron a esta zona a finales del siglo XV . La Compañía Británica de las Indias Orientales derrotó a Siraj ud-Daulah , el último Nawab independiente, en la Batalla de Plassey en 1757. La compañía obtuvo el derecho a recaudar ingresos en la subah (provincia) de Bengala en 1765 con la firma del tratado entre las Indias Orientales. Company y el emperador mogol después de la batalla de Buxar en 1764. [47] La presidencia de Bengala se estableció en 1765; más tarde incorporó todo el territorio controlado por los británicos al norte de las provincias centrales (ahora Madhya Pradesh ), desde las desembocaduras del Ganges y Brahmaputra hasta el Himalaya y el Punjab . La hambruna de Bengala de 1770 se cobró millones de vidas debido a las políticas fiscales promulgadas por la empresa británica. [48] Calcuta, la sede de la compañía de las Indias Orientales, fue nombrada capital de los territorios dominados por los británicos en la India en 1773. [49] La fallida rebelión india de 1857 comenzó cerca de Calcuta y resultó en una transferencia de autoridad a la Corona británica. , [50] administrado por el Virrey de la India . [51]
El Renacimiento de Bengala y los movimientos de reforma sociocultural de Brahmo Samaj influyeron significativamente en la vida cultural y económica de Bengala. [52] Entre 1905 y 1911 se hizo un intento fallido de dividir la provincia de Bengala en dos zonas. [53] Bengala sufrió la Gran Hambruna de Bengala en 1943, que se cobró tres millones de vidas durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. [54] Los bengalíes desempeñaron un papel importante en el movimiento de independencia de la India , en el que los grupos revolucionarios como Anushilan Samiti y Jugantar fueron dominantes. Los intentos armados contra el Raj británico desde Bengala alcanzaron su punto culminante cuando la noticia de que Subhas Chandra Bose lideraba el Ejército Nacional de la India contra los británicos llegó a Bengala. El Ejército Nacional de la India fue posteriormente derrotado por los británicos. [55]
Independencia india y después
Cuando la India obtuvo su independencia en 1947, Bengala se dividió por motivos religiosos. La parte occidental fue al Dominio de la India y recibió el nombre de Bengala Occidental. La parte oriental pasó al Dominio de Pakistán como una provincia llamada Bengala Oriental (más tarde rebautizada Pakistán Oriental en 1956), convirtiéndose en la nación independiente de Bangladesh en 1971. [56] En 1950, el estado principesco de Cooch Behar se fusionó con Bengala Occidental. [57] En 1955, el antiguo enclave francés de Chandannagar , que había pasado al control indio después de 1950, se integró en Bengala Occidental; porciones de Bihar también se fusionaron posteriormente con Bengala Occidental. Tanto Bengala Occidental como Oriental experimentaron una gran afluencia de refugiados durante y después de la partición en 1947. El reasentamiento de refugiados y los problemas relacionados continuaron desempeñando un papel importante en la política y la situación socioeconómica del estado. [57]
Durante las décadas de 1970 y 1980, la grave escasez de energía, las huelgas y un violento movimiento marxista - maoísta de grupos conocidos como los naxalitas dañaron gran parte de la infraestructura de la ciudad, lo que llevó a un período de estancamiento económico y desindustrialización . [14] La Guerra de Liberación de Bangladesh de 1971 provocó una afluencia de millones de refugiados a Bengala Occidental, lo que provocó importantes tensiones en su infraestructura. [58] La epidemia de viruela de 1974 mató a miles de personas. La política de Bengala Occidental experimentó un cambio importante cuando el Frente de Izquierda ganó la elección de la asamblea de 1977, derrotando al Congreso Nacional Indio en ejercicio. El Frente de Izquierda, dirigido por el Partido Comunista de la India (marxista) , gobernó el estado durante las siguientes tres décadas. [59]
La recuperación económica del estado cobró impulso después de que el gobierno central introdujera las liberalizaciones económicas a mediados de la década de 1990. Esto fue ayudado por la llegada de la tecnología de la información y los servicios habilitados por TI . A partir de mediados de la década de 2000, activistas armados llevaron a cabo ataques terroristas menores en algunas partes del estado. [60] [61] Se produjeron enfrentamientos con la administración en varios lugares controvertidos sobre el tema de la adquisición de tierras industriales. [62] [63] Esto se convirtió en una razón decisiva detrás de la derrota del gobierno del Frente de Izquierda en las elecciones a la asamblea de 2011. [64] Aunque la economía sufrió graves daños durante los disturbios de la década de 1970, el estado ha logrado reactivar su economía de manera constante a lo largo de los años. [65] [66] [67] El estado ha mostrado una mejora con respecto a bandhs ( huelgas ) [68] [69] [70] y la infraestructura educativa. [71] Se han logrado avances significativos en la reducción del desempleo, [72] aunque el estado sufre de servicios de salud deficientes, [73] [74] falta de desarrollo socioeconómico, [75] infraestructura deficiente, [76] desempleo y violencia. [77] [78] En 2006, el sistema de salud del estado fue severamente criticado a raíz de la estafa del kit de análisis de sangre de Bengala Occidental . [79] [80]
geografía y clima
