Thakurgaon District

Thakurgaon
ঠাকুরগাঁও
District

Thakurgaon District in Bangladesh

Thakurgaon District
Coordinates: 25°57′N 88°15′E / 25.95°N 88.25°ECoordinates: 25°57′N 88°15′E / 25.95°N 88.25°E
Country  Bangladesh
Division Rangpur Division
Area
 • Total 1,781.74 km2 (687.93 sq mi)
Population (2011 census)
 • Total 1,390,042
 • Density 780/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
Literacy rate
 • Total 100.3%
Time zone BST (UTC+6)
Postal code 5100
Website Banglapedia Article

Thakurgaon (Bengali: ঠাকুরগাঁও জেলা, Thakurgaon Jela also Thakurgaon Zila) is a district in the north-western side of Bangladesh. It is a part of the Rangpur Division and borders India to the west.[1]

Administration

Administrator of Zila Porishod: Sadek Koraishi

Deputy Commissioner (DC): Mukesh chondra Biswas

Members of Ten Jatiyo Sangsad (2014 - )

Thakurgaon-1: Romesh Chondro Shen [from Awami League], President of Water Resources parliamentary committee

Thakurgaon-2: Mohammad Dobirul Islam [from Awami League]

Thakurgaon-3: Md.Eyasin Ali [from Workas Party

Subdistricts

The Upazilas in this district are:

  1. Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila
  2. Pirganj Upazila
  3. Baliadangi Upazila
  4. Haripur Upazila
  5. Ranisankail Upazila

There is also another Pirganj upazila under Rangpur district.

Geography

Thakurgaon is in the north west corner of Bangladesh, it is about 467 km from Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. It is surrounded by Dinajpur district on its south, Panchagarh district to the east and India on its west and north sides, it is a part of the Himalayan plain land.

History

During British rule Thakurgaon was a tehsil (a district subdivision). In 1947 at the time of the Partition of India, Thakurgaon Subdivision became part of East Pakistan and became part of the newly established Dinajpur District of East Bengal. In 1984 Takurgaon subdivision was split off Dinajpur and became a separate district (i.e. Thakurgaon District).

Economy

In Bangladesh as a whole agriculture is the basis of the economy, and Thakurgaon has been striving for a long time to be economically productive, agriculture forming a major part of the districts economy. Thakurgaon produces many agricultural products, such as rice, wheat, sugarcane, seasonal vegetables and fruits etc. The sugarcane plantation - TSM (Thakurgaon Sugar Mill)--is part of the BSFIC. These become the main livelihood of the native. Poultry firms are quite productive business in Thakurgaon, there are several cold-stores in the district. Different businesses for producing and repairing agricultural tools have grown up.

However the community's distance from the capital causes difficulties in getting sufficient technical and logistic support and in transporting local products to the national market. It is not easy for the investors to set up their business far away from the center of national trade and commerce.

Religion

The district of Thakurgaon consists 1458 mosques, 1026 temples, 12 churches and 3 tombs.

Places of interest

There are various places of interest in the district, these include:

  1. The river of Tangon
  2. Senua Bridge
  3. Thakurgaon Sugar Mill Ltd
  4. Old Air Port, destroyed during the second world war, situated at Modergonj beside of Arazipaickpara
  5. Jomidar Mosjid at Shibganj
  6. kalpana city

Baliadangi:

  1. Ancient Mango Tree, it is the largest Mango tree is Bangladesh.
  2. Farming tea garden in border area.
  3. nice Asian highway
  4. Muktobangla

Ranisankoil:

  1. The Fair of Nekmordon
  2. Ramrai Dighi, it is a pond having 50 acres (200,000 m2) of area. A beautiful tourist spot.
  3. King's Palace
  4. The river of Kulic
  5. KhuniaDhighi Memorial
  6. Palace of King Tonko Nath
  7. Gorkoi Heritage
  8. There is a Great saint Mazar in Nekmarad. The name of the Saint Hazrat Shah Nasiruddin Haider (R), Nekmarad was once a capital of some king's. The ancient name of Nekmarad was Korbarton/Kambarton. It was also the Capital of Bhiem Raj, Brother of Pit Raj.(Edit by Md. Helal Uddin, Assistant Prof. Of Nekmarad BanghaBandhu College)

Pirgonj

  1. Fun city tourism & Amusement park (in front of the Pirgonj Municipal office)
  2. 500 acre shal garden on the bank of the Tangon River.

Haripur:

  1. Ancient Hindu Temples.

Culture

There is a versatile practice of culture in the district; few festivals and cultural events are regularly arranged there. Alpona Sansad arranges 'Boishakhi Mela' in every Bangla new year. Held "Eid Fair" at the occasion of Eid-Ul-Adha & Eid-Ul-Fitre every year at Thakurgaon Boro Matth also. Several drama clubs (Sapla Natto Gosty-Estd.1974, Nischintopur Theater-1983 etc. ) practice and perform regularly and stage original and famous dramas every month. Dhamer Gaan is a unique traditional cultural invention of Thakurgaon people. The existing 10 tribes in this area enjoy their own heritage and cultural practices.

Organizations

Many government and non-government organizations are active in Thakurgaon. Government offices and organizations are as usual to any district of Bangladesh. Along with some famous national NGOs like BRAC, ESDO, ASA, CARE, PKSF, JSS, MMCCH there are a number of renowned local non-government organizations active here. Thakurgaon Club & Thakurgaon Town Club- established in 1911, is the prime sports hub for the local people."Shadheen Somaj Kollan Porisod" is the leading free blood donating organization located at Kalmegh,Baliadangi,Thakurgaon.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Abu Md. Iqbal Rumi Shah (2012). "Thakurgaon District". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.