Bhola District

Bhola
District of Bangladesh
Mangroves in Char Kukri-Mukri Wildlife Sanctuary
Mangroves in Char Kukri-Mukri Wildlife Sanctuary
Location of Bhola in Bangladesh
Location of Bhola in Bangladesh
Map
Expandable map of Bhola District
Coordinates: 22°41′24″N 90°39′09″E / 22.69°N 90.6525°E / 22.69; 90.6525
Country Bangladesh
DivisionBarisal Division
HeadquartersBhola
Government
 • Deputy CommissionerMohammad Toufik E-Lahi Chowdhury
Area
 • Total3,403.48 km2 (1,314.09 sq mi)
Population
 (2022)[1]
 • Total1,932,518
 • Density570/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+06:00 (BST)
Postal code
8300
HDI (2018)0.586[2]
medium · 16th of 21
Websitewww.bhola.gov.bd

Bhola District (Bengali: ভোলা) is an administrative district (zila) in south-central Bangladesh, which includes Bhola Island, the largest island of Bangladesh. It is located in the Barisal Division and has an area of 3,403.48 km2.[3] It is bounded by Lakshmipur and Barisal District to the north, the Bay of Bengal to the south, by Lakshmipur and Noakhali districts, the (lower) Meghna river and Shahbazpur Channel to the east, and by Patuakhali District and the Tetulia river to the west.[4] About 400 million cubic feet (11 million cubic metres) natural gas has been found at Kachia in Bhola which is being used to run a power station.[citation needed]

History

South Shahbajpur Island ( marked as DECCAN SHABAZPOUR l.) which is now Bhola in 1778 map by James Rennell

The previous name of Bhola district is Ashutosh. J. C. Jack stated in his "Bakerganj Gazetier" that the island started creating in 1235 and cultivation in this area started in 1300. In 1500, Portuguese and Mog pirates established their bases on this island. The Arakan and Mog pirates established their bases in the southern part of Shahbajpur also.

Shahbajpur was a part of Bakerganj district till 1822. At the beginning of 19th century, it became difficult to connect to the southern Shahjadpur from the district headquarter due to the expansion of Meghna River. Government then decided to include south Shahbajpur and Hatia in Noakhali District. Bhola was included in Noakhali till 1869. In 1869, it was included in Barisal District as a sub-division. In 1876, the administrative headquarter was moved from Daulatkhan to Bhola. In 1984, it was established as a district.[5]

Etymology

The canal situated in the Bhola Sadar was very wide in ancient times. The canal was known as Betua river. People used boat to cross the river. There was a very old boatman who used to cross the river daily. His name was Bhola Gazi Patni. The name of the district is derived from the name of this famous boatman, Bhola Gazi. The other sub-districts of this districts are also named according to the names of famous persons as well.[5]

Geography

Bhola is a delta island. There are two rivers in this district which are Meghna and Tetulia. Meghna is in east and north side of the district and Tetulia is in the west side. Bay of Bengal is in the south of Bhola district.

Islands

Administration

There are five municipalities, 7 sub-districts, 10 thanas, 70 unions and 473 villages in this district.[3]

Subdistricts

Bhola district comprises the following upazilas:[3]

Name of Sub-district union area (km2) population
Bhola Sadar Upazila 13 413.16 430,520
Daulatkhan Upazila 9 316.99 168,567
Burhanuddin Upazila 9 284.67 233,860
Tazumuddin Upazila 5 512.92 126,940
Lalmohan Upazila 9 396.24 283,889
Char Fasson Upazila 21 1440.04 456,437
Manpura Upazila 3 373.19 76,582

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1974 959,768—    
1981 1,170,262+2.87%
1991 1,476,328+2.35%
2001 1,703,117+1.44%
2011 1,776,795+0.42%
2022 1,932,518+0.77%
Sources:[1][6]

According to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh, Bhola District had 449,057 households and a population of 1,932,518. 427,671 (22.13%) were under 10 years of age. The population density was 568 people per km2. Bhola district had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 67.30%, compared to the national average of 74.80%, and a sex ratio of 1041 females per 1000 males. 27.65% of the population lived in urban areas.[1]

Religions in Bhola district (2022)[1]
Religion Percent
Islam
 
 97.11%
Hindus
 
 2.87%
Other or not stated
 
 0.02%
Religion in present-day Bhola district[a]
Religion Population (1941)[7]: 100–101  Percentage (1941) Population (2022)[1] Percentage (2022)
Islam 463,403 86.44% 1,876,690 97.11%
Hinduism 72,638 13.55% 55,532 2.87%
Others [b] 76 0.01% 296 0.02%
Total Population 536,117 100% 1,932,518 100%

The overwhelming majority of residents are Muslims and there are 2391 mosques, 130 temples and 14 church in this district. The Hindu population has continuously reduced in number from 1991 onwards, when it hit a high of 96,005 people, and stands at less than 61,162 people as of 2011. The district has had the sharpest decline in Hindu population out of all districts in Bangladesh.[3]

