Muktagacha Upazila
Muktagacha (Bengali: মুক্তাগাছা) is an upazila of Mymensingh District[1] in the Division of Mymensingh, Bangladesh. It is known for sweets which are made there, called "Monda". It is also known for the Rajbari (a zamindar's residence) which is currently used as an educational institute, Shahid Shrity College.
Muktagacha
মুক্তাগাছা | |
---|---|
Muktagacha Location in Bangladesh | |
Coordinates: 24°45.5′N 90°16′E | |
Country | Bangladesh |
Division | Mymensingh Division |
District | Mymensingh District |
Area | |
• Total | 314.71 km2 (121.51 sq mi) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 415,473 |
• Density | 1,300/km2 (3,400/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+6 (BST) |
Postal code | 2210 |
Website | Official Map of Muktagacha |
Etymology
The previous name of Muktagacha was Binodbari. When the Zamindars (kings) arrived from Natore, an inhabitant of the town, Muktaram Karmakar, presented them with a gold lamp-stand, locally called Gacha. This pleased the Zamindars. They wanted to acknowledge the present and show respect to Muktaram, so they renamed the town to Muktagacha.
Geography
Muktagacha is located at 24.7583°N 90.2667°E. It has 64044 households and total area 314.71 km2.
Demographics
According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Muktagachha had a population of 415,473. Males constituted 49.74% of the population and females 50.26%. Muslims formed 95.30% of the population, Hindus 4.52%, Christians 0.17% and others 0.02%. Muktagachha had a literacy rate of 43.5% for the population 7 years and above.[2]
As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Muktagacha had a population of 321,759. Males constituted 50.77% of the population, and females 49.23%. This Upazila's eighteen and up population was 160,859. Muktagacha has an average literacy rate of 22.9% (7+ years), and the national average of 32.4% literate.[3]
Arts and culture
Muktagacha has always been a place to nourish the various cultural activities. The Zaminders of Muktagacha were always conscious of cultural activities. Raja Jagat Kishore Acharya Choudhury was a true patroner of culture. He brought famous cultural people like Ustad Alauddin Khan, Hafiz Ali Khan, Dabir Khan and many more famous people to Muktagacha. A lot of people are directly nourishing the field of culture. People here practice Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet,Kirtan, Lalon Geeti etc. In addition, various cultural activities are held around the year. The artist association of Muktagacha is Aymon Tirer Shillpy Somaj' according to the name of Aymon River.
Administration
Muktagacha Upazila is divided into Muktagacha Municipality and ten union parishads: Basati, Borogram, Daogaon, Dulla, Ghoga, Kashimpur, Kheruajani, Kumargata, Mankon, and Tarati. The union parishads are subdivided into 261 mauzas and 283 villages.[4]
Muktagacha Municipality is subdivided into 9 wards and 21 mahallas.[4]
Chairman | Vice Chairman | Woman Vice Chairman | Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) |
---|---|---|---|
Jakaria Haroon | Golam Shahriar Sharif | Aziza Rohman | Shuborna Sarker |
Religious activities
Muktagacha has a long tradition of being a peaceful land decorated with religious harmony. Both the Hindus and Muslims are of brotherly nature and live peacefully together. Eid is celebrated with much grandeur and devotion. In this day, not only the Muslims visit each other's home but also the Hindus also visit Muslim homes as well. People share many food items and gifts to mark the occasion. Many fairs, locally called Mela, are held for weeks. Durga Puja is the main religious festival of the Hindu community here. During Durga Puja the whole town takes a festive look. People of all community enjoy the Puja holiday. Devotees and visitors go from one pandal to another to see the idols of Goddess Durga. On the day of Bijoyadashami, the idols are carried out in long processions and then immersed into nearby water bodies. Besides these all other religious activities are peacefully observed. There is a 200-year-old twin Shiva Temple just outside the zamindar-house where Durga Puja is also celebrated.
Major zamindaris of Mymensingh
- Susanga (Maharaja) (3rd in the Order of Precedence in the Government House of Calcutta before 1947)
- Muktagagacha (also called Mymensingh) (Maharaja)
- Ramgopalpur (Raja)
- Gouripur (Babu)
- Kalipur (Babu)
- Malotipur
Union Parishad
- Kumargata
- Tarati
- Ghoga
- Kheruajani
- Dulla
- Mankon
- Borogram
- Bashati
- Daogaon
- Kashimpur
Schools & Colleges
Schools
- Muktagacha RK Govt. High School.
- NN Girls High School.
- Nabarun Bidyaniketan.
- Hamida Sultana Girls High School.
- Montola High School.
- Armed Batalian Hight School.
- Gabtali High School.
Colleges
- Muktagacha Govt. College.
- Muktagacha Mahabidyaloy.
- Hazi kashem ali degree college .
- Gabtali Degree College.
- Mymensingh Physical Education College.
Bank in Muktagacha
- Sonali Bank Limited.
- Rupali Bank Limited.
- Janata Bank Limited.
- Agrani Bank Limited.
- Pubali Bank Limited.
- National Bank Limited.
- Brac Bank Limited.
- Southeast Bank Limited.
- Islami Bank Limited.
- Bangladesh Krishi Bank Limited.
- Dutch Bangla Bank Limited.
- Karmasangsthan Bank.
- Grameen Bank.
External links
References
- Mesbah Uddin Tuhin (2012), "Muktagachha Upazila", in Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.), Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.), Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
- "Bangladesh Population and Housing Census 2011: Zila Report – Mymensingh" (PDF). Table P01 : Household and Population by Sex and Residence, Table P05 : Population by Religion, Age group and Residence, Table P09 : Literacy of Population 7 Years & Above by Religion, Sex and Residence. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Ministry of Planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
- "Population Census Wing, BBS". Archived from the original on 2005-03-27. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
- "District Statistics 2011: Mymensingh" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.