Jessore District

Jessore District (Bengali: যশোর, pronounced Jaw-shore, Anglicised: Jessore), officially spelled Jashore District from April 2018,[3][4][5] is a district in the southwestern region of Bangladesh. It is bordered by India to the west, Khulna District and Satkhira District to the south, Khulna and Narail to the east, and Jhenaidah District and Magura District to the north. Jessore is the capital of the district. Jessore is also the home of the ancestors of the great Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore.

Jessore District
যশোর জেলা
Jashore District
Clockwise from top-left: Noapara Bazar, Sheikhpur Jami Masjid, Jessore Polytechnic Institute, River in Keshabpur, Residence of Michael Madhusudan Dutt
Location of Jessore District in Bangladesh
Location of Jessore District in Bangladesh
Expandable map of Jessore District
Country Bangladesh
DivisionKhulna Division
District Established1781 (1781)
SeatJessore
Government
  Deputy CommissionerMd. Tamijul Islam Khan
  District Council ChairmanSaifuzzaman Pikul
  Chief Executive OfficerS. A. M. Rafikulnabi
Area
  Total2,606.94 km2 (1,006.55 sq mi)
Elevation
7 m (23 ft)
Population
 (2022 Census)[1]
  Total3,076,849
  Density1,200/km2 (3,100/sq mi)
HDI (2019)0.660[2]
medium · 2nd of 20
Websitejessore.gov.bd

Jessore district was established in 1781. It consists of 8 municipalities, 8 upazilas, 92 unions, 1329 mouzas, 1477 villages and 120 mahallas. The upazilas are: Abhaynagar Upazila, Bagherpara Upazila, Chaugachha Upazila, Jessore Sadar Upazila, Jhikargachha Upazila, Keshabpur Upazila, Manirampur Upazila, and Sharsha Upazila.

The district produces a variety of crops year-round. Date sugar, called patali, is made from the sap of locally grown date trees. It is cooked, thickened and crystallised using a traditional method. Patali is mainly produced in Khajura, but many date trees are cultivated in the Keshabpur Upazila and Manirampur Upazila areas.

History

Jessore district once belonged to the ancient Janapada of Vanga (বঙ্গ) Janapada. In the 15th century, Jessore was a part of the kingdom of Pratapaditya. It was then conquered by the Mughals.

British administration was finally established in Jessore district in 1781 when the governor-general ordered the opening of a court at Murali near Jessore.[6] In 1947, Jessore was divided between India and (then) Pakistan. Except for the Bangaon and Gaighata thanas, the district became part of East Pakistan.[7]

The Bengali soldiers stationed at Jessore cantonment mutinied against the Pakistan Army on 29 March 1971. They were led by Captain Hafiz Uddin and Lieutenant Anwar in an uprising where 300 soldiers were killed. The rebels killed 50 Pakistani soldiers with machine gun fire at Chanchara.

On 6 December 1971, Jessore became the first district of Bengal to be liberated from Pakistani forces. And Jessore is the first digital district in Bangladesh.

Geography

Jessore District encompasses 2606.98 km2. It is bounded by Jhenaidaha and Magura districts at the north, Satkhira and Khulna districts at the south, Narail and Khulna districts at the east, and North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts of West Bengal of India at the west. Major rivers that flow through this region are the Bhairab, Teka, Hari, Sree, Aparbhadra, Harihar, Buribhadra, Chitra, Betna, Kopotakkho, and the Mukteshwari.[8][9]

Climate

Annual average temperature range from 15.4 to 34.6 °C (59.7 to 94.3 °F). The annual rainfall is 1,537 millimetres (60.5 in).

