Pirganj
Upazila, Rangpur
Pirganj (Bengali: পীরগঞ্জ) is an Upazila of Rangpur
District in the division of Rangpur, Bangladesh.[1]
An
Epigrammatic History of Pirganj, Rangpur
History of
pirganj mainly focused at the period of sultans. Before sultans’ period very
few history and sign was found like, destroyed place of king at Pat around 5 km
away from pirganj upzilla headquarter and high land at vimshahar at Baradargah
Vendabari high way. Most probably these structures were formed at the period of
Pal/Sen.[citation needed]
There was
another ancient temple at Bakduar called “Temple of Bakdebi”. Bagdebi was
desired goddess of king Bhabachandra. Bagduar was an ancient and civilized
porgona under pirganj. The temple of Bhabachandra (About to destroyed) is
situated at Udaypur under Bagduar porgona. ‘Palergar’ is situated aside of
Bagdebi’s temple. This place is now known as Daneshnagar. People say that
Bharatchandra/ Hobochandea, relative of ‘king Lora’ was live at ‘Lorarpat’.
Which is 06 km away from pirganj. Most probably this area was developed at
early 11th century.[citation needed]
Rangpur
along with Pirganj was a part of Kamrup. After Baktiar Khalgi failed to capture
this part of the kamrup and died (1206 AD-1210 AD) Sultan giash uddin tried to
capture kamrup on 1227 AD and failed. Tughrel Kha primarily captured this area
but in the long run he failed to continue his control. At last Hazrat Shah
Ismail Gazi Captain of thirteenth Gour’s Pathanian Sultan Rukunnuddin Abul
Mujahid Barbak Shah was able to capture kamrup. Hazrat Shah Ismail Gazi was a
Muslims religious leader, captain and Muslim missionary. The king of Ghoraghat
Bhandari Roy was envious with his success and started to conspiracy against him
and be able to convince Sultan Rukunnuddin Abul Mujahid Barbak Shah to send
soldier against him. He was arrested and killed on 8th January,1474 AD (14th
Saban, 878 Hizri) and his head was brought to king. Later Sultan Rukunnuddin
Abul Mujahid Barbak Shah be able to know about the conspiracy of Bhandari Roy
and became repentant. Repentant king buried the head of Hazrat Shah Ismail Gazi
at bagduar of pirganj with due respect. His follower’s were already buried his
headless body in Mandaron under Hugli district. A small island in the Barabila
near pirganj unzila headquarter is memorable for Hazrat Shah Ismail Gazi. There
was a mosque in this island prepared by his followers but now this mosque is
fully destroyed. Mosque (30F X 20F X 15F) and the large well at Baradargah under
Pirganj Upzilla was one of the most memorable place for Hazrat Shah Ismail
Gazi. Most of the historian believes that his journey for victory and
missionary was started from this place and the Introstick (Dikshadanda) is
buried in this place. Some historian believes that his part of body was also
buried in this place. Some historians believe that part of his body is also
buried at Ghoraghat under Dinapur District.[citation needed]
The history
of Pirganj is mostly related with the victory of Hazrat Shah Ismail Gazi. At
the time of his victory against King Nilambbar, Kamrup was joined with the
Independent Bangla permanently. At the time of Hussain Shah Pirganj was
introduced as Administrative centre and Barabila area was introduced as Land
Revenue Pargana (an administrative Unit). Up to Battle of Palashi these units
were remain unmoved. From the British period there are some changes done within
these administrative units but no remarkable change was done till today.[citation needed]
Geography
Pirganj is
located at 25.4153°N
89.3167°E. It is the southernmost upazilla of Rangpur district. It is
surrounded by Mithapukur upazilla of Rangpur to the North, Sadullahpur upazilla
of Gaibndha to the east, Palashbari upazilla to the south and Ghoraghat and
Nawabganj upazillas of Dinajpur to the west. It has approximately 101640 units
of household and total area 411.34 km².
