Perhaps North 24 Parganas’s story began long before it was known by that name. Imagine stepping back to the Mughal era. The territory now known as North 24 Parganas was under the Satgaon administration. Later it became part of Hoogly chakla during Murshid Quli Khan’s rule.
In 1757 after the Battle of Plassey, Mir Jafar gave the British East India Company the Zamindari of 24 parganas and janglimahals. These included Akbarpur, Amirpur, and Calcutta. Since then, this entire territory has been known as ’24 Parganas’.
In 1759 the Company assigned it to Lord Clive. After his death it returned to the company’s authority. Lord Cornwallis oversaw the inclusion of the entire Sunderbans within Twentyfour Parganas in 1793. Some western banks of the Hoogly River were added in 1802.
A separate collectorate was established in Twenty-four Parganas in 1814. Falta and Baranagar were added in 1817. Parts of Nadia joined in 1820. In 1824 portions of Barasat and Khulna were included. That same year the headquarters shifted to Baruipur. It was later moved to Alipore in 1828.
In 1905 part of the district around the Sunderbans was detached. It was linked to Khulna and Barisal. After the 1947 partition Jessore’s Bangaon joined Twentyfour Parganas.
But the story of North 24 Parganas doesn’t end there. An administrative reform led to the district splitting in 1986. North 24 Parganas was formed with five subdivisions. These were Barasat Sadar, Barrackpore, Basirhat, Bangaon, and Bidhannagar.
North 24 Parganas lies within the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta. The Hooghly River flows along its western border. Other rivers include the Ichhamati, Jamuna, and Bidyadhari. Agriculture and fishing are main occupations here. The IT hub of Kolkata is in this district. Many companies have offices in Sector V. Salt Lake City employs around 3.5 lakh people.
North 24 Parganas is rich in culture. Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Baranagar Math are located here. Habra and Barasat are famous for Kali Puja. Basirhat and Gobardanga are known for Durga Puja.
The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is in Dum Dum. It is the only airport serving Kolkata. State highways provide convenient transport. NH 12 connects the district with northern and southern regions.
In 2011 the population was over 10 million. The literacy rate is high at 84.95%. Hinduism is the main religion in the district. Bengali is the primary language.
North 24 Parganas is home to the Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary. This district has a long and vibrant history evident. From Mughal rule to its modern-day importance. North 24 Parganas continues to evolve.