Editing Howrah (section)

==History==
The history of the city of Howrah dates back over 500 years, but the district is situated in an area historically occupied by the ancient Bengali kingdom of [[Bhurshut]]. [[Venice|Venetian]] explorer [[Cesare Federici]], who travelled in India during 1565–79, mentioned a place called ''Buttor'' in his journal circa 1578.<ref name=betor /> As per his description, this was a location into which large ships could travel (presumably the [[Hooghly River|Hoogli river]]) and perhaps a commercial port.<ref name=betor/> This place is identifiable with the modern day neighbourhood of [[Betor|Bator]].<ref name=betor/> Bator was also mentioned in the Bengali poetry ''Manasamangal'' written by [[Bipradas Pipilai]] in 1495.<ref name="OMC19" />

In 1713, the Bengal Council of the [[British East India Company]], on the accession of the Emperor [[Farrukhsiyar]], grandson of [[Aurangzeb]], to the throne of Delhi, sent a deputation to him with a petition for a settlement of five villages on west bank of [[Hooghly river]] along with thirty-three villages on the east bank.<ref>{{Harvnb|O'Malley|Chakravarti|1909|p=22}}</ref> The list of villages appeared in the Consultation Book of the Council dated 4 May 1714. The five villages on the west bank on Hooghly river were: 'Salica' (Salkia), 'Harirah' (Howrah), 'Cassundeah' (Kasundia), 'Ramkrishnopoor' (Ramkrishnapur) and 'Battar' (Bator): all identifiable with localities of modern-day Howrah city.<ref name=OMC23 /> The deputation was successful except for these five villages.<ref name=OMC23/> By 1728, most of the present-day Howrah district was part of either of the two [[zamindari]]s: Burdwan or Muhammand Aminpur.<ref name=OMC23/>

On 11 October 1760, as a result of the [[Battle of Plassey]], the East India Company signed a treaty with [[Mir Qasim]], the [[Nawab of Bengal]], to take over the control of Howrah district.<ref>{{Harvnb|O'Malley|Chakravarti|1909|p=25}}</ref> In 1787 the Hooghly district was formed and in 1819 the whole of the present day Howrah district was added to it.<ref>{{Harvnb|O'Malley|Chakravarti|1909|p=26}}</ref> The Howrah district was separated from the Hooghly district in 1843.<ref>{{Harvnb|O'Malley|Chakravarti|1909|p=27}}</ref>