Madarganj Upazila

Madarganj ( bn, মাদারগঞ্জ) is an Upazila in Jamalpur District, in the Division of Mymensingh, Bangladesh.The area is known for its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and agricultural productivity.

Geography and Climate

Madarganj Upazila is located on the east bank of the Jamuna River, 34 km west of the Jamalpur district headquarters. Madarganj Upazila is situated between 24°47' to 24°59' north latitude and 89°40' to 89°50' east longitude, covering an area of 225.39 square kilometers. The upazila is bordered by Islampur upazila to the north, Melandaha and Jamalpur Sadar upazilas to the east, Sarishabari upazila to the south, and Bogura district of Rajshahi division to the west.

The soil in the upazila is primarily sand-loam and atel-loam. The land is fertile and silty, but the region experiences floods almost every year, resulting in significant crop damage. The area receives a significant amount of rainfall due to the influence of monsoons, and there is heavy fog during the winter months. Summer temperatures range from 30 to 37 °C. The average annual rainfall is 853 cm. The total agricultural land area is 60062 acres, with 42877 acres being arable land.

Administration

Jamalpur Sadar Thana was formed in 1853 and it was turned into an upazila 1983. Municipality was established in 1869.

Madarganj Upazila is divided into Madarganj Municipality and seven union parishads: Adarvita, Balijuri, Char Pakerdah, Gunaritala, Jorekhali, Karaichara, and Sidhuli. The union parishads are subdivided into 101 mauzas and 119 villages.

Every five years, the Upazila and Union Parisad elect representatives (commissionaire) and chairman for Municipality and 7 union Councils.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Madarganj Upazila had 63,704 households and a population of 263,608. 69,737 (26.45%) were under 10 years of age. Madarganj has a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 33.0%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 1022 females per 1000 males. 33,169 (12.58%) lived in urban areas.

Agriculture

Madarganj is known for its agricultural productivity. The fertile soil and favorable climate make it an ideal place for cultivating various crops. The main crops grown in Madarganj are rice, jute, wheat, sugarcane, and vegetables. According to a report by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Madarganj produced 45,530 tons of rice in 2020-21, making it one of the top rice-producing areas in the country.

Education

The Madarganj Upazila boasts several noteworthy educational institutions, including Balijuri F.M. High School (founded in 1910), Islamabad Washim Uddin High School, Balijuri Roshan Ara Government Girls High School, Jorkhali High School, Mahishbathan RM High School (founded in 1946), Shyamganj High School (founded in 1947), Jangalia DM High School, Motherganj A.M. Pilot High School, Laldoba High School (founded in 1998), and Adarvita Girls High School. Other high schools in the area include Gunaritla High School, No. 5 Union Jahanara High School, Tahmina Hasan Ali Aminur Rahman High School, Mirza Roshan Ali High School, Polishha High School, Jonail High School, Jonail Nayapara Fatema Khanmamood High School, Tegharia High School, Jharkata High School, Jharkata Girls High School, Koira Patadah High School, and Ghughumari High School.

At the higher secondary level, the educational institutions in Madarganj Upazila include Madarganj A.H.Z Government College (founded in 1968), Barrister Abdus Salam College, Khaja Shahsufi Yunus Ali College, Nurunnahar Mirza Kashem Mahila College, Mirza Azam College, Haji Quader Sang Mahbub Tech College, Sekander Ali Chowdhury Agriculture Diploma College, Mozammel Mumtaz Mahila College Technical College, and Mahmuda Belal BM Technical College, among others.

Madrasahs in the area include Balijuri SM Fazil Senior (Degree) Madrasa, Madarganj Abdul Ali Mirza Kasem Fazil (Degree) Madrasa, Jonail Bazar Hafezia Qoumi Madrasa and Orphanage, Jorkhali Dakhil Madrasa, Milan Bazar Fazil Degree Madrasa, Jonail Nayapara K.K. Mahmud Dakhil Madrasa, Jonail Raisia Girls Dakhil Madrasa, Darul Quran International Hefz Madrasa, and Darul Uloom Boys Girls Madrasa.

In addition, the Sheikh Russell Textile Institute has been established for higher education in Motherganj, located on the northwest side of Jorkhali village in Ward No. 4 of Gunaritala Union.

As of 2011, the area had 66 government primary schools, 94 registered primary schools, 33 kindergartens, and 226 NGO schools. In terms of secondary education, there was one government high school, 48 private high schools, and one school and college. The area also had one government college and seven private colleges. There were 27 Madrasahs, two Qawmi Madrasahs, and seven Abtedayi Madrasahs, as well as one Agricultural and Veterinary College

Culture and Tourism

Madarganj has a rich cultural heritage. The area is famous for its traditional folk music, dance, and art. The local people celebrate various festivals throughout the year, such as Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, and Durga Puja. Tourists can also enjoy the natural beauty of Madarganj, including the Jamuna River and its surroundings. There are also several historical sites in the area, such as the Teyara Mosque and the Kherua Bridge, which attract tourists from all over the country.

Transportation

Madarganj is well-connected to other parts of the country through various modes of transportation. The area has a railway station that connects it to major cities such as Dhaka and Chittagong. The roads in Madarganj are well-maintained, and buses and private cars regularly ply on them. The government has also initiated a project to construct a bridge over the Jamuna River, which will further improve the transportation system of the area.

Healthcare

The government has established several healthcare facilities in Madarganj to ensure that the local people receive quality healthcare services. The Upazila Health Complex is the main healthcare facility in the area, which provides medical services to the local population. The government has also initiated several health awareness programs to educate the local people about various health issues.

Notable people

*Mirza Azam, former Minister of Textiles and Jute
*Nazrul Islam Babu, lyricist
*Md. Abdul Wahhab Miah, acting Chief Justice of Bangladesh
*Karimuzzaman Talukder, politician

See also

* Upazilas of Bangladesh
* Districts of Bangladesh
* Divisions of Bangladesh

References

1. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. (2021). District Statistics 2020. Retrieved from https://bps.gov.bd/content/district-statistics-2020-0

2. Bangladesh Education Board. (2022). District Education Information 2022. Retrieved from https://www.educationboard.gov.bd/

3. Bangladesh Tourism Board. (2022). Madarganj Tourist Information. Retrieved from https://www.tourismboard.gov.bd/madarganj-tourist-information/

4. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (2022). Upazila Health Complexes. Retrieved from http://www.mohfw.gov.bd/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=577&Itemid=689

5. The Daily Star. (2022). Work on Jamuna Bridge connecting Tangail-Jamalpur to start in July. Retrieved from https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/work-jamuna-bridge-connecting-tangail-jamalpur-start-july-3108473

6. Bangladesh Railway. (2022). Train Schedule. Retrieved from https://www.railway.gov.bd/site/page/4c3bc551-1a63-4c61-8b67-861eb225bd07

7. Bangladesh Journals Online. (2018). Agricultural production and productivity in Bangladesh: trends and determinants. Retrieved from https://www.banglajol.info/index.php/JAAR/article/view/39950

8. Culture Trip. (2022). Discovering the Traditional Folk Music of Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://theculturetrip.com/asia/bangladesh/articles/discovering-the-traditional-folk-music-of-bangladesh/

9. Lonely Planet. (2022). Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://www.lonelyplanet.com/bangladesh/madarganj

10. Jamalpur District Administration. (2022). About Madarganj. Retrieved from http://jamalpur.gov.bd/site/page/137d1c27-075b-11e7-a6c5-286ed488c766/about-madarganj

{{Upazilas of Mymensingh Division

Upazilas of Jamalpur District