Barisal District

Last updated

Barisal District
বরিশাল জেলা
District
Barishal District
Barisal Cityscape, 2015.jpg
Guthiya mosque Ri palash 03.jpg
durgaasaagr.JPG
Oxford Mission Church, Barishal.JPG
BM College, Barisal.jpg
Bell's Park aka Bangabandhu Udyan Barisal.jpg
ksbaa msjid 30.jpg
kaauy'aar cr pherighaatt .jpg
bijy' gupter mnsaa mndir 13.jpg
ulaaniy'aa jmidaar baadd'i jaame msjid.jpg
From top: City skyline, Guthia Mosque, Durga Sagar lake, Oxford Mission Church, Brojomohun College, Bell's Park aka Bangabandhu Udyan, Kasba Mosque, Paddle steamer at Kirtonkhola River port, Satlar Bil, Manasa Mandir of Bijoy Gupta and Ulania Zamnindar Bari Mosque.
BD Barishal District locator map.svg
Location of Barisal District in Bangladesh
Barisal District
Expandable map of Barisal District
Coordinates: 22°48′N90°22′E / 22.80°N 90.37°E / 22.80; 90.37
CountryFlag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh
Division Barisal
Bakerganj District 1797
Seat Barisal
Government
 •  Deputy Commissioner S.M. Ajior Rahman
 •  District Council Chairman Md. Moidul Islam [1]
 • Chief Executive OfficerMd. Monik-har Rahman
Area
 • Total2,784.52 km2 (1,075.11 sq mi)
Elevation
[2]
4 m (13 ft)
Highest elevation
[2]
14 m (46 ft)
Lowest elevation
[2]
−4 m (−4 ft)
Population
 (2022) [3]
 • Total2,570,446
 • Density920/km2 (2,400/sq mi)
 •  Male
1,255,436 [3]
 •  Female
1,314,935 [3]
Demonyms Borishailla
Time zone UTC+06:00 (BST)
Postal code
8200
Area code 0431
ISO 3166 code BD-06
HDI (2018)0.672 [4]
medium · 2nd of 21

Barisal District, officially spelled Barishal District from April 2018, [5] is a district in south-central Bangladesh, formerly called Bakerganj district, established in 1797. [6] Its headquarters are in the city of Barisal, which is also the headquarters of Barisal Division. [7]

Contents

History

The early history of Barisal district is less well-known. It was likely slowly built over time from silt from the Padma, Jamuna and Meghna Rivers. Barisal was part of the early empires of Bengal like Palas and Senas. A copper plate has been found in present Mehendiganj upazila showing a land grant made to a Brahmin by Keshab Sen. However the Hindu kings only controlled the northern part of the district, while dense forests covered the southern part and isolated the inhabitants from outside influence.

After the conquest of the Senas by Bakhtiyar Khilji, various Hindu nobles spread out over the eastern delta. The royal family of Chandradwip, also called Bakla, was originally one of these families. Throughout the period of the Bengal sultanate, the rulers of Chandradwip managed to retain somewhat of their independence. However, when the Mughals overthrew the Bengal Sultanate in 1576, they began to reorganise the province for easier governance. In the Ain-i-Akbari, the Bakla Sarkar of the Bengal Subah included present-day Barisal division. However the rulers of Chandradwip were still independent and were part of the Baro-Bhuiyans of Bengal. In 1584, Abul Fazl recorded a large stormwave impacting Chandradwip which he says killed the king and 2,00,000 of his subjects. [8]

At this time, the Barisal region was subjected to the raids of the Maghs supported by the Portuguese. Portuguese mercenaries were employed by the Raja of Chandradwip, but they mainly aided the King of Arakan in raiding the Meghna estuary. After a force of Portuguese pirates was defeated by the Mughals in 1608 in the Meghna, Sebastian Gonzales Tilao, with the support of the Raja of Chandradwip, took over Sandwip. Although they had agreed to divide the revenue of the island, Tilao soon betrayed his ally and began raiding the eastern part of Chandradwip. In 1615 the Arakanese took back Sandwip, but they soon extended their own piracy to Chandradwip and caused a mass flight of nobles to Madhabpasha in present Babuganj Upazila. [8]

