Biral Upazila
Upazila of Bangladesh in Rangpur
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Biral Upazila (Bengali: বিরল উপজেলা [bi.ɾol u.pɔ.dʒe.la]) is an upazila of Dinajpur District[3] in the Division of Rangpur, Bangladesh.
Biral Upazila
বিরল উপজেলা | |
|---|---|
Mangolpur Railway Station, an important transport hub in Biral Upazila | |
.svg) | |
| Coordinates: 25°38′N 88°32′E | |
| Country |  Bangladesh |
| Division | Rangpur |
| District | Dinajpur |
| Government | |
| • UNO | Bahni Shikha Asha |
| Area | |
• Total | 353.98 km2 (136.67 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Total | 281,554 |
| • Density | 795.40/km2 (2,060.1/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+6 (BST) |
| Postal code | 5210[2] |
| Website | Official Map of Biral |
History
Biral Thana was formed in 1915 during the British colonial period. It was upgraded to an upazila (sub‑district) in 1984 as part of the government’s decentralisation programme.[4]
During the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, Biral was the site of several skirmishes between freedom fighters and the Pakistani army.
Geography
Biral Upazila is located at 25.6333°N 88.5333°E. It spans a total area of 353.98 km2.
Biral Upazila is bounded by Bochaganj and Kaharole Upazilas on the north, Dinajpur Sadar Upazila and Punarbhaba River on the east, Dinajpur Sadar Upazila and Gangarampur and Kushmandi CD Blocks in Dakshin Dinajpur district, West Bengal, India, on the south, and Bochaganj Upazila, Kaliaganj CD Block in Uttar Dinajpur district in West Bengal, India and Kushmandi on the west.[5][6][7]
Demographics
According to the 2022 Bangladeshi census, Biral Upazila had 69,194 households and a population of 281,554. 8.88% of the population were under 5 years of age. Biral had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 75.65%: 78.52% for males and 72.77% for females, and a sex ratio of 100.96 males for every 100 females. 23,280 (8.27%) lived in urban areas.[8]
According to the 2011 Census of Bangladesh, Biral Upazila had 61,414 households and a population of 257,925. 59,186 (22.95%) were under 10 years of age. Biral had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 47.33%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 982 females per 1000 males. 9,059 (3.51%) lived in urban areas.[9] Ethnic population was 4,178 (1.62%), of which Santal were 3,257.[10]
As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Biral has a population of 204,420. Males constitute 52.57% of the population, and females 47.43%. This Upazila's population above 18 years is 101819. Biral has an average literacy rate of 27.9% (7+ years), and the national average of 32.4%.[11]
Ethnicity and religion
| Union/Paurashava | Muslim | Hindu | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biral Paurashava | 12,216 | 1,602 | 33 |
| Azimpur Union | 10,459 | 4,196 | 188 |
| Bhandara Union | 17,544 | 6,729 | 135 |
| Bijora Union | 20,312 | 2,203 | 159 |
| Biral Union | 21,343 | 3,318 | 2 |
| Dhamair Union | 14,294 | 7,992 | 153 |
| Dharmapur Union | 17,971 | 9,240 | 353 |
| Farakkabad Union | 20,046 | 1,068 | 33 |
| Mangalpur Union | 9,957 | 10,094 | 12 |
| Palashbari Union | 15,605 | 707 | 234 |
| Rajarampur Union | 8,712 | 8,997 | 602 |
| Ranipukur Union | 18,904 | 8,161 | 580 |
| Sahargram Union | 20,687 | 6,635 | 69 |
Biral is a Muslim-majority upazila with two Hindu-majority unions. Ethnic population is 3123 (1.11%) of which Santal are 2428.
Administration
Biral Thana was formed in 1915 and it was turned into an upazila in 1984.[12]
Biral Upazila is divided into Biral Municipality (Paurashava) and 12 union parishads: Azimpur, Bhandara, Bijora, Biral, Dhamair, Dharmapur, Farakkabad, Mangalpur, Palashbari, Rajarampur, Ranipukur, and Shohorgram. The union parishads are subdivided into 241 mauzas and 238 villages.[9]