Knowing Bangladesh
Laxmipur District
Area: 1367.59 sq km, located in between 2230 and 2310 north latitudes and in between 9038 and 9001 east longitudes. It is bounded by Chandpur district on the north, Bhola and Noakhali districts on the south, Noakhali district on the east, Barisal and Bhola districts and Meghna river on the west.
Population: Total 1654102; male 829227, female 824875; Muslim 1592807, Hindu 60933, Buddhist 83, Christian 76 and others 203.
Water bodies: Main rivers: Meghna, Dakatia, Katakhali. Administration: Lakshmipur Sub Division was formed in 1979 and it was turned into a district in 1984.
History of the War of Liberation: On 7 June 1971 the freedom fighters of Lakshmipur launched an attack on the Pak army at Ramganj Road and destroyed one Pak military convoy and a jeep. On 6 July 1971 the freedom fighters launched a surprise attack on the Pak army at a place adjacent to the Rahmatkhali Bridge near Lakshmipur town in which 70 Pak soldiers were killed. On 25 October a frontal battle was fought between the freedom fighters and the Pak army at Mirganj in which 70 Pak soldiers including one Pak Major and 41 Rangers were killed. During the War of Liberation an encounter was held between the freedom fighters and the Pak army at a place on the bank of Fatehpur Dighi of Ramganj upazila in which a number of Pak soldiers were killed. Later on the Pak army captured 14 freedom fighters, took them to their Ramganj camp and killed all of them. Another encounter was held between the freedom fighters and the Pak army at the turn of the Zaminder Hat of Ramgati upazila in which 17 Pak soldiers including a few razakars were killed.
Marks of the War of Liberation: Mass grave 4, mass killing site 2, memorial monument 3.
Literacy rate and educational institutions: Average literacy 42.9%; male 44.3%, female 41.7%. Educational institutions: college 17, law college 1, homeopathy college 1, technical education institution 2, primary teachers training institute (PTI) 1, secondary school 159, primary school 657, satellite school 35, community school 27, madrasa 167, maktab 240.
Noted educational institutions: Lakshmipur Government College (1964), Ramganj Government College (1967), Lakshmipur Government Girls High School (1898), Gopalpur Dwrika High School (1901), Chaupalli KD High School (1905), Raipur LM Pilot High School (1911), Lakshmipur Ideal Samad Government High School (1912), Duttapara Ramratan High School (1912), Mirpur High School (1924), Chandipur Mansha High School (1924), Dalal Bazar NK High School (1924), Choupalli Joytara High School (1928), Gopinathpur Champka Girls High School (1929), Ramgati BBK Pilot Ideal High School (1933), Primary Teachers Training Institute (1953), Raipur Alia Madrasa (1886), Bhawaniganj Karamatia Senior Madrasa (1904).
Main sources of income: Agriculture 47.51%, non-agricultural labourer 3.19%, industry 0.85%, commerce 14.40%, transport and communication 3.58%, service 11.02%, construction 2.01%, religious service 0.42%, rent and remittance 5.96% and others 11.06%.
Newspapers and periodicals: Daily: Lakshmipur Kantha (1995), Al-Chist (1995); weekly: Natun Samaj (Natun Desh, 1972), Samabay Barta (Bangladesh Barta, 1973), Mukti Bani (1928, defunct), Ganamukh (1973, defunct), Elan (1982), Natun Path (1987), Damama (1992), Ananda Akash (1995, defunct), Ramganj Barta (1991), Rojnamcha (defunct); fortnightly: Abasar; monthly: Renaissance, Jagaran (2000), Dakatia; quarterly: Raipur Darpan (1998); periodicals: Chetana (1969), Prachchhad (1984), Chhayapath, Kabita Barta, Ramgati Darpan, Lakshmipur Barta (1989), Ramgati Barta (1998), Agraj (1999), Bichitrita (1994).
Folk culture: Notable folk culture of the district include rhymes, puzzles, proverbs, Lokagatha (folk tale), Palagan, Murshidi and Sarigan.
Tourists spots: Ramganj Ansar Battalion and Sreerampur Rajbari. Source: Banglapedia