Bengala Occidental se encuentra en el cuello de botella oriental de la India , que se extiende desde el Himalaya en el norte hasta la Bahía de Bengala en el sur. El estado tiene un área total de 88,752 kilómetros cuadrados (34,267 millas cuadradas). [2] La región montañosa del Himalaya de Darjeeling, en el extremo norte del estado, forma parte de la cordillera del Himalaya oriental . En esta región se encuentra Sandakfu , que, a 3.636 m (11.929 pies), es el pico más alto del estado. [81] La estrecha región de Terai separa las colinas de las llanuras del norte de Bengala , que a su vez se transforman en el delta del Ganges hacia el sur. La región de Rarh interviene entre el delta del Ganges en el este y la meseta occidental y las tierras altas . Una pequeña región costera se encuentra en el extremo sur, mientras que los bosques de manglares de Sundarbans forman un hito geográfico en el delta del Ganges. [82]
El río principal de Bengala Occidental es el Ganges, que se divide en dos ramas. Una rama entra en Bangladesh como Padma o Pôdda , mientras que la otra fluye a través de Bengala Occidental como el río Bhagirathi y el río Hooghly . El bombardeo de Farakka sobre el Ganges alimenta la rama Hooghly del río por un canal de alimentación. Su gestión del flujo de agua ha sido una fuente de disputas persistentes entre India y Bangladesh. [83] Los ríos Teesta , Torsa , Jaldhaka y Mahananda se encuentran en la región montañosa del norte. La región de la meseta occidental tiene ríos como Damodar, Ajay y Kangsabati . El delta del Ganges y el área de Sundarbans tienen numerosos ríos y arroyos. La contaminación del Ganges por los desechos indiscriminados vertidos al río es un problema importante. [84] Damodar , otro afluente del Ganges y una vez conocido como el "Dolor de Bengala" (debido a sus frecuentes inundaciones), tiene varias presas en el marco del Proyecto del Valle de Damodar . Al menos nueve distritos en el estado sufren de contaminación por arsénico de las aguas subterráneas y, en 2017, se estima que 1.04 crore de personas sufrieron envenenamiento por arsénico. [85]
El clima de Bengala Occidental varía desde una sabana tropical en las porciones del sur hasta un subtropical húmedo en el norte. Las principales estaciones son el verano, la temporada de lluvias, un breve otoño e invierno. Mientras que el verano en la región del delta se caracteriza por una humedad excesiva, las tierras altas occidentales experimentan un verano seco como el norte de la India. Las temperaturas diurnas más altas oscilan entre 38 ° C (100 ° F) y 45 ° C (113 ° F). [86] Por la noche, una brisa fresca del sur transporta la humedad de la Bahía de Bengala. A principios del verano , a menudo ocurren breves ráfagas y tormentas eléctricas conocidas como Kalbaisakhi , o Nor'westers. [87] Bengala Occidental recibe la rama de la Bahía de Bengala del monzón del Océano Índico que se mueve en dirección sureste a noroeste. Los monzones traen lluvias a todo el estado de junio a septiembre. En los distritos de Darjeeling , Jalpaiguri y Cooch Behar se observan fuertes lluvias de más de 250 centímetros (98 pulgadas) . Durante la llegada de los monzones, la baja presión en la región de la Bahía de Bengala a menudo conduce a la formación de tormentas en las zonas costeras . El invierno (diciembre-enero) es templado en las llanuras con temperaturas mínimas promedio de 15 ° C (59 ° F). [86] Un viento del norte frío y seco sopla en el invierno, reduciendo sustancialmente el nivel de humedad. La región de Darjeeling Himalayan Hill experimenta un duro invierno, con nevadas ocasionales. [88]
Flora y fauna
Según el "Informe sobre el estado forestal de la India 2017", la superficie forestal registrada en el estado es de 16.847 km 2 (6.505 millas cuadradas), [89] [90] mientras que en 2013, la superficie forestal era de 16.805 km 2 (6.488 millas cuadradas), que fue 18,93% del área geográfica del estado, en comparación con el entonces promedio nacional de 21,23%. [91] Las reservas y los bosques protegidos y no clasificados constituyen el 59,4%, 31,8% y 8,9%, respectivamente, de las áreas boscosas, en 2009. [92] Parte del mayor bosque de manglares del mundo, los Sundarbans en el sur de Bengala Occidental. [93]
Título | Símbolo | Imagen |
---|---|---|
Animal del estado | Gato pescador [94] | |
Pájaro del estado | Martín pescador de garganta blanca | |
Flor del estado | Jazmín de floración nocturna [94] | |
Árbol del estado | Árbol del diablo [94] | |
Pescado del estado | Ilish [95] |
Desde un punto de vista fitogeográfico , la parte sur de Bengala Occidental se puede dividir en dos regiones: la llanura del Ganges y los manglares litorales de los Sundarbans. [96] El suelo aluvial de la llanura del Ganges, combinado con lluvias favorables, hace que esta región sea especialmente fértil. [96] Gran parte de la vegetación de la parte occidental del estado tiene una composición de especies similar a la de las plantas de la meseta de Chota Nagpur en el estado contiguo de Jharkhand. [96] La especie arbórea comercial predominante es Shorea robusta , comúnmente conocida como árbol de sal . La región costera de Purba Medinipur exhibe vegetación costera; el árbol predominante es la Casuarina . Un árbol notable de los Sundarbans es el omnipresente sundari ( Heritiera fomes ), de donde el bosque toma su nombre. [97]
La distribución de la vegetación en el norte de Bengala Occidental está determinada por la elevación y la precipitación . Por ejemplo, las estribaciones del Himalaya, los Dooars , están densamente arboladas con sal y otros árboles tropicales de hoja perenne. [98] Por encima de una elevación de 1000 metros (3300 pies), el bosque se vuelve predominantemente subtropical. En Darjeeling, que se encuentra por encima de los 1.500 metros (4.900 pies), predominan los árboles de bosques templados como robles , coníferas y rododendros . [98]
