SHER INFO.

There is a long history behind the naming of sherpur district. If we don’t know about the past stories of Sherpur a lot will remain unknown.

The past name of the area at the south-west border of ancient Kamrup state isn’t found anywhere. But there are stories about Gor Joripa, the capital of Hindu ruler of this area Dolip Shamonto. We see in the history that the name of this place was Dosh Kaholia Baju at the time of King Akbar.

                                         

           

The past name of the river Brahmaputra was Lowhitto Shagor which flows from river Mrigi of the southern border of Sherpur municipality to Jamalpur Ghat and it was 8/9 miles wide. The people of the both sides of the river had to use boats as transport. They had to paid 10 Kahon Kori in a yearly deal with the leaseholders of the Kheyaghats. That is how this area got the name Doskahonia. At that time the businesses was done with Kories.

                                       

                                        

Sher ali Gazi, the last landlord of Gazi clan conquered the Doskahonia area and ruled it independently during the Nababi reign at Bangla. That’s how Doshkahonia was named Sherpur after Sher Ali Gazi. Gorjoripa was the capital of Sherpur at that time too. There are mazar of Sher Ali Gazi at Fakir Bari of Gidda Para in present Khamar Bari union and Dorgah of Gazi at village Runi in Nokla upazila.

During British and Pakistani reign it was given the name Sherpur Circle. After Bangladesh was independent, Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the president of that time declared Sherpur the 61^st district. But it was delayed by the change of political background. In 1979 president Ziaur Rahman transferred Sherpur into a mohokuma and in 1984 president Ershad developed Sherpur into a district and transferred the 5 thanas of the district into upazilas. In 1869 Sherpur municipality was formed during the reign of the landlords.

                                    

                                   

The people of Sherpur have history of strikes for continuous 100 years from the end half of the 18^th century to the first half of the 19^th century. These strikes were performed directly against the oppression of the landlords on their subjects and indirectly to end the British reign.

Once upon time Tipu Pagol, the leader of the Pagol Ponthies ended the British reign in Sherpur and established an independent country. His latter generations are living in the Pagol Bari at the village Letir Kanda on the river Kongsho. 


The subjects were always busy in strikes against the landlords’ oppression. Among those some strikes were  Boxari Bidroho, Proja Andolon, Krishok Andolon and Khotriya Andolon.

Fokir Bidroho:

Shonabanu Fakir led the Forik Bidroho in this area. His descendants are still permanently living at Giddapara of Gazirkhamar at present. Sher Ali Gazi passed his spiritual life in their house in his death.

                                       

                               

Tonk Andolon:

The landlords used to collect 5 mon paddy and 15 taka cash per acre from their subjects as tax. It had to be paid even if the expected amount of paddy couldn’t be produced. The subjects often performed strikes to end this law.

                                       

                                     

Nankar Andolon:

The poor subjects owned certain amount of land and cultivated there instead of doing physical labor at the houses of the landlords. They had to leave the lands if unable to cultivate. Babu Robi Noyogi, Khondokar Mojibur Rahman, Mr. Abdur Roshid, Sofil Uddin etc joined the Tonk and Nankar Andolon against the landlords.

                                            

                                       

Adisthan Andolon:

There was claim raised for an independent area till the Garo hill on the northern side of the river Brahmaputra and it was an endeavor by the aboriginal tribes .

GARO HILL

                                       

Jolodhor Paul, the aboriginal leader and some members of the Communist party of that time led this. The main demand behind all these strikes was getting rid of the economical discrimination and being socially established

Shadhinota Andolon:

In 1970 the whole country joined an Ashohojog Andoln and there were Shongram Porishod formed with that responding to Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A Shongram Porishod was formed in Sherpur as well and in the summon of some of the political members of the porishod firstly 12 fearless local boys received army training from Subedar Abdul Haqim at Arai Anin Bari (present girls’ college) to be prepared for the battle.

 The member of Jatyo Porishod of that time Mr. AD. Anisur Rahman (Sherpur-Sreebordi), member of Jatyo Porishod Mr. Abdul Haqim (Nokla-Nalitabari), member of Pradeshic Porishod Mr. Nijam Uddin Ahmed (Sherpur) and member of Pradeshic Porishod Mr. Abdul Halim (Sreebordi) led the strike of Sherpur area. Among the organizers of the liberation war Mr. Abdus Samad, Mr. Muhsin Ali Master, Babu Robi Niyogi, Mr Abdur Rashid, Mr. Amzad Ali Master, Mr Emdadul Haque Hira Miya, Mr. Professor Abu Taher, Amzad Hossain who summoned Satro Shongram Porishod, Mr. Abul Kashem, MD. Habibur Rahman, Professor from Nokla Mijanur Rahman, Majammel Haque Master and Dr. Naderuzzaman played strong roles as leaders. 

