Jhalokati District(ঝালকাঠি)

Jhalokati District

Jhalokati is a district in South-western Bangladesh and a part of the Barisal Division. Jhalokati became a district in 1984 and before that it was a subdivision. The subdivision was established in 1972. The district consists of 2 municipalities, 18 wards, 4 upazilas, 32 union parishads, 400 mouzas, 66 mahallas and 449 villages. 4 upazilas are:Jhalokati Sadar Upazila, Kathalia Upazila, Nalchity Upazila and Rajapur Upazila.
Area: 758.06 sq km.
Boundary: Jhalokati district is bounded by Barisal district to the north and east, Barguna district and the Bishkhali river tn the south, Lohagara Upazila and Pirojpur district to the west.
Weather: Here Annual average temperatures maximum is 33.3°C, minimum 12.1°C. Annual rainfall is 2506 mm.
Major rivers: Bishkhali, Sugandha, Dhansiri, Gabkhan, Jangalia and Bamanda.
Population: 696055. Among them male are 49.36%, female 50.64%.
Religion: Muslim 87.31%, Hindu 12.64% and others 0.05%.
Literacy rate: 51.2%. Among them male are 55.9% and female 46.5%.
Main occupations: Agriculture 40.07%, agricultural labourer 15.68%, commerce 12.43%, service 11.03%, wage labourer 4.66% etc.
Main crops: Paddy, betel leaf.
Main fruits: Mango, banana, palm, litchi and coconut.
Transportation: Like other districts, main mode of transportation is bus. Road and waterway is the way of communication.
Mills and factories:Ice factory, flour mill, salt factory, rice mill, oil mill, saw mill, bidi factory etc.
Main exports: Betel leaf, guava and salt.
Educational institutions: There are 23 colleges, 167 high schools and many other junior schools madrasas, government and non-government primary schools in this district.
Marks of the War of Liberation: As marks of liberation, there are 2 Mass killing site, 2 memorial plate and 1 memorial sculpture.
Jhalokati Town:
Jhalokati is a municipal town. The municipility was established in1875. The town consists of 9 wards and 47 mahallas. The area of the town is 6.37 sq km with a population of 45095. Among them male are 53.11%, female 46.89%. Literacy rate among the town people is 67.5%.
Places to see:
• Sujabad Kellah (fort)
• Remnants of the Ghosal Rajbari(local landlord)
• Old Municipal Building
• Civil Court Building (1781)
• Surichora Jami Mosque
• Madabar Mosque.


Historical events:
Due to good communication facilities by water the area attracted the Europeans. The East India Company, the Dutch and the French established their trade centres in phases. Because of its commercial importance Jhalokati was called the ‘second Kolkata’.
During the War of Liberation, people of Jhalokati fought bravely against the Pakistani army.




Gabkhan Bridge

Gabkhan Bridge is the 5th Bangladesh-China friendship bridge. It is made obar the gabkhan channel. the construction design of this bridge has made it different from other bridge in the country.


DARGAH
Necharabad Dargah complex

Necharabad Dargah complex is made by Hazrat Saheb Hujur. it is the pride of Jhalakathi as well as for whole south area. it is now the place of unity among all country for religious and modern education.


MONDIR
Ponabalia  Temple

Ponabalia and Somorail is famous foe Sri Sri Voirob Embkeshor's temple and Sri Si Mot Swami Amoloando Tomadut's monastery. There is legend and myth history behind the shib temple. Often now in the place of pursit of songs of poet Mukundo das's student Pagla Kanai, in Sajon Tola the sound of humanistic song will be heared. in front of the Jhalokati corporation there is a ferry ghat. from the ferry ghat after passing the river and going 7/8 km the Village shamrain and Ponabalia will be found.


DHANSIRI
Dhansiri And  Uncle's house of poet Jibonando Das
কবি জীবনানন্দ দাস এর মামা বাড়ি

The river Dhansiri is the dream river for the poet of nature Jibonando Das. Standing here he made "Abar asibi fire Dhansiritir tire ei banglai" (i will come back beside this river Dhansiri in this Bangla). His father's name Sottanondo Das and mothers name Kusum Kumari Das. His nick name is Mil. His old residence is Gougara, Bikrompur. But his birth place is Barisal's Notun Bajar. He took birth in 17th feb, in 1899. The river Dhansiri is at Rajapur subdistrict in present Jhalokati. In time of the rule of british, steamer went from one place to another among Barisal-Jhalakathi-Rajapur-Saturia-Coukhali-Pirojpur-Khulna-Kolkata. There is paddy field in both sides of the river. Beside the bank of the river there was his uncles(mother's brother) house at Bamankathi village. The poet used to came in uncle's house with his parents in his childhood. He used to live in Barisal with his parents but his uncle's house is his favourite place. He enjoyed the beautiful natural scenery of the river Dhansiri.


KULKATHI SHIDIYA (A symbol of British rule)
Kulkathi Sahidiya (Martyr monument)
কুলকাঠি শহীদিয়া

The most heart touching memory of Britsh Rules is Kulkathi. By the conspiracy of local Hindus and with the order of Majistrate E. N. Brandey Gurca soldiers fired on Muslim and 19 Muslim People died. Again many were injured.The grave of the 19 died muslim people is here at kulkathi village at Nalchati Thana. After crossing the college Kheyaghata, 3/4 km shold pass to get Kulkhati village.This is a symbol of British rule.


SIDDHAKATHI JAMINDAR BARI
Siddhakathi Jamindar Bari
সিদ্ধকাঠি জমিদার বাড়ী

Siddha kathi landlord house is the house of Siddhakathi Rai Chowdhy. It is Kamini Ray's fathers-in-law's house. The main building was destroyed. There is some debris of some building with a Rangmahal. Well decorated pond is the witness of time. Siddhakathi school was made by landlord Jagot Prosonno Ray. It is in its own height till now. This landlord house is in 3/4 km distance from Nalchiti sadorat at siddhakathi village.


CHINA GRAVE
China Grave in Nalchhati

Closer to the corporation of Nalchiti port there is in last sleep a China businessman. Long time ago the popularity of Nalchiti port is expaned to China. As example of it the old market was known as China market.


POET KAMINI RAI AND JAMINI SEN'S HOUSE
Poet Kamini Rai / Jamini sen's house

The famous poet Kamini Rai's father's house is in Basanda Village. There is debris of the house. Kamini Rai was the first women graduated. Jamini sen, the sister of Kamini Rai was the first women doctor.


KIRTIPASA ZAMINDAR BARI
kirtipasa Zamidar Bari
কীর্তিপাশা জমিদার বাড়ী

According to the name of Narayana kirtipasa kirtipasa landlord house.Ram Jibon Sen, founder of kirtipasa landlord house. Tapan Roy Chowdhury and Rohini Roy Chowdhury, the dynasty's two star. River steamer ferry fort gabakhana rohini rohini Roy Chowdhury's contribution. The hospital, which has a history of bakala kirtipasaya jhalakathi is older than sub district headquarter (district headquarters) hospital. There are still signs of a grave character sahamarana satidaha practise. Rohini Roy Chowdhury's tomb has been built newly.There is now also a family Shiva temple and a statue of Shiva. The village kirtipasha is in 4 / 5 km north-west towards the Jhalakathi headquarters.