In 1639 Shah Shuja defeated the Maghs in battle in present Jhalokati district and built a ring of forts to the south of Barisal largely in present Jhalokati district to protect the region from Magh attacks. After this time the Barisal region passed under direct Mughal control and the Chandradwip rajas faded into obscurity, with much of the southern part of the district being cleared and settled by mainly Muslim pirs who spread their Islamic cosmology among the local tribes of the region. [8]

The early 18th century was tumultuous for the district due to the movement of the Subah capital from Dhaka to Murshidabad. Adventurers began preying on existing Zamindars. One of these was Aga Bakhar, who had suppressed a rebellion of a Hindu zamindar. In 1730 he became Governor of Chittagong and lived in Dhaka. In 1753 he assassinated a naib nazim and was killed himself a day later. Aga Bakhar's heir inherited his land in Selimabad but was overthrown by the Naib Nazim Nowaris Muhammad, advised by his diwan Raja Rajallabh. He was killed by Mir Qasim after the Battle of Plassey. At this time the Maghs also restarted their raids so that in British records the southern part of Barisal Division is depopulated. Barisal District traces its origins to Bakerganj district which was established in 1797. It was placed in Barisal Division on 1 January 1993. [6]

Education

Notable educational institutions in Barisal include

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1974 1,648,068—    
1981 1,965,950+2.55%
1991 2,207,426+1.17%
2001 2,355,967+0.65%
2011 2,324,310−0.14%
2022 2,570,446+0.92%
Sources: [3] [9]

At the 2022 Census, Barisal District had 629,626 households and a population of 2,570,446 with an average 4.02 people per household. Among the population, 475,192 (18.49%) inhabitants were under 10 years of age. The population density was 923 people per km2. Barisal District had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 79.85%, compared to the national average of 74.80%, and a sex ratio of 1047 females per 1000 males. Approximately, 30.23% of the population lived in urban areas. The ethnic population was 843. [3]

Religion

Religions in Barisal District (2022) [3]
ReligionPercent
Islam
 
88.85%
Hinduism
 
10.71%
Christianity
 
0.43%
Other or not stated
 
0.01%
Religion in present-day Barisal District [a]
Religion1941 [10] : 100–101 1981 [9] 1991 [9] 2001 [9] 2011 [9] 2022 [3]
Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%
Islam Star and Crescent.svg 724,28966.17%1,662,39184.56%1,902,66786.19%2,054,75487.21%2,040,08887.77%2,283,72888.85%
Hinduism Om.svg 361,60233.04%287,68514.63%289,26313.10%286,64212.17%271,70611.69%275,26310.71%
Christianity Christian cross.svg 8,5360.78%14,9630.76%13,7970.63%13,2170.56%12,2270.53%11,1380.43%
Others [b] 1730.02%9110.05%1,6990.08%1,3540.06%2890.01%3170.01%
Total Population1,094,600100%1,965,950100%2,207,426100%2,355,967100%2,324,310100%2,570,446100%

Islam is the predominant religion in the district with a Hindu minority comprised mainly of Namasudras along with an even smaller Christian minority. The northwestern part of erstwhile Bakerganj district along with Gopalganj subdivision of Faridpur district were the only large part of East Bengal where Hindus outnumbered Muslims during the British era. However, since Partition Hindus have been fleeing the district in large numbers, mainly to India, especially after major anti-Hindu violence in 1950 and 1964 and during the Liberation War. Among the 10 upazilas of the district, the Agailjhara Upazila has the highest percentage share of Hindus at 40 per cent, while the Muladi Upazila has the lowest at just 1.7 per cent, according to the 2022 Bangladesh census. Christians mainly live in northwestern Barisal and converted from Namasudras during the British period.

