Bhola District

Bhola District (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. 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. About 400 e6ft3 natural gas has been found at Kachia in Bhola which is being used to run a power station.

History
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.

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.

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

 * Bhola Island
 * Manpura Island
 * Dhal Char
 * Char Kukri Mukri
 * Char Jahiruddin
 * Char Nizam
 * Char nazeur Rahaman

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

Subdistricts
Bhola district comprises the following upazilas:

Demographics
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.

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.

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.

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. Notable schools and colleges are:

Colleges

 * Bhola Govt. College
 * Charfassion Govt. College.
 * Govt. Fazilatunnesa Women's College
 * Shahabajpur Govt. College
 * Daulatkhan Govt. Abu Abdullah College

Polytechnics

 * Bhola Polytechnic Institute
 * Bhola Govt. Technical School & College

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.

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.

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.

Points of interest

 * 1) Monpura char
 * 2) Char Kukri Mukri
 * 3) Deuli
 * 4) Dhal Char
 * 5) Manpura landing station
 * 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

 * Major Hafizuddin Ahmed (Bir Bikrom), politician and footballer
 * Tofail Ahmed, MP
 * Abdullah Al Islam Jakob, MP
 * Mostafa Kamal (Bir Sreshtho), freedom fighter in 1971
 * Andaleeve Rahman, MP
 * Mosharraf Hossain Shahjahan
 * Amir Jang Ghaznavi, footballer