Muktagachha Upazila

Muktagacha মুক্তাগাছা
—  Upazila  —
Muktagacha Location in Bangladesh
Coordinates: 24°45.5′N 90°16′E / 24.7583°N 90.267°E / 24.7583; 90.267Coordinates: 24°45.5′N 90°16′E / 24.7583°N 90.267°E / 24.7583; 90.267
Country	Bangladesh
Division	Dhaka Division
District	Mymensingh District
Area
– Total	314.71 km2 (121.5 sq mi)
Population (2008)
– Total	300,000 (approximately)
– Density	1,022/km2 (2,647/sq mi)
Time zone	BST (UTC+6)
Postal code	2210
Website	Official Map of Muktagacha

Muktagacha (Bengali: মুক্তাগাছা) is an Upazila of Mymensingh District in the Division of Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is known for sweets which are made there. It is also known for the Rajbari (a king's residence) which is currently used as an educational institute (college).

The History Behind The Name

The previous name of Muktagacha was Binodbari. When the Zamindars (kings) arrived from India, an inhabitant of the town, Muktaram Karmakar, presented them with a gold lamp-stand, locally called Gacha. This pleased the Zamindars. They wanted to acknowledge the present and show respect to Muktaram, so they renamed the town to Muktagacha. http://www.machizo.com/muktagacha/

Geography

Muktagacha is located at 24°45′30″N 90°16′00″E / 24.7583°N 90.2667°E / 24.7583; 90.2667 . It has 64044 units of house hold and total area 314.71 km². Muktagacha Rajbari Photo Album (photo:J.Alam)

Demographics

As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, [Muktagacha] has a population of 321,759. Males constitute to be 50.77% of the population, and females 49.23%. This Upazila's eighteen and up population is 160,859. Muktagacha has an average literacy rate of 22.9% (7+ years), and the national average of 32.4% literate.^[1]

Administration

Chairman: Advocate Badar Ahmed, from Awami League

Vice Chairman: Debashish Ghosh (Bap-pi), from Awami League

Woman Vice Chairman: Nazmun Nahar (Dilu), from [Bangladesh National Party]

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO): Nasrin Zahan

Administrative

Muktagacha has 10 Unions/Wards, 270 Mauzas/Mahallas, and 273 villages.

Cultural Activities

Muktagacha has always been a place to nourish the various cultural activities. The Zaminders of Muktagacha were always conscious of cultural activities. Raja Jagat Kishore Acharya Choudhury was a true patroner of culture. He brought famous cultural people like Ustad Alauddin Khan, Hafiz Ali Khan, Dabir Khan and many more famous people to Muktagacha. A lot of people are directly nourishing the field of culture. People here practice Rabindra Sangeet,Nazrul Sangeet,Kirtan, Lalon Geeti etc. In addition, various cultural activities are held around the year.

Religious activities

Muktagacha has a long tradition of being a peaceful land decorated with religious harmony. Both the Hindus and Muslims are of brotherly nature and live peacefully together.^{[citation needed]} Eid is celebrated with much grandeur. In this day, not only do the Muslims visit each others' home but the Hindus visit Muslims as well. People share many food items made at home. There sits many fairs, locally called Mela. "Durgapuja" is the main religious function of the Hindu community here. During "Durgapuja" the whole town takes a festive look. People of all community enjoy "Durgapuja". Devotees go from one Mandap to another to visit the Pratima of Goddess Durga. Besides these all other religious activities are peacefully observed.^{[citation needed]}

Major zamindaris of Mymensingh

• Mymensingh
• Susang
• Gouripur
• Ramgopalpur
• Kalipur

See also

• Upazilas of Bangladesh
• Districts of Bangladesh
• Divisions of Bangladesh

References

1. ^ "Population Census Wing, BBS.". Archived from the original on 2005-03-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20050327072826/http://www.bangladeshgov.org/mop/ndb/arpc91_v1/tables04.htm. Retrieved November 10, 2006.