Bhola District


Bhola District is an administrative district of Barisal Division in south-central Bangladesh, which includes Bhola Island, the largest island of Bangladesh. It has an area of 3,403.48 km2. It is bounded by Lakshmipur and Barisal District to the north, the Bay of Bengal to the south, by Lakshmipur and Noakhali districts, the Meghna river and Shahbazpur Channel to the east, and by Patuakhali District and the Tetulia river to the west.
The district is intersected by several rivers, among which the Ilisha River plays a vital role in shaping the local geography and livelihoods. Flowing as a distributary of the Meghna River, the Ilisha River runs through the western part of Bhola before merging with the Tentulia river and eventually draining into the Bay of Bengal. Along its course, the river forms part of the natural boundary that separates Bhola Island and contributes to the sedimentation that sustains the island’s landmass. However, the Ilisha River is also a major source of erosion, threatening settlements and agricultural land in its path, particularly in areas like Mehendiganj and Rajapur Union.
Bhola is also known as the Home of Ilish, and rivers like the Ilisha provide crucial habitat for the iconic hilsa fish that the district is famous for.

History

The previous name of Bhola district is Ashutosh. J. C. Jack stated in his "Bakerganj Gazetier" that the island started creating in 1235 and cultivation in this area started in 1300. In 1500, Portuguese and Mog pirates established their bases on this island. The Arakan and Mog pirates established their bases in the southern part of Shahbajpur also.
Shahbajpur was a part of Bakerganj district till 1822. At the beginning of 19th century, it became difficult to connect to the southern Shahjadpur from the district headquarter due to the expansion of Meghna River. Government then decided to include south Shahbajpur and Hatia in Noakhali District. Bhola was included in Noakhali till 1869. In 1869, it was included again in Barisal District as a sub-division. In 1876, the administrative headquarter was moved from Daulatkhan to Bhola. In 1984, it was established as a district.

Etymology

The canal situated in the Bhola Sadar was very wide in ancient times. The canal was known as Betua river. People used boat to cross the river. There was a very old boatman who used to cross the river daily. His name was Bhola Ghazi Patni. The name of the district is derived from the name of this famous boatman, Bhola Ghazi. The other sub-districts of this districts are also named according to the names of famous persons as well.

Geography

Bhola is a delta island. There are two rivers in this district which are Meghna and Tetulia. Meghna is in east and north side of the district and Tetulia is in the west side. Bay of Bengal is in the south of Bhola district.

Islands

There are five municipalities, 7 sub-districts, 10 thanas, 70 unions and 473 villages in this district.

Subdistricts

Bhola district comprises the following upazilas:
Name of Sub-districtUnionArea Population
Bhola Sadar Upazila13413.16444,828
Daulatkhan Upazila9316.99181,809
Burhanuddin Upazila9284.67265,430
Tazumuddin Upazila5512.92134,173
Lalmohan Upazila9396.24297,669
Char Fasson Upazila211106.31518,792
Manpura Upazila3373.1989,743

Demographics

According to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh, Bhola District had 449,057 households and a population of 1,932,518 with an average 4.27 people per household. Among the population, 427,671 inhabitants were under 10 years of age. The population density was 568 people per km2. Bhola District had a literacy rate of 67.30%, compared to the national average of 74.80%, and a sex ratio of 1041 females per 1000 males. Approximately, 27.65% of the population lived in urban areas. The ethnic population was 773.
The majority of residents are Muslims and there are 2391 mosques, 130 temples and 14 church in this district. The Hindu population has been decreased significantly in this district since 1991.

Economy

80% of the total people living here are fisherman. Main source of income of this district are: Agriculture 63.64%, non-agricultural labourer 4.95%, industry 0.50%, commerce 12.67%, transport and communication 2.47%, service 5.74%, construction 1.55%, religious service 0.35%, rent and remittance 0.44% and others 7.69%. There is no major industry in this district due to its geographical location. In recent times, small factories like shoe, plastics, wax, tar etc. have been established here.

Education

The literacy rate of Bhola district is 67.12%. The literacy rate among the male population is 67.03% and the female population is 67.20%. There are 3 government and 34 non-government colleges, 6 government and 174 non-government high schools, 84 junior high schools, one PTI, one VTI, 9 technical schools, 922 government primary schools, and 32 community primary schools in Bhola. There are 103 Kowmi madrasa, 460 ebtedai madrasa, 171 dakhil madrasa, 28 alim madrasa, 29 fazil madrasa and 5 kamil madrasa in Bhola. Notable schools and colleges are:

Government Colleges (National University)

