Pirganj Upazila, Rangpur

Pirganj Upazila
Pirganj, Rangpur
Pirganj Upazila Location in Bangladesh
Coordinates: 25°24.9′N 89°19′E / 25.4150°N 89.317°E / 25.4150; 89.317Coordinates: 25°24.9′N 89°19′E / 25.4150°N 89.317°E / 25.4150; 89.317
Country	Bangladesh
Division	Rangpur Division
District	Rangpur District
Area
• Total	409.37 km2 (158.06 sq mi)
Population (1991)
• Total	303,384
• Density	740/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+6 (BST)
Website	pirgonj.rangpur.gov.bd First & Unofficial site = pirganj.com

Pirganj (Bengali: পীরগঞ্জ) is an Upazila of Rangpur District in the division of Rangpur, Bangladesh. Pirganj Upazila area 409.37 km², located in between 25°18' and 25°31' north latitudes and in between 89°08' and 89°25' east longitudes. It is bounded by mithapukur upazila on the north, palashbari, ghoraghat and nawabganj sadar (dinajpur) upazilas on the south, sadullapur upazila on the east, Mithapukur, Nawabganj Sadar (Dinajpur) and Ghoraghat upazilas on the west.

Population Total 345593; male 176025, female 169568; Muslim 317841, Hindu 22498, Buddhist 1869, Christian 454 and others 2931.

Water bodies Main river: karatoya, Jamuneshwari, Akhira;' Pirganj is called the upazila of beel.

Administration Pirganj Thana, now an upazila, was formed in 1910.

Epigrammatic history

History of pirganj mainly focused at the period of sultans. Before sultans' period very few history and sign was found like, destroyed place of king at Pat around 5 km away from pirganj upzilla headquarter and high land at vimshahar at Baradargah Vendabari high way. Most probably these structures were formed at the period of Pal/Sen.

There was another ancient temple at Bakduar called "Temple of Bakdebi". Bagdebi was desired goddess of king Bhabachandra. Bagduar was an ancient and civilized porgona under pirganj. The temple of Bhabachandra (About to destroyed) is situated at Udaypur under Bagduar porgona. 'Palergar' is situated aside of Bagdebi's temple. This place is now known as Daneshnagar. People say that Bharatchandra/ Hobochandea, relative of 'king Lora' was live at 'Lorarpat'. Which is 06 km away from pirganj. Most probably this area was developed at early 11th century.

Rangpur along with Pirganj was a part of Kamrup. After Baktiar Khalgi failed to capture this part of the kamrup and died (1206 AD-1210 AD) Sultan giash uddin tried to capture kamrup on 1227 AD and failed. Tughrel Kha primarily captured this area but in the long run he failed to continue his control. At last Hazrat Shah Ismail Gazi Captain of thirteenth Gour’s Pathanian Sultan Rukunnuddin Abul Mujahid Barbak Shah was able to capture kamrup. Hazrat Shah Ismail Gazi was a Muslims religious leader, captain and Muslim missionary. The king of Ghoraghat Bhandari Roy was envious with his success and started to conspiracy against him and be able to convince Sultan Rukunnuddin Abul Mujahid Barbak Shah to send soldier against him. He was arrested and killed on 8 January 1474 AD (14th Saban, 878 Hizri) and his head was brought to king. Later Sultan Rukunnuddin Abul Mujahid Barbak Shah be able to know about the conspiracy of Bhandari Roy and became repentant. Repentant king buried the head of Hazrat Shah Ismail Gazi at bagduar of pirganj with due respect. His follower’s were already buried his headless body in Mandaron under Hugli district. A small island in the Barabila near pirganj unzila headquarter is memorable for Hazrat Shah Ismail Gazi. There was a mosque in this island prepared by his followers but now this mosque is fully destroyed. Mosque (30F X 20F X 15F) and the large well at Baradargah under Pirganj Upzilla was one of the most memorable place for Hazrat Shah Ismail Gazi. Most of the historian believes that his journey for victory and missionary was started from this place and the Introstick (Dikshadanda) is buried in this place. Some historian believes that his part of body was also buried in this place. Some historians believe that part of his body is also buried at Ghoraghat under Dinapur District.

