Morrelganj, Bagerhat

History

Morrelganj is named after the Morrel family. During the British rule Henry Morrel established Kuthi Bari and conducted torture in the area. In protest, a peasant rebellion spread under the leadership of Rahimullah of Baraikhali, who was killed on 25 November 1861.

During the War of Liberation 35 people were killed in an encounter between the freedom fighters and the Razakars on 15 August 1971. This is commemorated in the War of Liberation Memorial monument.
Geography

Morrelganj is located at 22.4500°N 89.8583°E. It has 61210 household units and a total area 460.91 km².

Morrelganj Upazila (Bagerhat district) is bounded by Bagerhat sadar and Kachua upazilas on the north, Sarankhola and Mathbaria upazilas on the south, Pirojpur sadar and Bhandaria upazilas on the east, Rampal and Mongla upazilas on the west. Main rivers: Baleshwar, Ghasiakhali, Panguchi and Bhola.
Demographics

Population 321153; male 50.48% and female 49.52%; Muslim 86.59%, Hindu 13.28% and other 0.13%.
Economy

The main occupations are: Agriculture 35.49%, fishing 3.65%, agricultural labourer 20.73%, wage labourer 6.85%, commerce 11.85%, transport 1.4%, service 5.6%, others 14.43%.

There is a big Shopping Place in Morrelgonj Called Morrelgonj Center or Morrelgonj Bazar and it is the big Business place of Morrelgonj.
Land use

Cultivable land 31778.22 hectares; single crop 73.14%, double crop 15.30% and treble crop 11.56%.

Value of land Market value of first grade land is Tk 20000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, potato, brinjal, sugarcane.

The sweet potato as a crop is extinct or nearly so.

The main cultivated fruits are mango, blackberry, jackfruit, guava, banana, palm and coconut.

Fisheries, dairies and poultry establishments: Fishery 960, poultry 13, dairy 8, hatchery 1.
Manufactures

Ice factory 4, rice mill 59, saw mill 46 and welding 30.

Cottage industries include: bamboo and cane work 144 and embroidery work 10.

Hats, bazars and fairs: Noted hats are Morrelganj, Daibogohati, Polerhat and Baharbunia College Bazar; noted fairs are Kalachand Aulia Mela, Laxmikhali Mela, Sanki Bhanga Baishakhi Mela and Baharbunia Halder Bari Namjagya.

Main exports Fish, betel nut, coconut and banana.

NGO activities brac, proshika, asa, Grameen bank, Bima Prokalpo, Ranar Uddipan, Mashuk, Gono Shastho Kendra, Dak Deya Jai, CDC.