Subdivisions

Barisal District is divided into the following Upazilas (formerly called Thanas) along with Barishal City Corporation:

  1. Agailjhara
  2. Babuganj
  3. Bakerganj
  4. Banaripara
  5. Barisal Sadar
  6. Gournadi
  7. Hizla
  8. Mehendiganj
  9. Muladi
  10. Wazirpur

Villages

Notable personalities

Notes

  1. ↑ Sadar subdivision of Bakerganj district without Nalchiti, Jhalokati and Rajapur thanas
  2. ↑ Including Jainism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Ad-Dharmis, or not stated

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barisal Division</span> Division of Bangladesh

Barisal Division is one of the eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh. Located in the south-central part of the country, it has an area of 13,225 km2 (5,106 sq mi), and a population of 9,325,820 at the 2022 Census. It is the least populous Division in Bangladesh. It is bounded by Dhaka Division on the north, the Bay of Bengal on the south, Chittagong Division on the east and Khulna Division on the west. The administrative capital, Barisal city, lies in the Padma River delta on an offshoot of the Arial Khan River. Barisal division is criss-crossed by numerous rivers that earned it the nickname Dhan-Nodi-Khal, Ei tin-e Borishal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barguna District</span> District of Bangladesh in Barisal Division

Barguna is a district in the division of Barisal, in southern Bangladesh. Barguna subdivision was established in 1969 and promoted to a district on 28 February 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jhalokati District</span> District in Barisal, Bangladesh

Jhalokati, also spelled Jhalokathi, is a district in southern Bangladesh. It is located in the Barisal Division and covers an area of 758.06 km2 It is bounded by Barisal district to the north, Barguna district to the east and the Bishkhali river in the south, and Pirojpur district to the west. The main rivers in this district are the Bishkhali, Dhanshiri, Gabkhan, Sugandha, Jangalia, Bamanda and Bajitpur. "পেয়ারা আর শীতলপাটি, এই নিয়ে ঝালকাঠি" "(Jhalokathi, The land of tasty Guava and Shitolpati)" is the official motto of the district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandwip</span> Island in Bangladesh

Sandwip is an island located along the southeastern coast of Bangladesh in the Chittagong District. Along with the island of Urir Char, it is part of the Sandwip Upazila.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barisal</span> City in Barisal Division, Bangladesh

Barisal, officially known as Barishal, is a major city that lies on the banks of the Kirtankhola river in south-central Bangladesh. It is the largest city and the administrative headquarter of both Barisal District and Barisal Division. It is one of the oldest municipalities and river ports of the country. The city was once called the Venice of the East or the Venice of Bengal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brojomohun College</span> College in Barishal, Bangladesh

Govt. Brojomohun College, Barishal, commonly known as BM College, is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Bangladesh. It is located in the city of Barishal in south-western Bangladesh.

Abdul Gaffar Choudhury was a Bangladeshi-born British writer, journalist, columnist, political analyst and poet. He wrote the lyrics to "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano", a widely celebrated song commemorating the Bengali Language Movement. He was awarded Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1967, Ekushey Padak in 1983, and Independence Day Award in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agailjhara Upazila</span> Upazila in Barisal Division, Bangladesh

Agailjhara is an upazila (sub-district) of southern Bangladesh's Barisal District, part of the Barisal Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Babuganj Upazila</span> Upazila in Barisal, Bangladesh

Babuganj is an administrative unit of Barisal District in the Division of Barisal, Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hizla Upazila</span> Upazila in Barisal, Bangladesh

Hizla is the largest upazila (sub-district) of southern Bangladesh's Barisal District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mehendiganj Upazila</span> Upazila in Barisal, Bangladesh

Mehendigonj is an upazila of Barisal District in Barisal Division, Bangladesh. Mehendigonj is popularly known as Patarhat by the local people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muladi Upazila</span> Upazila in Barishal Division, Bangladesh

Muladi is an upazila of Barishal District in the Division of Barishal, Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jhalokati Sadar Upazila</span> Upazila in Barisal, Bangladesh

Jhalakathi Sadar is an upazila of Jhalokati District in the Division of Barisal, Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajapur Upazila</span> Upazila in Barisal Division, Bangladesh

Rajapur is an upazila (sub-district) of southern Bangladesh's Jhalokati District, part of the Barisal Division.

