# Khulna Division

Khulna Division (Bengali: খুলনা বিভাগ) is the second largest of the eight divisions of Bangladesh. It has an area of 22,285 km$^2$ (8,604 sq mi) and a population of 17,416,645 at the 2022 Bangladesh census (preliminary returns). Its headquarters and largest city is Khulna city in Khulna District.

## History

during the British Raj era, Khulna Division was a part of the Presidential division. Before 1947, The Presidential division had six major districts, Murshidabad, Calcutta, 24 Parganas, Khulna, undivided Jessore, and undivided Nadia. In 1947, The Partition of India divided this division into two. The district of Khulna and the other half of Jessore District and Nadia District became part of newly established East Bengal. And rest of the district of the presidential division became part of West Bengal. In 1948, Nadia district of East Bengal formed new Kushtia District. And the government of East Bengal added the Jessore, Khulna & Kushtia district into Rajshahi Division. After in 1960, the government of East Pakistan, these three districts from Rajshahi Division and one district from Dacca Division created new division of Khulna. In 1993, the Barisal Division was formed from Khulna division.

## Geography

The Khulna division borders to India by the State of West Bengal to the west, the Rajshahi Division to the north, the Dhaka division and the Barisal division to the east, and has a coastline on the Bay of Bengal to the south. It is part of the Ganges River delta or Greater Bengal Delta. Other rivers include the Madhumati River, the Bhairab River and the Kapotaksha River. The region also includes several islands in the Bay of Bengal.
The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, is in the southern part of the delta. Khulna is in the northern part of the district, and the Mayur River is the western boundary of the metropolitan area.

## Administrative districts

The division was formed in 1960. Khulna Division consists of the following ten districts (zilas), subdivided into 59 sub-districts (upazilas):
| District | Administrative centre | Area in km$^2$. | Population 2001 Census | Population 2011 Census | Population 2022 Census |
| Bagerhat District | Bagerhat | 3,959.11 | 1,549,031 | 1,476,090 | 1,613,076 |
| Chuadanga District | Chuadanga | 1,174.10 | 1,007,130 | 1,129,015 | 1,234,054 |
| Jashore District | Jessore | 2,606.94 | 2,471,554 | 2,764,547 | 3,076,144 |
| Jhenaidah District | Jhenaidah | 1,964.77 | 1,579,490 | 1,771,304 | 2,005,849 |
| Khulna District | Khulna | 4,394.45 | 2,378,971 | 2,318,527 | 2,613,385 |
| Kushtia District | Kushtia | 1,608.80 | 1,740,155 | 1,946,838 | 2,149,692 |
| Magura District | Magura | 1,039.10 | 824,311 | 918,419 | 1,033,115 |
| Meherpur District | Meherpur | 751.62 | 591,430 | 655,392 | 705,356 |
| Narail District | Narail | 967.99 | 698,447 | 721,668 | 788,671 |
| Satkhira District | Satkhira | 3,817.29 | 1,864,704 | 1,985,959 | 2,196,582 |
| Total Districts | 10 | 22,284.22 | 14,705,223 | 15,687,759 | 17,415,924 |

## Demographics

Religion in Khulna division (2022) :
| Religion | Religion | Percent | Percent |
| Muslims | Muslims | 88.21% | 88.21% |
| Hindus | Hindus | 11.53% | 11.53% |
| Christians | Christians | 0.24% | 0.24% |
| Others | Others | 0.02% | 0.02% |
Muslims are the predominant religion with 88.21%, while Hindus are main minority with 11.53% population. Christians and others are 0.24% and 0.02% respectively.

## Economy

Most parts of the largest mangrove forest in the world — the Sundarban — is spread over the three most southerly districts of Satkhira, Khulna and Bagherhat. Khulna's GDP is the third-largest GDP behind Dhaka and Chittagong. It possesses a GDP of $53 billion.

