# Manda Upazila

Manda Upazila, located in the Naogaon District of the Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh, is a region of historical, cultural, and economic significance, covering an area of 375.94 square kilometers.
The upazila is home to several notable landmarks, including the iconic Kusumba Mosque, an exquisite example of Bengal Sultanate architecture, and the serene Mandar Bill, a popular natural wetland that attracts tourists and migratory birds alike. The Thakur Manda Temple stands as a testament to the area's vibrant religious heritage, while Manda S.C. Model Pilot High School and Manda Momin Shahana Govt. Degree College underscore the region’s dedication to education and academic growth. Manda also boasts a developing urban center, contributing to local trade and connectivity. With its fertile lands supporting the production of rice, wheat, and sugarcane, combined with its historical and cultural treasures, Manda Upazila offers a unique blend of tradition, natural beauty, and community development, making it a vital area in the Rajshahi Division.{{Infobox settlement
For Manda Upazila, specific data on industrial outputs, natural stocks, and income levels by date and amount is not commonly published online or in readily available sources. Here’s a general guideline for obtaining such data:

## 1. Industrial Information

* Details: Industries in Manda typically include small-scale agriculture processing, handloom industries, and local trades.
* Sources: Local industry boards, business associations, or upazila reports can provide specific industrial production data.

## 2. Natural Resource Stocks

* Details: Resources may include agricultural produce (rice, jute), fisheries, and potentially brick fields.
* Sources: Agriculture offices or local environment offices maintain details about natural resource stock.

## 3. Income Levels

* Details:
** Primary income sources: Agriculture, fishing, small trading.
** Variability exists depending on crop yields and seasonal productivity.
* Sources: Household surveys or reports from NGOs operating in the region.
* the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), as they often conduct area-specific surveys.
Manda S.C Model Pilot High School is the first secondary educational institution in Manda Upazila and it is one of the top educational institution in Naogaon District.

## History

* During the War of Independence in 1971, the Pakistan army killed 128 pro-independence supporters and individuals at village Pakuria of Bharsho Union and buried them in 3-4 ditches.
* During the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971, the Pakistan army killed 17 people and burned a whole village, Monhorpur (Manoharpur) of Paranpur Union and buried them in a masd grave.

## Geography

Manda is located at 24°46′30″N 88°40′10″E﻿ / ﻿24.7750°N 88.6694°E﻿ / 24.7750; 88.6694. It has 97,219 households and total area 375.93 km$^2$. It is bounded by Mahadebpur upazila on the north, Bagmara and Mohanpur upazilas on the south, Naogaon sadar, Raninagar and Atrai upazilas on the east, Niamatpur and Tanore upazilas on the west. Its major rivers are the Atrai and Shiba.

## Demographics

Religions in Manda Upazila (2022) :
| Religion | Religion | Percent | Percent |
| Islam | Islam | 90.88% | 90.88% |
| Hinduism | Hinduism | 8.75% | 8.75% |
| Ethnic religion | Ethnic religion | 0.30% | 0.30% |
| Other or not stated | Other or not stated | 0.07% | 0.07% |
According to the 2011 Census of Bangladesh, Manda Upazila had 97,219 households and a population of 363,858. 66,742 (18.34%) were under 10 years of age. Manda had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 46.27%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 1021 females per 1000 males. 12,471 (3.43%) lived in urban areas. Ethnic population was 3,960 (1.09%), of which Santal were 935 and Oraon 740.

## Points of interest
### Location

On the west bank of Atrai river, under the Manda upazila of Naogaon district, the mosque named Kusumba is situated.

### History

Kusumba Mosque is named after the village Kusumba. It was built during the period of Afgan rule in Bangladesh by a high-ranking official named Sulaiman. It was built under one of the last Suri rulers. His name was Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah. Although the mosque was built under the suri rule, the architectural pattern was not influenced by the earlier Suri architecture of North India. It was constructed with a Bengal style. At the eastern central entrance, inscription mentioned the time period of construction of the mosque to 966 AH (1558-59 AD).

### Current Condition

The mosque was badly damaged during the earthquake in 1987. Kushumba mosque is also known as Kala Pahar, Kala Rotno which means Black Pearl. Possible reason: During the massive earthquake of 1897 the mosque was damaged severely, but stood firmly. Another reason can be for such name is the black plaster of stones at the outer wall. Now the mosque is protected by the Department of Archaeology of Bangladesh. The mosque is an attraction that is marveled at and studied, due its wonderful architectural style and elaborate decorations.

