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Patuakhali District

Patuakhali District (Bengali: পটুয়াখালী জেলা; Bengali pronunciation: [Potuakhali District]) is a district in south-central Bangladesh in Barisal Division. This district is the main entrance for the beach of Kuakata.

Patuakhali District
পটুয়াখালী জেলা
District of Bangladesh
Clockwise from left-right: Majidbaria Shahi Mosque, Gazipur Bandar Bazar, Sonarchar Wildlife Sanctuary, Sunset at Kuakata Beach
Nickname: 
সাগরকন্যা (Daughter of the Sea)
Location of Patuakhali in Bangladesh
Location of Patuakhali in Bangladesh
Map
Expandable map of Patuakhali District
Coordinates: 22°21′15″N 90°19′05″E / 22.3542°N 90.3181°E / 22.3542; 90.3181
Country Bangladesh
DivisionBarisal Division
Patuakhali1969
HeadquartersPatuakhali
Government
 • Deputy CommissionerMohammed Kamal Hosean [1]
Area
 • Total
3,221.31 km2 (1,243.75 sq mi)
Population
 (2022)[2]
 • Total
1,727,254
 • Density540/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+06:00 (BST)
Postal code
8600
Area code0441
ISO 3166 codeBD-51
HDI (2018)0.586[3]
medium · 16th of 21
Websitewww.patuakhali.gov.bd

History

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The early history of Patuakhali is little known. In medieval times, the northern part of the district was part of the Chandradwip Kingdom, also called Bakla. The kingdom had its capital at Kachua in present Bauphal Upazila. Beginning in the middle 16th century, the kingdom began facing attacks from Portugese and Magh pirates, so the kings shifted to Madhabpasha in present Barishal district. After the conquest of Bakla, Akbar's administrator Todarmal sent the quanungo Jimmak Khan to survey the region. He split up the still mainly forested southern part of Barisal as Bazuhadba, and later the region was split up into three parganas: Salimbada, Bajuk Umedpur and Uranpur. This southern part of Barisal region, which was still largely uninhabited, was colonized by Muslim pirs who introduced the local population to settled agriculture and spread Islamic beliefs among the local population, leading to the overwhelming majority developing an Islamic identity by the 19th century. In the 18th century, Rakhines fleeing the Burmese invasion of Arakan came to Bengal, with many settling on the deltaic islands especially in the southern upazilas of present Patuakhali. After the Rakhine arrival, this area became more populated with mostly Bengali Muslim cultivators. Patuakhali was made part of the Bakerganj District by the British. Eventually Patuakhali became a mahakuma of the district.[4][5]

After the Partition of India, Patuakhali became part of East Pakistan. In 1969, Patuakhali mahakuma was made a separate district. In 1984, five upazilas of the district were split up into the new Barguna district.

Geography

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It is adjacent to the Bay of Bengal. The area of the district is 3,221.31 km2.

Patuakhali city is surrounded on three sides by rivers. The two major rivers are Laukathi and Lohalia, which are directly connected with the Bay of Bengal. The city has an inland airport used for transport and private travel across the country.[5]

Administration

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There are 8 upazilas in this district. They are:

  1. Dumki Upazila
  2. Patuakhali Sadar Upazila
  3. Mirzaganj Upazila
  4. Bauphal Upazila
  5. Galachipa Upazila
  6. Dashmina Upazila
  7. Rangabali Upazila
  8. Kalapara Upazila
  • Administrator of District Council: Khalilur Rahman Mohon[6]
  • Deputy Commissioner (DC): MD. Matiul Islam Chawdhury
  • Superintendent of Police (SP): Md.Shahidullah PPM

Economy

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Agriculture is the profession of most of the people. Fishing is also a prominent profession of this district. Thousands of boats go into the deep sea to fish and come back with tons of fish. Paddy, jute, and different types of vegetables are the main product of agriculture sector.[citation needed] Main sources of income Agriculture 57.05%, non-agricultural labourer 5.37%, industry 1.03%, commerce 13.79%, transport and communication 2.04%, service 9.22%, construction 2.13%, religious service 0.26%, rent and remittance 0.40% and others 8.71%.

Crops

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Main Crops of Patuakhali district areas as follows:[7]

  1. Paddy
  2. Jute
  3. Potato
  4. Pea
  5. Lentil
  6. Gram
  7. sesame
  8. Chilli
  9. mustard
  10. Linseed
  11. Coriander seed
  12. Peanut
  13. betel leaf
  14. Sugarcane
  15. Watermelon
  16. Vegetables

Fruits

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The fruit trees indigenous to Patuakhali district areas as follows:[8]

  1. Mango
  2. Banana
  3. Guava
  4. Jamun
  5. Custard-apple or আতা
  6. Tamarind
  7. Grapefruit
  8. Lime
  9. Jackfruit
  10. Papaya
  11. Pineapple
  12. Bengal almond
  13. Lichi
  14. Pomegranate
  15. Palm or Tal
  16. Common fig
  17. Haritaki
  18. Date – scarce
  19. Coconut – scarce

