Barisal

This article is about the city. For the district, see Barisal District. For the division, see Barisal Division.
Barisal City
বরিশাল
বাকলা (Bakla) চন্দ্রদ্বীপ (Chandradvipa),
Metropolitan city
Barisal
Nickname(s): Venice of the East
Barisal City

Location of Barisal in Bangladesh

Coordinates: 22°48′0″N 90°30′0″E / 22.80000°N 90.50000°E
Country  Bangladesh
Division Barisal Division
District Barisal District
Municipality Eshtablished 1876
City Corporation 2002
Granted city status 19 April 2001 [1]
Government
 • Type Mayor–Council
 • Body Barisal City Corporation
 • City Mayor Ahsan Habib Kamal
Area[2]
 • Urban 58 km2 (22 sq mi)
 • Metro 370 km2 (140 sq mi)
Elevation 1 m (4 ft)
Population (2012)[3]
 • Metropolitan city 272,169
 • Density 10,524/km2 (27,260/sq mi)
 • Metro 385,093
Time zone BST (UTC+6)
Postal code 8200
GDP (2005) $00 billion
Calling code 0431
Website Official Web Portal

Barisal (Bengali: বরিশাল Bariśāl) is one of the major cities in Bangladesh. It is 142 km (373 km by road) away from the capital city Dhaka and an old port on the Kirtankhola river, on the northern shore of the Bay of Bengal in southern Bangladesh and . It is now the headquarters of both the Barisal Division and the Barisal District. Barisal is one of the oldest municipality in Bangladesh which was established in the year 1876. It was turned into a City Corporation on 25 July 2002. [4] The city consists of 30 wards and 50 mahallas. The area of the town is 45 km².[2] Previously, Barisal was the headquarters of Greater Barisal district. Later the Greater Barisal district was broken down into the Barisal, Jhalokati, Pirojpur, Bhola, Barguna and Patuakhali districts.

History

Barisal was a semi-independent area in the Mughal period because of heavy fighting between them and Hindu chiefs. In course of time, it fell under Bengal Nawabs, the last being Raja Nakuleswar Bose and then British India, later passed to Bangladesh.

The central city of this region is the city of Barisal. It is one of the biggest river ports in Bangladesh. It is a city with nearly 0.38 million people and a divisional headquarters, medical college, cadet college, some pharmaceutical industries, textile industries and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority's head office. Barisal is fast growing city of the country stands on the Kirtankhola River. Country's first short landing and take off airport has been completed in Barisal and a private Airlines named Air Bengal has begun its regular air flight between Dhaka Tejgaon Airport and Barisal.

The city is sometimes called the "Venice of the East" or the "Venice of Bengal".[5]

Geography

Barisal District with an area of 2790.51 km2 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. Barisal city occupies an area of 58 km2.

Demographics

According to provisional results of the 2011 national census, the population of Barisal (areas under the jurisdiction of the Barisal city corporation) stands at 3,28,278.[6] By gender, the population was 51.63 male and 48.37 percent female.[2] The population growth rate of Barisal is -0.13%

The literacy rate among the urban people of Barisal is 75.3%.[7] which is significantly higher than the national average of 56.5%.

Most of the people in Barisal are the Bengali people, as is the case in most of Bangladesh. The long-standing inhabitants of the city are known as Barisaliya and they have a distinctive dialect. Apart from them, the city population is composed of people from neighboring Upazilas and districts (Patuakhali, Bhola, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Barguna, Madaripur).

There are four major languages spoken in Barisal and they are (i) Standard Bengali, which is the administrative language and thus mainly spoken in academia and offices; (ii) Barisali, which is commonly spoken by almost all the native peoples of Greater Barisal region (Barisal Division) It is considered as a dialect of Bengali, which does not contain a written form. iii) English, which is held in high esteem and is spoken by educated elite; and (iv) Marginalised Bengali, which is a cocktail language of Northern Bengali dialects spoken by migrant workers such as service holders, domestic servants, rickshaw peddlers and other menial labourers from different parts of Bangladesh living and working in Barisal.