3.26% del área geográfica de Bengala Occidental se protege la tierra, que comprende quince santuarios de vida silvestre y cinco Parks- nacional Parque Nacional de Sundarbans , Tiger Reserve Buxa , Parque Nacional Gorumara , Parque Nacional Neora Valle y Parque Nacional Singalila . [92] La fauna existente incluye rinocerontes indios , elefantes indios , ciervos, leopardos , gaur , tigres y cocodrilos , así como muchas especies de aves. Las aves migratorias llegan al estado durante el invierno. [99] Los bosques de gran altitud del Parque Nacional Singalila albergan ciervos ladradores , panda rojo , chinkara , takin , serow , pangolín , minivet y faisanes kalij . Los Sundarbans se destacan por un proyecto de reserva dedicado a la conservación del tigre de Bengala en peligro de extinción , aunque el bosque alberga muchas otras especies en peligro de extinción como el delfín del Ganges , la tortuga de río y el cocodrilo de estuario. [100] El bosque de manglares también actúa como un vivero de peces natural, que sostiene a los peces costeros a lo largo de la Bahía de Bengala. [100] Reconociendo su valor de conservación especial, el área de Sundarbans ha sido declarada Reserva de la Biosfera . [92]
Gobierno y políticas
Bengala Occidental se rige a través de un sistema parlamentario de democracia representativa , una característica que el estado comparte con otros estados de la India. El sufragio universal se otorga a los residentes. Hay dos ramas del gobierno. La legislatura, la Asamblea Legislativa de Bengala Occidental, está formada por miembros electos y titulares de cargos especiales, como el Presidente y el Vicepresidente, que son elegidos por los miembros. Las reuniones de la asamblea son presididas por el Portavoz o el Vicepresidente en ausencia del Portavoz. El poder judicial está compuesto por el Tribunal Superior de Calcuta y un sistema de tribunales inferiores. El poder ejecutivo recae en el Consejo de Ministros encabezado por el Ministro Principal, aunque el jefe de gobierno titular es el Gobernador . El Gobernador es el Jefe de Estado designado por el Presidente de la India . El líder del partido o coalición con mayoría en la Asamblea Legislativa es nombrado Ministro Principal por el Gobernador. El Consejo de Ministros es designado por el Gobernador con el asesoramiento del Ministro Principal. El Consejo de Ministros depende de la Asamblea Legislativa. La Asamblea es unicameral con 295 miembros , o MLA, [101] incluido uno nominado de la comunidad angloindia . Los mandatos tienen una duración de cinco años, a menos que la Asamblea se disuelva antes de que finalice el mandato. Las autoridades auxiliares conocidas como panchayats , para las cuales se celebran regularmente elecciones de órganos locales, gobiernan los asuntos locales. El estado aporta 42 escaños al Lok Sabha [102] y 16 escaños al Rajya Sabha del Parlamento indio . [103]
La política en Bengala está dominada por el Congreso Trinamool de toda la India , el Partido Bharatiya Janata, el Congreso y la alianza del Frente de Izquierda (liderada por el Partido Comunista de la India (marxista) o CPI (M)). Tras las elecciones a la Asamblea del Estado de Bengala Occidental en 2011 , la coalición All India Trinamool Congress y Indian National Congress bajo Mamata Banerjee del All India Trinamool Congress fue elegida para el poder con 225 escaños en la legislatura. [104] Antes de esto, Bengala Occidental fue gobernada por el Frente de Izquierda durante 34 años (1977-2011), lo que lo convirtió en el gobierno comunista democráticamente elegido más antiguo del mundo. [59] Banerjee fue reelegido dos veces como Ministro Principal en la elección de la Asamblea Legislativa de Bengala Occidental de 2016 y la elección de la Asamblea Legislativa de Bengala Occidental de 2021 con 211 y 213 escaños respectivamente, una mayoría absoluta del Congreso de Trinamool. [105] El estado tiene una región autónoma, la Administración Territorial de Gorkhaland . [106]
Distritos
A partir de 2017, Bengala Occidental se divide en 23 distritos . [107]
Distrito | Población | Tasa de crecimiento | La proporción de sexos | Literatura | Densidad por kilómetro cuadrado |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Norte 24 Parganas | 10,009,781 | 12.04 | 955 | 84.06 | 2445 |
Sur 24 Parganas | 8.161.961 | 18.17 | 956 | 77,51 | 819 |
Purba Bardhaman | 4.835.432 | - | 945 | 74,73 | 890 |
Paschim Bardhaman | 2,882,031 | - | 922 | 78,75 | 1800 |
Murshidabad | 7,103,807 | 21.09 | 958 | 66,59 | 1334 |
West Midnapore | 5.913.457 | 13,86 | 966 | 78,00 | 631 |
Hooghly | 5.519.145 | 9.46 | 961 | 81,80 | 1753 |
Nadia | 5.167.600 | 12.22 | 947 | 74,97 | 1316 |
East Midnapore | 5,095,875 | 15.36 | 938 | 87.02 | 1081 |
Howrah | 4.850.029 | 13,50 | 939 | 83,31 | 3306 |
Calcuta | 4.496.694 | −1,67 | 908 | 86,31 | 24306 |
Maldah | 3.988.845 | 21.22 | 944 | 61,73 | 1069 |
Jalpaiguri | 3,872,846 | 13,87 | 953 | 73.25 | 622 |
Alipurduar [a] | 1,700,000 | - | - | - | 400 |
Bankura | 3,596,292 | 12,64 | 954 | 70,95 | 523 |
Birbhum | 3,502,404 | 16.15 | 956 | 70,68 | 771 |
Norte de Dinajpur | 3.007.134 | 23.15 | 939 | 59.07 | 958 |
Purulia | 2,930,115 | 15.52 | 957 | 64,48 | 468 |
Cooch Behar | 2.819.086 | 13,71 | 942 | 74,78 | 832 |
Darjeeling | 1.846.823 | 14,77 | 970 | 79,56 | 586 |
Dakshin Dinajpur | 1,676,276 | 11.52 | 956 | 72,82 | 755 |
Kalimpong [a] | 202,239 | - | - | - | 270 |
Jhargram [a] | 1,136,548 | - | - | - | 374 |
- ^ a b c Fue creado después del censo de 2011
Cada distrito está gobernado por un recaudador de distrito o un magistrado de distrito, designado por el Servicio Administrativo Indio o el Servicio Civil de Bengala Occidental . [108] Cada distrito se subdivide en subdivisiones, gobernadas por un magistrado subdivisional , y nuevamente en bloques. Los bloques se componen de panchayats (consejos de aldea) y municipios de la ciudad. [109]
