Dinajpur District, Bangladesh
Dinajpur district is located in the northern part of Bangladesh. The region was once a part of the ancient state of Pundrabardhana. The previous name of the region was “Gandowana Land”. It is one of the ancient districts during the beginning of British ruled. After the eight years of the battle of Palashi, the British East India Company established administrative control of the region in 1765. By ending the Nababi ruled of Ghoraghat, Dinajpur town formed day by day. According to Dinajpur Gazette, an independent Collectoriate was established in Dinajpur in 1783. Formerly Dinajpur- Rangpur was a joint Collectoriate. Due to administrative advantage, a new district Dinajpur was formed in 1786 and district headquarter was established in 1793. Various parts of the districts were included in Purnia, Rangpur and Rajshahi districts at different times (1833 – 1870). At the time of Partition in 1947, ten police stations of the district were included in west Bengal. Beside Panchagrah, Debiganj, Boda, Patgram police stations of Jalpaiguri district included with greater Dinajpur district. Thakurgaon and Panchagarh Sub-divisions of this district were turned into separate districts in 1984.
Administration: The area of Dinajpur is 3444.30 Sq Km. It is under Rangpur Division. There are 08 Municipalities in Dinajpur named Ghoraghat, Birampur, Setabganj, Dinajpur, Hakimpur, Birganj, Fulbari and Parbatipur. The number of Upazilla (sub district) in Dinajpur district is 13, named- Dinajpur Sadar, Ghoraghat, Kaharola, Birol, Birgonj, Khansama, Chorkai, Parbotipur Hakimpur, Birampur, Nababgonj, Bochagonj, Fulbari and Chibirbondor containing 101 Unions, 1926 Mauzas and 2131 Villages.
Population: The total population of Dinajpur district is 29,90,128 (Male- 15,08,670 and Female- 14,81,458), sex ratio 102:100, population Density 868/Sq Km and annual growth rate is 1.22%.
Literacy: The Literacy Rate of Dinajpur district is 52.40% (Male- 55.70% and Female- 49.10%), school attendance rate is 56.70% for 5 to 24 years age group.
Other Important Data: The postal code of Dinajpur district is 5200 and NWD Code is 0531. Total Parliament seat in Dinajpur is 06. During the liberation war, Dinajpur was under Sector Number 06. Urbanization rate of the district is 15.17%.
Rivers: Jamuna, Kartoa, Atrai, Punarbhaba, Tangon, Depa, Kakra, Garveshwari, Choto Jamuna, Eshamoti, Vulli, Pathorghata, Norto, Choto Depa, Belan, Nokshisha, Tulshiganga, Chiri, Tetulia, Maila, Volamoti etc.
Agro Products: Litchi, mango, rice, wheat, sugarcane, jute, potato, vegetables, onion, ginger, oil seeds, banana, jack fruit, guava, coconut etc.
Remarkable Personalities from Dinajpur District
Narayan Gongopaddhay, Alhaz Mohammad Taimur (Educationist), Mohammad Nurul Amin (Poet), Pandit Mohes Chandra Tarkachuramoni, Advocate Jeher Uddin, Pir Shah Sufi Matlub Mia, Khan Bahadur Mahatab Uddin Ahmed, Sree Madhab Chadra Chattergy, Mawlana Ayan Uddin Ahmed, Dr Sukumar Sen Gupta, Prof Abdul Baki, Sree Premhari Barman, Dr Hazi Mofiz Uddin Ahmed, Mohorshi Bhuban Mohon Kar, Dr Gobinda Chandra Deb, Nirmolendra Lahire, Hazi Mohammad Danesh (Social Worker), Layla Samad, Prof. Yousouf Ali, Habibur Rahaman, Asadullah, Pandit Gopal Chandra Vattacharja, Konored Farhad, Sowkot Ali, Lie-U-Ten-Ent General Mahabubur Rahaman, Samsuddoha Manik (Footballer) etc.