Malda Town, Malda, isn’t the official name of any town. It’s the name of the railway station. The city around it is officially called English Bazar, and most of the people who live there just call it Malda. So a traveller searching “Malda Town” is usually looking for English Bazar, the district headquarters on the Mahananda River.
That naming confusion makes sense once you know the history. Here’s a practical guide to where Malda Town sits, how to reach it, and what lies nearby, including the ruins of two former capitals of Bengal.
Malda Town at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Official town name | English Bazar |
| Role | HQ of Malda district and Malda division |
| Civic bodies | English Bazar Municipality and Old Malda Municipality |
| Nickname | Mango City |
| River | Mahananda |
| PIN codes | 732101, 732102, 732103, 732141, 732142, 732128 |
| Vehicle registration | WB-65 / WB-66 |
| Main railway station | Malda Town (MLDT), Eastern Railway |
| Distance from Kolkata | About 365 km |
| Distance from Siliguri | About 260 km |
The Name Puzzle, Explained
Three names are used for overlapping places, so it’s worth getting them straight before you travel:
- English Bazar: The main town and district headquarters. The name is a translation of Angrezabad, meaning “English town,” which was used in the 17th century for the area around the English trading factory.
- Old Malda: A separate town to the north-east, at the confluence of the Mahananda and Kalindi rivers. It was historically the river port for the medieval capital of Pandua and now falls within the English Bazar urban area.
- Malda Town: The railway station that serves English Bazar. It has become the everyday name for the whole town among travellers.
When Did the English Arrive?
Sources give different dates for the English factory:
- 1656: One account says the first British factory was set up at Nemasarai in 1656, and a trading post later moved to English Bazar.
- 1680: An academic history of English Bazar says the East India Company’s factory there was established in 1680.
- 1771: The Malda district administration’s tourism page says the town got its name from an English factory established in 1771.
The most likely explanation is that each date refers to a different stage of the English presence in the area. The official district page uses 1771.
How to Reach Malda Town
By Train
Rail is the easiest way to get to Malda, and the town’s main station is busy and well connected. Key details:
- Malda Town (MLDT): On the Howrah–New Jalpaiguri line, with 7 platforms and 26 tracks. It is the headquarters of the Malda railway division, one of Eastern Railway’s four divisions, which was formed in 1975.
- Revenue ranking: The station is among the top 100 in India by revenue, ranked 89th.
- Long-distance links: One of the first two Amrit Bharat Express trains started from Malda Town on 30 December 2023, running to SMVT Bengaluru.
- Other stations nearby: Old Malda Junction is about 6 km away, Gour Malda about 8 km and Malda Court about 11 km.
Which Local Station Should You Use?
Malda has several smaller stations, and choosing the right one can save time:
- Malda Town: Use this for English Bazar and most long-distance trains.
- Old Malda Junction: Use this for Old Malda.
- Malda Court: Serves the Mangalbari and Naldubi areas.
- Gour Malda: Serves Mahadipur and the Gaur (Gauda) ruins, but only about 8 passenger trains stop here.
The Route From Kolkata
The rail line between Kolkata and Malda changed significantly in the 1960s and 70s. During construction of the Farakka Barrage in the early 1960s, Indian Railways built a new broad-gauge route from Kolkata north of the Ganges. The barrage, 2,240 metres long, carries a combined road and rail bridge, and the rail bridge opened in 1971.
The Rampurhat–Malda Town section was electrified in 2016 and has a maximum speed of 110 km/h. Railways planned to raise this to 130 km/h during FY 2025–26, with track renewal work still ongoing.
By Air
This is where Malda’s connectivity falls short:
- Malda Airport (LDA): Located about 3 km from the town centre, with a runway of about 3,600 feet that is suitable only for small aircraft and helicopters.
- History: Vayudoot ran weekly flights to Kolkata and Balurghat until 1989. Another source says the airport closed in 1972 because of the Bangladesh war. The two accounts conflict, and we couldn’t resolve which is correct.
- Current status: We couldn’t find evidence of regular commercial flights operating from Malda as of September 2026.
- Nearest major airport: Bagdogra near Siliguri is the usual choice for flying, followed by a long road or rail journey to Malda.
By Road
National Highway 12 passes through the English Bazar area and is the main road connection north towards Siliguri and south towards Farakka and Kolkata. Buses to Kolkata and Siliguri run frequently, but for long distances, overnight trains are generally more comfortable.
Nearby Areas and Day Trips
Malda Town is the base for visiting some of Bengal’s most important medieval sites. Here are the main places around it:
Gaur
Gaur (also spelled Gour) was the capital of three dynasties: the Buddhist Palas, the Hindu Senas and the Muslim Nawabs. It is roughly 15 km south of English Bazar, on the west side of the Mahananda. Highlights include:
- Baro Sona Mosque: One of the largest surviving monuments.
- Lukachuri Gateway: A striking entrance gate to the old citadel.
- Firoz Minar: A tall tower visible from a distance.
- Tomb of Fateh Khan: Known for its unusual hut-shaped roof.
Gaur’s decline makes an interesting story. After Mughal emperor Akbar conquered it in 1575, the Ganges changed course and disease spread, and the city was gradually abandoned.
Pandua
Pandua was the alternate seat of power to Gaur and lies roughly 20 km north of English Bazar, on the east side of the river. It has the third-largest concentration of Muslim monuments in Bengal. The Adina Mosque is the main attraction.
Old Malda
Old Malda is just to the north-east. It has the Jami Masjid (1566) and the Nimasarai tower across the river, both of which are easy to visit in half a day.
Farakka
Farakka is about 30 km from English Bazar and is best known for the Farakka Barrage and its combined road and rail bridge over the Ganges. It’s worth a stop if you’re travelling by road towards Kolkata.
Malda Museum
The Malda Museum in town has a good collection of architectural and anthropological items from the region. It’s useful to visit before heading out to Gaur and Pandua, as it gives context to the ruins you’ll see.
Mango City: When to Visit
Malda is famous across India for its mangoes, and its nickname “Mango City” reflects that. A few tips for planning:
- Mango season: Summer is peak mango season. Markets and orchards are busiest then, and it’s the best time to buy directly from local sellers.
- Weather: Summers are hot and humid. For sightseeing at Gaur and Pandua, winter is much more comfortable.
- Rainy season: The Mahananda region can flood during the monsoon, so check road conditions before visiting the ruins.
FAQs
Q1. Is Malda Town the same as English Bazar?
A. Yes, in everyday use. Malda Town is the railway station serving English Bazar, the official name of the district headquarters town. Most people use “Malda” for the whole urban area.
Q2. What is the distance from Kolkata to Malda Town?
A. Malda is about 365 km north of Kolkata. Overnight trains from Kolkata are the most popular way to make the journey.
Q3. Does Malda have a working airport?
A. Malda Airport exists, but we couldn’t confirm any regular commercial flights as of September 2026. Most travellers fly into Bagdogra and continue by road or rail.
Q4. How far is Gaur from Malda Town?
A. Gaur is roughly 15 km south of English Bazar. Gour Malda railway station serves the area, but a hired car or auto from town is usually easier.
Q5. Which railway division is Malda Town under?
A. Malda Town is the headquarters of the Malda railway division of Eastern Railway, which was formed in 1975 and is one of the zone’s four divisions.