Gowainghat Upazila
Upazila in Sylhet, Bangladesh
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gowainghat (Bengali: গোয়াইনঘাট) is an upazila of Sylhet District in the Division of Sylhet, Bangladesh.[3]
Gowainghat
গোয়াইনঘাট | |
|---|---|
View of Ratargul Swamp Forest | |
.svg) | |
| Coordinates: 25°6.2′N 91°53.5′E | |
| Country |  Bangladesh |
| Division | Sylhet |
| District | Sylhet |
| Area | |
• Total | 481.12 km2 (185.76 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Total | 355,979 |
| • Density | 739.90/km2 (1,916.3/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+6 (BST) |
| Postal code | 3150[2] |
| Website | gowainghat |
History
The British Empire conquered the Jaintia Kingdom on 25 March 1835, finally incorporating Gowainghat in its Sylhet District Collectorate.[4] In 1908, the Gowainghat Thana was founded with the union of 5 parganas; Dhargram, Araikha, Piyaingul, Panchbhag and Jaflong and then separated into 12[5] union councils. During the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Pakistani army launched an attack in Ujuhat, Alirgaon killing 25 freedom fighters on the night of 28 November 1971. 7 mass graves are found in the upazila in Ujuhat, Atgram, Tamabil Zero Point, Health Complex and Birkuli. To commemorate the loss of lives, a memorial has been built. The thana prospered, officially upgrading to an upazila on 14 March 1983.[6]
Geography
Gowainghat is located at 25.1028°N 91.8917°E. It has 47,992 households and a total area of 481.12 km2. The rivers are quarried for their stones, in areas like Jaflong and Bichnakandi.[7]
Demographics
According to the 2022 Bangladeshi census, Gowainghat Upazila had 66,187 households and a population of 355,979. 13.33% of the population were under 5 years of age. Gowainghat had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 65.90%: 67.83% for males and 64.05% for females, and a sex ratio of 97.82 males for every 100 females. 9,463 (2.66%) lived in urban areas. Ethnic population is 4533 (1.27%).[8]
According to the 2011 Census of Bangladesh, Gowainghat Upazila had 47,992 households and a population of 287,512. 93,235 (32.43%) were under 10 years of age. Gowainghat had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 32.70%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 998 females per 1000 males. 6,069 (2.11%) lived in urban areas.[9] Ethnic population was 2,073 (0.72%), of which Khasi were 902.[10]
As of 2001[update] Bangladesh census, Gowainghat has a population of 207,170. Males constituted 51.80% of the population, and females 48.20%. Gowainghat has an average literacy rate of 22.8%.[11]
Administration
Gowainghat Upazila is divided into twelve union parishads: Alirgaon, Bisanakandi Daubaria, Fatehpur, Lengura, Gowainghat Sadar, Nandirgaon, Madya Jaflong, Purba Jaflong, Paschim Jaflong, Rustampur, and Towakul. The union parishads are subdivided into 231 mauzas and 266 villages.[12]
Notable people
- Saiful Alom, former member of the East Bengal Legislative Assembly
- Abdul Hannan, former parliamentarian
- Faizul Hasan, former member of the East Bengal Legislative Assembly
- Dildar Hossain Selim, politician