La capital y ciudad más grande del estado es Calcuta , la tercera aglomeración urbana más grande [110] y la séptima ciudad más grande [111] de la India. Asansol es la segunda ciudad y aglomeración urbana más grande de Bengala Occidental. [110] Siliguri es una ciudad económicamente importante, estratégicamente ubicada en el noreste del Corredor Siliguri (Chicken's Neck) de la India. [112] Otras ciudades y pueblos más grandes de Bengala Occidental son: Durgapur , Howrah , Bardhaman, Baharampur , Jalpaiguri , Kharagpur y Chandannagar. [113]
Economía
Producto interno estatal neto al costo de los factores a precios corrientes (base de 2004-2005) [114] (cifras en millones de rupias indias ) | |
Año | Producto nacional neto estatal |
---|---|
2004-2005 | 190.073 |
2005-2006 | 209,642 |
2006-2007 | 238,625 |
2007-2008 | 272,166 |
2008-2009 | 309,799 |
2009-2010 | 366,318 |
A partir de 2015[actualizar], Bengala Occidental tiene el sexto GSDP más alto de la India. El GSDP a precios corrientes (base 2004-2005) ha aumentado de 2.086,56 mil millones de rupias en 2004-05 a 8.00.868 millones de rupias en 2014-2015, [115] alcanzando 10.21.000 millones de rupias en 2017-18. [116] El porcentaje de crecimiento del GSDP a precios corrientes varió de un mínimo del 10,3% en 2010-2011 a un máximo del 17,11% en 2013-2014. La tasa de crecimiento fue del 13,35% en 2014-2015. [117] El ingreso per cápita del estado ha estado por detrás del promedio de toda la India durante más de dos décadas. En 2014-2015, el NSDP per cápita a precios corrientes fue de 78.903 rupias . [117] La tasa de crecimiento del NSDP per cápita a precios corrientes varió del 9,4% en 2010-2011 a un máximo del 16,15% en 2013-2014. La tasa de crecimiento fue del 12,62% en 2014-2015. [118]
En 2015-2016, la participación porcentual del Valor Agregado Bruto (VAB) al costo de los factores por actividad económica a precio constante (año base 2011-2016) fue Agricultura-Silvicultura y Pesca: 4.84%, Industria 18.51% y Servicios 66.65%. Se ha observado que ha habido una disminución lenta pero constante en la participación porcentual de la industria y la agricultura a lo largo de los años. [119] La agricultura es el principal sector económico de Bengala Occidental. El arroz es el principal cultivo alimentario del estado. El arroz, la papa, el yute , la caña de azúcar y el trigo son los cinco principales cultivos del estado. [120] : 14 El té se produce comercialmente en los distritos del norte; la región es conocida por el Darjeeling y otros tés de alta calidad. [120] : 14 industrias estatales están localizadas en la región de Calcuta, las tierras altas occidentales ricas en minerales y la región del puerto de Haldia . [121] El cinturón de minas de Durgapur-Asansol alberga varias plantas de acero. [121] Las industrias manufactureras importantes incluyen: productos de ingeniería, electrónica, equipo eléctrico, cables, acero, cuero, textiles, joyería, fragatas, automóviles, vagones y vagones de ferrocarril. El centro de Durgapur ha establecido una serie de industrias en las áreas de té, azúcar, productos químicos y fertilizantes . Los recursos naturales como el té y el yute en áreas cercanas han hecho de Bengala Occidental un centro importante para las industrias del yute y del té. [122]
Años después de la independencia, Bengala Occidental depende de la ayuda del gobierno central para satisfacer sus demandas de alimentos; la producción de alimentos permaneció estancada y la revolución verde india pasó por alto al estado. Sin embargo, ha habido un aumento significativo en la producción de alimentos desde la década de 1980 y el estado ahora tiene un excedente de cereales. [123] La participación del estado en la producción industrial total en la India fue del 9,8% en 1980-1981, disminuyendo al 5% en 1997-1998. Por el contrario, el sector de servicios ha crecido a un ritmo superior al nacional. [123] de la deuda financiera total del Estado se situó en ₹ 1.918.350 millones (US $ 27 mil millones) a partir de 2011. [124]
En el período 2004–2010, la tasa de crecimiento promedio del producto interno bruto estatal (GSDP) fue del 13,9% (calculado en términos de rupias indias) inferior al 15,5%, el promedio de todos los estados del país. [120] : 4
La economía de Bengala Occidental ha sido testigo de muchos cambios de dirección sorprendentes. El sector agrícola, en particular, subió al 8,33% en 2010-11 antes de caer al -4,01% en 2012-13. [125] Muchas industrias importantes como la unidad de fabricación de automóviles Uttarpara Hindustan Motors , la industria del yute y la unidad Haldia Petrochemicals experimentaron paradas en 2014. En el mismo año, se suspendieron los planes para un proyecto de 300.000 millones de Jindal Steel. La industria del té de Bengala Occidental también ha sido testigo de cierres por razones financieras y políticas. [126] La industria del turismo de Bengala Occidental se vio afectada negativamente en 2017 debido a la agitación de Gorkhaland . [127]
Sin embargo, a lo largo de los años, debido a los cambios efectivos en la postura hacia la industrialización, la facilidad para hacer negocios ha mejorado en Bengala Occidental. [128] [129] [130] Se están tomando medidas para remediar esta situación promoviendo Bengala Occidental como destino de inversiones. Se ha construido un complejo de cuero en Calcuta. Se están planificando ciudades inteligentes cerca de Calcuta, y se avecinan importantes proyectos de carreteras para reactivar la economía. [131] Bengala Occidental ha podido atraer el 2 por ciento de la inversión extranjera directa en la última década. [132]
Transporte
El Aeropuerto Internacional Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose es un centro de vuelos desde y hacia Bangladesh, Asia Oriental, Nepal, Bután y el noreste de India.
