Zakiganj

Zakiganj (Bengali: জকিগঞ্জ) is an Upazila of Sylhet District in the Division of Sylhet, Bangladesh. Zakiganj, the 5th largest Upazila of Sylhet Zila in respect of area, came into existence in 27 August 1947 as thana and was turned into an upazila in 1 August 1983. Nothing is definitely known about the origin of the Upazila name. It is learnt that there lived a saint named Maulana Zaki at the present place of the Upazila headquarters. A trading Centre meaning ganj grew up in and around the cottage of that saint. In memory of this saint the place named Z...akiganj.

Zakiganj Upazila occupies an area of 267 sq. km. It is located between 24º51´ and 25º00´ north latitudes and between 92º13´ and 92º30´ east longitudes. The Upazila is bounded on the north by India and Kanaighat Upazila, on the east and south by India and on the west by Beanibazar and Kanaighat Upazilas.

Zakiganj Upazila consists of 1 Paurashava, 9 unions, 9 wards, 119 mauzas, 17 mahallahs, and 286 villages.

The 9 (Nine) Unions are given below:
1. Barahal - 44.87 sq. km
2. Barathakuri - 24.75 sq. km
3. Birosree - 29.98 sq. km
4. Kajalshar - 40.22 sq. km
5. Khaskanakpur - 19.23 sq. km
6. Kholachhara - 29.64 sq. km
7. Manikpur - 41.69 sq. km
8. Sultanpur - 25.45 sq. km
9. Zakiganj - 07.29 sq. km

Populations of Zakiganj Upazila are 2,42,561; male 1,22,061, female 1,20,500; Muslim 86.48%, Hindu 13.47%, Buddhist, Christian and others 0.05%. Average literacy of Zakiganj Upazila is 50%.

Educational institutions are given below:

Colleges:
1. Zakiganj Govt. College.
2. Hafsa Mozumdar Degree College.
3. Ichamoti Degree College.
4. Barohal College.

High schools:
1. Gurusadoy High School.
2. Barohal Ehia High School.
3. Zakiganj Govt. High School.
4. Ichamati High School.
5. Gonipur Kamalgonj High School.
6. Zakiganj Govt. Girl High School.
7. Wazed Ali Mozumdar Secondary School.
8. Zubed Ali Secondary School.
9. Lutfur Rahman High School & College.
10. Gulam Mostofa Chowdhury Academy.
11. Sherulbag Secondary School.
12. Kazi Abdul Khalik High School.
13. Eidgah Bazar High School.
14. Moulovi Shair Ali High School.
15. Shahbag High School.
16. Sunasar Secondary School.
17. Imdad Mazumdar Biddanikaton.
18. Hafiz Mazumdar Biddanikaton.
19. Sazzad Mazumdar Biddanikaton.
20. Zakiganj Girls High School.
21. Abdur Razzak Memorial Biddanikaton.
22. Brigediar M. R. Mazumdar Biddanikaton

Primary schools:
Govt. primary school in 9 unions are....
1. Barahal - 13
2. Barathakuri - 10
3. Birosree - 10
4. Kajalshar - 13
5. Khaskanakpur - 08
6. Kholachhara - 13
7. Manikpur - 17
8. Sultanpur - 14
9. Zakiganj - 09
So, total number of govt. primary schools in Zakiganj Upazila are 107.

Other schools:
1. Registered private primary schools are 8.
2. Community schools are 14.
3. Un-registered private primary schools are 02.
4. Kinder-gartens are 09.
5. FIVDB (NGO) schools are 17.

Madrasa:
Alia & Dakhil Madrasa:
1. Bade Deorial Fultoli Alia Madrasa.
2. Ichamoti Darul Ulum Kamil Madrasa.
3. Zakiganj Fazil Senior Madrasa.
4. Gongajol Hasania Senior Madrasa.
5. Atgram Amjadia Dakhil Madrasa.
6. Sunapur Mazharul Ulum Dakhil Madrasa.
7. Tanabazar Lotifia Furkania Dakhil Madrasa.
8. Borkotpur Mannania Dakhil Madrasa.
9. Koskonokpur Gazir Mukam Dakhil Madrasa.
10. Nobiganj Darus Sunnah Dakhil Madrasa.
11. Hazi Toiob Ali Girls Dakhil Madrasa.
12. Barohal Hatubil Gausia Dakhil Madrasa.
13. Munsipara Dakhil Madrasa.
14. Gutargram Dakhil Madrasa.
15. Dr. Tufazzol Ali Women Dakhil Madrasa.
16. Beor Girls Dakhil Madrasa.
17. Mushahidia Dakhil Madrasa.
18. Chaoghat Rahimpur Dakhil Madrasa.
19. Rashidia Girls Dakhil Madrasa.
20. Kholasora Girls Dakhil Madrasa.

