Haora or Howrah, a district of West Bengal has a remarkable historical importance in the form of the great Bengali kingdom of Bhurshut. It has its headquarters located at Howrah city. The city is better known as the twin city of Kolkata. The name of the district is derived from a Bengali term “Haor” means a fluvial swampy lake, where water, mud and organic debris accumulates. Moreover, this word itself was rather used in the eastern part of Bengal (the present Bangladesh) as compared to the western part (the present West Bengal). The Howrah Bridge in the district is very famous and it is the identity of Kolkata. It is believed that the today’s district is located in an area which historically captured by the ancient Bengali kingdom of Bhurshut. On the other hand a Venetian explorer named Cesare Federici, who travelled the entire India during the period 1565-79 state in his journal circa 1578 that a place called Buttor was a location in which large ships could travel, probably a commercial port. This place mentioned in his journal is much identifiable with the modern day’s neighbourhood of Bator. 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. The list of villages are clearly given in the Consultation Book of the Council dated on 4^th May, 1714. The five villages on the west bank on Hooghly river were namely 'Salica '(Salkia),'Harirah'(Howrah), 'Cassundeah'(Kasundia), 'Ramkrishnopoor' (Ramkrishnapur), and 'Battar' (Bator), these all areinteresting recognizable with localities of present day’s Howrah. In 1728 most of the today’s Howrah district was the part of either of the two zamindaris namely Burdwan and Muhammand Aminpur. Howrah district came under control of East India Company on 11^th October, 1760 after the Battle of Plassey. The Hooghly district was established in 1787 and the whole Howrah district of present day was added to it till 1819. In 1843 the Howrah district was emerged in the map of West Bengal when it was separated from the Hooghly district.

Sudip Chatterjee, an eminent Indian international football player was born on 5^th February, 1959 at Shibpur in Howrah. As a Midfielder, he was considered among the finest in Indian football. He was honoured by the awards like the player of the decade by All India Football Federation (AIFF) in 1994 and the player of the year by AIFF in 1986.

Geographically, the distric tliesat 22°60'N latitude, 88°26'E longitude and 12m Altitude. In the year 2023, there was a total 19.88% forest area of total geographical area. The district occupies an area of 1,467 sq. km. and it is surrounded by Hooghly River and the North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas districts on the east, Hooghly district on the north, East Medinipur district on the south and Ghatal sub-division of West Midnapore district on the west. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. Its annual maximum temperature varies between 32-39°C on the other hand its minimum temperature varies between 8-10°C. The actual rainfall in the district was 1981.3 mm in the year of 2024-2025.

Administrative wise, the district is divided into 2 sub-divisions namely Howrah Sadar and Uluberia. There are 3 Lok Sabha constituencies and 16 Assembly seats in the district. Moreover, the district comprises 138 towns and 650 villages. The administrative language in the district is Bangali.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 48,50,029 including 25,00,819 are males and 23,49,210 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 939 females for every 1000 males. Furthermore, the district has projected population of 59,14,562 comprising 30,53,914 males and 28,60,648 females for the year 2026. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), the district has an estimated sex ratio of 1,011 females and a child sex ratio of 999 females per 1,000 males. During the year 2001-11 the population growth rate in the district was 13.50% out of which 1155% were males and 15.66% were females. As per 2011 census the major religions in the district are Hindu and Muslim with 72.90% and 26.20% of the total population. The population density in the district is 3,306 (persons per sq. km.). According to 2011 census the principal languages in the district are Bengali and Hindi with 84.99% and 11.27%. In the year 2023 the number of live births in the district was 53,496 out of which 27,333 were males and 26,163 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 33,646 out of which 19,370 were males and 14,276 were females.

The ship making industry is the foremost industry in the district. Salkia is a place in Howrah full of the ship making industry in India. Some industries established in the district during the British rule are Hooghly Docking and Engineering Works, Shalimar Works, Port Engineering Works, etc. These industries have provided ample scope for employment to its native and also contribute a huge share to the overall economy of Howrah. Some part of its economy is based on agriculture. Though rice is the core agricultural crop of the district yet the pulses, oilseeds and potato are also produced in a large quantity. In the year 2013-2014 the Gross Domestic Product in the district was Rs. 40,15,153 lakh at current price and Rs. 22,81,715 lakh at constant 2004-2005 prices. The Net Domestic Product in the district during the period 2013-2014 was Rs. 35,67,316 lakh at current price and Rs. 19,93,534 lakh at constant 2004-2005 prices. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost in the district during the period 2013-2014 was Rs. 70,350 at current price and Rs. 39,314 at constant 2004-2005 prices.

Bengal Engineering and Science University in the district is the second oldest engineering institute in India. One of the best institutions in West Bengal Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, affiliated to University of Calcutta is located in the district. The schools of Howrah are either run by the State government or by private organisations. Schools are affiliated to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). The district has numerous schools which has been awarded The Telegraph Best School Award. As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 83.31% including 86.95% are males and 79.43% are females. The total number of literates in the district is 36,05,206 including 19,42,824 are males and 16,62,382 are females. In addition, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for the period July 2023-June 2024 estimated literacy rate in the district is 84.90% including 84.68% are males and 85.10% are females (Age 7 Years and Above).

Haider Aziz Safwi, a distinguished Indian politician and the current minister in the Government of West Bengal with the portfolio of correctional administration was born on 26th February, 1945 in the district. He is also an MLA, elected from the Uluberia Purba constituency in the West Bengal state assembly election, 2011.He is a member of All India Trinamool Congress political party.

The district has many famous places and ancient temples which draws numerous travellers from different parts of the world. Rama Temple in Ramrajatala area has amythological touch and a centre for pilgrims. The Santragachhi Jheel, a large lake which converts to a Bird Sanctuary in the winter season since it attracts the migratory birds during that season. Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission was founded by Swami Vivekananda. It is situated on the west bank of Hooghly River and is one of the noteworthy institutions in Kolkata. Gadiara and Benapur are the perfect destinations in the district for the picnic lovers. Shibpur is a place in the south Howrah, near Vidyasagar Setu which has the Great Banyan Tree. The Banyan Tree continues to grow and covers many city blocks and looks like a forest. In 1786 the Indian Botanical Garden was established by the British in between the Great Banyan Tree and the Hoogly River.