Ilambazar developed as a trade centre because of its location at the junction of thoroughfares and the river front.

The French East India Company also made a foray in the Ilambazar area in the 1780s, which drove prices up to the benefit of the weavers.

[3] During a peasants' insurrection in June 1789, Ilambazar was sacked, although it recovered and became a magnet for manufacturing and trade.

[5] In the mid 19th century, John Erskine of Ilambazar was one of the leading sugar manufacturers and exporters in the area.

[10] A road connects to Bolpur/Santiniketan and ( Suri - Kirnahar - Katwa ) Road Most of the forests in Birbhum district are on laterite soil but the Choupahari sal forests in the Ilambazar area (area 13.9 km2) are on alluvial soil.

The major source of protected water supply is from bore well pumping and over head tank.

Amongst the social, recreational and cultural facilities there is 1 cinema theatre, 1 auditorium/ community hall and 1 public library.

[20] During the late 1940s Ilambazar terracotta temples were photo-documented by artist Mukul Dey of Santiniketan.

David J. McCutchion mentions several temples in the Ilambazar area: (1) the Shiva temple at Ilambazar as a standard (small) 19th century 'Birbhum-Bradhaman' type brick built rekha deul with rich terracotta façade,(2) the four Shiva temples at Uchkaron as standard (small) char chalas, built in 1769, with rich terracotta facades, (3) the 19th century Lakshmi-Janardana temple at Ilambazar, as a standard West Bengal type pancharatna with ridged rekha turrets and porch on triple archway, (4) the 17-18th century Radha Vinode temple at Jaydev Kenduli as a low storied West Bengal navaratna with ridged turrets, (5) the 19th century Lakshmi Janardana temple at Ghurisha is a straight corniced navaratna with very large upper tower and tiny clustering corner towers with rich terracotta, and (6) the 19th century temple in the market place at Ilambazar as an octagonal ridged rekha with rich terracotta on all sides.

Ghurisa, about 4 miles west of Ilambazar, has rich temple traditions but many of them are in a state of decay.