Shariatpur District History

History

Shariatpur was named after Haji Shariatullah (1781–1840), who was the founder of Faraizi Movement and an eminent Islamic reformer during British Raj. Shariatpur was established as district on 1 March 1984. Earlier it was known as Palong thana under Faridpur sub-division which was converted to Shariatpur Sub-division and latterly as district with 6 upgraded thanas.

Shariatpur District, Bangladesh

 The previous name of the region was Indrakpur Pargana. In the ancient age the region was under “Banga State”. As per the book named “Raghubansha” written by poet Kalidas, almost all the civilians then used boat and even in war. It is a matter of proud for Shariatpur that the two regions named Idilpur and Kedarpur once ruled by Buddhist emperor and they enriched the region much. During the Mughal era, the region was not conquered even the period of mighty emperor Akbar. Then the region was ruled by some local Muslim and Hindu landlords who were called Baro Bhuyan. Kedarpur under Naria sub- district then ruled by Bhuyan Chand Roy and Kedar Roy. In many times Mughal emporer Akbar from Delhi sent powerful force of soldiers to conquer the region but failed due to rough communication system and a strong network of rivers. However, during the period of his son named Jahangir (1608- 1613), the region was conquered at last by Islam Kha, the Govornor of then Bengal. From then, the Mughal ruled was continued over the region before the collapse. During the British East India period the region firstly included with Dhaka and then Faridpur in 1807. Then Shariatpur was a part of greater Bikrampur. Due to administrative advantage the region was included in Bakerganj (current Barisal) in 1869. But facing movement of the civilians the region was included in Madaripur Subdivision under Faridpur District in 1873. After the liberation of Bangladesh, the formerly government (1976) decided to form a new sub division in the east part of Madaripur and named Shariatpur after the name of Hazi Shariatullah (1781-1840) who was the chief of Farayazi movement born in the region.  The decision was first broadcasted in radio in 10 August 1977. In the same year, the called subdivision was inaugurated in November 3. Finally the region was decelerated as a district in 7 March 1983 and started its journey in 1 March 1984 as a district under Dhaka division. The area of Shariatpur district is 1174.05 Sq Km. The Geo position of the district is between 23˚01’ to 23˚27’ North latitudes and between 90˚13’ to 90˚36’ east longitude.

 Bordered By: Shariatpur District is bordered by Munshiganj district to the north, Barisal distrit to the south, Chandpur district to the east andMadaripur district to the west.

Administration: There are 05 Municipalities in Shariatpur district named Shariatpur, Damudda, Vadorgonj, Naria and Jagira. The number of Upazilla (sub- district) in Shariatpur district is 06, named- Shariatpur Sadar, Damudda, Vedorgonj, Jagira, Goshairhat and Naria containing 65 Unions, 556 Mauzas and 1254 Villages. 

Population: The total population of Shariatpur district is 11,55,824 (Male- 5,59,075 and Female- 5,96,749). Sex ratio is 94:100, Population Density 984/Sq Km and annual growth rate is 0.65%.

Literacy: The Literacy Rate of Shariatpur district is 47.30% (Male- 48.00% and Female- 46.60%), School attendance rate is 54.20% for 5 to 24 years age group.

Other Important Data: The postal code of Shariatpur district is 8000 and NWD Code is 0601. Total Parliament seat in Shariatpur is 03. During the liberation war, Shariatpur was under Sector Number 02 & 08. Urbanization rate of the district is 11.34% and annual average rainfall in the region is 2105 mm.

Rivers: Padma, Meghna, Kirtinasha, Palong, Damudia, Arial Kha etc.

Agro Products: Paddy, Jute, Wheat, Yam, Onion, Garlic, Tomato, Oil seeds, Vegetable, Mango, Banana, Wood Apple, Black Berry etc.

Remarkable Personalities from Shariatpur District

Hazi Shariatullh (Social Worker), Shiraj Shikder (Politician), Atul Proshad Sen (Singer and Composer), Abu Ishak (Writer), Dr Golam Mawla (Language Fighter), Abdul Alim (Singer), Hazi Nayon Sharif Sarkar(Former Vice President Of All India Congress Party) Abdur Razzak (Politician), Master Mujibur Rahaman (Politician), Dr A K Jalil, Dr Khaled Sawkot Ali, Colonel (Rtd) Shawkot Ali (Politician) etc.

Shariatpur District (dhaka division) area 1181.53 sq km, located in between 23°01' and 23°27' north latitudes and in between 90°13' and 90°36' east longitudes. It is bounded by munshiganj district on the north, barisal district on the south, chandpur district on the east, madaripur district on the west.

Population Total 1082300; male 543838, female 538462; Muslim 1041584, Hindu 40491, Buddhist 60, Christian 28 and others 137.

Water bodies Main rivers: padma, meghna, Palong, Jayanti.

