Sirajganj

This article is about the city. For the district, see Sirajganj District.

Sirajganj (Bengali: সিরাজগঞ্জ) is a city in the North Bengal region of Bangladesh, lying on the bank of Jamuna River, about 110 km north west from the capital city Dhaka. Sirajganj is the administrative headquarter of the Sirajganj District.

Sirajganj সিরাজগঞ্জ
City
Clockwise from top-left : City View, Jamuna Bridge, Jamuna River view from the city, Jamuna River, Jamuna Eco Park
Nickname:  City of Jamuna
Sirajganj
Coordinates: 24°27′N 89°45′E
Country	Bangladesh
Division	Rajshahi Division
District	Sirajganj District
Establishment	Early 1800s
Municipality	1869
Administrative district	1984
Government
• Type	Municipality
• Mayor	Sayed Abdur Rouf Mukta
Area
• Total	28.49 km2 (11.00 sq mi)
Elevation	16 m (52 ft)
Population
• Total	297,230
• Density	10,000/km2 (27,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+6 (BST)
Website	District website

Sirajganj is the main city in Sirajganj District. It consists of 15 wards and 52 mohallas. It has a population around 297,230. It was once considered as a principal jute trade centre. It still has an important jute industry named Jatiyo Jute Mill. Its jute mills were among the first in the British Bengal area.

In modern days, it is still an important place for trading as it is located in a very convenient geographical location having a well-developed connectivity via road, rail and river with rest of the country.

History

During British rule, Sirajganj was a town in the Pabna District of Eastern Bengal and Assam. Its location on the right bank of the Jamuna River or main stream of the Brahmaputra was a six-hour journey by steamer from the railway terminal at Goalundo. It was the chief river mart for jute in northern Bengal, with several jute presses. The jute mills were closed after the 1897 Assam earthquake. The population according to the 1901 census of India was 23,114.

Population

Sirajganj city has a population of 297,230.

Religion

Most of the people of Sirajganj are Muslims. Hindus are minority in this city.

Religion in Sirajganj city (2011)
religion			percent
Muslims			87.38%
Hindus			12.56%
Others			0.06%

Muslims make up 87.38% of the population, while Hindus are 12.56% of the population.

Language

Almost all the people of this city are Bengalis. They speak a local dialect of Bengali Language called Sirajganji dialect.

Languages of Sirajganj city (2011)
Language			percent
Bengali			99.99%
Others			0.01%

Economy

Sirajganj is a very important area in economic perspective. Almost half of the loom and weaving industries of Bangladesh are located here. It is also a hub for the milk production and processing industries of Bangladesh. It is also famous for fresh water fish production. Sirajganj also has its own economic zone known as Sirajganj Economic Zone. Which is the country's largest private SEZ.

Health

There is a public medical college named Shaheed M. Monsur Ali Medical College. Also, there is a private medical college named North Bengal Medical College & Hospital.

Education

Educational institutions in Sirajganj include -

• Shaheed M. Monsur Ali Medical College
• Sirajganj Islamia Govt. College
• North Bengal Medical College, Sirajganj
• Sirajganj Govt. College
• B.L. Govt. Boys High School, Sirajganj
• Shaleha Ishaque Govt. Girls High School, Sirajganj
• Jewel's Oxford International School and College, Sirajganj
• Sabuj Kanan School and College, Sirajganj
• Sirajganj Collectorate School and College
• Victoria High School, Sirajganj

Transport

Jamuna Bridge, the 2nd largest bridge of Bangladesh, is situated here. Through this bridge, it is connected to Dhaka, the capital, and the eastern part of country with both road and railways. Sirajganj is a river port, as well. Besides, it has a well-developed connection with northern and southern Bangladesh. Pipul Baria Bazar is one of the famous place in this road in Sirajganj District.

Cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws are the main mode of transport within the city area. The service is available almost everywhere in Sirajganj District, which is affordable for all.

Points of interest

• Jamuna Bridge

• Eliot Brige

• Sirajganj Hard Point

• China Barrages

• Jamuna Eco Park

• Rasel Park

• House of Syed Ismail Hossain Siraji

Notable people

• Abdullah-Al-Muti, Writer
• Tauquir Ahmed, Director
• Jadav Chandra Chakravarti, Father of Arithmatics
• Zahid Hasan, Actor
• Abdul Matin, Language Movement Activist
• Abdul Latif Mirza, Founder of Mirza Bahini during Bangladesh Liberation War
• Ismail Hossain Siraji, Poet
• Haimanti Sukla, Singer

External links

• http://www.sirajganj.gov.bd/
• Digital Sirajganj
• Islam, Kamrul (2012). "Sirajganj District". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.