Knowing Bangladesh
Sherpur District
Area: 1359.87 sq km, located in between 2418 and 2518 north latitudes and in between 8953 and 9091 east longitudes. It is bounded by Meghalaya state of India on the north, Mymensingh and Jamalpur districts on the south, Mymensingh district on the east, Jamalpur district on the west.
Population: Total 1279542; male 659512, female 620030; Muslim 1234834, Hindu 34112, Buddhist 9314, Christian 39 and others 1243.
Water bodies: Main rivers: Old Brahmaputra, Someshwari, Chilakhali, Bhogai, Kangsa, Digana; Katakhali Canal is notable.
Administration: Sherpur Municipality was formed in 1869. Sherpur Sub-division was turned into a district in 1984. Of the five upazilas of the district Sherpur Sadar is the largest (356.12 sq km) and Nakla is the smallest (174.80 sq km).
History of the War of Liberation: A number of freedom fighters including Commander Nazmul Ahsan were killed in an encounter with the Pak army at Cherakhali of Nalitabari upazila.
On 27 July, the Pak soldiers killed 185 people at village Sohagpur of this upazila.
On 24 November the Pak army killed 52 people at village Suryadi under Sherpur sadar upazila. Besides, 20 freedom fighters were killed in encounters with the Pak army at Narayankhola, Gaurdar, Boroitar and Chandrakona of Nakla upazila.
Marks of the War of Liberation: Mass grave 2 (Sreebardi, Nalitabari); mass killing site 3 (two at Sherpur sadar and at Jhenaigati); memorial monument 1 (Nalitabari); Muktijoddha Memorial Plaque 1 (Jhenaigati), Muktijoddha Memorial Stadium (Sherpur sadar).
Literacy rate and educational institutions: Average literacy 31.98%; male 29.51%, female 51%. Educational institutions: college 14, agricultural training institute 1, nursing training institute 1, vocational training institute 1, secondary school 122, primary school 633, kindergarten 7, madrasa 194. Noted educational institutions: Sherpur Government College (1964), Sreebardi Government College (1969), Omarpur Government Mohila College (1972), Technical School and College (2001), Sherpur Polytechnic Institute (2004), Gobindapur Peace Memorial Institute (1918), Agriculture Training Institute (1957), Sapmari High School (1907), Joginimuri Multilateral High School (1912), Chandrakanta Rajlakshmi High School (1919), Hiranmayee High School (1919), Gopalkhila High School (1919), Sherpur GK Pilot High School (1919), Sherpur High School (1920), Afzalunnessa Girls High School (1922), Taraganj Pilot High School (1927), Sherpur Government Girls High School (1952), Sreebardi Madhuranath Binodini Government Pilot Girls High School (1964), Sherpur Government Victoria Academy (1887), Chandrakanta Government Primary School (1944), Jamia Siddiqia Terabazar Madrasa (1978), Iddrisia Alim Madrasa (1991).
Main sources of income: Agriculture 65.71%, non-agricultural labourer 4.30%, industry 0.95%, commerce 10.99%, transport and communication 3.16%, service 4.16%, construction 0.93%, religious service 0.18%, rent and remittance 0.15% and others 9.47%.
Newspapers and periodicals: Weekly: Sherpur (1986), Doshkahania (1991), Chalti Khabar (1991); quaterly: Rangdhanu Bhaban (2005), Sahityalaka, Adda, Barsati; defunct: Biddyanati Sadini (1865), weekly: Biggapani, Charubarta (1881), Bangasuridh (1881), Samskriti Sanjibini, fortnightly: Kishore (1957-58), Banasree, Palli Darpan; monthly: Daxina (1967), Prabaha, Angan, Muktangan, Gono Barta, Aunnesa, Uccharan, Manus Theke Manus, Samcharan, Nandita Nabin, Ghonai Amra.
Folk culture: Folk songs of the district include Bhatiyali, Jarigan, Sarigan, Bhawaya, Murshidi, Marfati, Kirtan, Kabigan, Bristirgan (song inviting rain), Maganer Gan, Maij Bhandari song, Dehatatva, Malshi song, Udasani or Baramashi song, Rakhali song, Palagan, Meyeli Gan.
Important installations and tourist spots: Madhutila Ecopark (Nalitabari), Rubber Dam on the river Bhogai (Nalitabari), Gazni Recreation Centre (Jhenaigati), Mariam Nagar Mission (Jhenaigati), Aynapur Rubber Dam (Jhenaigati), Sandhakur Rubber Plantation (Jhenaigati). Source: Banglapedia
