Ausgram

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Ausgram | type = city | latd =23.53 | longd =87.67
locator_position = right | state_name = West Bengal
district = Bardhaman
leader_title = MLA
leader_name = Kartick Chandra Bag
altitude =
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 243113| population_density =
area_magnitude=
area_total = 518.4
area_telephone =91 3452
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website = bardhaman.gov.in/
footnotes = CD Block

Ausgram ( _bn. আউসগ্রাম) is a town, a police station and a community development block in the Sadar Subdivision of Bardhaman District in West Bengal, India.

Geography

Ausgram is located at 23.53 N 87.67 E. It has an altitude of 40 metres. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/28/Ausgram.html Falling Rain Genomics – Ausgram] ]

The uneven laterite territory in the western part of Bardhaman district extends up to Ausgram and then the alluvial flood plains commence. [ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, "Bardhaman Jelar Itihas O Lok Sanskriti" (History and Folk lore of Bardhaman District.), Bn icon, Vol I, p18,28, Radical Impression. ISBN 81-85459-36-3 ] The entire Durgapur-Kanksa-Faridpur-Ausgram area was densely forested even in more recent times. The influx of refugees from East Pakistan and their rehabilitation in the area, and irrigation facilities extended by Damodar Valley Corporation led to destruction of much of the forests in the area, but some still remain. [ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p38, 542 ]

History

Pandu Rajar Dhibi

In 1962, excavation were initiated at Rajpotadanga village, near the southern bank of the Ajay River in the area and it was extended in 1965. The excavations have revealed the traces of a 3,500 year-old civilisation similar to that of Harappa-Mohenjo-daro. There also are indications of links with the Minoan civilization of Crete. [ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, pp125-130 ] The excavated items have been added to the collection of the State Archaeological Gallery.

Further excavations were carried out in 1985 by the state department of archaeology. The main mound at Pandu Rajar Dhibi is associated with King Pandu mentioned in Mahabharata. The 1985 excavation has clearly shown that there were six periods of occupation at the sites. There were two main periods – the Chalcolithic period around 1600 BC – 750 BC, and the Iron Age. The excavation at Pandu Rajar Dhibi has provided evidence for the gradual growth of a Chalcolithic culture and its displacement by iron-using people. [ [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/P_0067.htm Banglapaedia] ]

Medieval history

The area between the Damodar and Ajay was known as Gopbhum, where the Sadgope kings ruled for many centuries, prior to the advent of the Muslims. The Sur kings also occupy a somewhat mythical position in the region. Adi Sur of this dynasty is credited with having brought the five Brahmins and Kayasthas (two important upper castes in Bengal) from Kannauj in what is now Uttar Pradesh. [ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, pp 150-151 ]

In the 18th century the area faced massive attacks of the Maratha (Bargi) warriors. [ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, pp209, 292-293 ]

Administrative set ups

In 1846, when Bud Bud subdivision was created, Ausgram was one of the three thanas or police stations, the other two being Bud Bud and Sonamukhi. In Peterson’s District Gazeteer of 1910, Ausgram is mentioned as one of the police stations of Bardhaman subdivision. [ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p369 ]

Movements

This being a canal-irrigated area had faced agitations against the imposition of taxes for canal water. [ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p472 ]

Damage to embankments of the Ajay and consequent flooding was a regular problem in the Ausgram and Mangalkot area. The devastating flood of 1943 caused immense suffering and lead to a mass movement for restoration/ repair of the embankments. A massive meeting was organised at Guskara in 1944, with Uday Chand Mahtab, Maharaja of Bardhaman. However, the government did not take any action,. Ultimately, the Communist Party, which had been at the forefront of agitations for some years, provided a huge work force for the purpose and completed the repair work. It laid the foundation for the party’s popularity in the area. [ Chattopadhyay, Akkori, p482 ]

Demographics

Ausgram has been divided into two community development blocks. The Block Development Officer of Ausgram I is located at Guskara and that of Ausgram II at Amragarh.

