Parganas

Parganas is a historical term used in the Indian subcontinent to denote a revenue subdivision, particularly under the Mughal and later British administrations in Bengal. The district historically known as 24 Parganas derived its name from the count of parganas within its jurisdiction. In the Indian state of West Bengal, the area formerly referred to as 24 Parganas was later divided into two separate districts: North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas. The two districts lie in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta and share a border with Bangladesh.

Geography and administration in modern times place North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas as part of the Kolkata metropolitan region. The northern district contains densely populated urban areas and towns such as Barasat and Dum Dum, and forms part of the greater Kolkata urban belt. The southern district encompasses portions of the Sundarbans mangrove forest, coastal areas, and towns including Diamond Harbour, Kakdwip, and Canning. A major transportation hub in the region is the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, located in Dum Dum, North 24 Parganas. The two districts are connected by rail, road, and waterways.

Economy and demographics in the Parganas feature a mix of urban and rural communities. Agriculture remains important in rural delta areas, while fishing is significant in coastal and mangrove zones. Suburban areas around Kolkata contribute to manufacturing and services. Bengali is the predominant language, with pockets of Hindi and Urdu speakers in certain communities. The Sundarbans area, spanning parts of the districts, is a major ecological and tourist site, with the Sundarbans National Park designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.