Sonagazi Upazila

Coordinates: 22°51′27.44683″N 91°23′44.02031″E / 22.8576241194°N 91.3955611972°E / 22.8576241194; 91.3955611972
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Sonagazi
সোনাগাজী
Location of Sonagazi
Coordinates (Sonagazi upazila parishad): 22°51′27.44683″N 91°23′44.02031″E / 22.8576241194°N 91.3955611972°E / 22.8576241194; 91.3955611972
Country Bangladesh
DivisionChittagong
DistrictFeni
SeatSonagazi
Government
 • Upazila parishad chairmanJahir Uddin Mahmud (  AL)
 • Upazila Nirbahi OfficerKamrul Hasan
Area
 • Total284.9 km2 (110.0 sq mi)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total290,664
 • Density1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+6 (Bangladesh Standard Time)
WebsiteOfficial Website of Sonagazi Upazila

Sonagazi (Bengali: সোনাগাজী) is an upazila (sub-district) of Feni District in Chittagong Division, Bangladesh, located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal.

At the 2022 census, its population was 290 thousand, making it the second most populous upazila in Feni District. The upazila comprises one municipality and nine union councils.

History[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Legend has it that Sona Ghazi Bhuyan, a notable figure from the Ghazi family of landowners belonging to the Baro-Bhuyan confederacy, played a pivotal role in developing a market for salt trade in the coastal area. The name Sonagazi was selected for the thana established with the market at its center.[1]: 147 

Mughal period[edit]

Upon his accession to the throne, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan appointed his son, Shah Shuja, as the subahdar (governor) of Bengal. Upon assuming this role, Shuja swiftly took action to safeguard the coastal areas from Arakanese naval attacks by constructing a fort in Sonagazi among various strategic initiatives. The area surrounding the fort continues to be known as Sujapur in his honor.[2]: 111–112 

Establishment of thana[edit]

When the Mughal era-established thanas (police jurisdictions) of Jugidiya and Amirgaon in the then Bhulua region of Noakhali near the coast of the Bay of Bengal were submerged by the Feni river, a new thana named Sonagazi was established in 1886 to reinstate law enforcement measures in the southern region of Feni.[1]: 147  Around this period, the governor of Feni mahakuma, Nabinchandra Sen, undertook the construction and improvement of the Feni–Sonagazi road to accommodate bullock carts.[2]: 52 

Liberation war–present day[edit]

Around the time of the Bangladesh Liberation War, Sonagazi was one of the four thanas within the Feni mahakuma, alongside Feni Sadar, Chhagalnaiya, and Parshuram.[2]: 25  During the conflict, guerrilla warfare-trained freedom fighters were dispatched to various areas of Sonagazi, where they carried out numerous operations targeting the residences of collaborators of the invading forces and local razakar militias in locations such as Nababpur, Ahammadpur, Majlishpur, Bogadana, Char Darbesh, Char Chandia, and Motiganj.[2]: 80–81 

On 28 July 1971, during a confrontation between freedom fighters and the Pakistani army at Nababpur, an enemy military commander was killed. On 15 August, approximately 50 Pakistani soldiers were killed when mines planted by the freedom fighters exploded near the Satbaria Bridge. In retaliation, agitated Pakistani soldiers killed five innocent individuals from Boks Ali and Sujapur Dasgram villages. Additionally, the Pakistani army engaged in looting and set fire to numerous houses in the area.[3]

Following the war, mass graves were uncovered in areas like the Kazir Haat sluice gate, indicating the burial of hundreds of individuals who had been subjected to torture,[2]: 91  and memorial monuments were erected at eight locations within the upazila.[3]

In 1983, Sonagazi Thana was upgraded to the status of an upazila,[3] one year before Feni was established as a district.[1]: 190 

Geography[edit]

Sonagazi Muhuri Irrigation Project, Feni

Sonagazi Upazila is bounded by Feni Sadar and Daganbhuiyan upazilas on the north, Bay of Bengal on the south, Mirsarai upazila on the east, and Companiganj upazila of Noakhali district and Daganbhuiyan upazila on the west. Situated in the southern part of the district, Sonagazi is the only upazila in Feni District with a coastline along the Bay of Bengal.[3] It covers a total area of 284.89 square kilometres (110.00 sq mi), making it the largest upazila in Feni District, accounting for almost 28.77% of the district's total area.[4]

Physical geography[edit]

The Feni river flows to the east of Sonagazi, while the Little Feni River flows to the west. The estuaries of both rivers converge in the Bay of Bengal, south of Sonagazi.[2]: 34  Extensive alluvial lands, known locally as "char," have formed due to the erosion caused by the Feni and Muhuri rivers, resulting in the displacement of numerous settlements. Examples of such areas include Char Chandia, Char Khondkar, and Char Narayan.[2]: 35 

Demographics[edit]

Religions in Sonagazi upazila (2011)[5]
Religion Percent
Islam
93.78%
Hinduism
6.17%
Other or not stated
0.05%

