Sonagazi Upazila

Sonagazi (সোনাগাজী) is an upazila (sub-district) of Feni District in Chittagong Division, Bangladesh, located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal.

At the 2022 census, its population was 290 thousand, making it the second most populous upazila in Feni District. The upazila comprises one municipality and nine union councils.

Etymology
Legend has it that Sona Ghazi Bhuyan, a notable figure from the Ghazi family of landowners belonging to the Baro-Bhuyan confederacy, played a pivotal role in developing a market for salt trade in the coastal area. The name Sonagazi was selected for the thana established with the market at its center.

Mughal period
Upon his accession to the throne, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan appointed his son, Shah Shuja, as the subahdar (governor) of Bengal. Upon assuming this role, Shuja swiftly took action to safeguard the coastal areas from Arakanese naval attacks by constructing a fort in Sonagazi among various strategic initiatives. The area surrounding the fort continues to be known as Sujapur in his honor.

Establishment of thana
When the Mughal era-established thanas (police jurisdictions) of Jugidiya and Amirgaon in the then Bhulua region of Noakhali near the coast of the Bay of Bengal were submerged by the Feni River, a new thana named Sonagazi was established in 1886 to reinstate law enforcement measures in the southern region of Feni. Around this period, the governor of Feni mahakuma, Nabinchandra Sen, undertook the construction and improvement of the Feni–Sonagazi road to accommodate bullock carts.

Liberation war–present day
Around the time of the Bangladesh Liberation War, Sonagazi was one of the four thanas within the Feni mahakuma, alongside Feni Sadar, Chhagalnaiya, and Parshuram. During the conflict, guerrilla warfare-trained freedom fighters were dispatched to various areas of Sonagazi, where they carried out numerous operations targeting the residences of collaborators of the invading forces and local razakar militias in locations such as Nababpur, Ahammadpur, Majlishpur, Bogadana, Char Darbesh, Char Chandia, and Motiganj.

On 28 July 1971, during a confrontation between freedom fighters and the Pakistani army at Nababpur, an enemy military commander was killed. On 15 August, approximately 50 Pakistani soldiers were killed when mines planted by the freedom fighters exploded near the Satbaria Bridge. In retaliation, agitated Pakistani soldiers killed five innocent individuals from Boks Ali and Sujapur Dasgram villages. Additionally, the Pakistani army engaged in looting and set fire to numerous houses in the area.

Following the war, mass graves were uncovered in areas like the Kazir Haat sluice gate, indicating the burial of hundreds of individuals who had been subjected to torture, and memorial monuments were erected at eight locations within the upazila.

In 1983, Sonagazi Thana was upgraded to the status of an upazila, one year before Feni was established as a district.

Geography
Sonagazi Upazila is bounded by Feni Sadar and Daganbhuiyan upazilas on the north, Bay of Bengal on the south, Mirsharai Upazila on the east, and Companiganj Upazila of Noakhali District and Daganbhuiyan Upazila on the west. Situated in the southern part of the district, Sonagazi is the only upazila in Feni District with a coastline along the Bay of Bengal. It covers a total area of 284.89 km2, making it the largest upazila in Feni District, accounting for almost 28.77% of the district's total area.

Physical geography
The Feni River flows to the east of Sonagazi, while the Little Feni River flows to the west. The estuaries of both rivers converge in the Bay of Bengal, south of Sonagazi. Extensive alluvial lands, known locally as "char," have formed due to the erosion caused by the Feni and Muhuri rivers, resulting in the displacement of numerous settlements. Examples of such areas include Char Chandia, Char Khondkar, and Char Narayan.

Governance and politics
Jahir Uddin Mahmud is the presently elected upazila council (upazila parishad) chairman of Sonagazi Upazila and Kamrul Hasan the appointed upazila executive officer (upazila nirbahi officer or UNO). The upazila is encompassed by the Feni-3 constituency of the Jatiya Sangsad (national parliament).

Unions
Sonagazi Upazila comprises nine unions, each administered by its respective union council (union parishads), which includes a chairman and 12 elected ward councillors. The general councillors represent their nine respective wards, with three additional reserved seats for women on the council. Cumulatively, the unions comprise a total of 94 mauzas and 95 villages. Char Chandia is the largest and most populous union, whereas Mangalkandi is the smallest in size. Nonetheless, Nababpur Union has the smallest population.

Municipality
Sonagazi Upazila contains one municipality, Sonagazi Municipality (also Sonagazi Paurashava, সোনাগাজী পৌরসভা), established in 2002 and spanning an area of 5.04 km2. At the 2022 census, it had a population of 24,808 residents. The municipality is bordered by Motigonj Union to the north, Sonagazi Union to the east, and Char Chandia Union to the west and south. It comprises nine numbered wards, encompassing six villages, seven mauzas and 14 mahallas. Rafiqul Islam Khokan serves as the municipal mayor, elected in the 2021 municipal elections. Each ward is represented by a councillor, with an additional three seats allocated for female councillors.

Demographics
As of the 2022 Bangladesh census, Sonagazi Upazila has 67,320 households and a population of 290,664 with an average 4.28 people per household, standing as the second most populous upazila in Feni District behind Feni Sadar Upazila. The upazila has the lowest literacy rate among 7 years and above in Feni District, an average of 75.84%, compared to the national average of 74.8%. There are 1158 females for 1000 males.

