Destination India: Cooch Behar, West Bengal

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Cooch Behar, West Bengal

Here I go...
Originally uploaded by Sauzz.

During the British Raj, Cooch Behar was the seat of a princely state of the same name ruled by the Narayan dynasty. In course of time, Cooch Behar has been transformed from a Kingdom to a State and from a State to the present status of a District. Before 28th August, 1949, Cooch Behar was a Princely State ruled by the King of Cooch Behar, who had been a feudatory ruler under British Government. By an agreement dated 28th August, 1949 the King of Cooch Behar ceded full and extensive authority, jurisdiction and power of the State to the Dominion Government of India. The transfer of administration of the State to the Government of India came into force on 12th September, 1949. Eventually Cooch Behar was transferred and merged with the province of West Bengal on 19th January, 1950, and from that date Cooch Behar emerged as a new District in the administrative map of West Bengal.

About Me

India has always fascinated me for different reasons. The vastness of its culture, the diversity of people’s opinions and the limitations of its vision. Despite our diversity, we need to have a collective vision. India is not a country of four metropolis or a couple of high-tech cities. This nation of a billion people has 29 states and 6 union territories. We have 35 state and territorial capitals. How much do we know about each of these important cities?

Professionally I am a graphic designer from Bombay, India. In 1987, I co-authored a book on Corporate India, but my desire to throw a wider net and pick up much more information remains intact. I want my people from every city and every state to write and photograph details and information that would be interesting to the viewers around the world. We have so much to talk about and so much to share - this medium and this technology can help fulfill our collective dreams.