View source for Contai

{{About|the city in West Bengal, India|1 its namesake community development block|Contai I|2 another namesake community development block|Contai III}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Contai
| other_name         = Contai
| settlement_type    = City
| image_skyline      = 
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = [[Contai railway station|Contai Railway Station]]
| nickname           = Coastal City
| pushpin_map        = India West Bengal#India3
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India
| coordinates        = {{coord|21.78|N|87.75|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  = [[Midnapore East]]
| established_title  = <!-- Established -->
| established_date   = 1958
| founder            = 
| named_for          = 
| government_type    = [[Municipal Corporations in India|Municipality]]
| governing_body     = Contai Municipality
| leader_title       = Chairman
| leader_name        = Suprakash Giri
| unit_pref          = Metric
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{cite web|title=Contai Municipality}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 14
| area_rank          = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 6
| population_total   = 92,226
| population_as_of   = 2011
| population_footnotes = 
| population_density_km2 = 4492
| population_rank    = 
| population_demonym = Medinipur
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1          = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1        = +5:30
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code        = 721401
| area_code          = 91-3220
| area_code_type     = Telephone code
| registration_plate = WB-31-xxxx, WB-32-xxxx
| blank1_name_sec1   = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1   = [[Contai (Lok Sabha constituency)|Contai]]
| website            = {{URL|contaimunicipality.org.in/}}
| footnotes          = 
| demographics1_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], English
| blank2_name_sec1   = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1   = [[Contai South (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Contai South]]
| official_name      = Contai Municipality
| subdivision_type3  = [[Subdivision (India)|Sub Division]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Contai subdivision]]
}}

'''Contai''' is a coastal and subdivisional city and a municipality in East Medinipur district, [[West Bengal]], India. It is the headquarters of the [[Contai subdivision]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Subdivision & Blocks {{!}} Purba Medinipur {{!}} India |url=https://purbamedinipur.gov.in/subdivision-blocks/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Etymology==
In the 5th century, during the visit of [[Faxian|Fa-Hien]], Contai was uninhabited and had no name for the outside world. In Valentine's{{Who|date=October 2018}} travelogue, a harbour, Petua by name, was mentioned. This harbour was on the bank of the river Rasulpur, a short distance from the Rasulpur estuary. Later the harbour was shifted to the present site of the Contai Town. However, it is said, the name of the abandoned port was retained for its new location, In foreigners tongue, Petua is said to have changed first to Cauntee and finally to Contai, whereas in local tongue it has changed to Kanthi (কাঁথি).{{citation needed|date=October 2018}}

According to the geologists, the present geographical dimension of Contai came into existence with the great natural disaster of the third century AD (flood), which created [[Chilka lake]] out of the Chilka Bay. ''Kanthi'', that is ''Contai'', means "sand-bound reefs" or sand walls. The name ''Contai'' may thus be an English expression of the local jargon meaning "sand heaps".<ref>{{Cite web |title=.:: Legacy of Midnapore - Contai ::. |url=https://www.midnapore.in/town_contai.html |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=www.midnapore.in}}</ref>

But linguists raise serious doubts about such change of pronunciation. They offer other suggestions. Yogesh Chandra Sarkar thinks that the name Kanthi owes its origin to outstretched sand-dune, about 27 miles from Rasulpur estuary to Peeplipattan, that from the sea looked like a long wall or Kanth (কাঁথি) as it is called by local people. Some suggest that the name may originate from the custom of local people to build long walls or Kanths around their habitation in order to keep off wild beasts like buffaloes, tigers and rhinoceroses that were found in abundance then and these Kanths gave the place its name.{{citation needed|date=October 2018}}