Education

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In 2011, the literacy rate of Patuakhali was 54.1%; male 56.2% and female 52.0%. Educational institutions: university 1, agricultural and veterinary college 1, college 65, technical and vocational institutes 6, secondary school 288, primary school 1152, kindergarten 36, madrasa 506.[7]

Universities
Medical College
Colleges
  • Idris Molla Mahavidyalaya
  • Patuakhali Govt College
  • Patuakhali Government Women's College
  • Bauphal Govt College
  • Dr. Eakub Sharif Degree College
  • Kalapara Govt College
  • Janata College
  • Rangabali Government College
Schools
  • Kalaia Secondary School
  • Abdul High Bidda Nakeiton
  • Patuakhali Government Jubilee High School
  • Patuakhali Collectorate School and College
  • Auliapur Adarsho Secondary School
  • Patuakhali Government Girl's High School
  • Kanakdia Sir Salimullah High School & college
  • Madhya Madanpura Secondary School
Polytechnic Institute

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1974 937,006—    
1981 1,165,076+3.16%
1991 1,273,872+0.90%
2001 1,460,781+1.38%
2011 1,535,854+0.50%
2022 1,727,254+1.07%
Sources:[2][9]

According to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh, Patuakhali District had 424,743 households and a population of 1,727,254 with an average 4.01 people per household. Among the population, 327,724 (18.97%) inhabitants were under 10 years of age. The population density was 719 people per km2. Patuakhali District had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 76.70%, compared to the national average of 74.80%, and a sex ratio of 1048 females per 1000 males. Approximately, 18.62% of the population lived in urban areas. The ethnic population was 1,114.[2]

Religion

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Religions in Patuakhali District (2022)[2]
Religion Percent
Islam
 
 93.63%
Hinduism
 
 6.23%
Other or not stated
 
 0.14%
Religion in present-day Patuakhali district
Religion 1941[10]: 100–101 [a] 1981[9] 1991[9] 2001[9] 2011[9] 2022[2]
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Islam   446,108 82.93% 1,053,255 90.40% 1,164,985 91.45% 1,350,968 92.48% 1,428,601 93.02% 1,617,155 93.63%
Hinduism   82,991 15.43% 109,242 9.38% 106,819 8.39% 107,893 7.38% 105,496 6.87% 107,553 6.23%
Others [b] 8,806 1.64% 2,579 0.22% 2,068 0.16% 1,920 0.14% 1,757 0.11% 2,546 0.14%
Total Population 537,905 100% 1,165,076 100% 1,273,872 100% 1,460,781 100% 1,535,854 100% 1,727,254 100%

The district is overwhelmingly Muslim with a small minority of Hindus. There is also a dwindling community of Rakhine Buddhists settled in Kalapara Upazila. Similar to other districts in the Barisal division, the minority Hindu, Buddhist and Christian populations have seen a decline in absolute numbers in the 2001-2011 period.[9] The district has 4765 mosques, 422 temples, and 13 churches.[7]

Patuakhali city

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Main article: Patuakhali

The city of Patuakhali is situated beside two local rivers: Laukathi River and Lohalia River. During high tides some of the regions of Patuakhali get flooded. The Bay of Bengal is not far from the region.

 
Lohalia River in Rainy Season

At the entrance of the city there is a bridge that connects Barisal (the divisional city) with Patuakhali and Kuakata Beach.

As Patuakhali is a coastal area, it is affected almost every year by natural disasters like cyclones, floods and tornadoes. To help the disaster-affected people, many NGO's are active in the area. They play a vital role in developing the life style of poor people.

Bura Ghuranga river view from the bank of Bura Ghuranga river in beside the Gazi Bhari, East Auliapur, Ronghopaldi, Arojbegi, Dhasmina.

Port of Payra

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Main article: Port of Payra

Port of Payra is planned to become the third sea port of Bangladesh (after Chittagong and Mongla).

Notable people

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Patuakhali subdivision of Bakerganj district excluding the thanas Betagi, Barguna and Amtali
  2. ^ Including Jainism, Christianity, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Ad-Dharmis, or not stated

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Patuakhali District.
  1. ^ "Mohammed Kamal Hosean". Patuakhali District. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Population and Housing Census 2022 National Report (PDF). Vol. 1. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. November 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database". Global Data Lab. Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  4. ^ "History of Patuakhali District". www.patuakhali.gov.bd. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  5. ^ a b Jerin, Iffat (2012). "Patuakhali District". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  6. ^ "AL men appointed administrators". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 16 December 2021. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  7. ^ a b c "District Statistics 2011: Patuakhali" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2014.
  8. ^ Bangladesh District Gazetteers:Bogra. Government of Bangladesh. 1979, pp. 16–16
  9. ^ a b c d e f "Zila Series: Patuakhali" (PDF). Bangladesh Population and Housing Census. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Census of India, 1941 Volume VI Bengal Province" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
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