The eastern Indian state of West Bengal is a famous tourist destination in the country. The state has as its capital the city of Kolkata which was famous as the city of palaces during the British era when it used to serve as the capital of British India. After the capital was shifted to Delhi in 1911, the city lost much of its grandeur, but even today, it has retained its importance as the cultural and intellectual capital of India. The large number of historic monuments and other famous tourist destinations of the state make Tourism in West Bengal an enchanting experience. Touristplacesinindia.com offers online information about West Bengal, including its tourist attractions, travel tips, and other tourist information.

Fast Facts

Area	88,752 sq. km
Capital	Kolkata
Languages	Bengali, Hindi, English
Best Time to Visit	October to March

History:
The history of the region goes back to the prehistoric times. Being a fertile region drained by major rivers, archaeological evidence of the prehistoric settlements has been lost under layers of mud and soil. However, some evidence unearthed may indicate the existence of such settlements in the region, probably during the Vedic periods of north India. Recorded evidence of the people of the region comes from the Mauryan period, when the region was part of the Mauryan Empire. Bengal rose to prominence under the famous kings like Sasanka and the Pala and the Sena dynasties. The state had once developed as a center of Buddhism and a distinct school of art developed. Islam entered Bengal almost the same time as in north India. The Turkish armies brought the state under Islamic control and a new age was ushered in. Subsequently, the region came under the Delhi sultanate, the Afghans, the Mughuls, their feudatories, and the British. The British ruled India from Kolkata till 1911 which is today the state capital. Independence in 1947 also brought about the partition of Bengal into two parts, east Bengal being included in Pakistan, though it gained independence later and is now known as Bangladesh.

Tourist attractions in West Bengal:
On a tour of West Bengal, you will experience almost everything that India has to offer. The state has everything from the Himalayan foothills in the north, to the shores of the Bay of Bengal in the south. Darjeeling is a famous hill station of India and is the prime tourist destination in West Bengal. The state is also known for some of the best known forests in India, including those in the northern part of the state and the Sunderbans, the vast mangrove forest famous for the Royal Bengal tiger. Historic cities, including Kolkata, Malda and Murshidabad are also major attractions. Kolkata, the cultural capital of India is home to several historic monuments and modern attractions as well.

Climate and other information :
The region remains hot and humid throughout the summer. Temperatures sometimes exceed 40 �C. Monsoons arrive in July and usually continue till September. October to March is a pleasant time as the state enjoys a cool climate during this time. Light colored cotton clothes are ideal for the summers, while light woolens should suffice during the winters. The region receives heavy rainfall during monsoon, and cyclones and storms are quite common.

The state has a large number of hotels that offer a wide range of tourist accommodation. Transportation is very convenient as the state is well connected with the rest of the country by air, railways, roads, and waterways.

To know more about tourism in West Bengal, visit touristplacesinindia.com that offers online information about the tourist spots in India.