== History ==
[[File:NimaK_Mahal,_a_heritage_building_established_by_Salt_agent_of_East_India_Company_in_Contai_10.jpg|thumb|NimaK Mahal, the heritage former administrative building in Contai established by East India Company]]
In 1243, Contai was the site of the [[Battle of Katasin]], in which [[Narasingha Deva I]] of the [[Eastern Ganga dynasty]] defeated [[Tughral Tughan Khan]], the Bengal governor of the [[Mamluk dynasty (Delhi)|Mamluk dynasty of Delhi]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The History and Culture of the Indian People: The Delhi Sultanate |edition=2nd |editor=R. C. Majumdar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XKVFAQAAMAAJ |year=1960 |publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan |page=70}}</ref> Contai was later a part of the [[Hijli Kingdom]], a tributary state of [[Orissa, India|Orissa]] ruled by the Hindu king Gopinath Pattanayak. In 1852 the [[East India Company]] of British India announced Contai as a Sub-Division consisting of six police stations - Contai, Khejuri, Ramnagar, Bhagwanpur, Egra and Patashpur.<ref>{{Cite web |last=গুহ |first=সুব্রত |title=ঐতিহ্যের নিমকমহলে এখন সাপ-বাদুড়ের বাস |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/midnapore/no-maintenance-in-heritage-building-1.444530 |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=www.anandabazar.com |language=bn}}</ref> But the Government continued working from Negua. The Sub-Division that covered {{convert|912|sqmi|km2|sigfig=2}} was the second largest in Bengal .In 1863 when ''Nimak Mahal'' (the salt factory and business center) at Contai, in the teeth of a serious crisis, ceased functioning, the Sub-Divisional office was shifted from Negua to the abandoned Nimak Mahal building.<ref>{{Cite web |last=সংবাদদাতা |first=নিজস্ব |title=ঐতিহাসিক ‘নিমকমহল’কে হেরিটেজ ঘোষণার দাবি |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/midnapore/people-of-kanthi-demanded-to-tag-nimak-mahal-as-heritage-building-1.1189103 |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=www.anandabazar.com |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bartaman Patrika |url=https://bartamanpatrika.com/detailNews.php?cID=74&nID=343733&P=1&nPID=20220120 |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=bartamanpatrika.com}}</ref>

