Guskara - History

History

The area between the Damodar and Ajay was known as Gopbhum, where the Sadgope kings ruled for many centuries, prior to the advent of the Muslims. The Sur kings also occupy a somewhat mythical position in the region. Adi Sur of this dynasty is credited with having brought the five Brahmins and Kayasthas (two important upper castes in Bengal) from Kannauj in what is now Uttar Pradesh.

Damage to embankments of the Ajay and consequent flooding was a regular problem in the Ausgram and Mangalkot area. The devastating flood of 1943 caused immense suffering and lead to a mass movement for restoration/ repair of the embankments. A massive meeting was organised at Guskara in 1944, with Udaychand Mahtab, Maharaja of Bardhaman. However, the government did not take any action,. Ultimately, the Communist Party, which had been at the forefront of agitations for some years, provided a huge work force for the purpose and completed the repair work. That laid the foundation for the party’s popularity in the area. The party attained continual popularity till 2008. Corruption,nepotism,political opportunism crept in after long 32 years in power. Lack of character,debauch personalities in politics caused the fall of the communist empire here. TMC attained power in municipality after Singur,Nandigram blunder. The agrarian people became alienated from the CPM and voted TMC. This was the first beckon of lossing popularity of CPM in unassailable red bastion in West Bengal. This was the harbinger of the following results of the later municipal election trend in West Bengal.