Kasba

Kasba is a toponym used in several countries and languages. Derived from the Arabic word qasbah (often transliterated kasbah or kasba), it originally referred to a fortified settlement or fortress. In the modern world, Kasba appears mainly as a place-name in North Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent, where it is often associated with neighborhoods or towns that grew around a fortification or market.

In India, Kasba is best known as a neighborhood in Kolkata, West Bengal, a densely populated locality on the eastern side of the city. The name is also used in other Indian states for village or municipal areas, reflecting historical settlements that bore fortified or commercial significance.

In North Africa and parts of the Arab world, kasba (kasbah) designates a castle-like quarter or fortress within a larger city, notably in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The kasbahs of historic medinas are often tourist attractions and carry cultural and architectural heritage.

As a placename, Kasba is typically not tied to a single entity and may refer to multiple places. The term remains common in toponymy and conservation of historic urban forms. See also Kasbah.