Barisal (Bengali: বরিশাল) is a district in southern Bangladesh. It is also the headquarters of Barisal Division.
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| Barisal District in Bangladesh |
Geography and Climate
Latitude: 22.75, Longitude: 90.36, Altitude: 4.
Barisal is located in south-central Bangladesh, formerly a district called Bakerganj, it is now a division. The town lies in the Ganges (Padma) River delta on an offshoot of the Arial Khan River (Kirtonkhola). Barisal town was under the control of the Roychoudhury family, which now has moved to Calcutta. Incorporated as a municipality in 1876 and upgraded to city corporation in 2002.It is linked by steamer with Dhaka (73 miles [117 km] north) and with Chittagong to the southeast.
Due to its location and easy access to both riverine and marine navigation channels, it has become a transshipment centre for rice, hides, and pulses. Bakery, textile, pharmaceutical products are output of a few industrial installation.
The max. annual average temperature is 35.1°C, minimum 12.1°C; annual rainfall is 1955 mm.
History
Barisal was a semi-independent area in Mughal period. In course of time, it fell under Bengal Nawabs and British India. After British rule it was part of East Pakistan and later Bangladesh. It was formerly known as Chandradip.
Civic Administration
Barisal had remained a municipality until 2002 when it was upgraded into a city corporation consisting of 30 wards.
Demographics
Population: (1974) 98,127; (1981) 172,905; (1991 prelim.) 180,014.
Economy
Barisal's economic is mostly based on farming and fishing.
Transport
Barisal is served by the Barisal Airport which is located just outside of the city. It has frequent flight services to Dhaka via Biman Bangladesh Airlines and GMG Airlines.
Durgasagar
Durgasagar with an area of about 2,500 hectare, is the largest pond or dighi of southern Bangladesh. It is located at Madhabpasa village of babuganj upazila, about 11 km away from barisal town. Locally it is known as Madhabpasha Dighi. According to a desire of Rani Durgavati, mother of Raja Joynarayan, the dighi was dug in 1780 (1187 BS). Initially there were four pucca ghats each having 15m width. Due to the lack of proper maintenance jungles gradually surrounded the dighi. However in 1975, government renovated it to some extent. There are coconut trees around the dighi which together with the dighi are bounded by brick-walls. There are two gates each on the eastern and western sides of Durgasagar. In the middle of the dighi, there is an island with bushes. migratory birds usually come here during winter. The surrounding areas of the dighi has now been turned into a picnic spot. Presently, Barisal Development Board is looking after it.
Education
Notable educational institutions in Barisal include Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Govt. B.M College Govt. Barisal College [Govt.Hatem Ali College]] Govt. Woman's College .
Subdivisions
Barisal District is divided into the following Upazilas (formerly called Thanas):
- Agailjhara Upazila
- Babuganj Upazila
- Bakerganj Upazila
- Banaripara Upazila
- Gaurnadi Upazila
- Hizla Upazila
- Barisal Sadar Upazila
- Mehendiganj Upazila
- Muladi Upazila
- Wazirpur Upazila
Culture and Places of Interest
Just 12 km out of Barisal City is the place called Durga Sagar which is a large pond. Serving as a place for holiday trips for the city's residents, it also attracts visitors from other places. This is one of the main place of residence for the migrant birds that comes in winter.
Near Durga Sagar are the ancient ruins of the palace of a local landlord of the British colonial era (called Bangla in Bangla). Anyone can have a view of the palaces of this time by the sight of it. It is only a 15 minutes ride on a non-pollutant three wheeler called Van from Durga Sagar[citation needed].
The Bangabandhu Uddan (former Bell's Park) is a place inside Barisal City, right on the banks of River [Kirtonkhola].
Not far from Barisal city, there is a beach called Kuakata. There is a motel in Kuakata and a place with colorful tribals.
Near Barisal city, over river Kirtonkhola a Bridge is under construction from October 2006 named Dapdapia Bridge.
Notable Personalities
- Aroj Ali Matubbar Philosopher.
- A. K. Fazlul Huq politician.
- Brojomohun Dutta
- Aswini Kumar Dutta Founder of BM College
- Jibanananda Das bangla poet.
- Sufia Kamal Poet of Bangladesh
- Kamini Roy Poet of Bangladesh
- Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah Founder Editor of The Daily Ittefuq
- Shamsuddin Abul Kalam Bangladeshi novelist.
- Abdur Rahman Biswas A president and politician
- Altaf Mahmud A famous music director & Lyrician, who composed Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano.
- Abdul Gaffar Choudhury A Journalist, who wrote Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano to mark the Bengali Language Movement.
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| Barisal Town Hall |
