Ethnic communities in Kolkata

Communities in an Indian city

A depiction of Durga (the Hindu goddess of power and destroyer of evil) at Durga temple, Burdwan, West Bengal

A Kali Puja pandal with a replica of the Kalighat Kali Temple icon.

A Bengali Hindu wedding in Kolkata, West Bengal

Languages spoken in Kolkata city (2011 census)[1]

1. Bengali (61.5%)
2. Hindi (23.0%)
3. Urdu (13.0%)
4. Odia (0.58%)
5. Gujarati (0.57%)
6. Punjabi (0.35%)
7. English (0.20%)
8. Nepali (0.18%)
9. Tamil (0.14%)
10. Telugu (0.12%)
11. Malayalam (0.10%)
12. Others (0.44%)

Kolkata city linguistic diversity as per (2011 census)[2] Languages  | Population

|

Bengali | 2,763,291
Hindi | 1,034,363
Urdu | 586,234
Odia | 26,158
Gujarati | 25,667
Punjabi | 15,913
Arabs | 10,000
English | 8,932
Nepali | 8,089
Tamil | 6,508
Telugu | 5,330
Malayalam | 4,434
Sindhi | 3,724
Others  | 28,607
Total  | 4,496,694

Kolkata, India, is largely inhabited by the ethnic community of the native Bengalis (both Ghoti and Bangal origin) respectively. According to a report by the Indian Statistical Institute owned by the Government of India, the Kolkata city had a population of 4.5 million as of 2011 out of which the population of native Bengalis in Kolkata is almost 62% which comprised the majority of the city's population, whereas ethnic groups like Marwaris, Biharis and Urdu-speaking Muslims together forming 36% of the population which comes under the category of large minorities. Other Various micro-minority communities of Kolkata include as far as concerned follows -: Pathans, Marathis, Odias, Gujaratis, Sindhis, Kashmiris, Punjabis, Nepalis, Telugus, Tamils, Anglo-Indians, Arabs, Jews, Armenians, Tibetans, Greeks, Parsis, Chinese, and Iraqis etc.

## Chinese

[edit]

Chinese New Year 2014 Celebration in Kolkata The Chinese New Year celebrated in Chinatown

Chinatown (Bengali: চায়নাটাউন, কলকাতা) in the eastern part of the city of Kolkata is the only Chinatown in India.[3] Once home to 20,000 ethnic Chinese, its population dropped to below 2,000 as of 2009[4] as a result of multiple factors including repatriation following India's independence, followed by expulsion, internment and denial of Indian citizenship following the 1962 Sino-Indian War, and emigration to foreign countries for better economic opportunities.[5] The Chinese community traditionally worked in the local tanning industry and ran Chinese restaurants.[4][3]

## Arabs

[edit]

A Parsi gentleman in Kolkata

Arabs first arrived in Kolkata during late 19th century from Eastern Uttar Pradesh state of India.Today majority are in the leather work of the city and other businesses in the past.[6] [7] Most of them live in areas of Park Circus and Topsia. The present Iraqi population in Kolkata is estimated to be 10,000.

## Jewish

[edit]

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|

Main article: Jews of Kolkata

Kolkata's Jews are mostly Baghdadi Jews who came to Kolkata to trade. At one point as strong as 6000, the community has dwindled to about 60 after the formation of Israel. Today there are only about 30 Jews left in Kolkata. The first recorded Jewish immigrant to Kolkata was Shalon Cohen in 1798 from Aleppo in present-day Syria. The most influential Jewish family in Kolkata was perhaps the father-son real estate magnates David Joseph Ezra and Elia David Ezra. They were behind such buildings as the Chowringhee Mansions, Esplanade Mansions and the synagogue Neveh Shalom. The family also were instrumental in the founding of the Jewish Girls School. Ezra Street in Kolkata is named after them. The community has five independent synagogues in Kolkata, including one in Chinatown, some of which are still active today. The Jewish confectioner Nahoum's in the New Market holds a special place in Kolkata confectionery. Founded in 1902, Nahoum's moved to its present location in the New Market in 1916. It is run today by the original owner's grandson, David Nahoum. A Jewish wedding in Kolkata after a gap of 50 years in the 1990s received a lot of media attention.[8] After the establishment of Israel, many Kolkatan Jews left to live in Israel and the size of the Jewish community had a severe decrease.[9]

## Armenian

[edit]

Armenian Christmas

The Armenians followed the land route through Bactria to trade with India from ancient times. They were known as the "Merchant Princes of India", and some settled in Emperor Akbar's court. Some finally settled in Serampore and Kolkata, supposedly under the invitation of Job Charnock.

