| Anjana River | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Native name | অঞ্জনা (Bengali) |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| State | West Bengal |
| Cities | Krishnanagar andBadkulla |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Jalangi |
| • location | Ruipukur Mauza, Krishnanagar |
| • coordinates | 23°25′11″N88°28′51″E / 23.4198212°N 88.4809413°E /23.4198212; 88.4809413 |
| • elevation | 14 m (46 ft) |
| Mouth | Churni |
• location | Byaspur Mauza |
• coordinates | 23°16′56″N88°34′57″E / 23.2822852°N 88.5824759°E /23.2822852; 88.5824759 |
| Length | 29 km (18 mi) |
| Basin size | 89.54 km2 (34.57 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Byaspur |
Anjana is a local river ofNadia district ofWest Bengal. The 29 km (18 mi) long river drainsKrishnanagar, Jalalkhali andBadkulla areas, which belong toKrishnanagar, andKrishnanagar 1 andHanshkhali community development block. The Anjana River originates on the southern bank of theJalangi River at the northern end of Krishnanagar, the river generally flows south through the Jalalkhali area before reachingBadkulla. Passing the town of Badkulla, the river flows southeast and joins theChurni river.[1] A tributary originates from this river at Hat Boalia, which joins the Churni river atHanshkhali.
The course of the river has become a canal within the city of Krishnanagar, thus drying up most of the course.[2] The river has very little flow in seasons other than monsoon.[3][4] The river has been graduallysilted up under the pressure of unplanned and illegalurbanization for a long time inKrishnanagar.[5][6][7]
The description of this river is found inRennell's 'Systematic Survey' in 1776 AD. Anjana River is also mentioned inBengali literature.[2][8][9]
TheBhagirathi River channel nearNabadwip is less deep than the Jalangi river channel, so the water level of Jalangi is lower than the Bhagirthi river level near the estuary of Jalangi in Nabadwip. As a result, the Jalangi water does not flow into the Bhagirathi, and returns to the riverbed. This excess water begins to flow anew into the low-lying areas along the river, forming the Anjana as a tributary of the Jalangir.[9]
Anjana is a 29 km (18 mi) long moribund river in the Bhagirathi-Hooghly basin.[10] The river is simultaneously a distributary of theJalangi river and a tributary of theChurni river. The Anjana River originates from theJalangi river at Ruipukur Mauza near Krishnanagar. The river reaches Dogachi after crossing 7 km in Krishnanagar town. Krishnanagar city's Cathedral Church, Shaktinagar Hospital and Raja Krishnachandra's Rajbari are located on the banks of the river. The Anjana River covers a course of 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from its source to Hat Boalia.[10] The river divides into two tributaries near Hat Boalia. The main stream flows southward, crosses Joypur village and Jalalkhali and Jalkar Patuli, and reachesBadkulla town. Flowing at the western end of Badkulla town, it turns eastwards and enters Badkulla town. The river flows southeast from Badkulla town. It crosses the Chandanpukur and joins theChurni river near Byaspur Mauza.[2]
Another part is known asHele khal, which is 13 kilometers (8.1 miles) long.[10] It passes through Hat Boalia to Jatrapur, Joypur, Gobindpur and Itaberia, and joins the Churni river nearHanskhali.[2]
The Anjana river basin covers an area of 89.54 km2 (34.57 sq mi), which is a river basin between theJalangi and theChurni River. The entire basin belongs toNadia district. The basin extends to Joypur in the east and Jalalkhali in the west, Byaspur in the south,Hanshkhali, Gobindpur and Itaberia in the east and Ruipukur in the north. The slope of river basin is observed from northwest to southeast.[10]
32.27 percent area of the basin is located at 9–12 meters above sea level. Anjana river flows at an altitude of more than 16 meters above sea level inKrishnanagar city andBadkulla area, which is the highest basin area of the river basin. The lowest area of the basin is less than 9 meters above sea level.[10]
The Anjana river is 29 km (18 mi) long, with an average depth of 3.92 m (12.9 ft). The maximum and minimum depth of the river is 6.08 and 0.75 m (19.9 and 2.5 ft) respectively. Maximum depth is observed in rural areas and minimum depth in urban areas. The river's maximum width is seen south of Purba Badkulla, 22 km (14 m) downstream from its source, where the river is 155 m (509 ft) wide.[10]
The entire river basin is part of theGanges Delta. This delta was formed as part of theBengal basin. The Anjana river basin area is mainly composed of alluvium deposited by theGanges-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system. The subterranean bedrock of the entire river basin is composed of the Ranaghat Formation.Sandstone,limestone andshale are observed in Ranaghat Formation.[11]
Between the 15th and 16th centuries, the main flow of theGanges began to flow from theBhagirathi river bed to thePadma river bed. During this period theJalangi river arose from thePadma, and connected the Padma with the Bhagirathi. As a result, it is assumed that the Anjana River originated as a tributary of the Jalangi River between the 15th and 16th centuries.[10]
Indigo cultivation across theBengal began in the 18th century. Nadia district was established as the main center of indigo cultivation. Nadia district had more than 8 thousand indigo factories, which is one-fifth of the whole of Bengal. Many indigo factories were established on the banks of Anjana river including Krishnanagar town. Indigo plants are collected from the fields and transported to the indigo factory through the Anjana river.[12] The water required for the factory was supplied from the river.[10]