Mymensingh Division

Mymensingh Division (Bengali: ময়মনসিংহ বিভাগ) is one of the eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh. It has an area of 10,485 square kilometres (4,048 sq mi) and a population of 12,225,498 as of the 2022 census. It was formed in 2015 from districts previously composing the northern part of Dhaka Division. Its headquarters are in Mymensingh city in Mymensingh District.^[3] Mymensingh has four districts which it governs, Mymensingh District, Jamalpur District, Netrokona District, and Sherpur District.

Mymensingh Division ময়মনসিংহ বিভাগ Bhati-Nasirabad
Division
Coordinates: 24°10′N 90°25′E
Country	Bangladesh
Established	2015
Capital and largest city	Mymensingh
Government
• Divisional Commissioner	Umme Salma Tanzia[1]
• Parliamentary constituency	Jatiya Sangsad (38 seats)
Area
• Total	10,584.06 km2 (4,086.53 sq mi)
Population  (2022 census)
• Total	12,225,498
• Density	1,200/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+6 (BST)
ISO 3166 code	BD-H
HDI (2019)	0.594[2] medium
Website	www.mymensinghdiv.gov.bd

History

Provincial Map of Bengal showing the Greater Mymensingh Area (present Division with Tangail and Kishoreganj) in 1917.

Mymensingh’s history stretches far into antiquity. Around the 4th century BC, it was a significant part of the Vedic state of Mahajanapada. Over the centuries, the region witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties, including the Gupta Empire, the Sena Dynasty, and the Muslim rulers during the medieval period. Each era left its mark on Mymensingh’s cultural and political landscape.^[4]

The Greater Mymensingh region (Mymensingh District along with five other neighbouring districts) was created as a Mymensingh district by the British Indian government in 1787. Later it was reorganized in two phases into six districts: Mymensingh, Kishoreganj, Netrakona, Jamalpur, Tangail, and Sherpur.^[5] But Kishoreganj and Tangail are no longer part of Mymensingh, so Mymensingh comprises four districts.

On 12 January 2015, prime minister Sheikh Hasina declared the establishment of a new Mymensingh Division. The initial intention was to carve six districts (those comprising the original Mymensingh district of 1787) out of the Dhaka Division. However, while four of the districts were eager for the establishment of a new division, people in the Tangail and Kishoreganj Districts wished to remain part of Dhaka Division.^[6][7] On 14 September 2015 Mymensingh was officially announced as a division consisting of four districts.^[8][9][10]

Administrative divisions

Name	Headquarter	Area (km2)	Population 1991 Census	Population 2001 Census	Population 2011 Census
Mymensingh District	Mymensingh	4,394.57	3,957,182	4,489,726	5,110,272
Jamalpur District	Jamalpur	2,115.16	1,874,440	2,107,209	2,292,674
Netrokona District	Netrokona	2,794.28	1,730,935	1,988,188	2,229,642
Sherpur District	Sherpur	1,364.67	1,138,629	1,279,542	1,358,325
Total District	4	10,584.06	8,701,186	9,864,665	10,990,913

Census figures for 1991, 2001 and 2011 are from Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Population Census Wing.

Religion in Mymensingh division (2011)[11]
Religion			Percent
Muslims			95.19%
Hindus			4.22%
Christians			0.51%
Others			0.08%

Muslims are the predominant religion with 95.19%, while Hindus and Christians are 4.22% and 0.51% of the population respectively. Mymensingh has the highest percentage of Muslims of all divisions of Bangladesh.^[11]

Industry

Agriculture

Mymensingh has a rich and thriving agricultural sector. Crops such as jute, rice, vegetables, and wheat are being cultivated here. Many large rice fields make up the landscape. Rice from Mymensingh, and other parts of Bangladesh contribute heavily to the economy.

Textiles

Mymensingh is also known for its large textile industry, featuring factories all over the division. These textiles are then exported all over the world to various places. ^[12]

References

1. "List of Divisional Commissioners". Archived from the original on 2022-06-18. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
2. "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
3. "Mymensingh Division 24". Archived from the original on 2017-11-11. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
4. "Mymensingh, BD : Interesting Facts, Famous Things & History Information | What Is Mymensingh Known For?". HollyMelody | Travel Guide and Tips | Amazing Facts & History. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
5. Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis. Scarecrow Press. 22 August 2013. ISBN 9780810880245. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
6. প্রচ্ছদ ময়মনসিংহকে দেশ থেকে বিতারিত করা উচিত। (in Bengali). No. 14–70. Prothom Alo. 14 January 2015. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
7. "Mymensingh to become new division". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
8. "Govt gives final approval for Mymensingh as country's eighth administrative division". Bdnews24.com. 14 September 2015. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
9. "Mymensingh a division now". Dhaka Tribune. 15 September 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
10. "Mymensingh to become eighth division of Bangladesh". Daily Star. 14 September 2015. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
11. "Bangladesh Population & Housing Census 2011(Zila aeries)". Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original on 2022-07-29. Retrieved 2022-07-02.
12. "Mymensingh Division: Rich History, Vibrant Culture - Bengal Insider". Retrieved 2024-07-20.