Kushtia District, is called “Cultural Capital of Bangladesh”, bears a rich history woven with cultural, political and socio-economic narratives. This district is situated in the southwestern region of Bangladesh. From ancient time to the present the district his evolved through various phases, contributing significantly to the heritage of Bangladesh.
The existence of Kushtia is observed from very ancient times. In the second century AD, Tolemy made a map showing several islands in the ’Ganges Basin’. It is believed that from this a small island is Kushtia.
A river port was established this area during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. Although the port was heavily used by the British East India Company, urbanization began only after the arrival of indigo planters and indigo miners. During the british colonial era it became a focal point for administrative and commercial activities.
In 1860, a direct railway line was established with Calcutta. Therefore, this region was considered as an ideal place for business. Jajneswar Engineering Works (1896), Renwick Jajneswar & Co. (1904) and Mohini Mills (1919) were established during that period.
During the partition of the country in 1947, Kushtia district was formed with the three Mahakumas of Kushtia, Chuadanga and Meherpur. When Chuadanga and Meherpur were separated as separate districts in 1984, present Kushtia district was formed with 6 thanas of Kushtia.
Historians differ on the nomenclature of Kushtia district. The most acceptable commentary is found in Hamilton’s Gazetteer sources. It is said that jute was produced here in large quantities. Jute was called ‘Kushti’ by the local people, hence the name Kushtia. Many people say that, the city of Kushtia originated from the ‘Kushti Port’ during the period of Emperor Shah Jahan. According to another, the name Kushtia is derived from the French word kushtah, meaning sai island.
Liberation War:
In 1971, this district has an important contribution in the liberation war of Bangladesh. The people of this district willingly participated in the language movement of 52 and mass uprising of 69. Protest meetings, rallies and processions are held here in both movements.
At the beginning of the Liberation War in 1971, this district was the first in Bangladesh to be enemy-free on April 1 and remained enemy-free until April 16. On that occasion, national leaders came to the district and on April 17, the first government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was sworn in at Baidyanathtala, bordering the greater Kushtia district. It was under the leadership of this government that the liberation war lasted for nine months and Bangladesh gained independence.
Location:
Kushtia district is situated on the north by Rajshahi, Natore and Pabna, east by Rajbari, west by Meherpur district and West Bengal of India. Kushtia has a border area of 46.69 km with India. The area of Kushtia district is 1,621 square kilometers. River like Padma, Garai, Mathabhanga, Kaliganga, Kamarakhali rivers flow through Kushtia.
Population:
According to the 2022 census, the population of Kushtia district is about 21,49,692 out of which 50.86% are males and 49.14% are females. 97.25% Muslims, 2.73% Hindus and 0.02% other religions live here.
Upazilas:
There are six upazilas in Kushtia district, as
- Kushtia Sadar Upazila
- Kumarkhali Upazila
- Khoksha upazila
- Bheramara upazila
- Daulatpur Upazila
- Mirpur Upazila
Municipalities:
There are five municipalities in Kushtia district. Among the six upazilas, there is no municipality in Daulatpur upazila. Municipalities are formed around remaining 5 upazila cities. Among which Kumarkhali is one of the oldest municipalities in Bangladesh and Kushtia Municipality is the 2nd largest municipality in Bangladesh.
- Kushtia Municipality (area 42.79 square kilometers, number of wards 21)
- Kumarkhali Municipality (area 11 square kilometters, Wards 9)
- Khoksha Municipality (area 12.38 square kilometers, number of wards 9)
- Bheramara Municipality (area 12 square kilometers, number of wards 9
- Mirpur Municipality (area 9.22 square kilometers, number of wards 9)
Economics:
Rice, jute, sugarcane, bhutra, onion, tobacco, betel nut etc. are the main agricultural products of this district. However, like other districts of Bangladesh, the economy of Kushtia is not only dependent on agriculture. Besides agriculture, many industries have developed in Kushtia. Kushtia is very advanced in tobacco industry, rice industry and fabrics industry.
120 large industries, 230 medium industries, 6,212 small industries and 21,837 cottage industries have been established in Kushtia. One of which is the country’s largest cable manufacturing company BRB Cables Industries Ltd, the country’s largest thermal power plant Bheramara Thermal Power Plant, Kiam Metal Industries, British American Tobacco, KNB Feed, Bulbul Textiles, Rana Textiles, Nasir Tobacco, The United Dhaka Tobacco etc.
About 400 rice mills have been set up in Kushtia’s Khajanagar from where about 70% of Bangladesh’s rice is processed. Many products of this district are being exported abroad to meet the needs of the country.
Education:
This district is very progressive in terms of education. The absence of educational institutions was observed in this district from the middle of the eighteenth century. Kumarkhali MN Pilot Model Secondary School (Established: 1856 AD), Kumarkhali Government Girls School (Established: 1863 AD), Kushtia Government Girls High School (Established: 1876 AD) Harinarayanpur High School (Established: 1891 AD), Mission Primary School (Established: 1898 AD), Amla Sadarpur Multipurpose High School (Established: 1899 AD) is one of them.
Also many centenary educational institutions are located in this district including Mahishkundi Secondary School, Sirajul Haque Muslim High School, Kushtia Government University College, Kushtia Zilla School, Kushtia High School, Quwatul Islam Kamil Madrasa, Kushtia Islamia College. Islami University, the first university of Bangladesh established after independence is also located in this district.
