Sherpur District

Sherpur District (শেরপুর জেলা, Sherpur Jela also Sherpur Zila) is a district in Northern Bangladesh. It is a part of Mymensingh Division. Sherpur District was a sub-division of Jamalpur District before 1984. It was upgraded to a district on February 22, 1984. Sherpur City is located about 197-199 km north of Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh.

Etymology
The name "Sherpur" can't be found in ancient history. In ancient times, Sherpur was called Gara Jaripara. During the rules of emperor Akbar, this area was called Dash Kahonia Baju (At present Daskahonia named a village under 2 no Charsherpur union). The previous name of Old Brahmaputra river in this area was Louhitto Sagar which was situated in a vast area from the south border of Sherpur municipality to Jamalpur Ghat. The people of this area had to pay 10 kahon coins to the leaseholders as an annual tax for travelling in the river. "Dash" means ten and "Kahon" is a unit of measure for counting which means 128 pieces. From this event, this area was called as "Dash Kahonia".

During the Nawabi period in Bangla, the last landlord of Gazi clan, Sher Ali Gazi occupied and reigned this area independently. From then, the name of this area was changed from "Dash Kahonia" to Sherpur according to the name of the ruler, Sher Ali Gazi.

History
Sherpur region was on the southwest frontier of the kingdom of the Kamarupa in the ancient time. It was once ruled by Hindu king Dalip Samant and eventually became part of the Mughal Empire's Bengal Subah. The region was occupied by the Gazi landlords during Mughal period. Fakir-Sannyasi Revolts were held against the East India Company and the local zamindars from the time of Warren Hastings to Lord Cornwallis. Tipu Shah, leader of the Pagalpanthi Movement, declared sovereignty in the area and established his capital at Gajaripa. Peasant conferences were held in 1906, 1914 and 1917 at Kamarer Char of Sherpur under the leadership of Khos Muhammad Chowdhury. The communists revolted against the systems of Nankar, Tonk, Bhawali, Mahajani, Ijaradari during 1838–48 in Sherpur. In 1897 a devastating earthquake changed the main flow of the Brahmaputra to go to the Jamuna and severely reduced the flow in the Old Brahmaputra. It also caused serious damage to many old buildings.

During the non-cooperation movement in 1971 declared by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a war committee was formed in this district. Sherpur played an important role by training the freedom fighters led by the war committee.

Geography
Sherpur District covers a area of 1359.87 sq km, located in between 24°18' and 25°18' north latitudes and in between 89°53' and 90°91' east longitudes.

It is bounded on the north by India, on the east by Mymensingh district, on the south and west by Jamalpur district. The main rivers of Sherpur District are Bramhaputra, Kongsho and Vogai. Malijhi, Shomeshwari, Nitai, Maharoshi are some minor rivers of this district. Ceramic soil is the main natural resource of this district. The annual average temperature of this district varies from maximum 33.3 °C to minimum 12 °C.The annual rainfall is 2174 mm.

Administration

 * Deputy Commissioner (DC): Sahela Akter
 * Administrator of Zila Porishod: Md.Humayun Kabir Ruman
 * Mayor of Sherpur Municipality: Golam Kibriya Liton

The district consists of 5 upazilas (sub-districts), 52 unions, 458 mauzas, 695 villages, 4 municipalities, 36 wards and 99 mahallas. The upazilas are:

Demographics
According to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh, Sherpur District had 396,149 households and a population of 1,501,853. 300,674 (20.02%) were under 10 years of age. The population density was 1101 people per km2. Sherpur District had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 63.70%, compared to the national average of 74.80%, and a sex ratio of 1050 females per 1000 males. 24.64% of the population lived in urban areas. Ethnic population was 11,082 (0.74%), mainly Garo, Koch and Hajong.

In 2011, Muslims are the largest population with 96.70%, while Hindus are the largest minority with 2.57%. There was a small minority of Christians, mostly Garo. 16,231 (1.19%) were from ethnic minorities, mainly Garo.

Education
The literacy rate of this district is 78.6%. The number of educational institutions of this district are government colleges 3, non-government colleges 16, government high schools 3, non-government high schools 146, junior high schools 27, government primary schools 358, non-government primary schools 146, madrasahs 292, agricultural training institutes 1, nursing training institutes 1, vocational training institutes 1.

Health
The numbers of health centers of this district are District Sadar Hospital 1, Upazila Health Complex 5, Health and Family Planning Centre 52, Diabetic Centre 1, Maternity and Child Welfare Centre 1, Tuberculosis Satellite Centre 1, Leprosy Satellite Centre 1, Mission Hospital 1, Gana Sastha Centre 2, Safe Community Programme 1, Satellite Clinic 17, TB Clinic 1, Non-Government Clinic 2.

Economy
The economy of Sherpur is mainly agricultural and trading based, although non-farm economic activities performing a substantial share in the development oriented program of the district. Majority of the population are traders and farmers. Out of total 335,460 holdings of the district, 60.12% holdings are farms that produce varieties of crops namely local and HYV rice, wheat, jute, mustard, potato, pulses, different kinds of vegetables, tobacco and others. They are also involved in trading and other business activities. Various fruits like banana, mango, black berry, coconut, betel nut, date, jackfruit, palm, jambura, bel, papaya, boroi, Monkey fruit, ataphal, salita etc. are grown. Fish of different varieties are abound in this district and as in other parts of the country. Varieties of fish are caught from rivers, tributary channels and creeks. The popular fresh water fishes comprise ruhi, catla, mrigel, kalbaus, chital, boal, airh, pangas, gazar, shoul, pabda, koi, shing, phali, bele, tengra etc. Besides, newly introduced exotic varieties of fishers are tilapia, nilotica, silver carp, grass carp etc. Besides crops, livestock and fishery are the main source of household income. Non-agricultural activities also play an important role in the economy of the district.

Media
SherpurTimes, Weekly Sherpur, Sherpur News24, Sherpur Sangbad, Weekly Dashkahania, Weekly Chalti Khabar, Sahityaloka, Barshati, Ra, etc.; extinct: Biddaunnati Sadhini (1865), Weekly Biggapani (1865), Weekly Charybarta (1881), Bangasuridh (1881), Samskriti Sanjibini, fortnightly Kishore (1957–58), Monthly Daxina (1967), Sherpur Pratidin, Shamol Bangla etc.

Cultural organizations
The number of cultural organizations of this district are club 93, public library 4, drama stage 3, theatre group 15, literary society 5, women's organisation 30, cinema hall 13, a Shilpakala academy and a shishu academy.

Points of interest
Archaeological Heritage and Relics include: Gojni Obokash Kendra, Madhutila Ecopark in Nalitabari, Ghagra Laskar Bari Mosque (1808), Baraduari Mosque at Garhjaripar, Garh Jaripar Fort (1486-91AD), Tomb of Darvish Jarip Shah, Tomb of Shah Kamal (1644 AD), Tomb of Sher Ali Gazi, Mughal Mosque at Kasba, Maisaheba Mosque, and Residences of Nay Ani, Arai Ani and Pouney Tin Ani Zamindars.

== Member of the 12th parliament ==