Jamalganj Upazila

Jamalganj (জামালগঞ্জ, is an upazila of Sunamganj District in the Division of Sylhet, Bangladesh.

Etymology
According to the information provided by Zamindar Ekhlasur Rahman Chowdhury of Bhatipara in 1964, it comes from his ancestor Zamindar Jamal Faruqi. The two talukas of Jamalgarh and Jamalpur were named in memory of Jamal Faruqi after being purchased by the Bhatipara zamindars. Then when a new market competing with Sachna Bazar was established on the west bank of the river, it was named as Jamalganj (Marketplace of Jamal).

Geography
Jamalganj is located at 24.9833°N, 91.2333°W. It has 29,935 households and total area 309.38 km2. Jamalganj Upazila is bounded by Tahirpur and Bishwamvarpur upazilas on the north, Khaliajuri and Derai upazilas on the south, Sunamganj Sadar Upazila on the east, Mohanganj, Dharmapasha and Madhyanagar upazilas on the west. Main rivers are Nawa Gang, Baulai and Dhanu; Pakna Haor and Hail Haor are also notable. Patilachura, Pangna, Lamba, Baska, Chhatidhara and Kachma beels are noted.

Demographics
According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Jamalganj Upazila had 29,935 households and a population of 167,260. 51,398 (30.73%) were under 10 years of age. Jamalganj had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 32.46%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 977 females per 1000 males. 10,133 (6.06%) lived in urban areas.

As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Jamalganj has a population of 107,771. Males constitute 51.75% of the population, and females 48.25%. This Upazila's eighteen up population is 53158. Jamalganj has an average literacy rate of 20.1% (7+ years), and the national average of 32.4% literate.

Economy
The people of Jamalganj upazila live mainly on the basis of agricultural economy. There are many haors and rivers in Jamalganj. Many people make a living by fishing from open haors, especially during the rainy season. Besides, government revenue also comes from rivers, canals and beels. The Surma River flows along the middle of Jamalganj.

Administration
Jamalganj thana was established in 1940 and was turned into an upazila in 1984.

Jamalganj Upazila is divided into five union parishads: Beheli, Bhimkhali, Fenerbak, Jamalganj, and Sachnabazar. The union parishads are subdivided into 97 mauzas and 192 villages.

Jamalganj (Town) consists of 3 mouzas. It has an area of 11.58 km2. The town has a population of 14968; male 53.12%, female 46.88%; density of population is 1292 per km2. Literacy rate among the town people is 26.7%.Population 107771; male 51.75%, female 48.25%; Muslim 78.92%, Hindu 21.00%, Buddhist, Christian and others 0.08%.

Colleges

 * Jamalganj Govt. College, Jamalganj

Secondary schools

 * 9
 * Al-haj Jhunu Mia High School
 * 1 January 2010