After nearly a century, the historic Birbhum Bibaran reprint brings three rare volumes of regional history back to readers. Mahimaniranjan Chakraborty originally edited these texts, and Harekrishna Mukhopadhyay published them. Now, scholars are combining all three scarce volumes into one 800-page book.
First, this landmark edition preserves the heritage of Bolpur, Santiniketan, and nearby villages. In addition, the Birbhum Bibaran reprint reveals century-old architecture, folk traditions, and literary history. Below, explore what makes this upcoming volume so valuable.
Birbhum Bibaran Reprint: Book Specifications at a Glance
| Book Feature | Publication Details |
|---|---|
| Book Title | Birbhum Bibaran (বীরভূম বিবরণ – Three Volumes Combined) |
| Original Editors & Publisher | Edited by Mahimaniranjan Chakraborty; Published by Harekrishna Mukhopadhyay[cite: 1] |
| Current Editors | Indrajit Chowdhury (Tagore Research Scholar) & Prof. Parthasankha Majumdar[cite: 1] |
| Format & Page Count | Royal Size, approximately 800 pages[cite: 1] |
| Archival Visuals | 138 black-and-white photos, 1 color photograph, and 2 hand-painted illustrations (printed on 56 art-paper pages)[cite: 1] |
| Cover Design | Mrinal Seal[cite: 1] |
| Cover Price | ₹1,500[cite: 1] |
What Makes This Centenary Edition Extraordinary?
Bringing three out-of-print volumes under one cover turns scattered historical records into an accessible treasure trove[cite: 1]:
- 30 Historic Regions (Janapadas): First, the book documents the local history of 30 janapadas across Birbhum[cite: 1]. Readers can trace how settlements near Labhpur Fullaratala and Raipur Jomindari Bari evolved over time.
- Folklore, Proverbs & Literature: Second, the text preserves village folktales, regional proverbs, and profiles of Birbhum’s celebrated writers[cite: 1].
- Rare Century-Old Photographs: Third, the book includes 138 vintage black-and-white photos, one color photo, and two hand-painted illustrations[cite: 1]. The publisher printed these visuals across 56 art-paper pages[cite: 1].
- Author’s Handwritten Revisions: Finally, the editors included handwritten corrections and additions left behind by Harekrishna Mukhopadhyay himself[cite: 1].
Meet the Scholars Behind the Revival
Preparing this monumental Birbhum Bibaran reprint required years of archival preservation and editorial care:
- Indrajit Chowdhury: First, as a Central Government Tagore Research Scholar, Chowdhury studies Bengal’s historic architecture, regional history, and folk culture[cite: 1].
- Prof. Parthasankha Majumdar: Second, teaching history at Suri Vidyasagar College, Majumdar brings academic rigor to verifying regional timelines and primary sources[cite: 1].
- Final Production Stage: Finally, Mrinal Seal designed the cover artwork[cite: 1]. The 800-page royal-size volume is now in its final printing stage[cite: 1].
Explore Birbhum’s Living Heritage on Your Next Trip
Reading about Birbhum’s historic janapadas becomes even richer when you visit these heritage sites in person:
- Walk the UNESCO Campus: First, explore Tagore’s ashram inside the Santiniketan UNESCO World Heritage site. You can also join the guided Santiniketan Heritage Walk.
- Discover Ancient Shrines: Next, visit the sacred Shakti Peethas near Bolpur Santiniketan and historic terracotta temples across the district.
- Plan Your Journey: Finally, check train timings in our Bolpur Santiniketan train time table and find stays in our Where to Stay directory. You can also browse our complete Bolpur Santiniketan travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is Birbhum Bibaran?
Birbhum Bibaran is a classic regional history and cultural chronicle of Birbhum district, originally edited by Mahimaniranjan Chakraborty and published by Harekrishna Mukhopadhyay nearly 100 years ago.
What is included in the upcoming Birbhum Bibaran reprint?
For the first time, three rare, out-of-print volumes are being published together in a single 800-page royal-size book[cite: 1]. It covers the history of 30 janapadas across Birbhum, local folklore, proverbs, literary biographies, and 138 vintage black-and-white photographs (plus 1 color photo and 2 hand-painted illustrations printed on 56 art-paper pages).
Who edited this new centenary edition?
The edition is jointly edited by Indrajit Chowdhury (Central Government Tagore Research Scholar and researcher of Bengal's architecture and folk history) and Prof. Parthasankha Majumdar (Department of History, Suri Vidyasagar College), incorporating Harekrishna Mukhopadhyay's own handwritten revisions.
What is the cover price of the Birbhum Bibaran combined edition?
The book features a cover designed by Mrinal Seal and is priced at ₹1,500.