# Rajbari District

Rajbari District (Bengali: রাজবাড়ী জেলা) is a district in central Bangladesh, located in Dhaka Division. It is a part of the Greater Faridpur subregion of Bengal due to the historical and cultural identities of its inhabitants, with Kushtia border on the west, Rajbari is also the meeting point of two distinctive culture of Bangladesh.

## History

During the reign of Mughal emperor Jahangir, a fief in Padamdi was decreed to the family of an Iraqi Muslim immigrant by the name of Syed Shah Pahlwan in 1607. The zamindari family, known as the Nawabs of Padamdi actively commanded the artillery and served the Mughal army, eventually leading to Emperor Shah Jahan bestowing them the title of Mir.
Rajbari in the Bengali language means palace, and pays homage to the rich zamindari families that feudally ruled modern-day Rajbari. In the 17th century, the Mughal governor of Bengal, Shaista Khan, appointed Sangram Shah of Panchthupi as the Nawara of what is present-day Rajbari in order to suppress the Portuguese pirates. The Nawara settled permanently in the populated neighbourhood of Banibaha and built a fort at a place called Lalgola. Sangram Shah and his family later became known as the Nawara Chowdhuries of Banibaha.
After the Battle of Plassey of 1757, one of Siraj ud-Daulah's officers by the name of Prabhuram went into hiding in Lakshmikol to avoid the British colonialists. Prabhuram's son, Dwigendra Prasad, eventually became a prominent zamindar in the area, and his son Surya Kumar earned the title of Raja. In 1890, the Rajbari railway station was established, and it is said that it was named after Raja Surya Kumar. Other zamindars such as the Nawara Chowdhuries of Banibaha objected to this as the name of Rajbari was said to have been established long before Kumar.
During the Bangladesh War of 1971, an organisation named the Sangram Parishad (Struggle Council) was established on 26 March. On 21 and 22 April, six Bengali fighters were murdered during an encounter with the Pakistan Army. In the villages of Majhpara, Ramcole and Mathurapur, the army killed 10 pro-independence Bengalis and individuals in addition to setting many houses on fire. The Bengali fighters captured a large amount of equipment and resources from the Army in November. Another brawl took place in that month in the village of Alhadipur leading to 9 Pakistan Army casualties.

## Geography and climate

The district is bounded by Pabna district on the north, Faridpur and Magura districts on the south, Manikganj district on the east, Kustia and Jhenidah districts on the west. The land of the district is mainly alluvial raised from the Padma.
Annual average temperature of this district is maximum 35.8 °C and minimum 12.6 °C. Annual rainfall is 2105 mm.

### Major rivers

* Padma
* Jalangi
* Kumar
* Garai
* Madhumati
* Harai
* Chandana
* Chitra

## Demographics

According to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh, Rajbari District had 295,216 households and a population of 1,189,818 with an average 3.99 people per household. Among the population, 215,341 (18.10%) inhabitants were under 10 years of age. The population density was 1,089 people per km$^2$. Rajbari District had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 69.49%, compared to the national average of 74.80%, and a sex ratio of 1044 females per 1000 males. Approximately, 15.11% of the population lived in urban areas. The ethnic population was 3,324.

### Religion

Religions in Rajbari District (2022) :
| Religion | Religion | Percent | Percent |
| Islam | Islam | 90.66% | 90.66% |
| Hinduism | Hinduism | 9.29% | 9.29% |
| Other or not stated | Other or not stated | 0.05% | 0.05% |
Religion in present-day Rajbari district :
| Religion | 1941$^{:98–99}$ | 1941$^{:98–99}$ | 1981 | 1981 | 1991 | 1991 | 2001 | 2001 | 2011 | 2011 | 2022 | 2022 |
| Religion | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % |
| Islam | 211,005 | 63.09% | 563,451 | 83.08% | 724,361 | 86.73% | 847,616 | 89.04% | 942,527 | 89.78% | 1,078,677 | 90.66% |
| Hinduism | 123,011 | 36.78% | 113,975 | 16.81% | 109,614 | 13.12% | 103,664 | 10.89% | 106,974 | 10.19% | 110,569 | 9.29% |
| Others | 460 | 0.14% | 779 | 0.11% | 1,198 | 0.15% | 626 | 0.07% | 277 | 0.03% | 572 | 0.05% |
| Total Population | 334,476 | 100% | 678,205 | 100% | 835,173 | 100% | 951,906 | 100% | 1,049,778 | 100% | 1,189,818 | 100% |
The district is predominantly Muslim. Muslims are 1,078,677, Hindus 110,569, and Christians 163.

## Places of interest

Dighi (a kind of water body) in Rajbari include Kallyan Dighi, situated in Baliakandi of Islampur union. Rajbari is situated by the bank of Padma River.
"Godar Bazar", bank of Padma River and also a well-known place of interest is situated near at Rajbari town. And also well known place is "UK BEACH" (Urakanda Padma River Side Resort)

## Administration

Once Rajbari region was a part of Jessore District. In 1811 when Faridpur District was formed Rajbari was included in it. Besides, the upazilas under Rajbari district were included in different districts in the past. Pangsha Upazila was once included into Pabna District. In 1859, Pangsha and Baliakandi were included in the newly formed Kumarkhali Upazila. In 1871, when Goalanda Upazila was formed, Pangsha and Rajbari were included in it and its headquarters was established in Rajbari. Goalanda was upgraded into a district in March 1984 and it was renamed as Rajbari District.

