View source for Basirhat

{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Basirhat
| other_name         = 
| settlement_type    = City
| nickname           = 
| image_skyline      = Aerial view of Basirhat, West Bengal.jpg
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = Aerial view of Basirhat, intricating the urban morphology.
| pushpin_map        = India West Bengal#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India
| coordinates        = {{coord|22|39|40|N|88|51|58|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[West Bengal]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[North 24 Parganas district|North 24 Parganas]]
| established_title  = <!-- Established -->
| established_date   = 
| founder            = [[East India Company]]
| named_for          = 
| government_type    = [[Municipal Corporations in India|Municipality]]
| governing_body     = Basirhat Municipality
| leader_title       = Municipality Chairman
| leader_name        = Aditi Roychowdhury Mitra<ref name="Basirhatmunicipaladministration">{{cite web
 | title = Contact Us – Basirhat Municipality
 | url = https://basirhatmunicipality.in/contact-us/
 | publisher = Basirhat Municipality
 | access-date = 10 June 2025
}}</ref>
| unit_pref          = Metric
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{cite web|title=Basirhat Municipality|url=http://www.basirhatmunicipality.in/chairperson_desk.php?id=8}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 22.50
| area_rank          = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 6
| population_total   = 125254<ref>{{cite web |title=Basirhat Urban Agglomeration Population Census 2011-2024 |url=https://www.census2011.co.in/census/metropolitan/204-basirhat.html |publisher=Census2011.co.in |access-date=14 March 2025}}</ref>
| population_as_of   = 2011
| population_footnotes = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank    = 
| population_demonym = 
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1          = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1        = +5:30
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code        = 743411,<ref>{{cite web |title=Basirhat Post Office, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal - 743411 |url=https://pincode.india-server.com/postoffice/basirhat-743411/ |website=India Server |access-date=23 February 2025}}</ref> 743412,<ref>{{cite web |title=Basirhat RS Post Office, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal - 743412 |url=https://pincode.india-server.com/postoffice/basirhat-rs-743412/ |website=India Server |access-date=23 February 2025}}</ref> 743422<ref>{{cite web |title=Bhabla Post Office, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal - 743422 |url=https://pincode.india-server.com/postoffice/bhabla-743422/ |website=India Server |access-date=23 February 2025}}</ref>
| area_code          = 3217<ref>{{cite web |title=North 24 Parganas Area Codes |url=https://ind.areacodebase.com/taxonomy/term/1639?page=1 |website=Area Code Base |access-date=23 February 2025}}</ref>
| registration_plate = WB-21
| blank1_name_sec1   = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1   = [[Basirhat (Lok Sabha constituency)|Basirhat]]
| footnotes          = 
| demographics1_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[English language|English]]
| blank2_name_sec1   = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1   = [[Basirhat Dakshin (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Basirhat Dakshin]], [[Basirhat Uttar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Basirhat Uttar]]
| website            = https://basirhatmunicipality.in
}}
'''Basirhat''' is a city and a municipal urban region of [[North 24 Parganas district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[West Bengal]].<ref>{{cite web |title=West Bengal Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Department |url=https://www.wburbanservices.gov.in/ |publisher=Government of West Bengal |access-date=14 March 2025}}</ref> It is the headquarters of the [[Basirhat subdivision]]. Established on April 1, 1869, Basirhat is one of the oldest municipal boards in West Bengal.<ref name="BasirhatMunicipality">[https://basirhatmunicipality.in/history/ Basirhat Municipality - History]. Basirhat Municipality official website. Retrieved May 2025.</ref> There's a proposal to carve out a new [[Basirhat district]] from the existing North 24 Parganas district. The district headquarters is planned to be in the city of Basirhat.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sunderbans, Basirhat; two new districts on anvil |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/sunderbans-basirhat-two-new-districts-anvil-1502842769.html |publisher=The Statesman |date=8 January 2020 |access-date=14 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108000000/https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/sunderbans-basirhat-two-new-districts-anvil-1502842769.html |archive-date=8 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mamata Banerjee To Announce 2 New Districts In West Bengal: Report |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-to-announce-2-new-districts-in-west-bengal-report-3559700 |publisher=NDTV |date=28 November 2022 |access-date=14 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128000000/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-to-announce-2-new-districts-in-west-bengal-report-3559700 |archive-date=28 November 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mamata Banerjee Likely To Officially Announce 2 New Districts On Tuesday |url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/mamata-banerjee-likely-to-officially-announce-2-new-districts-on-tuesday/articleshow/95821821.cms |publisher=The Economic Times |date=28 November 2022 |access-date=14 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128000000/https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/mamata-banerjee-likely-to-officially-announce-2-new-districts-on-tuesday/articleshow/95821821.cms |archive-date=28 November 2022}}</ref>

==Etymology==
According to Dr. [[Sukumar Sen (linguist)]], Basirhat is named after a person named ‘Basi’. Referring to Bengali Dictionary, the word Basi means-Indriya Basban ''(ইন্দ্রিয় বসবান)'', Jitendriya ''(জিতেন্দ্রিয়)'', Apradhin ''(অপরাজেয়)'', Sadhin ''(স্বাধীন)'', and Swatantra ''(স্বতন্ত্র)''. From this it may be concluded that Basirhat was an independent tax-free business centre. Like present day’s Free Business Centres. 

The sources which are considered till now behind the naming of Basirhat are as follows:

•''Basurhat'' – market for various items.

•''Banserhat'' – market for buying and selling bamboos.

•''Bastirhat'' – low land market.

There is a lot of controversy and debate regarding the naming of “Basirhat”. But all explanations are satisfying and are causally related in some or other way.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=History
 |website=Basirhat Municipality
 |url=https://basirhatmunicipality.in/history/
 |date=2018-03-01
 |access-date=2025-02-21
 |language=en
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |title=বসিরহাট নামকরণের ইতিহাস জানুন
 |website=News18 Bengali
 |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/south-bengal/know-the-naming-history-of-basirhat-city-sup-l18-1696321.html
 |date=2024-06-06
 |access-date=2025-02-21
 |language=bn
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |title=জানেন কি উত্তর ২৪ পরগনা জেলার এই শহরের নাম বসিরহাট কেন? রয়েছে এক অদ্ভুত কারণ
 |website=News18 Bengali
 |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/south-bengal/bangla-news-history-of-basirhat-name-of-north-24-parganas-l18-rc-1258515.html
 |date=2023-08-30
 |access-date=2025-02-21
 |language=bn
}}</ref>