Politics and
representations
Pirganj was
one of the three constituencies from where the current Bangladesh Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina was elected as an MP in the ninth parliamentary election
of the country in 2008. She was also elected in the tenth parliamentary election
in 2014 from the same constituency. Later in the by-election, Shirin Sharmin
Chowdhury, the current speaker of Bangladesh parliament was elected unopposed
from the constituency.
Demographics
As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Pirganj has a
population of 303384. Males constitute 50.72% of the population, and females
49.28%. This Upazila's eighteen up population is 154333. Pirganj has an average
literacy rate of 26.5% (7+ years), and the national average of 32.4% literate.[2]
Famous
personalities
Famous
personalities from Priganj include Shah Ismail Gazi, an Islamic saint, whose
shrine is located in Baro Dargah, Poet Heyat Mamud and Dr M. A. Wazed Miah.
Heyat Mamud: Heyat Mamud, an
18th-century Bangla poet, was born in the village of Jharbishila under
Chitrakol union in Pirganj within the period of 1680-90.. His father, Shah
Kabir, the Dewan of the Ghoraghat administration, was also a poet. From the
childhood the poet was very intelligent and gifted. After completion of
traditional education at ghoraghat he started to study and research in his own
style. His father died at 1723 and he was appointed as Kazi of Bagduar Pargana
under Murshid Kuli Khan. Heyat Mamud's poetic talent was hereditary. He
composed poems between his duties as kazi of the Ghoraghat administration. He
wrote different kinds book in Islamic religious ethics. From his creation so
far four books of poems: Janganama (1723), Sarbabhedavani (1732), Hitajnanavani
(1753) and Ambiyavani (1758) was found. The Janganama is based on the tragic
story of Karbala and was influenced by Persian poetry on the same theme.
Sarbabhedavani is a book of didactic poems, and is based on Mofrehul-Kulub, the
Persian translation of Panchatantra. Hitajnanavani discusses religious ethics
and principles of Islam as well as Sufism Ambiavani contains stories of the
prophets' lives, starting with Hazrat Adam to Hazrat Muhammad (Sm). This
voluminous book is considered Heyat Mamud's masterpiece. Heyat Mamud is the
last representative of the medieval style of poetic composition. Heyat Mamud
was most talented and pioneer Bengali poet of the eighteenth century. He was
famous for his work in Islamic Religious Ethics. As per Dr. Mazharul Alam in
this sector he was not comparable with other poet at the similar period. He
also mentioned that in some cases Lalon Shah and Rabindranath Tegore were
influenced by Heyat Mamud. This great poet died in 1760.[citation needed]
Dr.
M A Wazed Miah (1942–2009), an eminent Nuclear Scientist and former
Chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission was born in Pirganj. His son Mr.
Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, an IT professional by training and a graduate from
Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, has been selected as
a young global leader by World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland.[citation needed]
Among the
political figures, Late Motiur Rahman, an ex MP from the constituency was a
senior leader of Bangladesh Awami League and a cabinet minister in charge of
Ministry of Rural Development in the first government of independent
Bangladesh. He was elected as an MP from the joint constituency of Pirganj and
Mithapukur in the historic election of 1970. In mid 90s he left Awami League
and joined BNP. Moni Krishna Sen, a well educated person and a famous leader in
the movement of rights of peasants (tebhaga andolon), was born and had his
early upbringing in Pirganj. He was a central leader of Bangladesh Communist
Party. There is a college in his name at Bishnupur.[citation needed]
Sajeeb Ahmed
Wazed[1] (Bengali: সজীব
ওয়াজেদ; born July 27, 1971), also known as
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, is a Bangladeshi American [2] ICT consultant and political
campaigner.[3] He is the son of Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the current Prime Minister
of Bangladesh, and the eldest grandson of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first
President of Bangladesh. A member of the Awami League, Wazed was a key figure
in formulating the party's Vision 2021 manifesto. He was listed by the World
Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader.[4]He is now the PM's Information and
Communication Technology Affairs Adviser[5][citation needed]
Monikrishna Sen Monikrisna
sen was born on 1st November 1903. He lives at Kabilpur under Pirganj Upzilla
along with his Father Beni Madhab Sen Gupta and Mother Promoda Sundari Sen
Gupta. He was completed his matriculation on 1921. He included himself in the