Among notable Armenians, Sir Apcar Alexander Apcar, a prominent businessman, was the head of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The size of the Armenian community can be testified by the five Armenian cemeteries in Kolkata, including the one adjunct to the Chapel of Holy Trinity in Tangra and an Armenian church. A gift of Rs. 8000 by Asvatoor Mooradkhan helped found the Armenian College in 1821. Armenian College has been instrumental in pioneering the game of rugby on the Maidan turf.

The grave of Astwasatoor Mooradkhan

The Armenians settled in a block close to Free School Street, which even to this day is called Armani-para ("the neighbourhood of the Armenians"). They have mostly assimilated into the Indian population, and the community has now been reduced to a handful of houses.

See also: Armenians in India

## Tibetan

[edit]

The Tibetans were initially annual winter visitors to Kolkata who, along with the Bhutias, vended woollens.[clarification needed] Post 1951, Kolkata became home to quite a few Tibetans who used the porous Sikkim-Tibet border to get to Kolkata. Winter sees large numbers of Tibetans set up winter garment streetside shops in the area around Wellington Square. The Tibetan community has also contributed to a large number of Tibetan restaurants serving ethnic Tibetan cuisine. Tibetan medicine is well accepted in Kolkata as alternative therapy to terminal illnesses.

## Afghans

[edit]

Kolkata was a popular destination for Afghan (including Pathan) businessmen from Afghanistan in the 19th century, vending spices and fruits. They are locally known as the Kabuliwala, named after the 1892 story which tells the story of a migrant from Kabul to Kolkata, and are also nicknamed as the Khans like elsewhere in India.[10]

## Greek

[edit]

The Greeks emigrated to India after the Ottoman and Turkish invasions in the 16th century. By the 18th century, Kolkata had a sizeable Greek community, mostly a close-knit clan of noble families from the Greek regions of Chios and Thessaly, pursuing trade with the British. The firm of Ralli Brothers is perhaps the most common Greek name in Kolkata; the Rallis sold their firm in the 1960s after Indian independence and moved away. The firm is now known as Ralli India, under the Tata Group of companies. The Greek community is centred on Amratollah Street around the Greek Church of the Transfiguration (built in 1782). There are currently around 2,500 to 5,000 Greeks in Kolkata. The most famous Greek to hail from Kolkata possibly was the gifted violinist Marie Nicachi who embarked on a European tour in 1910 and played at the courts of Emperor Franz Josef of Austria and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. She settled in her familial home of Corfu after World War I. The Greek contribution to the city will be remembered by the pioneering social work at the Greek Orthodox Church and the Panioty Fountain in the Maidan; named after Demetrius Panioty, personal secretary to the "friend of India," Lord Ripon.

## See also

[edit]

* India portal

* Chinese of Calcutta
* Religion in West Bengal

Languages and Religions in West Bengal (2021)[11]

1. Bengali Hindus (60.0%)
2. Bengali Muslims (27.0%)
3. Hindustani (Hindi) Hindus (7.00%)
4. Hindustani (Urdu) Muslims (3.00%)
5. Other Hindus (3.00%)

Natives, Migrants and Refugees in West Bengal (2021)[12]

1. West Bengal's Native Bengali Muslims (27.0%)
2. West Bengal's Native and East Bengal's (Before 14-Aug-1947) Migrant Bengali Hindus (25.0%)
3. East Pakistan's (14-Aug-1947 to 24-Mar-1971) Refugee Bengali Hindus (20.0%)
4. Bangladesh's (From 25-Mar-1971) Refugee Bengali Hindus (15.0%)
5. Hindi Belt's Migrant Hindustani (Hindi) Hindus (7.00%)
6. Hindi Belt's Migrant Hindustani (Urdu) Muslims (3.00%)
7. West Bengal's Native Other Hindus (3.00%)

