Bolpur was a small rural town prior to the 20th century. Its geographical location 145 KM away north from Kolkata situated at the south border of Birbhum District, geographic co-ordinates 230 40’-0” & 870 43’-0” north. Character of the earth is sandy with morrum (lal mati) alluvial land in nature under the Super Pargona.

The name of the Town “Bolpur” came from the ward “Bolipur” or “Bolipore”. There was a mythical story behind the ‘Bolipur’ or ‘Bolipore’ is that in the Pouranik era Raja Surath of Supur Paragana organized the sacrificial slaughtering (called ‘Boli’) of one lakh goats offered to the goddess “Debi Bhabani” to satisfy her and getting her blessing to regain his Kingdom which was lost earlier. Thus the name comes from Bolipur to Bolpur.

The main economic activities of the people of Bolpur at that time were purely based on agriculture. There were 19 (nineteen) rice mills in this small town at that time; some of the mills are still functioning today.

Bolpur town was connected with rail line from Howrah (Kolkata) to Sahibganj loop line constructed by the East India Company in the year 1859. This rail line divided the Bolpur town into two parts. The east part of the town was the main economic / business center of Bolpur & called as Old Bolpur, the west part of the Bolpur town is growing rapidly.

Bolpur is mainly famous with the name of “Santiniketan”. Maharshi Debendranath Tagore first visited this place in the year 1861. He visited the house of lord S.P. Sinha, land lord Zamindar of Supur Raipur estate, who was one of the followers of Maharshi Debendranath Tagore and also family friend. In the year 1863 Maharshi Debendranath Tagore had taken lease of 20 acre of land from the land lord of Raipur Supur Sinha Family Mr. Bhuban Mohan Sinha and built a house called as “Atithisala” named as “Santiniketan” near Chhatimtala to establish Brahma Upasana Centre / Ashrama (as spiritual Centre). Kabi Guru Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore first visited this place Santiniketan at the age of 17 (seventeen) years, i.e. in the year of 1878. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore established Santiniketan Ashrama in the year 1901. After receiving Nobel Prize in the year 1913 he tried and made all his effort to establish Santiniketan Ashrama as a University named Visva-Bharati in 1921 to 1923.

Thus the Bolpur town was blessed & honored by the dust of feet of great world famous poet & Nobel laureate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore with the name & fame of Santiniketan Visva-Bharati University from the year 1923. In the year 1951 Govt. of India have undertaken the Visva-Bharati University & declared as Central University.

The world famous great leaders, writers, poets, scientists, philosophers, social reformers, freedom fighters not only from India but also from abroad used to visit Santiniketan with attraction of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore and also to get his blessings.

The Bolpur Town is growing faster with the rhythm as the Santiniketan grows now. Bolpur is became an educational hub not only educational hub but tourist hub also.

Some eminent personalities, educationalists, social workers of Bolpur had also played a great role for the faster and rapid development of Bolpur town. With the endless efforts few educational institutions, Colleges, Town Library, Primary Health Center, Basic Primary School were established. For giving better civic amenities to the people of Bolpur Union Board Office was established in the year 1921. The office building of the Union Board was inaugurated by Mr. H. S. E Stevens I.C.S. The then District Magistrate Birbhum on the 4th of April 1928 Members were R. HHaty B.L, Mr. P. Ghosh (President), Mr. A. Roy, Mr. G. Dalal, Mr. K. Sarkar, Mr. H. Sattar member A. Dey M. A. Co.

Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore started his last journey from Santiniketan to Howrah (Kolkata) for better medical treatment for his illness in the year 1941 25th of July Bengali 9th Sravana 1348. He was given warm felicitation at Chowrasta by the eminent persons & people of Bolpur town and wish him for speedy recovery from his illness but unfortunately after 13 days the news came from Kolkata that Gurudev passes away for heavenly abode to commemorate this event a Rabindra Memorial Column was established at Chowrasta Junction of Sriniketan & Santiniketan Road.

The Bolpur town was declared as Municipality from Union Board in accordance with the provision of the West Bengal Municipal Act 1932 with a notification issued by the then local self Govt. (L.S.G) Government of West Bengal with effect from June 1950. Consisting of 11 (eleven) Members nominated by the Govt Area of the Municipality was 5.07 Sq Miles or 13.13 Sq. Km. The nominated members of the Board had taken their oath. Mr. Amarendranath Sarkar as Chairman and Dr. Radha Krishna Sinha as Vice-Chairman first meeting of Board of Commissioners were held on 24the of June 1950 at the Union Board Office Premises now known as Municipal main Office building. First census of Bolpur Municipality was held in 1951. Thus intervals of every ten years cencus were held regularly. Table is given below:

According to the density of population delimitation of Ward was made in 1952 & 1st election of Board of Commissioner was held for 12 wards. 2nd delimitation of wards was held in 1961 from 12 to 4 wards. 3rd delimitation of ward was held in 1995 from 14 to 18 ward 4th delimitation of ward was held on 2010 from 18 to 19 wards, 5th delimitation was held on 2015 from 18 to 20 wards.

A notification was issued by the U.D & M.A Department vide No. – 568/MA/O/C-4/IM-15/2015 Dated Kolkata the 8th day of August, 2018 for inclusion of some Moujas adjacent to the Bolpur Municipality to come under the jurisdiction of Bolpur Municipality.

Notification Memo No. – 1029/MA/O/C-4/IM-5/2004 Pt II Dated Kolkata the 18th day of November 2019 for the added areas and the total number wards would be 22 Nos.

Notification No. – 1004/SEC/IE-95/2019 dated 26/11/2019 in respect of guideline for delimitation of wards and vide District Magistrate Birbhum & District Municipal Election Officers Memo No. – 2169(6)/Elec dated 04-12-2019.

6th delimitation of wards under Bolpur Municipality was held on 2021 from existing ward No 20 to 22 wards with added areas and total projected population as per house hold would be approximately 148520 (total area 35.40 Sq. Km., number of house hold 37230 and projected population 148520).

Due to Covid Pandemic situation Census work for 2021 could not be taken place & completed within the stipulated period.

In the eastern part of the Railway line there are 7 wards and in the western part of the Railway line there are 14 wards and the Ward No. 01 is in the both side part.

As per above Census date it indicates that the growth rate of Population in the Bolpur Municipal area are much higher than that of the normal growth rate. It is only due to migration from the surrounding villages of Bolpur Town and from the other Cities also. This is mainly for business activities, to avail the medical facilities and to avail the educational facilities for their children.

Bolpur town is connected by railway line & as well as Bus serious with all over the Country Few thousands of floating People are used to visit this town (Bolpur Santiniketan) each & everyday and Municipal authority is always very alert to provide better services to people instantly.

Bolpur town is enriched with old traditional tribal culture. Above all Bolpur Municipality has also a good Traditional Cultural heritage; people are used to visit this place to enjoy the scenic natural beauty, forest, ‘Khoai’. If we put our ear to the earth we can feel & hear the sound of the rhythm of ‘Madal’ – “দুন্ধুভি বেজে ওঠে দ্রিম দ্রিম রবে , সাঁওতাল পল্লীতে উৎসব হবে ” or “my heart is dancing like Peacock – হৃদয় আমার নাচেরে আজিকে ময়ূরের মত নাচেরে”.

We welcome the people of India as well as whole World to visit our town.