As of the 2022 Bangladesh census, Sonagazi Upazila had 67,320 households and a population of 290,664 with an average 4.28 people per household, standing as the second most populous upazila in Feni District behind Feni Sadar Upazila. The upazila had an average literacy rate of 75.84%, compared to the national average of 74.8%, and a sex ratio of 1158 females per 1000 males.[6]

Sonagazi Paurashava (municipality) has a total population of 24,808 and a literacy rate of 81.11%.[6]

Religion[edit]

According to the 2011 census, religious groups in Sonagazi Upazila included:[5]

Language[edit]

The primary dialect of Bengali spoken by the people of Feni District, including Sonagazi Upazila, is the Noakhailla language.[7]

Administration[edit]

Sonagazi Upazila is divided into one municipality (paurashava): Sonagazi Paurashava, and nine union councils (union parishad), in order: Char Majlishpur, Bogadana, Mangalkandi, Motiganj, Char Darbesh, Char Chandia, Sonagazi, Amirabad, and Nababpur. The union councils are subdivided into 94 mauzas and 95 villages.[5]

Jahir Uddin Mahmud is the presently elected upazila parishad chairman[8] and Kamrul Hasan was appointed upazila nirbahi officer (executive officer) for Sonagazi Upazila.[9] The upazila is encompassed by the Feni-3 constituency of the Jatiya Sangsad (national parliament).[10]

Sonagazi Paurashava is subdivided into 9 wards and 14 mahallas,[5] with the municipal mayor, Rafiqul Islam Khokan, elected in the 2021 municipal elections.[11]

Economy[edit]

Agriculture constitutes a significant portion of the sources of income for Sonagazi, contributing approximately 36.40% to the economy.[3] The primary crop cultivated in the upazila is rice (paddy).[5]: 17 

Other major sources of income include commerce (12.67%), services (15.62%), rent and remittance (14.04%), and various other activities such as non-agricultural labor (3.35%), industry (1.58%), transport and communication (4.40%), construction (2.11%), and religious services (0.56%).[3] Some important marketplaces in Sonagazi include Kuthirhaat, Boktarmunshi Bazar, Mongolkandi, Olama Bazar, Saudagar Haat, Bhairab Chowdhury Bazar, Mongazi Bazar, Sonagazi Bazar, Amirabad Bazar, Nababpur, Bhorbazar, Kazir Haat, Naar Miar Haat, Bagher Haat, Koramia Haat, Motiganj Bazar, Kashmir Bazar etc.[2]: 41 

In the coastal "char" areas surrounding the expansive Feni river, agriculture, fish farming, and harvesting marine fish from the river constitute the primary livelihood sources for the local populace. Additionally, residents engage in raising cattle, buffaloes, and sheep in the grazing lands. Buffalo milk and cow's milk from these areas are distributed to other regions. The grazing lands are renowned for the production of buffalo milk and yogurt. Residents of the grazing lands typically reside in tin houses. However, their daily lives are often disrupted by raids and attacks by pirates, posing risks to fishermen and livestock keepers alike. Law enforcement agencies conduct periodic raids in response to these incidents.[2]: 35 

Due to its heavy reliance on agriculture, Sonagazi Upazila has witnessed the emergence of artisans specializing in crafting tools from bamboo and canes for agricultural and household needs. These artisans produce a variety of baskets in different sizes and shapes, suitable for carrying items ranging from fish and crops to laundry.[2]: 121  In numerous villages, young women engage in crafting woven handicrafts using jute leaves and jute fiber, employing skills inherited through generations. These handcrafted items are then sold in nearby markets.[2]: 125–126 

Infrastructure[edit]

Sonagazi is renowned for its sluice gate referred to as Muhuri Irrigation Project. Constructed in the late 1980s, this infrastructure serves the purpose of regulating the water flow of the Feni river and irrigating nearby farmland. Later in 2005, a now-defunct 900-kilowatt wind power plant consisting of four wind turbines was constructed near the river. The area has garnered attention as a notable tourist destination in the region.[1][12][13]

Sonagazi currently hosts a solar farm generating 75 megawatts of power, with additional plans underway to establish more.[14][15] Additionally, there are proposals for the constructions of several more wind and combined-cycle power stations to meet the rising energy demand of the nearby Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar economic zone.[12][16]

In 2018, a highly anticipated 478-metre-long (1,568 ft) bridge spanning the Little Feni River was inaugurated with the aim of improving connectivity with Noakhali and Lakshmipur districts.[17]

Muhuri Irrigation Project[edit]

The Muhuri Irrigation Project, initiated in 1977 and completed in 1986, stands as the nation's second-largest irrigation venture. Its primary objectives include regulating flooding during the monsoon season in regions such as Feni Sadar, Chhagalnaiya, Parshuram, Fulgazi, including Sonagazi, and portions of Mirsarai in Chittagong district. Additionally, it aims to provide supplementary irrigation for aman (kharif) rice cultivation. Notably, the project features a 40-foot high water control structure tasked with regulating the combined flow of the Feni, Muhuri, and Kalidas-Pahalia rivers.[2]: 37 

