Munshiganj District
Encyclopedia
Munshiganj also historically known as Bikrampur
is a district in central Bangladesh
. It is a part of the Dhaka Division and borders Dhaka District
.
(Munshiganj) was the political and cultural centre of ancient Bengal. It was officially known as Bikrampur until 1986 and was part of Dhaka District
. The remains of the city of Bikrampur, the capital of the ancient kingdoms of southeastern Bengal, are lost and its location can only be guessed on the basis of available data. Bangla, Old History
It was the capital city of the Candra, Varman and Sena
dynasties, from the beginning of the 10th century AD to the beginning of the 13th century AD.
The name of Bikramapur survived in the name of a pargana
in the Mughal period. Today the name does not exist even officially; but the inhabitants of a vast tract of land in the Munshigonj district still feel pride in saying that they belong to Bikramapur, which, of course, emanates from the past glory of the area. Also, within the confines of Munshigonj, the colonial era mansion of Badrul Islam, the renowned Kombal merchant, is located. Today it is a sacred site for Tibetan
Buddhists.
, although a large number of these sites is now being missed due to erosion of river Padma
. The following is a summary of heritage that is worth visiting.
Munshigonj town: Idrakpur Fort (1660), Panditer vita (birth place of Atisha
Dipankar Srijnan) at Bajrayogini, Baba Adam's Mosque, Dighi of Raja Harish Chandra, home stead of Raja Ballal Sena, home stead of Raja Sreenath at Rampal, Rampal Dighi, Kodal Dhoar Dighi, marble statue of Ashutosh Ganguly inside the library room of Haraganga College, Muktarpur bridge (The sixth Bangladesh-China friendship bridge over the river Dhaleswari connects the link between Dhaka and Munshigonj).
Sreenagar: Shyamsiddhi Math, Hasara Dargah, Sholaghar Math, Bhagyakul Rajbari, residence of Jagadis Chandra Basu at Rarikhal, Jora Math at Sonarang,
Tongibari: Kalibari, Taltala Pancha-shikhara Mahadeva Temple, Talukdarbari Mosque at Kusumpur, Tajpur Mosque, Patharghata Mosque, Kazishal Mosque, Pulghata Bridge, Panch Pir Dargah,
Sirajdikhan: A single domed mosque at Kusumpur (Talukdar-bari Mosque, Mughal period), Tajpur Mosque,kazirbag,buyan bhari, baytul mam'ur jamea mosque, Patharghata Mosque, Qazishal Mosque, Pulghata Bridge, math at village Fegnasar, math at the house of Kankata De at village Tajpur and Panchasikhar Mahadeva Mandir (temple) at Taltala. A large shiva-linga (phallus of god Shiva) is placed inside this temple.
Bikrampur
Bikrampur pargana is situated 12 miles south of Dhaka, the modern-day capital of Bangladesh. It lies in the Munshiganj District of Bangladesh. It is a historic region in Bengal. The region is famous for its early Buddhist scholarships and in the later period for its cultural influences...
is a district in central Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. It is a part of the Dhaka Division and borders Dhaka District
Dhaka District
Dhaka District is a district located in central Bangladesh, and is the densest district in the nation. It is a part of the Dhaka Division. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, rests on the eastern banks of the Buriganga River which flows from the Turag to the south of the district...
.
Geography
Total land area is 235974 acres (954 km²), out of which 138472 acres (560 km²) are cultivable and 5609 acres (23 km²) are fallow land. It has no forest area. 40277 acres (163 km²) of land is irrigated while 26242 acres (106 km²) of land is under river. It has 14 rivers of 155 km passing through.Subdivisions
The district consists of 6 upazilas:- Lohajang UpazilaLohajang UpazilaLouhajong is an Upazila of Munshiganj District in the Division of Dhaka, Bangladesh.-Geography:Louhajong is located at . It has 26570 units of house hold and total area 130.12 km².-Demographics:...
- Sreenagar UpazilaSreenagar UpazilaFor other uses, see Srinagar .Sreenagar is an Upazila of Munshiganj District in the Division of Dhaka, Bangladesh.-Geography:Sreenagar is located at . It has 36344 units of house hold and total area 202.98 km².-Demographics:...
- Munshiganj Sadar UpazilaMunshiganj Sadar UpazilaMunshiganj Sadar is an Upazila of Munshiganj District in the Division of Dhaka, Bangladesh.-Geography:Munshiganj Sadar is located at . It has 50609 units of house hold and total area 160.79 km².Munshiganj consists of 9 wards and 42 mahallas.The area of the town is 14.17 km2...
- Sirajdikhan UpazilaSirajdikhan UpazilaSirajdikhan is an Upazila of Munshiganj District in the Division of Dhaka, Bangladesh.-Geography:Sirajdikhan is located at . It has 38394 units of house hold and total area 180.19 km².union:Sekher nagar,villaige: gopal pur-Demographics:...
- Tongibari UpazilaTongibari Upazila-Geography:Tongibari is located at . It has 31346 units of house hold and total area 149.96 km².-Demographics:As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Tongibari has a population of 176881. Males constitute are 52.46% of the population, and females 47.54%. This Upazila's eighteen up population is...
