Manikganj District


Manikganj District is a district in central Bangladesh and part of the Dhaka Division. It was established in 1845 as a subdivision of Faridpur District, then in 1853, it was transferred to Dhaka District for administrative purposes. Finally in 1984, Manikganj was declared a full district.
WWW manikganj.gov.bd

History

Manikganj subdivision was established in 1845. It was transferred from Faridpur District to Dhaka District in 1853. In 1984, Manikganj subdivision was promoted to a full district.

War of Liberation

The liberation war in 1971 in Manikganj District was organized and led by Abdul Halim Chowdhury, Abdul Matin Chowdhury, Principal Abdur Rouf Khan, and other heroes of the district.
On 29 October 1971, at the northwest corner of Golaidanga village, the Baldhara union in Singair Upazila attacked boats carrying intruding Pakistani soldiers and a terrible battle occurred on the Nuruni Ganga. Eighty-one Pakistani soldiers were killed, and many others were injured. The operation was led by freedom fighter Engr Tobarak Hossain Ludu, commander of the Mukti Bahini Lodu group. None of the Mukti Bahini freedom fighters were killed during this battle, which was a significant liberation fight against the Pakistani military in Manikgonj.
After this short-duration battle, the Mukti Bahini freedom fighters left the battlefield, and the Pakistani ranks were reinforced with more soldiers. They burnt 160 houses surrounding the area of Golaidanga village and killed 9 local people who were primarily elderly and stayed at home. Some local young boys helped freedom fighters in that ambush.
After the Golaidanga fight, Singair Upazila became free from Pakistani occupation on 13 November 1971. In the last week of November 1971, fresh groups of freedom fighters entered different areas of Manikganj and defeated Pakistani troops in a few battles.
On 14 December 1971, a group of Pakistan Bahini moving toward Dhaka entered Barundi village in Manikganj Sadar Upazila. Meanwhile, a group of liberation forces under the leadership of Shahadat Hossain Biswas Badal was preparing to attack them within the suitable place. Understanding this, the Pakistani soldiers immediately left the village, leaving two soldiers behind. One of them was arrested by the liberation forces at night on 14 December 1971, and the other was arrested by the same group after a small fight the next day. The then sub-division was declared free on 13 December.

Daulatpur–Saturia tornado

On 26 April 1989, Manikganj was the site of the Daulatpur–Saturia tornado, which became the deadliest tornado in recorded history. 1,300 people were initially reported as having been killed, with 12,000 injured. The towns of Saturia and Manikganj were leveled, and about 80,000 people were made homeless.

Geography

Manikganj comprises an area of. Annual average temperatures reach a maximum of 36 °C and a minimum to 12.7 °C with the annual rainfall total being.
There are several rivers in the Manikganj District, including the Padma River, Kaliganga River, Jamuna River, Dhaleshwari River, and Ichamati River.

Demographics

According to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh, Manikganj District had 393,524 households and a population of 1,558,025 with an average 3.91 people per household. Among the population, 259,616 inhabitants were under 10 years of age. The population density was 1,126 people per km2. Manikganj District had a literacy rate of 71.17%, compared to the national average of 74.80%, and a sex ratio of 1072 females per 1000 males. Approximately, 14.74% of the population lived in urban areas. The ethnic population was 909.

Religion

Manikganj District has 3,575 mosques, 160 temples, 10 churches, five Buddhist temples, and a pagoda. The Hindu population has fallen from nearly 150,000 in 1981 to 130,000 in 2011, but increased to 139,000 in 2022.

Economy

There are total 166 haats and bazars in the district, including:
  • Baira Bazar
  • Bahadia Bazar
  • Bangala Bazar
  • Barangail Bazar
  • Butni Bazar
  • Diabari Bazar
  • Gilonda Bazar
  • Gheor Bazar
  • Ghosher Bazar
  • Ghosta Bazar
  • Intazganj Bazar
  • Jamsha Bazar
  • Jhitka Bazar
  • Maluchi Bazar
  • Mohadebpur Bazar
  • Sakrail Bazar
  • Singair Bazar
In addition, 54 fairs are held in Manikganj, including:
  • Afaz Paglar Mela
  • Aziz paglar Mela
  • Bahadia Boishakhi Mela
  • Baher Paglar Mela
  • Baher Paglar Mela
  • Baruni Mela
  • Belal/Billal Paglar Mela
  • Joymontop Modhor Mela
  • Kanu Promaniker Mela
  • Majhi Barir Mela
  • Manikganj Bijoy Mela
  • Poush Mela
  • Rowth Jatra Mela
  • Sadur Mela
  • Sadhur Mela
  • Sadhinota Mela
  • Sonatoni Nobo Torun jubo Songgho Soroswati puja
  • Zinda Shah Mela
  • গড়পাড়া Imam Bari Muharramer Mela
  • গড়পাড়া বুড়িপুজোর মেলা

Places of interest

  • Baliati Zamindari Home, Saturia
  • Padmar Par, Harirampur
  • Teota Jamindar Bari, Shivalaya upazila
  • Taota Noboratna Modh, Shibalaya
  • Narayan Sadhur Asrom
  • Historical Shrine and Mosque of Machaine Village
  • Kabiraj Bari
  • Beutha Bridge
  • Betila Palace
  • Betila Mondir

Subdivisions

The district's upazilas are:

Education

There are 27 colleges in the district, including Government Debendra College, which was founded in 1942, and the private NPI University of Bangladesh, which was founded in 2016. There is one medical school: Colonel Malek Medical College.
According to Banglapedia, notable secondary schools in the district include:
  • Baliati Iswar Chandra High School
  • Bajpara High School
  • Barangail Gopal Chandra High School
  • Dhankora Girish Institution
  • Diabari High School
  • Dhulla B. M. High School
  • Ghior D. N. Pilot High School
  • Hatipara High School
  • Ibrahimpur Iswar Chandra High School
  • Jamirtta S. G. High School
  • Jhitka Ananda Mohan High School
  • Joymontop High School
  • Kellai Monsur Uddin ML High School
  • Manikganj Government High School
  • Manikganj Model High School
  • Muljan High School
  • Nali Bararia Krishna Chandra High School
  • Patgram Anath Bandhu Government High School
  • Teota Academy
  • Terosree K. N. Institution
  • Manikganj Technical School & collage
  • Ghosta DM High School
The madrasa education system includes two fazil madrasas and one kamil madrasa—Manikganj Islamia Kamil Madrasa, founded in 1953.
The technical education system includes the Government Textile Vocational Institute Manikganj.

Notable people