protest against British government on 1920. He has completed his graduation
from Carmichael college on 1925 and MA from Calcutta University on 1927. He
also completed BL degree from Calcutta University. As a part of his anti
British Movement he leaded the Puthia Train attack. Due to continuous Anti
British movement he has fall under red eye of British Government. By reason of
numerous case and warrant he had to lead an absconder life. Monikrishna sen was
influenced by communist ideology at rajshahi jail and deeply included with
Marxian study circle at Damdam jail. At 1939 he joined at communist party and
continued the responsibility of Rangpur congress up to 1944. At the time of
Tevaga movement he was seriously injured by the terrorist of capitalist. In
1952 he was one of the organizers of Language movement and 1956 organize an
immense Farmer meeting with Maolana Vashani at Fulsari of Gaibandha. When
chicken pox attacks at pirganj, Mithapukur and Badarganj as epidemic, he
involved himself for treatment and service of the affected people, along with
Sita Kabiraj on 1957. At the time of liberation war at 1971 he was organized
the local community up to 28th march at Shakipur of Kabilpur union. Later on he
went to Calcutta through Hili border and communicated with the leader of
liberation war and set up a liberation camp at Nathol. He along with Sankar
Bashu, Motiur Rahman, Faiz Ahmend and other was organized to form “North Bengal
Revolutionary Councill”. He also organized to establish a medical camp for the
injured freedom fighter at Fulbari. At 1985 he established “Promoda Sundari
Kalyan Trust” for the well being of general people at Daperhat. He donated all
of his prosperities to Promoda Sundari kalyan Trust. This Great leader and
social worker died on 28th April, 1991.[citation needed]
Shah Abdur
Rouf was born in Mokimpur under Pirganj Upzilla in 1889. He was completed his
BL Degree from Aligar University on 1917 and started advocacy at Rangpur. He
was elected as member of Bengal Management Assembly on 1920 and 1932. He also
elected as Vice Chairman of Rangpur zilla Board on 1933. On 1940 he was
appointed as Public Prosecutor. He was rewarded “Coronation Medal” on 1939. He
was also rewarded “Khan Bahadur” title by British Government for his
social-welfare operation, efficiency in profession and contribution in
education and politics. His two autobiography named “Amar Karmajiban” was
published on 1936 and 1940. His famous book “Chaturddarshi” was published on
1967.[citation needed]
He was also
famous as a poet and writer for his book of poetry This famous social
contributor and writer was died on 1970.[citation needed]
Kazi Abdul Halim Kazi
Abdul halim was born in Panchakandob village under pirganj Upozilla on 1935. At
childhood his name was Kazi Panjab Ali. At the time of admission at Raypur
School his teacher Fayez Ali Pandit changed his name to Kazi Abdul Halim. He
completed his matriculation certification on 1949. On 1951 he arranged an open
meeting at pirganj against muslimleague government. He was very popular leader
of North Bengal. He was also provincial leader of Youth League and awarded as
“Young Star” Medal. He was one of the member of Dhaka Youth league central
committee of 1951. He was attended at the “Movement for Mother Tongue” in 1952.
Along with Saiyad Hamidur Rahman and Maulana Abdus Sattar he leaded movement
for mother tongue at Gaibandha College. At the time of the movement he was
arrested at Gaibandha and send to Rangpur Jail. Before the election of 1954
warrant was issued against him again and arrested on 19th February. He was one
of the leaders who initiated the provincial youth festival at 1957. He has also
a great contribution in the Liberation war of Bangladesh. He is a man who
spends all of his life for the movement for farmer. This famous leader was died
on 1997.[citation needed]
Moulavi Sayed Amanat Ali Moulavi
Saayed Amanat Ali was born in Baulbari Village under Pirganj Upzilla. He was a
poet of nineteenth century. His famous book is “Tammehul Kosedin”.[citation needed]
Shah Kalim Uddin Ahmed Shah
Kalim Uddin Ahmed was bon in Mokimpur under Pirganj Upzilla in 1855 (app). He
has not got the opportunity traditional education. But he was self-educated and
his book of poetry “Kul Pradip”. He was also wrote a book named Sadeshi Andolon
on 1904. He expressed his strong position against British government in this
book. He was also wrote Dhurta Sregal and Mofatessalat. He is the father of Sha
Abdur Rauf.[citation needed]
Taslim Uddin Ahmed Taslim
Uddin Ahmed was born in Kumedpur under Rasulpur Union. He was a poet of late
19th century. His famous Manuscript (Puthi) is Janani & Ampara.[citation needed]
Dost
Mohammad Dost mohammad was borh in pirganj on 1900 (app). He was born
in Bakduar (By another Rasulpur) under pirganj Upzilla. As per the information
of local people he was a priest. He was famous for this writing “Janganama”.
