# Murshidabad district (মুর্শিদাবাদ জেলা)
**Murshidabad district** (Bengali: মুর্শিদাবাদ জেলা) is a district of [West Bengal](https://www.edgepedia.org/west-bengal), India, lying in the middle of the state with its headquarters at Berhampur, and named after the city that served as the capital of Bengal under the Nawabs.[2](https://murshidabad.gov.in/district-map/) • [1](https://murshidabad.gov.in/) The district takes its name from the place known as "Muksudabad", the capital of Bengal during the rule of [Murshid Quli Khan](https://www.edgepedia.org/murshid-quli-khan).[1](https://murshidabad.gov.in/) In 1757 the British defeated [Siraj-ud-Daula](https://www.edgepedia.org/siraj-ud-daula) at the Battle of Plassey, and even after the conquest of Bengal Murshidabad remained for some time the seat of administration.[1](https://murshidabad.gov.in/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Area | 5316.11 sq km per the district map page; the district homepage gives 5324 sq km[2](https://murshidabad.gov.in/district-map/) • [1](https://murshidabad.gov.in/) |
| Population (Census 2011) | 7,103,807 per the District Census Handbook; the district demography page gives 7,102,430[4](https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/1340/download/4374/DH_2011_1907_PART_A_DCHB_MURSHIDABAD.pdf) • [3](https://murshidabad.gov.in/demography/) |
| Literacy rate | 63.88% (Census 2011); female literacy 55.04%[3](https://murshidabad.gov.in/demography/) |
| International border | 125.35 km with Bangladesh, of which 42.35 km is on land and the rest riverine, running along 11 blocks[2](https://murshidabad.gov.in/district-map/) |
| Administrative units | 5 subdivisions (Jangipur, Sadar, Kandi, Lalbagh, Domkal), 26 blocks, 28 police stations, 8 municipalities, 254 Gram Panchayats[2](https://murshidabad.gov.in/district-map/) • [8](https://murshidabad.gov.in/subdivision-blocks/) |
| Population density | 1,334 per square km (Census 2011)[3](https://murshidabad.gov.in/demography/) |
| Decadal growth | 21.07% (2001–2011)[3](https://murshidabad.gov.in/demography/) |
## Geography
In shape the district resembles an isosceles triangle with its apex pointing to the north-west. It lies between 23º43′N and 24º52′N latitude and 87º49′E and 88º44′E longitude.[2](https://murshidabad.gov.in/district-map/) The Padma River flows through the entire eastern boundary, separating the district from Malda and from Rajshahi in Bangladesh; Burdwan and Nadia lie to the south, and Birbhum and Pakur ([Jharkhand](https://www.edgepedia.org/jharkhand)) to the west.[2](https://murshidabad.gov.in/district-map/)
The main river Bhagirathi divides the district into two parts, Bagri on the eastern side and Rarh on the western side.[2](https://murshidabad.gov.in/district-map/) The district occupies about 6% of the area of West Bengal but holds 7.78% of the state's population.[3](https://murshidabad.gov.in/demography/)
## History
Before the advent of the British, the city of [Murshidabad](https://www.edgepedia.org/murshidabad) was the capital of Bengal. The district's significance in Indian history rests on the [Battle of Plassey](https://www.edgepedia.org/battle-of-plassey) in 1757, in which the British defeated Siraj-ud-Daula, after which the country was brought under British colonial rule.[1](https://murshidabad.gov.in/) The city still carries the memory of the Nawabs in its mosques, tombs, and gardens, and preserves crafts such as ivory carving, gold and silver embroidery, and silk weaving.[7](https://murshidabad.gov.in/bn/%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8-2/) Points of interest include the Nizamat Kila (the Nawabs' fort), known also as the [Hazarduari Palace](https://www.edgepedia.org/hazarduari-palace) (the palace of a thousand doors), Moti Jhil (the Pearl Lake), Muradbag Palace, and the Khushbag cemetery.[7](https://murshidabad.gov.in/bn/%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8-2/)
## Demography
As per Census 2011 the district's population was 7,103,807, of which 5,703,115 lived in rural areas and 1,400,692 in urban areas.[4](https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/1340/download/4374/DH_2011_1907_PART_A_DCHB_MURSHIDABAD.pdf) The urban share expanded from 12.5% in the 2001 Census to 19.7% in 2011.[5](https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/1341/download/4378/DH_2011_1907_PART_B_DCHB_MURSHIDABAD.pdf) The district recorded 21.1% decadal growth, the 3rd highest in the state and well above the state average of 13.8%, and ranked 4th among West Bengal districts by total population and 2nd by child (0–6 years) population.[5](https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/1341/download/4378/DH_2011_1907_PART_B_DCHB_MURSHIDABAD.pdf)
