Bogra District Election Information

All Basic Information about Bogra District

Bogra is an ancient district and the gateway to entrance in the northern part of Bangladesh. In the primitive history of mythology, Bogra has occupied an important role. The previous name of the region was “Pundabardhan”. The ancient capital of Pundra dynasty named Pundrabardhan is the current Bogra. During the 4^Th to 12^Th century the administrative centre point of the ancient dynasties of Maurja, Gupta, Paul, Sen etc were in the region. Bogra came under the Muslim rule when Ikhtiar Uddin Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji conquered Nadia in 1204. During 1279- 1282 AD, Sultan Nasiruddin Bagra Khan, the second son of Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban who was the emperor of Delhi became the ruler of the region. Bogra was named after him. The anti British movement, Fakir-Sannyasi movement, the Indigo Rebellion etc are the remarkable chapters of the region. During the British East India Company period, Bogra district was established containing 9 police stations in 1821. After the liberation of Bangladesh, Bogra district was divided into two districts named Bogra and Joypurhat in 1983.

Bordered By: Bogra District is bordered by Gaibandha and Joypurhatdistricts to the north, Sirajganj and Natore districts to the south, Jamalpurdistrict and the Jamuna River to the east, Naogaon and Natore district to the west.

Agro Products: Sugarcane, Tobacco, Paddy, Jute, Vegetables etc.

Remarkable Personalities from Bogra District

Major Ziaur Ziaur Rahaman( Politician), Noresh Chandra Sen Gupta, Bulbul Chowdhury, Akhtaruzzaman Ilias (Writer), Sadot Ali Akhondo (Literate Personality), Azizul Hoque (Poet), Enamul Hoque (Writer), Lutfar Rahaman Sarker, Sayad Anower Hossain, Chowdhury Mohammad Ali (Politician), Aminul Karim Dulal (Fine Artist), Anjuma Ara Begum (Singer), Khandaker Faruque Ahmed, Gaziul Hoque (Language Fighter), M. R. Akhter Mukul etc.

Famous Tourist Attractions in Bogra District

Nawabbari, Kherua Mosque, Mohastangor, Shila Debir Hat, Behula – Luxindor er Bashor Ghor, Vasu Bihar, Bhabani Temple, Graveyard of Shah Sultan Balkhi (R), Bhabanipur Shib Mondir Kherua Mosque in Sherpur, Mohammad Ali Palace, Groan Barrage in Sariakandi, Wonderland etc.

Historical Information of Bogra District

History of the War of Liberation On 29 March 1971 the students and the general people of Bogra under Capt. Gias killed 23 Pak soldiers and destroyed 3 military vehicles. On 4 April, the Pak army killed 16 members of the Bamacharan Mozumder family at Maidanhatta of Shibganj upazila. On 11 April, the Pak army killed Manmatha Chandra Kundu including 8 other members of his family. In the middle of April 1971 a number of freedom fighters looted about 4 crore taka from the State Bank of Pakistan at Jaleshwaritala of Bogra Sadar and deposited the fund to the exchequer of the mujibnagar government to meet the cost of the war of liberation. One person was killed when the Pak army attacked Dhunat police station. Three Bangalis were killed when the Pak air force bomed on Bogra sadar on 23 April 1971 while the Pak army entered Bogra Town with artillery. During this time 20 Pak soldiers and 150 Bangalis were killed in resistance movement and guerrilla attacks. On 25 April the Pak army captured 32 persons from Baghra Colony of Sherpur upazila and shot 25 of them dead at Itkhola mass killing site. On 26 April the Pak army killed 300 persons at a place adjacent to the Ghoga Bridge, 33 persons at Elangi Bandar of Dhunat upazila. They also caused serious damages to the properties of the bandar. On the same day the Pak army killed 26 persons at villages Darimukanda. Five police sepoys' lost their life when the Pak army attacked Dhunat thana on 27 April. On 28 April the Pak army conducted mass killing at village Baman of Nandigram upazila and killed 157 persons. They also shot 3 persons dead at Sonatala rail station bazar. In the first week of May the Pak army killed more than 100 persons at village Kallani of Sherpur upazila and on 4 May they also killed 3 persons at Kalerpara union of Dhunat upazila. An encounter between the freedom fighters and the Pak army was held on 16 August at village Ramchandrapur of Sariakandi in which 5 Pak soldiers, one police sub-inspector and a number of rajakars were killed. On 6 May the Pak army shot 3 persons dead at a bazar near Sonatala Bandar. In the third week of August the freedom fighters destroyed a bridge at Sariakandi. At a distance from the bridge 6 Pak soldiers including one officer were killed by mine explosion. The freedom fighters killed 6 police personnel at Fulbarighat on their way to Sariakandi from Bogra on 4 September. On 7 September the Pak army killed 17 persons of Dhunat upazila and buried them in a mass grave near the Dhunat police station. A number of Pak soldiers were killed in an encounter between the freedom fighters and the Pak army at village Tajurpara on 19 September. The Pak army killed a number of people at villages Narchi and Ganakpara on 20 September. They also killed 14 persons and buried them in a mass grave at Bibirpukur of Shajahanpur upazila on 11 November. Two freedom fighters were killed in an encounter with the Pak army in Sariakandi upazila on 28 November. The freedom fighters attacked Sariakandi police station in which 18 Pak soldiers and rajakars were killed. In this encounter 3 freedom fighters lost their life. In an encounter between the freedom fighters and the Pak army on 6 December, 3 Pak soldiers and 2 rajakars were killed in Dhunat. One freedom fighter was killed in a direct encounter with the Pak army at village Panchpir Saralpur of Shibganj upazila.