Sonagazi Municipality has a total population of 24,808 and a literacy rate of 81.11%.

Religion
According to the 2022 census, religious groups in Sonagazi Upazila included:

Since 2011, the populations of Muslims and Buddhists have increased, whereas the numbers for other religious groups have decreased.
 * Islam (275,116)
 * Hinduism (15,382)
 * Christianity (15)
 * Buddhism (146)
 * Other (8)

Language
The language spoken in Sonagazi Upazila shares core characteristics with other upazilas in Bangladesh, but some variations exist. Notably, aspirated consonants are less prevalent in spoken language, suggesting a trend towards linguistic simplification. The regional dialect of Sonagazi Upazila shows similarities to languages spoken in Feni, Noakhali, and Mirsarai. Experts attribute these linguistic features to the geographical influence of the Little Feni and Feni rivers, as well as the coastal environment of Sonagazi.

Economy
Agriculture constitutes a significant portion of the sources of income for Sonagazi, contributing approximately 36.40% to the economy. The primary crop cultivated in the upazila is rice (paddy).

Other major sources of income include commerce (12.67%), services (15.62%), rent and remittance (14.04%), and various other activities such as non-agricultural labor (3.35%), industry (1.58%), transport and communication (4.40%), construction (2.11%), and religious services (0.56%). Some important marketplaces in Sonagazi include Kuthirhaat, Boktarmunshi Bazar, Mongolkandi, Olama Bazar, Saudagar Haat, Bhairab Chowdhury Bazar, Mongazi Bazar, Sonagazi Bazar, Amirabad Bazar, Nababpur, Bhorbazar, Kazir Haat, Naar Miar Haat, Bagher Haat, Koramia Haat, Motiganj Bazar, Kashmir Bazar etc.

In the coastal "char" areas surrounding the expansive Feni River, agriculture, fish farming, and harvesting marine fish from the river constitute the primary livelihood sources for the local populace. Additionally, residents engage in raising cattle, buffaloes, and sheep in the grazing lands. Buffalo milk and cow's milk from these areas are distributed to other regions. The grazing lands are renowned for the production of buffalo milk and yogurt. Residents of the grazing lands typically reside in tin houses. However, their daily lives are often disrupted by raids and attacks by pirates, posing risks to fishermen and livestock keepers alike. Law enforcement agencies conduct periodic raids in response to these incidents.

Due to its heavy reliance on agriculture, Sonagazi Upazila has witnessed the emergence of artisans specializing in crafting tools from bamboo and canes for agricultural and household needs. These artisans produce a variety of baskets in different sizes and shapes, suitable for carrying items ranging from fish and crops to laundry. In numerous villages, young women engage in crafting woven handicrafts using jute leaves and jute fiber, employing skills inherited through generations. These handcrafted items are then sold in nearby markets.

Infrastructure
Sonagazi is renowned for its sluice gate referred to as Muhuri Irrigation Project. Constructed in the late 1980s, this infrastructure serves the purpose of regulating the water flow of the Feni River and irrigating nearby farmland. Later in 2005, a now-defunct 900-kilowatt wind power plant consisting of four wind turbines was constructed near the river. The area has garnered attention as a notable tourist destination in the region.

Sonagazi currently hosts a solar farm generating 75 megawatts of power, with additional plans underway to establish more. Additionally, there are proposals for the constructions of several more wind and combined-cycle power stations to meet the rising energy demand of the nearby Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar economic zone.

In 2018, a highly anticipated 478 m bridge spanning the Little Feni River was inaugurated with the aim of improving connectivity with Noakhali and Lakshmipur districts.

Muhuri Irrigation Project
The Muhuri Irrigation Project completed in 1986 stands as the nation's second-largest irrigation venture. Its primary objectives include regulating flooding during the monsoon season and provide supplementary irrigation for rice cultivation in most of Feni District including Sonagazi Upazila. The project features a closure dam located in Sonagazi Upazila tasked with regulating the combined flow of the Feni, Muhuri, and Kalidas-Pahalia rivers.

Over the years, Muhuri Irrigation Project area has emerged as a popular recreation and picnic spot. During the winter season, tourists from various parts of the country visit the area. The dam is surrounded by an artificial water body enclosed by embankments, afforestation, bird-watching spots, and fish sanctuaries. During boat rides on the river, visitors can observe various species of ducks and thousands of birds belonging to various species.

Transportation and communication
Sonagazi is located 26 km from Feni District headquarters. CNG-powered auto-rickshaws, electric rickshaws, and minibuses constitute the primary modes of transportation. As of 2011, Sonagazi Upazila had two bus stops and a network of roads spanning a total distance of 520 km.

Schools and colleges

 * Al-Helal Academy Sonagazi
 * Sonagazi Government College
 * Sonagazi Girls' Pilot High School
 * Bakter Munshi High School
 * Sonagazi Islamia Fazil Degree Madrasah

Notable people

 * Zahir Raihan, filmmaker, was born at Majupur village in 1935.
 * Shahidullah Kaiser, writer, was born at Majupur village in 1927.
 * Selim Al Deen, playwright, was born at Shenerkhil village in 1949.
 * Lt. Gen. Masud Uddin Chowdhury, ndc, psc, MP and Diplomat
 * Shomi Kaiser, actress
 * Rokeya Prachy, actress
 * Mahbubul Alam Tara was the Member of Parliament from constituency Feni-3 from 1991 until 1996.