==History==
According to different historians, there are various sources of the name of Basirhat.  At the time of formation of the sub-division, the place of administrative work was Bagundi village in present Soladana on the banks of Ichamati river.  Bagundi was chosen by the [[East India Company]] as the center of the salt trade and the 'Salt Superintendent' office was established there.  Salt was made from the saline water of Ichamati.  Because of that, during the British period, salt balls were made in different villages of Basirhat along the Ichamati river.  Basirhat city was a trading center for salt. In 1822, Prince [[Dwarkanath Tagore]] became the 'Nimki Dewan' or Serestadar.  Dwarkanath used to come to Bagundi from [[Baranagar]] Ghat in Calcutta by way of Ichamati River.  Taki's zamindar Munshi Kalinath Roychowdhury had his accommodation. Another product of trade here was indigo. Indigo cultivation started in Basirhat in 1810.  Neelkuthi is built on both sides of Ichamati. [[British people|British]] ran the business of salt and indigo cultivation centered on Basirhat.  Hat on the banks of the Ichamati river in 1840 and the old bazaar of Basirhat was established 60 years later in 1900.  Basirhat New Market was established in 1922.  Rivers were the means of communication at will.  Goods were brought by the river and sold in the market.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.anandabazar.com/district/2.917/%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B8-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B9-%E0%A6%9F-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%86-%E0%A6%A7-%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A4-1.53633 |title=Basirhat’s History of Commerce Amid Light and Shadow |last=Basu |first=Nirmal |date=25 July 2014 |website=Anandabazar Patrika |publisher=ABP Group |access-date=27 March 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{OSM Location map
| width=370| height=600| zoom=10
| coord={{coord|22|32|0|N|88|49|0|E}}| float=left|caption='''Cities, towns and locations in Basirhat subdivision, North 24 Parganas district'''<br/> M: municipal city/ town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre<br/>Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
|mark-coord1= {{coord|22|26|48|N|88|59|0|E}}|label-pos1=bottom|label1= Bankra | numbered1=CT| mark-title1=[[Bankra, North 24 Parganas]] (CT)|label-color1=#800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1= #A40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2={{coord|22|30|44|N|88|45|5|E}} | label-pos2=top|label2= Balihati| numbered2=CT| mark-title2=[[Balihati]] (CT)
|mark-coord3={{coord|22|38|25|N|88|53|39|E}} | label-pos3=right|label3= Dandirhat| numbered3=CT| mark-title3=[[Dandirhat]] (CT)
|mark-coord4={{coord|22|50|29|N|88|45|56|E}} | label-pos4=top|label4= Dakshin Chatra| numbered4=CT| mark-title4=[[Dakshin Chatra]] (CT)
|mark-coord5={{coord|22|52|52|N|88|46|32|E}} | label-pos5=top|label5= Deora| numbered5=CT| mark-title5=[[Deora, North 24 Parganas]] (CT)
|mark-coord6={{coord|22|42|30|N|88|45|26|E}} | label-pos6=left|label6= Dhanyakuria| numbered6=CT| mark-title6=[[Dhanyakuria]] (CT)
|mark-coord7={{coord|22|28|14|N|88|59|0|E}} | label-pos7=left|label7= Hingalganj| numbered7=CT| mark-title7=[[Hingalganj, North 24 Parganas]] (CT)
|mark-coord8={{coord|22|40|30|N|88|54|54|E}} | label-pos8=left|label8= Itinda| numbered8=CT| mark-title8=[[Itinda]] (CT)
|mark-coord9={{coord|22|30|18|N|88|43|52|E}} | label-pos9=bottom|label9= Minakhan| numbered9=CT| mark-title9=[[Minakhan, North 24 Parganas]] (CT)
|mark-coord10={{coord|22|41|15|N|88|48|53|E}} | label-pos10=left|label10= Mathurapur| numbered10=CT| mark-title10=[[Mathurapur, North 24 Parganas]] (CT)
|mark-coord11={{coord|22|41|35|N|88|50|0|E}} | label-pos11=right|label11= Raghunathpur| numbered11=CT| mark-title11=[[Raghunathpur, North 24 Parganas]] (CT)
|mark-coord12={{coord|22|32|54|N|88|49|7|E}} | label-pos12=left|label12= Sadigachhi| numbered12=CT| mark-title12=[[Sadigachhi]] (CT)
|mark-coord13={{coord|22|38|28|N|88|52|10|E}} | label-pos13=left|label13= Uttar Bagundi| numbered13=CT| mark-title13=[[Uttar Bagundi]] (CT)
|mark-coord14={{coord|22|44|24|N|88|47|45|E}} | label-pos14=right|label14= Baduria| numbered14=M| mark-title14=[[Baduria]] (M) | shape-color14= #800000
|mark-coord15={{coord|22|40|25|N|88|51|15|E}} | label-pos15=left|label15= Basirhat| numbered15=M| mark-title15=Basirhat (M) |shape-color15=black| label-size15=13|label-color15=black <!-- make the subject of the article stand out with black colors -->
|mark-coord16={{coord|22|35|24|N|88|54|36|E}} | label-pos16=left|label16= Taki| numbered16=M| mark-title16=[[Taki (India)]] (M) | shape-color16= #800000
|mark-coord17={{coord|22|49|27|N|88|51|22|E}} | label-pos17=left|label17= Swarupnagar|  numbered17=R| mark-title17= [[Swarupnagar, North 24 Parganas]] (R) |shape-color17=#C40000
|mark-coord18={{coord|22|30|10|N|88|41|55|E}} | label-pos18=left|label18= Bamanpukuria| numbered18=R| mark-title18= [[Bamanpukuria]] (R) |shape-color18=#C40000
|mark-coord19={{coord|22|40|23|N|88|56|46|E}} | label-pos19=right|label19= Ghojadanga| labela19=check post| numbered19=R| mark-title19= [[Ghojadanga]] (R) |shape-color19=#C40000
|mark-coord20={{coord|22|36|37|N|88|40|38|E}} | label-pos20=left|label20= Haroa|  numbered20=R| mark-title20= [[Haroa, North 24 Parganas]] (R) |shape-color20=#C40000
|mark-coord21={{coord|22|34|30|N|88|55|2|E}} | label-pos21=right|label21= Hasnabad|  numbered21=R| mark-title21= [[Hasnabad]] (R) |shape-color21=#C40000
|mark-coord22={{coord|22|12|58|N|88|58|53|E}} | label-pos22=top|label22= Hemnagar|  numbered22=R| mark-title22= [[Hemnagar, North 24 Parganas]] (R) |shape-color22=#C40000
|mark-coord23={{coord|22|44|12|N|88|46|20|E}} | label-pos23=left|label23= Iswarigachha|  numbered23=R| mark-title23= [[Iswarigachha]] (R) |shape-color23=#C40000
|mark-coord24={{coord|22|25|18|N|88|52|10|E}} | label-pos24=left|label24= Kalinagar|  numbered24=R| mark-title24= [[Kalinagar, North 24 Parganas]] (R) |shape-color24=#C40000
|mark-coord25={{coord|22|30|29|N|88|46|7|E}} | label-pos25=right|label25= Malancha|  numbered25=R| mark-title25= [[Malancha, Basirhat]] (R) |shape-color25=#C40000
|mark-coord26={{coord|22|42|10|N|88|46|15|E}} | label-pos26=right|label26= Matia|  numbered26=R| mark-title26= [[Matia, North 24 Parganas]] (R) |shape-color26=#C40000
|mark-coord27={{coord|22|34|25|N|88|50|30|E}} | label-pos27=left|label27= Murarisha|  numbered27=R| mark-title27= [[Murarisha]] (R) |shape-color27=#C40000
|mark-coord28={{coord|22|26|37|N|88|50|32|E}} | label-pos28=left|label28= Nazat|  numbered28=R| mark-title28= [[Nazat]] (R) |shape-color28=#C40000
|mark-coord29={{coord|22|26|48|N|88|57|19|E}} | label-pos29=left|label29= Sandelerbil|  numbered29=R| mark-title29= [[Sandelerbil]] (R) |shape-color29=#C40000
|mark-coord30={{coord|22|21|59|N|88|52|15|E}} | label-pos30=right|label30= Sandeshkhali|  numbered30=R| mark-title30= [[Sandeshkhali]] (R) |shape-color30=#C40000
|mark-coord31={{coord|22|50|18|N|88|52|3|E}} | label-pos31=left|label31= Sarapul|  numbered31=R| mark-title31= [[Sarapul, North 24 Parganas]] (R) |shape-color31=#C40000
|mark-coord32={{coord|22|32|0|N|88|57|0|E}} | label32= Ichhamati |labela32= River| label-color32 = #77A1CB| label-angle32= 80| label-pos32=right| label-size32=10| mark-size32=0| mark-title32 =none
|mark-coord33={{coord|22|33|0|N|88|53|40|E}} | label33= Raimangal River| label-color33 = #77A1CB| label-angle33= 95| label-pos33=right| label-size33=10| mark-size33=0| mark-title33 =none
|mark-coord34={{coord|22|23|30|N|88|49|40|E}} | label34= Burokalabati |labela34 =River| label-color34 = #77A1CB| label-angle34= 50| label-pos34=right| label-size34=10| mark-size34=0| mark-title34 =none
|mark-coord35={{coord|22|36|0|N|88|40|0|E}} | label35= Bidyadhari |labela35 =River| label-color35 = #77A1CB| label-angle35= 90| label-pos35=right| label-size35=10| mark-size35=0| mark-title35 =none
|arc-coordA={{coord|22|33|0|N|89|0|0|E}}|arc-textA= BANGLADESH| arc-text-colorA=hard grey| arc-angleA=50| arc-gapA=5.5| arc-radiusA=0.35}}

