Sirajganj.

Sirajganj (Bengali: সিরাজগঞ্জ জেলা, Sirajganj Jela also Sirajganj Zila) is a district in Northern Bangladesh. It is a part of the Rajshahi Division.

Contents

• 1 History
• 2 Timeline
• 3 Location
• 4 Geography
• 5 Administration
  • 5.1 List of Upazillas
• 6 History of the War of Liberation In 1971
  • 6.1 Sector in liberation
  • 6.2 Fighting and attainig freedom
  • 6.3 Marks of the War of Liberation
• 7 Population
• 8 Education
• 9 Main sources of Income
• 10 Newspapers and periodicals
  • 10.1 Daily
  • 10.2 Weekly
  • 10.3 Monthly
  • 10.4 Defunct weekly
  • 10.5 Defunct fortnightly
  • 10.6 Defunct monthly
• 11 Folk culture
  • 11.1 Amusement Centres
  • 11.2 Political
  • 11.3 Writer
  • 11.4 Media
  • 11.5 Educationist
  • 11.6 Veteran freedom fighters and Social Worker
• 12 References
• 13 External links

History

In 1762, a severe earthquake changed the flow of the Jamuna river and created a new river named Baral. On the west bank of this Baral river, a new bazaar (gonj in Bangla) emerged and most of the land of this bazaar belonged to Jaminder Siraj Ali. So, after his name gradually this bazaar got its recognition as Sirajgonj. Currently it is famous for its handloom cottege industries and more than 50% people here are related with this business

Timeline

1885: Emerged as subdivision

1922: Historic Salanga Movement (1200 killed)

1924: Conference of All India Congress Party

1928: Convention of Bhramma Samaj

1932: Visit of Kazi Nazrul Islam

1940: A. K. Fazlul Huq laid the foundation stone of Sirajgonj Government College

1942: All India Muslim League Conference attended Muhammad Ali Jinnah

1971, December 14: liberated in liberation war

1984: Upgraded to District:

Location

Sirajganj District is the gateway to the North Bengal. It is bordered on the north by Bogra district and Natore district ; on the west by Natore district and Pabna district ; on the south by Pabna district and Manikganj district ; on the east Manikganj district, Tangail district and Jamalpur district .

Geography

Sirajganj District of Rajshahi division has an area of about 2497.92 km². The main rivers are Jamuna, Baral, Ichamati, Karatoya and Phuljuri. The annual average temperature reaches a maximum of 34.6 °C, and a minimum of 11.9 °C. The annual rainfall is 1610 mm (63.4 in).

Administration

Sirajganj Sub-division was established in 1885 under Pabna district and it was turned into a district in 1984. Of the nine upazilas of the district ULLAHPARA is the largest (414.43 sq km) and KAMARKHANDA is the smallest (91.61 sq km). Moreover, the district has six municipals, six Parliament seats, 82 unions and 2016 villages.

List of Upazillas

There are nine (9) Upazilas, namely :

• Sirajganj Sadar Upazila
• Ullahpara Upazila
• Shahjadpur Upazila
• Raiganj Upazila
• Kamarkhanda Upazila
• Tarash Upazila
• Belkuchi Upazila
• Chauhali Upazila
• Kazipur Upazila

History of the War of Liberation In 1971

Sector in liberation

During the Liberation war of Bangladesh, Sirajganj was under sector number seven *(sector-7) which was commanded by Major Nazmul Haque, Subadar Major Abdur Rob and Major Kazi Nuruzzaman ; and it was headquartered at Tarangapur, Balurghat, West Bengal, India.

Fighting and attainig freedom

Palashdanga Juba Shibir (youth camp) was formed at Kalibari of Bhadraghat union under Kamarkhanda upazila. During the WAR OF LIBERATION this Juba Shibir played remarkable role in encounters against the Pak army at different places of Bangladesh. On 20 April, an encounter was held between the freedom fighters and the Pak army at a place near the Ghatina bridge in Ullahpara upazila in which 15 Pak soldiers were killed; in this encounter 50 freedom fighters and civilians were also wounded. On 23 April, the Pak army conducted mass killing, plundering, violation of women and burning at Ullahpara. On 25 April, the Pak army shot many people dead at Chariashika and Charia Kalibari near Hatikamrul Square of this upazila. A battle was fought between the freedom fighters and the Pak army on 11 November at Naogaon of Tarash upazila in which 130 Pak soldiers and razakars were killed. The freedom fighters attacked the Sambhudia Pak military camp of Chauhali upazila on 19 November and captured two firearms. On 27 November, the freedom fighters again attacked the Sambhudia camp causing considerable damages to the camp; in this attack 5 freedom fighters were wounded. Chauhali upazila was liberated on 29 November. In December 1971, a battle was fought between the Pak army and the freedom fighters at village Baraitala of Gandail union under Kazipur upazila in which several freedom fighters lost their lives. The Pak army in collaboration with the local razakars conducted heavy plundering and set many houses of Malipara on fire on 22 June and at Sambhudia in mid August. The freedom fighters attacked the Sambhudia Pak military camp on 19 November and captured two firearms. On 27 November the freedom fighters again attacked the Sambhudia camp causing considerable damages to the camp; in this attack 5 freedom fighters were wounded. Chauhali upazila was liberated on 29 November. On 7 December 1971, a battle was fought between the freedom fighters and the Pak army on WAPDA dam of Rajapur union in which the Pak army was defeated and one freedom fighter was killed. Besides, another battle was fought between the freedom fighters and the Pak army at the north side of the graveyard of Tamai Paschimpara of Bhangabari union in which three Pak soldiers and two freedom fighters were killed. Encounters between the freedom fighters and the Pak army were held at different places of the upazila including at Sailabari, Degree College and on the bank of the river Jamuna. On 14 December, Ullahpara was liberated and with this the capitulation of the whole of Sirajganj district was completed.