The history of Pirganj is mostly related with the victory of Hazrat Shah Ismail Gazi. At the time of his victory against King Nilambbar, Kamrup was joined with the Independent Bangla permanently. At the time of Hussain Shah Pirganj was introduced as Administrative centre and Barabila area was introduced as Land Revenue Pargana (an administrative Unit). Up to Battle of Palashi these units were remain unmoved. From the British period there are some changes done within these administrative units but no remarkable change was done till today.

Geography

Pirganj is located at 25°24′55″N 89°19′00″E / 25.4153°N 89.3167°E / 25.4153; 89.3167. It is the southernmost upazila of Rangpur district. It is surrounded by Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur to the North, Sadullahpur upazila of Gaibndha to the east, Palashbari upazila to the south and Ghoraghat and Nawabganj upazilas of Dinajpur to the west. It has approximately 101640 units of household and total area 411.34 km².

Demographics

As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Pirganj has a population of 303384. Males constitute 50.72% of the population, and females 49.28%. This Upazila's eighteen up population is 154333. Pirganj has an average literacy rate of 26.5% (7+ years), and the national average of 32.4% literate.^[1]

Economy

Pirganj is an economically backward locality. Agriculture is the predominant economic activity in Pirganj. In addition to Rice, the main crop, a lots of vegetables and bananas are produced in Pirganj. Local traders as well as traders from Dhaka, Chittagong and other parts of the country purchase the surplus agricultural products from the area and sell them to major urban centres in the country. Fishing is also a major economic activity in the area. Karotoa, a pretty large river, which flows through the western border of the upazila is famous for some tasty variety of fishes. There are numerous lakes (known as beel locally) and couple of small rivers in Pirganj. Commercial fishery in ponds is also becoming popular.

Major Commercial centers are Pirganj, Chatra, Balua, Khalashpir, Vendabari, Motherganjhat is big commercial area and Shanerhat. There are branches of Sonali Bank in Pirganj, Chatra and Khalashpir. There are also branches of Rashahi Krishi Bank in Pirganj, Rupali Bank in Vendabari, Agrani Bank in Shanerhat and Janata Bank in Motherganj.

Arts and culture

Pirganj is a culturally rich and vibrant locality. There are some cultural organizations and theater groups based in Pirganj proper. An annual fair, known as mela locally, takes place in Baradargah in the Islamic month of Muharram. Annual fairs also take place in few other locations during winter or on the eve of Bengali new year. Sharadiya Durga puja is celebrated in Pirganj, Chatra and few other localities.

Islam is the predominant religion in Pirganj, with almost 90% of its people belonging to the faith. There is a significant Hindu population scattered over the Upzilla. Concentration of Hindu population is high in Panchgachi Union. There is a large indigenous Santal population in Chatra area.

A cultural organization named Angon is located in the village Boger Bari in Kumidpur union. They arrange varies seasonal programs such as cultural activities and sports competitions. A social organization named Concerned Peoples Organization (CPO) is located in the village of Gurzipara in Baradargah union. It is a student based social organization and they arrange social programs to concern people of its area.

Points of interest

The major tourist attractions in Pirganj are Baro Bila (a large lake), Nil Daria (a village surrounded by a lake), Kadirabad forest (a large forest created by Bangladesh Forest Department), Hatibanda (Dareapur) Mosque, an old mosque with beautiful architectural design, Khalashpir Mosque, Anandonagar amusement park near Khalashpir and Raipur Zamider Bari. There are remnants of the palace of King Nilambor in Patgram. The shrine of Kazi Heyat Mamud is located in Jharbishla near Vendabari.

Administration

Pirganj has 15 unions, 45 wards, 308 Mauzas/Mahallas, and 331 villages.

The unions are

01. Chaitrakol 02. Vendabari 03. Baro Dargah 04. Kumidpur 05. Madonkhali 06. Tukuria 07. Baro Alampur 08. Raipur 09. Pirganj 10. Shanerhat 11. Panchgachi 12. Mithipur 13. Ramnathpur 14. Chatra 15. Kabilpur.

