 In 1787, Bishnupur was united with Birbhum to form a separate administrative unit.In 1793 it was transferred to the Burdwan collectorate.In 1879, the district acquired its present shape with the thanas of Khatra and Raipur and the outpost of Simplapal being transferred from Manbhum, and the thanas of Sonamukhi, Kotulpur and Indas being retransferred from Burdwan.