### Parliamentary seats

* Rajbari-1
* Rajbari-2

### Upazilas

There are 5 upazilas in this district. They are:
* Baliakandi Upazila
* Goalanda Upazila
* Pangsha Upazila
* Kalukhali Upazila
* Rajbari Sadar Upazila
* Administrator of Zila Porishod: AKM Shafiqul Morshed
* Deputy Commissioner (DC): Dilsad Begum
* Mayor of Rajbari Pouroshova : Mohammad Ali Choudhury

### Deputy commissioner

The DC is the chief administrative and revenue officer of Rajbari District.
| Name | Term |
| Shahiduddin Ahmad | 26/2/1984 - 5/10/1986 |
| Muhammad Najmul Ahsan | 29/9/1986 - 25/2/1989 |
| Zillur Rashid Chowdhury | 22/2/1989 - 8/1/1991 |
| Chowdhury Ghulam Mawla | 13/8/1992 - 1/8/1995 |
| Muhammad Wahidur Rahman | 2/8/1995 - 21/8/1995 |
| AFM Matiur Rahman | 22/8/1995 - 27/4/1996 |
| Amirul Karim | 22/4/1996 - 14/7/1999 |
| ASM Hanifuddin Sarkar | 15/7/1999 - 28/3/2001 |
| Raziyah Begum | 28/3/2001 - 25/4/2002 |
| Bijankanti Sarkar | 25/4/2002 - 1/9/2004 |
| Muhammad Nurul Alam | 1/9/2004 - 3/9/2006 |
| Muhammad Jamal Husayn Majumdar | 3/9/2006 - 19/11/2006 |
| Tawhidah Bulbul | 19/11/2006 - 26/1/2008 |
| Muhammad Mahfuzur Rahman | 24/1/2008 - 28/4/2009 |
| Fayz Ahmad | 27/4/2009 - 27/4/2010 |
| Sayyidah Sahana Bibi | 27/4/2010 - 12/12/2012 |
| Muhammad Hasanuzzaman Kallol | 12/12/2012 - 20/6/2014 |
| Arafatul Islam Jim | 21/6/2015 - 27/4/2015 |
| Muhammad Rafiqul Islam Khan | 20/6/2014 -2/2/2016 |
| Jinnat Ara | 2/2/2016 - 11/5/2017 |
| Muhammad Shawqat Ali | 11/5/2017 - 24/6/2019 |
| Dilshad Begum | Present |

## Education
### Schools

* Rajbari Government High School
* Rajapur Yeasin Institution
* Kalukhali R.K Govt. Model High School
* Baliakandi Pilot Model High School
* Rajbari Government Girls High School
* R.S.K Institution
* Rajdharpur Madhyamik Bidyalay
* Baharpur High School
* Kola Sadar Uddin High School
* Atdapunia High School
* Goalanda Nazir Uddin Pilot Govt. High School
* Goalundo Proper High School
* Mulghor High School
* Kashbamajail A.H High School
* Suraj Mohini Institute & Tamijuddin Girls High School
* Mohonpur K.B Academy
* Nalia Shyama Mohon Institution
* Lotus Collegiate School
* Yasin high school.
* Mrigi M.L.High School

### Colleges

* Bhandaria Siddiqia Kamil Madrasah, Rajbari
* Rajbari Government College
* Rajbari Government Adarsha Mohila College
* Dr. Abul Hossain University College
* Pangsha Government College
* Kalukhali Government College
* Govt. Goalanda Kamrul Islam College
* Baharpur College
* Baliakandi Degree College
* Mansur Ali Degree College
* Mir Mosharraf Hossain Degree College
* Jamalpur Degree College
* Mrigi Shaheed Dianot Degree College

## Notable people

* Padamdi Nawab family
** Mir Mosharraf Hossain, novelist and playwright
* Haroa/Ratandia Choudhury family
** Yusuf Hossain Choudhury, politician
** Rashid Hossain Choudhury, artist
* Katakhali Chowdhury family
** Abdul Wajed Chowdhury (died 1992), politician
** Salma Chowdhury (born 1971), politician
* Maguradangi Chowdhury family
** Rowshan Ali Chowdhury (1874–1933), journalist
** Yakub Ali Chowdhury (1888–1940), essayist
* Bagmara Qazi family
** Qazi Motahar Hossain (1897–1981), scientist, author and teacher
** Sanjida Khatun (born 1933), musicologist
** Qazi Anwar Hussain (1936–2022), novelist
** Fahmida Khatun, singer
* AKM Aszad, politician
* Lieutenant General S. M. Matiur Rahman
* Kazi Keramat Ali, Current MP & Former State Minister
* Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, former MP
* Jahanara Begum, politician
* Kazi Abdul Wadud, dramatist
* Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan, former Speaker of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan
* Monsur Ul Karim, painter
* Rokanuzzaman Khan, journalist
* Shohely Akhter, cricketer
* S. M. Kuddus Zaman, justice
* Satish Chandra Vidyabhusan, eminent Sanskrit scholar
* Shohely Akhter, cricketer
* Kangalini Sufia, folk singer
* Kazi Abul Kasem, polymath
* Rozina, actress
* Khurshida Begum Sayeed, former commissioner
* Khabiruzzaman, Bir Bikrom