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Friday, June 27, 2008

Churulia: a handbook

Churulia
History
It is the birthplace of Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, and the resting place of his wife Pramila Devi. Many of the manuscripts, medallions and other belongings of the poet are preserved at Nazrul Academy in the village. Nearby, there is a college bearing the poet's name. A weeklong festival is held every year to celebrate the poet's birth anniversary. It is attended by leading cultural and literary figures from both India and Bangladesh. Nazrul Academy was established in 1958.[2] It is believed that there was a fort at Churulia in olden days. It fell to Sher Khan, the Afghan chieftain in the 16th century.[3] A mound in the village is believed to contain the ruins of the fort. During the Muslim rule a mosque was built at Churulia. It is a good example of Islamic architecture.[4]

Geography
coor title dm2347N8705Eregion:IN_type:city Churulia is located on the south bank of Ajay River, about 15 km from Asansol The Asansol-Durgapur region is composed of undulating latterite region. This area lies between two mighty rivers – the Damodar and the Ajay. They flow almost parallel to each other in the region – the average distance between the two rivers is around 30 km. For ages the area was heavily forested and infested with plunderers and marauders. The discovery of coal led to industrialisation of the area and most of the forests have been cleared.[5]

Economy
Churulia is in the heart of coal mining territory,[6]

Transport
There are two minibus routes serving Churulia – one from Churulia to Asansol via Kalla and Domahani, and other from Churulia (Ajay Ghat) to Chittaranjan via Asansol and Chandrachur.[7]

External links
Satellite view

References
^ Villages in Bardhaman District
^ The Statesman 8 February 2007
^ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti (History and Folk lore of Bardhaman District.), (Bengali) , Vol I, p 181, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3
^ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p 249
^ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, pp 14-15
^ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p 48

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