[[Bankim Chandra Chatterjee|Bankim Chandra Chottopadhyay]], the precursor of Bengali novel, worked as the Deputy Magistrate of Contai, though for a short period, from January 1860 to November of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=.:: Legacy of Midnapore - Contai ::. |url=https://www.midnapore.in/town_contai.html |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=www.midnapore.in}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{OSM Location map
| width=400| height=350| zoom=10
| coord={{coord|21|48|0|N|87|42|0|E}}|  float=left|caption='''Cities and towns in Contai subdivision of Purba Medinipur district'''<br/>M: municipal city/ town, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical/ religious centre, S: port, sea-beach<br/>Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
|mark-coord1= {{coord|21|49|50|N|87|47|30|E}}| label-pos1=left|label1=Basantia | numbered1=CT| mark-title1= [[Basantia]] (CT)|label-color1=#800000 |label-size1=13| mark-size1=13|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1=#C40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2={{coord|21|46|28|N|87|45|0|E}}| label-pos2=bottom|label2=Contai | numbered2=M| mark-title2= Contai (M)|shape-color2=black| label-size2=13|label-color2=black <!-- make the subject of the article stand out with black colors -->
|mark-coord3={{coord|21|38|0|N|87|31|29|E}} | label-pos3=top|label3=Khadalgobra | numbered3=CT| mark-title3= [[Khadalgobra]] (CT)|shape-color3=#C40000
|mark-coord4={{coord|21|38|18|N|87|30|34|E}} | label-pos4=left|label4= Digha| numbered4=R| mark-title4= [[Digha]] (R)|shape-color4=#C40000
|mark-coord5={{coord|21|40|28|N|87|33|33|E}} | label-pos5=left|label5= Ramnagar| numbered5=R| mark-title5= [[Ramnagar, Purba Medinipur]] (R)|shape-color5=#C40000
|mark-coord6={{coord|21|51|10|N|87|44|36|E}} | label-pos6=left|label6= Marishda| numbered6=R| mark-title6= [[Marishda]] (R)|shape-color6=#C40000
|mark-coord7={{coord|22|0|2|N|87|43|41|E}} | label-pos7=left|label7= Bhupatinagar| numbered7=R| mark-title7= [[Bhupatinagar]] (R)|shape-color7=#C40000
|mark-coord8={{coord|21|46|32|N|87|40|30|E}} | label-pos8=left|label8= Majna| numbered8=R| mark-title8= [[Majna]] (R)|shape-color8=#C40000
|mark-coord9={{coord|21|52|15|N|87|57|2|E}} | label-pos9=left|label9= Khejuri| numbered9=R| mark-title9= [[Khejuri]] (R)|shape-color9=#C40000
|mark-coord10={{coord|21|52|5|N|87|43|52|E}} | label-pos10=left|label10= Kamarda| numbered10=R| mark-title10= [[Kamarda]] (R)|shape-color10=#C40000
|mark-coord11={{coord|21|51|20|N|87|54|5|E}} | label-pos11=left|label11= Janka| numbered11=R| mark-title11= [[Janka, Contai]] (R)|shape-color11=#C40000
|mark-coord12={{coord|21|40|46|N|87|35|24|E}} | label-pos12=right|label12= Bara Bankuya| numbered12=R| mark-title12= [[Bara Bankuya]] (R)|shape-color12=#C40000
|mark-coord13={{coord|21|49|30|N|87|49|55|E}} | label-pos13=right|label13= Dholmari| numbered13=R| mark-title13= [[Dholmari]] (R)|shape-color13=#C40000
|mark-coord14={{coord|21|54|52|N|87|55|35|E}} | label-pos14=left|label14= Baratala| numbered14=R| mark-title14= [[Baratala]] (R)|shape-color14=#C40000
|mark-coord15={{coord|21|48|38|N|87|46|36|E}} | label-pos15=left|label15= Durmut| numbered15=R| mark-title15= [[Durmut]] (R)|shape-color15=#C40000
|mark-coord16={{coord|21|43|59|N|87|32|52|E}} | label-pos16=right|label16= Depal| numbered16=R| mark-title16= [[Depal]] (R)|shape-color16=#C40000
|mark-coord17={{coord|21|50|28|N|87|54|5|E}} | label-pos17=left|label17= Silaberia| numbered17=R| mark-title17= [[Silaberia]] (R)|shape-color17=#C40000
|mark-coord18={{coord|21|53|44|N|87|45|2|E}} | label-pos18=left|label18= Kharipukuria| numbered18=R| mark-title18= [[Kharipukuria]] (R)|shape-color18=#C40000
|mark-coord19={{coord|21|36|50|N|87|30|0|E}} | label-pos19=bottom|label19= New Digha| numbered19=S| mark-title19= [[Digha]] (S)|shape-color19=#0048BA
|mark-coord20={{coord|21|38|15|N|87|34|11|E}} | label-pos20=right|labela20= Shankarpur| numbered20=S| mark-title20= [[Shankarpur]] (S)|shape-color20=#0048BA
|mark-coord21={{coord|21|38|24|N|87|35|20|E}} | label-pos21=right|label21= Tajpur Port| numbered21=S| mark-title21= [[Tajpur Port]] (S)|shape-color21=#0048BA
|mark-coord22={{coord|21|39|50|N|87|42|46|E}} | label-pos22=left|label22= Mandarmani| numbered22=S| mark-title22= [[Mandarmani]]|shape-color22=#0048BA
|mark-coord23={{coord|21|43|29|N|87|48|43|E}} | label-pos23=left|label23= Junput| numbered23=S| mark-title23= [[Junput]]|shape-color23=#0048BA
|mark-coord24={{coord|21|47|41|N|87|53|0|E}} | label-pos24=bottom|label24= Petuaghat |labela24=Fishing Harbour| numbered24=S| mark-title24= [[Petuaghat Fishing Harbour]]|shape-color24=#0048BA
|mark-coord25={{coord|21|52|0|N|87|46|31|E}} | label-pos25=right|label25= Dihibahiri| numbered25=H| mark-title25= [[Dihibahiri]] (H)| shape-color25=#AA6666
|mark-coord26={{coord|21|47|40|N|87|51|32|E}} | label-pos26=left|label26= Dariapur| numbered26=R| mark-title26= [[Dariapur, Purba Medinipur]] (R)|shape-color26=#C40000
|mark-coord27={{coord|21|58|57|N|87|45|50|E}} | label-pos27=right|label27= Jukhia| numbered27=H| mark-title27= [[Jukhia]] (H)| shape-color27=#AA6666
|arc-coordA={{coord|21.779123|87.42685}}| arc-textA=West Bengal| arc-text-colorA = dark grey| arc-angleA=30| arc-gapA=3.9| arc-radiusA=0.25| arc-text-sizeA=10
|arc-coordB={{coord|21.724123|87.42685}}| arc-textB=Odisha | arc-text-colorB = dark grey| arc-angleB=48| arc-gapB=6.2| arc-radiusB=0.15| arc-text-sizeB=10
|arc-coordC={{coord|21.59565|N|87.7296|E}}| arc-textC= Bay of Bengal | arc-text-colorC = soft blue| arc-angleC=160| arc-gapC=-1.0| arc-radiusC=1.6| arc-text-sizeC=14}}

