Meherpur (Bengali: মেহেরপুর, pron: meɦeɾpuɾ) is the northwestern district of Khulna Division in southwestern Bangladesh. It is bordered by the Indian state of West Bengal to the west, and by the Bangladeshi districts of Kushtia and Chuadanga to the east. Pre-independece Meherpur was a subdivision of Nadia district. The district has an area of 716.08 square kilometres (276.48 sq mi).
History
According to Ashraf Siddiqui, the district is named after the 16th century dervish Meher Ali Shah. The district was known for indigo cultivation and was a major place of the Indigo Revolt. The Meherpur Municipality is one of the oldest municipalities in Bangladesh which was established in 1859 when Meherpur was a part of the Nadia district. After Partition, Meherpur became a subdivision of the newly-formed Kushtia district.
The Provisional Government of Bangladesh was formed and solemnly sworn in Meherpur’s Baidyanathtala village (later renamed as Mujibnagar), on 17 April 1971 under the leadership of Tajuddin Ahmed and Syed Nazrul Islam. The entire Proclamation ceremony was organised by local leaders under the supervision of Momeen Chowdhury and MM Rustom Ali. After that day on 18 April 1971, the Pakistani Army killed 8 people in Amjhupi village. Meherpur became a district in 1983.
Administration
Meherpur district is divided into three upazilas: Gangni Upazila, Meherpur Sadar Upazila and Mujibnagar Upazila.
Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 325,314 | — |
| 1981 | 401,727 | +3.06% |
| 1991 | 491,917 | +2.05% |
| 2001 | 591,436 | +1.86% |
| 2011 | 655,392 | +1.03% |
| Sources: | ||
According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Meherpur District had a population of 655,392, of which 324,634 were males and 330,758 females. Rural population was 571,999 (87.28%) and urban population was 83,393 (12.72%). Meherpur had a literacy rate of 46.27% for the population 7 years and above: 46.87% for males and 45.69% for females.
Muslims formed 97.77% of the population, Hindus 1.20%, and Christians 1.01%. Other religions were 0.02%.
Economy
Main sources of income: Agriculture 68.95%, non-agricultural labourer 3.24%, industry 0.87%, commerce 13.83%, transport and communication 2.21%, service 3.81%, construction 1.03%, religious service 0.14%, rent and remittance 0.59% and others 5.33%.
Points of interest
- Amjhupi Neelkuthi Built 1972
- Bhatpara Neelkuthi is a ruined indigo factory built in 1778.
- Mujibnagar, the place where Bangladesh’s first government was created
Education
Educational institutions: college 7, vocational institute 3, secondary school 60, primary school 200, madrasa 11. Noted educational institutions: Meherpur Government College (1962), Mujibnagar Degree College (1983), Gangni Degree College (1983), Meherpur Government Mohila College (1984), Gangni Mohila College (1995), Meherpur Government High School (1854), Meherpur Model High School (1859), Mujibnagar Secondary School (1937), Meherpur government girls’ High School (1940), Gangni Secondary School (1945).