Pirganj Upazila, Rangpur
Pirganj is an Upazila of Rangpur District in the division of Rangpur, Bangladesh. Pirganj Upazila area 409.37 km2, located in between 25°18' and 25°31' north latitudes and in between 89°08' and 89°25' east longitudes. It is bounded by mithapukur upazila on the north, palashbari, ghoraghat and nawabganj sadar upazilas on the south, sadullapur upazila on the east, Mithapukur, Nawabganj Sadar and Ghoraghat upazilas on the west.
Population Total 345593; male 176025, female 169568; Muslim 317841, Hindu 22498, Buddhist 1869, Christian 454 and others 2931.
Water bodies Main river: karatoya, Jamuneshwari, Akhira;' Pirganj is called the upazila of beel.
Administration Pirganj Thana, now an upazila, was formed in 1910.
Epigrammatic history
History of pirganj mainly focused at the period of sultans. Before sultans' period very few history and sign was found like, destroyed place of king at Pat around 5 km away from pirganj upzilla headquarter and high land at vimshahar at Baradargah Vendabari high way. Most probably these structures were formed at the period of Pal/Sen.There was another ancient temple at Bakduar called "Temple of Bakdebi". Bagdebi was desired goddess of king Bhabachandra. Bagduar was an ancient and civilized porgona under pirganj. The temple of Bhabachandra is situated at Udaypur under Bagduar porgona. 'Palergar' is situated aside of Bagdebi's temple. This place is now known as Daneshnagar. People say that Bharatchandra/ Hobochandea, relative of 'king Lora' was live at 'Lorarpat'. Which is 06 km away from pirganj. Most probably this area was developed at early 11th century.
Rangpur along with Pirganj was a part of Kamrup. After Baktiar Khalgi failed to capture this part of the kamrup and died Sultan giash uddin tried to capture kamrup on 1227 AD and failed. Tughrel Kha primarily captured this area but in the long run he failed to continue his control. At last Shah Ismail Gazi Captain of thirteenth Gour's Pathanian Sultan Rukunnuddin Abul Mujahid Barbak Shah was able to capture kamrup. Shah Ismail Gazi was a Muslims religious leader, captain and Muslim missionary. The king of Ghoraghat Bhandari Roy was envious with his success and started to conspiracy against him and be able to convince Sultan Rukunnuddin Abul Mujahid Barbak Shah to send soldier against him. He was arrested and killed on 8 January 1474 AD and his head was brought to king. Later Sultan Rukunnuddin Abul Mujahid Barbak Shah be able to know about the conspiracy of Bhandari Roy and became repentant. Repentant king buried the head of Shah Ismail Gazi at bagduar of pirganj with due respect. His follower's were already buried his headless body in Mandaron under Hugli district. A small island in the Barabila near pirganj unzila headquarter is memorable for Shah Ismail Gazi. There was a mosque in this island prepared by his followers but now this mosque is fully destroyed. Mosque and the large well at Baradargah under Pirganj Upzilla was one of the most memorable place for Shah Ismail Gazi. Most of the historian believes that his journey for victory and missionary was started from this place and the Introstick is buried in this place. Some historian believes that his part of body was also buried in this place. Some historians believe that part of his body is also buried at Ghoraghat under Dinapur District.
The history of Pirganj is mostly related with the victory of Shah Ismail Gazi. At the time of his victory against King Nilambbar, Kamrup was joined with the Independent Bangla permanently. At the time of Hussain Shah Pirganj was introduced as Administrative centre and Barabila area was introduced as Land Revenue Pargana. Up to Battle of Palashi these units were remain unmoved. From the British period there are some changes done within these administrative units but no remarkable change was done till today.
Geography
Pirganj is located at. It is the southernmost upazila of Rangpur district. It is surrounded by Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur to the North, Sadullahpur upazila of Gaibndha to the east, Palashbari upazila to the south and Ghoraghat and Nawabganj upazilas of Dinajpur to the west. It has approximately 101640 units of household and total area 411.34 km².Demographics
As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Pirganj has a population of 303384. Males constitute 50.72% of the population, and females 49.28%. This Upazila's eighteen up population is 154333. Pirganj has an average literacy rate of 26.5%, and the national average of 32.4% literate.Economy
Pirganj is an economically backward locality. Agriculture is the predominant economic activity in Pirganj. In addition to Rice, the main crop, a lots of vegetables and bananas are produced in Pirganj. Local traders as well as traders from Dhaka, Chittagong and other parts of the country purchase the surplus agricultural products from the area and sell them to major urban centres in the country. Fishing is also a major economic activity in the area. Karotoa, a large river, which flows through the western border of the upazila is known for its variety of fish. There are numerous lakes and couple of small rivers in Pirganj. Commercial fishery in ponds is also becoming popular.Major Commercial centers are Pirganj, Chatra, Balua, Khalashpir, Vendabari, Motherganjhat is big commercial area and Shanerhat. There are branches of Islami Bank, Standard Bank, Janata Bank, Rashahi Krishi Unnayan Bank in Pirganj, Sonali Bank in Pirganj Chatra and Khalashpir. There are also branches of Rupali Bank in Vendabari, Agrani Bank in Shanerhat and Janata Bank in Motherganj.