===Location===
Contai is about 160&nbsp;km from [[Kolkata]] and 31&nbsp;km from the beach town [[Digha]].

===Climate===
Contai receives heavy rains during monsoon. Winters are not that severe. Summers are average and cooler than that of northern India.

{{Weather box
| location = Contai (1991–2020, extremes 1948–2020) 
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| width = auto
| Jan record high C = 32.5
| Feb record high C = 37.2
| Mar record high C = 40.2
| Apr record high C = 43.8
| May record high C = 43.6
| Jun record high C = 43.6
| Jul record high C = 39.2
| Aug record high C = 37.3
| Sep record high C = 37.8
| Oct record high C = 38.4
| Nov record high C = 36.3
| Dec record high C = 33.8
| year record high C = 
| Jan high C = 25.0
| Feb high C = 28.5
| Mar high C = 33.0
| Apr high C = 35.3
| May high C = 36.4
| Jun high C = 35.0
| Jul high C = 32.9
| Aug high C = 32.2
| Sep high C = 32.4
| Oct high C = 31.8
| Nov high C = 30.0
| Dec high C = 26.1
| year high C = 31.6
| Jan low C = 12.6
| Feb low C = 16.4
| Mar low C = 21.8
| Apr low C = 24.9
| May low C = 26.6
| Jun low C = 26.4
| Jul low C = 25.7
| Aug low C = 25.4
| Sep low C = 25.2
| Oct low C = 23.4
| Nov low C = 17.7
| Dec low C = 13.3
| year low C = 21.7
| Jan record low C = 6.4
| Feb record low C = 6.9
| Mar record low C = 10.3
| Apr record low C = 16.4
| May record low C = 17.2
| Jun record low C = 13.8
| Jul record low C = 21.3
| Aug record low C = 20.7
| Sep record low C = 21.5
| Oct record low C = 14.9
| Nov record low C = 10.9
| Dec record low C = 7.1
| year record low C = 7.7
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 10.4
| Feb rain mm = 20.4
| Mar rain mm = 30.8
| Apr rain mm = 39.9
| May rain mm = 130.7
| Jun rain mm = 223.2
| Jul rain mm = 360.5
| Aug rain mm = 362.7
| Sep rain mm = 363.9
| Oct rain mm = 189.5
| Nov rain mm = 31.2
| Dec rain mm = 5.4
| year rain mm = 1768.6
| Jan rain days = 0.7
| Feb rain days = 1.1
| Mar rain days = 1.7
| Apr rain days = 2.8
| May rain days = 5.0
| Jun rain days = 9.2
| Jul rain days = 15.5
| Aug rain days = 15.3
| Sep rain days = 12.5
| Oct rain days = 6.0
| Nov rain days = 1.2
| Dec rain days = 0.5
| year rain days = 71.6
| time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 73
| Feb humidity = 75
| Mar humidity = 71
| Apr humidity = 71
| May humidity = 73
| Jun humidity = 75
| Jul humidity = 75
| Aug humidity = 72
| Sep humidity = 76
| Oct humidity = 77
| Nov humidity = 72
| Dec humidity = 71
| year humidity = 73
|source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf
| title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020
| publisher = [[India Meteorological Department]]
| access-date = April 8, 2024
}}</ref><ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| title = Station: Contai Climatological Table 1981–2010
| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = January 2015
| pages = 205–206
| access-date = 10 January 2021}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M232
| access-date = 10 January 2021}}</ref>
}}

===Urbanisation===
93.55% of the population of Contai subdivision live in the rural areas. Only 6.45% of the population live in the urban areas and it is considerably behind Haldia subdivision in urbanization, where 20.81% of the population live in urban areas.<ref>{{cite web  | url = http://wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook  | title = District Statistical Handbook 2014 Purba Medinipur  | work = Table 2.2  | publisher = Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal  | access-date = 22 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190121045803/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook  | archive-date = 21 January 2019 | url-status = dead}}</ref>