The project, funded by the World Bank and constructed by a Japanese company totaling 168 crore (US$16 million), provides irrigation facilities to 20,194 hectares (201.94 km2) of land and supplementary irrigation facilities to an additional 27,125 hectares (271.25 km2). As a result of its implementation, the severity of flooding has decreased, and there has been a notable increase in rice production of the aman variety.[2]: 38 

Over the years, Muhuri Irrigation Project has emerged as a popular recreation and picnic spot. During the winter season, throngs of tourists and travel enthusiasts from various parts of the country flock to the area. The Muhuri Regulator, with its natural beauty, is surrounded by an artificial water body enclosed by embankments, afforestation, fish sanctuaries, and stone-lined banks with a carpet of grass on the upper slopes. During boat rides on the river, visitors can observe various species of ducks and thousands of birds belonging to nearly 50 species up close.[2]: 38 

Transportation and communication[edit]

Sonagazi is located 26 kilometres (16 mi) from Feni District headquarters.[5]: 17  CNG-powered auto-rickshaws, electric rickshaws, and minibuses constitute the primary modes of transportation.[2]: 35  As of 2011, Sonagazi Upazila had two bus stops and a network of roads spanning a total distance of 520 kilometres (320 mi).[5]: 67 

Schools and colleges[edit]

  • Al-Helal Academy Sonagazi
  • Sonagazi Government College
  • Sonagazi Girls' Pilot High School
  • Bakter Munshi High School
  • Sonagazi Islamia Fazil Degree Madrasah

Notable people[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Ahmed, Jamir (March 1990). Phenīra itihāsa ফেনীর ইতিহাস [History of Feni] (in Bengali). Chittagong: Samatata Publication. LCCN 91901208. OCLC 25204071.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Khan, Shamsuzzaman; Hossain, Md. Altaf, eds. (June 2014). Bangladesher Lokaja Sangskriti Granthamala বাংলাদেশের লোকজ সংস্কৃতি গ্রন্থমালা [Bangladesh Folk Culture Series]. Present State of Folklore in Feni District (in Bengali). Dhaka: Bangla Academy. ISBN 9840758535.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Mahin, Mahiuddin Hossain (2023). "Sonagazi 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 28 March 2024.
  4. ^ District Report: Feni (PDF). Agriculture Census 2019. Dhaka: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. December 2022. ISBN 9789844751330.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g District Statistics 2011 (PDF). Vol. Feni (1st ed.). Dhaka: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. 1 December 2013. ISBN 9789845190459.
  6. ^ a b National Report (PDF). Population and Housing Census 2022. Vol. I. Dhaka: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. November 2023. ISBN 9789844752016.
  7. ^ "নোয়াখাইল্লা আঞ্চলিক ভাষা ও নোয়াখালীয় উপভাষা" [Noakhailla regional language and Noakhali dialect]. Lakshmipur24 (in Bengali). 29 May 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  8. ^ "সোনাগাজীতে উপজেলা চেয়ারম্যান বিনা প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বিতায় নির্বাচিত" [Sonagazi upazila chairman elected unopposed]. ABNEWS24 (in Bengali). 14 March 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Officer List: Sonagazi Upazila". Bangladesh National Portal. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Feni-3: JaPa candidate served show-cause notice for breaching electoral code". Dhaka Tribune. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  11. ^ "ফের সোনাগাজী পৌরসভার মেয়র হলেন খোকন" [Khokon again elected as the mayor of Sonagazi municipality]. Jagonews24.com (in Bengali). 20 September 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Country's first big leap in wind energy from December". The Business Standard. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  13. ^ "পর্যটনের সম্ভাবনা মিরসরাইয়ের মুহুরী প্রজেক্ট" [Tourism potential of Muhuri project at Mirsarai]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 26 August 2023. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. ^ "Another 100MW solar power plant in Feni on the cards". Dhaka Tribune. 3 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Sonagazi 75MW solar power plant to start generation soon". The Financial Express. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Govt moves for more power plants in Feni to feed economic zones". The Business Standard. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  17. ^ "সোনাগাজীবাসীর কাংখিত 'ছোট ফেনী নদী সেতু' উদ্বোধন" [Inauguration of the much-awaited Little Feni River Bridge]. ABNEWS24 (in Bengali). 1 November 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  18. ^ Khan, Abu Sayeed (2012). "Raihan, Zahir". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  19. ^ Alam, Muhammad Shamsul (2012). "Kaiser, Shahidullah". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  20. ^ "Selim Al Deen no more". The Daily Star. 15 January 2008.
  21. ^ "সব মাধ্যমেই সফল রোকেয়া প্রাচীর পথচলা" [Rokeya Prachy's successful journey across all media]. newsg24.com (in Bengali). 3 April 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  22. ^ "List of 5th Parliament Members". Bangladesh Parliament (in Bengali).

External links[edit]