Administration Shariatpur District was formed on 1 March 1984. Of the six upazilas of the district bhedarganj is the largest (311.24 sq km) and damudya is the smallest (91.76 sq km).

District
Area (sq km)	Upazila	Municipality	Union	Mouza	Village	Population		Density (per sq km)	Literacy rate (%)
						Urban	Rural
1225.51	6	5	64	608	1235	114776	967524	933	38.95

Others Information of District
Name of Upazila	Area (sq km)	Municipality	Union	Mouza	Village	Population	Density (per sq km)	Literacy rate (%)
Gosairhat	167.86	-	7	84	210	124014	739	32.02
Zanjira	239.53	1	12	126	195	179322	749	31.0
Damudya	91.76	1	7	60	121	116643	1269	43.1
Naria	240.02	1	14	146	187	225536	940	41.3
Bhedarganj	311.24	1	13	87	371	237769	764	40.4
Shariatpur Sadar	175.10	1	11	105	151	199016	1137	43.2

Source Bangladesh Population Census 2001, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

History of the War of Liberation In 1971 the Pak army in collaboration with their local agents conducted mass killing and plundering; they also set many houses of the district on fire. During the war of liberation a number of encounters were held in Shariatpur sadar upazila between the freedom fighters and the Pak army in which about 313 Pak soldiers were killed. A number of freedom fighters were killed in two encounters and one frontal battle with the Pak army in Bhedarganj upazila. Nine freedom fighters including Ahsanul Hoque and Abdul Wahab were killed in an encounter with the Pak army at a place on the southern side of Damudya College. Muktijoddha and Mujib Bahini jointly conducted attack on the Pak army by guerrilla technique in the upazila. Five freedom fighters were killed in an encounter with the Pak army in Gosairhat upazila. The freedom fighters of Naria raided the Naria Police Station and captured all the arms and ammunitions of the thana. In retaliation, the Pak army sacked the nearby villages. During the War of Liberation a number of encounters were held between the freedom fighters and the Pak army in Zanjira upazila in which a number of freedom fighters were killed.

Marks of the War of Liberation Mass grave 1 (Mahisar); martyrs' memorial 9; memorial monument 8.

Literacy rate and educational institutions Average literacy 38.95%; male 42.17%, female 35.77%. Educational institutions: college 16, secondary school 102, primary school 772, madrasa 42. Noted educational institutions: Shariatpur Government College, Shariatpur Government Girls' High School, Palong Tulasar Gurudas Government High School, Palong Multilateral High School (1939), Domsar Jagatchandra Institution (1907), Chikandi Sharaf Ali High School (1884), Rudrakar Neelmani High School (1915), Kagdi Government Primary School, Shariatpur Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa, Angaria Osmania Qaumia Madrasa, Kauadi Dakhil Madrasa.'

Main sources of income Agriculture 61.66%, non-agricultural labourer 2.64%, industry 0.91%, commerce 14.34%, transport and communication 2.41%, service 6.41%, construction 1.13%, religious service 0.28%, rent and remittance 2.71% and others 7.51%.

Newspapers and periodicals Daily: Hunker; weekly: Muktir Kantha, Shetu, Kagojer Pata, Saptapalli Samachar; defunct weekly: Chikandi Barta, Shariatpur Barta, Rudrakantha, Jabanbandhi.

Folk culture Most notable folk festivals of the district include Bangla Nababarsa (Bangla New Year's Day), Chaitra Sankranti and boat race. Popular folk songs include Jarigan, Kabigan, Biyer Gan (songs sung in the marriage ceremony). Besides, Jatra and folk drama are also prevalent in the district. Various folk games and sports including Ha-du-du, Gollachhut, Dariabandha are notable. Bull fights were earlier held in Paus and Chaitra Sankranti.

Tourists spots Fateh Jangapur Fort (Naria). [Shahidul Haque]

See also The upazilas under this district.

Famous Tourist Places in Shariatpur District

Home of Hazi Shariatullah, Chikondi Munshef Court, Beparipara Jame Mosque, Burir Hat Mosque, Fatehjongpur Fort, Haturia Royal Palace, Kartikpur Royal Palace, Shakhipur Ananda Bazar Dam, Kedarbari,Sureshwar Darbar Sharif, M.A. Reza collage, Bhedargonj upzala Premise, Mahishar Lake, Darghabari Lake, Dhanukar Monosha Bari, Tinu Tagore House Kali Mondir, Kirtinasha Fort, Vojeswarer Paul Bari, Padama River's Islands, Circuit House, Pachani Paler Bari, Agaroani Paler Bari, Kodal Pur Darbar Sharif, Shariatpur-Chandpur Ferry Ghat, Krokir Char Primary School, BUTP high School -Upashi, Premtala BISIC Industrial Area etc.