This book was written on early nineteenth century.[citation needed]
Khandakar Abdul Gani Kandakar
Abdul Gani was born in pirganj on 1921. His published books are: Sinnobina,
Bhanga Bashi, Piashi, Bashed bashi, Gitali, Biday Bashori etc. his last
publication is Sargapuri and Sonar Khani.[citation needed]
Kushai In the nineteenth century
Rongopur Shahitta Prishad found a Book (Puthi) named Gansabda sar. Written time
of this book is 1220 Bangabdho or 1813 AD. Writer of this book introduce
himself as “Kinrishta Kushai”. He was born in Keshobpur village under Barabila
Pargana.[citation needed]
Administrative
units
Pirganj has
15 unions, 45 wards, 308 Mauzas/Mahallas, and 331 villages.[citation needed]
The unions
are
1.
Chaitrakol 2. Vendabari 3. Baro Dargah 4. Kumidpur 5. Madonkhali 6. Tukuria 7.
Baro Alampur 8. Raipur 9. Pirganj 10. Shanerhat 11. Panchgachi 12. Mithipur 13.
Ramnathpur 14. Chatra 15. Kabilpur.
Tourist
attractions
The major
tourist attractions in Pirganj are Baro Bila (a large lake), Nil Daria (a
village surrounded by a lake), Kadirabad forest (a large forest created by
Bangladesh Forest Department), Hatibanda (Dareapur) Mosque, an old mosque with
beautiful architectural design, Khalashpir Mosque, Anandonagar amusement park
near Khalashpir and Raipur Zamider Bari. There are remnants of the palace of
King Nilambor in Patgram. The shrine of Kazi Heyat Mamud is located in
Jharbishla near Vendabari.
Culture,
religion and ethnicity
Pirganj is a
culturally rich and vibrant locality. There are some cultural organizations and
theater groups based in Pirganj proper. An annual fair, known as mela locally,
takes place in Baradargah in the Islamic month of Muharram. Annual fairs also
take place in few other locations during winter or on the eve of Bengali new
year. Sharadiya Durga puja is celebrated in Pirganj, Chatra and few other
localitities.
Islam is the
predominant religion in Pirganj, with almost 90% of its people belonging to the
faith. There is a significant Hindu population scattered over the Upzilla.
Concentration of Hindu population is high in Panchgachi Union. There is a large
indigenous Santal population in Chatra area.
A cultural
organization named Angon is located in the village Boger Bari in Kumidpur
union. They arrange varies seasonal programs such as cultural activities and
sports competitions. A social organization named Concerned Peoples Organization
(CPO) is located in the village of Gurzipara in Baradargah union. It is a
student based social organization and they arrange social programs to concern
people of its area.