Castes in West Bengal (2021)[13]

1. West Bengal's and Hindi Belt's Muslims (30.0%)
2. West Bengal's, East Bengal's (Before 14-Aug-1947) and Hindi Belt's UR & OBC Hindus (22.0%)
3. East Pakistan's (14-Aug-1947 to 24-Mar-1971) SC & ST Hindus (15.0%)
4. Bangladesh's (From 25-Mar-1971) SC & ST Hindus (15.0%)
5. West Bengal's and Hindi Belt's SC & ST Hindus (13.0%)
6. East Pakistan's (14-Aug-1947 to 24-Mar-1971) UR & OBC Hindus (5.00%)

Rural and Urban (Kolkata-Howrah, Asansol-Durgapur & Siliguri) West Bengal (2021)[14]

1. Rural Bengali Hindus (50.0%)
2. Rural Bengali Muslims (27.0%)
3. Urban Bengali Hindus (10.0%)
4. Urban Hindustani (Hindi) Hindus (7.00%)
5. Urban Hindustani (Urdu) Muslims (3.00%)
6. Rural Other Hindus (3.00%)

पश्चिम बंगाल में भाषाएँ और धर्म (2025)[15]

1. पश्चिम बंगाल के बंगाली (बांग्ला) मुसलमान (32.0%)
2. पश्चिम बंगाल के बंगाली (बांग्ला) हिन्दू (20.0%)
3. पाकिस्तान के (14 अगस्त 1947 से 24 मार्च 1971 तक) बंगाली (बांग्ला) हिन्दू (20.0%)
4. बांग्लादेश के (25-मार्च-1971 से) बंगाली (बांग्ला) हिन्दू (15.0%)
5. हिंदी पट्टी के हिंदुस्तानी (हिंदी) हिंदू (7.00%)
6. हिंदी पट्टी के हिंदुस्तानी (उर्दू) मुसलमान (3.00%)
7. पश्चिम बंगाल के अन्य हिन्दू (3.00%)

पश्चिम बंगाल में जातियां और धर्म (2025)[16]

1. पश्चिम बंगाल और हिंदी पट्टी के मुसलमान (35.0%)
2. पश्चिम बंगाल और हिंदी पट्टी के अनारक्षित और पिछड़ा वर्ग के हिंदू (17.0%)
3. पाकिस्तान के (14 अगस्त 1947 से 24 मार्च 1971 तक) अनुसूचित जाति और अनुसूचित जनजाति के हिन्दू (15.0%)
4. बांग्लादेश के (25 मार्च 1971 से) अनुसूचित जाति और अनुसूचित जनजाति के हिन्दू (15.0%)
5. पश्चिम बंगाल और हिंदी पट्टी के अनुसूचित जाति और अनुसूचित जनजाति के हिंदू (13.0%)
6. पाकिस्तान के (14 अगस्त 1947 से 24 मार्च 1971 तक) अनारक्षित और पिछड़ा वर्ग के हिन्दू (5.00%)

ग्रामीण और शहरी (कोलकाता-हावड़ा, आसनसोल-दुर्गापुर और सिलीगुड़ी) पश्चिम बंगाल (2025)[17]

