Brief History of Bengal and Kolkata

Fortified by mighty Himalayas in the north and fondled by the majestic Bay of Bengal in the south, Bengal or West Bengal with its rich history epitomizes a unique cultural heritage adored by all worldwide. In 300 BC, the famous Greek traveler Megasthenes referred to Bengal as ‘Gangaridai’ in his book Indica. A lot of water has flown through the river of Ganges and Hooghly after that. Bengal has not only been instrumental to shaping the history of India including its formidable contribution to the Indian independence movement but also has served as a historic melting point over its phenomenal civilized history of more than four millennia by fusing the indigenous culture with the pluralistic customs, values, and beliefs brought by numerous invasions, kingdoms, and dynasties including Gauda and Mallabhum kingdoms; Chola, Chalukya, and Chandra dynasties; the Mughal invasions; and the establishment of English trade and British rule  in Bengal. The discovery of the nearby Chandraketugarh an archaeological site has proved that people have lived there for over two millennia. The history of Kolkata begins when the English East India Company arrived in 1690. Job Charnock, an administrator with the Company is traditionally known as the founder of this city. However some academics say that Charnock is not the city's founder. At that time Kolkata, ruled by the Nawab of Bengal Siraj-Ud-Daulah, had three villages. They were Kalikata, Govindapur and Sutanuti.

Kolkata formerly known as Calcutta situated on the east bank of river Hooghly was the first British stronghold and the capital of British India until 1911. Since then, Kolkata has remained as the capital of Bengal and continued to play a distinguished role in the cultural, political, and intellectual activities of India.  It is the financial and commercial hub of eastern India. The city popularly known as the ‘City of Joy’ has its own aroma of exquisite cultural and intellectual legacy.

The origin of the community Puja can be credited to the twelve friends of Guptipara in Hoogly, West Bengal, who collaborated and collected contributions from local residents to conduct the first community Puja called the ‘baro-yaari’ Puja or the ‘twelve-pal’ Puja in 1790. The baro-yaari Puja was brought to Kolkata in 1832 by Raja Harinath of Cossimbazar, who performed the Durga Puja at his ancestral home in Murshidabad from 1824 to 1831.

The baro-yaari Puja gave way to the Sarbajanin or community Puja in 1910, when the Sanatan Dharmotsahini Sabha organized the first truly community Puja in Bagbazar in Kolkata with full public contribution, public control and public participation.