### Structure

The mosque lies inside a walled enclosure with a monumental gateway with standing spaces for guards. The inscription tablet is totally in Arabic, except the part "built by" is in Persian.Walking up to the mosque, visitors will be greeted by a massive gateway, which is the only entrance to the mosque that is protected by a surrounding wall. One can almost imagine the guards outside, still protecting this breathtaking building. The foundation and most of the building was constructed from bricks, although the outer walls, some interior walls, side screens and columns are of stone. Bunches of grapes and vines curve in an almost serpentine manner on the mihrab frames, and kalasas, tendrils, and rosettes are reduced to dots. The platform edge has grape vine decoration, and there are rosettes on the spandrels of the arches supporting the platform, as well as on the mihrab wall. The central Mihrab is designed in the west. Opposite the central and southeastern entrances, the interior west wall has two mihrabs. There is division in the two mihrabs and they had different platforms. That is because the time of construction the general public was separated from officials and nobility during the prayers.

### Shah Agriculture Museum
## Administration

Manda Thana was formed in 1943 and it was turned into an upazila in 1987.
Manda Upazila is divided into 14 union parishads: Bhalain, Bharso, Bishnupur, Ganeshpur, Kalikapur, Kansopara, Kashab, Kusumba, Manda, Moinam, Nurullabad, Paranpur, Proshadpur, and Tentulia. The union parishads are subdivided into 299 mauzas and 293 villages.

## Education

* Alalpur Haji Sheikh Alam High School
* Baidiapur High School
* Balubazar S.M. High School
* Balubazar Shafiuddin Molla College
* Bandubi Hazi Ismail Hossen High School
* Bathoil Gopal Pramanik High School
* Bharso High School
* Bilkorilla B.M. High School
* Chakkamdeb Technical and BM college
* Chakuli Bahumokhi Madhumik Biddaloy
* Chakuli Degree College
* Chakuli High School
* Daspara Degree College
* Daspara High School
* Ekrukhi High School
* Engr: Showkatara Apple school and college
* Fotapur Kolimuddin College
* Ghona Adorshah High School & College
* Goal Manda High School
* Gobindapur High School
* Got Gari Shaheed Mamun High School and College
* Jotbazer Girls' School and College
* Kaligram Dodangi High School
* Kalikapur Chak Kalikapur High School
* Kanchan B.L High School
* Kanso Para Uccho Biddaloy
* Koyapara Kamarkuri High School
* Kusumba D.P.B High School
* Mainam High School & College
* Manda Business Management Institute
* Manda Momin Shahana Govt. Degree College
* Manda Pilot High School & College
* Nurullabad M/L High School
* P.K.A. High School
* Paranpur High School
* Pakuria United High School
* Panial Adarsha College
* Prashadpur Girls High School
* Ramnagar Government primary & high school
* Satihat K.T. High School
* Shafiuddin Mollha College, Balubazar
* Shahapur D.A. High School
* Singihat K.D School
* South Mainam High School & College
* Tentulia D.B. High School
* Turuk Baria High School

### Madrasas

* Banishar Dakhil Madrasha
* Bolshing Chakbabon Dakhil Madrasha
* Boro Belal Daho Fazil Madrasha
* Boro Belal Daho Fazil Madrasha (ALAMGIR HOSEN)
* Borobelaldaho fazil madrasha (ALAMGIR HOSEN)
* Chakuli Koumi Madrasha
* Chalkharinarayan Dhakhil Madrsha
* Chhoto Chalk Champak Dakhil Madrasah
* Deul Durgapur Al Arabia Dakhil Madrasha
* Dusti Dakhil Madrasha
* Fotepur Dakhil Madrasha(1963)
* Jafrabad Adorsho Dakhil Madrasha
* Khodarghat Dakhil Madrasha
* Kukrail Abtadai Madrasha
* Paranpur Kamil Madrasha
* Ramnagar Dhakil madrasa
* Zafrabad Adorso Dakhil Madrasha

## Notable residents

* Emaz Uddin Pramanik, MP
* Shamsul Alam Pramanik, MP