Autopista de Durgapur
Un autobús SBSTC en Karunamoyee
Kolkata Metro , el primer sistema ferroviario de metro de la India
En 2011, la longitud total de las carreteras de superficie en Bengala Occidental superaba los 92.023 kilómetros (57.180 millas); [120] : 18 carreteras nacionales comprenden 2.578 km (1.602 millas) [133] y carreteras estatales 2.393 km (1.487 millas). [120] : 18 En 2006, la densidad de carreteras del estado era de 103,69 kilómetros por kilómetro cuadrado (166,87 millas por milla cuadrada), más alta que el promedio nacional de 74,7 km / km 2 (120,2 millas / millas cuadradas). [134]
A partir de 2011, la longitud total de la ruta ferroviaria era de alrededor de 4.481 km (2.784 millas). [120] : 20 Calcuta es la sede de tres zonas de los Ferrocarriles de la India - de trenes del Este y del Sudeste de tren y la Kolkata Metro, que es el decimoséptimo recién formado zona de los Ferrocarriles de la India. [135] [136] El Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) sirve a las partes del norte del estado. El metro de Calcuta es el primer tren subterráneo del país. [137] El ferrocarril Darjeeling Himalayan , parte de NFR, es un sitio del patrimonio mundial de la UNESCO . [138]
El Aeropuerto Internacional Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose en Dum Dum , Kolkata, es el aeropuerto más grande del estado. El aeropuerto de Bagdogra, cerca de Siliguri, es un aeropuerto de aduanas que ofrece servicio internacional a Bután y Tailandia, además del servicio doméstico regular. El aeropuerto Kazi Nazrul Islam , el primer aeropuerto del sector privado de la India, sirve a las ciudades gemelas de Asansol-Durgapur en Andal , Paschim Bardhaman . [139] [140]
Kolkata es un importante puerto fluvial del este de la India. El Kolkata Port Trust gestiona los muelles de Kolkata y Haldia . [141] Hay servicio de pasajeros a Port Blair en las islas Andaman y Nicobar . El servicio de buque de carga opera a puertos en la India y en el extranjero, operado por la Shipping Corporation of India . Los transbordadores son un medio de transporte principal en la parte sur del estado, especialmente en el área de Sundarbans. Kolkata es la única ciudad de la India que tiene tranvías como medio de transporte; estos son operados por Calcutta Tramways Company. [142]
Varias organizaciones gubernamentales operan servicios de autobús en el estado, entre ellas: la Corporación de Transporte del Estado de Calcuta, la Corporación de Transporte del Estado de Bengala del Norte , la Corporación de Transporte del Estado de Bengala del Sur , la Corporación de Transporte de Superficie de Bengala Occidental y la Compañía de Tranvías de Calcuta . [143] También existen empresas privadas de autobuses. El sistema ferroviario es un servicio nacionalizado sin inversión privada. [144] Las formas de transporte contratadas incluyen taxis con taxímetro y rickshaws automáticos , que a menudo recorren rutas específicas en las ciudades. En la mayor parte del estado, los rickshaws para bicicletas y en Calcuta, los rickshaws tirados a mano y los rickshaws eléctricos se utilizan para viajes de corta distancia. [145]
Demografía
Crecimiento de la población | |||
---|---|---|---|
Censo | Población | % ± | |
1901 | 16,940,088 | - | |
1911 | 17.998.769 | 6,2% | |
1921 | 17.474.348 | −2,9% | |
1931 | 18,897,036 | 8,1% | |
1941 | 23,229,552 | 22,9% | |
1951 | 26,300,000 | 13,2% | |
1961 | 34,926,000 | 32,8% | |
1971 | 44,312,000 | 26,9% | |
1981 | 54.581.000 | 23,2% | |
1991 | 68,078,000 | 24,7% | |
2001 | 80,176,000 | 17,8% | |
2011 | 91,276,115 | 13,8% | |
Fuente: Censo de India [147] |
Según los resultados provisionales del censo nacional de 2011, Bengala Occidental es el cuarto estado más poblado de la India con una población de 91.347.736 (el 7,55% de la población de la India). [2] Los bengalíes , que consisten en hindúes bengalíes , musulmanes bengalíes , cristianos bengalíes y unos pocos budistas bengalíes , comprenden la mayoría de la población. [148] Los hablantes de marwari , maithili y bhojpuri se encuentran dispersos por todo el estado; En la región montañosa del Himalaya de Darjeeling se pueden encontrar varias comunidades budistas étnicas indígenas como los sherpas , bhutias , lepchas , tamangs , yolmos y tibetanos étnicos . Los hablantes nativos de Magahi se encuentran en el distrito de Malda . [149] Surjapuri , un idioma considerado una mezcla de maithili y bengalí, se habla en las partes del norte del estado. [150] El distrito de Darjeeling también tiene una gran población de inmigrantes nepalíes, lo que hace que el nepalí sea un idioma muy hablado allí. Bengala Occidental también es el hogar de las tribus adivasis indígenas como: las tribus Santhal , Munda , Oraon , Bhumij , Lodha , Kol y Toto . Hay un pequeño número de minorías étnicas principalmente en la capital del estado, que incluyen: chinos , tamiles , maharashtrianos , odias , asamés , malayalis , gujaratis , angloindios, armenios , judíos , punjabis y parsis . [151] El único barrio chino de la India se encuentra en el este de Calcuta. [152]
The state's official languages are Bengali and English;[4]Nepali has additional official status in the three subdivisions of Darjeeling district.[4] In 2012, the state government passed a bill granting additional official status to Hindi, Odia, Punjabi, Santali and Urdu in areas where speakers exceed 10% of the population.[4] In 2019, another bill was passed by the government to include Kamtapuri, Kurmali and Rajbanshi as additional official languages in blocks, divisions or districts where the speakers exceed 10% of the population.[4] On 24 December 2020, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced Telugu as an additional official language.[4] As of 2001, in decreasing order of number of speakers, the languages of the state are: Bengali (85.27%), Hindi (7.17%), Santali (2.80%), Urdu (2.06%), and Nepali (1.28%).[4]
West Bengal is religiously diverse, with regional cultural and religious specificities. Although Hindus are the predominant community, the state has a large minority Muslim population. Christians, Buddhists and others form a minuscule part of the population. As of 2011, Hinduism is the most common religion, with adherents representing 70.54% of the total population.[154] Muslims, the second-largest community as well as the largest minority group, comprise 27.01% of the total population,[155] Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism and other religions make up the remainder.[156] Buddhism remains a prominent religion in the Himalayan region of the Darjeeling hills; almost the entirety of West Bengal's Buddhist population is from this region.[157] The state contributes 7.8% of India's population.[158] The Hindu population of West Bengal is 64,385,546 while the Muslim population is 24,654,825, according to the 2011 census.[159] The state's 2001–2011 decennial population growth rate was 13.93%,[2] lower than the 1991–2001 growth rate of 17.8%[2] and lower than the national rate of 17.64%.[160] The gender ratio is 947 females per 1,000 males.[160] As of 2011, West Bengal had a population density of 1,029 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,670/sq mi) making it the second-most densely populated state in India, after Bihar.[160]