Major
educational institutions
Colleges
Shah Abdur
Rouf College
Pirganj
Mohila College
Chatra
Degree College
Khalashpir
Bangobondhu Degree College
Pirganj
Karigori College
Motherganj
College
Chatra
Karigori College
Vendabari
Women's College
Monikrishan
Sen College, Bishnupur
Kadirabad
Women's College
Chatra
Women's College
Gurzipara
College
Mohiosi
Begum Rokeya Mohila College, Gurzipara
Rasulpur
School & College
High Schools
Pirganj
Government High School
Maderganj
High School
Pirganj
Kasimonnessa Girls High School
Kadirabad
High School
Rasulpur
High School
Chander
Bazer High School
Hazi Boyan
Uddin High School
Pirganj
Bangobandhu high School
Chatra High
School
Panbazer
High School
Eklimpur
High school
Chatra Girls
High School
Nildorea
High School
Pirganj
Adarsha School
Vendabari
High School
Raipur High
School
Khedmotpur
High School
Abdullahpur
Jahan Mhamud High School
Vimshahar
High School
Chak Karim
High School
Laldighi
High School
Doshmouza
High school
Rasulpur
High school
Bishnupur
Beni Madhab Sen High School
Hitabanda
KMT High School
Shanerhat
High school
Laldighi
mela Adhorso High School
Khataber
Para PMA High School
Jahangirabad
High School
Akota Bajar
High School
Kanchon
Bajar High School
Patnichara
High School
Jafor Para
High School
Gurzipara
K.P. High School
Madrasas
Jafar Para
Kamil Madrasha
Chatrahat
Alim Madrasah
Kumedpur
Madrasha
Sharolia
Madrasha
Maderganj
Kamil Madrasha
shahapur
madrasha
Khalashpir
Senior Fazil Madrasha
Shaner hat
Islamia Dakhil Madrasha
Pirganj
Senior Fazil Madrasha
Radhakrisna
pur Nezamia Dhakhil Madrasha
Duramithipur
Darus Sunnat Dhakil Madrasha
Gurzipara
Dakhil Madrasha,
Dhorakandor
Dakhil Madrasha,
Boro Dargah
Hazrat Shah Ismail Gazi (R) Fazil Madrasha
Economic
activities and major commercial centers
Pirganj is
an economically backward locality. Agriculture is the predominant economic
activity in Pirganj. In addition to Rice, the main crop, a lots of vegetables
and bananas are produced in Pirganj. Local traders as well as traders from
Dhaka, Chittagong and other parts of the country purchase the surplus
agricultural products from the area and sell them to major urban centres in the
country. Fishing is also a major economic activity in the area. Karotoa, a
pretty large river, which flows through the western border of the Upazilla is
famous for some tasty variety of fishes. There are numerous lakes (known as
beel locally) and couple of small rivers in Pirganj. Commercial fishery in
ponds is also becoming popular.
Major
Commercial centers are Pirganj, Chatra, Balua, Khalashpir, Vendabari,
Motherganjhat is big commercial area and Shanerhat. There are branches of
Sonali Bank in Pirganj, Chatra and Khalashpir. There are also branches of
Rashahi Krishi Bank in Pirganj, Rupali Bank in Vendabari, Agrani Bank in Shanerhat
and Janata Bank in Motherganj.
Natural
resources
Pirganj is
endowed with one of the largest coal discoveries in Bangladesh. The
high-quality coal deposit is located at a low depth near Khalashpir.
Road
communication
One can
travel from Dhaka to Pirganj by bus. Rangpur-bound buses start from Kallyanpur
in Dhaka. One should board in a Rangpur-bound bus and get dropped at Pirganj
bus station. It takes about six hours. Pirganj is about 60 kilometers towards
to the north from Bogra. It is on the way from Bogra to Rangpur (the distance
from Bogra to Rangpur is about 100 kilometers). The nearest airport is at
Saidpur, Nilphamari. Communication from Rangpur town is very easy. It takes
about 40 minutes by bus.
There have
been some improvements in road communication within Pirganj Upazila in the
recent years. All major commercial centers are connected by pacca roads.
One can start journey from Dhaperhat and have a circular trip covering Chatra,
Khalashpir, Vendabari, Baro Dargah, Shanerhat and Motherganj and come back to
Dhaperhat.
A bridge
name Wazed Mia Bridge on the river Karotoa near Kanchdah ghat in Pirganj has
been opened recently. The bridge has made the communication between Rangpur and
Dinajpur districts much easier.
Accommodation
Travelers
may not find good hotels/accommodations in Pirganj. Rangpur and Bogra, the
nearest large towns, have good accommodations for international and domestic
travelers.
News Site
pirganj24.com Is the first and Popular
online news site in Pirganj.
See also
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