Egra
Egra is a town and municipality in Purba Medinipur district of the Indian state of West Bengal, serving as the headquarters of Egra subdivision. With a population of 30,148 as per the 2011 Indian census, it is a developing urban center located approximately 160 kilometers southwest of Kolkata at an elevation of 11 meters above sea level.[1][2][3] Historically known as Agrapattan, Egra traces its origins to ancient times, with archaeological evidence including a 7th-century copper plate inscription from nearby Panchrol indicating early medieval administrative and land grant practices under King Śaśāṅka. The town gained prominence as an ancient settlement near the Bay of Bengal, potentially linked to historical seaports, and features the iconic Hatnagar Mahadeb Temple—a Shiva temple constructed in the Odia architectural style during the 16th-century reign of Gajapati king Mukundadeva of Odisha, renowned for its Shivalingam and the annual Shivachaturdashi fair that draws devotees.[4][5][3] Administratively governed by Egra Municipality—established with a focus on urban development, e-governance, safe drinking water, health services, education, and environmental sustainability—the town spans 14 wards and supports local markets, cultural activities, and community events. Its strategic location near coastal attractions like Shankarpur Beach (about 30 km east) enhances its role in regional tourism, while ongoing initiatives emphasize clean and green infrastructure to accommodate population growth and improve quality of life.[6][1][3]Geography
Location and Topography
Egra is situated in the Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, India, where it functions as the headquarters of the Egra subdivision. The town lies at coordinates 21°53′59.67″ N 87°32′15.35″ E, with an average elevation of approximately 11 meters above mean sea level. The municipal area encompasses 17.21 km². The topography of Egra features flat alluvial plains characteristic of the Ganges delta, formed through Quaternary fluvial-tidal deposits in the lower Indo-Gangetic Plain. Elevations in the surrounding region typically range from 5 to 7 meters above mean sea level, with an average slope of 0-5 degrees, contributing to a landscape dominated by clay, silt, and sand soils prone to waterlogging. Egra is positioned inland but in proximity to the Bay of Bengal, whose coastal influences have historically shaped the area; the district boasts a 60 km coastline, and ancient settlements like the nearby seaport of Tamluk reflect past extensions of the shoreline closer to the region.[7] The town is bordered by the Egra I and Egra II community development blocks, with key geographical features including the Rasulpur River, which flows through the area and influences local drainage patterns. Approximately 36 km south of Egra, near the mouth of the Rasulpur River, stands the Dariapur lighthouse, constructed in 1968 to aid maritime navigation.[8]Climate and Environment
Egra experiences a tropical monsoon climate characterized by high humidity, distinct wet and dry seasons, and significant seasonal temperature variations. The average annual rainfall ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 mm, with the majority occurring during the monsoon period from June to September, accounting for about 70-74% of the total precipitation. Temperatures typically fluctuate between 20°C and 35°C throughout the year, with humid summers reaching highs of up to 39°C in April and May, and mild winters dipping to lows around 14°C in January. The wet season, lasting from late May to early October, features frequent overcast skies and an average of 22-23 rainy days per month in July, the peak monsoon month.[9][7][10] The region's environmental features are heavily influenced by its proximity to the Bay of Bengal, resulting in coastal dynamics that shape local ecology and hazards. Soil types in Egra and surrounding areas of Purba Medinipur district are predominantly alluvial, comprising layers of sand, silt, and clay from river floodplains, making them fertile and suitable for rice cultivation. Vegetation includes mangrove fringes along nearby coastal zones, with species such as Avicennia officinalis and halophytic plants like Spinifex littoreus stabilizing dunes and wetlands. Groundwater is generally available due to the district's alluvial aquifers, supporting agricultural and domestic needs, though overlying brackish layers in coastal parts require specialized extraction methods.[7][11] Egra is prone to environmental challenges stemming from its coastal location, including cyclones originating from the Bay of Bengal and associated storm surges. For instance, Super Cyclone Yaas in 2021 caused extensive flooding and inundation in Purba Medinipur, highlighting the area's vulnerability to such events. Risks from soil erosion, particularly along rivers like the Haldi and Keleghai, and salinity intrusion due to tidal influences and sea-level rise further threaten land quality, with about 55.8% of the district considered flood-prone. The flat topography exacerbates these flood risks by limiting natural drainage.[12][7] As of 2025, climate change has intensified local flooding in West Bengal's coastal regions, including Purba Medinipur, through more frequent and severe cyclones, increased monsoon rainfall, and rising sea levels that promote salinity intrusion into agricultural lands. These changes have led to heightened flood events, such as those during the 2025 monsoon, contributing to erosion and reduced groundwater quality in vulnerable blocks like Egra-II.[13][14][15]History