## Education

The division contains educational institutions including

### Universities

Public Universities
* Khulna University
* Khulna University of Engineering and Technology
* Khulna Agricultural University
* Sheikh Hasina Medical University
* Jashore University of Science and Technology
* Islamic University, Bangladesh
* Mujibnagar University
Private Universities
* North Western University, Bangladesh
* Northern University of Business and Technology Khulna
* Rabindra Maitree University, Kushtia
* Lalon Science and Arts University, Kushtia
* First Capital University of Bangladesh, Chuadanga.
* Khan Bahadul Ahsanullah University, Khulna

### Medical Colleges

Public
* Khulna Medical College
* Kushtia Medical College
* Jashore Medical College
* Satkhira Medical College
* Magura Medical College
* Army Medical College, Jashore
Private
* Khulna City Medical College Hospital
* Gazi Medical College
* Ad-Din Akij Medical College hospital, Khulna
* Khulna Homeopathic Medical College
* Ad-Din Sakina Medical College & Hospital, Jashore
* Selima Medical College & Hospital, Kushtia

### Colleges

* Khulna Public College
* Ahsanullah College, Khulna
* Kushtia Government College
* Khulna Collectorate Public School & College
* Kushtia Government Central College
* Kushtia Government Womens College
* Police Lines School and College, Kushtia
* Khulna Govt. Model School and college, Khulna
* Kushtia Islamia College,
* Kumarkhali Govt. College, Kushtia
* Govt. Bangabandhu College, Rupsha, Khulna
* Bheramara Govt. College, Kushtia
* Bheramara Govt. Womens College, Kushtia
* Chuadanga Govt College-Chuadanga
* Government B L College, Khulna
* Government Joybangla College, Khulna
* Jhenaidah Cadet College
* Majid Memorial City College, Khulna
* Cantonment College, Jashore
* Azam Khan Govt. Commerce College, Khulna
* BN School & College, Khulna
* Govt. H.S.S College, Magura
* Michael Modhushudon College, Jashore
* Govt. Pioneer Woman's College, Khulna
* Khulna Govt. Girls College
* Govt. Sundarban Adarsha College, Khulna.
* Govt. K.C. College, Jhenaidah
* Government P.C. College, Bagerhat
* Daulatpur College (Day/Night), Daulatpur, Khulna
* Govt. Keshabpur College, Keshabpur, Jashore
* Khan Jahan Ali Ideal College
* Chuknagor College, Dumuria, Khulna
* Dr. Abdur Razzak Municipal College
* BAF Shaheen College, Jashore
* Jashore Govt. City College
* Dawood Public School, Jashore
* Adarsha Degree College, Magura
* Sreepur Degree College, Magura

### Polytechnic institutes

* Khulna Polytechnic Institute
* Jashore Polytechnic Institute
* City Polytechnic Institute, Khulna
* Mangrove Institute of Science and Technology
* North South Polytechnic Institute Khulna
* Jhenaidah Polytechnic Institute
* Khanjahan Ali college of Engineering and Technology
* BCMC College of Engineering & Technology
* Khulna Mohila Polytechnic Institute
* Kushtia Polytechnic Institute
* Satkhira Polytechnic Institute
* Magura Polytechnic Institute

### Schools

* V J Govt High School, Chuadanga
* Chuadanga Govt Girls' High School-Chuadanga
* Govt. Coronation Girls' High School-khulna
* Islamabad Collegiate School
* Government Naldanga Bhushan Pilot Secondary School, Jhenaidah
* Dighalia M.A. Majid Secondary School, Khulna
* Jashore Zilla School
* Khulna Zilla School
* Kushtia Zilla School
* Fatima Girls High School, Khulna
* Jashore Cantonment Public School
* Keshabpur Govt. Pilot Higher Secondary School, Jashore
* Khulna Collegiate Girls School
* Khulna Engineering University School
* Khulna Lions Schools
* Adarsho Girls' School, Keshabpur, Jashore
* Sagardari Michael Madhusadan Institution, Keshabpur, Jashore
* Kumira High School
* M.M. High School
* Mangolkot M.L High School, Keshabpur, Jashore
* Rev. Paul High School
* Rosedale International School
* Rotary School, Khalishpur, Khulna
* S.B.S.N, Damoder
* St. Joseph's High School, Khulna
* St. Xavier's High School, Khulna
* Udayan Khulna Zilla Police School
* Manirampur Government High School