Religion

Religion in Barisal City[8]
Religion Percent
Islam
  
 89.3%
Hinduism
  
 9.7%
Others
  
 1%

The majority of Barisal's people are Muslims (89.30%), other religious groups include Hindus (9.7%), and very few numbers of other religions, mainly Christians (.98%) and Buddhists (0.01%) . The majority of the Muslims are mainly Sunni Islam Hanafi.[8]

Education

Barisal has many renowned educational institutions. Govt. Brojomohan College is the oldest institution of higher education in the city, founded in 1889. There is a government medical college Sher e Bangla Medical College (SBMC), a public university University of Barisal and a textile engineering college Shahid Abdur Rab Serniabat Textile Engineering College. There are also some famous educational institutions like Barisal Cadet College, Govt. Syed Hatem Ali College, Govt. Barisal Women's College, Govt. Barisal College, Amrita Lal Dey College, Barisal Zilla School, Barisal Govt. Girls School, Barisal Model School and College etc,Barisal Asmat ali khan ak institution school etc. Besides these there are 03 teacher’s training college, 01 govt. polytechnic institute, 02 technical institute, 01 homeopathic college and 01 social welfare training centre. Barisal is under the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Barisal. This board varies the SSC and HSC standard.

Major institutions include:

Universities:

Medical Colleges:

  • Sher e Bangla Medical College

Colleges:

Textile Engineering Colleges:

Polytechnic Institutes:

Schools:

  • Barisal Zilla School
  • Barisal Govt. Girls' High School
  • Udayan School
  • Brojo Mohan School (BM School)
  • Oxford Mission High School
  • Baptist Mission High School
  • Halima Khatun Girl's High School
  • Adventis International Mission School (English Version)
  • Jahanara Israil School (English Version)
  • Jagadish Srashwat Girls' High School

Private School:

  • Ideal Cadet School & College

Technical Schools:

  • Technical Training Centre (T.T.C.)
  • Barisal Mohila Technical Training Center
  • Govt. Technical School & College

Training Institutes:

  • Shaheed Abdur Rob Serniabat Teacher Training College
  • Higher Secondary Teacher Training Institute
  • Sagardi Primary Teacher Training Institute
  • Agriculture Training Institute, Rahmatpur

Climate

Barisal has a tropical wet and dry climate.

Climate data for Barisal
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 25
(77)		 28
(82)		 32
(90)		 33
(91)		 33
(91)		 31
(88)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 28
(82)		 26
(79)		 29
(84)
Daily mean °C (°F) 19
(66)		 22
(72)		 26
(79)		 28
(82)		 29
(84)		 28
(82)		 28
(82)		 28
(82)		 28
(82)		 27
(81)		 23
(73)		 20
(68)		 25
(77)
Average low °C (°F) 12
(54)		 15
(59)		 20
(68)		 24
(75)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 18
(64)		 13
(55)		 20
(68)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 8
(0.31)		 18
(0.71)		 38
(1.5)		 97
(3.82)		 209
(8.23)		 417
(16.42)		 428
(16.85)		 368
(14.49)		 305
(12.01)		 189
(7.44)		 40
(1.57)		 11
(0.43)		 2,127
(83.74)
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 2 4 4 8 12 16 20 19 13 7 3 1 109
Source: Weatherbase[9]

Culture

Media

Barisal is a center for the newspaper, periodical and book publishers. Some locally published newspapers and periodicals are:

Newspapers

  • Daily Ajker Barta
  • Daily Dakkhinanchal
  • Daily Shahnama
  • Daily Bhorer Alo
  • Daily Banglar Bone
  • Daily Ajker poribartan
  • Daily Barisal Protidin
  • Daily Motobad
  • Daily Satya Songbad
  • Daily Barisal Barta
  • Daily Bhorer Angikar
  • Daily Biplobi Bangladesh
  • Daily Barisal er Ajkal
  • Daily Ajker barisal

Source:[10]

Periodicals

  • Bakerganj Parikrama
  • Chirantan Bangla
  • Upakul
  • Gournadi Parikrama
  • Khadem

