04-05-2025
Bhagalpur celebrates 252nd foundation day with pride
Bhagalpur: At a glittering ceremony in Town Hall, district officials and public representatives celebrated Bhagalpur's 252nd foundation day on Sunday, highlighting its historic and strategic significance.
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Established on May 4, 1773 by the British East India Company, Bhagalpur gained administrative prominence when James Barton was appointed supervisor. The historic Tilha Kothi, later known as Cleveland House, became the region's administrative hub under Fort William, Kolkata.
Due to its strategic location along the Ganga and proximity to Kolkata, Bhagalpur was declared a collectorate district in 1779. Augustus Cleveland was appointed its first collector.
The city later welcomed Warren Hastings, then de facto Governor General of India and Lady Hastings on July 16, 1780.
Now a divisional headquarters, Bhagalpur comprises three sub-divisions – Naugachia, Bhagalpur Sadar, and Kahalgaon. It has 16 blocks, 1,515 villages and a population exceeding 3 million.
Speaking at the event, DM Nawal Kishor Choudhary lauded Bhagalpur's cultural richness and reputation as '
Silk City
'.
He highlighted its GI-tagged produce –
Jardalu mango
, Katarni rice, Manjusha art – and key landmarks such as Vikramshila Mahavihara, Burhanath Temple, Khanqah-e-Shahbazia and the Dolphin Sanctuary.
He urged citizens to join hands in transforming Bhagalpur into a leading centre for education, business, tourism and urban development under the Smart City Mission.
Speakers included MP Ajay Kumar Mandal, SSP Hriday Kant, DDC Pradeep Singh, BMC commissioner Preeti, mayor Vasundhara Lal and city SP Shubhank Mishra.
Cultural programmes marked the daylong celebrations.