### Other educational institutes

Khulna has six integrated general and vocational (IGV) schools and one technical school of UCEP (Underprivileged Children's Educational Programs), which is a non-profitable organization.
* UCEP Mohsin Khulna TVET Institute, Baikali, Khulna
* UCEP Mohsin Khulna Technical School, Baikali,
* UCEP Sonadanga Technical School, Sonadanga
* UCEP M.A Majid Technical School, Fulbarigate
* UCEP Khalishpur Technical School, Khalishpur
* UCEP Johara Samad Technical School, Tootpara
* UCEP Wazed Ali Technical School, Banorgati

## Transportation

Khulna Division has highest transportation link with other area in Bangladesh as well as with India by Road, Rail, Air and Waterways

### Road

The national highway (N7) cross through Khulna Division which connects Dhaka to Port of Mongla. The AH1 and AH41 also Cross through Khulna division. It also connects with India by Port of Benapole, Port of Darshana, Port of Mujibnogor, and Port of Bhomra through various Road links.

### Rail

There are several railway routes in Khulna Division which connects various cities and areas of Bangladesh. It also has 2 international routes which connects to India by train.

### Air

There are two airports in Khulna Division. One of them is functional and one is under construction. The Jashore Airport is a functional airport in Khulna Division which connects Dhaka, Chattogram and Cox's Bazar by air and the Khan Jahan Ali International Airport is still under construction.

### Waterways

Port of Khulna, Port of Kustia, Port of Noapara are the main three river port in Khulna division. Every day various ship are leaving from thus port to various part of Bangladesh.
Port of Mongla is the solo sea port in Khulna division.

## Newspapers and magazines

Daily and weekly newspapers are published from Khulna Division, including:
* Anirbhan
* Janmobhumi
* Khulna News
* Lok Samaj
* Probaho
* Purbanchal
* satkhiranews.com
* The Daily Gramer Kagoj
* The Daily Spandan
* Tribune
* Daily Mathabhanga

## Points of interest

Sixty Dome Mosque — Situated in the suburbs of Bagerhat Sadar Upazila, at the meeting-point of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, this ancient city, formerly known as Khalifatabad, was founded by the Turkish general Ulugh Khan Jahan in the 15th century. The city's infrastructure reveals considerable technical skill and an exceptional number of mosques and early Islamic monuments, many built of brick, can be seen there.
The Sundarbans mangrove forest, one of the largest such forests in the world (140,000 ha), lies on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal. It is adjacent to the border of India's Sundarbans World Heritage site inscribed in 1987. The site is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests, and presents an excellent example of ongoing ecological processes. The area is known for its wide range of fauna, including 260 bird species, the Bengal tiger and other threatened species such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python.
Mobarakganj Sugar Mills Limited is a prominent sugar manufacturing company located in Mobarakganj, Jhenaidah, Bangladesh. Established with the goal of supporting the agricultural sector and contributing to the national economy, the company produces high-quality sugar and related by-products.
Lalon is Bengali Baul saint. Lalon Shah was a songwriter, social reformer, and thinker. He is most popular as Lalon Shah or Lalon Fakir. He wrote many songs, and these songs are known as Lalon Geeti. Fakir Lalon was born in 1774 and died on 17 October 1890 in Kushtia district, Bangladesh. He is known as the Baul Samrat.
Shilaidaha Kuthibadi is a place in Kumarkhali Upazila of Kushtia District in Bangladesh. The place is famous for Kuthi Bari; a country house made by Dwarkanath Tagore. Rabindranath Tagore lived a part of life here and created some of his memorable poems while living here.
1971: Genocide-Torture Archive & Museum - Rare pictures and paintings depicting the genocide of Bangalees by the Pakistan army hang on the wall. There is also a rich collection of books and audio-visual materials on the ruthless massacre against the unarmed people. The aim of the museum is to educate people, especially youths, about the genocide committed by the Pakistan army in association with their local collaborators, said Prof Muntassir Mamoon, chairman of the trustee board that runs the institution.