The literacy rate is 77.08%, higher than the national rate of 74.04%.[161] Data from 2010 to 2014 showed the life expectancy in the state was 70.2 years, higher than the national value of 67.9.[162][163] The proportion of people living below the poverty line in 2013 was 19.98%, a decline from 31.8% a decade ago.[164] Scheduled castes and tribes form 28.6% and 5.8% of the population, respectively, in rural areas and 19.9% and 1.5%, respectively, in urban areas.[123]
In September 2017, West Bengal achieved 100% electrification, after some remote villages in the Sunderbans became the last to be electrified.[165]
As of September 2017, of 125 towns and cities in Bengal, 76 have achieved open defecation free (ODF) status. All towns in the districts of: Nadia, North 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Burdwan and East Midnapore are ODF zones, with Nadia becoming the first ODF district in the state in April 2015.[166][167]
A study conducted in three districts of West Bengal found that accessing private health services to treat illness had a catastrophic impact on households. This indicates the importance of public provision of health services to mitigate against poverty and the impact of illness on poor households.[168]
The latest Sample Registration System (SRS) statistical report shows that West Bengal has the lowest fertility rate among Indian states. West Bengal's total fertility rate was 1.6, lower than Bihar's 3.4, which is the highest in the entire country. Bengal's TFR of 1.6 roughly equals that of Canada.[169]
Cultura
Literature
The Bengali language boasts a rich literary heritage it shares with neighbouring Bangladesh. West Bengal has a long tradition of folk literature, evidenced by the Charyapada, a collection of Buddhist mystic songs dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries; Mangalkavya, a collection of Hindu narrative poetry composed around the 13th century; Shreekrishna Kirtana, a pastoral Vaishnava drama in verse composed by Boru Chandidas; Thakurmar Jhuli, a collection of Bengali folk and fairy tales compiled by Dakshinaranjan Mitra Majumder; and stories of Gopal Bhar, a court jester in medieval Bengal. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Bengali literature was modernised in the works of authors such as Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, whose works marked a departure from the traditional verse-oriented writings prevalent in that period;[172] Michael Madhusudan Dutt, a pioneer in Bengali drama who introduced the use of blank verse;[173] and Rabindranath Tagore, who reshaped Bengali literature and music. Indian art saw the introduction of Contextual Modernism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.[174] Other notable figures include Kazi Nazrul Islam, whose compositions form the avant-garde genre of Nazrul Sangeet,[175] Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, whose works on contemporary social practices in Bengal are widely acclaimed,[176] and Manik Bandyopadhyay, who is considered one of the leading lights of modern Bengali fiction.[177] In modern times, Jibanananda Das has been acknowledged as "the premier poet of the post-Tagore era in India".[178] Other writers include: Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay, best known for his work Pather Panchali; Tarashankar Bandopadhyay, well known for his portrayal of the lower strata of society;[179] Manik Bandopadhyay, a pioneering novelist; and Ashapurna Devi, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Saradindu Bandopadhyay, Buddhadeb Guha, Mahashweta Devi, Samaresh Majumdar, Sanjeev Chattopadhyay, Shakti Chattopadhyay, Buddhadeb Basu,[180] Joy Goswami and Sunil Gangopadhyay.[181][182]
Music and dance
A notable music tradition is the Baul music, practised by the Bauls, a sect of mystic minstrels.[183] Other folk music forms include Gombhira and Bhawaiya. Folk music in West Bengal is often accompanied by the ektara, a one-stringed instrument. Shyama Sangeet is a genre of devotional songs, praising the Hindu goddess Kali;[184] kirtan is devotional group songs dedicated to the god Krishna.[185] Like other states in northern India, West Bengal also has a heritage in North Indian classical music. Rabindrasangeet, songs composed and set to words by Rabindranath Tagore, and Nazrul geeti (by Kazi Nazrul Islam) are popular. Also prominent are Dwijendralal, Atulprasad and Rajanikanta's songs, and adhunik or modern music from films and other composers.[186] From the early 1990s, new genres of music have emerged, including what has been called Bengali Jeebonmukhi Gaan (a modern genre based on realism). Bengali dance forms draw from folk traditions, especially those of the tribal groups, as well as the broader Indian dance traditions. Chhau dance of Purulia is a rare form of masked dance.[187]
Films
West Bengali films are shot mostly in studios in the Kolkata neighbourhood of Tollygunge; the name "Tollywood" (similar to Hollywood and Bollywood) is derived from that name. The Bengali film industry is well known for its art films, and has produced acclaimed directors like Satyajit Ray who is widely regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century,[188] Mrinal Sen whose films were known for their artistic depiction of social reality, Tapan Sinha who was one of the most prominent Indian film directors of his time,[189] and Ritwik Ghatak. Some contemporary directors include veterans such as: Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Tarun Majumdar, Goutam Ghose, Aparna Sen, and Rituparno Ghosh, and a newer pool of directors such as Kaushik Ganguly and Srijit Mukherji.[190][191][192]
Fine arts
There are significant examples of fine arts in Bengal from earlier times, including the terracotta art of Hindu temples and the Kalighat paintings. Bengal has been in the vanguard of modernism in fine arts. Abanindranath Tagore, called the father of modern Indian art, started the Bengal School of Art, one of whose goals was to promote the development of styles of art outside the European realist tradition that had been taught in art colleges under the British colonial administration. The movement had many adherents, including: Gaganendranath Tagore, Ramkinkar Baij, Jamini Roy and Rabindranath Tagore. After Indian Independence, important groups such as the Calcutta Group and the Society of Contemporary Artists were formed in Bengal and came to dominate the art scene in India.[193][194]
