Gowainghat Upazila

Gowainghat
গোয়াইনঘাট
View of Ratargul Swamp Forest
Location of Gowainghat
Coordinates: 25°6.2′N 91°53.5′E / 25.1033°N 91.8917°E / 25.1033; 91.8917
Country Bangladesh
DivisionSylhet
DistrictSylhet
Area
 • Total
481.12 km2 (185.76 sq mi)
Population
 • Total
355,979
 • Density740/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+6 (BST)
Postal code
3150[2]
Websitegowainghat.sylhet.gov.bd

Gowainghat (Bengali: গোয়াইনঘাট) is an upazila of Sylhet District in the Division of Sylhet, Bangladesh.[3]

History

[edit]

The British Empire conquered the Jaintia Kingdom on 25 March 1835, finally incorporating Gowainghat in its Sylhet District Collectorate.[4] In 1908, the Gowainghat Thana was founded with the union of 5 parganas; Dhargram, Araikha, Piyaingul, Panchbhag and Jaflong and then separated into 9 union councils. During the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Pakistani army launched an attack in Ujuhat, Alirgaon killing 25 freedom fighters on the night of 28 November 1971. 7 mass graves are found in the upazila in Ujuhat, Atgram, Tamabil Zero Point, Health Complex and Birkuli. To commemorate the loss of lives, a memorial has been built. The thana prospered, officially upgrading to an upazila on 14 March 1983.[5]

Geography

[edit]

Gowainghat is located at 25°06′10″N 91°53′30″E / 25.1028°N 91.8917°E / 25.1028; 91.8917. It has 47,992 households and a total area of 481.12 km2. The rivers are quarried for their stones, in areas like Bichnakandi.[6]

Demographics

[edit]
Religions in Gowainghat Upazila (2022)[7]
Religion Percent
Islam
93.30%
Hinduism
6.40%
Other or not stated
0.30%

According to the 2011 Census of Bangladesh, Gowainghat Upazila had 47,992 households and a population of 287,512. 93,235 (32.43%) were under 10 years of age. Gowainghat had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 32.70%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 998 females per 1000 males. 6,069 (2.11%) lived in urban areas.[8] Ethnic population was 2,073 (0.72%), of which Khasi were 902.[9]

As of 2001 Bangladesh census, Gowainghat has a population of 207,170. Males constituted 51.80% of the population, and females 48.20%. Gowainghat has an average literacy rate of 22.8%.[10]

Administration

[edit]

Gowainghat Upazila is divided into nine union parishads: Alirgaon, Daubaria, Fatehpur, Lengura, Nandirgaon, Purba Jaflong, Paschim Jaflong, Rustampur, and Towakul. The union parishads are subdivided into 231 mauzas and 266 villages.[8]

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ National Report (PDF). Population and Housing Census 2022. Vol. 1. Dhaka: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. November 2023. p. 404. ISBN 978-9844752016.
  2. ^ "Bangladesh Postal Code". Dhaka: Bangladesh Postal Department under the Department of Posts and Telecommunications of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. 20 October 2024.
  3. ^ Abdul Hai Al-Hadi (2012). "Gowainghat Upazila". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  4. ^ B C Allen (1905). Assam District Gazetteers. Vol. 2. Calcutta: Government of Assam.
  5. ^ গোয়াইনঘাট উপজেলা. Gowainghat (in Bengali).
  6. ^ "Suspension of stones collection : Over 5 lakh workers jobless in Sylhet | Business News 24 BD". businessnews24bd.com. Archived from the original on 2016-11-30. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  7. ^ Population and Housing Census 2022 - District Report: Sylhet (PDF). District Series. Dhaka: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. June 2024. ISBN 978-984-475-269-6.
  8. ^ a b "Bangladesh Population and Housing Census 2011 Zila Report – Sylhet" (PDF). bbs.gov.bd. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.
  9. ^ "Community Tables: Sylhet district" (PDF). bbs.gov.bd. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. 2011.
  10. ^ "Census Results by Upazila/Thana" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 24, 2007. Retrieved 2008-08-27.