==Demographics==
As per [[2011 Census of India]], Contai had a total population of 92,226 of which 49,031 (53%) were males and 43,195 (47%) were females. Population below 6 years was 8,440. The total number of literates in Contai was 78,500 (93.69% of the population over 6 years).<ref name=census3-2011>{{cite web| url = http://censusindia.gov.in/pca/pcadata/Houselisting-housing-WB.html  |title = 2011 Census – Primary Census Abstract Data Tables | work= West Bengal – District-wise  |publisher= Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India  | access-date = 15 July 2016}}</ref>

{{As of|2001}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=16 June 2004|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=1 November 2008|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Contai had a population of 77,497. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Contai has an average literacy rate of 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85% and, female literacy is 78%. In Contai, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

===Language and religion===

{{bar box
|title=Religion in Contai (2011)<ref name="religion"/>
|titlebar=#FCD116	
|left1=
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in West Bengal|Hinduism]]|darkorange|79.95}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in West Bengal|Islam]]|green|19.80}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.25}}
}}
In 2011 census Hindus numbered 73,732 and formed 79.95% of the population in Contai Municipal Area. Muslims numbered 18,263 and formed 19.80% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Municipality |first=Contai |title=Contai Municipality |url=http://www.conatimunicipality.org.in/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Contai Municipality |language=en}}</ref> Others numbered 231 and formed 0.25% of the population.<ref name="religion">{{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> In 2001, Hindus made up 79.95% and Muslims 19.80% of the population respectively.<ref name=censusreligion2001>{{cite web| url = https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/21481/download/24613/PC01_C01_19.xls|title = Table C01 Population by Religious Community: West Bengal |publisher = [[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]] |date=2001}}</ref>

==Police stations==
[[File:Contai Subsidiary Correctional Home in Contai, East Medinipur 02.jpg|thumb|Contai Subsidiary Correctional Home]]

[[File:Contai (Kanthi) sub divisional Court 04.jpg|thumb|left|Contai Sub divisional Court]]
Located at the heart of the town, Contai police station has jurisdiction over [[Contai I]] and [[Deshapran (community development block)|Deshapran]] CD Blocks. It covers an area of 370.80&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> with a population of  382,216.<ref>{{cite web | url =  http://emdp.co.in/detailstation/CONTAI | title =  Contai PS | publisher =  Purba Medinipur District Police | access-date =  10 November 2016 | archive-url =  https://web.archive.org/web/20161112031725/http://emdp.co.in/detailstation/CONTAI | archive-date =  12 November 2016 | url-status =  dead}}</ref> Contai Women police station was opened on 18 March 2012. It has jurisdiction over Contai subdivision.<ref>{{cite web | url =  http://emdp.co.in/detailstation/CONTAIWOMEN | title =  Contai Women PS | publisher =  Purba Medinipur District Police | access-date =  10 November 2016 | archive-url =  https://web.archive.org/web/20161112031036/http://emdp.co.in/detailstation/CONTAIWOMEN | archive-date =  12 November 2016 | url-status =  dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web  | url = http://policewb.gov.in/wbp/women_ps/main.php  | title = Existing Women Police Stations along with their jurisdiction and Date of Inauguration  | publisher = West Bengal Police  | access-date = 10 November 2016  | archive-date = 24 June 2019  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190624024356/http://policewb.gov.in/wbp/women_ps/main.php  | url-status = dead  }}</ref>

