Dewanganj Upazila

History

The early name of Dewanganj was 'Paddat Nagar' named after by a Hindu Land Lord. During the Mughal period two saints, Dewan Shah Kamal and Dewan Shah Jamal, preached Islam in the area. Dewanganj is named after these two saints. In 1772, it was under Rangpur district. Then in 1821 it was transferred to Bogra district. In 1866, it was transferred to Jamalpur subdivision under Mymensingh district. 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 between Jamalpur and Bahadurabaad Ghat.Marks of War of Liberation Mass grave 3. .

Geography

Dewanganj is located at 25.1417°N 89.7833°E / 25.1417; 89.7833. It has 38023 households and total area 266.59 km².

Rivers

Jamuna and Brahammaputra, Jingiram.

Demographics

As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Dewanganj has a population of 193182. Males constitute 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.

Economy

Zeal-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.

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.

Hats and bazars are 33, most noted are Dewanganj bazar,Bahadurabad Bazar,Zalorchor Bazar under Bahadurabad Union.Now it is the Biggest bazar in Dewanganj Upazila. Sananda Bari Bazar, Kathebil Bazar (the centre of Dewangonj thana), Moulvir char bazar, fair 1 (Baruni Mela at Chaitra Samkranti) every year also observed Pahela Baishakh and arranged Mela at Sananda Bari High School yard.Bashtoli Bazar,(its very popular for morning marketing,Tashins home at this place).

Administration

Dewanganj has 08 Unions/Wards, 47 Mauzas/Mahallas, and 172 villages.

Transport

Dewanganj is on the Narayanganj-Bahadurabad Ghat Line.

Health

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

Education

Universities 1, colleges 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, Estiak Hossan Didar Wemens College, Gazi Nasir Uddin Memorial College, Engineer Fozul Mohila college, Polly-technical College, Zeal-Bangla High School, Dewangonj Kamil Madrasah, Sananda Bari High School, Sananda Bari Degree College, M.M memorial College, Hatibhanga, Hativanga Afroza Begum High School, Moulovir Char High School, Moulovir Char Girls School. Bahadurabad High School, Bahadurabad A'rab Senior Madrasah,shahjadpur high school.