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Mymensingh
Mymensingh Location of Mymensingh in Bangladesh
Coordinates: 24°45′14″N 90°24′11″E / 24.75389, 90.40306
Country	Bangladesh
Administrative District	Mymensingh District
Government
- Chairman	Kuddus Ali
Area
- City	21.73 km² (8.4 sq mi)
Population
- Density	10,392/km² (26,915.2/sq mi)
- Metro	225,811
Time zone	BST (UTC+6)

Mymensingh (Bengali: ময়মনসিংহ) is a District and a City of Bangladesh situated near the river Brahmaputra. It is known for educational institutions like Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh Girls Cadet College etc., for the Old Brahmaputra river, for Nakshikatha and Mymensingh Gitika . The city is located about 120 km (75 mi) north of Dhaka city. There are 12 Thana/Upazilas in Mymensingh district.

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History

Mymensingh is one of the 16 old district towns of Bangladesh. Being almost 400 years old, Mymensingh has a rich cultural and political history. During the British Raj most of the inhabitants of the town were Hindus. From early 20th Century Muslims moved into town. Since then this city has played an important role as a centre for secularism. The Anandamaye Girls School and Mominunnesa Women's college have played a great role in educating Bengali Muslim women. A majority of first-generation successful Bangladeshi women have attended these schools and colleges, including the first woman justice of the High Court of Bangladesh^{citation needed}. The town has not seen expected development after the independence of Bangladesh but still looks forward to a brighter future in terms of trade and industry.

Previously, this city's name was Momenshahi^{citation needed}. There is also a college of this name which had been known as Akhtaruzzaman College; Akhtaruzzaman was the name of the departed son of the then Governor of East Pakistan, Abdul Monem Khan. However, it is still unclear how the name was selected.

Mymensingh Personalities

The painter, Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin was from Mymensingh. One of the prominent Indian scientists of the last century, Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose was born in Mymensingh. Political figures such as Syed Nazrul Islam, the first vice president of Bangladesh, renowned politician Abul Mansur Ahmed, late East Pakistan Governor Abdul Monem Khan were from this town. Bengali novelist Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay and poet Nirmalendu Goon were also born in Mymensingh. Taslima Nasreen, the feminist critic of Islam, was also born here , Humayun Ahmed , one of the most renowned Bangladeshi writers is also from Mymensingh District. He was born in Kutubpur. The Oscar-winning Indian film maker Satyajit Ray and Bollywood actress Rani Mukherjee's family also hail from this district. One of the wealthiest people in Bangladesh, the late Zahurul Islam, was also born in this district. Several National cricket and football players are from this district.

Geography

The District of Mymensingh is situated between 24⁰ – 02^'-03 and 25⁰-25^'-56 north latitude and 89⁰-39^'-00 and 91⁰-15^'-35 east longitude. According to the latest report received (1971) from the director, Land Records and Survey,it comprises an area of 5,039.76 square miles (13,052.92 km²).

Change in Boundary from Time to time

The district was acquired by the East India company with the Dewani Grant form the Mughal Emperor in 1765. At that time its greater part was included in the Niabat (Sub-Province of Dhaka and a small portion in the Zamindaries of Atia, Kagmari, Pukuria and Patilandaha (of Rahahahi Zamindari). At the time of Permanent Settlement, it included northwest Garo-Hills and the Brahmandaria Subdivision of the Present Comilla district but did not include north Tangail and north-west part of Jamalpur. In 1799 Taluk Amirabad was transferred to Tippera (comilla). In 1809, Patiladaha, situated north-east of the Brahmaputra came to district form Rangpur. In 1811, the river Banar and Brahmaputra were declared boundary between Dhaka and Mymensingh district and the river Brahmaputra and Meghna as boundary between Tippera (now Comilla) and Mymensingh and Dhaka. In 1811 west Gar-Hills were transferred to Rangpur district. In 1812 Patiladaha, was retransferred to Rangpur. In 1830, Parganas Sarail, Daudpur, haripur, Bejra, and Satarakhandal, were transferred to Tippera and Public convenience. In 1855, due to change in river course part or Serajganj thana was transferred from Mymensingh to Pabna and in 1866, the whole of it was transferred to Pabna. In 1866, thana Dewangajn was transferred to Mymensingh form Bogra and thana Atia from Dhaka. In 1867 for the administrative convenience boundaries of five subdivisions (including Tangail) and thanaswere notified. In 1874 on the basis of survey, the district boundaries were notified. In 1874 the Jamuna (or Daokoba) river was declared the western boundary between Mymensingh and Bogra and as such, 165 willage were transferred to Bogra. In 1875, the Brahmaputra was Made the boundary between Mymensingh and Rangpur and the portion of patiladaha, east of the river, was transferred to this district form Rangpur. In 1877, the Jamuna was declared the boundary between Pabna and Mymensingh, in the west. On the first of December, 1969, Tangail subdivision was separated form Mymensingh and a new District of Tangail was formed.¹