===Location===
Basirhat is located at {{coord|22|39|40|N|88|51|59|E|display=inline}}.

===Area overview===
The area shown in the map is a part of the Ichhamati-Raimangal Plain, located in the lower [[Ganges Delta]]. It contains soil of mature black or brownish [[loam]] to recent [[alluvium]]. Numerous rivers, creeks and ''khals'' criss-cross the area. The tip of the [[Sundarbans National Park]] is visible in the lower part of the map (shown in green but not marked). The larger full screen map shows the full forest area.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1911_PART_A_DCHB_NORTH%20TWENTY%20FOUR%20PARGANAS.pdf |title = District Census Handbook North Twenty Four Parganas, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A |work = Page 13 | publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal| access-date = 16 April 2018}}</ref> A large section of the area is a part of the [[Sundarbans settlements]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgsSouth/s24prg_main.htm | title = District Human Development Report: South 24 Parganas | work = Chapter 9: Sundarbans and the Remote Islanders, p 290-311 | publisher = Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2009 | access-date = 3 November 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161005044029/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgsSouth/s24prg_main.htm | archive-date = 5 October 2016 | url-status = dead}}</ref> The densely populated area is an overwhelmingly rural area. Only 12.96% of the population lives in the urban areas like Basirhat and 87.04% of the population in rural areas.<ref>{{cite web  |url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook  |title = District Statistical Handbook  |work = North 24 Parganas 2013, Tables 2.1, 2.2, 2.4b  |publisher = Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal  |access-date = 2 May 2018  |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190121045803/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook  |archive-date = 2019-01-21  |url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1911_PART_A_DCHB_NORTH%20TWENTY%20FOUR%20PARGANAS.pdf |title = District Census Handbook North Twenty Four Parganas, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A |work = Map of North Twenty Four Parganas with CD Block HQs and Police Stations (on the fifth page) | publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal| access-date = 2 May 2018}}</ref>

<small>Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full-screen map.</small>

===Urban structure===
Basirhat experienced moderate level of urbanization during the years of 2001-2011 alongside with moderate [[Population Growth|Population Growth Rate]] in those same years. Currently urbanization rate of this city is increasing rapidly.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Rahaman |first=Mashihur |title=Urban Population Growth in the Municipalities of North 24 Parganas: A Spatio-Temporal Analysis |journal=World Wide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development |date=March 2018 |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages= |url=https://wwjmrd.com/archive/2018/3/860/urban-population-growth-in-the-municipalities-of-north-24-parganas-a-spatio-temporal-analysis |access-date=5 April 2025 |format=PDF}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Paul |first1=Suman |last2=Chatterjee |first2=Kanan |title=Urbanisation and Consistency Measurement: A Study on District of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India |journal=Archives of Applied Science Research |volume=4 |issue=5 |year=2012 |pages=2052–2067 |url=https://www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com/articles/urbanisation-and-consistency-measurement-a-study-on-district-of-north-24-parganas-west-bengal-india.pdf |access-date=5 April 2025 |format=PDF}}</ref>
[[File:Basirhat aerial view.jpg|thumb|An aerial tableau of Basirhat, West Bengal, intricating the urban morphology of the city.]]
====Neighborhoods====
[[Lake Terrace, Basirhat|Lake Terrace]], Tannery Garden, BowBazar, Chowmatha, Itinda Road, Kacchari Para, Park Avenue, Ganapatipur, Sainpala, SonePukur Dhar, College Para, Maitra Bagan, Munsi Bagan, [[Bhyabla Halt railway station|Bhyabla]]

===Climate===
Basirhat is subject to a tropical savanna climate that is designated [[Aw climate]] under the [[Köppen climate classification]].<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Climatic-zone-map-of-India-as-per-Koppens-classification_fig1_334480504 "Climatic zone map of India as per Köppen's classification"] (Figure). ''ResearchGate''. Archived from the [https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Climatic-zone-map-of-India-as-per-Koppens-classification_fig1_334480504 original] on 21 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.</ref> According to a [[United Nations Development Programme]] report, its wind and [[cyclone]] zone is "very high damage risk".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060519100611/http://www.undp.org.in/dmweb/hazardprofile.pdf "Hazard profiles of Indian districts"] (PDF). ''National Capacity Building Project in Disaster Management''. [[UNDP]]. Archived from the [https://web.archive.org/web/20060519100611/http://www.undp.org.in/dmweb/hazardprofile.pdf original] (PDF) on 19 May 2006. Retrieved 21 February 2025.</ref> This municipal region is usually the hottest region of Basirhat subdivision due to its urbanized characteristics.<ref>{{cite web |title=West Bengal Weather Report: Record Temperature and Extreme Heat in Bengali New Year |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/kolkata/west-bengal-weather-report-record-temperature-extreme-hot-in-bengali-new-year-rc-1057964.html |website=News18 Bengali |language=bn |access-date=24 February 2025}}</ref>