The sex ratio was 957 females per 1,000 males on the district demography page, while the Census District Highlights give 958, higher than the state's 950.[3](https://murshidabad.gov.in/demography/) • [5](https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/1341/download/4378/DH_2011_1907_PART_B_DCHB_MURSHIDABAD.pdf) The child sex ratio is 963.[3](https://murshidabad.gov.in/demography/) The district has a large concentration of minority population, which the district administration puts at possibly more than 66% of the total, and it describes itself as educationally backward, with poor female literacy a matter of concern.[3](https://murshidabad.gov.in/demography/)
## Administration
The district is divided into five subdivisions: Jangipur, Sadar, Kandi, Lalbagh, and Domkal, each headed by a Sub-Divisional Officer.[8](https://murshidabad.gov.in/subdivision-blocks/) Below them are 26 blocks, 28 police stations, 8 municipalities, and 254 Gram Panchayats.[2](https://murshidabad.gov.in/district-map/) The Collectorate profile likewise lists 26 blocks and 5 sub-divisions, with the district falling in the Murshidabad parliamentary constituency.[9](https://murshidabad.gov.in/collectorate/)
## Economy and handicrafts
Silk weaving is the principal cottage industry of the district, and the silk industry of West Bengal is concentrated in Murshidabad; the brand "Murshidabad silk" has demand across India and abroad. Sericulture is the principal agro-based rural industry.[6](https://murshidabad.gov.in/handicraft/) [Ivory carving](https://www.edgepedia.org/ivory-carving) has been patronized since the time of the Nawabs, and about 99% of total ivory production is exported, drawing a significant share of the district's income; sandalwood etching has now become more popular than ivory carving, and the district is also known for brass and bell metal ware.[6](https://murshidabad.gov.in/handicraft/)
## Human development
According to the West Bengal Human Development Report, Murshidabad had a [Human Development Index](https://www.edgepedia.org/human-development-index) of 0.46, ranking 15th among the state's districts, with an income index of 0.29, education index of 0.52, and health index of 0.57.[10](https://www.lbsnaa.gov.in/lbsnaa_sub/upload/uploadfiles/files/CRS/Publications/Internal/7-F_Final_WEST_BENGAL_Web.pdf) The NITI Aayog Multidimensional Poverty Index records a headcount ratio of 16.55% for the district in NFHS-5 (2019–21), down from 27.23% in NFHS-4 (2015–16).[11](https://niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-08/India-National-Multidimentional-Poverty-Index-2023.pdf)
## References
1. [District Murshidabad, Government of West Bengal](https://murshidabad.gov.in/)
2. [District Map, District Murshidabad](https://murshidabad.gov.in/district-map/)
3. [Demography, District Murshidabad](https://murshidabad.gov.in/demography/)
4. [Census of India 2011, District Census Handbook, Murshidabad, Part A](https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/1340/download/4374/DH_2011_1907_PART_A_DCHB_MURSHIDABAD.pdf)
5. [District Highlights, 2011 Census, Murshidabad, Part B](https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/1341/download/4378/DH_2011_1907_PART_B_DCHB_MURSHIDABAD.pdf)
6. [Handicraft, District Murshidabad](https://murshidabad.gov.in/handicraft/)
7. [ইতিহাস (History), District Murshidabad](https://murshidabad.gov.in/bn/%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8-2/)
8. [Subdivision and Blocks, District Murshidabad](https://murshidabad.gov.in/subdivision-blocks/)
9. [Collectorate, District Murshidabad](https://murshidabad.gov.in/collectorate/)
10. [West Bengal Human Development Report figures, LBSNAA publication](https://www.lbsnaa.gov.in/lbsnaa_sub/upload/uploadfiles/files/CRS/Publications/Internal/7-F_Final_WEST_BENGAL_Web.pdf)
11. [India National Multidimensional Poverty Index 2023, NITI Aayog](https://niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-08/India-National-Multidimentional-Poverty-Index-2023.pdf)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Places and geography › Administrative and cadastral territories › Intermediate territorial subdivisions › Intermediate subdivisions of South Asia*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
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