Ausgram – I

Ausgram – I CD Block has an area of 164.4 km². It has a population of 106,850, of which 54,675 are males and 52,175 are females. Density of population is 650 persons per km². Scheduled castes number 31,666 and Scheduled tribes number 12,025. Hindus form 78.99% of the population and Muslims 20.36% in both the blocks together. [ [http://bardhaman.nic.in/blocks/ausgram_i.htm District Administration web site] ]

Ausgram – II

Ausgram II CD Block has an area of 354 km². It has a population of 136,263, of which 69,948 are males and 66,315 are females. Density of population is 385 persons per km². Scheduled caste number 57,197 and scheduled tribes 16,574. Hindus form 78.99% of the population and Muslims 20.36% in both the blocks together. [ [http://bardhaman.nic.in/blocks/ausgram_ii.htm District Administration web site] ]

Health

Ausgram I CD Block is one of the areas of Bardhaman district which is affected by arsenic contamination of ground water. [ [http://www.soesju.org/arsenic/wb7.htm Arsenic contamination] ]

Politics

Kartick Chandra Bag of CPI (M) won the Ausgram (SC) assembly seat in 2006, 2001 and 1996, defeating his nearest rivals Chhaya Chowdhuri of AITC, Sukumar Mondal of AITC and Sukumar Saha of INC, in the respective years. Sreedhar Malik of CPI (M) won the seat in 1991, 1987, 1982 and 1977, defeating his nearest rivals, Chhaya Rani Chowdhury of INC, Biswambhar Mondal of INC, Chanchal Kumar Modal of INC and Madan Lohar of JNP, in the respective years. [ [http://archive.eci.gov.in/ElectionAnalysis/AE/S25/Partycomp267.htm Election Commission] State Assembly Elections 1977-2006 ]

Sridhar Malik of CPI (M) won the seat in 1972 and 1971. [ [http://www.eci.gov.in/StatisticalReports/SE_1972/StatReport_WB_72.pdf Assembly elections 1972] ] [ [http://www.eci.gov.in/SR_KeyHighLights/SE_1971/StatReport_WB_71.pdf Assembly elections 1971] ] Krishna Chandra Halder won it 1969 and 1967. [ [http://www.eci.gov.in/StatisticalReports/SE_1969/StatReport_WB_69.pdf Assembly elections 1969] ] [ [http://www.eci.gov.in/SR_KeyHighLights/SE_1967/Statistical_report_WB1967.pdf Assembly elections 1967] ] In 1962, it was won by Kanai Lal Das of INC. [ [http://www.eci.gov.in/SR_KeyHighLights/SE_1962/StatRep_WB_1962.pdf Assembly elections 1962] ] In 1957, the first year when this constituency was formed, it had two seats, one general and the other reserved for SC. From 1962, it became a constituency reserved for SC. In 1957, the winners were Ananda Gopal Mukherjee and Kanai Lal Das both of INC. [ [http://www.eci.gov.in/SR_KeyHighLights/SE_1957/StatRep_WB_1957.pdf Assembly elections 1957] ]

Ausgram is part of Bolpur (Lok Sabha constituency). [cite web
url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S25/WB_ACPC.pdf
title = General election to the Legislative Assembly, 2001 – List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies | accessdate = 2007-09-19 | last = | first = | work = West Bengal | publisher = Election Commission of India]

Art

The area is renowned for its dokra art castings. [ [http://www.infobanc.com/dokra.htm Dokra Art] ] In particular, Dariapur village in the area is famous for its dokra metal craft. [cite web | url = http://www.bharatheritage.in/west-bengal/traditional_crafts.htm
title = West Bengal – Traditional Crafts | accessdate = 2007-09-09 | last = | first = | work = Dokra| publisher = Bharat Heritage]

External links

* [http://bardhaman.gov.in/blocks/blocks.htm District map showing blocks]
* [http://www.bardhaman.com/bigmap.htm Map of Bardhaman district]

References

ee also