Marks of the War of Liberation Mass grave 5 (Padmapukur near Talore Dhupchanchia Road, Bibir Pukur of Shajahanpur, Baman Gram of Nandigram upazila, Hariakandi of Sonatala, near Dhunat Police Station); mass killing site 1 (at Baghra Colony of Sherpur upazila), memorial monument 3 (Kahaloo High School premises, Adamdighi Shashanghat (cremation centre), Dhunat martyr memorial).

Literacy rate and educational institutions Average literacy 42.9%; male 48% female 37.5%. Noted educational institutions: Sheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College (1992), Government Azizul Huq College (1939), Bogra Zila School (1853), Bogra Govt. Girls' High School (1869), Kahaloo High School (1873), Sonatola Pilot High School (1908), Adamdighi High School (1918), Gosaibari AA High School (1918), Talora Altaf Ali High School (1918), Dupchachia Pilot Girls' High School (1923), Shibganj Pilot High School (1931), Dupchachia Pilot High School (1944), Nawkhila Government Primary School (1901), Devdanga Government Primary School (1903), Chagaldhara Government Primary School (1904), Sariakandi Government Model Primary School (1905), Hatfulbari Government Primary School (1905), Kajla Government Primary School (1905), Sondabari Darul Hadis Rahmania Madrasa (1700), Government Mostafabia Alia Madrasa (1925).

Main sources of income Agriculture 57.32%, non-agircultural labourer 2.39%, industry 1.72%, commerce 13.63%, transport and communication 4.62%, service 7.66%, construction 4.59%, religious service 0.17%, rent and remittance 0.63% and others 7.24%.

Newspapers and periodicals Dailies: Karatoya, Satmatha, Durjoy' Bangla, Aaj O Aagamikal, Chandnibazar, Uttarkon, Bogra, Uttaranchal, Muktabarta, Uttarbarta; weeklies: Aajker Sherpur, Pancha Nadir Teere, Natun, Durjoy, Sahittya, Tarunnys; Defunct: Sonatola Batra, Brittya.

Folk Culture Jarigan, Marfati, Bhatiali, Kavigan, Kirtan, Jatra pala, Meyeli geet, proverbs, puzzles are notable.

Tourist spots Kherua Mosque (Sherpur), ramnants of the historic mahasthanGarh, Bara Mosque, Mazar of Shah Sultan Balkhi, Mazar of Panchpir, Gokul Medh, palace of Parshuram, Basu Bihara, Palli Unnayan Academy, Saudia Parkcity, Bhimer Jangle, museum of Nawab Bari Palace, Karu Palli, Wonderland Shishupark (children park), Shanewaz Shishubagan, Woodburn Park, Dreshtinandan Park, Bijayangan (war of liberation museum). [Md Nazmul Haq]

References Bangladesh Population Census 2001, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics; Cultural survey report of zila and upazilas of Bogra district.

Bogra From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bogra (Bengali: বগুড়া) is a city of Bogra District, Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh. It is the centre of commerce and trade within Bogra District. Bogra is sometimes described as the nerve centre of Northern Bangladesh, it is also a bridge between Rajshahi Division and Rangpur Division. The area of the city is approximately 26.86 km² (10.37 sq mi), and Present Mayor of the municipality is Adv. Mahabubar Rahman, The Bogra city Area Covers a Population of 2,66,930 people. It consists of 21 wards. Among many notable activities, it has been hostingcricket test matches in Shaheed Chandu Stadium. Bogra is also the battle of honour of a number of crucial operations fought by the guerillas under BDF Sector 7 of and Bengal Regiment's of the newly formed Bangladesh Army with Pakistani army here during the Bangladesh war of independence in 1971.