'''Special weather phenomena -'''  Often, in April–June, the region is struck by heavy rains or dusty squalls that are followed by thunderstorms or hailstorms, bringing cooling relief from the prevailing humidity. These thunderstorms are [[Convection rain|convective]] in nature, and are known locally as ''[[Kalbaisakhi]]'' (কালবৈশাখী), or 'norwesters' in English.<ref>{{cite journal
 | last1 = Sen Gupta
 | first1 = Prabhat Kumar
 | title = Kalbaishakhis (Thundersqualls) of Bengal
 | journal = Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
 | volume = 24
 | issue = 3
 | pages = 96–104
 | year = 1943
 | url = https://journals.ametsoc.org/downloadpdf/journals/bams/24/3/1520-0477-24_3_96.pdf
}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Basirhat City
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes

|Jan record high C = 34.2 |Feb record high C = 38.5 |Mar record high C = 44.2 |Apr record high C = 46.1  
|May record high C = 43.3 |Jun record high C = 36 |Jul record high C = 35.7 |Aug record high C = 39.8 
|Sep record high C = 36.6 |Oct record high C = 36.1 |Nov record high C = 35.2 |Dec record high C = 33.5  
|year record high C = 46.1

|Jan high C = 28.0 |Feb high C = 31.9 |Mar high C = 36.1 |Apr high C = 38.7  
|May high C = 38.2 |Jun high C = 36.2 |Jul high C = 33.4 |Aug high C = 32.9  
|Sep high C = 32.6 |Oct high C = 31.9 |Nov high C = 30.9 |Dec high C = 28.3  
|year high C = 33.3  

|Jan low C = 14.6 |Feb low C = 18.6 |Mar low C = 21.9 |Apr low C = 25.9  
|May low C = 28.6 |Jun low C = 28.9 |Jul low C = 27.6 |Aug low C = 27.1  
|Sep low C = 26.4 |Oct low C = 22.7 |Nov low C = 18.0 |Dec low C = 14.8  
|year low C = 24.4  

|Jan record low C = 6.4 |Feb record low C = 7.1 |Mar record low C = 13.6 |Apr record low C = 17.2  
|May record low C = 21.6 |Jun record low C = 20.1 |Jul record low C = 19.5 |Aug record low C = 22  
|Sep record low C = 19.3 |Oct record low C = 17.8 |Nov record low C = 15 |Dec record low C = 5.2  
|year record low C = 5.2  

|rain colour = green  
|Jan rain mm = 3.2 |Feb rain mm = 11.3 |Mar rain mm = 19.8 |Apr rain mm = 40.9  
|May rain mm = 71.3 |Jun rain mm = 176.3 |Jul rain mm = 251.1 |Aug rain mm = 247.0  
|Sep rain mm = 181.4 |Oct rain mm = 104.2 |Nov rain mm = 38.4 |Dec rain mm = 6.8  
|year rain mm = 96.0  

|Jan rain days = 0.6 |Feb rain days = 2.0 |Mar rain days = 4.3 |Apr rain days = 7.8  
|May rain days = 12.8 |Jun rain days = 21.9 |Jul rain days = 28.3 |Aug rain days = 29.1  
|Sep rain days = 24.4 |Oct rain days = 14.2 |Nov rain days = 2.6 |Dec rain days = 1.1  
|year rain days = 12.4  

|Jan humidity = 43.8 |Feb humidity = 41.6 |Mar humidity = 47.8 |Apr humidity = 57.2  
|May humidity = 62.7 |Jun humidity = 68.1 |Jul humidity = 76.8 |Aug humidity = 79.9  
|Sep humidity = 81.1 |Oct humidity = 74.9 |Nov humidity = 58.9 |Dec humidity = 48.6  
|year humidity = 61.8  

|source 1 = Weather & Climate<ref>{{cite web
| title = Climate and average monthly weather in Basirhat, India
| url = https://weatherandclimate.com/india/west-bengal/basirhat
| website = Weather & Climate
| access-date = 28 February 2025
}}</ref>
}}

===Natural disasters===
====Cyclone====
On May 2009, [[Cyclone Aila]] brought heavy rainfall and strong winds, causing damage to weak structures.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=Flood Management Scheme in Aila-affected areas
 |website=Irrigation & Waterways Department, Government of West Bengal
 |url=https://wbiwd.gov.in/index.php/applications/aila
 |access-date=2025-02-21
 |language=en
}}</ref>

On May 2020, [[Cyclone Amphan]] affected the area with maximum sustained wind speed of 150 km/h. This severe cyclone caused major damage to houses and crops in the area.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=ঘূর্ণিঝড় আমফানের তাণ্ডবে বিধ্বস্ত বসিরহাট, সর্বত্র ধ্বংসের চিহ্ন
 |website=সংবাদ প্রতিদিন
 |url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/cyclone-amphan-hits-hard-at-basirhat-destruction-everywhere/
 |date=2020-05-21
 |access-date=2025-02-21
 |language=bn
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |title=Amphan leaves a trail of ruined houses and lives in Basirhat
 |website=The Times of India
 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/amphan-leaves-a-trail-of-ruined-houses-and-lives-in-basirhat/articleshow/75906582.cms
 |date=2020-05-23
 |access-date=2025-02-21
 |language=en
}}</ref> Prime minister [[Narendra Modi]] was received at the airport by governor [[Jagdeep Dhankhar]] and chief minister [[Mamata Banerjee]] who accompanied him on the aerial survey of some of the worst-affected parts of the state before landing in [[Basirhat College]], 50 km from [[Kolkata airport]]. After holding a conference in Basirhat, Modi announced Rs 1,000 cr immediate relief for cyclone hit areas.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=PM Modi announces Rs 1,000 cr immediate relief for Cyclone Amphan-hit Bengal
 |website=Hindustan Times
 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-announces-rs-1-000-cr-immediate-relief-for-cyclone-amphan-hit-bengal/story-kmshOClDcFNqLUjubNxUVJ.html
 |date=2020-05-22
 |access-date=2025-02-21
 |language=en
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |title=Bengal: Modi, Mamata Banerjee reach Basirhat after survey of Amphan-hit areas
 |website=India Blooms
 |url=https://www.indiablooms.com/news/bengal-modi-mamata-banerjee-reach-basirhat-after-survey-of-amphan-hit-areas/details
 |date=2020-05-22
 |access-date=2025-02-21
 |language=en
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |title=Cyclone Amphan leaves 74 dead, millions without power in West Bengal; Narendra Modi leaves for Kolkata
 |website=Firstpost
 |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/cyclone-amphan-leaves-74-dead-millions-without-power-in-west-bengal-narendra-modi-leaves-for-kolkata-8395021.html
 |date=2020-05-22
 |access-date=2025-02-21
 |language=en
}}</ref>

====Hailstorm====
In February 19, 2025, a series of severe [[Hailstorm]] and Convective [[thunderstorms]] occurred in the Basirhat subdivision, including the municipal region, causing minor damages to weak structures and agriculture.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=হঠাৎ শিলাবৃষ্টিতে লন্ডভন্ড উত্তর ২৪ পরগনার বসিরহাট সহ বিস্তীর্ণ এলাকা, বিরাট ক্ষতি চাষে!
 |website=Oneindia Bengali
 |url=https://bengali.oneindia.com/videos/hailstorm-started-in-large-areas-including-basirhat-in-north-24-parganas-4222498.html
 |date=2025-02-19
 |access-date=2025-02-21
 |language=bn
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |title=শিলাবৃষ্টিতে বিপর্যস্ত বসিরহাট ও সুন্দরবনের বিস্তীর্ণ এলাকা
 |website=News18 বাংলা
 |url=https://bengali.news18.com/photogallery/south-bengal/hailstorm-upsets-areas-around-basirhat-and-sunderban-l18-sank-local18-2063720.html
 |date=2025-02-19
 |access-date=2025-02-21
 |language=bn
}}</ref>

