Burdwan also called BARDHAMAN, or BARDDHAMAN - a major communications centre lying astride the Banka River just north of the Damodar River. Rice and oilseed milling and hosiery, cutlery, and tool manufacturing are the chief industries.

In the 17^th-18^th century, Krishnaram Ray, belonging to a merchant family from Punjab, established the zamindari of Bardhaman on a farman issued by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The rays went on to rule Bardhaman till 1955.

Curzon Gate: The majestic Curzon Gate, now known as Vijay Toran, was erected in 1903 in Lord Curzon’s honour. The Royal Palace is situated one km from the gate.

Tomb of Sher Afghan: This tomb of Sher Afgan, the last of the Afghan jagirdars in Bardhaman, is located at Pir Beharam in Kanchannagar.

Golapbag: The garden of roses, which also has beautiful water tanks.

Hawa Mahal: A place of major tourist attraction.

Kalna: Kalna, is the confluence of the Shakta and the Vaishnava forms of worship and is only 25 km from Nabadwip. Kalna is well-connected by rail and road. 77 km from Kolkata, ‘Ambika Kalna’ was the summer residence of the Rajas of Bardhaman. The temples at Kalna are built of bricks with intricate terracotta designs.

Temples:

Unique among the temples are the ornate Palki Krishna Chanraji Temple and the Pratapeswar Temple, a 108 temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temples are divided into two circles with black and white lingas. Not to be missed are the Lalji Temples with 25 spires and the Ambika Temple.