Bogra District Map

Bogra city also has an importance in terms of transport in northern Bangladesh, as it's situated at the centre. Very close to the city there is a place called Mahasthangarh which was the earliest capital city of Bangladesh, formerly known as Pundravardhana. This place is considered to be sacred by Buddhists and Hindus alike, and is visited by tourists from all over Bangladesh throughout the year.

Former Diplomat and Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Bogra was born in Bogra.

 

Bogra Satmatha

History[

The history declares it the oldest city of Bengal in the Great Emperor Ashoka's India. He conquered the Bengal (Bongo) and founded this old city called Pundra Bardhan. It was famously written in famous ancient travelers of that time^{[citation needed]}. An ancient engraved stone believed to be of Gupta era was discovered from the bank of a pond near Sura Masjid at Ghoraghat Upazila in Dinajpur in October 2008.

Mohastan Gor

During the Bangladesh War of Independence, the area witnessed a fierce battle - Battle of Bogra - between the guerrilla units of the BDFunder Sector 7 which defeated the Pakistan Army.

Geography

Ramparts of Mahasthangarh citadel, few miles away from Bogra town

The 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica described Bogra as such:

"Bogura is a town and district in the Rajshahi division of north eastern Bangladesh. The town is situated on the right bank of the riverKaratoya. The present District of Bogura, was first formed in 1821. It contains an area of 1,359 sq mi (3,520 km²). In 1901, the population of the town was 7,094 and the district (on a reduced area) was 854,533, showing an increase of 11% in the decade. The district stretches out in a level plain, intersected by numerous streams and dotted with patches of jungle. The Karatoya flows from north to south, dividing it into two portions, possessing very distinct characteristics. The eastern tract consists of rich alluvial soil, well watered, and subject to fertilizing inundations, yielding heavy crops of coarse rice, oil-seeds and jute. The western portion of the district is high-lying and produces the finer qualities of rice.

The principal rivers are formed by the different channels of the Brahmaputra, which river here bears the local names of the Konai, the Daokoba and the Jamuna, the last forming a portion of the eastern boundary of the district. Its bed is studded with alluvial islands. The Brahmaputra and its channels, together with three minor streams, the Bangali, Karatoya and Atrai, afford admirable facilities for commerce, and render every part of the district accessible to native cargo boats of large burden. The rivers swarm with fish. The former production of indigo is extinct, and the industry of silk-spinning is decaying. There is no town with as many as 10,000 inhabitants, trade being conducted at riverside marts. Nor are there any metaled roads. Several lines of railway (the Eastern Bengal, &c.), however, serve the district."^[1]

Of course much has changed since 1911. Now paved roads exist in the town, for example, and the population exceeds 300 thousand.^[2]

Economy

As of 2009, there has been a significant development in town infrastructure. with new advanced urban planning. The town roads have been restructured and widened and telecommunications have greatly improved within the city. Gas connection through buried pipes has been set up. As of 2009, red chili production in Bogra has taken a large shape, for which many companies like Square, Acme, BD Food are collecting chili from as many as 12 centers of Bogra. The business turnover has crossed 1 billion.^[3] Often Bogra is also called the town of Banks with online banking facilities, credit cards, debit cards, money gram; most of the banks of Bangladesh have at least one or more branches in this town, some times also in the villages. Banking in Bogra has significantly expanded with the branch of Govt banks such as the Bangladesh bank (Central bank), Sonali Bank, Rupali Bank, Janata Bank, Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, Bangladesh Development Bank Ltd., Uttara Bank Ltd, Agrani bank, on the other hand expansion of private and specialized banks like Pubali Bank, National Bank, IFIC bank Ltd., Citi Bank Ltd., AB Bank Ltd., Eastern Bank, Bangladesh Small Industries and Commerce Bank, Prime Bank, Al Arafa Islami Bang Ltd., Export Import Bank of Bangladesh Ltd., Dhaka Bank, United Commercial bank Ltd., National Credit & Commerce Bank Ltd. (NCC), Bank Asia Ltd., SouthEast Bank Ltd., One Bank, Islami Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Premier bank, Dutch Bangla Bank, Social Islami Bank Ltd., BRAC Bank, Standard Bank Ltd., Shahjalal Bank, First Security bank Ltd., Bangladesh Commerce Bank Ltd., Mercantile Bank are among the main banks in the town and rural areas of Bogra district. You can see lots of 24 hours ATM (Automated teller machine) boots with security guards, logo of money transfer, American Express Cards (AMEX), VISA Credit Cards, Master Cards, VISA debit cards almost every where in the town. Many of the branches are also permitted to open Foreign Currency account for Import, Export and Travel expense related matter.

