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Surrounded by Indian land, this unusual village follows Bangladeshi laws, uses taka, and has a special route connecting its residents to their homeland.
Its history makes it unlike any other place in India. (Representative image)
Most people assume that once they are inside India, every place around them is part of the country. But there is a small area in West Bengal that tells a very different story. It is surrounded by Indian land on all sides, yet it belongs to Bangladesh and follows Bangladeshi laws.
This place is called Dahagram-Angarpota, a Bangladeshi enclave located inside the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal. More than 20,000 Bangladeshi citizens live here, and despite being inside India, the area functions as part of Bangladesh. Entry is tightly controlled, making it one of the most unusual places along the India-Bangladesh border.
A Village Inside India Belongs To Bangladesh
Dahagram-Angarpota covers around 18.5 square kilometres and is surrounded by Indian territory. People living there use Bangladeshi currency, fly the Bangladeshi flag, and rely on schools, hospitals, and government services provided by Bangladesh.
Residents also use Bangladeshi mobile networks, and daily life, language, and culture are closely linked to Bangladesh rather than India.
Residents Once Lived In Isolation
Before 1992, life in the enclave was extremely difficult. Even though mainland Bangladesh was just 178 metres away, there was no direct route connecting the two. Residents needed India’s permission to move in and out, and basic facilities were limited.
For years, many people had no easy access to proper hospitals, colleges, or other essential services. The situation was often compared to living in an open-air prison because the residents were cut off from the rest of their country.
A Narrow Corridor Changed Everything
To solve the problem, India and Bangladesh signed an agreement in 1974. Under it, India agreed to lease a strip of land known as the Tin Bigha Corridor to Bangladesh.
The corridor is only 178 metres long and 85 metres wide. It provides a direct link between Dahagram-Angarpota and mainland Bangladesh.
Initially, the route remained open for only 12 hours each day. If someone failed to cross before the gate closed, they had to wait until the next day. In 2011, India allowed the corridor to remain open round the clock, making travel much easier for residents.
Entry Rules Are Different Here
Even though the enclave lies within India, daily administration is handled by Bangladesh. Indian security forces monitor the area because of the sensitive border location.
Bangladeshi citizens can move through the corridor without much difficulty. However, tourists and ordinary Indians cannot simply walk into the area. They need permission from local authorities, and the Border Security Force (BSF) can stop anyone from entering without approval.
The 2015 India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement removed more than 100 enclaves, but Dahagram-Angarpota remains a unique exception.
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