Overview
This town is also referred to as Ishapore with anglicized spelling. The majority of the population in Ichapore are Bengalis and they speak Bengali as their native language. The town is connected to Kolkata and nearby cities by railroad as well as paved highway. The distance between Ichapur and Sealdah Railway Stations is approximately 27 km. The various neighbourhoods in Ishapore are known as Maniktala, Mayapally, Anandamath, Mathpara, Nawabganj, Northland, Eastland, Kanthadhar and Badamtala.
Nawabganj, by the river, has one of the oldest residential buildings of the city. As the name implies, the Nawabs (local Kings) had their residence in this area. There are still relics from the old days in this part of the city. In the adjoining Park area, Cannons from the 18th. There are many old buildings ,one of them is Poriwala bari which is famous because, one time it was the home of zamindar of the city, the palace is still found there. Century can still be found. A stroll by the river in Nawabganj is very pleasant and is a popular destination for young couples. One of the most popular fair in this area is Jhulan Mela that takes place in Nawabganj during the month of August–September. This tradition is more than hundred years old and draws thousands of people and businesses to this fair. Rows of businesses set up their stalls along the main road of Nawabganj. The fair ends on the day of Janmashthami. Nawabganj is also the place where traditional Durga idols are immersed in the river Ganges on Dashami ending Durga Puja celebration.
There are numerous schools which caters to the need of the residents - Rifle Factory High School, Anandamath Vidyapith, Northland High School, Bibhukinkar High School and Sridhar Banshidhar High School, two exclusively Girl's schools and two Kendriya Vidyalayas (under CBSE board). There are trade schools run by the ordnance factories. Some neighbourhoods like Anandamath and Nawabganj run their own public libraries.
Most part of the city is urbane in nature. There are quite a few dining places suitable for family as well as young adult population. Abhiruchi is one of the most popular food joint in Ichapur. Another popular places are Sonar Tori and Madol Situated near Chowmatha. These are Restruant-cum-Bar, though most customers are here for drink. Hotels are few in numbers though guest houses are available for business visitors. As for place of worships, there are few Hindu Temples, one Mosque (Muslim) and one Gurudawara (Shikh). The nearest Christian Church is in Barrackpore.
The two Ordnance factories, the lifeline of the city, have been a model of "corporate responsibility" for over a hundred years. They provide excellent amenities for their workers including quality housing and extensive recreational facilities. The Metal and Steel Factory (MSF) is a unique facility that supplies metallic parts to other Ordnance factories throughout the nation. The Rifle Factory (RFI) makes rifles and guns for the Defense sector and for recreational purposes. Weapons tested and later produced here for the Indian Army included the Vickers-Berthier light machine gun, turned down by the British Army in favour of the Bren gun on performance grounds. The largest production was of the Indian version (in various guises and marks) of the Lee Enfield rifle. The recent model from the stable of Ishapore Rifle Factory is famous INSAS which is the mainstay in Indian Army as well as other security forces of India.
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