Jessore District

Jessore District (Bengali: যশোর, pronounced Jaw-shore, Anglicised: Jessore), officially spelled Jashore District from April 2018, 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 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. In 1947, Jessore was divided between India and (then) Pakistan. Except for the Bangaon and Gaighata thanas, the district became part of East Pakistan.

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.

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).

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% 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%
Sources:

According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Jessore District had a population of 2,764,547, of which 1,386,293 were males and 1,378,254 females. Rural population was 2,250,995 (81.42%) and urban population was 513,552 (18.58%). Jessore had a literacy rate of 56.52% for the population 7 years and above: 59.38% for males and 53.65% for females.

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

Upazila	Area in km2	2011 Census population		Upazila	Area in km2	2011 Census population
Abhaynagar Upazila	247.21	262,434		Keshabpur Upazila	258.44	253,291
Bagherpara Upazila	308.29	216,897		Jessore Sadar Upazila	435.22	742,898
Chaugachha Upazila	269.31	231,370		Manirampur Upazila	444.20	417,421
Jhikargachha Upazila	307.96	298,908		Sharsha Upazila	336.28	341,328

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

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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 beautiful terracotta design can be seen all over the temple. It is considered a very holy place by Bengali Hindus.

• 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.

  

  Mound of Dam Dam Peer in Manirampur Upazila.

  It is believed to be the most ancient relic discovered from this part of the world. The Department at Khulna said that the plaque is at least 1800 years old. It is currently kept at the Khulna Museum.

• 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
• 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

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

• Jashore University of Science and Technology

Medical colleges

• Jessore Medical College
• Army Medical College, Jessore

Polytechnic institutes

• Jashore Polytechnic Institute
• Muslim Aid Institute of Technology
• BCMC College of Engineering & Technology– the largest private polytechnic college In Bangladesh
• Bangladesh Technical College
• Model Polytechnic Institute
• City Polytechnic Institute
• Kapotakkho Polytechnic College
• Manirampur Polytechnic Institute

Schools and colleges

• Michael Madhusudan College
• Dr. Abdur Razzak Municipal College
• Jessore Cantonment College
• Jessore Shilkha Board Model School and College
• Talbaria Degree College, Sadar, Jessore
• Jessore Government Technical School and College
• Govt. M M College, Jessore
• Singia Adarsha College; Basundia, Jessore
• Noapara Model College
• BAF Shaheen college
• Dawood Public School, Jessore
• Sarsha Upazilla College, Sarsha, Jessore
• Sarsha pilot govt. secondary school, Sarsha, Jessore
• Jessore Technical School & College (JTSC), Jessore
• Manirampur Degree College
• Jessore College, Jessore
• Rajganj Degree College
• Bakra Degree college
• Navaran Degree college
• Natunhat Public College,
• Masiahati Degree College, Jessore
• Kazi Nazrul Islam Degree College, Jessore
• Jessore Govt. Mahila College
• Jessore Government City College
• Noapara College, Abhaynagar, Jessore
• Nehalpur School & College, Monirampur, Jessore
• Gopalpur School & College, Monirampu, Jessore
• Madonpur Shammilloni Degree College, Monirampur, Jessore
• Rajgong Degree College, Monirampur, Jessore
• Khadapara College, Monirampur, Jessore
• Polashi College, Monirampur, Jessore
• Bhir Sherestto Nur Mohammad college
• Shahid Moshiur Rahman Degree College, Jhekargacha, Jessore
• Jhekargacha Mohila College, Jhekargacha, Jessore
• Shammilloni College, Jhekargacha, Jessore
• Hamidpur Al-hera Degree College
• Pakshi College, Sharsha
• Lokhonpur College, Sharsha
• Sharatola College, Sharsha
• Nagar College, Jhekargacha
• Kashebpur College, Kashebpur
• Benapole degree College, Sharsha
• Bagachra Degree College, Sharsha
• Shimulia College, Jhekargacha
• Bakra Mohila College, Jhekargacha
• Abhaynagar Degree College
• Bagarpara Degree College
• Pashapol Model College
• Chowgacha govt. College, Chowgacha
• Mridhapara Mohila College, chowgacha
• Muktijoddha Degree College, Rudrapur, Jessore Sadar, Jessore,
• Ganganandapur Degree College, Jhikargacha, Jessore
• Jessore English School and College, Jessore
• (JS) Balia Vakutiya High School Jessore
• Muslim Academy Jessore School
• Keshabpur Pilot School & College
• MSTP girls High School
• Ibn Sina Pre Cadet School, New Town, Jessore
• Trimohini High School
• Badshah Faisal Islami Institute Eidgah, Jessore
• Badsha Faisal Islami Institute, New Town Jessore
• Bankra J.K High School
• Talbaria High School, Sadar, Jessore
• Rajghat Jafarpur Jigh School
• GT Model Girls High School, Talbaria, Sadar, Jessore
• Talbaria Dhakhil Madrasa, Sadar, Jessore
• Noapara Model Secondary School
• Deapara Model Secondary School, Abhaynagar, Jessore
• Moktarpur Gualbari High School, Monirampur, Jessore
• Abdul Bari High School, Barinagar Bazar, Jessore
• Buruj Bagan High School, Navaron Bazar
• Buruj Bagan Pilot Girls School, Navaron Bazar
• Beanpole high school, sarsha, Jessore
• Jessore Zilla School
• Dawood Public School, Jessore
• Cantonment High School, Jessore
• Government Girls’ High School, Jessore
• Hashimpur Secondary School, Jessore Sadar, Jessore
• Jessore Laboratory School and Collage, Jessore
• Jhikargachha B. M. High School
• Jhikargacha Government M.L Model High School
• Manirampur Government High School
• Manirampur Government Girls’ High School
• Police Line Secondary School Jessore
• D.S.T High School, jamtola, sharsha
• Chandipur High School, Manirampur
• Rajganj High School
• Gatipara High School, Sharsha
• Narendrapur High School
• Galda Kharinchi Shammillioni High School, Manirampur
• Monin Nagar High School, Jessore Sadar
• Gopalpur School & College, Monirampur
• Nehalpur School & College, Monirampur
• Pulerhat ML High School
• Bahadurpur High School
• Rajghat Jaforpur High School, Abhaynagar
• Rajghat Jaforpur Girl’s High School, Abhaynagar
• Chowgacha Shahadat Pilot Secondary High School
• Hazi Mohammad Mortoz Ali High School
• Sukpukuria Secondary School
• Sammilani Institution, Jessore
• Suratjan Secondary High School, Jhikargachha
• Sammilani High School, Dhuliani
• Jessore Shikkha Board govt Model School And Collage
• Digdana High School
• Baliadanga U.P High School
• Katgara Secondary School, Purapara Bazar, Chowgaccha, Jessore
• Andulia Secondary School
• Makapur-Bollovpur High School
• Kochua High School, Sador, Jessore
• Magura M.L High School, Magura hat, Abhaynagar, Jessore
• Komolpur Secondary School, Manirampur, Jessore
• Mahidia High School, Mahidia, Jessore Sadar, Jessore
• Kayemkola Secondary School, Jhikargacha, Jessore
• Alimonnessa Girl’s School & College, Jhikargacha, Jessore

Media

Local newspapers and magazines

List of daily newspapers

• Daily Samajer Katha
• 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 Telegram
• Daily Satya Path
• 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
• চেতনা।