Reformist heritage
The capital, Kolkata, was the workplace of several social reformers, including Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar and Swami Vivekananda. Their social reforms eventually led to a cultural atmosphere that made it possible for practices like sati, dowry, and caste-based discrimination, or untouchability, to be abolished.[195] The region was also home to several religious teachers, such as Chaitanya, Ramakrishna, Prabhupada and Paramahansa Yogananda.[195]
Cuisine
Rice and fish are traditional favourite foods, leading to a saying in Bengali, "machhe bhate bangali", that translates as "fish and rice make a Bengali".[196] Bengal's vast repertoire of fish-based dishes includes hilsa preparations, a favourite among Bengalis. There are numerous ways of cooking fish depending on its texture, size, fat content and bones.[197] Most of the people also consume eggs, chicken, mutton, and shrimp. Panta bhat (rice soaked overnight in water) with onion and green chili is a traditional dish consumed in rural areas.[198] Common spices found in a Bengali kitchen include cumin, ajmoda (radhuni), bay leaf, mustard, ginger, green chillies and turmeric.[199] Sweets occupy an important place in the diet of Bengalis and at their social ceremonies. Bengalis make distinctive sweetmeats from milk products, including Rôshogolla, Chômchôm, Kalojam and several kinds of sondesh. Pitha, a kind of sweet cake, bread, or dim sum, are specialties of the winter season. Sweets such as narkol-naru, til-naru, moa and payesh are prepared during festivals such as Lakshmi puja.[200] Popular street foods include Aloor Chop, Beguni, Kati roll, biryani, and phuchka.[201][202]
Clothing
Bengali women commonly wear the sari, often distinctly designed according to local cultural customs. In urban areas, many women and men wear western attire. Among men, western dress has greater acceptance. Particularly on cultural occasions, men also wear traditional costumes such as the panjabi with dhuti while women wear salwar kameez or sari.[203]
West Bengal produces several varieties of cotton and silk saris in the country. Handlooms are a popular way for the state's rural population to earn a living through weaving. Every district has weaving clusters, which are home to artisan communities, each specialising in specific varieties of handloom weaving. Notable handloom saris include tant, jamdani, garad, korial, baluchari, tussar and muslin.[204]
Festivals
Durga Puja is the biggest, most popular and widely celebrated festival in West Bengal.[205] The five-day-long colourful Hindu festival includes intense celebration across the state. Pandals are erected in various cities, towns, and villages throughout West Bengal. The city of Kolkata undergoes a transformation during Durga Puja. It is decked up in lighting decorations and thousands of colourful pandals are set up where effigies of the goddess Durga and her four children are displayed and worshipped. The idols of the goddess are brought in from Kumortuli, where idol-makers work throughout the year fashioning clay-models of the goddess. Since independence in 1947, Durga Puja has slowly changed into more of a glamorous carnival than a religious festival. Today people of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds partake in the festivities.[206] On Vijayadashami, the last day of the festival, the effigies are paraded through the streets with riotous pageantry before being dumped into the rivers.[207]
Rath Yatra is a Hindu festival which celebrates Jagannath, a form of Krishna. It is celebrated with much fanfare in Kolkata as well as in rural Bengal. Images of Jagannath are set upon a chariot and pulled through the streets.[208]
Other major festivals of West Bengal include: Poila Baishakh the Bengali new year, Dolyatra or Holi the festival of lights, Poush Parbon, Kali Puja, Nabadwip Shakta Rash, Saraswati Puja, Deepavali, Lakshmi Puja, Janmashtami, Jagaddhatri Puja, Vishwakarma Puja, Bhai Phonta, Rakhi Bandhan, Kalpataru Day, Shivratri, Ganesh Chathurthi, Maghotsav, Kartik Puja, Akshay Tritiya, Raas Yatra, Guru Purnima, Annapurna Puja, Charak Puja, Gajan, Buddha Purnima, Christmas, Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha and Muharram. Rabindra Jayanti, Kolkata Book Fair, Kolkata Film Festival, and Nazrul Jayanti. All are important cultural events.[208]
Eid al-Fitr is the most important Muslim festival in West Bengal. They celebrate the end of Ramadan with prayers, alms-giving, shopping, gift-giving, and feasting.[209]
Christmas, called Bôŗodin (Great day) is perhaps the next major festival celebrated in Kolkata, after Durga Puja. Just like Durga Puja, Christmas in Kolkata is an occasion when all communities and people of every religion take part. The state tourism department organises a gala Christmas Festival every year in Park Street.[210] The whole of Park Street is hung with colourful lights, and food stalls sell cakes, chocolates, Chinese cuisine, momo, and various other items. The state invites musical groups from Darjeeling and other North East India states to perform choir recitals, carols, and jazz numbers.[211] Buddha Purnima, which marks the birth of Gautama Buddha, is one of the most important Hindu/Buddhist festivals and is celebrated with much gusto in the Darjeeling hills. On this day, processions begin at the various Buddhist monasteries, or gumpas, and congregate at the Chowrasta (Darjeeling) Mall. The Lamas chant mantras and sound their bugles, and students, as well as people from every community, carry the holy books or pustaks on their heads. Besides Buddha Purnima, Dashain, or Dusshera, Holi, Diwali, Losar, Namsoong or the Lepcha New Year, and Losoong are the other major festivals of the Darjeeling Himalayan region.[209]
Poush Mela is a popular winter festival of Shantiniketan, with performances of folk music, Baul songs, dance, and theatre taking place throughout the town.[209]
Ganga Sagar Mela coincides with the Makar Sankranti, and hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims converge where the river Ganges meets the sea to bathe en masse during this fervent festival.[208]
Educación
University of Calcutta, the oldest public university of India.
The front entrance to the academic block of NUJS, Kolkata.
Prajna Bhavan, housing the School of Mathematical Sciences and School of RKMVU.
