Khulna Division is an administrative region in south-west Bangladesh. Its headquarter is Khulna district. The region borders the Rajshahi Division to the north, the Dhaka Division and Barisal Division to the east, the Bay of Bengal to the south and State of West Bengal (in India) to the west. Part of the Ganges River is in the north of the region. Other rivers include the Maghumait River, the Bhairab River and the Kabadak River. The region also has several islands in the Bay of Bengal.
Geography
Jessore is the First Independent district of Bangladesh. It gained independence from Pakistan on 6th December, 1971. Jessore District (khulna division) with an area of 2578.20 sq km, is bounded by jhenaidaha and magura districts on the north, satkhira and khulna districts on the south, narail and Khulna districts on the east, West Bengal of India on the west. Annual average temperature: maximum 37.1°C, minimum 11.2°C; annual rain fall 1537 mm. Noted rivers are bhairab and Mukteshwari; beel 3. Jessore (Town) which stands on the Bhairab, consists of 9 wards and 73 mahalls. Jessore municipality was established in 1864. The area of the town is 25.72 sq km. The town has a population of 1178273; male 52.97%, female 47.03%. Literacy rate among the town people is 56.57%. The town has one dakbungalow.
Administration Jessore district was established in 1781. It consists of 4 municipalities, 36 wards, 8 upazilas, 92 unions, 1329 mouzas, 1434 villages and 120 mahallas. The upazilas are abhaynagar, bagherpara, chaugachha, jhikargachha, keshabpur, jessore sadar, manirampur and sharsha. Archaeological heritage and relics Remnants of the Chanchara Rajbari, Kali Mandir, Dargaha of Ghazi Kalu, Rajbari, Dighi and Mandir at Siddirpasha, remnants of the palace of king Mukut Roy (12th century), residence of Nawab Mir Jumla (17th century), Imam Bari built by Haji Muhammad Muhsin at Murli.
Historical events Jessore district belongs to the ancient Samatat Janapada. On the partition of India in 1947 Jessore was also partially divided. The entire district excepting Boangaon and Gaighata thanas was included into East Pakistan. The Bangali soldiers posted at Jessore cantonment revolted against the Pak army on 29 March 1971 led by Capt Hafiz Uddin and Lt Anwar in which about 300 soldiers were killed. The freedom fighters killed 50 Pak soldiers by machine gun at Chanchara.
General information
Population: 2440693; male 51.22%, female 48.78%; Muslim 86.5%; Hindu 13.21% and others 0.29%; Religious institutions: Mosque 2936, temple 337, church 19, tomb 8, sacred place 4, most noted of which are Markas Mosque (Newmarket), Catholic Church, Marua Mandir and tomb of Hazrat Garib Shah; Literacy and educational institutions:Educational institutions: college 44, high school 347, junior school 16, community school 13, madrasa 271, primary school 1018, polytechnic institute 1. Noted institutions: Michael Madusudhan University College, Government City College, Jessore Government Mohila College, Daud Public School; Cultural organisations: Club 198, theatre group 24, theatre stage 5, cinema hall 19, public library 11, women's organisation 16, jatra party 6; Locally published newspapers and periodicals: Dainik Runner, Dainik Lok Samaj, Dainik Desh Hitoishi, Dainik Purabi, Dainik Kalyan (extinct), weekly Gramer Kagaj, weekly Kabatakkha (extinct); Main occupations: Agriculture 39.84%, agricultural labourer 24.13%, wage labourer 2.68%, commerce 11.99%, service 8.66%, industry 1.41%, transport 3.11% and others 8.18%; Main crops: Paddy, jute, sugarcane, tuberose, vegetables; Extinct or nearly extinct crops:; Main fruits: Date, jackfruit, papaya, banana, litchi and coconut; Fisheries, dairies and poultries: Poultry 1064, dairy 132, hatchery 39 and fishery 804; Communication facilities: Roads: pucca 455.48 km, semi pucca 163.82 km and mud road 3628.69 km; waterways 70 nautical mile; railways 48 km; airport 1; Traditional transport: Average literacy 33.4%; male 41% and female 25.1%. Local varieties of paddy, tobacco
Palanquin and bullock cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.
Manufactories Textile mill, ball pen factory, comb & button factory, plastic factory, biscuit factory, ice factory, oil mill, rice mill etc; Cottage industries: Weaving, bamboo work, goldsmith, blacksmith, potteries, wood work, tailoring, etc. Hats, bazars: Total number of hats and bazars are 159, fair 15; Main exports: Cotton, jute, leather, jackfruit, banana, comb and date molasses, vegetables; NGO activities: Operationally important NGOs are brac, asa, grameen bank, proshika, Jagarani Chakra, Alo, Samaj Kalyan Sangstha, Bachte Shekha and Nijera Kari; Health centres: Hospital, 2, upazila health complex 8, union health and family planning centre 74, private clinic 11, satellite clinic 14.
History
Jessore saw its share of action during the Bangladesh Liberation War remaining the pivotal point of action between the Mitro Bahini (India and Bengali guerillas) and the Pakistan Army. The area was defended by Pakistan Army who upon formal announcement of war on December 6 were immediately ousted on the same day by the allied liberating forces.
Places of interest
Sagardari: Birth place of Michael Madhusudan Dutt, a famous poet. It is situated beside the river Kapotaksha, in Keshabpur Upazilla; Kalu Gazi Champa bati & Ancient Mosque in Bara Bazar.
