Bankura's Forgotten Semaphore Towers: Unveiling Ancient Communication Secrets

• Bankura's Chhatna region holds a forgotten relic: the 'Semaphore Tower' or 'Machan', a primary means of communication before modern technology.
• These towers facilitated message exchange using light, smoke, or flags, sending signals from one tower to another across distances.
• One such tower is near Kamar Kuli More in Chhatna, with others found across Bankura, from Onda to Garh Panchakot, positioned for line-of-sight communication.
• Field researcher Swaraj Mitra notes these 40-50 feet high towers were wide at the base, tapering upwards, built robustly for visibility.
• Semaphore Towers represent a 'traditional' information technology, relying on human skill and specific signal languages for quick, accurate message delivery, now a vital part of Bankura's heritage.