A similar incident occurred on March 22, 2014, when a 20 minutes hailstorm event caused damage to approximately 2,500 homes in parts of North 24 Parganas, including [[Barasat]], Basirhat, [[Barrackpore]] and [[Bongaon]].<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Hailstorm hits North 24-Parganas
 | work = The Times of India
 | date = March 24, 2014
 | url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/hailstorm-hits-north-24-parganas/articleshow/32571726.cms
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140324025200/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/hailstorm-hits-north-24-parganas/articleshow/32571726.cms
 | archive-date = March 24, 2014
 | access-date = February 21, 2025
}}</ref>

== Demographics ==

{{bar box
|title=Religion in Basirhat municipality (2011)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-01 Population by Religion: West Bengal |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11396/download/14509/DDW19C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=left
|width=
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in West Bengal|Hinduism]]|darkorange|77.60}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in West Bengal|Islam]]|green|22.21}}
{{bar percent|Others|black|0.19}}
}}

According to the [[2011 census of India]], Basirhat Municipality had a population of 125,254. Basirhat had a sex ratio of 981 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate of 87.35%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 18.94% and 0.41% of the population respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=District Census Handbook: North 24 Parganas |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/1348/download/4406/DH_2011_1911_PART_A_DCHB_NORTH_TWENTY_FOUR_PARGANAS.pdf |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

Basirhat is a [[Urban Agglomeration]] consists with 4 different neighborhood of Basirhat City (M), Uttar Bagundi (CT), Raghunathpur (CT) and Dandirhat (CT).<ref name="Census2011Basirhat">{{Cite web |title=Basirhat City Population Census 2011 - West Bengal |url=https://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/212-basirhat.html |website=Census2011.co.in |access-date=20 April 2025}}</ref>

Projection based on past growth rates estimate that as of 2025, the population of Basirhat city is around 180000 to 190000. While the broader UA region is estimated to have an population of approximately 206000. The current literacy rate of Basirhat is projected around more than 93.5%.<ref name="Census2011Basirhat" />

Bengali is the predominant language, spoken by 99.77% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: West Bengal |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10226/download/13338/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1900.XLSX |website=www.censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

== Art and Culture ==

=== Durga puja ===
{{multiple image
| perrow            = 2/2
| total_width       = 300
| caption_align     = center
| align             = right
| image1            = Grand decoration in the pandel of Sobuj Sangha, Basirhat.jpg
| image2            = Ballav Rajbari's durga idol.jpg
| image3            = Pandel of Bazarpara Sorbojonin, Basirhat.jpg
| image4            = Sobuj Sangha, a vibrant puja committee in Basirhat.jpg
| footer            = From top left to bottom right (a) Grand decorations reflecting the richness of art and culture of Basirhat's Durgapuja in Sobuj Sangha; (b) Ballav Rajbari, ''[[Dhanyakuria]]'', Basirhat's traditional durga idol showcasing the idol making process; (c) Pandel of Bazarpara Sorbojonin, Pakratala, Basirhat city; (d) Sobuj Sangha, a vibrant puja committee in Basirhat city.
}}

==== Celebrations ====
[[Durga puja]] is the biggest festival of Basirhat. With more than 100 installations in the city, Basirhat is regarded as one of the major centers of Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal, reportedly hosting the fourth highest number of puja pandals in the state after Kolkata, [[Siliguri]], and [[Durgapur]].<ref>{{cite web |title=বসিরহাট শহর ও মহকুমা এলাকায় থিম দুর্গাপুজোতে মাইলফলক |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/north-24-parganas/theme-durga-puja-in-basirhat-subdivision-area-creates-milestone-l18-1329297.html |website=News18 বাংলা |publisher=Network18 |language=bn |access-date=19 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Durga Puja 2024: পরিদর্শনকারীরা QR কোড স্ক্যান ও GPS-র মাধ্যমে দেখতে পারবেন দুর্গাপুজো |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/south-bengal/visitors-can-see-the-durga-puja-2024-by-scanning-qr-code-and-through-gps-l18-rdp-local18-1887044.html |work=News18 বাংলা |language=bn |date=June 10, 2024 |access-date=June 13, 2025}}</ref> The City of Basirhat experiences a festive and vibrant atmosphere during Durga Puja, with majestic themed pandals like Kolkata, illuminated streets, and an energetic urban crowd that reflects the cultural enthusiasm. The city attracts significant crowd every year.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=বসিরহাটের দুর্গাপূজায় উপচে পড়া ভিড়
 |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/north-24-parganas/durga-puja-2024-basirhat-nabaran-sangha-club-durga-puja-theme-l18-rm-local18-1896654.html
 |website=News18 বাংলা
 |publisher=Network18 Group
 |date=15 June 2024
 |access-date=22 June 2025
 |language=bn
}}</ref> Bengali media outlets including ''[[Anandabazar Patrika]]'', ''[[News18 Bangla]]'', and ''[[Zee 24 Ghanta]]'' have reported Basirhat as a prominent centre of Durga Puja in North 24 Parganas, often referring to it as a cultural gem for its elaborate and thematic celebrations.<ref>{{cite web |title=নুসরত জাহান বসিরহাটে পুজো উদ্বোধন করলেন, সঙ্গে ফুচকা খাওয়া |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/video/nusrat-jahan-inaugurates-durga-puja-at-basirhat-dgtl/cid/1374215 |website=Anandabazar Patrika |publisher=ABP Group |date=October 2022 |access-date=22 June 2025 |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=পদ্মফুলের ধাঁচে মণ্ডপ-আলোকসজ্জা এ বার নজর কাড়ছে বসিরহাটের পুজোয় |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/24-parganas/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%AB-%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A7-%E0%A6%9A-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A3-%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%AA-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%9C-%E0%A6%9C-%E0%A6%8F-%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%95-%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%9B-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B8-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B9-%E0%A6%9F-%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA-%E0%A6%9C-%E0%A7%9F-1.73982 |work=Anandabazar Patrika |date=30 September 2014 |access-date=22 June 2025 |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Durga Puja 2023: উৎসবের পরও উৎসবের মেজাজ বসিরহাটে, মুখ্যমন্ত্রীর নির্দেশে কার্নিভাল |url=https://zeenews.india.com/bengali/videos/durga-puja-2023-basirhat_492705.html |website=Zee 24 Ghanta |publisher=Zee Media Corporation |date=October 2023 |access-date=22 June 2025 |language=bn}}</ref>
Prantik Square Sorbojonin is the biggest puja committee of Basirhat, often resembling Kolkata's Maddox Square puja committee because of its atmosphere. This place becomes a meeting point of all ages during the puja days.<ref>{{Cite web
 |title=বসিরহাট প্রান্তিকের দুর্গাপুজো
 |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/north-24-parganas/adi-yogi-theme-in-durga-puja-at-basirhat-prantik-l18-1333566.html
 |website=News18 বাংলা
 |author=সম্পাদকীয় দল
 |date=2023-10-17
 |access-date=2025-02-23
 |language=bn
}}</ref>

