Rajbari District

Rajbari District (Bengali: রাজবাড়ী জেলা) is a district in central Bangladesh, located in Dhaka Division.^[4][5] It is a part of the Greater Faridpur subregion of Bengal due to the historical and cultural identities of its inhabitants, with Kushtia border on the west, Rajbari is also the meeting point of two distinctive culture of Bangladesh.

Rajbari District রাজবাড়ী জেলা
District of Bangladesh
Location of Rajbari District in Bangladesh
Expandable map of Rajbari District
Coordinates: 23.70°N 89.50°E / 23.70; 89.50
Country	Bangladesh
Division	Dhaka
Headquarters	Rajbari
Government
• Deputy Commissioner	Dilsad Begum
• District Council Chairman	Vacant
Area [1]
• Total	1,118.80 km2 (431.97 sq mi)
Population  (2022)[2]
• Total	1,189,818
• Density	1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi)
Demonym	Rajbarian
Time zone	UTC+06:00 (BST)
Postal code	7700
Area code	0641
ISO 3166 code	BD-53
HDI (2018)	0.596[3] medium · 11th of 21
Website	www.rajbari.gov.bd

History

During the reign of Mughal emperor Jahangir, a fief in Padamdi was decreed to the family of an Iraqi Muslim immigrant by the name of Syed Shah Pahlwan in 1607. The zamindari family, known as the Nawabs of Padamdi actively commanded the artillery and served the Mughal army, eventually leading to Emperor Shah Jahan bestowing them the title of Mir.

Daulatdia Ghat, Rajbari, Bangladesh

Rajbari in the Bengali language means palace, and pays homage to the rich zamindari families that feudally ruled modern-day Rajbari. In the 17th century, the Mughal governor of Bengal, Shaista Khan, appointed Sangram Shah of Panchthupi as the Nawara of what is present-day Rajbari in order to suppress the Portuguese pirates. The Nawara settled permanently in the populated neighbourhood of Banibaha and built a fort at a place called Lalgola. Sangram Shah and his family later became known as the Nawara Chowdhuries of Banibaha.

After the Battle of Plassey of 1757, one of Siraj ud-Daulah's officers by the name of Prabhuram went into hiding in Lakshmikol to avoid the British colonialists. Prabhuram's son, Dwigendra Prasad, eventually became a prominent zamindar in the area, and his son Surya Kumar earned the title of Raja. In 1890, the Rajbari railway station was established, and it is said that it was named after Raja Surya Kumar. Other zamindars such as the Nawara Chowdhuries of Banibaha objected to this as the name of Rajbari was said to have been established long before Kumar.^[6]

During the Bangladesh War of 1971, an organisation named the Sangram Parishad (Struggle Council) was established on 26 March. On 21 and 22 April, six Bengali fighters were murdered during an encounter with the Pakistan Army. In the villages of Majhpara, Ramcole and Mathurapur, the army killed 10 pro-independence Bengalis and individuals in addition to setting many houses on fire. The Bengali fighters captured a large amount of equipment and resources from the Army in November. Another brawl took place in that month in the village of Alhadipur leading to 9 Pakistan Army casualties.^[4]

Geography and climate

The district is bounded by Pabna District on the north, Faridpur and Magura districts on the south, Manikganj District on the east, Kushtia and Jhenaidah districts on the west. The land of the district is mainly alluvial raised from the Padma.

Annual average temperature of this district is maximum 35.8 °C and minimum 12.6 °C. Annual rainfall is 2105 mm.

Major rivers

• Padma
• Jalangi
• Kumar
• Garai
• Madhumati
• Harai
• Chandana
• Chitra

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1974	569,461	—
1981	678,205	+2.53%
1991	835,173	+2.10%
2001	951,906	+1.32%
2011	1,049,778	+0.98%
2022	1,189,818	+1.14%
Sources:[2][7]

According to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh, Rajbari District had 295,216 households and a population of 1,189,818 with an average 3.99 people per household. Among the population, 215,341 (18.10%) inhabitants were under 10 years of age. The population density was 1,089 people per km². Rajbari District had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 69.49%, compared to the national average of 74.80%, and a sex ratio of 1044 females per 1000 males. Approximately, 15.11% of the population lived in urban areas. The ethnic population was 3,324.^[2]

Religion

Religions in Rajbari District (2022)[2]
Religion			Percent
Islam			90.66%
Hinduism			9.29%
Other or not stated			0.05%

Religion in present-day Rajbari district

Religion	1941[8]: 98–99 [a]		1981[7]		1991[7]		2001[7]		2011[7]		2022[2]
	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Islam	211,005	63.09%	563,451	83.08%	724,361	86.73%	847,616	89.04%	942,527	89.78%	1,078,677	90.66%
Hinduism	123,011	36.78%	113,975	16.81%	109,614	13.12%	103,664	10.89%	106,974	10.19%	110,569	9.29%
Others [b]	460	0.14%	779	0.11%	1,198	0.15%	626	0.07%	277	0.03%	572	0.05%
Total Population	334,476	100%	678,205	100%	835,173	100%	951,906	100%	1,049,778	100%	1,189,818	100%

The district is predominantly Muslim. Muslims are 1,078,677, Hindus 110,569, and Christians 163.

Places of interest

Dighi (a kind of water body) in Rajbari include Kallyan Dighi, situated in Baliakandi of Islampur union. Rajbari is situated by the bank of Padma River.

