Jamalpur District, Bangladesh
To get the correct idea about the history of jamalpur district of Bangladesh, we have to remember great saints Hazrat Shah Jamal (R) and Hazrat Shah Kamal (R). They came here to spread Islam and the speech of humanity from Yemen during the period of Mughal emperor Akbar. Jamalpur is named after Hazrat Shah Jamal (R). The previous name of Jamalpur city was “Singhajani”. Fakir Sannyasi Rebellion (1772-1790), Indigo Resistance Movement (1829), famine (1874) are the remarkable chapters of the region.
Jamalpur started its journey as the first Mahakuma (Sub division) of Mymensingh in 1845. The movement of Jamalpur district creation introduced in 1912 after the ‘Bangavanga’. Mr Lord Karjon decelerated Jamalpur as a district in 1912 but couldn’t implement it due to various obstacle against the East India Company during the time. To set up Jamalpur district headquarters, government acquired 235 acres of land in the municipal area in 1917. In 1938, some renowned educationist raise their hands to set up Jamalpur district and spreaded the movement among the civil people. But even the then British government could not take final decision about the matter. They were in a fix between Jamalput and Tangali, where the district headquarters should be set up. By this time the great flood, communal riots etc made delay the formation of Jamalpur district. So it took 133 years to format Jamalpur district after the formation of Jamalpur sub division.
During the liberation war Jamalpur achieved independence in 10 December. After the newly born independent country, the movement of the formation of Jamalpur district accelerated. In 1975 Bangabandhu Sheakh Mujibur Rahaman committed to form Jamalpur district. Finally 26 December 1978, Jamalpur is adorned as a district. The Geo position of the district is between 24˚40’ to 25˚20’ North latitudesand between 89˚40’ to 90˚10’ east longitude.
Bordered By: Jamalpur District is bordered by Kurigram and Sherpur districts and Meghalaya (Indian State) to the north, Tangaildistrict to the south, Mymenisigh and Sherpur districts to the east, Bogra district and Jamuna River to the west.
Administration: The area of Jamalpur is 2115.16 Sq Km. It is under Dhaka Division. There are 06 Municipalities in Jamalpur named Melandah, Dewanganj, Jamalpur, Sharishabari, Madarganj and Islampur. The number of Upazilla (sub district) in Jamalpur district is 07, named- Jamalpur Sadar, Islampur, Dewangonj, Sarishabari, Melandaha, Bokshigonj and Madargonj containing 68 Unions, 718 Mauzas and 1361 Villages.
Population: The population of Jamalpur district is 22,92,674 (Male- 11,28,724 and Female- 11,63,950). Sex ratio is 97:100, Population Density 1084/Sq Km and annual growth rate is 0.83%.
Literacy: The Literacy Rate of Jamalpur district is 38.40% (Male- 41.10% and Female- 35.90%), School attendance rate is 54.70% for 5 to 24 years age group.
Other Important Data: The postal code of Jamalpur district is 2000 and NWD Code is 0981. Total Parliament seat in Jamalpur is 05. During the liberation war, Jamalpur was under Sector Number 11. Urbanization rate of the district is 16.92% and annual average rainfall is 77 mm.
Rivers: Old Brhamoputra, Jamuna, Banar, Jinjira, Chatal, Jhenai etc.
Agro Products: Paddy, Potato, Jute, Tobacco, Yam, Eggplant, Pepper, Mustard, wheat, Vegetables etc.