Brahmanbaria District

This article is about Brahmanbaria District. For the town that is the headquarters of Brahmanbaria District, see Brahmanbaria.
Brahmanbaria
ব্রাহ্মণবাড়িয়া/বি বাড়িয়া
District

Location of Brahmanbaria in Bangladesh
Coordinates: 23°59′N 91°07′E / 23.983°N 91.117°E / 23.983; 91.117Coordinates: 23°59′N 91°07′E / 23.983°N 91.117°E / 23.983; 91.117
Country  Bangladesh
Division Chittagong Division
Capital Brahmanbaria
Area[1]
 • Total 1,927.11 km2 (744.06 sq mi)
Population (2011 census)[2]
 • Total 2,840,498
 • Density 1,500/km2 (3,800/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Beebarian, Brahmin
Time zone BST (UTC+6)
Postal code 3400
Website www.brahmanbaria.gov.bd

Brahmanbaria (Bengali: ব্রাহ্মণবাড়িয়া Bramhonbaŗia) is a district in east-central Bangladesh. It literally means the place where Brahmins reside. It is a part of the Chittagong Division. It was part of greater Comilla District until 1984.[3][4]

History

Colonial Period

Brahmanbaria was made one of the 3 Sub-divisions of Comilla District by the British rulers in 1860.[3] It became part of East Pakistan in 1947 which eventually became independent Bangladesh in 1971.

During the Mughal era, Brahmanbaria was famous for producing quality cloth Muslin. During the 19th century, Brahmanbaria produced great nationalist leaders like Nawaab Syed Shamsul Huda KCIE, who became president of All India Muslim League in 1921, and Barrister Abdur Rasul a front ranking leader of Indian National Congress.

Mother Language Movements

Upon encouragement of Oli Ahad, a pioneer Language Movement leader who hailed from Brahmanbaria, the movement obtained momentum in this district in 1952.[5]

Liberation War

Meghna Heli Bridge is holding history of Brahmanbaria

Brahmanbaria was part of sector 2. Sector 2 was one of the first sector to gain independence for Pakistan. On December 6, 1971, Pakistani Army left Brahmanbaria and it was free state. Lots of freedom fighters were from this district. Mostafa kamal was leader of sector 2. He was killed by Pakistani Armies in Gangasagar, Akhaura. Mostafa Kamal obtained martyrdom in an encounter at Daruin of Akhaura during the War of Independence in 1971.[6]

Modern

Brahmanbaria District was established in 1984. One of the most Distinguished and well known military official in the Bangladesh army, Major General Shakil Ahmed who was killed in the BDR carnage in 2009 was also from Brahmanbaria.[7]

Geography

Titas River

Brahmanbaria District is located at the east-central region of Bangladesh. It has a total area of 1,927.11 square kilometres (744.06 sq mi).[1] Brahmanbaria District is bounded by Kishoreganj District and Habiganj District on the north, Comilla District on the south, Habiganj District and Tripura State, India on the east and Meghna River, Kishoreganj District, Narsingdi District and Narayanganj District on the west.

The geography of the district is characterized by low-lying land with small hills and hillocks of red soil. The annual highest average temperature is 34.3 °C and lowest 12.7 °C. Total annual rainfall is 2551 mm. The main rivers of the district are the Meghna River, the Titas River, Buri and Haora.[3]

Rivers: Meghna, Titas, Shalda, Hawra, Pagla, Putia, Sonai, Hawra, Ropa, Buri, Bizna, Balua, Bolak, Dholbanga etc.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Brahmanbaria District had 538,937 households and a population of 2,840,498.[2]

Economy

The economy of Bramanaria District' is one of the largest in Bangladesh. Brahmanbaria provides Agricultural, Industrial and Service jobs. Bramanbaria has An equivalent GDP with countries like Guyana and Bhutan.

Arts and culture

Mela

Typical scene for Mela.

Bengalis has cultural history for gathering together for business intentions which know as Mela. King Akbar of Brahmanbaria made a special day on 1st Boyshakh (from Bengali Calendar). On that day he called mela which will help him for taxation. People from far ahead used to came to mela either as seller or buyer. Slowly this tradition mixed with entire Bengali Culture. Later it wasn't for business anymore, it turned for entertainment. People of all religion comes to mela. In Akhaura, mela lasts for a month. Every year in Mazar Sharif Akhaura Pouro Authority creates a mela event. It usually occurs in the month of Chaita. There are mela on every 14th Boishakh in Bhadughar, Sarail. "Baruni Snan" is part of that mela which is part f Hindu religion. From ancient to now people celebrating in Bhadughar.