== Economy ==
Contai is famous for its [[tourism]], [[cashew]] crop, fishing and processing industries. [[Fishing]] is the predominant high earning business apart from Cashew processing in Contai. Many people are associated with [[Prawn]] cultivation. Processing of dry fish is also practised in certain regions. The cultivation fields are generally outside the main town. [[Paddy field|Paddy]] is the main food crop cultivated in Contai. Cashew processing industry is mainly practised in the areas in and around Majna, a village 5&nbsp;km off Contai town. It is the second highest paddy producing district in West Bengal. The land is highly fertile and therefore, agriculture is also the major driving force that sustains the middle-class economy of this region. However, sometimes agriculture is affected by frequent floods due to torrential [[monsoon]] rains and [[cyclone]]s formed from depressions in the [[Bay of Bengal]]. A major portion of the towns dwellers are associated with business. Businessmen still form the major number of workforce in the main town. The main bazaar of Contai town is Contai Super Market. Apart from that there are New Market, Raja Bazaar, and unorganized market distributed throughout. Popular tourist attractions like [[Digha]], [[Mandarmani]], [[Junput]], [[Tajpur, West Bengal|Tajpur]], Sankarpur are near the area of Contai Subdivision. Petuaghat, the biggest fishing port of Asia is located near Contai.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

==Transportation==
[[File:Central Bus Terminus - Contai-Digha Bypass - NH 116B Bypass - Contai - East Midnapore 2015-05-01 8612.JPG|thumb|Central Bus Terminus, Conta]]
Contai is well connected by roads/highways with other nearby cities and towns and several important junctions like, [[Digha]], [[Dantan]], [[Jhargram]], [[Kharagpur]], [[Midnapore]], [[Tamluk]], [[Haldia]], [[Howrah]] and [[Kolkata]]. [[Kanthi railway station]] is connected by a rail link to [[Howrah]]/Kolkata which is again extended to [[Digha]]. [[Kandari Express]], [[Tamralipta Express]] and [[Howrah–Digha Super AC Express]] connects Kolkata and Contai. Local trains are available too. Contai is directly connected by rail to [[Asansol]], [[Malda, West Bengal|Malda Town]] and [[Siliguri]] of West Bengal, [[Puri]] of [[Odisha]] and [[Vishakapatnam]] of [[Andhra Pradesh]]. The rail line is believed to have given a rise to the local economy. For local transportation, bus, mini-bus, taxi and much eco-friendly options like [[Electric rickshaw|toto]], autos and [[cycle rickshaw]]s are available.
[[File:Roads in Contai (Kanthi) town, Purba Medinipur 11.jpg|thumb|left|Contai more, Digha Kolkata Highway]]
The opening of Central Central Bus Terminus has eased the traffic congestion within the town to a great deal. The [[National Highway 116B (India)|NH-116B]] from [[Nandakumar, Purba Medinipur|Nandakumar]] to [[Digha]] which passes through Contai was scheduled to get converted to dual road within 2020 thus enabling swifter trade, commerce and tourism.

==Education==
There are a number of well-known schools and colleges in Contai. For higher education, besides the [[Prabhat Kumar College]] under the [[Vidyasagar University]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prabhat Kumar College, Contai::Admission 2019-2020 |url=https://pkcollegecontai.ac.in/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=pkcollegecontai.ac.in}}</ref> there is an Ayurvedic medical college, named Raghunath Ayurved Mahavidyalaya and Hospital; a Government Polytechnic Engineering College named Contai Polytechnic; a private management college, named Contai College of Learning and Management Science; three B.Ed colleges; private ITI colleges and many more. There are plans to upgrade the Contai sub-divisional hospital into a medical college.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

===List of schools in Contai===
[[File:Chandramani Brahma Balika Vidyalaya - Contai - East Midnapore - 2016-06-18 4166.JPG|thumb|Contai Chandramani Brahma Balika Vidyalaya]]
*Contai Narayana School 
*Contai Public School
* [[Contai Kshetra Mohan Bidhyabhaban]] (H.S.)
* Safiabad Sital Prasad Vidyamandir (H.S)
* [[Contai High School]] (H.S.)
* [[Contai Model Institution]] (H.S.)
* [[Contai Hindu Girls' School]] (H.S.)
* [[Contai Chandramani Brahmo Girls' School]]
* [[Contai Town Rakhal Chandra Vidyapith]]
* [[Kishorenagar Sachindra Siksha Sadan]]
* [[Kalikapur High School]]
* Contai Rahamania High Madrasha H/S
* Contai Muslim Girls' School
* Contai Sawkatia English Medium High Madrasha School
* Mount Litera Zee School, Contai
* Contai St. Paul's School
* North Point Day School
* Malabika Public School
* Contai Dishari Public School
* Mahishagote Shahid Smriti 
Vidyamandir
* Sabajput Sambodhi Shikshatirtha 
* Nayaput Sudhir Kumar High School

==Health==
[[File:Contai Subdivisional Hospital Area - Contai - East Midnapore 2016-06-18 4314.JPG|thumb|Contai Subdivisional Hospital Area]]
There are many hospitals in the Contai town; one is the Contai Subdivisional Hospital.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.contai.info/hospital.php |title=Contai Sub Divisional Hospital |website=Contai.info |access-date=24 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426085849/http://www.contai.info/hospital.php |archive-date=26 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> People of this subdivision depend mainly on this hospital. There are also many private nursing homes.

