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Which events caused major population influxes into Kolkata during the 20th century?
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Kolkata
Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata, India.
During the 20th century, Kolkata experienced significant population growth driven by two primary historical events that triggered massive influxes of refugees:
- The Partition of Bengal (1947): Following the independence of India and Pakistan, the partition of Bengal resulted in millions of refugees fleeing the eastern portion of the region—which became East Pakistan, now Bangladesh—and seeking shelter in the city.12
- Warfare in Bangladesh (early 1970s): The conflict in Bangladesh during the early 1970s caused another major wave of migration, further increasing the city's population density.1
In addition to these events, Kolkata has consistently served as a destination for economic migrants from neighboring Indian states, particularly Bihar, Odisha, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, who arrive in search of employment. These combined factors contributed to extreme overcrowding and the development of numerous refugee colonies in the city's northern and southern suburbs.12