Hooghly District with its headquarter at Chinsurah is within the Burdwan subdivision of West Bengal. In Bipradash Piplai`s "Manasamangal" and in the Muslim account Ain -I -Akbari the name of the place has been mentioned for several times, which indicates that the name "Hooghly"does not have foreign origin. As far as the history concerns, the district derived its name from "Hogla", a tall reed grows along the banks of the river and the marshy lowland.
History of Hooghly District
Hooghly District had been colonized by different civilization from the pre historic times. However the history of the region was recorded from the time it existed to be the kingdom of the Suhmas, a valiant tribe who were the juxtaposition of the Angas, Vangas and Pundras. In Mahabharata, mention of these tribes has been made. The reference of the Suhmas in Mahabhasya of the 2nd century B.C clearly designates the existence of the region in the 2nd century B.C. In the medieval times, after the Battle of Plassey, when Mir Kasim, according to an agreement donated the zamindari areas of Burdwan, Midnapore and Chittagong to the British East India Company, the English rose into power. Having all the Zamindari areas of Bengal in clutch, it became somewhat effortless for the British to establish their political hold. The British, with the aim to install a firm hold, drive away the other races, formerly controlling Bengal. Consequently the areas around the Hooghly district, which was once used to be a transaction seat for the Portuguese and the Dutch, continued to exist within the territory of the British.
Demography of Hooghly District
Hooghly District had population of 5,519,145 of which male and female were 2,814,653 and 2,704,492 respectively. Hooghly District population constituted 6.05 percent of total Maharashtra population. There was change of 9.46 percent in the population compared to population as per 2001. In the previous census of India 2001, Hugli District recorded increase of 15.77 percent to its population compared to 1991. The population density of Hugli district for 2011 is 1,753 people per sq. km. In 2001, Hooghly District density was at 1,601 people per sq. km. Hooghly District administers 3,149 square kilometres of areas. The average literacy rate of Hugli in 2011 was 81.80 compared to 75.11 of 2001. If things are looked out at gender wise, male and female literacy were 87.03 and 76.36 respectively. Total literate in Hugli District were 4,078,388 of which male and female were 2,211,777 and 1,866,611 respectively. In 2001, Hugli District had 3,333,988 in its district. The language of the majority is not proper Bengali, rather the dialect is here known as metropolitan Bengali. Along the western tract of the Darakeswar River, the language is somewhat an amalgamation of the dialect of Bankura and the Rari of Bardhaman. A limited amount of natives mainly in the Arambagh subdivision speak Hindi and Urdu. In the interior parts, Santali spoken communities are also found.
Education of Hooghly District
The economically developed district has an unyielding foundation of education since the dawn of history. In ancient times, Sanskrit was the most prominent subject and it was obligatory to know Sanskrit .To teach the language once there was a profusion of "tolls", generally known as "Chatuspathi". In the primitive days, when there was no well- built school building, students came to the "tolls" to have their education. Therefore the development of education in the district is not a sudden outcome. Presently the district, Hooghly shares a prominent place in the field of education in the state. There are about 2993 primary schools and 548 secondary schools, 139 higher secondary schools and madrashas all over the district. Several steps had been implemented to set up schools in the villages in order to wipe out illiteracy from the district. Apart from the Government undertaking schools, some private concerns and religious institutions have also come up and put up several convents, which has been, directly affiliated to the I.C.S.E and C.B.S.E. In Hooghly, there are 2 general colleges, offering the courses of B.A, B.S.C and B.Com, of which mention may be made of Hooghly Mohsin College at Chinsurah and Serampore College at Serampore. Due to the escalating prosperity of the software firms in the region, the demand of the IT trainers are being increasing. Hence the need of technical and vocational training has been emphasized. There is presently one engineering college providing degree courses and 4 Engineering colleges providing diploma courses. However some teacher`s training institutions have been booming up in Hooghly to supplement the need of the teachers for the schools. Presently some NGO`s have become active enough to propagate education among the backward classes. The scenario of education has been gradually changing with the economic situation of the district.
Culture of Hoogly District
The district of Hooghly offers a rich cultural heritage since the prehistoric times. The region of Hooghly existed even when there was no separate state called West Bengal. The region, as has been inhabited by several generations for years, it inherited a diversified cultural heritage. However the cultural tradition in Hooghly mainly follows the Hindu custom. The Jagadhatri Puja is the principal festival here, which was even elevated to the status of Durga Puja in Kolkata, clearly represents the Hindu custom here. The uniqueness of this Puja is the height of the idol and intricate and attractive lightings. Makar Sankranti was another festival of equal importance. It was the traditional beliefs that the prayers of those are fulfilled who take dip in the Tribeni Sangam. Mahesh is the principal fair held on the occasion of "Ratha Yatra". Printing Machine was first established in the district in the year of 1778 and the first Bengali book (Bengali version of A Grammar of the Bengali Language) was printed here. Thus the district is the onlooker of many first establishments, hence historically significant. Moreover the buildings of Hooghly are the lively embodiments of the ancient culture and tradition.
Thus Hooghly is just after Bardhaman, which is economically and culturally affluent with a strong base of education.
Tourism of Hooghly District
Tourism of Hooghly District deals with the tourist spots like Bandel Church, Kamarpukur, Debanandapur, Hangseswari Tample, Nritya Gopal Smriti Mandir, Suakhal and Moyur Mahal, Jafarganj Cemetery, Buddha Temple of Deulpara, Chandernagore Church, Underground House, Nandadulal temple and many others