Marks of the War of Liberation

Mass graves 2 (Baroitala of Kazipur upazila, Asbaria of Tarash upazila);

Martyr memorial monument 2 (“Durjay Bangla” at Chandidasgati of Sirajganj sadar upazila and Ghatina of Ullahpara upazila).

Population

The population has been measured at 3,215,873, made up of 92% Muslim, 6.5% Hindu and 1.5% other. Males make up 51.14% of the population and females 48.86%.

Education

There are many schools and colleges in the district of Sirajganj - see this institution list.B.L.Govt. High School, Shaleha Ishaque Girls School, Salop High School (estabd. in 1905), Chowbari High School, Adachaki High school"Chandaikona M.L High School,Dhanghara High School and Ghorachara High School are a few among them.The most famous colleges in Sirajganj are 'Sirajganj Govt. University College' and Ullapara Science College. Fuljore Degree College,situated by the side of the approach road of the Jamuna Bridge and Salop College in Ullapara in recent years are playing an important role to educate the rural peoples in Sirajganj. The one and only English- medium school in Sirajganj is Jewel's Oxford International School and College. Each year a good amount of student goes to America for exchange program. There is also a English- version school in Sirajganj named Sirajganj Collectorate School and College.

Main sources of Income

Agriculture 51.14%, non- agricultural labourer 3.99%, industry 11.05%, commerce 14.47%, transport and communication 3.02%, service 6.33%, construction 1.41%, religious service 0.21%, rent and remittance 0.42% and others 7.96%.

Newspapers and periodicals

Daily

Kalam Saynik, Jamuna Probaha, Jamuna Setu ;

Weekly

Jamuna Barta, Sahasi Janata, Jaha Baliba Satya Balibo, Ase jay ay din, Sundar Barta, Ananda Bhor, Sirajganj Barta, Sirajganj Kantha, Dolanchapa, Ullahpara;

Monthly

Bibartan, Sahitya Darpana ;

Defunct weekly

Samakal, Hitoishi, Samajug, Sirajganj Samachar, Jehad, Krishan, Janapad, Ittefaq, Naya jamana, Juger Dabi, Mousumi, Gana Bangla;

Defunct fortnightly

Mukul , Jamuna (1963);

Defunct monthly

Jamuna, Ashalatai, Nur, Pratinidhi, Tajkir, Palli Pradip (1935) , Sebak, Naya jamana, DesherDas, Pratibha, Shahitya; defunct quarterly: Biggan Bichitra.

Folk culture

Folk songs such as Jari , Sari, Murshidi, Bhatiali, etc are very popular in the district. Folk games and sports prevalent in the district include bow and arrow game, Lathikhela (game played with sticks), boat race, etc.

Amusement Centres

JAMUNA MULTIPURPOSE BRIDGE , Rautara Barrage.

Political

Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Vasani (1st chairman of Bangladesh Awami League) *[1]

Captain M. Monsur Ali (Minister of finance of Bangladesh government in exile and 3 rd Prime Minister of Bangladesh), *[2]

Maulana Abdur Rashid Tarkabagish, *[3]

Mohammad Nasim,

Dr. M A Matin (Former Deputy Prime Minister & BJP Chairman)

Writer

• Mohadeb Saha (Poet of mystery and muted ambience

• Mohammad Nozibur Rahman ( Gem of Bengali Literature), *[4]

• Syed Ismail Hossain Siraji (Poet of Dreams), *[5]

• Abdullah Al Muti Sorfuddin ( Prolific science fiction writer ), *[6]

Media

• Suchitra Sen (Great heroine),

Educationist

M.O. Faruque.BA (Dist),MA Mr. Akbar Ali MP Abrar Hasan 'Sabik'

Veteran freedom fighters and Social Worker

• Abdul Latif Mirza (Founder of Mirza Bahini during War of Bangladesh Liberation), *[7]

References

• Bangladesh Population Census 2011.
• Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.
• Cultural survey report of Sirajganj District 2007:
• Cultural survey report of Upazilas of Sirajganj District 2007.