Barisal

Barisal

Barisal District (barisal division) with an area of 2790.51 sq km is bounded by madaripur, shariatpur, chandpur and lakshmipur districts on the north, patuakhali, barguna and jhalokati districts on the south, bhola and Lakshmipur districts on the east, Jhalokati, pirojpur and gopalganj districts on the west. Annual average temperature: maximum 35.1°C, minimum 12.1°C; annual rainfall 1955 mm. Noted rivers are lower meghna, arial khan, katcha, kirtankhola, tentulia, Naya Bhanga, Jayanti, Shwarupkathi and Amtali.

Barisal (Town) consists of 30 wards and 50 mahallas. The area of the town is 16.37 sq km. Barisal municipality was established in 1957 and was turned into a city corporation in 2000. It has a population of 202242; male 53.28%, female 46.72%. Literacy rate among the town people is 65%. The town has three dakbungalows and six police outposts.

Administration Bakerganj disrict was established in 1797. Later on it was renamed as Barisal district. Barisal was declared a division on 1 January, 1993. The district consists of one city corporation, five municipalities, 66 wards, 111 mahallas, 10 upazilas, 86 union parishads, 1147 mouzas and 1175 villages. The upazilas are agailjhara, babuganj, bakerganj, banaripara, gournadi, hizla, barisal sadar, mehendiganj, muladi, wazirpur.

Archaeological heritage and relics Rammohan Samadhi Mandir, Sujabad Kella, Sangram Kella, Sharkal Fort, Girja Mahalla, Bell's Park, Ebadullah Mosque, Kasai Mosque, Oxford Church, Shankar Math, Kali Bari of Mukunda Das, Joint Mosque at Bhatikhana, aswini kumar town hall, Charkella, durgasagar Dighi, one domed Mosque (Kasba), brass image of Manasa weighing three maunds (Char Bania Bari).

Historical events Ancient name of Barisal was chandradvipa. The capital of this kingdom was at Bakla. The founder of the kingdom was Danuj Madhav or Danuj Mardhan Dev.

Marks of the War of Liberation Mass killing site 3, mass grave 2, sculpture 2, memorial 4.

Population 2330960; male 49.99%, female 50.01%; Muslim 86.19%; Hindu 13.10%, Christian 0.63% and others 0.08%.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 42.9%; male 47.9%, female 37.9%. Educational institutions: university college 1, polytechnic institute 1, medical college 1, physical education college 1, teacher's training college 2, nursing institute 1, cadet college 1, government college 7, non-government college 39, government high school 4, non-government high school 312, junior school 33, government primary school 1204, non-government primary school 412, madrasa 698, cadet school 5, kindergarten 11, music school 2. Noted educational institutions: sher-e-bangla medical college and Hospital, b m college (1889), Oxford Mission High School, Barisal Zila School, Banaripara Union Institution (1889), Pinglakathi Government Model Primary School (1882), Bheduriarchar Government Primary School (1892).

Religious institutions Mosque 3941, temple 805, church 44, tomb 5.

Cultural organisations Club 269, public library 12, cinema hall 14, theatre group 18, jatra party 2, circus party 4, literary society 6, woman's organisation 20, shilpakala academy 1, playground 133, Nazrul Academy 1.

Locally published newspapers and periodicals Dailies: Shahnama, Probashi, Gram Samachar, Ajker Barta, Rupantar Sathi, Saikot Barta, Darpan, Dipanchal, Ajker Kantha; periodicals: weekly Lokabani, Bakerganj Parikrama, Chirantan Bangla, Upakul, periodicals Paira, the River, Etibriti, Khadem, Chirantan Bangla, Upakul, Samachar, Gournadi Parikrama; extinct; Barisal Bartabaha (1870), Hitasadhini (1871), Banglar Ranjika (1873), Kashipur Nibasi (1881), Swadesh (1885), Bharat Hitoishi (1882), Barisal Hiroishi (1885), Bikash (1900), Sahayogi (1885), Praddip (1927), Tarun (1923), Pathik (1925), Bahumihir (1926), Protiva Tangim (1949), Parimal Bahini (1859).

Main occupations Agriculture 35.28%, agricultural labourer 18.76%, wage labourer 4.16%, commerce 13.89%, service 10.64%, fishing 3.45%, construction 1.25%, transport 1.72% and others 10.85%.

Land use Cultivable land 178601 hectares; fallow land 5785.4 hectares; single crop 37.68%, double crop 48.80% and treble crop land 13.52%.

Land value Market value of land of the first grade is approximately 10000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, jute, oil seed, betel leaf, onion, sugarcane.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Aus paddy, china.

Main fruits Mango, jackfuit, banana, coconut, litchi, betel nut, black berry, guava, amra.

Dairies, poultries, fisheries Poultry 791, dairy 126, fishery 712, hatchery 20.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 362.5 km, semi pucca road 378 km, mud road 3133 km; waterways 355 nautical miles; airport 1.

Traditional transport Palanquin, horse carriage, bullock cart, Gaina boat. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.

Manufactories Jute mill, textile mill, pharmaceutical industry, biscuit factory, flour mill, oil mill, ice factory, rice mill.

Cottage industries Weaving, bamboo works, goldsmith, blacksmith, potteries, wood work, tailoring, welding, bidi.

Hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats and bazars are 272; fair 32, most noted of which are Aratdari Hat, Chawkbazar, Patar Hat, Ulania Hat, Lakhutia Bazar, Torki Bazar, Kasba Cattle Market, Shaheber Hat, Chawkbazar, Suryamonir Mela, Kodaldoa Baruni Mela.

Main exports Paddy, fish, shital pati, betel leaf, guava, coconut, betel nut and amra.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac, CARE, asa, caritas, proshika, grameen bank, BDS.

Health centres Medical college hospital, 1, private hospital 7, upazila health complex 11, private clinic 6, union health and family planning centre 75, family welfare centre 37, satellite clinic 32.

Source: Banglapedia