Mirzaganj Upazila

Mirzaganj (মির্জাগঞ্জ) is an upazila of Patuakhali District in the Division of Barisal, Bangladesh.

History
At the initial stage of the War of Liberation in 1971 a large number of youths were given military training in the training centre at village Deuli of this upazila. In an encounter between the Pakistani army and the local freedom fighters on the outskirts of Mirzaganj, 32 freedom fighters lost their lives causing heavy casualties to the enemy.

Geography
Mirzaganj is located at 22.3625°N, 90.2417°W. It has 28,205 households and a total area of 167.18 km2.

Demographics
According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Mirzaganj Upazila had 28,205 households and a population of 121,716. 26,017 (21.38%) were under 10 years of age. Mirzaganj has a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 59.39%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 1053 females per 1000 males. 22,406 (18.41%) lived in urban areas.

According to the 2001 Bangladesh census, Mirzaganj had a population of 118,054. Males constituted 50.06% of the population, and females 49.94%. The population aged 18 or over was 56,446. Average literacy rate is 42.1%; male 48.6%, female 35.6%.

Economy
Rudimentary Farming

Main crops
Paddy, sweet potato, lentil, chilli, sesame, linseed, ground nut etc.

Extinct and nearly extinct crops
Tobacco, jute and sugarcane.

Main fruits
Mango, jackfruit, banana, futi, watermelon.

Main exports
Banana, lentil, chili, rice.

Administration
Mirzaganj thana was established in 1812 and was turned into an upazila in 1983.

Mirzaganj Upazila is divided into Mirzaganj Municipality and six union parishads: Amragachia, Deuli Subidkhali, Kakrabunia, Madhabkhali, Majidbaria, and Mirzaganj. The union parishads are subdivided into 68 mauzas and 73 villages.

Education
There are five colleges in the upazila. They include Howlader Foundation Women's College, founded in 2015, Akhtar Hossain Choudhury Memorial Degree College, founded in 2002, Kismotpur Delowar Hossain Degree College, Mojidbaria Degree Sollege, Subidkhali Degree College (1972), and Subidkhali Mahila College (2000).