The name Birbhum comes probably from the Land ("Bhumi") of the Brave ("Bir"). Some of the archaeological sites related to Pandu Rajar Dhibi of chalcolithic remains are located in Birbhum. It has many old temples with delicate decorative tiles made of terracotta (burnt clay). According to Achar-anga Sutra, the old Jain book, Mahavira, the last (24th) great Tirthankara, had wandered through this land ("pathless country of Ladha (Rarh) in Vajjabhumi and Subbhabhumi") in the 5th Century, B.C. Gautam Buddha probably crossed this place to go to Pundrabardhan and Samatat (inferred by Dr Atul Sur, based on Divyabdan - a Buddhist text). According to some historians, the spread of the Jain religion in the Rarh region was synonymous with the Aryanisation of the area.

The Rarh region was part of the Maurya empire. It was subsequently included in the empire of the imperial Guptas, of Shashanka and of Harshavardhana. After dismemberment of Harshavardhan's empire, the region was ruled by the Palas till 12th century AD, when overlordship of the area passed into the hands of the Senas. During the rule of the Pala dynasty Buddhism, particularly the Vajrayana cult, flourished here. In 7th Century A.D., the Chinese traveller, Wang Chuang, described some of the monasteries he visited. [3] The Senas were staunch Hindus and ensured the dominance of the religion in Bengal. The 13th century witnessed the advent of Muslim rule in the region. They destroyed most of the remaining Buddhist monasteries. However, Muslim control over the western parts of the district appears to have been nominal, and the area was ruled by the local Hindu chiefs, known as the Bir Rajas. The three towns of Hetampur, Birsingpur and Rajnagar contain their relics.

Minhaj i Siraj, the author of the Tabaqat i Naciri mentions about Lakhnur, the headquarters or thanah of the of the Rarh wing of the Muslim rule and an important frontier post. The location of Lakhnur, though still not exactly identified, falls in Birbhum. Mythologically the forests of Bajrabhumi (west Birbhum) were hot-spots of Hindu and tantric activities. According to historian Dr. Atul Sur, the solitude of the less populated jungles of Bajrabhumi made it an ideal place for sacred rituals. [4] Some old authors have called Birbhum by the name Kamkoti which relates to its tantric heritage. Bhandirban was the ashram (hermitage) of Bibhandak Muni (sage). Rishasringya Muni lived in Siyan, and Shitalgram was the place of Sandipan, Garga and Durbasa.

Tantrics (including the Vajrayana Buddhists and Shaktas) established many temples for tantra sadhana rituals and Shakti worship. Birbhum has many Shakti Peethas such as Bakreshwar, Tarapith, Kankalitala, Lavpur, Fulberia and Nalhati. Prior to 1856 AD Baidyanathdham / Deoghar was within Birbhum. Santhal Parganas were separated from Birbhum at the time of the Santhal rebellion. Out of the numerous Shakti Peethas, Tarapith/ Siddhapith is the most famous. One of the famous Shakti worshippers of Tarapith was Bamdev, popularly known as Bama Khyapa. The actual stone idol, which is kept hidden at Tarapith, is decapitated, probably bearing the signs of rave of the Muslim rulers.

State : West Bengal
District : Birbhum
Area (Approx.) : 4545 sq. km
Language : Bengali, Hindi, English.
Best Time to Visit : September to February
Long Distance Code : +91-03462
Importance of the Place : Shantiniketan is Located in Birbhum