                             

There were moktob madrasa, higher primary and lower primary junior madrasa, minor school and cultural tol in the village and town area. But there was no opportunity for higher education. There was a very first mid-English school established in the endeavor of the Noyani landlords of Sherpur. In 1887 this school was transformed into a high school in the occasion of great queen Victoria’s jubilee celebration and was given the name Victoria Academy. Another school named Gobindo Kumar Peace Memorial (G, K, P, M) was established in 1918/19 in the endeavor of the Arai Ani and Powne Tin Ani landlords.

Gobindo Kumar Peace Memorial (G, K, P, M)

                                

 Noyani landlord Charuchandra Chowdhury had a press named Charu Press. In that press the book Bishad Shindhu by Meer Mosharrof Hossain was first published.

         Many educational institutions were established in every upazila of Sherpur district including Sherpur Girls’ School in 1949 during the Pakistani reign, S. M. Model College after Sherpur College in 1964, High Schools in every upazila, after gaining independence Sherpur Girls’ College, Dr. Sikander Ali College, Polytechnique School, Vocational Institute, Youth Training Center etc. Among the religious educational institutions Sherpur Terabazar Jamia Siddiquia Madrasa was the largest Kowmi madrasa of the district. Students were taught till Dawaye Hadis following the curriculum of the Deobondo MAdrasa of India. Among the ancient mosques Bar Duyari Mosque, Mayshahebar Mosque and Khorompur Mosque of Gorjoripa has the highest amount of historical demand.

Bar Duyari Mosque

                                
The moharaja of Shushongo gave monk Meer Abdul Baki 27 acres of land by the mosque. After the death of Abdul Baki during the time of his wife, Salemunnesa Mai Shaheba Tinani landlord Radha Bollat Chowdhury forcefully conquered the land of the mosque leaving just 8 percent. Spiritual Pagol Momin Shaheb was a famous person in Sherpur town.

Sherpur at a glance:

Sherpur is a district of the Dhaka Division and in northern Bangladesh. Sherpur district was established in 1984. Before that it was a subdivision under the Mymensingh district. The district consists of one municipality, five upazilas, 51 union parishads, 2 municipalities, 18 wards, 73 mahallas, 458 mouzas and 699 villages. Five upazilas are JHENAIGATI, NAKLA, NALITABARI, SHERPUR SADAR and SREEBORDI.

Area:

 1363.76 km²

Boundary: 

This district is surrounded by Garo hills of Meghalaya (India) on the north, Mymensingh and Jamalpur districts on the south, Mymensingh district on the east, Jamalpur district on the west.

Population: 

12,46,511. Among them male are 50.87%, female 49.13%.

Religion:  

Muslim 95%, Hindu 4%, Christian 0.5% and others 0.5%.

Ethnic nationals: 

Garo, Koch, Hajong, Banai and Rajbanshi.

Literacy rate: 

Average literacy 32.4%. among them male are 38.6% and female 26.2%.

Forests: 

Shal, Segun and Gazari forests.

Weather:

Annual average temperature maximum 33.3°C, minimum 12°C; annual rainfall 2174 mm.

Main rivers: 

Main rivers are Old Brahmaputra, Mrigi, Malijee, Bhogai, Chellashali and Maharashi.

Distance from Dhaka:

It is only four and half hour journey from Dhaka ( capital city) .

Marks of War of Liberation:

There were many mass killing site. They are Ahmednagar (Jhenaihati), Jhaughara(Sherpur), Bidhaba Para (Nalitabari) and Kayari Road (Jhenaigati).

Main crops:

 Paddy, jute, wheat, mustard seed, potato, peanut, sugarcane and vegetables.

Main exports: 

 Paddy, jute, vegetables, rubber, stone, sand and bamboo.

Main occupations: 

23.61%, age labourer 3.01%, commerce 9.5%, service 3.14%, transport Agriculture 46.51%, fishing 1.45%, agricultural labourer 1.32% and others 11.46%.

