Kushtia, Kushtia district or Kushtia Zila is a district in the Khulna administrative division of western Bangladesh. Kushtia has existed as a separate district since the partition of India. Prior to that, Kushtia was a part of Nadia District under Bengal Province of British India. Kushtia was home of many famous people, especially authors and poets. Present day Kushtia is known for the Islamic University, Shilaidaha Kuthibari and Lalon's shrine.
Kushtia District has an area of 1621.15 square kilometres and is bounded by Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna districts to the North, by Chuadanga, Jhenaidah districts to the South, by Rajbari District to the East, and by West Bengal and Meherpur District to the West.
Ganges, Garai, Mathabhanga, Kaliganga, and Kumar are the main rivers flowing through the district. The average high temperature is 37.8 ℃ and the average low is 11.2 ℃. Annual rainfall averages 1,467 millimetres.
The district of Kushtia had significant contribution to Bangladesh Liberation War. A 147 member company of the 27th Baluch Regiment of Pakistan army reached Kushtia on 25 March 1971 from its base at Jessore cantonment. Although they initially captured the local police station and settled an outpost there, soon they faced a considerable resistance from a group of police, ansars, students and local people. By April 1, the Pakistany army was completely overpowered and the muktibahini took control of Kushtia. Later on April 17, 1971 the Bangladesh Government in-exile formally announced Proclamation of Independence at Baidyanathtala (re-named Mujibnagar after the proclamation), a border area in present Meherpur district, then a subdivision of Kushtia district. The Proclamation so announced in effect provided the fundamental instrument of law as well as an interim constitution of the mujibnagar government during the war of liberation, including that of the government in liberated Bangladesh until the adoption of the Constitution, made effective from 16 December 1972. Subsequently direct encounters between the Pakistan army and the rebels were held at many places of the district including Bangshitala at Kumarkhali, Daulatpur
Historically, Kushtia was a larger district consisting of three subdivisions, each of which has now become a district. However, the peoples of these three districts, Chuadanga, Meherpur and Kushtia, share more than just a common past. Most notably, the dwellers of these districts, as the past inhabitants of an undivided Nadia district, speak a dialect remarkably close to what is now considered "standard" Bangla in both West Bengal and Bangladesh. Because of the great commonality between the three districts, they are often referred to as the Greater Kushtia District. Several organisations, such as the "Greater Kushtia Association" and "Greater Kushtia Society", are concerned with the welfare of the entire region.
Cultural organizations
- From the very beginning,Kushtia was called the center city of Art & Music in Bangladesh. In that small town they have around 26 Public libraries, playground 115, club 204, sangit college 1, women's organisation 25, jatra party 2, theatre group 11, theatre stage 5, shilpakala academy 1, children's academy 1, cinema hall 16, literay society 34, community centre 3.
Administration
Kushtia was created as a district in 1947 with the partitioning of India and the creation of Bangladesh. Initially, Kushtia consisted of the Kushtia Sadar (Kushtia City), Chuadanga and Meherpur subdivisions. Each of these subdivisions was later converted to a separate district for ease of management. Kushtia district consists of six upazilas as well with one police thana [islamic university], five municipalities, 39 wards, 70 mahallas, 61 union parishads, 710 mouzas, and 978 villages. The upazilas are Kushtia Sadar, Kumarkhali, Daulatpur, Mirpur, Bheramara and Khoksa .
Demographics
Kushtia District has a population of 13,324, of which 50.86% are male and 49.14% female. In terms of religion, 95.72% dwellers of Kushtia are Muslims, 4.22% follow Hinduism and others religions make up 0.06%.[1]
Places of interest
One of Rabindranath Tagore's dwellings, the Kuthibari, is located at Shilaidah in Kumarkhali Upazila of the Kushtia district. He lived here for part of his life, and wrote many memorable poems there. Tagore built the Kuthibari as his office/residence, to collect revenue as a Zaminder, from local peasants. The Kuthibari is now a museum, and is cared for by the Archaeological Department of Bangladesh.
The shrine of Lalon Fakir, the founder of the Baoul faith is located at Cheouria, about 2 km from the Kustia railway station.
Engr Quamrul Islam Siddique founded the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to its present status from a simple and negligible works programme wing of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD & Cooperatives). There was no high school within 6 km area of Boria village of Sadar Upazila in Kushtia and no education for the girls. In Jan, 1995, as approved by the Government, Begum Hamida Siddique Collegiate School (BHSCS) in Boria, Kushtia was established with the support of Late Engr. Quamrul I. Siddique (QIS).
Economy
Kushtia produce a large number of rice in Khajanagor by Auto rice Mill(Rashid Auto Rice Mills),It has also a big commercial area named BISIC SHILPONOGORY, BRB is one of its famous brand and a Tobacco Factory(British American Tobacco Company).
