Madarganj (Bengali: মাদারগঞ্জ) is an Upazila in Jamalpur District, in the Division of Mymensingh, Bangladesh.The area is known for its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and agricultural productivity.
[3] Madarganj Upazila is located on the east bank of the Jamuna River, 34 km west of the Jamalpur district headquarters.
Madarganj Upazila is situated between 24°47' to 24°59' north latitude and 89°40' to 89°50' east longitude, covering an area of 225.39 square kilometers.
The land is fertile and silty, but the region experiences floods almost every year, resulting in significant crop damage.
The area receives a significant amount of rainfall due to the influence of monsoons, and there is heavy fog during the winter months.
The total agricultural land area is 60062 acres, with 42877 acres being arable land In 1760, when the entire Bengali population was suffering under British Raj and widespread chaos engulfed the political arena, the Bengali throne was controlled by The British Ruler, at this very time, the Sannyasis (ascetics) started a rebellion which initiated the Great Bengal famine aka 'Chhiattar Manbantar.'
At such a time, the Fakirs (Sufi ascetics) left their spiritual practices to protect the people of Bengal from the English.
They came to this land and established their camps at Mahasthangarh in Bogura and the remote island of Daokoba in the Mymensingh district.
Around 1763, after Shah Madar arrived at this remote island, the Fakirs accepted him as their disciple, and they became known as the Madariya community.
When the ascetic rebellion was somewhat subdued, in 1815, the then Magistrate of Mymensingh district, Mr. Year, appointed 13 watchmen to enforce law and government orders in Madarganj area.
Madarganj has a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 33.0%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 1022 females per 1000 males.
The fertile soil and favorable climate make it an ideal place for cultivating various crops.
The main crops grown in Madarganj are rice, jute, wheat, sugarcane, and vegetables.
According to a report by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Madarganj produced 45,530 tons of rice in 2020-21, making it one of the top rice-producing areas in the country.
At the foundational level, the community is well-served by a robust network of 159 government primary schools, ensuring widespread access to basic education.
Beyond secondary education, the region offers a diverse set of opportunities for higher learning.
The government has also initiated a project to construct a bridge over the Jamuna River, which will further improve the transportation system of the area.
The health sector in Madarganj is robust and diversified, encompassing both public and private healthcare provisions.
A centrally located government hospital, equipped with 100 beds, serves as a primary healthcare facility, catering to comprehensive medical needs.
Additionally, the presence of five private clinics supplements these public services, offering alternative medical consultations and treatments.