Derai Upazila

Derai (Bengali: দিরাই) is an upazila (sub-district) of the Sunamganj District in northeastern Bangladesh, part of the Sylhet Division.[1]

Derai
দিরাই
Upazila
Location of Derai
Location of Derai
Country Bangladesh
DivisionSylhet Division
DistrictSunamganj District
Thana1942
Upazila1982
Government
 • MP (Sunamganj-2)Joya Sengupta
 • Upazila ChairmanMuhammad Manzur Alam Chowdhury
Area
 • Total420.93 km2 (162.52 sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+6 (BST)
Postal code
3040-41
Websitewww.derai.sunamganj.gov.bd

History
The Zamindar Bari Mosque of Bhatipara dates back to the 19th century.

Derai was previously known as Babaganj Bazar. It was home to two influential Hindu residents; Jitarāma and Dvidarāma, who renamed the area to Derai Bazar. On 10 December 1892, the Assam Gazette notification #5954 recognised the name of the area as Derai. In 1938, the Nankar Rebellion started in Derai and surrounding areas. Derai was made a thana in 1942.

During the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, a brawl took place in Derai between the Pakistan Army and Bengali freedom fighting forces. Among the freedom fighters here, Commander Ataur Rahman and Abdul Khaliq were wounded with Azimullah, Kuti Miah and Gopendra Das being killed.

Derai was heavily affected by the 1974 floods and that of 1988. The Jamiah Hafizia Hussainiya Madrasa was founded in 1978. In 1982, Derai thana was made an upazila. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami was also very damaging to Derai.[1]

Demographics

As of the 2001 Bangladesh census, Derai has a population of 202791; male 105252, female 97539; Muslim 144136, Hindu 58576, Buddhist 33 and others 46. Males constitute 51.38% of the population, and females 48.62%.

Education

Derai has an average literacy rate of 25.3% (7+ years), and the national average of 32.4% literate.[2]

Administration

Derai thana was formed in 1942 and it was turned into an upazila in 1982.

Derai Upazila is divided into Derai Municipality and nine union parishads: Bhatipara, Charnarchar, Derai Sarmangal, Jagdal, Karimpur, Kulanj, Rafinagar, Rajanagar, and Taral. The union parishads are subdivided into 137 mauzas and 232 villages.[3]

Derai Municipality is subdivided into 9 wards and 29 mahallas.[3]

Upazila Chairmen
List of chairmen
Number Name Notes
01 Nasir Uddin Chowdhury
02 Abdul Quddus
03 Muhammad Hafizur Rahman Taluqdar 20/3/2014-9/5/2019
04 Muhammad Manzur Alam Chowdhury Present

Notable people

See also

References
  1. Chanda, Jiban Kumar (2012). "Derai Upazila". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  2. "Population Census Wing, BBS". Archived from the original on 2005-03-27. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
  3. "District Statistics 2011: Sunamganj" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  4. Mintu, Deshwara (15 February 2016). "Birth centenary of Shah Abdul Karim". The Daily Star.


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