Overview of the Municipality
Kharar is a small town in Ghatal subdivision in the district
of Midnapore. Kharar municipality was established in 1888. In 1884, according to
section 8 of the then Bengal Municipality Act Kharar municipality had been
established with Rayerdanga, Krishnapur, Udaygunge and Dalapatipur village under
its jurisdiction. Initially Kharar was under Arambag sub division of Hooghly
district. It came under Midnapur district in 1872. During that time Kharar had
started growing as a town. Development of Kharar was mainly attributable to the
growing brass metal industry in this locality. Later production of golden
ornaments also developed here and goldsmiths took important role in development
of the town. Due to the rapid development of these two industries population
started increasing in this area and gradually there came the need of
transforming it into a municipal area. With the recommendation of the then
administrative unit of Hooghly district Kharar became the fifth municipality of
Ghatal sub division. It is situated 15 Km north of Kharar and also 10 Km north
of Ghatal. The town Kharar is well linked with its distict head quarter
Medinipur, and also with Kolkata – the state capital, through a broad gauge
railway line from Panskura (S.E. railway) as well as through state highway N.H.
6. As it is nearer to Kolkata and has close link with it has enough scope of
future development activities.
In the beginning there were three wards and 15 commissioners
in this newly born municipality. Among the commissioners 10 were elected and the
government nominated 5. After 1918 municipal election Kharar got the right to
elect its chairman from the commissioners.
In the time of establishment the population of the locality
was only 8558. Different municipal services were also insufficient for the
citizens. But due to rapid growth and development of various cottage industry
and metal industry it remained to be an area of interest to the neighbouring
people. It was a centre of festivals, culture, business, and commerce to the
people of adjacent villages.
Climatic data:
The climate here is as that of tropical in nature. Mainly
three major seasons are visible in the town and in adjacent areas. Summer season
persists for a long time. It starts from the month of March and lasts even upto
October. However during that period the monsoon starts in the middle of July and
lasts upto October. Winter is very short here. It starts from December and ends
in February.
During summer mean average day temperature rises maximum upto
38oC. During winter, mean average night temperature stands near 13oC.
Rainfall is appreciable good. Total yearly rainfall remains between 145 cm to
155 cm.
Soil and ground:
Mostly gangetic alluvial soil is found in this region.
Economic Base including Major Establishments:
As stated earlier Kharar is a semi urban settlement, there is
sill strong impact of agriculture on the economy of this place. The town is
surrounded by fairly good quality of agricultural land which produces paddy,
jute, muster seed, green vegetables, and potato etc. A good number of people are
engaged in this profession. There is a scope for development of Ago – based
industry.
Industry is not very prospective in this locality. The
traditional brass metal industry is suffering from recession.
Places of interest:
Kharar town is situated between Jodupur village in the east
and Bir Singha village in the west where poet Rameswar Bhattacharya and great
educationalist and social reformer Sri Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar were born
respectively. There are Kharar Shishu Udyan, Palpukur mandir, Shilpukur
Mahaprabhu Mandir, Majhider Terracotta Mandir, Terochura Mandir and Barbaritala
which are places of interest for the local people.
Arts/Crafts:
Brass metal is one famous craft of this area. Once this place
was famous for its brass metal industry. Side by side, gold craft also
flourished at that time.
