Madaripur District Town | third-level administrative division, town district

 third-level administrative division, town district

Madaripur town stands on the bank of the Arial Kha River and the branch river Kumar. Distance from Dhaka is 260 km. The area of the town is 14.05 sq km. The town is the core point of the Madaripur district. The town stands in the middle of Khulna and Barishal so it has a geographical importance. It has a strong road network and communication system with the capital city of Dhaka, industrial city of Khulna and other regional centres of Jessore, Barishal, Magura Kushtia and Jhenaidah. River transport is still another important transportation way especially for goods and commodities, influence of economic flow ultimately focused around this zone.

The name Madaripur was introduced with the name Hazrat Badruddin Shah Madar (Ra) who came here for the proclamation of Islam. The most important historical event at Madaripur district is the 'Faraizi' movement led by Haji Shariatullah (1781-1840).

In the fourteenth century this area was included under Gupta Empire. King Sasanka and King Harshadhon ruled over this region in the seventh century. The Buddhist kings captured this area and governed in the ninth and tenth century. For the next 100 years this area was presided over by Pal and Sen Emperors. In 1204 Ikhtear Uddin Mohammad Bin Bokhtiar Khilji captured Naria after which the Muslim emperors started to reign. Mughal commander-in-chief Murad Khan captured present Faridpur and surrounding areas in 1574 but actual Mughal reign was introduced by Islam Khan, the Governor of Bangla during Mughal Emperor Jahangir.

Madaripur District (Dhaka division) with an area of 1144 sq km, is bounded by Faridpur and Munshiganj districts on the north, Barisal district on the south, Shariatpur district on the east, Gopalganj district on the west. Main rivers are padma, arial khan and kumar. Temperature: average maximum 35.8°C, minimum 12.6°C. Total rainfall 2105 mm.

Madaripur Municipality is the district town bounded by Rasti and Panchkhola union at the northern side, Khoajpur union at the eastern side, Jhaudi and Ghatmajhi union at the southern portion and Pearpur union at the western side. The Municipality was established in 1875, this is a class “A” Municipality consisting of 9 wards and 33 mahalias. The area of the town is 34.81 sq km. It has a population of 54867; male 50.69%, female 49.31%. The density of population is 1576 per sq km. Literacy rate among the town people is 66.1%.

Madaripur subdivision was established in 1854 under the district of Bakerganj. In 1873 it was separated from Bakerganj and annexed to Faridpur district. Madaripur subdivision was turned into a district in 1984. It consists of 4 upazilas, 57 union parishads, 550 mouzas, 3 municipalities, 27 wards, 85 mahallas and 1035 villages. The upazilas are madaripur sadar, shibchar, rajoir and kalkini.

Archaeological heritage and relics: Aoliapur Neelkuti, Algi Kazibadi Mosque, Senapati Dighi and the tomb of Shah Mazar.

Religious institutions: Mosque 3366, temple 330, church 7, tomb 3.

According to the population Census of 2001 the population and household of Madaripur Municipality was 53.688 and 11,395 respectively, the Population and household (2007) are 81,720 and 17,229 respectively. The literacy rate of Madaripur Pourashave was 69.25%.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 32.6%; male 40%, female 24.9%. Educational institutions: college 17, high school 117, government primary school 437, non-government primary school 262, kindergarten school 6, primary training institute1, vocational institute 1 and madrasa 60.

Cultural organisations Club 139, library 18, cinema hall 10, women's organisation 70.

Main occupations Agriculture 43.74%, agricultural labourer 24%, wage labourer 2.96%, commerce 9.93%, transport 1.31%, service 6.08%, others 11.98%.

Land use Total land 113298 hectares; cultivable land 86823 hectares; single crop 36.41%, double crop 46.35% and treble crop land 17.24%.

Main crops Jute, paddy, peanut, onion, garlic, chilli, sugarcane, mustard, pulse and wheat.

Poultries, dairies and fisheries Dairy 91, poultry 362, fishery 28.

Communication Roads: pucca 163 km, semi pucca 154 km and mud road 4010 km.

Manufucturies Jute mill, cotton mill, rice mill, flour mill, oil mill, biscuit factory, ice factory, cold storage, saw mill, welding.

Cottage industries Weaving, goldsmith, blacksmith, potteries, bamboo and cane work, wood work, tailoring, molasses production.

Mineral resources Pit coal.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac, proshika, grameen bank, CARE, asa, Swanirvar Bangladesh.

Health Centres Hospital 4, clinic 8, TB hospital 2, 1 diabetic association 1, health and family planing centre 57.

Main places of attraction are Arial kha River, Lake of Madaripur, Shahmadar Dargah etc. In the middle of the town there is a large Lake with a great view. Madaripur district’s mosque, Madaripur Municipality, Officer’s Club, and District Shahid Minar all are around the lake.

Ref:www.madaripurmunicipality.org/
www.banglapedia.org/httpdocs/HT/M_0017.HTM