West Bengal schools are run by the state government or private organisations, including religious institutions. Instruction is mainly in English or Bengali, though Urdu is also used, especially in Central Kolkata. Secondary schools are affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), the National Institute of Open School (NIOS), West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, or the West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education.[212]
As of 2016 85% of children within the 6 to 17-year age group attend school (86% do so in urban areas and 84% in rural areas). School attendance is almost universal among the 6 to 14-year age group then drops to 70% with the 15 to 17-year age group. There is a gender disparity in school attendance in the 6 to 14-year age group, more girls than boys are attending school. In Bengal, 71% of women aged 15–49 years and 81% of men aged 15–49 years are literate. Only 14% of women aged 15–49 years in West Bengal have completed 12 or more years of schooling, compared with 22% of men. 22% of women and 14% of men age 15–49 years have never attended school.[213]
Some of the notable schools in the city are: Ramakrishna Mission Narendrapur, Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission, Sister Nivedita Girls' School, Hindu School, Hare School, La Martiniere Calcutta, Calcutta Boys' School, St. James' School (Kolkata), South Point School, St. Xavier's Collegiate School, and Loreto House, Loreto Convent, Pearl Rosary School - Serampore are some of which rank amongst the best schools in the country.[214] Many of the schools in Kolkata and Darjeeling are colonial-era establishments housed in buildings that are exemplars of neo-classical architecture. Darjeeling's schools include: St. Paul's, St. Joseph's North Point, Goethals Memorial School, and Dow Hill in Kurseong.[215]
West Bengal has eighteen universities.[216][217] Kolkata has played a pioneering role in the development of the modern education system in India. It was the gateway to the revolution of European education during the British Raj.[218] Sir William Jones established the Asiatic Society in 1794 to promote oriental studies. People such as Ram Mohan Roy, David Hare, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Alexander Duff and William Carey played leading roles in setting up modern schools and colleges in the city.[209]
The University of Calcutta, the oldest and one of the most prestigious public universities in India, has 136 affiliated colleges. Fort William College was established in 1810. The Hindu College was established in 1817. The Lady Brabourne College was established in 1939. The Scottish Church College, the oldest Christian liberal arts college in South Asia, started in 1830. The Vidyasagar College was established in 1872 and was the first purely Indian-run private college in India.[219] In 1855 the Hindu College was renamed the Presidency College.[220] The state government granted it university status in 2010 and it was renamed Presidency University. Kazi Nazrul University was established in 2012. The University of Calcutta and Jadavpur University are prestigious technical universities.[221] Visva-Bharati University at Santiniketan is a central university and an institution of national importance.[222]
Other higher education institutes of importance in West Bengal include: St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (the first IIM), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, Indian Statistical Institute, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (the first IIT), Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur (the first IIEST), Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kalyani, National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research, Kolkata, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, and West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences. In 2003 the state government supported the creation of West Bengal University of Technology, West Bengal University of Health Sciences, West Bengal State University, and Gour Banga University.[223]
Jadavpur University (Focus area—Mobile Computing and Communication and Nano-science), and the University of Calcutta (Modern Biology) are among two of the fifteen universities selected under the "University with Potential for Excellence" scheme. University of Calcutta (Focus Area—Electro-Physiological and Neuro-imaging studies including mathematical modelling) has also been selected under the "Centre with Potential for Excellence in a Particular Area" scheme.[224]
In addition, the state is home to Kalyani University, The University of Burdwan, Vidyasagar University, and North Bengal University all well as established and nationally renowned schools to cover education needs at the district level and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata. Apart from this there is a Deemed university run by the Ramakrishna mission named Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University at Belur Math.[225]
There are several research institutes in Kolkata. The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science is the first research institute in Asia. C. V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery (Raman Effect) done at the IACS. The Bose Institute, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute Durgapur, Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibers, National Institute of Research on Jute and Allied Fibre Technology, Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), Kalyani, and the Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre are the most prominent.[223]
Notable scholars who were born, worked, or studied in the geographic area of the state include physicists: Satyendra Nath Bose, Meghnad Saha,[226] and Jagadish Chandra Bose;[227] chemist Prafulla Chandra Roy;[226] statisticians Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis and Anil Kumar Gain;[226] physician Upendranath Brahmachari;[226] educator Ashutosh Mukherjee;[228] and Nobel laureates Rabindranath Tagore,[229] C. V. Raman,[227] Amartya Sen,[230] and Abhijit Banerjee[231]
Medios de comunicación
In 2005 West Bengal had 505 published newspapers,[232] of which 389 were in Bengali.[232] Ananda Bazar Patrika, published in Kolkata with 1,277,801 daily copies, has the largest circulation for a single-edition, regional language newspaper in India.[232] Other major Bengali newspapers are: Bartaman, Sangbad Pratidin, Aajkaal, Jago Bangla, Uttarbanga Sambad and Ganashakti. Major English language newspapers include The Telegraph, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, The Statesman, The Indian Express and Asian Age. Some prominent financial dailies such as: The Economic Times, Financial Express, Business Line and Business Standard are widely circulated. Vernacular newspapers such as those in Hindi, Nepali, Gujarati, Odia, Urdu and Punjabi are also read by a select readership.[233]
Doordarshan is the state-owned television broadcaster. Multi system operators provide a mix of Bengali, Nepali, Hindi, English and international channels via cable. Bengali 24-hour television news channels include ABP Ananda, News18 Bangla, Republic Bangla, Kolkata TV, News Time, Zee 24 Ghanta, TV9 Bangla, CTVN Plus and Channel 10.[234][235] All India Radio is a public radio station.[235] Private FM stations are available only in cities like Kolkata, Siliguri, and Asansol.[235] Vodafone Idea, Airtel, BSNL, Jio are available cellular phone providers. Broadband Internet is available in select towns and cities and is provided by the state-run BSNL and by other private companies. Dial-up access is provided throughout the state by BSNL and other providers.[236]
Deportes
Cricket and association football are popular sports in the state. West Bengal, unlike most other states of India, is noted for its passion and patronage of football.[237][238][239] Kolkata is one of the major centres for football in India[240] and houses top national clubs such as Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, East Bengal Club and Mohammedan Sporting Club.[241]
West Bengal has several large stadiums. Eden Gardens was one of only two 100,000-seat cricket stadiums in the world;[242] renovations before the 2011 Cricket World Cup reduced the capacity to 66,000.[243] The stadium is the home to various cricket teams such as the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Bengal cricket team and the East Zone. The 1987 Cricket World Cup final was hosted in Eden Gardens. The Calcutta Cricket and Football Club is the second-oldest cricket club in the world.[244]
Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), is a multipurpose stadium in Kolkata, with a current capacity of 85,000. It is the largest stadium in India by seating capacity.[245] Before its renovation in 2011, it was the second largest football stadium in the world, having a seating capacity of 120,000. It has hosted many national and international sporting events like the SAF Games of 1987 and the 2011 FIFA friendly football match between Argentina and Venezuela featuring Lionel Messi.[246] In 2008 legendary German goalkeeper, Oliver Kahn played his farewell match on this ground.[247] The stadium hosted the final match of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Notable sports persons from West Bengal include former Indian national cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly, Pankaj Roy, Olympic tennis bronze medallist Leander Paes and chess grand master Dibyendu Barua.[237][238][239]
Ver también
- Bangal
- Bengali Language Movement
- Ghoti people
- List of colleges and universities in West Bengal
- List of people from West Bengal
- Outline of West Bengal
- Tourist attractions in West Bengal
Notas
- ^ Nepali in two sub-divisions of Darjeeling and Kalimpong district and rest of the "additional official" languages applicable in blocks, subdivisions or districts exceeding 10% of the population.
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enlaces externos
- Official website
- West Bengal Tourism
- West Bengal at Curlie
- Geographic data related to West Bengal at OpenStreetMap
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Coordinates: 22°34′N 88°22′E / 22.567°N 88.367°E / 22.567; 88.367 (West Bengal)