"Godar Bazar", bank of Padma River and also a well-known place of interest is situated near at Rajbari town. And also well known place is "UK BEACH" (Urakanda Padma River Side Resort)

Administration

Once Rajbari region was a part of Jessore District. In 1811 when Faridpur District was formed Rajbari was included in it. Besides, the upazilas under Rajbari district were included in different districts in the past. Pangsha Upazila was once included into Pabna District. In 1859, Pangsha and Baliakandi were included in the newly formed Kumarkhali Upazila. In 1871, when Goalanda Upazila was formed, Pangsha and Rajbari were included in it and its headquarters was established in Rajbari. Goalanda was upgraded into a district in March 1984 and it was renamed as Rajbari District.^[4]

Parliamentary seats

1. Rajbari-1
2. Rajbari-2

Upazilas

There are 5 upazilas in this district.^[5] They are:

1. Baliakandi Upazila
2. Goalanda Upazila
3. Pangsha Upazila
4. Kalukhali Upazila
5. Rajbari Sadar Upazila

Deputy commissioner

The DC is the chief administrative and revenue officer of Rajbari District.

Name	Term
Shahiduddin Ahmad	26/2/1984 - 5/10/1986
Muhammad Najmul Ahsan	29/9/1986 - 25/2/1989
Zillur Rashid Chowdhury	22/2/1989 - 8/1/1991
Chowdhury Ghulam Mawla	13/8/1992 - 1/8/1995
Muhammad Wahidur Rahman	2/8/1995 - 21/8/1995
AFM Matiur Rahman	22/8/1995 - 27/4/1996
Amirul Karim	22/4/1996 - 14/7/1999
ASM Hanifuddin Sarkar	15/7/1999 - 28/3/2001
Raziyah Begum	28/3/2001 - 25/4/2002
Bijankanti Sarkar	25/4/2002 - 1/9/2004
Muhammad Nurul Alam	1/9/2004 - 3/9/2006
Muhammad Jamal Husayn Majumdar	3/9/2006 - 19/11/2006
Tawhidah Bulbul	19/11/2006 - 26/1/2008
Muhammad Mahfuzur Rahman	24/1/2008 - 28/4/2009
Fayz Ahmad	27/4/2009 - 27/4/2010
Sayyidah Sahana Bibi	27/4/2010 - 12/12/2012
Muhammad Hasanuzzaman Kallol	12/12/2012 - 20/6/2014
Arafatul Islam Jim	21/6/2015 - 27/4/2015
Muhammad Rafiqul Islam Khan	20/6/2014 -2/2/2016
Jinnat Ara	2/2/2016 - 11/5/2017
Muhammad Shawqat Ali	11/5/2017 - 24/6/2019
Dilshad Begum	Present

Education

Schools

• Rajbari Government High School
• Rajapur Yeasin Institution
• Kalukhali R.K Govt. Model High School
• Baliakandi Pilot Model High School
• Rajbari Government Girls High School
• R.S.K Institution
• Rajdharpur Madhyamik Bidyalay
• Baharpur High School
• Kola Sadar Uddin High School
• Atdapunia High School
• Goalanda Nazir Uddin Pilot Govt. High School
• Goalundo Proper High School
• Mulghor High School
• Kashbamajail A.H High School
• Suraj Mohini Institute & Tamijuddin Girls High School
• Mohonpur K.B Academy
• Nalia Shyama Mohon Institution
• Lotus Collegiate School
• Yasin high school.
• Mrigi M.L.High School

Colleges

• Bhandaria Siddiqia Kamil Madrasah, Rajbari
• Rajbari Government College^[9]
• Rajbari Government Adarsha Mohila College
• Dr. Abul Hossain University College
• Pangsha Government College
• Kalukhali Government College
• Govt. Goalanda Kamrul Islam College
• Baharpur College
• Baliakandi Degree College
• Mansur Ali Degree College
• Mir Mosharraf Hossain Degree College
• Jamalpur Degree College
• Mrigi Shaheed Dianot Degree College

Notable people

• Padamdi Nawab family
  • Mir Mosharraf Hossain, novelist and playwright
• Haroa/Ratandia Choudhury family
  • Yusuf Hossain Choudhury, politician
  • Rashid Hossain Choudhury, artist
• Katakhali Chowdhury family
  • Abdul Wajed Chowdhury (died 1992), politician
  • Salma Chowdhury (born 1971), politician
• Maguradangi Chowdhury family
  • Rowshan Ali Chowdhury (1874–1933), journalist
  • Yakub Ali Chowdhury (1888–1940), essayist
• Bagmara Qazi family
  • Qazi Motahar Hossain (1897–1981), scientist, author and teacher
  • Sanjida Khatun (1933–2025), musicologist
  • Qazi Anwar Hussain (1936–2022), novelist
  • Fahmida Khatun, singer
• AKM Aszad, politician
• Lieutenant General S. M. Matiur Rahman
• Kazi Keramat Ali, former MP & Education Minister
• Md. Zillul Hakim, former MP & Railways Minister
• Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, former MP
• Jahanara Begum, politician
• Kazi Abdul Wadud, dramatist
• Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan, former Speaker of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan
• Monsur Ul Karim, painter
• Rokanuzzaman Khan, journalist
• Shohely Akhter, cricketer
• S. M. Kuddus Zaman, justice
• Satish Chandra Vidyabhusan, eminent Sanskrit scholar
• Shohely Akhter, cricketer
• Kangalini Sufia, folk singer
• Kazi Abul Kasem, polymath
• Rozina, actress
• Khurshida Begum Sayeed, former commissioner
• Khabiruzzaman, Bir Bikrom

See also

• Districts of Bangladesh
• Rajdharpur

Notes

1. Goalundo subdivision of Faridpur district
2. Including Jainism, Christianity, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Ad-Dharmis, or not stated