==== Traditions ====
For more than 150 years, the Durga idol has been immersed on boats in this city. On the day of [[Vijayadashami]], people usually come in Basirhat to see the immersion festival. The idols and installations have changed in the modern era, but the immersion continues to be done in the [[Ichamati River]] by boat according to the ancient tradition. A fair is held on both banks of the river centering on the immersion. The special attraction of this fair is wooden furniture and various wooden items.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=Immersion by Boat in Ichamati at Basirhat: Crowds of Hundreds of Thousands on Both Riverbanks
 |url=https://zeenews.india.com/bengali/videos/durga-puja-2023-in-basirhat-ichamati-the-boat-is-abandoned-the-two-banks-of-the-river-are-crowded-with-millions-of-people_492704.html
 |website=Zee News Bengali
 |publisher=Zee Media Corporation
 |date=2023-10-24
 |access-date=2025-02-23
 |language=Bengali
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
 |title=ইছামতী নদীতে দুর্গা প্রতিমা বিসর্জন
 |url=https://banglalive.com/photo-story-on-durga-idol-immesion-in-basirhat/
 |website=BanglaLive
 |author=শুভদীপ ঘোষ
 |date=2024-10-12
 |access-date=2025-02-23
 |language=bn
}}</ref> After Vijayadashami, local government organise a puja carnival with the idols of top 10 puja pandel.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=Basirhat Durga Puja Carnival
 |url=https://kolkatatv.org/video/basirhat-durga-puja-carnival-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%8B-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE/
 |website=Kolkata TV
 |publisher=Kolkata TV
 |access-date=22 June 2025
}}</ref>

===Cultural centers===
Basirhat has got plenty of cultural and community centers for promoting the art and culture of the city, Rabindra Bhaban is one of them. Located near the Lake Terrace area, many concerts, performances, drama and art events are usually happen during the festive time or on the weekend. In 2017, Basirhat municipality allocated 4 Cr rupees for the further development of Rabindra Bhaban.<ref>{{cite web |title=The repair and renovation work of Rabindra Bhawan is underway |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/24-parganas/the-repair-and-renovation-work-of-rabindra-bhawan-is-underway-1.817482 |website=Anandabazar Patrika |language=bn |access-date=23 February 2025}}</ref>
[[File:Rabindra Bhaban, Basirhat city.jpg|thumb|Rabindra Bhaban, a cultural centre of Basirhat city]]

===Literature===
Basirhat is locally known as the hub of little magazines. Many publication agencies publish their books and little magazines every year on the day of ''Mahalaya'', which is known as the first day of durga puja. Every book features local and national articles, literature and art, which usually focus on bengali literature. <ref>{{Cite news|author=Basu, Nirmal|title=সম্ভার সাজিয়ে বসিরহাটের পত্রিকাগুলি|work=Anandabazar Patrika|date=2017-11-06|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/24-parganas/patrikas-and-magazines-which-are-published-from-basirhat-1.702477|access-date=2025-05-06}}</ref>

==Cuisine==
Basirhat is famous for its [[Sandesh (confectionery)]] or Kachagolla, with many sweet vendors of the local area demanding a [[Geographical Indication]] or GI tag for it. This famous Kachagolla is prepared by making curd from cow's milk and mixing it with sugar during other times of the year and jaggery during winter. Historically, it can be seen that the culture of making this Kachagolla in Basirhat is about 400 years old.<ref>{{cite news |title=বসিরহাটের কাঁচাগোল্লার জন্য জিআই ট্যাগের দাবি, সরব মিষ্টি ব্যবসায়ীরা |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/south-bengal/sweet-sellers-of-basirhat-demands-gi-tag-for-basirhats-kanchagolla-l18-ank-local18-1970436.html |publisher=News18 Bengali |date=2 December 2024 |access-date=14 March 2025 |language=bn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303000000/https://bengali.news18.com/news/south-bengal/sweet-sellers-of-basirhat-demands-gi-tag-for-basirhats-kanchagolla-l18-ank-local18-1970436.html |archive-date=3 March 2024}}</ref>

==Transport==
===Road===
{{jct|NH|312|country=IND}}<ref>{{cite web 
 |title=National Highways Wing 
 |url=https://pwd.wb.gov.in/wings?Id=8b830a08-4f5f-44e0-a46f-c4983d5e9682 
 |website=West Bengal Public Works Department 
 |publisher=Government of West Bengal 
 |access-date=2025-03-14
}}</ref> and {{jct|SH|2|state=WB|country=IND}}<ref>{{cite web 
 |title=State Highway 2 
 |url=https://www.wbhdcl.gov.in/home/sh2 
 |website=West Bengal Highway Development Corporation Limited 
 |publisher=Government of West Bengal 
 |access-date=2025-03-14
}}</ref> passes through the city.

A ring road is planned around Kolkata to reduce traffic and improve connectivity in the [[Kolkata metropolitan region|metropolitan]] area. The eastern part of this road will pass through Basirhat, helping the city become better connected to the rest of the region.<ref>{{cite web |title=কলকাতা ও শহরতলিতে রিং রোড! যানজট কমাতে বড় পরিকল্পনা রাজ্যের |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/kolkata/kolkata-transport-ring-roads-can-be-seen-in-kolkata-and-outskirts-to-reduce-traffic-in-near-future-ss-1018838.html |website=News18 Bengali |language=bn |date=16 March 2024 |access-date=5 April 2025}}</ref>

===Railway===
[[Basirhat railway station]] is one of the most busiest railway station after [[Barasat Junction railway station]] in Barasat-Hasnabad Suburban railway line of [[Sealdah railway division]].<ref>{{cite web
 |title=Basirhat (BSHT) Railway Station
 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/indian-railway/basirhat-bsht-station
 |website=NDTV Indian Railway
 |publisher=NDTV
 |access-date=2025-03-14
}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Parks===
Basirhat has got plenty of green spaces such as Rabindra Saikat Park, Lake Terrace (SurjaKanta Park), Bow Bazar Park, Hari Narayan Ghosh Park, Dinesh Majumder Park, Alok Jharna Park.<ref name="BasirhatMunicipality" />
{{multiple image|perrow=3/3/total_width=300|caption_align=center|align=right|image1=Basirhat Surjakanta Lake View Park.jpg|image2=A neighborhood of Basirhat City, West Bengal.jpg|image3=Basirhat Rabindra Saikat Park.jpg|footer=From top to bottom: (a) Lake Terrace, Basirhat City; (b) A neighborhood portraying the environment of Basirhat, West Bengal, India ; (c) Rabindra Saikat Park, located in the banks of Ichamati river, Basirhat City}}