==Culture==
Among many festivals in Contai, "Gandhi Mela" is the most popular. It is a type of fair. It is held during January/February every year and it continues for 10 or 15 days. Many people from Contai and neighbouring subdivisions take part in "Gandhi Mela" not only for amusement but also for agricultural and industrial exhibitions. There are also some cultural institutions like Contai Bramho Samaj, Contai Harisabha, Contai Club etc. The regular Bengali festivals like [[Durga Puja]], [[Vasant Panchami|Saraswati Puja]] and [[Kali Puja]] are well attended. Other common pujas in the worship of Sitala, Jagaddhatri, [[Holi]], [[Krishna Janmashtami|Janmastami]], Bheema Puja, Viswakarma also takes place. Film productions has newly seen a growth in recent years in this town. Several cultural programmes are frequently organised at the Town Hall. There is also an annual book fair held in the town. Baishakhi mela is another popular fair organised recently by the Contai Nandanik Club. There are frequent T20 tournaments held in winter in the various stadiums of Contai. Muharram Mela and Tajiya demonstration are some popular festivals in Contai observed by Muslims of the region and collectively shared and enjoyed by Hindus and other communities of the region as well. There is a competition held in Darua Karabala maidan for the best decorated Tajiya.

==Arts and crafts==
Contai is famous for {{lang|hi|pital}} (brass), ''kansa silpo'' (tin) and {{lang|bn|madur silpo}} (mat made of a kind of grass).

==Notable people==
* [[Birendranath Sasmal]], nationalist Barrister
* [[Sudhir Chandra Das]], politician
* [[Suvendu Adhikari]], former member of Lok Sabha, former Minister of Govt. of West Bengal
* [[Sisir Adhikari]], member of the Lok Sabha, former Minister of State of Govt. of India
* [[Tuhina Das]], Bengali actress

==Tourist spots==
* Kapalkundala Temple, Dariapur<ref>{{Citation |last=Pinakpani |title=English:  Famous Kapalkundala temple, situated at Dariapur, Purba Medinipur |date=2024-01-20 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Famous_Kapalkundala_temple,_situated_at_Dariapur,_Purba_Medinipur_11.jpg |access-date=2024-01-24}}</ref>
* Dariapur Light House
* Nimak Mahal
* Brahmo Samaj, Contai<ref>{{Citation |last=Ganguly |first=Biswarup |title=English:  Photographed in Kanthi or Contai, East Midnapore. |date=2016-06-18 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brahmo_Samaj_-_Contai_-_East_Midnapore_2016-06-18_4312.JPG |access-date=2024-01-24}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage-inline|Junput}}
* [http://www.onlinecontai.com/pages/index.php/ Contai Municipality official website] 
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20091102074539/http://www.colorsofcontai.com/ Contai Royals-Information about Contai(Developing Now)]}}
* [http://www.purbamedinipur.gov.in/ Purba Medinipur District Official Website]
* [http://www.paschimmedinipur.gov.in/ Paschim Medinipur District Official Website]
* [http://www.midnapore.in/books/books/kanthir-purabritta.jpg books on contai by sunil kumar ghosh]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161225103533/http://www.contai.info/ Contai Information Point, Official site of Contai]
* [http://www.contai.org SDO Contai]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120206014054/http://www.pkcollegecontai.org/ Prabhat Kumar College, Contai]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20191127010526/http://midnapore.in/ Midnapore - Website for East and West Midnapore]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120306093332/http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/bengal/midnapore/page4.htm On temples of Midnapur]

{{Purba Medinipur District}}
{{Municipalities of West Bengal}}
{{Purba Medinipur topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Purba Medinipur district]]
[[Category:Cities in West Bengal]]