Furthermore, There are many IT and software, technology and computer services companies in Bogra and more companies are launching business here.^[4] Grameen Group and Groupe Danone, a French company, entered into a joint venture named Grameen Danone and set up a yogurt project in Bogra in 2008.

Bogra is also home to the Western Wing of Bangladesh Highway Police.^[5] The project aims to produce 500,000 pots of yogurt by the end of 2009. Bogra is home to country's largest foundry industry. Irrigation pump, tube-well and other metal castings produced in Bogra are exported to West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Bhutan and the amount of export is increasing.^[6] Most of the city's workforce is involved in agriculture (29.95%), agricultural (12.53%), commerce (18.11%), service (15.62%), transport (6.66%), wage laborer (2.2%) and others (14.93%).^[7]

Tourism

Mahasthangarh, the earliest urban archaeological site so far discovered in Bangladesh is located in Bogra. The village Mahasthan in Shibganj thana of Bogra District contains the remains of an ancient city which was called Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura in the territory of Pundravardhana.^[8][9][10] This place is considered to be sacred by Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus alike.^[11] "Behular Bashor Ghar" which is very near to Mahasthangar is a popular place for the tourists. Tourists from all over Bangladesh visit this place throughout the year. Nawab Palace (called Neelkuthi during the British period) and Jaina Temple are two eminent archaeological sights located in Bogra. 4 star hotel, Hotel Naz Garden, is situated at the heart of Bogra city.^[12][13]

Culture

Bogra has a strong cultural affinity to Baul, Marfati, Lalon and Sufi music.^[14] There are a number of local newspapers and journals in Bogra. The Daily Bangladesh (one of the oldest published newspaper in the country, just after the liberation war of 1971), The Daily Koratoa, The Daily Bogra, The Daily Chandni-Bazar, The Daily Uttaranchal, The Mukto Barta, The Sokaler Anan-Do, The Daily Aaj-O-Agamikal, The Daily Uttarkon, The Daily Uttarbarta, The Daily Mahasthan-Gar are among the main local newspapers.

Education

Bogra contains numerous educational institutes. Bogra Zilla School is the most famous among them. Established in 1853, Bogra Zila School is situated at the centre of town. Bogra Cantonment Public School & College, claimed to be one of the leading educational institutions in Bogra, is located in Majhira Cantonment. Bogra also houses the Government Girls' High School (famous as Victoria Memorial or VM School). Bogra also houses a large English medium school & college in the North Bengal region named Millennium Scholastic School & College, which was established in 1998. There are many other schools such as B.I.A.M. Model School and College, Yakubia Girls High School, S.O.S., Y.M.C.A., Coronation Institution & College, Pouro Bangla School, Pre-Cadet School, and Bhandari Girls' School. Other special schools are the Seventh-Day Adventist-Missionary Church and Seminary of Bangladesh, the Adventist International Mission School (A.I.M.S.), a privately organized educational organization by the Turkish, the International Turkish Hope School (Bogra Branch) are among the best English Medium Schools in the town which offer education in English medium leading to IGCSE GCE Ordinary Level and GCE Advanced Level exams.

The Govt. Azizul Haque University College is one of the best and largest educational institutions in the northern part of the country. Students from this college got very good results under the National University. Other higher educational colleges are the Govt.Shah-Sultan College and Govt. Mujibur Rahman Women's College (which was founded by a prominent industrialist Mujibur Rahman Bhandari). Bogra College, Police Lines High School & College, and Armed Police Battalion School & College are also among the good educational institutions in the town.Bangladesh Open University (University of Distance Education) also has a campus in Banani area having class in the Shah Sultan College every weekend. Following the National Curriculum in Technical education are National Academy for Computer Training and Research NACTAR, Bogra Polytechnic institute and Bangladesh Institute of Information Technology (BIIT), Bogra. They are claimed to be some of the best polytechnic institutes in the town. Bogra is also the home of V.T.T.I. (Vocational Teachers Training Institute), P.T.I. (Primary Training Institute) and Govt T.T.C. for technical education.

A very large medical college and hospital named Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital, equipped with many advanced facilities has been started in 1992 by the BNP Govt.Govt. Nursing Institute and College, Govt. Medical Institute, Govt. Medical Assistant Training School (MATS) are also some of the medical schools in the town. Following the syllabus of theState Medical Faculty of Bangladesh under the Ministry of Health & Family Planning and Directorate of Health, the "Janata Institute of Medical Technology", JIMT established in the year 2000 is the oldest private Diploma Medical Institute outside of the Dhaka city is also located in Bogra town providing a four-year diploma course.