- Gazaria UpazilaGazaria UpazilaGazaria is an Upazila of Munshiganj District in the Division of Dhaka, Bangladesh.-Geography:Gazaria is located at . It has 22113 units of house hold and total area 130.92 km².-Demographics:...
Economy
Munshiganj is one of the largest producer of potato in Bangladesh. It produces significant amount of jute, rice, wheat and other vegetables. It also produces sugar cane and banana.History
BikrampurBikrampur
Bikrampur pargana is situated 12 miles south of Dhaka, the modern-day capital of Bangladesh. It lies in the Munshiganj District of Bangladesh. It is a historic region in Bengal. The region is famous for its early Buddhist scholarships and in the later period for its cultural influences...
(Munshiganj) was the political and cultural centre of ancient Bengal. It was officially known as Bikrampur until 1986 and was part of Dhaka District
Dhaka District
Dhaka District is a district located in central Bangladesh, and is the densest district in the nation. It is a part of the Dhaka Division. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, rests on the eastern banks of the Buriganga River which flows from the Turag to the south of the district...
. The remains of the city of Bikrampur, the capital of the ancient kingdoms of southeastern Bengal, are lost and its location can only be guessed on the basis of available data. Bangla, Old History
It was the capital city of the Candra, Varman and Sena
Sena
The word sena literally means army in Hindi and Bangla, and to praise in arabic language.In Benin, West Africa, the name SENA means "bringing Heaven to Earth".Sena could also refer to:-Places:...
dynasties, from the beginning of the 10th century AD to the beginning of the 13th century AD.
The name of Bikramapur survived in the name of a pargana
Pargana
A pargana is a former administrative unit of the Indian subcontinent, used primarily, but not exclusively, by the Muslim kingdoms.Parganas were introduced by the Delhi Sultanate, and the word is of Persian origin. As a revenue unit, a pargana consists of several mouzas, which are the smallest...
in the Mughal period. Today the name does not exist even officially; but the inhabitants of a vast tract of land in the Munshigonj district still feel pride in saying that they belong to Bikramapur, which, of course, emanates from the past glory of the area. Also, within the confines of Munshigonj, the colonial era mansion of Badrul Islam, the renowned Kombal merchant, is located. Today it is a sacred site for Tibetan
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
Buddhists.
Religion
The district of Munshiganj consist 3254 mosques, 348 temples, nine Buddhist temples and a church here.Places of interest
Louhajong: Archaeological heritage are still found all around Louhajong, BikrampurBikrampur
Bikrampur pargana is situated 12 miles south of Dhaka, the modern-day capital of Bangladesh. It lies in the Munshiganj District of Bangladesh. It is a historic region in Bengal. The region is famous for its early Buddhist scholarships and in the later period for its cultural influences...
, although a large number of these sites is now being missed due to erosion of river Padma
Padma River
The Padma is a major trans-boundary river in Bangladesh. It is the main distributary of the Ganges , which originates in the Himalayas. The Padma enters Bangladesh from India near Chapai Nababganj...
. The following is a summary of heritage that is worth visiting.
Munshigonj town: Idrakpur Fort (1660), Panditer vita (birth place of Atisha
Atisha
Atiśa Dipankara Shrijnana was a Buddhist teacher from the Pala Empire who, along with Konchog Gyalpo and Marpa, was one of the major figures in the establishment of the Sarma lineages in Tibet after the repression of Buddhism by King Langdarma .- Birth :Atisha is most commonly said to have been...
Dipankar Srijnan) at Bajrayogini, Baba Adam's Mosque, Dighi of Raja Harish Chandra, home stead of Raja Ballal Sena, home stead of Raja Sreenath at Rampal, Rampal Dighi, Kodal Dhoar Dighi, marble statue of Ashutosh Ganguly inside the library room of Haraganga College, Muktarpur bridge (The sixth Bangladesh-China friendship bridge over the river Dhaleswari connects the link between Dhaka and Munshigonj).
Sreenagar: Shyamsiddhi Math, Hasara Dargah, Sholaghar Math, Bhagyakul Rajbari, residence of Jagadis Chandra Basu at Rarikhal, Jora Math at Sonarang,
Tongibari: Kalibari, Taltala Pancha-shikhara Mahadeva Temple, Talukdarbari Mosque at Kusumpur, Tajpur Mosque, Patharghata Mosque, Kazishal Mosque, Pulghata Bridge, Panch Pir Dargah,
Sirajdikhan: A single domed mosque at Kusumpur (Talukdar-bari Mosque, Mughal period), Tajpur Mosque,kazirbag,buyan bhari, baytul mam'ur jamea mosque, Patharghata Mosque, Qazishal Mosque, Pulghata Bridge, math at village Fegnasar, math at the house of Kankata De at village Tajpur and Panchasikhar Mahadeva Mandir (temple) at Taltala. A large shiva-linga (phallus of god Shiva) is placed inside this temple.