Educational institutions:

There are an agricultural training institute, 1 nursing training institute and 1 vocational training institute. There are also 3 Government College, 11 Non-government College, 3 government high schools, 92 non-government high school and many other institutions.

Historical affairs:

Sherpur region was a part of the kingdom of the Kamrupa in the ancient time. During the Mughal period this area was called “Dashkahania Baju”. Doshkahania Pargana was named Sherpur after Sher Ali Gazi. He was the last jaghirdar of the Gazi dynasty. Diring the Fakir-Sannyasi Revolts Tipu Shah (leader of the Fakir Movement) declared sovereignty in the area and established his capital at Gajripa. Peasant conferences were held in 1906, 1914 and 1917 at Kamarer Char of Sherpur . The communists revolted against the systems of Nankar, Tonk, Bhawali, Mahajani, Ijaradari during 1838-48 occurred in Sherpur. In 1897 a devastating earth quack happened which changed the course of the Brahmaputra towards the west and merged it with the Jamuna. It caused a lot of harm to Sherpur.

Sherpur Town:

The town stands on the bank of the Brahmaputra and the Mrigi with an area 23.39 km². This town has a glorious history. It was established in the seventeenth century. During the Mughal period it was a regional administrative centre .Magistrate court and thana (police station) were established in the beginning of the 19th century. The Sherpur municipality was established in 1869. Now the town consists of 9 wards and 56 mahallas. The town has a population of 78749. Among them male are 52.22%, female 47.78%. The density of population is 3367 per km² and the Literacy rate among the town people is 38.6%.

Administration: 

Sherpur district was established in 1984; earlier it was a subdivision under the Mymensingh district. The district consists of one municipality, five upazilas, 51 union parishads, 2 municipalities, 18 wards, 73 mahallas, 458 mouzas and 699 villages. 

Upazila:

  The upazilas are

  01. Jhenaigati Upazila
  02. Nakla Upazila
  03. Nalitabari Upazila
  04. Sherpur Sadar Upazila
  05. Sreebardi Upazila


Municipalities:
  The Municipalities are

  01. Nakla Pourashova
  Mayor: Moklesur Rahman Tara (BNP)
  Mobile: 01552-441452

  02. Nalitabari Pourashova
  Mayor: Anwar Hossain (BNP)
  Mobile:01711-313669

  03. Sherpur Pourashova
  Mayor: Humayun Kabir Roman (AL)
  Mobile:01711-637523

  04. Sreebardi Pourashova
  Mayor: Md. Abdul Hakim
  Mobile:
 
Newspaper & Periodicals:

Newspapers and periodicals Weekly Sherpur, Weekly Dashkahania, Weekly Chalti Khabar, Sahityaloka, Barshati, Ra, etc; extinct: Biddaunnati Sadhini (1865), Weelky Biggapani (1865), Weekly Charybarta (1881), Bangasuridh (1881), Samskriti Sanjibini, fortnightly Kishore (1957-58), Monthly Daxina (1967), Probaha, Angan, Muktangan, Ganabarta, Aunnesa, Uccharan, Sancharan.

NWD Code of All Thana:
Jhenaigati Upazila-09325-
Nakla Upazila-09323-
Nalitabari Upazila-09324-
Sherpur Sadar Upazila-0931-
Sreebardi Upazila-09322

Parliament Member:
 
9th Parliament Election Member:

143. Sherpur-1
Election Area: Sherpur Sadar Upazila
Winner Candidate: Md. Atiur Rahman Atik-Bangladesh Awami League

144. Sherpur-2
Election Area: Nakla & Nalitabari
Winner Candidate: Begum Matia Chowdhury-Bangladesh Awami League

145. Sherpur-3
Election Area: Sreebardi & Jhenaigati
Winner Candidate: A K M Fazlul Haque-Bangladesh Awami League

Attractions of Sherpur

Historical and archeological heritage:

• Garh Jaripar Fort (c 1486-91 AD)

• Tomb of Darvish Jarip Shah

• Baraduari Mosque

• Tomb of Hazrat Shah Kamal (1644 AD)

• Tomb of Sher Ali Gazi, Mughal Mosque at Kasba

• Ghagra Laskar Bari Mosque

• Maisaheba Mosque

• Residences of Nay Ani, Arai Ani and Pouney Tin Ani Zamindars.

Other interests:

• ‘Modhu Tila Eco-Park’situated in Nalitabari (Beautiful Picnic & Vacation Spot).