- Number of Educational Institution:
- 1 Government University (Islamic University)
- Private University 1 (Rabindra Maitri University)
- Government Medical College 1 (Kushtia Medical College and Hospital)
- Private Medical College and Hospital 1 (Selima Begum Medical College and Hospital, under construction)
- 09 government colleges
- 30 private colleges
- 01 Zila school
- Nursing College (Government 1, Private 06)
- Medical Assistant Training School (Government 1, Private 5)
- Government Polytechnic Institute 1
- 10 private polytechnic institutes
- High Schools (Government 3, Private 173)
- 400 government primary schools
- 229 secondary schools
- 24 degree colleges
- 75 madrasahs
Famous people:
Kushtia district, enmeshed in the memory of the universal poet Rabindranath Tagore, has enriched Bangladesh in art, literature and culture. Also the pilgrimage site of Bishad Sindhu writer Mir Musharraf Hossain and Baul Samrat Fokir Lalon Shah, lyricist, writer and poet Azizur Rahman, famous poet Dad Ali, writer Mahmuda Khatun Siddika, rural journalist Kangal Harinath Majumdar, leader of the Blue Rebellion Pari Sundari, Swadeshi movement leader Bagha Jatin, engineer Kamrul Islam Siddiqui, music artist Md Abdul Jabbar, Farida Parveen, etc. were born in Kushtia.
Also following legends born in this district:
- Qazi Miyazan, the leader of the Wahhabi movement
- Renowned dramatist Deenbandhu Mitra
- Gagan Harkara is a lyricist and folk artist
- Essayist Roy Bahadur Jaldhar Sen
- Historian Akshay Kumar Maitreya
- Justice Dr. Radhabinod Pal
- Child Organizer Roknuzzaman Khan (Dada Bhai)
- Playwright Kalyan Mitra
- Actor Raju Ahmed
- Film actor Ahmed Sharif
- Singer Nargis Parveen
- Writer and researcher Dr. Abul Ahsan Chowdhury
- Film actor Mizu Ahmed
- Playwright Salahuddin Lovelu
- Baul Mamun Nadia
- Mister Bangladesh wrestler Fatik Dutta
- International medal winning shooter Saiful Alam Chowdhury Ringkey
- International medalist shooter Sabrina Sultana
- Music artist SI Tutul
- National cricketer and selector Habibul Basar Suman
- National cricketer Enamul Haque Vijay
- National cricketer Mohammad Mithun
Visiting places of Kushtia:
Kushtia district has numerous sightseeing places. Apart from parks, museums, antiquities, residences of famous people, numerous natural places are quite attractive for travel enthusiasts.
- Majar of Fakir Lalon Shah
- Rabindranath Tagore’s Memorial Shilaidah Rabindra Kuthibari
- Bastuvita of Mir Musharraf Hossain authored by Bisad Sindhu
- Kangal Harinath Majumdar Memorial Museum, the epitome of rural journalism
- Tegar Lodge is a memorial to the poet Rabindranath Tagore
- Mohini Mills was once Asia’s largest textile factory
- Jhowdia Shahi Mosque
- The first railway station of Bangladesh is Jagati Railway Station
- Kamrul Islam Siddique Children’s Park
- Rainwick Park
- Hardin Bridge
- Gopinath Jiur Temple
- Padma-Garai Estuary
Hat-Bazar:
The main hat-bazar’s of Kushtia district
- Municipality Bazar
- Razar Hat
- Balipara animal market
- Ailchara animal market
- Kamalapur animal market
- Jhowdia Bazar
- Ujangram animal market
- Panty Bazar
- Banshgram Bazar
- Lakshipur Bazar
- Bittipara Bazar
- Madhupur Banana Market
- Harinarayanpur animal market
- Chowrangi Hat
- Joduboyra Bazar
- Alauddinnagar Bazar
- Atigram Hat
- Kumarkhali cloth hat
- Mashan Bazar
- Mitla market
- Satbaria animal market
- Juniadah Pan Hat
![শিলাইদহ রবীন্দ্র কুঠিবাড়ী [Kuthi Bari]](https://kushtiainfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kuthi-Bari-1-300x200.png "History of Kushtia: A Cultural Journey Through Time | Kushtiainfo")
Newspaper:
The main newspapers published from Kushtia district are
- Daily Andoloner Bazar
- Daily Kushtia
- Daily Ajker Alo
- Daily Arshinagar
- Daily Hawa
- Daily Deshtotto
- Daily Somoyer Digonto
- Daily Barjopat
- Daily Bangladesh Barta
- Daily Khoboraola
- The Kushtia Times
What is Kushtia district famous for?
Culturaally Kushtia district has been renowned for its vibrant traditions and artistic heritage. The district is famous for being the birthplace of several iconic figures including mystic poet Lalon Shah, Mir Mosharrof Hossain and Kangal Horinath Mojumder. Nobel laureate Robindrnath Tagore passes long time of his life in this district.
The language spoken by the people of Kushtia district is said to be the purest language of Bangladesh i.e. the most standardized form of Bengali language in Bangladesh.
Special Food:
Kushtia district’s Tiler khwaja and Kulfi malai are two famous dishes across the country. Recently Tiler Khwaja achieves GI product approval.
