Manikganj District

History

Manikganj was formerly a subdivision of Dhaka District. It was turned into a district in 1984.

On 26 April 1989, Manikganj was the site of, what was at that time, the world's worst tornado in terms of loss-of-lives. 1,300 people were initially reported as having been killed with 12,000 injured. The towns of Saturia and Manikganj Sadar were leveled and about 80,000 people were made homeless.

War of Liberation

Liberation war in 1971 in Manikganj District was organized and led by Capt. Halim Chowdhury, Abdul Matin Chowdhury, Principal Abdur Rouf Khan and other heroes of the district.

During October 1971, at the Northwest corner of Golaidanga village, Balodhara union in Singair Upazila, a group of Freedom Fighters attacked the boats carrying the Pakistani intruding soldiers and a terrible battle occurred on the Nuraniganga Khal (canal). Eighty-two Pak soldiers were killed and 50 others held with injuries in a fierce battle with freedom fighters at Golaidanga village in Singair upazila on October 28. Freedom fighters Lokman Hossain, Zahidur Rahman and Tobarak Hossain Ludu led the operation. None of the Mukti Bahini Freedom Fighters were killed during this battle which is one of the significant liberation fight against Pakistani military in Manikgonj. After this short duration battle, the Mukti Bahini Freedom Fighters leave the battle field and the PAK soldiers enhanced their strength bringing more soldiers and they touched 152 houses surrounding villages of the battle place and killed 6 local people who were mostly elderly stayed at home. In the last week of November in 1971, fresh groups of freedom fighters entered different areas of Manikganj and defeated Pakistani troops in a few battles. In 14 December 1971, a group of PAK Bahini moving toward Dhaka entered into Barundi village under Manikganj Sadar Upazila, a group of liberation forces (Mujib Bahini) under leadership of Shahadat Hossain Biswas Badal were preparing to attack them within a suitable place. Understanding this, the PAK Soldiers immediately left the village leaving two soldiers from their troops. One of them was arrested by the liberation forces (Mujib Bahini) at night on 14 December 1971 and another was arrested by the same group of freedom fighters next day after a small fight. Finally they declared the then sub-division (now Manikganj district) free on December 13.

Geography

Manikganj is a district in Dhaka Division. It comprises an area of 1,383.66 km² (534.23 sq mi). Annual average temperatures reach a maximum of 36 °C and a minimum to 12.7 °C with the annual rainfall total being 2,376 mm (93.5 in).

Rivers

There are quite a few rivers in the Manikganj District. The names of the some important rivers of this district are as follows:

1. The Padma
2. The Kaliganga
3. The Jamuna
4. The Dhaleshwari
5. The Ichamati

Population

Manikganj District has a population of 1,274,829; 51.16% male and 48.84% female; the population density is 2582.

Economy

There are total 166 Haats and Bazars.. Besides 54 fairs (Mela) are held in Manikgonj. Manikgonj bijoy Mela,Zinda baba mela jhitka, "belal/billal paglar mela (hargaj) Rowth Jattra Mela (Katigram) Poush mela (Atigram), Bathaimuri Mela, Baher Paglar Mela (BANGALA), Baher paglar mela (Mohadebpur) Sadhur Mela ( South Jamsha,Singair), sadhinotar mela (Maluchi) are favorite all over Manikgonj.Barangail Bazar, Baira Bazar, Jhitka Bazar, Gheor Bazar, Singair Bazar, Bangala Bazar, Maluchi Bazar (Balla bazar) are famous bazar in manikganj.

Places of interest

Sports

Manikganj Stadium is located by the Manikganj public library, Manikganj, Bangladesh

Subdivisions

The upazilas are:

Religion

The district of Manikganj has 3575 mosques, 160 temples, 10 churches, five Buddhist temples and a pagoda.

Education

Notable residents