Natural resources
Pirganj is endowed with one of the largest coal discoveries in Bangladesh. The high-quality coal deposit is located at a low depth near Khalashpir.Arts and culture
Pirganj is a culturally rich and vibrant locality. There are some cultural organizations and theater groups based in Pirganj proper. An annual fair, known as mela locally, takes place in Baradargah in the Islamic month of Muharram. Annual fairs also take place in few other locations during winter or on the eve of Bengali new year. Sharadiya Durga puja is celebrated in Pirganj, Chatra and few other localities.Islam is the predominant religion in Pirganj, with almost 90% of its people belonging to the faith. There is a significant Hindu population scattered over the Upzilla. Concentration of Hindu population is high in Panchgachi Union. There is a large indigenous Santal population in Chatra area.
A cultural organization named Angon is located in the village Boger Bari in Kumedpur union. They arrange varies seasonal programs such as cultural activities and sports competitions.
A social organization named Concerned Peoples Organization is located in the village of Gurzipara in Baradargah union. It is a student based social organization and they arrange social programs to concern people of its area.
Points of interest
The major tourist attractions in Pirganj are Baro Bila, Nil Daria, Kadirabad forest, Hatibanda Mosque, Khalashpir Mosque, Anandonagar amusement park near Khalashpir and Raipur Jomider Bari & also Horin Shingher Dighi & Gorr. There are remnants of the palace of King Nilambor in Patgram. The shrine of Kazi Kabi Heyat Mamud is located in Jharbishla near Vendabari.Administration
Pirganj has 15 unions, 45 wards, 308 Mauzas/Mahallas, and 331 villages.The unions are
01. Chaitrakol
02. Vendabari
03. Baro Dargah
04. Kumidpur
05. Madonkhali
06. Tukuria
07. Baro Alampur
08. Raipur
09. Pirganj
10. Shanerhat
11. Panchgachi
12. Mithipur
13. Ramnathpur
14. Chatra
15. Kabilpur.
Pirganj was one of the three constituencies from where the current Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was elected as an MP in the ninth parliamentary election of the country in 2008. She was also elected in the tenth parliamentary election in 2014 from the same constituency. Later in the by-election, Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, the current speaker of Bangladesh parliament was elected unopposed from the constituency.
Transport
One can travel from Dhaka to Pirganj by bus. Rangpur-bound buses start from Kallyanpur in Dhaka. One should board in a Rangpur-bound bus and get dropped at Pirganj bus station. It takes about six hours. Pirganj is about 60 kilometers towards to the north from Bogra. It is on the way from Bogra to Rangpur. The nearest airport is at Saidpur, Nilphamari. Communication from Rangpur town is very easy. It takes about 40 minutes by bus.There have been some improvements in road communication within Pirganj Upazila in the recent years. All major commercial centers are connected by pacca roads. One can start journey from Dhaperhat and have a circular trip covering Chatra, Khalashpir, Vendabari, Baro Dargah, Shanerhat and Motherganj and come back to Dhaperhat.
A bridge name Wazed Mia Bridge on the river Karotoa near Kanchdah ghat in Pirganj has been opened recently. The bridge has made the communication between Rangpur and Dinajpur districts much easier.
Education
Colleges- Pirganj College
- Sirajuddin Technical & Business Management College
- Government Shah Abdur Rouf College
- Pirganj Mohila College
- Chatra Degree College
- Khalashpir Bangobondhu Degree College
- Pirganj Karigori College
- Motherganj College
- Chatra Karigori College
- Vendabari Women's College
- Monikrishan Sen College, Bishnupur
- Kadirabad Women's College
- Chatra Women's College
- Gurzipara College
- Mohiosi Begum Rokeya Mohila College, Gurzipara
- Rasulpur School & College
- K J Islam girls school and college
- Pirganj Government High School
- Kumedpur High School
- Maderganj High School
- Pirganj Kasimonnessa Girls High School
- Kadirabad High School
- Rasulpur High School
- Chander Bazer High School
- Hazi Boyan Uddin High School
- Pirganj Bangobandhu high School
- Chatra High School
- Panbazer High School
- Eklimpur High school
- Chatra Girls High School
- Nildorea High School
- Pirganj Adarsha School
- Vendabari High School
- Raipur High School
- Khedmotpur High School
- Abdullahpur Jahan Mhamud High School
- Vimshahar High School
- Chak Karim High School
- Laldighi High School
- Doshmouza High school
- Rasulpur High school
- Bishnupur Beni Madhab Sen High School
- Hitabanda KMT High School
- Shanerhat High school
- Laldighi mela Adhorso High School
- Khataber Para PMA High School
- Jahangirabad High School
- Akota Bajar High School
- Kanchon Bajar High School
- Patnichara High School
- Jafor Para High School
- Gurzipara K.P. High School, gurzipara
- Gilabari High School
- Laldighi Girls Academy
- Jamtola Madinatul Ulum Madrasa
- Pirganj Senior Fazil Madrasha
- Jafar Para Kamil Madrasha
- Chatrahat Alim Madrasah
- Kumedpur Madrasha
- Sharolia T.M Fazil Madrasha
- Maderganj Fazil Madrasha
- shahapur madrasha
- Khalashpir Senior Fazil Madrasha
- Shaner hat Islamia Dakhil Madrasha
- kholahati dakhil madrasaha
- Radhakrisna pur Nezamia Dhakhil Madrasha
- Duramithipur Darus Sunnat Dhakil Madrasha
- Gurzipara Dakhil Madrasha,
- Dhorakandor Dakhil Madrasha,
- Boro Dargah Hazrat Shah Ismail Gazi Fazil Madrasha
- Patnichara Girls Dakhil Madrasha,
Notable residents
- M. A. Wazed Miah, nuclear scientist and husband of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was born at Fatepur village in 1942.