Muktagacha Upazila

Muktagacha (মুক্তাগাছা) is an upazila of Mymensingh District in the Division of Mymensingh, Bangladesh. It is known for sweets which are made here, called "Monda". It is also known for the Rajbari of Brahmin family (a Zamindar's residence) which is currently used as an educational institute, Shahid Shrity College.

Etymology
The previous name of Muktagacha was Binodbari. When the Zamindars (kings) arrived from Natore, 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.

Geography
Muktagacha is located at 24.7583°N, 90.2667°W. It has a total area of 314.70 km2. It is bounded by Jamalpur Sadar upazila of Jamalpur district to the northwest, Mymensingh Sadar upazila to the northeast, Fulbaria upazila to the south and Madhupur upazila of Tangail district to the west.

Demographics
According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Muktagacha Upazila had 96,657 households and a population of 415,473. 105,514 (25.40%) were under 10 years of age. Muktagacha has a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 43.5%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 1011 females per 1000 males. 49,915 (12.01%) lived in urban areas.

Arts and culture


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 patron of culture. He brought cultural people like Ustad Alauddin Khan, Hafiz Ali Khan, Dabir Khan and others to Muktagacha. People here practice Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet, Kirtan, Lalon Geeti etc. In addition, various cultural activities are held around the year. The artist association of Muktagacha is Aymon Tirer Shillpy Somaj' according to the name of Aymon River''.

Administration
Muktagachha Thana was formed in 1961 and it was turned into an upazila in 1983. Muktagachha Municipality was formed in 1875.

Muktagacha Upazila is divided into Muktagacha Municipality and ten union parishads: Basati, Borogram, Daogaon, Dulla, Ghoga, Kashimpur, Kheruajani, Kumargata, Mankon, and Tarati. The union parishads are subdivided into 261 mauzas and 283 villages.

Muktagacha Municipality is subdivided into 9 wards and 21 mahallas.

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. Eid is celebrated with much grandeur and devotion. In this day, not only the Muslims visit each other's home but also the Hindus also visit Muslim homes as well. People share many food items and gifts to mark the occasion. Many fairs, locally called Mela, are held for weeks. Durga Puja is the main religious festival of the Hindu community here. During Durga Puja the whole town takes a festive look. People of all community enjoy the Puja holiday. Devotees and visitors go from one pandal to another to see the idols of Goddess Durga. On the day of Bijoyadashami, the idols are carried out in long processions and then immersed into nearby water bodies. Besides these all other religious activities are peacefully observed. There is a 200-year-old twin Shiva Temple just outside the zamindar-house where Durga Puja is also celebrated.

Major zamindaris of Mymensingh

 * Susanga (Maharaja) (3rd in the Order of Precedence in the Government House of Calcutta before 1947)
 * Ramgopalpur(raja)
 * Ratanpur (nawab)
 * Gouripur (Babu)
 * Kalipur (Babu)
 * Malotipur (Babu)

Schools and colleges
Schools  Colleges
 * 1) Muktagacha RK Govt. High School
 * 2) NN Girls High School
 * 3) Nabarun Bidyaniketan
 * 4) Hamida Sultana Girls High School
 * 5) Montola High School
 * 6) Armed Batalian High School
 * 7) Gabtali High School
 * 8) Chachua High School
 * 9) Bahenga Govt. Primary School
 * 10) Mogaltula Secondary School
 * 1) Govt. Shahid Smriti College
 * 2) Muktagacha Mahabidyaloy
 * 3) Hazi Kashem Ali Degree College
 * 4) Gabtali Degree College
 * 5) Mymensingh Physical Education College

Banks in Muktagacha

 * 1) Bank Asia Limited
 * 2) Sonali Bank Limited
 * 3) Rupali Bank Limited
 * 4) Janata Bank Limited
 * 5) Agrani Bank Limited
 * 6) Pubali Bank Limited
 * 7) National Bank Limited
 * 8) Brac Bank Limited
 * 9) Southeast Bank Limited
 * 10) Islami Bank Limited
 * 11) Bangladesh Krishi Bank Limited
 * 12) Dutch Bangla Bank Limited
 * 13) Karmasangsthan Bank
 * 14) Grameen Bank