1. ग्रामीण बंगाली (बांग्ला) हिंदू (45.0%)
2. ग्रामीण बंगाली (बांग्ला) मुसलमान (32.0%)
3. शहरी बंगाली (बांग्ला) हिंदू (10.0%)
4. शहरी हिंदुस्तानी (हिन्दी) हिंदू (7.00%)
5. शहरी हिंदुस्तानी (उर्दू) मुसलमान (3.00%)
6. ग्रामीण अन्य हिंदू (3.00%)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "India Census 2011 : C-16 Population By Mother Tongue" (XLDX). Censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
2. ^ 2011 censuscensusindia.gov.in Archived 15 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine
3. ^ a b "Calcutta's Chinatown facing extinction over new rule". Taipei Times. Taipei, Taiwan. 31 July 2004. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
4. ^ a b Banerjee, Himadri; Gupta, Nilanjana; Mukherjee, Sipra, eds. (2009). Calcutta mosaic: essays and interviews on the minority communities of Calcutta. New Delhi: Anthem Press. pp. 9–10\. ISBN 978-81-905835-5-8. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
5. ^ Thampi, Madhavi, ed. (2005). India and China in the colonial world|. New Delhi: Social Science Press. pp. 60–64\. ISBN 8187358203. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
6. ^ "al haj amir hasan sugar milk pvt ltd - The Economic Times".retrieved 17 November 2023
7. ^ "Producer Mohammad Riaz passes away : Bollywood News – Bollywood Hungama". 22 May 2022.
8. ^ "unity for equality".
9. ^ Basu, Moni. "Twilight comes for India's fading Jewish community." CNN. 29 March 2010. Retrieved on 30 March 2010.
10. ^ "125 years of Tagore's Kabuliwala: Here's what life is like for the community today". Hindustan Times. 29 June 2017.
11. ^ "India Census 2011 : C-16 Population By Mother Tongue" (XLDX). Censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
12. ^ "India Census 2011 : C-16 Population By Mother Tongue" (XLDX). Censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
13. ^ "India Census 2011 : C-16 Population By Mother Tongue" (XLDX). Censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
14. ^ "India Census 2011 : C-16 Population By Mother Tongue" (XLDX). Censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
15. ^ "India Census 2011 : C-16 Population By Mother Tongue" (XLDX). Censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
16. ^ "India Census 2011 : C-16 Population By Mother Tongue" (XLDX). Censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
17. ^ "India Census 2011 : C-16 Population By Mother Tongue" (XLDX). Censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 16 January 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Greek Cemetery Kolkata
* Chinese New Year 2015 in Kolkata
* Chinese in Kolkata
* ARMENIANS OF CALCUTTA
* THE VANISHING CALCUTTA ARMENIANS
* Photos of Parsi Fire Temple, Calcutta
* Photos of Synagogues, Calcutta
* Photos of Chinese Temple, calcutta
* Photos of Chinese New Year
* Chinese New New Year and Lion Dance Display in Kolkata

* v
* t
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State of West Bengal

Capital: Kolkata

State symbols|

* Emblem: Emblem of West Bengal
* Anthem: Banglar Mati Banglar Jol
* Animal: Fishing cat
* Bird: White-throated kingfisher
* Flower: Night-flowering jasmine (Shiuli)
* Tree: Devil's tree (Saptaparni)
* Fish: Ilish

History|

* Gauda Kingdom
* Shashanka
* Pala Empire
* Sena dynasty
* Mallabhum kingdom
* Cooch Behar State
* Sher Shah Suri
* Mughal Empire
* Nawabs of Bengal
* East India Company
* Battle of Plassey
* Bengal Presidency
* Great Bengal famine of 1770
* Indian Rebellion of 1857
* Bengal Renaissance
* Bardhaman Raj
* Nadia Raj
* Jhargram Raj
* Sovabazar Raj
* Partition of Bengal (1905)
* Revolutionary movement for Indian independence
* Anushilan Samiti
* Jugantar
* Bengal famine of 1943
* Direct Action Day
* Noakhali riots
* Partition of Bengal (1947)
* Bengali Language Movement (Manbhum)
* Bangladesh Liberation War
* Naxalite–Maoist insurgency
* Maritime history of Bengal

Geography|

* Bengal Basin
* Darjeeling Himalayan hill region
* Terai
* North Bengal plains
* Dooars
* Rarh region
* Sundarbans
* Western plateau and high lands
* Ganges Delta
* Climate
* Sandakphu (Highest point)
* Protected areas of West Bengal
* Rivers of West Bengal
* Ganga
* Damodar River
* Brahmaputra River
* Teesta River
* Hooghly River
* Khoai
* Tiger Hill, Darjeeling
* Siliguri Corridor

Governance|

* Chief Ministers
* Governor
* Legislative Assembly
* Human Rights Commission
* Political parties (All India Trinamool Congress
* Communist Party of India (Marxist)
* Indian National Congress
* Bharatiya Janata Party)
* Parliamentary constituencies
* Assembly constituencies
* CID West Bengal
* Kolkata Police