Boat Race

Scene of a Boat race
    Shakhi Kori go mana, Kalo jole dheu diyo na go
    Shakhi kalo jole dheu diyo na go

This line was from British Indian era. During the month of Bhadro, from ancient time people having boat race on Titas River for "Mansa Puja". In this race Akhaura, Ashuganj, Chandura and Kuti's jute traders used to give golds to winner of boat race. In 1908, Several Akhaura's jute traders gifted gold as prize in a single boat race. It was popular that time.

Even after India Bangladesh partition, Brahmanbaria still holds a boat race on the heart of Titas.

Arts and music

Brahmanbaria has a rich tradition of nurturing art, education and culture. Ustad Allauddin Khan, the great musical talent of the subcontinent and the father of Maihar Gharana of classical Indian music, was born in this district in 1862.[8]

Ustad Ayet Ali Khan established the Alauddin Music College in 1957 Brahmanbaria and Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin established the Alauddin Sangitayan in 1975. Mohorshee Monomohan Dutta is also a remarkable name for his Molaya music. Sachin Dev Burman (better known as SD Burman), the renowned musician of the subcontinent, spent some time in Brahmanbaria. Umesh Chandra Roy was one of the greatest musicians of Alauddin Music institute.

Al Mahmud, one of the leading poets of modern Bengali, was born in Brahmanbaria in 1936.[9][10]

Administration


Brahmanbaria District is divided into nine upazilas:

The upazilas are subdivided into 4 municipalities (Brahmanbaria, Akhaura, Kasba, and Nabinagar) and 98 union parishads.[1]

District policies and local laws comes from Brahmanbaria Zila Parishad in Brahmanbaria.

Parliament constituencies

There are six Jatiyo Shangshad constituencies in Brahmanbaria district. These constituencies and the current Members of Parliament are:[11]

Education

Brahmanbaria is rich for education. It is part of Comilla Board of Education. This district is having one of the highest literacy rate in the country. Brahmanbaria District has 41 colleges, 4 Universities, 3 Engineering Institutes and 4 Medical colleges.

Medical Colleges

College Name Town Syllabus
Brahmanbaria Medical College Brahmanbaria Bengali Medium National Curriculum
United Care Institute of Medical Technology Brahmanbaria Bengali Medium National Curriculum
Green Health Malek Jobeda Medical College Kasba Bengali Medium National Curriculum
Brahmanbaria Homoeopathic Medical College Brahmanbaria Bengali Medium National Curriculum

Engineering Colleges

College Name Town Syllabus
Brahmanbaria Polytechnic Engineering Institute Brahmanbaria Bengali Medium National Curriculum
Brahmanbaria Technical College Brahmanbaria Bengali Medium National Curriculum
Ashuganj Industrial School and College Ahuganj Bengali Medium National Curriculum

Universities

College Town Syllabus
Kazi Muhammand Shafikul Islam University Bijaynagar Bengali Medium National Curriculum
Brahmanbaria Govt. University College Brahmanbaria Bengali Medium National Curriculum
Soor Samrat Alauddin Kha Musical University Nabinagar Bengali Medium National Curriculum
Ashuganj Firoj Mia University Ashuganj Bengali Medium National Curriculum

Media

The list of locally published newspapers include:

Notable residents

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "District Statistics 2011: Brahmanbaria" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Population Census 2011: Brahmanbaria Table C-01" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Musa, Muhammad. Brahmanbariar Itibrittyo, Shetu Prokashoni, Brahmanbaria,1998.
  4. ↑ Shekh Muhammad Sayed Ullah Litu (2012). "Brahmanbaria District". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal. Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  5. ↑ Ahmed, Monowar. Bhasha Andoloner Shochitro Dolil, Agamee Prokashani, pp. 110 ISBN 984-401-147-7
  6. ↑ The Listing of Martyr and Details of their Martyrdom Bir Sreshtho - The Highest Gallantry Award
  7. ↑
  8. ↑ Allauddin Khan, The music of India, by Reginald Massey. Abhinav Publications, 1996. ISBN 81-7017-332-9. Page 142-143.
  9. ↑ Poetry, by Hakim Arif, from Banglapedia
  10. ↑ Bangladeshi Novels by Subrata Kumar Das
  11. ↑ Parliament Members from Brahmanbaria. Bangladesh Government.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brahmanbaria District.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Brahmanbaria District.
Destinations from Brahmanbaria District
Kishoreganj District Habiganj District (India)
Dhaka District (Agartala, India)
   Brahmanbaria District  
Narayanganj Comilla District (India)
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