Climate data for Jessore
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 22.9
(73.2)
27.0
(80.6)
33.4
(92.1)
41.0
(105.8)
38.1
(100.6)
32.6
(90.7)
31.4
(88.5)
31.6
(88.9)
32.1
(89.8)
31.5
(88.7)
29.2
(84.6)
24.9
(76.8)
31.3
(88.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 15.4
(59.7)
19.3
(66.7)
26.1
(79.0)
34.6
(94.3)
33.0
(91.4)
29.2
(84.6)
28.4
(83.1)
28.6
(83.5)
28.7
(83.7)
27.2
(81.0)
23.1
(73.6)
17.8
(64.0)
26.0
(78.7)
Average low °C (°F) 9.0
(48.2)
11.7
(53.1)
18.9
(66.0)
28.3
(82.9)
27.9
(82.2)
25.8
(78.4)
25.5
(77.9)
25.6
(78.1)
25.4
(77.7)
23.0
(73.4)
17.0
(62.6)
10.6
(51.1)
20.7
(69.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 11
(0.4)
19
(0.7)
40
(1.6)
77
(3.0)
168
(6.6)
314
(12.4)
304
(12.0)
293
(11.5)
245
(9.6)
144
(5.7)
28
(1.1)
8
(0.3)
1,651
(64.9)
Average relative humidity (%) 46 35 36 44 60 76 75 76 74 70 51 44 57
Source: National news papers

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1974 1,335,342    
1981 1,710,608+3.60%
1991 2,106,996+2.11%
2001 2,471,554+1.61%
2011 2,764,547+1.13%
2022 3,076,849+0.98%
Sources:[1][10]

According to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh, Jessore District had 798,057 households and a population of 3,076,849, 23.3% of whom lived in urban areas. The population density was 1,180 people per km2. The literacy rate (age 7 and over) was 77.0%, compared to the national average of 74.7%.[1]

Religions in Jessore district (2011)[10]
Religion Percent
Muslims
88.48%
Hindus
11.22%
Other or not stated
0.30%
Religion in present-day Jessore district[lower-alpha 1]
Religion Population (1941)[11]:84–85 Percentage (1941) Population (2011)[10] Percentage (2011)
Islam 349,554 62.44% 2,446,162 88.48%
Hinduism 208,647 37.27% 310,184 11.22%
Others[lower-alpha 2] 1,644 0.29% 8,201 0.30%
Total Population 559,845 100% 2,764,547 100%

The main occupations are 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%.

Jessore District's administrative framework was established in 1781. It consists of the following eight Upazilas

UpazilaArea in
km2
2011 Census
population
UpazilaArea in
km2
2011 Census
population
Abhaynagar Upazila247.21262,434Keshabpur Upazila258.44253,291
Bagherpara Upazila308.29216,897Jessore Sadar Upazila435.22742,898
Chaugachha Upazila269.31231,370Manirampur Upazila444.20417,421
Jhikargachha Upazila307.96298,908Sharsha Upazila336.28341,328

The upazilas are further divided into 9 municipalities, 36 wards, 92 unions, 1329 mouzas, 1434 villages and 120 mahallas.

Economy

Benapol Land Port

The main factor of the economics of Jessore is Benapol Land Port which is situated in Sharsha Upazila. Much of the import and export trading between Bangladesh and India is done through this port. On the other side of the border is Petrapole. The port is important for making govt. import taxes.

Arts and culture

Monihar is the last remaining cinema hall in the city of Jessore.

There were 21 cinema halls in the district in 2000.[12] As of 2021, only six survive: four in smaller towns, and two in the city of Jessore.[13] One of the latter, Tosbir Mohol, once the country's second oldest theater with a revolving stage, is being restored for stage productions.[14] The other, Monihar, the largest cinema hall in Bangladesh when it was built in 1983, with 1400 seats,[13] reported record revenues in 2022.[15]

Jessore-based theater troupe Bibartan has staged more than 4,000 performances (stage plays, street theater, and works for children) since their founding in 1989.[16]

Jessore Institute Public Library, established in 1854, is one of the oldest public libraries in the Indian subcontinent.[17]

