Muktagachha Upazila

Muktagacha
মুক্তাগাছা
Upazila
Muktagacha

Location in Bangladesh

Coordinates: 24°45.5′N 90°16′E / 24.7583°N 90.267°E / 24.7583; 90.267Coordinates: 24°45.5′N 90°16′E / 24.7583°N 90.267°E / 24.7583; 90.267
Country  Bangladesh
Division Mymensingh Division
District Mymensingh District
Area
 • Total 314.71 km2 (121.51 sq mi)
Population (2008)
 • Total 300,000 (approximately)
Time zone BST (UTC+6)
Postal code 2210
Website Official Map of Muktagacha

Muktagacha (Bengali: মুক্তাগাছা) is an Upazila of Mymensingh District[1] in the Division of Mymensingh, Bangladesh. It is known for sweets which are made there, called "Monda". It is also known for the Rajbari (a king's residence) which is currently used as an educational institute, Shahid Shrity College.

Etymology

The previous name of Muktagacha was Binodbari. When the Zamindars (kings) arrived from Natore, an inhabitant of the town, Muktaram Karmakar, presented them with a gold lamp-stand, locally called Gacha. This pleased the Zamindars. They wanted to acknowledge the present and show respect to Muktaram, so they renamed the town to Muktagacha.

Geography

Muktagacha is located at 24°45′30″N 90°16′00″E / 24.7583°N 90.2667°E / 24.7583; 90.2667. It has 64044 households and total area 314.71 km².

Demographics

As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Muktagacha had a population of 321,759. Males constituted 50.77% of the population, and females 49.23%. This Upazila's eighteen and up population was 160,859. Muktagacha has an average literacy rate of 22.9% (7+ years), and the national average of 32.4% literate.[2]

Art and Culture

Monda, Muktagacha, Maymensing

Muktagacha has always been a place to nourish the various cultural activities. The Zaminders of Muktagacha were always conscious of cultural activities. Raja Jagat Kishore Acharya Choudhury was a true patroner of culture. He brought famous cultural people like Ustad Alauddin Khan, Hafiz Ali Khan, Dabir Khan and many more famous people to Muktagacha. A lot of people are directly nourishing the field of culture. People here practice Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet,Kirtan, Lalon Geeti etc. In addition, various cultural activities are held around the year.

Administration

Muktagacha has 10 Unions/Wards, 270 Mauzas/Mahallas, and 273 villages.

Chairman: Jakaria Haroon, from BNP

Vice Chairman: Golam Shahriar Sharif, from BNP

Woman Vice Chairman: Nazmun Nahar (Dilu), from [Bangladesh National Party]

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO): Nasrin Zahan

Religious activities

Muktagacha has a long tradition of being a peaceful land decorated with religious harmony. Both the Hindus and Muslims are of brotherly nature and live peacefully together. Eid is celebrated with much grandeur and devotion. In this day, not only the Muslims visit each other's home but also the Hindus also visit Muslim homes as well. People share many food items and gifts to mark the occasion. Many fairs, locally called Mela, are held for weeks. Durga Puja is the main religious festival of the Hindu community here. During Durga Puja the whole town takes a festive look. People of all community enjoy the Puja holiday. Devotees and visitors go from one pandal to another to see the idols of Goddess Durga. On the day of Bijoyadashami, the idols are carried out in long processions and then immersed into nearby water bodies. Besides these all other religious activities are peacefully observed. There is a 200-year-old twin Shiva Temple just outside the zamindar-house where Durga Puja is also celebrated.

Major zamindaris of Mymensingh

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mesbah Uddin Tuhin (2012), "Muktagachha Upazila", in Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal, Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.), Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
  2. ↑ "Population Census Wing, BBS.". Archived from the original on 2005-03-27. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
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