Ancient and Medieval Periods
The ancient name of Egra was Agrapattan, which gradually evolved into its current colloquial form through dialectal changes.[6][16] Early historical evidence for Egra dates to the 7th century CE, during the reign of King Shashanka of the Gauda Kingdom, as documented in a copper plate inscription discovered in the Panchrol area near Egra. This inscription, consisting of 20 lines on the obverse and 17 on the reverse, records a land grant and provides insights into the administrative and agrarian practices of the period.[17][18] The settlement's proximity to the Bay of Bengal, where the sea once extended inland to nearby areas like Tamluk, positioned Egra as an ancient trading post facilitating maritime commerce.[6] In the medieval period, Egra functioned as a port-adjacent settlement, supporting regional trade networks along the Bengal coast. An anchor station known as Angarghat at Angargaria, located south of present-day Ward No. 2, served as a key mooring point for vessels, with the site's name deriving from the anchoring of ships in historical accounts.[4] The Hatnagar Shiva temple, featuring an ekratna tower structure with curved cornices, stands as a notable architectural remnant of this era's religious and cultural life.[6] Archaeological findings, including remnants of an ancient lighthouse approximately 5 km south of Egra town near Kudi, underscore the area's maritime heritage and role in guiding coastal navigation.[6][19]Colonial Era and Independence
During the colonial period, Egra formed part of the Bengal Presidency under British administration, integrated into the broader district of Midnapore, which underwent significant administrative reorganization in the 19th century. The area served as a posting for British civil service officials, including the renowned Bengali author Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who took charge as Deputy Magistrate of the Negua subdivision in the late 19th century and resided in Egra during his tenure.[19] Chattopadhyay's 1882 novel Anandamath, set against the backdrop of the Sannyasi Rebellion, emerged as a pivotal work that fueled Indian nationalist sentiments through its themes of resistance and patriotism, particularly via the hymn "Vande Mataram." As the independence movement gained momentum, Egra and the surrounding Midnapore district actively participated in the Quit India Movement launched in August 1942, marked by widespread protests, arrests of local leaders, and acts of civil disobedience that highlighted rural mobilization against colonial rule.[20] Following India's independence in 1947, the region transitioned into the newly formed state of West Bengal, retaining its administrative ties to the provincial structure amid the partition's realignments. In the post-independence era, Egra's local governance evolved with the establishment of the Egra Municipality on June 9, 1993, through the amalgamation of parts of Kasba Egra-I and Kasba Egra-II gram panchayats, enabling focused urban development and civic administration. Concurrently, Egra was designated as the headquarters of its namesake subdivision within Purba Medinipur district, centralizing oversight of local blocks and facilitating regional coordination.[21]Demographics
Population Trends
According to the 2001 Census of India, Egra had a total population of 25,180, with a sex ratio of 972 females per 1,000 males. This marked a period of moderate growth in the region, reflecting broader demographic patterns in Purba Medinipur district. The 2011 Census recorded a significant increase to 30,148 residents, comprising 15,291 males and 14,857 females, representing a decadal growth rate of approximately 19.8% from 2001. Population density stood at 1,752 persons per square kilometer across the municipality's 17.21 square kilometers, indicating steady urbanization pressures within a predominantly rural subdivision.[22][23] Among these, 3,241 children under the age of 6 were enumerated, accounting for 10.75% of the total population and highlighting a youthful demographic profile.[23] Egra's subdivision maintains a stark urban-rural divide, with approximately 8% of the population classified as urban (Egra municipality), while 92% resides in rural areas. The municipality itself is divided into 14 wards, underscoring intra-urban disparities in density and resource needs.[1][24][25] India's 2021 Census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, as of November 2025, is scheduled to begin in 2027 with pre-tests conducted earlier in the year. No official post-2011 data exists, but projections based on Purba Medinipur's historical annual growth rate of about 1.4% (decadal growth of 15.3% from 2001–2011) estimate Egra's population at approximately 37,000 as of 2025, suggesting continued expansion driven by natural increase.[26][27]| Census Year | Total Population | Males | Females | Sex Ratio (Females/1,000 Males) | Population Density (per km²) | Children Under 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 25,180 | - | - | 972 | - | - |
| 2011 | 30,148 | 15,291 | 14,857 | 972 | 1,752 | 3,241 |