Points of interest

  • Sagardari is the birthplace of the poet Michael Madhusudan Dutta. His large villa consists of a huge garden, a small museum and houses. The front gate has a solid sculpture work. The Kobodak River is at a stone's throw away.
  • Bharat Bhaina (locally called Bharter Dewl) is the relics of ancient Buddhist Temple of the 6th century at Keshabpur
  • Mirzanagar Hammamkhana is a structure of Mughal's at Keshabpur
  • Dhalijhara Buddha Bihar is one of the outstretched and unique Buddhist Temple of the 8th century among the South -Asia at Keshabpur
  • Birthplace and residence of Dhiraj Bhattacharya who was a film actor of undivided India and litterateur mostly known for his two autobiographies:Jakhan Police Chhilam and Jakhan Nayak Chhilam. He is also popular for Mathin's Well at Teknaf where a tribal girl, Mathin suicide herself for him after his return to Kolkata at Keshabpur
  • Sheikhpura 3 Domed Mosque where poet Michael Madhusudan Dutta learned Persian language at Keshabpur
  • Khan Jahan Ali's Dighi at Keshabpur
  • Marshina Baor, a proposed ecopark at Keshabpur
  • The Capital City of flower in Bangladesh, Godkhali Jhikargachha Upazila...
  • Katakhal Bangabandhu Park Jhikargachha Upazila...
  • At Abhaynagar Upazila, there is a small village called Dhoolgraam. It once had a magnificent complex of 17 Hindu temples, but only one remains today. Most of the temples were destroyed by the Bhairab River. A terracotta design can be seen all over the temple. It is considered a very holy place by Bengali Hindus.
The main gate of the house of Michael Madhusudan Dutta at Sagardari village in Jessore. This house is currently being used as a museum.
  • In Vaatnogor at Abhaynagar Upazila, ruins of eleven temple complex, dedicated to Shiva, remains. Though the central temple is partially destroyed, the site still shows the majesty of Bengal's glorious past.
  • A terracotta plaque bearing the image of Mallinath, a female tirthankar (saint) of the Jain religion, was found at the Mound of Dam Dam Peer in Manirampur Upazila.[18] It is believed to be the most ancient relic discovered from this part of the world.[19] The Department at Khulna said that the plaque is at least 1800 years old. It is currently kept at the Khulna Museum.[20][21]
  • Besides, "Neelkuthi" at village Joypur & "Kachari Ghar" are important archaeological sites in Manirampur


  • Imam Bara, at Murolir Mor beside the Dhaka-Khulna Highway, is a historical building constructed by Hazi Muhammad Mohsin.
  • The Jessore Collectorate Building, in Doratana, is one of the oldest buildings in Jessore.
  • Near Jessore Sadar Upazila village Hamidpur has an ancient mosque, known as "Shani mosque." It is an example of the high architecture of Muslim Sultani period.
  • Godkhali kalibari
  • Panchpukur Baganchara
  • Binodia Park
  • Upashahar Park
  • Jessore Boat-club
  • Jess-garden Park
  • Rajgonj Baor
  • Vobodaho Bil
  • Gazir Dorgah
  • The Front View of Jashore Airport
    Jessore Airport, Jessore Cantonment and Air Force Base Matiur Rahman.
  • Avaynogor's Khanjahan Ali Jame Mosque
  • Jamidar Bari at Shridhorpur
  • Konnadah Archajjo Baor at Sarsha
  • Benapole port
  • Fakhir Tika at Godkhali
  • Shimulia Mission (Saheb Bari)
  • Grave of Birshrestho Lance Nayek Noor Muhammad Sheikh
  • Khatura Baor
  • Moktarpur Lalu Babu Jamidar Bari

Solo Khada Jamidar Bari, House and birthplace of Ratna Gorva awarded by British Govt. and her son former Health minister of India Dr. Nil Ratan Dhor and his brother Jebon Ratan Dhor

Transport

Jessore has well connected road, rail and air transport links to other major cities and water transport links to Khulna and Mongla of Bangladesh. It boasts one of the first rail networks established in the Indian subcontinent.

