Mekhliganj

Mekhliganj is a city and a municipality in Cooch Behar district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarters of the Mekhliganj subdivision. Earlier it was a Zamindari divided mainly in 3 parts under the Cooch Behar Kingdom. Sikarwar Rajputs, the trading clan along with other local clans started the process of rehabilitation in Mekliganj. It is said that the elephant in the Royal Symbol of Koch Kingdom, was a gift from the Sikarwar Rajputs to the Koch King, Shri Shri Maharaja Shivendra Narayan, in return of fertile land near the Teesta River and 2 Rupees as nazrana. Later the Rajputs established Chattradhari Estate here. After the succession by Shri Shri Maharaja Narendra Narayan named this place to Mekhliganj, a place where 'Mekhla' (born as Simha) also (people from Narmada) people stays.

Mekhliganj
City
SDO Office, Mekhliganj
Mekhliganj Location in West Bengal, India Show map of West Bengal Mekhliganj Mekhliganj (India) Show map of India Mekhliganj Mekhliganj (Asia) Show map of Asia
Coordinates: 26.35°N 88.92°E / 26.35; 88.92
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District	Cooch Behar
Government
• Type	Municipality
• Body	Mekhliganj Municipality
Area [1]
• Total	3.88 km2 (1.50 sq mi)
Elevation	58 m (190 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	9,217
• Density	2,400/km2 (6,200/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Bengali[2][3]
• Additional official	English[2]
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Lok Sabha constituency	Jalpaiguri
Vidhan Sabha constituency	Mekliganj
Website	coochbehar.nic.in

Geography

8km
5miles

B

A

N

G

L

A

D

E

S

H

Jaldhaka River

Teesta River

Sitai

R

Kuchlibari

R

Sitalkuchi

R

Sikarpur

R

Nishiganj

R

Matiar Kuthi

R

Ghoksadanga

R

Changrabandha
Check-point

CT

Mekhliganj

M

Haldibari

M

Mathabhanga

M

  

Places in the Mathabhanga, Mekhliganj subdivisions and Sitai CD block of Dinhata subdivision in Cooch Behar district
CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, M: Municipal town
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly

Location

Mekliganj is at 26.35°N 88.92°E / 26.35; 88.92. It adjoins the boundary of Teesta River.^[4] It has an average elevation of 58 m (190 ft). Also it is situated very near to Saniajan River

According to the District Census Handbook 2011, Koch Bihar, Mekliganj covered an area of 3.88 km².^[5]

Area overview

The map alongside shows the western part of the district. In Mekhliganj subdivision, 9.91% of the population lives in the urban areas and 90.09% in the rural areas. In Mathabhanga subdivision 3.67% of the population, the lowest in the district, lives in the urban areas and 96.35% lives in the rural areas.^[6] The entire district forms the flat alluvial flood plains of mighty rivers.^[7]

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivisions. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full-screen map.

Demographics

As per 2011 Census of India Mekliganj had a total population of 9,217 of which 4,664 (51%) were males and 4,463 (49%) were females. Population in the age range 0–6 years was 1,098. The total number of literate persons in Mekliganj was 6,009 (74.84% of the population over 6 years).^[8]

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[9] Mekliganj had a population of 10,833. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Mekliganj has an average literacy rate of 61%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 68%, and female literacy is 53%. In Mekliganj, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Civic administration

Police station

Mekhliganj police station has jurisdiction over Mekhligaganj municipal area and a part of Mekhliganj CD block.^[10][11]

Education

Founded in 1996, Mekliganj College is an undergraduate college situated at Mekhliganj.

Healthcare

Mekhliganj Subdivional Hospital, with 120 beds, functions at Mekhliganj.^[12]

References

1. "Mekhliganj City". sudawb.org. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
2. "Fact and Figures". www.wb.gov.in. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
3. "52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India" (PDF). nclm.nic.in. Ministry of Minority Affairs. p. 85. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
4. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Mekliganj
5. "District Census Handbook Koch Bihar, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A" (PDF). Section II Town Directory, Pages 593-594 : Statement I: Status and Growth History, Page 595. Directorate of Census Operations V, West Bengal. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
6. "District Statistical Handbook 2013 Cooch Behar". Tables 2.2, 2.4b. Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
7. "District Census Handbook, Koch Bihar, Series 20, Part XIIA" (PDF). Census of India 2011, pages 17-21 Physical feafures. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
8. "2011 Census – Primary Census Abstract Data Tables". West Bengal – District-wise. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
9. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
10. "District Statistical Handbook 2013 Cooch Behar". Tables 2.1. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
11. "Police Stations under Cooch Behar district". Cooch Behar Police. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
12. "Health & Family Welfare Department" (PDF). Health Statistics - Hospitals. Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 2 August 2020.