Rights groups|

* Matua Mahasangha
* Bangla Pokkho

Divisions and
districts|

| Burdwan division|

* Birbhum
* Hooghly
* Paschim Bardhaman
* Purba Bardhaman

|

Jalpaiguri division|

* Alipurduar
* Cooch Behar
* Darjeeling
* Jalpaiguri
* Kalimpong

Malda division|

* Berhampore (declared)
* Dakshin Dinajpur
* Jangipur (declared)
* Malda
* Murshidabad
* Uttar Dinajpur

Medinipur division|

* Bankura
* Bishnupur (declared)
* Jhargram
* Paschim Medinipur
* Purba Medinipur
* Purulia

Presidency division|

* Basirhat (declared)
* Howrah
* Ichamati (declared)
* Kolkata
* Nadia
* North 24 Parganas
* Ranaghat (declared)
* South 24 Parganas
* Sundarbans (declared)

Cities and
towns|

* Alipore
* Asansol
* Berhampore
* Balurghat
* Bankura
* Barasat
* Bardhaman
* Bishnupur
* Hugli-Chuchura
* Cooch Behar
* Darjeeling
* Durgapur
* Haldia
* Howrah
* Jalpaiguri
* Jaynagar Majilpur
* Jiaganj Azimganj
* Kalimpong
* Kharagpur
* Kolkata
* Krishnanagar
* Kurseong
* Malda
* Midnapore
* Murshidabad
* Purulia
* Raiganj
* Siliguri
* Siuri
* Tamluk
* List of cities in West Bengal by population
* Cities and towns by district

Culture|

* Bengal Renaissance
* Bengali calendars
* Patachitra
* Chalchitra
* Arts of West Bengal
* Baul
* Bhadu
* Gombhira
* Chhau dance
* Cuisine
* Bengali
* Rabindra Sangeet
* Rabindra Nritya Natya
* Holi
* Dol Purnima
* Prostitution in Kolkata
* Pohela Boishakh
* Durga Puja
* Bhai Dooj
* Raksha Bandhan
* Ratha Yatra
* Architecture of Bengal
* Bengal temples
* Bengali language
* Bengali literature
* Feluda
* Lalmohan Ganguly
* Professor Shonku
* Tarini Khuro
* Kakababu
* Kiriti Roy
* Pather Panchali (novel)
* Bengali cinema
* Jatra
* Ghosts in Bengali culture

GI products|

* Baluchari sari
* Banglar Rosogolla
* Banglar Muslin
* Banglar Nolen Gur Sandesh
* Bankura horse
* Baruipur Guava
* Bengal Patachitra
* Bishnupur Motichur Laddu
* Chhau mask
* Darjeeling tea
* Dhaniakhali Sari
* Dhokra
* Fazli (mango)
* Garad Saree
* Gobindobhog
* Himsagar
* Jaynagarer Moa
* Kamarpukur Sada Bode
* Madurkathi
* Malda Nistari Silk Yarn
* Manasa chali
* Mihidana
* Murshidabad Chhanabora
* Nakshi kantha
* Radhunipagal rice
* Santiniketan Leather Goods
* Shantipuri sari
* Sitabhog
* Sundarban Honey
* Tangail Saree
* Tulaipanji

Demographics|

* Bengali people
* Bihari people
* Economy of West Bengal
* Gurkha
* Adivasi
* Rajbanshi
* Anglo-Indian people
* Ethnic communities in Kolkata
* List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate
* Discrimination against Bengalis in India

People|

* Rabindranath Tagore
* Satyajit Ray
* Kazi Nazrul Islam
* Anil Kumar Gain
* Ritwik Ghatak
* Subhas Chandra Bose
* Jamini Roy
* Bidhan Chandra Roy
* Jyoti Basu
* Nandalal Bose
* Jagadish Chandra Bose
* Meghnad Saha
* Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
* Sarat Chandra Bose
* Jnanadanandini Devi
* Abanindranath Tagore
* Satyendranath Tagore
* Satyendranath Dutta
* Raja Ram Mohan Roy
* Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
* Rani Rashmoni
* Ramakrishna
* Swami Vivekananda
* Sarada Devi
* Dwarkanath Tagore
* Sukumar Ray
* Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury
* Michael Madhusudan Dutt
* Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
* Sister Nivedita
* Mother Teresa
* Amartya Sen
* Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay
* Nihar Ranjan Gupta

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