Online newspapers

Tourist attractions

Durgasagar

Durgasagar: with an area of about 2,500 hectare, is the largest pond or dighi of southern Bangladesh. It is located at Madhabpasa village of babuganj upazila, about 11 km away from Barisal town. Locally it is known as Madhabpasha Dighi. According to a desire of Rani Durgavati, mother of Raja Joynarayan, the dighi was dug in 1780 (1187 BS). There are coconut trees around the dighi which together with the dighi are bounded by brick-walls. In the middle of the dighi, there is an island with bushes. Migratory birds usually come here during winter. The surrounding areas of the dighi has now been turned into a picnic spot. Madhabpasha was a capital of the kingdom of Chandradvipa.

Place of Interest

118 sadar road, Barisal City, Bangladesh.
Baitul Aman Mosque
  • Durgasagar
  • Baitul Aman Jame Masjid Complex
  • Oxford Mission Church
  • Bell's Park aka Bangubandhu Udyan
  • 30 Godown
  • Planet World (শিশু পার্ক)
  • Muktijoddha Park
  • Narikel Bagan & Horticulture (Agriculture Training Institute)
  • Lakhutia Zamindar Bari
  • Korapur Miah Bari Masjid
  • Shankar Math
  • Town Hall
  • Sher-e-Bangla Museum
  • Bir Sreshtho Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir Library and Museum
  • Jibananda Das Museum
  • Dapdapia Bridge
  • Bibir Pukur
  • Padma Pukur (Pond of Lotus)
  • Kali Mandir founded by the Poet Mukunda Das
  • BadhyaBhumi Monument (বধ্যভূমি স্মৃতিসৌধ)
  • Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (বাংলাদেশ ধান গবেষণা ইন্সিটিউট)regional centre.

Transportation

Air

Barisal airport is not an international airport. Only Bangladesh Biman and united airways use this port. Active routes are Barisal-Dhaka and Barisal-Chittagong.

Buses

There are two bus terminals in Barisal, Nathullabad Central Bus terminal and Rupatali Bus Terminal. Many Bus company connect Barisal to other districts. Some of them are...

  • Sakura Paribahan (Barisal-Dhaka)[AC/NON AC]
  • Surovi Paribahan (Barisal-Dhaka)[AC/NON AC]
  • Eagle Paribahan (Barisal-Dhaka)
  • Hanif Enterprise (Barisal-Dhaka)
  • Ilish Paribahan (Barisal-Dhaka)
  • Sonertori Paribahan (Barisal-Dhaka)
  • Soudia Paribahan (Barisal-Chittagong)[AC/NON AC]
  • Tuhin Paribahan (Barisal-Rajshahi)
  • Padma Paribahan (Barisal-Rajshahi)
  • Sagorika Paribahan (Barisal-Sylhet)
  • BRTC (Barisal-Chapainawabganj)
  • BRTC (Barisal-Rongpur,Bogra)
  • BRTC (Barisal-Dhaka)

River port

River is also a popular transport system with other district.The luxurious launch journey connects between the south and Dhaka city. It is one of the most enjoyable night journey ever you could get in your life. The launches are really royal, majestic and with pomp and pleasure. Some royal launches are:

  • Sundarban 7
  • Sundarban 8
  • Surovi 6
  • Surovi 7
  • Surovi 8
  • Parabat 2
  • Parabat 7
  • Parabat 9
  • Parabat 11
  • Kirtonkhola 1
  • Kirtonkhola 2
  • Kalam Khan
  • Dipraj

Guest House and Hotel

  • Govt. Rest House
  • Hotel Athena, Katpatti, Barisal.
  • Hotel Ali International, Sadar Road, Barisal.
  • Saint Bangladesh (NGO) Guest House, C&B Road, Barisal.
  • DANIDA Guest House, Gora Chand Das Road, Barisal.
  • Hotel Paradise, Hospital Road, Barisal.
  • Eastern, Sagardi, Barisal.
  • Hotel Arina international,brown compound road,barisal.