## Language

Bengali is widely spoken in Khulna Division.

## Notable persons

* Khan Jahan Ali, saint
* Fakir Lalon Shah, Baul legend
* Prafulla Chandra Ray - Acharya and scholar of University of Dhaka
* Michael Madhusudan Datta, poet and dramatist
* Amir Hamza, poet and fighter
* SM Sultan, artist
* Nilima Ibrahim, educationist, littérateur and social worker
* Firoz Mahmud, contemporary visual artist and painter
* Mohammad Lutfur Rahman, author
* Tanvir Mokammel, filmmaker and writer
* Pramatha Chaudhuri, essayist, poet, author and editor
* Farrukh Ahmad, poet and editor
* Qazi Imdadul Haq, writer
* Nur Mohammad Sheikh, EPR member, Bir Sreshtho recipient
* Sheikh Abu Naser, politician
* Sharif Khasruzzaman - politician (Narail), fighter and commander during the Bangladesh War of Independence
* Abdul Hyee, politician, fighter and commander during the Bangladesh War of Independence
* SM Shafiuddin Ahmed - 17th Chief of Army Staff (CAS) of Bangladesh Army
* Mashrafe Mortaza - cricketer and member of parliament (Narail-2)
* Bishnu Chattopadhyay, fighter and leader of peasant movement
* Dr. Jamal Nazrul Islam, physicist
* Ahmed Ali Enayetpuri, Islamic scholar and Member of the Bengal Legislative Assembly
* Syed Ali Ahsan, poet
* Sheikh Mohammad Aslam, footballer
* Mahmudul Haque Liton, footballer
* Mamun Joarder, footballer
* Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, cricketer
* Shakib Al Hasan, cricketer
* Rubel Hossain, cricketer
* Manjural Islam Rana, cricketer
* Dinesh Chandra Chattopadhyay, writer and editor
* Suvra Mukherjee, former first lady of India, wife of President Pranab Mukherjee
* Bobita, actress
* Haridasa Thakur, Vaisnava Saint, acarya of the Holy Name.
* Muhammad Sohrab Hossain, government minister
* Soumya Sarkar, cricketer
* Imrul Kayes, cricketer
* Habibul Bashar, cricketer
* Mustafizur Rahman, cricketer
* Abdur Razzak (cricketer), cricketer
* Mohammad Manjural Islam, cricketer
* Sheikh Salahuddin, cricketer and coach (BCB Academy)
* Syed Rasel, cricketer
* S. I. Tutul, singer
* Munshi Mohammad Meherullah, Muslim poet, religious leader
* Gangadhar Sen Roy, Ayurveda physician
* Sheikh Razzak Ali, lawyer, politician, Deputy Speaker and Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad
* Salma Khatun, cricketer
* Jahanara Alam, cricketer
* Rumana Ahmed, cricketer
* Mehedi Hasan (Miraz), cricketer
* Puja Cherry Roy, actress
* Afif Hossain, cricketer
* Nurul Hasan Sohan, cricketer
* Shukhtara Rahman, cricketer
* Tahin Tahera, cricketer
* Shaila Sharmin, cricketer
* Ziaur Rahman, cricketer
* Radhabinod Pal, jurist, dissenting judge at the Tokyo Trials
* Abdul Hakeem (speaker), former speaker of the East Bengal Legislative Assembly