Road

Jessore is located 270 km south west from Dhaka capital of Bangladesh by road and 60 km north from Khulna . It is also connected with the Indian city of Kolkata which is 120 km west through Benapole land port via AH1. The road from Jessore to Kolkata is a part of the historic Jessore Road.

Railway

Jessore Junction railway station is a major junction on the broad gauge-based network of the Western Railway. The network has links extended into Indian territory. Service linking the capital Dhaka and Kolkata April 2008. As well as in 2019 Both India And Bangladesh government agreed to 4 minute stop in Jessore Junction railway station through Bandhan Express which connect Khulna to Kolkata.

Air

Jashore Airport

The Jessore Airport, near the city, is an airfield for the Bangladesh Air Force. One of the oldest airfield in Bangladesh and the subcontinent. Alongside military service, its runway caters to seven commercial flights daily which includes US Bangla, Novo and Biman Bangladesh Airlines, for domestic flights.

Education

Universities

Medical colleges

Colleges

There are 56 master's level, degree (honors), and degree (pass) colleges in the district:[22]

  • Michael Madhusudan College, Jashore
  • A.B.C.D College
  • Amdabad College Jessore
  • Bagharpara Degree College
  • Bagharpara Mohila College
  • Bankra Degree College
  • Benapol Degree College, Sharsha
  • Bhabadaha Mahavidyalaya
  • Bhoyrab Adarsha Mahabyddalya
  • Cantonment College, Jessore
  • Chowgacha Government College, Chowgacha, Jessore
  • Chowgacha Mridhapara Mohila College, Chowgacha, Jessore
  • Dr. Abdur Razzak Municipal College, Jessore
  • Dr: Afil Uddin College
  • Fazila Tunnesa Mohila Degree College
  • Gabkhali Magura United College
  • Ganganandapur Degree College, Jhikargacha
  • Govt. Keshabpur College, Keshabpur
  • Government Bir Shrestha Noor Mohammad College
  • Hamidpur Al Hera College
  • Hazi Abdul Motaleb Mahila College
  • Hizaldanga Shahid Flight. Lt. Masud Memorial College
  • Jessore College
  • Jessore Government City College Jessore
  • Jessore Government Mohila College, Jossore
  • Jhikargacha Mohila Degree College, Jhikargacha
  • Kapatackha Shammilani Degree College
  • Kazi Nazrul Islam Degree College, Jessore
  • Mashiahati Degree College, Jessore
  • Mirjapur Adarsha Mohila Degree College Khajura
  • Monirampur Government Degree College
  • Monirampur Mahila Degree College
  • Mukterswari Degree College
  • Muktijoddha College, Rudrapur
  • Naopara Model College
  • Narikel Baria College
  • Natun Hat Public College
  • Navaran College
  • Noapara Mohila College
  • Noapara College, Abhaynagar
  • Pakshia Ideal College, Sharsha
  • Panjia Mahabiddalaya
  • Rajganj Mohabiddalaya
  • Rupdia Shaheed Smarity College
  • S.M. Habibur Rahman Pouro College, Chowgacha
  • Sammilani Degree College
  • Shaheed Moshiur Rahman Degree College, Jhikargacha
  • Shahid Sirajuddin Hossain Government College
  • Shammalini Girls Degree College, Jhikargacha
  • Shimulia Collage, Jhikargacha
  • Singia Adarsha Degree College, Basundia
  • Solua Adarsha Degree College
  • Talbaria Degre College
  • Upashahar Degree College, Jessore
  • Upashahar Mohila Degree College, Jessore
  • Vangura Adarsha Degree College

