About Panchagarh District

Geography of Panchagarh

Administration Panchagarh was a thana under Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal during the British rule. It was under Dinajpur district at the time of the partition of 1947. It was turned into a subdivision in 1980 consisting of Panchagarh, Boda, Debiganj, Atwari and Tentulia thanas. Panchagarh was elevated to a district in 1984. It consists of five upazilas one municipality, 9 wards, 32 mahallas, 43 union parishads and 850 villages. The upazilas are panchagarh sadar, boda, debiganj, atwari and tentulia.
Archaeological heritage The existence of fifteen garhs (fortifications) has hitherto been traced of which the most noted are Bhitar Garh, Hosain Garh, Mir Garh, Rajan Garh and Deven Garh. Panchagarh is named after these five garhs. Archaeological relics include Nayani Burz (bastion), remains of Atwari zamindar-bari and that of katchari-bari of Raniganj Devottvar Estate and the temple therein, Mirzapur Shahi Mosque, Tomb of Bara Awliya, tomb of Arif Shah, Maharaja Dighi (pond) at Bhitargarh, Maidan Dighi, Mughali killah (fort) at Chandan-bari, Vadeswari temple and Boda temple.
Historical events Sannyasi and Fakir movements flourished during 1763-1800. Many of the rebel sannyasis were executed at a place named Sannyasi-kata near Bangla-bandha. Tebhaga movement originated from this district (1946).
Marks of the War of Liberation Mass killing site in the char (pasture) area on the eastern bank of the Karatoya adjacent to the old Dakbungalow in Panchagarh town; mass grave on the bank of the Punna-dighi near Mirzapur and at Dangi in Atwari thana; a few graves of the martyrs at village Bamanpara in Bhajanpur; Shaheed Faruq Ahmad memorial monument at Dhakka-mara in Panchagarh town.
Population 829374; male 50.83%, female 49.17%; Muslim 81.79%, Hindu 17.64%, Christian 0.24%, ethnic group 0.21%, others 0.12%; ethnic nationals: 138 Santal, 45 Uria and 155 other families.
Religious institutions Mosque 997, temple 147, church 12.
Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 30.6%; male 39.8%, female 20.8%. Educational institutions: college (government) 2, (non-government) 18, collegiate school and college 3, secondary school (government) 4, secondary school (non-government) 229, madrasa 58, primary school (government) 310, primary school (non-government) 283.
Newspapers and periodicals Panchagarh Barta (1996, now extinct).
Cultural organisations Club 131, public library 4, literary society 1, shilpakala academy 1, women's association 1, cinema hall 8.
Main occupations Agriculture 51.33%, agricultural labourer 26.88%, wage labourer 3.5%, service 4.03%, others 7.87%.
Land use Cultivable land 115232 hectares, fallow land 1035 hectares, forest area 1252 hectares.
Land control Among the peasants, 33% are landless, 43% small peasant, 20% intermediate, 4% rich.
Value of land The market value of the first grade arable land is Tk 2500 per 0.01 hectare.
Main crops Paddy, jute, wheat, potato, sugarcane.
Extinct and nearly extinct crops Barley, aus paddy, kaun.
Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, litchi, banana, black berry, papaya, guava, coconut and betel nut.
Dairy, fishery and poultry Livestock 54, poultry 105.
Communication facilities Roads: pucca 305 km, mud road 2499 km; railway 11 km.
Traditional transports Palanquin, bullock cart. These means of transport are extinct or nearly extinct.
Manufactories Rice mill, ice factory, garments factory, oil mill, saw mill.
Cottage industries Weaving 45, bamboo work 755, goldsmith 95, blacksmith 195, potteries, wood work 320, tailoring 305.
Hats, bazars and fairs Hats and bazars are 157.
Main exports Paddy, jute, potato, sugar, methylated spirit, electric pole, pebbles, sand and timber.

Religion in Panchagarh District

The district of Panchagarh consists mosques, temples, Buddhist temples and churches.

Restaurant of Panchagarh

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