===Shopping and Amenities===
Basirhat is famous for its shopping street area, extended from city's boatghat area to Bowbazar area via Itinda Road. Recently many National and Multinational brands are opening their stores in Basirhat. Several new shopping malls have been built along the Itinda Road area of Basirhat in recent years.<ref>{{cite news |title=ছাড়ের হাতছানিতেও প্রায় ফাঁকা শপিং মল |trans-title=Shopping malls remain nearly empty despite big discounts |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/24-parganas/shopping-mall-are-empty-despite-high-discount-at-basirhat/cid/1545849 |work=Anandabazar Patrika |date=15 September 2024 |language=bn |access-date=22 April 2025}}</ref>
==Civic administration==
===Municipality===
Civic administration is the responsibility of the Basirhat Municipality which is the seventh oldest in West Bengal<ref name="BasirhatMunicipality" /> after that of [[Kolkata]],<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Kolkata Municipal Corporation |url=https://www.kmcgov.in/KMCPortal/jsp/MunicipalHistoryHome.jsp |website=Kolkata Municipal Corporation |access-date=30 March 2025}}</ref> [[Uttarpara]],<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Uttarpara – Uttarpara Municipality |url=https://www.uttarparamunicipality.in/history-of-uttarpara.html |website=Uttarpara Municipality |access-date=30 March 2025}}</ref> [[Shantipur]],<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us – Shantipur Municipality |url=https://www.santipurmunicipality.org/about.php#:~:text=Santipur%20Municipality%20is%20the%20second,Vice%2DChairman%20of%20the%20Municipality. |website=Shantipur Municipality |access-date=30 March 2025}}</ref> [[Howrah]],<ref>{{cite web |title=About Howrah Municipal Corporation |url=https://www.myhmc.in/about-hmc/ |website=Howrah Municipal Corporation |access-date=30 March 2025}}</ref> [[Krishnanagar, Nadia|Krishnanagar]],<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us – Krishnanagar Municipality |url=https://krishnanagarmunicipality.com/public/about-us |website=Krishnanagar Municipality |access-date=30 March 2025}}</ref> and [[Burdwan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Burdwan Municipality |url=https://www.burdwanmunicipality.gov.in/about.php?subject=History%20of%20Burdwan%20Municipality |website=Burdwan Municipality |access-date=30 March 2025}}</ref> Basirhat Municipality covers an area of {{cvt|22.01|km2}}. It has jurisdiction over the entire city of Basirhat. It is divided into 23 administrative wards.<ref name="BasirhatMunicipality" />

===Police station===
Basirhat police station covers an area of 267&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> and serves a population of 637,538. Basirhat PS has under it Basirhat town outpost and two other outposts at Panitor and Boatghat. The police district has a 22&nbsp;km border, out which 14&nbsp;km is land border and 8&nbsp;km is riverine border. 11&nbsp;km of the border remains unfenced. Basirhat PS has jurisdiction over Basirhat municipal area and [[Basirhat I]] CD Block.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://n24pgspolice.in/home/police-station.php?search_key=17 | title = Know your police station | work= Basirhat PS |publisher=North 24 Parganas district police |access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref>

Around half of the 4,095&nbsp;km long India-Bangladesh border has been fenced and vigil along the border has been tightened up. As of 2017, Cattle smuggling across the border was unofficially estimated to be a Rs. 4,000 crore business, half of it across the Basirhat border and the balance through [[Malda, West Bengal|Malda]] and [[Murshidabad]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.firstpost.com/india/riots-in-basirhat-has-nothing-to-do-with-religion-its-a-hindu-muslim-fight-over-controlling-cow-smuggling-3805135.html | title = Riots in Basirhat had nothing to do with religion, it's a Hindu-Muslim fight over controlling cow smuggling |first = Shantanu| last= Guha Roy |date = 12 July 2017 | publisher =  Firstpost, 13 July 2013 |access-date =  15 May 2018}}</ref>

In 2017, ''[[The Sunday Guardian]]'' reported, “The crackdown by the [[Border Security Force]] (BSF) on the illegal, but lucrative, business of cow smuggling along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, resulted in immense resentment among a section of the area’s minority community. This culminated in the communal flare-up in the state’s Basirhat sub-division earlier this month. A source close to the state’s ruling [[Trinamool Congress]] told The Sunday Guardian over phone, “Cow smuggling to Bangladesh, through the riverine border in Basirhat, [[Taki, India|Taki]] and other adjoining areas, has taken a hit as the BSF has become very strict and is maintaining a constant vigil. This has hurt the locals, who were earning crores from these illegal activities. Rendered jobless, they blamed the situation on the majority community.”<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/10167-crackdown-cow-smuggling-triggered-basirhat-violence |title =  Crack down on cow smuggling triggered Basirhat violence | work= Dibyendu Mondal |date = 15 July 2017 |publisher=  The Sunday Guardian, 16 July 2017 | access-date = 20 December 2018}}</ref>

===Communal Incidents===
{{Main|2017 Baduria riots}}
2017 Baduria riots, a massive riot broke down in Basirhat, [[Baduria]] and adjoining areas in July, 2017 because of a [[Facebook]] post.<ref>{{Cite news |title=A dangerous turn: the violence in Basirhat |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/a-dangerous-turn/article19245698.ece/ |work=The Hindu |date=10 July 2017 |access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Basirhat burns |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/20170724-basirhat-west-bengal-communal-riots-mamata-banerjee-1024013-2017-07-13 |work=India Today |date=13 July 2017 |access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Basirhat ground report: Residents of violence-torn region negotiate new communal faultlines |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/basirhat-ground-report-residents-of-violence-torn-region-negotiate-new-communal-faultlines-3799785.html |work=Firstpost |date=10 July 2017 |access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref> It’s a divide that has opened up, after that Facebook post showing “objectionable images’’ which was widely circulated, following which a mob vandalised shops and homes, and set fire to vehicles, triggering retaliatory violence.<ref>{{Cite news |title=West Bengal violence: Rage, fear on either side of Basirhat divide |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/west-bengal-violence-rage-fear-on-either-side-of-basirhat-divide-4739496/ |work=The Indian Express |date=9 July 2017 |access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref> Several temples got attacked in the region.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hindu temple being desecrated by mob at Dandirhat Aamtala during Basirhat riot |url=https://hindupost.in/news/video-hindu-temple-being-desecrated-by-mob-at-dandirhat-aamtala-during-basirhatriot/ |work=Hindu Post |date=6 July 2017 |access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref> Police got attacked with stones, which were thrown by the mobs.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Basirhat violence: Violent mob pelts stones at police trying to control the situation |url=https://news.abplive.com/videos/basirhat-violence-violent-mob-pelt-stones-at-police-trying-to-control-the-situation-549113 |work=ABP Live |date=6 July 2017 |access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref>[[Central Armed Police Forces|Central troops]] were deployed in the area, when the clashes got violent.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Central Troops Patrol West Bengal's Basirhat, Hit By Communal Riots |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/central-troops-patrol-west-bengals-basirhat-hit-by-communal-riots-1721078 |work=NDTV |date=6 July 2017 |access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref> Muslim mobs set upon shops and houses belonging to Hindus in Basirhat, Baduria, [[Swarupnagar (community development block)|Swarupnagar]], and Taki.<ref>{{cite news|title=Violence in Bengal over FB post; Mamata alleges Governor threat
|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/mob-goes-on-rampage-in-bengal-over-blasphemous-fb-post-mamata-alleges-governor-threat/story-iLlMCJgdwcbHycmlwRJS0O.html|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> [[Rath Yatra]]s at several places were attacked.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bengal violence: Basirhat’s Muslim leaders tried to pacify the rioting mob, but couldn’t |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bengal-violence-basirhat-s-muslim-leaders-tried-to-pacify-the-rioting-mob-but-couldn-t/story-8O6XTqN3yhsvKlfYSDK2aK_amp.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref> Violent clashes were triggered between the two communities of Basirhat city area.<ref>{{cite news|title=Violence in Bengal over FB post; Mamata alleges Governor threat|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/baduria-clashes-rajnath-singh-apprised-of-situation-seeks-reports-from-west-bengal-govt-4736586/|work=Indian Express}}</ref> The [[Government of India|Union government]] deployed four Border Security Force (BSF) companies containing a total of 400 personnel to check the violence in the region. [[Unlawful assembly#India|Section 144]] was imposed while the internet services were suspended.<ref>{{cite news|title=WB: Section 144 imposed in Basirhat post violent clashes over Facebook post|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/050717/wb-section-144-imposed-in-basirhat-post-violent-clashes-over-facebook-post.html|work=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> In retaliatory attacks on 6 July, Hindu mobs attacked a [[dargah]] and vandalised shops and houses in addition to clashing with the police. The office of a local TMC leader also comes under attack. On July 7, several Hindu temples were attacked by a Muslim mob of about 70-90 people. They also allegedly attacked and harassed Hindu families.<ref>{{cite news|title=Baduria communal clashes: Rajnath Singh seeks report from West Bengal govt|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bengal-violence-over-fb-post-basirhat-peaceful-blockades-lifted-after-meeting-between-police-locals/story-c4xyOMzHMYZIWMxGMlvd9H.html|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> The ''[[BBC|British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC News)]]'' published in a article about the Basirhat violence. In that article, BBC tried to postulated all causes which caused the riot.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 July 2017 |title=What is behind the religious violence in India's West Bengal? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-40553993 |access-date=1 April 2025 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