Ulania is a union parishad of Mehendiganj Upazila in Barisal District, Barisal Division, Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Backergunge District</span> District of British India

Backergunge, Backergunje, Bakarganj, or Bakerganj is a former district of British Bengal, East Pakistan and Bangladesh. It was the southernmost district of the Dacca Division. The district was located in the swampy lowlands of the vast delta of the Ganges and the Brahmaputra rivers.

Chandradwip or Chandradvipa is a small region in Barisal District, Bangladesh. It was the ancient and medieval name of Barishal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hasem Ali Khan</span> Bengali politician, lawyer, peasant movement leader and social worker (1888–1962)

Khan BahadurHashim Ali Khan was a Bengali politician, lawyer, peasant movement leader and social worker. He was a close associate of A. K. Fazlul Huq. He became a Minister in the Bengal Legislature in 1941 in the second cabinet led by Huq. During his political life, he tried to establish rights of farmers and common people. He was conferred the title of Khan Bahadur by the British Raj as recognition of his contribution for maintaining peaceful relations between people of different faiths.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Noakhali</span>

The Greater Noakhali district region predominantly includes the districts of Noakhali, Feni and Lakshmipur, although historically included the island of Sandwip in Bay of Bengal. The history of the undivided Noakhali district region begins with the existence of civilisation in the villages of Shilua and Bhulua. Bhulua became a focal point of Bengal during the Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms of Pundra, Harikela and Samatata leading it to become the initial name of the region as a whole. The medieval Kingdom of Bhulua enjoyed autonomy under the Twipra Kingdom and Bengal Sultanate before being conquered by the Mughal Empire. At the beginning of the 17th century, Portuguese pirates led by Sebastian Gonzales took control of the ara but were later defeated by Governor Shaista Khan. Affected by floodwaters, the capital of the region was swiftly moved to a new place known as Noakhali, from which the region presently takes its name. By 1756, the British East India Company had dominated and started to establish several factories in the region. The headquarters was once again moved in 1951, to Maijdee, as a result of Noakhali town vanishing due to fluvial erosion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majidbaria Shahi Mosque</span> Ancient mosque and archaeological site in Bangladesh

Majidbaria Shahi Mosque is a 15th-century one-domed mosque and archaeological site located in the village of Majidbaria in Mirzaganj Upazila, part of the Patuakhali District of southern Bangladesh. It is the oldest mosque and first brick building in the Greater Barisal region having been built during the reign of Sultan Ruknuddin Barbak Shah.

References

  1. ↑ barisal.gov.bd
  2. 1 2 3 "Barisal District topographic map". topographic-map.com. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Population and Housing Census 2022 National Report (PDF). Vol. 1. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. November 2023.
  4. ↑ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  5. ↑ Mahadi Al Hasnat (2 April 2018). "Mixed reactions as govt changes English spellings of 5 district names". Dhaka Tribune . Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  6. 1 2 KAM Saiful Islam (2012). "Barisal District". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A Jamal (ed.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  7. ↑ About Barisal Archived 20 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine Local Government Engineering Department, Local Government Division, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives; retrieved 14 May 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 District Gazetteers: Barisal (PDF). 1921.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Bangladesh Population and Housing Census 2011 Zila Report – Barisal" (PDF). bbs.gov.bd. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.
  10. ↑ "Census of India, 1941 Volume VI Bengal Province" (PDF). Retrieved 13 August 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.