Notable residents
Famous people from the district include:- M. Hamidullah Khan, Bangladesh Forces Sector Commander, Sector 11, Bangladesh War of Independence 1971
- Jagadish Chandra Bose, Great Bengali physicist
- Fakhruddin AhmedFakhruddin AhmedDr Fakhruddin Ahmed is a noted Bangladeshi economist, civil servant, and a former governor of the Bangladesh Bank, the country's central bank...
, Former Chief Adviser, Non-Party Caretaker Government of Bangladesh, 2007-2008. - Iajuddin AhmedIajuddin Ahmed-Early life:Ahmed was born in Bikrampur of Dhaka District, erstwhile Bengal province, British India . As the son of Moulvi Ibrahim Mia, Ahmed obtained his B.Sc. and M.S. at the University of Dhaka in 1952 and 1954 respectively and later received his M.S. and Ph.D...
, Former President of BangladeshPresident of BangladeshSince 1991, the President of Bangladesh is the head of state, a largely ceremonial post elected by the parliament. Since 1996, the President's role becomes more important after the term of the government has finished, when his executive authority is enhanced as laid down in the constitution of the... - Nurul Haque Chowdhury, Great Social Worker, renown Jomider during British ruling period.
- Atisa Dipankara Shrijnana, Buddhist teacher who reintroduced Buddhism to Tibet
- Humayun AzadHumayun AzadHumayun Azad was a prolific Bangladeshi author and scholar. He wrote more than seventy titles...
, a linguistic scientist, poet and novelist - A.Q.M. Badruddoza Chowdhury, Former President of BangladeshPresident of BangladeshSince 1991, the President of Bangladesh is the head of state, a largely ceremonial post elected by the parliament. Since 1996, the President's role becomes more important after the term of the government has finished, when his executive authority is enhanced as laid down in the constitution of the...
- Badal GuptaBadal GuptaBadal Gupta was a Bengali Indian revolutionary who fought against British rule over India.-Early activities:Badal Gupta was born Sudhir Gupta in the village Purba Shimulia in the Bikrampur region of Dhaka, now in Munshiganj District, Bangladesh...
, revolutionary against British India - A. R. Khandakar, former Inspector General of Police, freedom fighter, Ekushey PadakEkushey PadakEkushey Padak is one of the highest civilian awards in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement of 1952 that took place on February 21, 1952.-2001:*Shah Abdul Karim...
recipient - Benoy BasuBenoy BasuBenoy Krishna Basu or Benoy Basu or Benoy Bose was an Bengali Indian revolutionary.-Early life:Basu was born on 11 September 1908, in the village Rohitbhog in the Munshiganj District, now in Bangladesh...
, revolutionary against British India - Brojen DasBrojen DasBrojen Das was the first Asian to swim across the English Channel, and the first person to cross it four times.-Early life:...
, the first Bangladeshi and Asian to swim across the English ChannelEnglish ChannelThe English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
, and the first person to cross it four times - Dhir Ali miya,A great music director,reformer of Bangladeshi modern folk songs & also a leader of dhaka orchestra
- Dinesh GuptaDinesh GuptaDinesh Chandra Gupta or Dinesh Gupta was a Bengali revolutionary who fought against British colonial rule.-Early activities:...
, revolutionary against British India - Durga Mohan DasDurga Mohan DasDurgamohan Das was a Brahmo Samaj leader and a social reformer with notable contribution in the field of widow remarriage and women’s emancipation.- Early life :...
, BrahmoBrahmoA Brahmo is either an adherent of Brahmoism to the exclusion of all other religions, or a person with at least one Brahmo parent or guardian and who has never denied his faith...
reformer - Dwarkanath GangulyDwarkanath GangulyDwarkanath Ganguly was a Brahmo reformer in Bengal of British India. He contributed substantially towards the enlightenment of society and the emancipation of women.-Early life:...
, Brahmo reformer - M. A. NaserM. A. NaserMohammed Abu Naser , born in Munshiganj District, Bangladesh, is a pioneer in engineering education in Bangladesh . Professor Dr. Mohammed Abu Naser was a Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology . He is a recipient of the Ekushey Padak, one of the highest civilian...
, Pioneer in Engineering Education, former Vice Chancellor or BUET, Ekushey PadakEkushey PadakEkushey Padak is one of the highest civilian awards in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement of 1952 that took place on February 21, 1952.-2001:*Shah Abdul Karim...
recipient - Emdadul Huq MilonImdadul Haq MilonImdadul Haq Milon , is a popular Bangladeshi novelist. He was born in Bikrampur, Munshiganj District.-Education:Milon graduated from Jagannath College. He went to Germany to rebuild life and after returning,wrote one of his premier works, 'Poradhinota'.-A Writer:As a writer, Imdadul Haq Milon is...
, Writer & Media personality - Saleh Uddin Ahmed, Former governor Bangladesh Bank
- M A Khaleq, Educationalist,Poet & Writer
- Fariaz Morshed Chowdhury, Hotelier, Writer, Social Worker, Trainer, Tours & Travel Specialist
- Sreya Ghoshal, Famous Indian Singer