Dewanganj Upazila of Jamalpur District

Dewanganj is an Upazila of Jamalpur District, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh. It covers an area of 266.59 km² (102.93 sq mi), and is bounded by Char Rajibpur Upazila to the north, Islampur Upazila to the south, Baksiganj Upazila and Meghalaya, India to the east, Gaibandha Sadar Upazila and Phulchhari Upazila to the west. Its main river is the Jamuna River (the Brahmaputra River).

History

The early name of Dewanganj was 'Paddat Nagar' named after by a Hindu Land Lord. During the Mughal period two saints, Dewan Shah Jalal and Dewan Shah Jamal, preached Islam in the area. Dewanganj is named after these two saints. Bahadurabad Ghat of this upazila was a very important strategic place in the northern sector during 1971 . The Pak army deployed one-platoon soldiers of the 31st Baluch Regiment, one company Para Military Rangers Forces and about 50 Razakars to keep full control over the Bahadurabad Ghat along with the Jamuna River. On 3 July 1971 a group of 400 freedom fighters attacked the Bahadurabad Ghat under the command of Major Shafayet Jamil. The Pak army was defeated in this three-day battle; with this the freedom fighters were able to disrupt the railway communication berween Jamalpur and Bahadurabad Ghat.Marks of War of Liberation Mass grave 3. .

Geography

Dewanganj is located at 25.1417°N 89.7833°E. It has 38023 units of house hold and total area 266.59 km².

Demographics

As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Dewanganj has a population of 193182. Males constitute are 50.47% of the population, and females 49.53%. This Upazila's eighteen up population is 92441. Dewanganj has an average literacy rate of 20.9% (7+ years), and the national average of 32.4% literate.

Administrative

Dewanganj has 10 Unions/Wards, 47 Mauzas/Mahallas, and 172 villages.

Educational institutions

College 2, government high school 1, non-government high school 15, Madrasa 5, government primary school 115, non-government primary school 63.Cultural organisations Club 61, library 1, cinema hall 2, theatre group 1, literary society 8, women's organisation 1, playground 31. Noted educational institutions: Dewangonj Government High School, Dewangonj Girls High School, A.K memorial College, Polly-technical College, Zill-Bangla High School, Aliya Madrasa, Sananda Bari High School, Sananda Bari Degree College,M.M memorial College,Hatibhanga.

Industry, agriculture and others

Zill-Bangla sugar Mill. One of the finest sugar factory in Bangladesh. This sugar factory situated in Mill Bazar near Dewangonj railway station. Main crops Paddy, jute, sugarcane, mustard seed, wheat, potato, garlic, cabbage, cauliflower, brinjal, varieties of pulse and vegetables.Extinct or nearly extinct crops Ground nut, kaun. Main fruits Mango, banana, coconut, watermelon and futi. Fisheries, dairies, poultry Cattle breeding farm 1, hatchery 1.Cottage industries Loom 1400, handicraft 39, blacksmith 72, potteries 11, bamboo and cane work 71, wood work 159, painter 7, jute and cotton work 96 and tailoring 200.

Religion

Religious institutions Mosque 322, temple 5. Muslim 97.82%, Hindu 2.01%, Buddhist 0.02%, Christian 0.03% and others 0.12%.

Transport

Dewanganj is on the Narayanganj-Bahadurabad Ghat Line.

Occupations

Main occupations Agriculture 39.34%, fishing 1.81%, agricultural labourer 28.77%, wage labourer 3.76%, commerce 9.44%, service 5.69% and others 11.19%.Land use Total cultivable land 16385.27 hectares, fallow land 2554.03 hectares; single crop 16.67%, double crop 45.86% and treble crop 9.81%; land under irrigation 771.35 hectares.Land control Among the peasants 14.04% are landless, 40.96% marginal, 27.82% small, 13.58% intermediate and 3.60% rich; cultivable land per head is 0.18 hectare.Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is Taka 7500 per 0.01 hectare.

NGOs

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac, asa, grameen bank, sss,Unnayan Sangha and Progress.

Heath

Health centers Upazila health complex 1, family planning centre 8, satellite clinic 2.

Rivers

Jamuna and Brahammaputra.

Hats, bazars, place, model and fairs

Hats and bazars are 33, most noted are Dewanganj bazar, Sananda Bari Bazar, Moulvir chor bazar, fair 1 (Baruni Mela at Chaitra Samkranti) every year also observed Pahela Baishakh and arranged Mela at Sananda Bari Hich School yard.