  • Bhola Govt. College
  • Charfasson Govt. College
  • Daulatkhan Govt. Abu Abdullah College
  • Bhola Govt. Mohila College
  • Govt. Abdul Jabbar College, Borhanuddin
  • Shahabajpur Govt. College
  • Monpura Govt. CollegeE
  • Tazumuddin Govt College

    Colleges

  • Fatema Motin Mohila College
  • Begum Rahima Islam College
  • Rasulpur Degree College
  • Daulatkhan Mohila College
  • Banglabazar Degree College
  • Principal Nazrul Islam Degree College
  • Dular Hat Adarsha Degree College
  • South AICHA Principal Nazrul Islam College

    Textile Institute

  • Bhola Textile Institute, Bhola, for Diploma in Engineering under BTEB

    Polytechnics & Technical Institute

  • Bhola Polytechnic Institute
  • Bhola Textile Institute
  • Bhola Government Technical School & College
  • Technical Training Center, Bhola
  • Dokkhin Bongo Technical Institute
  • Bhola Sadar Polytechnic Institute
  • HEED Polytechnic Institute
  • Charfassion Polytechnic Institute

    Government High School

  • Charfashion Govt. T. Barret Model Secondary School
  • Bhola Govt. High School
  • Bhola Govt. Girls High School
  • Daulatkhan Govt. High School
  • Daulatkhan Govt. Girls High School
  • Lalmohan Govt. Model Secondary School
  • Fazilatunnesa Govt. Girls High School
  • Chandpur Govt. High School
  • Borhanuddin Govt. High School
  • Borhanuddin Govt. Girls High School
  • Hazir Hat Model Govt. Secondary School

    Private High School

  • Charfashion Girls Secondary School
  • Charfassion Town Secondary School
  • Charfassion Model Secondary School
  • Lalmohon Ha-meem Academy
  • Sakina Adarsha Academy, Daulatkhan
  • Sukdeb M. M. High School, Daulatkhan

    Teacher Training Colleges

  • Principal Nazrul Islam Teachers Training College, Char Fashion, Bhola.

    Religious Institutions

  • Charfasson Karamatia Kamil Madrasa
  • Al Madrasatul Azizia Darul Ulum Al Islamia, Charshuvi Madrasa
  • Charkhalifa Madrasa

    Health

There is 1 modern government hospital, 6 government health complexes, 1 Tuberculosis clinic, 1 mother and child care, 1 diabetic hospital, 276 satellite clinics and 2 government child care in this district.

Transportation

There is no railway and airport in this district and no direct connection to the capital by road. Waterways are the main medium of transportation. Launch, steamer and sheep are used for transportation. Bhola is 195 km away from Dhaka by waterways and 247 km away by road. Total area of rivers is 1133.46 km2. Total length of road is 3893.65 km, concrete road is 3001.8 km and dirt road is 899.85 km.
Major launch services are M.V Greenline 1&2 M.V Bhola, Tasrif, Shompod, Srinagar, Karnaphuli, Balia, M.V Parijaat and Lali. Depending on season, different class of ships operate from Bhola to Lakhshmipur connecting west and east side of Bangladesh across mighty Meghna river. During calm winter seasons small ships and speedboats are available all day long from the Ilisha port, but during monsoon, heavy coastal ships like M.V Parijaat and Sea-tricks are the only means of crossing Meghna. The condition of internal travels is very good. Road transportation is available between the sub-districts. Sea-truck is used for travelling Monpura sub-district.

Members of the 11th parliament

The district is divided into four parliamentary constituencies. In the 2018 general election, the Awami League won all four seats.
MemberSeatParty
Bhola-1
Bhola-2
Bhola-3
Bhola-4

The Former members of the currently Vacant Seats are Tofail Ahmed and Nurunnabi Chowdhury

Points of interest

  1. Manpura Island
  2. Char Kukri Mukri
  3. Deuli
  4. Dhal Char
  5. Manpura landing station
  6. Tarua Beach
  7. Independence Museum
  8. Shahbazpur Gas Field
  9. Jakob Tower
  10. Nizam-Hasina Foundation Mosque
  11. Tulatuli
  12. Fashion Square, Char Fasson
  13. Charfasson Eid Gah
  14. Charfasson BM. Town-Hall
  15. Maya Bridge
  16. Charfasson Binodon Park
  17. Betuya launch ghat
  18. Ministry Khamarbari Resort
  19. Char Kajur Gachiya Beach
  20. Dakshin Aicha Thana
  21. Charfasson Bus Terminal
  22. Charfasson Samraj Gat
  23. Five Kopat Gat
  24. Char Patila
  25. Char Sondip
  26. Abdul Jabbar Chowdhury Bari
  27. Bir Sreshtho Mostafa Kamal Memorial Museum and Library
  28. Borhanuddin Zamindar Bari