Pirganj was one of the three constituencies from where the current Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was elected as an MP in the ninth parliamentary election of the country in 2008. She was also elected in the tenth parliamentary election in 2014 from the same constituency. Later in the by-election, Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, the current speaker of Bangladesh parliament was elected unopposed from the constituency.

Transport

One can travel from Dhaka to Pirganj by bus. Rangpur-bound buses start from Kallyanpur in Dhaka. One should board in a Rangpur-bound bus and get dropped at Pirganj bus station. It takes about six hours. Pirganj is about 60 kilometers towards to the north from Bogra. It is on the way from Bogra to Rangpur (the distance from Bogra to Rangpur is about 100 kilometers). The nearest airport is at Saidpur, Nilphamari. Communication from Rangpur town is very easy. It takes about 40 minutes by bus.

There have been some improvements in road communication within Pirganj Upazila in the recent years. All major commercial centers are connected by pacca roads. One can start journey from Dhaperhat and have a circular trip covering Chatra, Khalashpir, Vendabari, Baro Dargah, Shanerhat and Motherganj and come back to Dhaperhat.

A bridge name Wazed Mia Bridge on the river Karotoa near Kanchdah ghat in Pirganj has been opened recently. The bridge has made the communication between Rangpur and Dinajpur districts much easier.

Education

Colleges

1. Shah Abdur Rouf College
2. Pirganj Mohila College
3. Chatra Degree College
4. Khalashpir Bangobondhu Degree College
5. Pirganj Karigori College
6. Motherganj College
7. Chatra Karigori College
8. Vendabari Women's College
9. Monikrishan Sen College, Bishnupur
10. Kadirabad Women's College
11. Chatra Women's College
12. Gurzipara College
13. Mohiosi Begum Rokeya Mohila College, Gurzipara
14. Rasulpur School & College
15. k j islam girls school and college

High Schools

1. Maderganj High School
2. Pirganj Kasimonnessa Girls High School
3. Kadirabad High School
4. Rasulpur High School
5. Chander Bazer High School
6. Hazi Boyan Uddin High School
7. Pirganj Bangobandhu high School
8. Chatra High School
9. Panbazer High School
10. Pirganj Government High School
11. Eklimpur High school
12. Chatra Girls High School
13. Nildorea High School
14. Pirganj Adarsha School
15. Vendabari High School
16. Raipur High School
17. Khedmotpur High School
18. Abdullahpur Jahan Mhamud High School
19. Vimshahar High School
20. Chak Karim High School
21. Laldighi High School
22. Doshmouza High school
23. Rasulpur High school
24. Bishnupur Beni Madhab Sen High School
25. Hitabanda KMT High School
26. Shanerhat High school
27. Laldighi mela Adhorso High School
28. Khataber Para PMA High School
29. Jahangirabad High School
30. Akota Bajar High School
31. Kanchon Bajar High School
32. Patnichara High School
33. Jafor Para High School
34. Gurzipara K.P. High School,gurzipara

Madrasahs

1. Jafar Para Kamil Madrasha
2. Chatrahat Alim Madrasah
3. Kumedpur Madrasha
4. Sharolia Madrasha
5. Maderganj Kamil Madrasha
6. shahapur madrasha
7. Khalashpir Senior Fazil Madrasha
8. Shaner hat Islamia Dakhil Madrasha
9. kholahati dakhil madrasah
10. Pirganj Senior Fazil Madrasha
11. Radhakrisna pur Nezamia Dhakhil Madrasha
12. Duramithipur Darus Sunnat Dhakil Madrasha
13. Gurzipara Dakhil Madrasha,
14. Dhorakandor Dakhil Madrasha,
15. Boro Dargah Hazrat Shah Ismail Gazi (R) Fazil Madrasha
16. Patnichara Girls Dakhil Madrasha,

Notable residents

• M. A. Wazed Miah, nuclear scientist and husband of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was born at Fatepur village in 1942.^[2]

See also

• Districts of Bangladesh
• Divisions of Bangladesh

References