Other Madrasas:
1. Koumi Madrasas are 37.
2. Hafizia Madrasas are 15.
3. Ibtedai Madrasas are 10.

Religious institutions in Zakiganj Upazila are showing below:
1. Mosjids are 528 (five hundred twenty eight).
2. Eidghah are 55 (fifty five).
3. Graveyard are 736 (seven hundred thirty six).
4. Mazars are 9 (nine).
5. Temples (Mondir) are 74 (seventy four).
6. Akhra are 35 (thirty five)
7. Shashan are 37 (thirty six)

Main occupations in Zakiganj Upazila are Agriculture 40.91%, forestry fishing and livestock 4.64%, agricultural labourer 17.39%, wage labourer 7.16%, commerce 8.99%, construction 1.42%, service 4.07%, others 15.42%.

Surma & Khusiara are the two rivers in Zakiganj Upazila.

Cultural organisations of Zakiganj Upazila are Urban club 1, rural club 7, press club 1, public library 3, literary association 1, cooperative association 336, playground 10.

Land use in Zakiganj Upazila are Arable land 20743.47 hectares, fallow land 604.21 hectares, grassland 1097.39 hectares; single crop 25%, double crop 60% and triple crop land 15%. Among the peasants, 14% are landless, 50% marginal, 28% intermediate and 8% rich; cultivable land per head 0.16 hectare.

Main crops in Zakiganj Upazila are Paddy, betel nut, brinjal, tomato, soybean. Extinct and nearly extinct crops are Ground nut, til (sesame), mustard, sweet potato. Main fruits are Mango, jackfruit, banana, papaya.

Fisheries, dairies, poultries in Zakiganj Upazila are Fishery 200, poultry 58, hatchery 10.

Communication facilities of Zakiganj Upazila are Roads: pucca 124 km and mud road 1005 km; waterways 11 nautical mile. Traditional transports are Horse carriage, bullock cart, palanquin, dingi boat. These means of transport are extinct or nearly extinct.

Cottage industries in Zakiganj Upazila are Handloom 3, goldsmith 10, wood work 30, tailoring 50, welding 15.

Hats and bazars in Zakiganj Upazila are 28, most noted of which are Zakiganj, Kaliganj and Shahagli.

Banks in Zakiganj Upazila are given below:
1. Sonali Bank, Zakiganj Bazar Branch, Zakiganj.
2. Janata Bank, Zakiganj Bazar Branch, Zakiganj.
3. Agrani Bank, Shahgali Bazar branch, Shahgali.
4. Krishi Bank, Zakiganj Bazar Branch, Zakiganj.
5. Krishi Bank, Rathanganj Bazar Branch, Rathanganj.
6. Pubali Bank, Zakiganj Bazar Branch, Zakiganj.
7. Pubali Bank, Kaliganj Bazar Branch, Kaliganj.
8. Pubali Bank, Shahgali Bazar branch, Shahgali.
9. Rupali Bank, Kaliganj Bazar Branch, Kaliganj.
10. BRACK SME Unit, Kaliganj Bazar, Kaliganj.

BRAC, Simantik, Shatadal, Muslim Hands Bangladesh, FIVDB, BWHC, Onirban, Kebit Bangladesh, SIDA, Sylhet Development Society, MMR Memorial Fund, ASHA, Hid Bangladesh, TMSS are the main NGO in Zakiganj Upazila.

Health centres in Zakiganj Upazila are: Upazila Health Centre 1, Family Welfare Centre 8, NGO Clinic 2, Private Hospital 3, Community Clinic 26.

Archaeological heritage in Zakiganj Upazila are Nawabi Mosjid at Khilgram, Sajid Raja's Mosjid and Barothakuri's Gayibi Dighi (a stone inscription, of 400 years old, now preserved in the National Museum, has been discovered from this dighi).

Marks of War of Liberation in Zakiganj Upazila are: Mass grave 2 (Aatgram Bazar and Kaliganj Bazar).

References:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org
2. http://www.banglapedia.org
3. মোঃ হান্নান মিয়া, প্রসঙ্গ জকিগঞ্জ ইতিহাস ও ঐতিহ্য, সুগন্ধা আফসেট প্রিন্টার্স, সিলেট।