Economy

80% of the total people living here are fisherman. Main source of income of this district are: Agriculture 63.64%, non-agricultural labourer 4.95%, industry 0.50%, commerce 12.67%, transport and communication 2.47%, service 5.74%, construction 1.55%, religious service 0.35%, rent and remittance 0.44% and others 7.69%. There is no major industry in this district due to its geographical location. In recent times, small factories like shoe, plastics, wax, tar etc. have been established here.[8]

Education

The literacy rate of Bhola district is 67.12% (according to bangladesh.gov.bd). The literacy rate among the male population is 67.03% and the female population is 67.20%. There are 3 government and 34 non-government colleges, 6 government and 174 non-government high schools, 84 junior high schools, one PTI, one VTI, 9 technical schools, 922 government primary schools, and 32 community primary schools in Bhola. There are 103 Kowmi madrasa, 460 ebtedai madrasa, 171 dakhil madrasa, 28 alim madrasa, 29 fazil madrasa and 5 kamil madrasa in Bhola.[9] Notable schools and colleges are:

Bhola Government College main gate

Colleges

Colleges Polytechnic

Health

There is 1 modern government hospital, 6 government health complexes, 1 Tuberculosis clinic, 1 mother and child care, 1 diabetic hospital, 276 satellite clinics and 2 government child care in this district.[10]

Transportation

There is no railways and airport in this district and no direct connection to the capital by road. Waterways are the main medium of transportation. Launch, steamer and sheep are used for transportation. Bhola is 195 km away from Dhaka by waterways and 247 km away by road. Total area of rivers is 1133.46 km2. Total length of road is 3893.65 km, concrete road is 3001.8 km and dirt road is 899.85 km.

Major launch services are M.V Greenline 1&2 M.V Bhola, Tasrif, Shompod, Srinagar, Karnaphuli, Balia, M.V Parijaat and Lali. Depending on season, different class of ships operate from Bhola to Lakhshmipur connecting west and east side of Bangladesh across mighty Meghna river. During calm winter seasons small ships and speedboats are available all day long from the Ilisha port, but during monsoon, heavy coastal ships like M.V Parijaat and Sea-tricks are the only means of crossing Meghna. The condition of internal travels is very good. Road transportation is available between the sub-districts. Sea-truck is used for travelling Monpura sub-district.[11]

Members of the 11th parliament

The district is divided into four parliamentary constituencies. In the 2018 general election, the Awami League won all four seats.[12]

Member Seat Party
Tofail Ahmed Bhola-1 Awami League
Ali Azam Bhola-2 Awami League
Nurunnabi Chowdhury Bhola-3 Awami League
Abdullah Al Islam Jakob Bhola-4 Awami League

Points of interest

  1. Monpura char[13]
  2. Char Kukri Mukri[13]
  3. Deuli[13]
  4. Dhal Char[13]
  5. Manpura landing station[13]
  6. Taruia Seabeach
  7. Sojib Wazed Joy digital Park
  8. Sahabazpur gas field
  9. Jakob Tower
  10. Nizam-Hasina Foundation Mosque
  11. Tulatuli

Notable residents

Notes

  1. ^ Bhola subdivision of Bakerganj district
  2. ^ Including Jainism, Christianity, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Ad-Dharmis, or not stated

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bhola District.
  1. ^ a b c d e Population and Housing Census 2022 National Report (PDF). Vol. 1. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. November 2023.
  2. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  3. ^ a b c d Md Sakhaowat Hossain (2012). "Bhola District". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  4. ^ "Bhola District Information". Amardesh. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
  5. ^ a b "Background of district". Bangladesh national portal. Archived from the original on 2019-11-04. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
  6. ^ "Bangladesh Population & Housing Census-2011, Zila Report: Bhola" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  7. ^ "Census of India, 1941 Volume VI Bengal Province" (PDF). Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Business in District". Bangladesh national portal. Archived from the original on 2019-11-11. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
  9. ^ "District at a glance". Bangladesh national portal. Archived from the original on 2019-12-02. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
  10. ^ "District at a glance". Bangladesh national portal.
  11. ^ "Transportation of district". Bangladesh national portal.
  12. ^ "List of members of the 11th parliament". Bangladesh Parliament.
  13. ^ a b c d e দর্শনীয় স্থান [Tourist spots]. Bangladesh National Portal (in Bengali).
  14. ^ a b c প্রখ্যাত ব্যক্তিত্ব [Famous person]. Bangladesh National Portal.
  15. ^ Tipu, Shah Mateen (23 August 2020). "ভোলার কিংবদন্তি ফুটবলার গজনবীর কথা" [About Bhola's legendary footballer Ghaznavi]. bdmetronews24.com (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
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