Knowing Bangladesh
Meherpur District
Area: 716.08 sq km, located in between 2336 and 2358 north latitudes and in between 8833and 8853 east longitudes. It is bounded by Kushtia district and West Bengal state of India on the north, Chuadanga district and West Bengal state of India on the south, Chuadanga and Kushtia districts on the east, West Bengal state of India on the west.
Population: Total 591436; male 303166, female 288270; Muslim 576962, Hindu 6779, Buddhist 7389, Christian 21 and others 285.
Water bodies: Main rivers: Bhairab, Ichamati, Mathabhaga, Kazla.
Administration: During the British rule in India Meherpur was under Nadia district. Meherpur Town was established in early sixteenth century. Meherpur Municipality was formed in 1960. Meherpur district was formed on 24 February 1984.
History of the War of Liberation: On 30 and 31 March 1971 the Pak army equipped with most modern arms and ammunitions was miserably defeated in a battle with the Ansar Mujahid and general people of Gangni upazila. On 17 April 1971 Professor Mohammad Yusuf Ali read out the Proclamation of Independence at Mujibnagar (former name Bhaberpara,
Badhayanathtola). The first provisional government of Bangladesh took oath on the same day. On 18 April 1971 the Pak army killed 8 innocent persons at Amjhupi of Meherpur Town.
Marks of the War of Liberation: Mass killing site 1 (backyard of Meherpur College); mass grave 2 (Kazipur and Tepukhali maidans); memorial monument 1 (Mujibnagar Memorial Monument).
Literacy rate and educational institutions: Average literacy 37.8%; male 39.9%, female 35.6%. Educational institutions: college 7, vocational institute 3, secondary school 60, primary school 200, madrasa 11. Noted educational institutions: Meherpur Government College (1962), Mujibnagar Degree College (1983), Gangni Degree College (1983), Meherpur Government Mohila College (1984), Gangni Mohila College (1995), Meherpur Government Boys High School (1854), Meherpur Model High School (1859), Mujibnagar Secondary School (1937), Meherpur Government Girls School (1940), Gangni Secondary School (1945).
Main sources of income: Agriculture 68.95%, non-agricultural labourer 3.24%, industry 0.87%, commerce 13.83%, transport and communication 2.21%, service 3.81%, construction 1.03%, religious service 0.14%, rent and remittance 0.59% and others 5.33%.
Newspapers and periodicals: Daily: Azam; weekly: Parichay (1985), Chumbak (1986); fortnightly: Pashimanchal; monthly: Sadhak (1913), Palli Shree (1935), Simanta (1962), Probaha (1979); periodical: Basumati, Nandankanan; bulletin: Raktashaskhar (irregular), Agami (irregular); defunct: weekly Mujibnagar (1988), weekly Meherpur (1992).
Folk culture: Notable folk culture of the district include Baul song, Dehatatva song, Shashra song, Pala song, Kabi song, riddle, proverbs, etc.
Important installations: Mujibnagar Memorial Monument and Complex.
Source: Banglapedia
