Shariatpur 3.25

Shariatpur was named after Haji Shariatullah (1781–1840), who was the founder of Faraizi Movement and an eminent Islamic reformer during British Raj. Shariatpur was established as district on 1 March 1984. Earlier it was known as Palong thana under Faridpur sub-division which was converted to Shariatpur Sub-division and latterly as district with 6 upgraded thanas.


> Shariatpur District is bounded on the north by Munshiganj District, Barisal District on the south, Chandpur District on the east, Madaripur District on the west. Main rivers are Padma, Meghna, Palong, Jayanti,Kirtinasha, and Dharmaganj.

> Area of Shariatpur district is 1181.53 km². It consists of 6 upazilas, 5 municipalities, 102 Mahalla, 64 Union Parishad, 608 Mouza, 1235 Village, 213,677 household.

> According to the census of 2001, Shariatpur district had a population of 1,082,300 distributed to 213,677 households (average household size 5), including 543,838 men and 538,462 women, or a gender ratio of 101:100. Literacy rate is 38.9%.

> Economy of Shariatpur district is mainly agriculture-based. Total land 251,849-acre (1,019 km), cultivable land 151,902-acre (615 km), fallow land 6,857-acre (28 km), irrigated 40,894-acre (165 km). Shariatpur has lots of potential. It is situated almost in Central Bangladesh, Shariatpur can connects Chittagong, Barishal even Khulna division easily through its geographical location. Awami government announced that "Surely, Padma bridge will be built, when it is done, and roads/transport become more developed, it will change the economy of Shariatpur very fast.

> Main occupations: Agriculture 46.53%, agricultural labourer 23.22%, fishing 1.29%, wage labourer 3.19%, commerce 9.55%, service 4.95%, others 11.27%.

> Land control : Among the peasants, 22% are landless, 29% marginal, 28% small, 13% intermediary, 8% rich.

> Value of land:The market value of first grade agricultural land is Tk 7000 per 0.01 hectare.

> Main crops : Paddy, jute, wheat, sweet potato, onion, garlic, tomato.

> Extinct and nearly extinct crops: Sesame, kaun, arahar and sanpat.

> Main fruits: Blackberry, mango, banana and wood apple.

> Fisheries, dairies and poultry: Fishery 32, poultry 1453, dairy 56.

> Communication facilities Roads: pucca 174.09 km, semi pucca 99.64 km and mud road 2066.43 km; waterways 49 nautical mile.

> Traditional transport: Palanquin (extinct), horse carriage (nearly extinct), boat.

> Manufacturing: Ice factory 13, saw mill 35, shoe factory 4, oil mill 6, rice mill 164, bidi factory 9.

> Cottage industries Weaving 88, goldsmith 341, blacksmith 324, potteries 90, tailoring 425, welding 47.

> Hats, bazars and fairs: Hats and bazars are 88, fair 12, most noted of which are Burir Hat bazar, Kazir hat, Bojeshwar bazar, Naria bazar, Haturia hat, Sakhipur, Palong and Angaria bazar.

Main exports : Jute, onion, garlic, tomato.

> NGO activities : Brac, Grameen Unnayan Sangstha, SDS, Madaripur Mahila Unnayan Sangstha, asa, GUP, Madaripur Lagal Aid Association, NUSA, CDS(Charvaga Development Society), JDF(Junior Development Foundation).

> The district of Shariatpur consist 4003 mosques, 27 temples, 3 churches and a pagoda.