Media

newspapers and magazines

List of daily newspapers[23]
  • Daily Runner
  • Daily Noapara
  • Daily Kalyan
  • Daily Purobi
  • Daily Deshitaishy (দৈনিক দেশহিতৈষী)
  • Daily Sfulingo (দৈনিক স্ফুলিঙ্গ )
  • Daily Jessore
  • Daily Loksamaj
  • Daily Gramer kagoj
  • Daily Pravat Feri
  • Daily Samajer Kagoj
  • Daily Spandan
  • Daily Gramer Kantha
  • Daily Joruri Shangbad
List of weekly magazines
  • Weekly Sonali Din
  • Weekly Nawapara
  • Weekly Banglalok
  • Weekly Manabadhikar Sangbad
  • Weekly Bojro kolom
  • Weekly Sharsha Barta
  • Weekly Prattohiki
  • Weekly Ganomanos
List of Fortnightly
  • Mot-Motantar
List of monthly magazines
  • Monthly Ghumonter Dak
  • Monthly Gramer Sangbad
  • Monthly Photo Report
List of literary magazines
  • Bangla Literature
  • Ranoveree by Ahmad Ferdous
  • চেতনা।

Notable people


See also

Notes

  1. Sadar subdivision and Sarsa thana of Bongaon subdivision of Jessore district
  2. Including Jainism, Christianity, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Ad-Dharmis, or not stated

References

  1. Population and Housing Census 2022: Preliminary Report. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. August 2022. pp. viii, 29, 38, 45. ISBN 978-984-35-2977-0.
  2. "Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  3. "Bangladesh changes English spellings of five districts". Bdnews24.com. Dhaka. 4 February 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  4. Mahadi Al Hasnat (2 April 2018). "Mixed reactions as govt changes English spellings of 5 district names". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  5. Eagle, Andrew (2 April 2018). "'A' is for 'orange'". The Daily Star. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  6. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Jessore" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 15 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 337.
  7. Westland, James (1871). A Report on the District of Jessore: Its Antiquities, Its History, and Its Commerce. Oxford University Press.
  8. Mahibullah Siddiqui (2012). "Jessore District". In Arif Hossain and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  9. "Sorrow of jessore: Lasting for decades, getting graver every year". The Daily Star. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  10. "Bangladesh Population and Housing Census 2011 Zila Report – Jessore" (PDF). bbs.gov.bd. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.
  11. "Census of India, 1941 Volume VI Bengal Province" (PDF). Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  12. Akbar, Zahid (24 February 2020). "Single-screen theatres going out of fashion in Bangladesh". The Daily Star.
  13. চিত্রামোড়-নিরালাপট্টি আছে, নেই শুধু সিনেমা হল [There is Chitramore-Niralapatti, just no cinema halls]. Jago News 24 (in Bengali). 3 April 2021.
  14. যশোরে শতবর্ষী ঘূর্ণায়মান নাট্যমঞ্চ ফিরছে স্বরূপে [Jessore's century-old revolving stage is returning to its original form]. Jugantor (in Bengali). 1 July 2022.
  15. Shahnewaz, Sadi Mohammad (20 August 2022). "The film industry's unforeseen revival". The Daily Star.
  16. নাট্য সংগঠন বিবর্তন যশোরের তিন দশক. Jugantor (in Bengali). 13 October 2019.
  17. Ahmad, Sultan Uddin (1994). Librarianship and the State of Libraries in Bangladesh. p. 98. ISBN 978-984-30-0092-7.
  18. Duke Khan (2013). "Tourism in Jessore". Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  19. Duke Khan (2013). "Dam Dam Peerosthan in Manirampur Upazilla". Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  20. Duke Khan (2013). "A short description of archaeological sights – Khulna Division". Archived from the original on 2 September 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  21. Duke Khan, and Md. Shariful Islam. "Mound of Dam Dam Peer in Manirampur Upazilla". Jessore Info. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2013. Alt URL
  22. "List of Colleges" (Excel). Bangladesh Bureau of Education Information and Statistics.
  23. পত্র পত্রিকা. jessore.gov.bd. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
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