Restaurant

  • Royal Restaurant
  • Rose Garden Restaurant
  • Garden in Rose Restaurant
  • South King
  • Royal Mini Chinese
  • The River Cafe
  • Kirtonkhola Mini Chinese & Restaurant
  • Sakal-Sandya
  • Best Food Garden (BFG)
  • Eastern Restaurant
  • Eastern Chinese Restaurant

Economy

Barisal is a rice producing center of Bangladesh. Balam (a kind of baasmati) is the most popular rice in Barisal. It is also famous for Betel Leaf, a typical south Asian chewing item. As Barisal is surrounded by river so fish is plenty in there. A Bengali saying states, Dhan, nadi, khal ai tine Barisal, which translates to "paddy, river and canal are these three things that make Barisal".

Coconut is a common fruit as the city is located near the coast. Barisal is also known for its hog plum.

Exports: Agricultural products, Hilsha fish, Medicine, Empty Gelatine Capsules, Anchor Cement etc.

Architecture

Barisal's buildings are too diverse to be characterised by any particular architectural style, and have been built over a long period of time.

Some well known heritage buildings are:

  • Guthia Baitul Aman Jame Mashjid Complex
  • 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)
  • Fakir Bari Mosjid
  • Housing Estate Jame Mosjid

Sports

Barisal Divisional Stadium

Cricket and football are the two most popular sports in Barisal while tennis and kabaddi are also popular. There is a national stadium in the city known as Barisal Divisional Stadium (also known as Abdur Rab Serniabad Stadium). It is a multi-purpose stadium and has a capacity of 15,000 spectators. It is currently used mostly for cricket matches. It is also used for football and other sports. Besides different organization share to stage a show there occasionally. Notable players from Barisal who have played for the national team include Sohag Gazi

There is a regional sports training center under Bangladesh Krira Shiksha Pratisthan (BKSP) situated at Rahamatpur in Barisal[11]

Barisal is also home to the Bangladesh Premier League franchise Barisal Burners.

Noted Barisalese

  • Altaf Mahmud Bengali film song composer and one of the martyred intelligentsia in 1971
  • Major M. A. Jalil, commander of Sector 9 during Bangladesh War of Liberation in 1971
  • Mohiuddin Jahangir (Bir Shreshto) Bangladesh Army Captain during the 1971 Liberation War. The "Shaheed Jahangir Gate" at Dhaka Cantonment is named in his honour
  • Kamini Roy, poet and first woman graduate with honours in the subcontinent.
  • Ahsan Habib, poet and literary figure in Bengali culture
  • Kadambini Ganguly, first female graduate and first female physician in the entire British empire
  • Hanif Sanket, TV presenter, entertainer, writer and producer
  • Utpal Dutt (29 March 1929 – 19 August 1993), actor, director and writer-playwright
  • Swami Machhindranath, popularly known as Minanatha, an inhabitant of either Chandradwip (Barisal) or sandwip in Bengal
  • Swadesh Bose, Bangladeshi economist and organiser of the Liberation War


Sister cities

Barisal is Sister cities with:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Barisal City Master Plan - Urban Development Directorate". Urban Development Directorate - Government of Bangladesh. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Barisal City Corporation, Bangladesh" (PDF). ICLEI. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  3. ↑ "Statistical Pocket Book, 2008" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  4. ↑ Tapan Palit (2012). "Barisal City Corporation". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  5. ↑ Thedailystar.net
  6. ↑ "Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Population Census 2011 page 17" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2014-09-20.
  7. ↑ "Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Region Census 2011 page 30" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2014-09-20.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "..:: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics ::.. Region Census 2011 page 28" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2014-09-20.
  9. ↑ "Barisal, Bangladesh Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  10. ↑ "পত্র-পত্রিকা-বরিশাল জেলা = 12 July 2014".
  11. ↑ "BKSP-Banglapedia". Retrieved 10 July 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Barisal.
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Barisal.

Coordinates: 22°42′N 90°22′E / 22.700°N 90.367°E