Fakirhat Upazila

Fakirhat (Bengali: ফকিরহাট) is an Upazila of Bagerhat District[1] in the Division of Khulna, Bangladesh. It has the medieval "Sixty Dome Mosque" (ষাট গম্বুজ মসজিদ) and the Khan Jahan Ali Mazar.

Fakirhat

ফকিরহাট
Upazila
Fakirhat
Location in Bangladesh
Coordinates: 22°46.8′N 89°42.5′E
Country Bangladesh
DivisionKhulna Division
DistrictBagerhat District
Area
 • Total160.68 km2 (62.04 sq mi)
Population
 (1991)
 • Total123,956
 • Density770/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+6 (BST)
WebsiteOfficial Map of Fakirhat

History

During the War of Liberation the Razakars made a surprise attack on the camp of the freedom fighters at the village of Deyapara in Shuvadia Union. Many people of both sides were killed and wounded. In the village of Jaria, many houses were set on fire by the East Pakistani Army as well as Razakars. The famous Leader from Shatshaia village, Jabbar Khan, was killed by Razakars at Jaria.

Geography

Fakirhat is located at 22.7806°N 89.7083°E / 22.7806; 89.7083. It has 24,286 households and a total area of 160.68 km².

Demographics

As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Fakirhat has a population of 123,956. Males make up 51.12% of the population, and females 48.88%. Fakirhat has an average literacy rate of 43% (7+ years), compared to the national average of 32.4%.[2] The literacy rate is 49% among males and 36.7% among females.

71.55% of the population are Muslim, 28.43% Hindu and 0.02% follow other religions.

Economy

Main occupations

38.15% of the population are engaged in agriculture and 16.94% as agricultural labourers, 2.81% in fishing, 6.07% as wage labourers, 14.86% in commerce, 3.01% in transport, 8.3% in services and 9.86% in other occupations.

Land use

There are 10,072.03 hectares of arable land and 5,804.53 hectares of fallow land; single crop 64%, double crop 30% and treble land 6% land control. Among the peasants 33% are marginal, 35% small, 25% intermediary and 7% rich.


Crops

The main crops are Paddy, potatoes, betel leaf and vegetables. The extinct crops and crops nearing extinction are mustard seed, sweet potato and pulses.

Main fruits

The main fruits are coconuts, boroi, areca nuts and bananas, betel nuts.

Fisheries, dairies and poultices

There are 7,463 fisheries, 33 dairies and 47 poultices.

Manufactures

Ice factory 1, Pharmaceutical company 01, oil mill 10, rice mill 20, frozen shrimp preservation 2.

Cottage industries

Bamboo work 85, goldsmith 52, blacksmith 65, wood work 136, potteries 30, tailoring 125 and kantha sewing 15.

Hats, and bazaars are 17; fairs 6, most noted of which are Fakirhat, Lakhpur hat and Attaka Baishakhi Fair.

Main exports

The main exports are coconut, betel leaf, shrimp, and betel nut.

Non-governmental activities

The non-governmental activities in Fakirhat are Jagorani Chakra Foundation (JCF), Sukhee Manush, Drishtanto, Prodipon, Prisam, Viko Bangladesh, Nabolok, asa, brac, grameen bank and CARE.

Health centres

There is an Upazila health complex, eight family planning centres, a satellite clinic and seven community clinics

Arts and culture

There was a cinema hall, but now there is no cinema hall, five theater groups, 30 women's organisations and 25 rural clubs.

Points of interest

The archaeological sites of significance are Khanjahania Mosque, Sha-Awolia Bag Mazar and Mardan Pir Math, Tanker Per Mosque (Mulghair), Rural Orphan Centre, RRC

There are 3 War of Liberation memorials and 1 memorial structure in Fakirhat.

Administration

Fakirhat has 8 Unions/24Wards, 67 Mauzas/Mahallas, and 87 villages. Fakirhat Upazila, is bordered by Rupsa and Mollahat Upazilas to the north, Rampal Upazila to the south, Bagerhat Sadar and Chitalmari Upazilas to the east and Batiaghata and Rupsa Upazilas to the west. The main rivers are Rupsa, Bhairab and Chitra. The notable beels are Kalkolia and Foltita.

Fakirhat (town)

The area of the town is 22.09 km². It has a population of 23476; male 51.93%, female 48.07%. The density of population is 1063 per km2. The literacy rate among the town's inhabitants is 47.4%. The town has one dakbungalow.

The administration of Fakirhat Thana was established in 1869; this was then turned into an upazila in 1983. It consists of 8 union parishads, 67 mouzas and 87 villages.

Transport

Pucca roads cover a length of 61 kilometres (38 mi), semi pucca 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), and mud roads 563 kilometres (350 mi); waterways cover a length of 30-nautical-mile (56 km) and railways 10 kilometres (6.2 mi). There are three railway stations. But at present all railway stations abolished.

The traditional means of transport are bullock cart and palanquin. These means of transport are extinct or nearly extinct.

Education

Fakirhat's educational institutions include three colleges, a technical college, 24 non-government high schools, two government high schools, 27 madrasas, 53 government primary schools and 20 non-government primary schools. The noted institutions are Mulghar Government High School (1857) and Bahirdia High School (1892).

References
  1. Parthadev Shaha (2012), "Fakirhat Upazila", in Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.), Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.), Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
  2. "Population Census Wing, BBS". Archived from the original on 2005-03-27. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
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