Birbhum

Birbhum, a district and town in the Bardwan division of Bengal, British India. The former lies S. of Bhagalpur, and N. of the Bardwan district, from which it is divided by the river Ajai. The area is 1,344 square miles, and it is densely populated. Towards the E. extends the alluvial plain of the Ganges, producing abundance of rice, grain, sugar, oil-seeds, and silk. Hilly jungles occupy much of the country to the W. and N. Coal and iron are found. The town, also called Suri, is only important as being the administrative centre.