===CD block HQ===
The headquarters of [[Basirhat I]] CD block are located at Basihat.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/19/1911_PART_A_DCHB_NORTH%20TWENTY%20FOUR%20PARGANAS.pdf |title = District Census Handbook North Twenty Four Parganas, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A |work = Map of North Twenty Four Parganas with CD Block HQs and Police Stations (on the fifth page) | publisher= Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal| access-date = 15 May 2018}}</ref>

== Education ==
===Colleges===
* [[Basirhat College]] was established in 1947. Affiliated with the [[West Bengal State University]], it offers honours courses in Bengali, English, Sanskrit, philosophy, political science, history, geography, education, accountancy, mathematics, physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, physiology and economics. It also offers general courses in arts, science and commerce, and a post-graduate course in Bengali.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://basirhatcollege.org/ | title =Basirhat College | publisher =BC |access-date =15 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.collegeadmission.in/BasirhatCollege/Basirhat_College.shtml | title = Basirhat College |publisher = College Admission  |access-date =15 May 2018}}</ref>
* [https://bmce.net.in/ Basirhat Mahabodhi College of Education]
* [https://polytechnic.wbtetsd.gov.in/basirhatgovpoly Sir Rajendra Nath Mukherjee Government Polytechnic, Basirhat]

===Schools===
Basirhat municipal area has a total of 130 educational institutions across different levels. These include 11 pre-primary schools, 59 primary schools, 1 junior high school, 8 secondary schools, and 9 higher secondary schools.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Basirhat Municipality |website=Basirhat Municipality |url=https://basirhatmunicipality.in/ |access-date=20 April 2025}}</ref>

====English Medium Schools====
Basirhat has a significant number of English-medium schools offering modern education to students across various levels. Some of those reputated institutions are,
* [https://www.narayanaschools.in/west-bengal/basirhat Narayana School, Basirhat - CBSE]
* [https://www.disbasirhat.co.in/ Doon International School, Basirhat - ICSE]
* [https://misbasirhat.com/mis_home Mary Immaculate School, Basirhat - ICSE]
[[File:The main gate of Bhabla Tantra Sir Rajendra High School.jpg|thumbnail|The Front Gate of Bhabla Tantra Sir Rajendra High School]]

== Healthcare ==
The Basirhat District & Super Specialty Hospital under The Health & Family Welfare Department of the State Government of West Bengal has been given the responsibility of conserving and emerging the health care facility within Basirhat sub-division & its surrounding catchment area since 1965, Basirhat District Hospital & Super Specialty Hospital caters health services amongst 22.7 lakhs populations covering {{Units|1777|u={{km2}}}}. In the year 2013, the 250 bedded Basirhat Sub-Division Hospital augmented to  300 Bedded District Hospital and later on, in the year 2017 the District Hospital increased with additional 300 beds with introduction of Super Specialty Hospital, now Basirhat District Hospital & Super Specialty Hospital with 600 beds.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.wbhealth.gov.in/ | title = Health & Family Welfare Department | work = Health Statistics | publisher = Government of West Bengal | access-date = 15 May 2018 | archive-date = 28 October 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211028134305/https://qphs.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-99a499ee367f0c1530476c81086270c8 | url-status = dead}}</ref>

Basirhat is one of the areas where ground water is affected by [[Arsenic contamination of groundwater|arsenic contamination]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.soesju.org/arsenic/wb2.htm | title = Groundwater Arsenic contamination in West Bengal-India (19 years study ) | access-date = 2007-08-24 | work = Groundwater arsenic contamination status of North 24-Parganas district, one of the nine arsenic affected districts of West Bengal-India | publisher = SOES | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927002938/http://www.soesju.org/arsenic/wb2.htm | archive-date = 27 September 2007 | url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="Bhu-Jal">{{cite journal |title=Bhu-Jal News Quarterly Journal Arsenic in Ground Water in India |journal=Bhu-Jal News Quarterly Journal Arsenic in Ground Water in India |date=2009 |volume=24 |url=https://cgwb.gov.in/old_website/documents/Bhujal_News_24_2.pdf}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay]]
* [[Rajendra Nath Mookerjee]]
* [[Dipendu Biswas]]
* [[Saptarshi Banerjee]] 
* [[Tapan Bandyopadhyay]]
* [[Rafikul Islam Mondal]]
* [[Monami Ghosh]]
* [[Manoj Mitra]]
* [[Mihir Bose (footballer)]]
* [[Biswanath Basu]]
* [[Manoranjan Sur]]
* [[Samik Bhattacharya]]
* [[Renu Chakravartty]]
* [[Amar Mitra (writer)]]
* [[Titumir]]
* [[:bn:দীনেশচন্দ্র_মজুমদার|Dinesh Chandra Majumder]]

==See also==
* [[Lake Terrace, Basirhat]]
* [[Basirhat district]]
* [[North 24 Parganas]]
* [[Durga Puja]]
* [[Kolkata Metro]]
* [[Cities and towns in West Bengal]]

==External links ==
* {{Commons-inline}}
* [http://www.basirhatmunicipality.in Basirhat Municipality Website]
{{external media
| float=right
| video1= [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFQlV7V-eV4 Fencing of India-Bangladesh border]
}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{North 24 Parganas District}}
{{North 24 Parganas topics}}
{{Municipalities of West Bengal}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Basirhat| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in North 24 Parganas district]]
[[Category:Cities in West Bengal]]