Kharar is a historical town of Ghatal and one of the oldest town in Asia. This city is located in the Ghatal Subdivision of the Indian state of West Bengal. Earlier this town was part of Hooghly District later it was merged with Medinipur district.

History

In 1884, according to section 8 of the then Bengal Municipality Act Kharar municipality had been established with Rayerdanga, Krishnapur, Udaygunge and Dalapatipur village under its jurisdiction. Initially Kharar was under Arambagh subdivision of Hooghly district. Later it was transferred to Ghatal subdivision of Paschim Medinipur

Geography

Location

Kharar is located at 22.7°N, 87.68°W.

Area overview

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, scholar, social reformer and a key figure of the Bengal Renaissance, was born at Birsingha on 26 September 1820. Ghatal subdivision, shown in the map alongside, has alluvial soils. Around 85% of the total cultivated area is cropped more than once. It has a density of population of 1,099 per km2, but being a small subdivision only a little over a fifth of the people in the district reside in this subdivision. 14.33% of the population lives in urban areas and 86.67% lives in the rural areas. Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

Economy

In ancient times, this area was known for its brass and bell utensils and as goldsmiths. The principal crops are paddy and potato. Kharar, along with the neighbouring areas and neighbouring cities like Ghatal, Chandrakona and Ramjibanpur are known for the manufacture of brass and bell metal.

Administration

Kharar is administered by the Kharar Municipality. Kharar municipality was established in 1888. The Kharar city is divided into 10 wards for which elections are held every 5 years.

Demographics

As per 2011 Census of India, Kharar had a total population of 12,118 of which 6,124 (51%) were males and 5,994 (49%) were females. Population in the age range 0–6 years was 1,167. The total number of literate persons in Kharar was 9,364 (85.51% of the population over 6 years). India census, Kharar had a population of 11,580. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Kharar has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 67%. In Kharar, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Education

There are two high school and more than ten primary schools in Kharar. The name of the high schools are - 1. Kharar Sri Aurobindo Vidyamandir. 2. Kharar S.K.H.Hait Balika Vidyalaya. Ghatal Satabarsiki Mahavidyalaya and Chandrakona Vidyasagar Mahavidyalaya are two nearest college of Kharar.

Culture

David J. McCutchion mentions:

Kharar picture gallery