Thana/Upazila

It has 12 Thana/Upazila, or administrative sub-districts.²

Educational institutions

Here is a list of the eucational institutions of Mymensingh city.

Universities and Colleges

Schools

Coaching Centers

Educational research

• National Academy for Primary Teachers' Education (NAPE)
• Edward Institution

Transport

Bus

• The distance from Dhaka to Mymensingh is about 120 km (75 mi) North from the Mohakhali bus stop. Nowadays, the journey by bus is very comfortable because of some good quality bus services. This service is locally known as Gate lock bus where no passenger can get in the bus after departure from the bus stop. On the contrary, passengers can get off anywhere after paying the full fair. Generally, it is about 2 to 2.30 hour journey from Dhaka to Mymensingh, though it may take little more time depending upon the traffic jams and other conditions of the road. The Dhaka-Mymensingh highway is one of the busiest highways of the country. Also, due to recent land development there has been an increase in traffic. The pavement conditions have improved as of recent years. During June-July, which is the season of the ripening of jackfruits, the overall travel time may be longer because of vendors selling jackfruit in Mauna, Seed Store, and Bhaluka. The bus fare always changes depending upon the fuel price. In 2006, the fare was around TK.105 (US$1.5) per person which is around Tk.120 ($1.71) in October 2008.

• Some popular Dhaka-Mymensingh bus services are:

i) Soukhin           Fare: BDT-120, USD-1.71
ii) Nirapod          Fare: BDT-120, USD-1.71
iii) Deluxe (new)    Fare: BDT-120, USD-1.71
iv) Alam-Asia        Fare: BDT-100,  USD-1.43 etc.

• Anyone can get ticket from Maskanda bus stand, Mymensingh; or Mohakhali bus stand, Dhaka; just before the time of departure.

• Latest update: 26 October 2008.

Train

• Train is by far the cheapest means to get to Mymensingh. Apart from a number of local trains, several intercity trains Ekota Express, Aghnibina Express, Tista Express, Bhrammaputra Express, Jamuna Express and Balaka Express connect the town with the capital of Dhaka.Train fares range from 40 tk to 120 tk, 0.57$ to 1.71$ per person depending upon the class and the train itself. It takes almost 3 hours to reach Mymensingh from Dhaka. All intercity trains connect the city with Jamalpur town as well. Several local trains run between Mymensing town to Kishorganj and Netrokona.

Taxi cab

• Cabs can be hired from Dhaka to reach Mymensingh and the fare will have to be negotiated between the driver and the passenger. Usually it will take about Tk. 1500-2000 for a one way trip. However, the amount will stay almost the same for a round trip.

Car rental

• One can also hire a Micro-bus or car to visit the city. The micro-bus stand of the town is in front of the Medical college hospital at the Charpara region and another one is near the Eid-gah Moidan (Eid prayer assembly field) near the Kachijhuli area of the town.

Folklore

• Folk Ballads: Maimansingha Gitika.

Fisheries

Most of the rivers and lakes in Mymensingh abound in fish. As a replacement for the jute industry, Mymensingh district now produces a huge amount of fish. The increasing demand for fish in the local and global markets creates an opportunity for local fishermen as well as businessmen. Therefore, over the last 10 years, there has been a revolution in fisheries in Bangladesh and Mymensingh was one of biggest contributors. People have changed their paddy fields to ponds, and are cultivating fish. On the other hand, there are some kinds of fish whose growth rate is very high, making this profession quite easy and interesting for people. Traditional fish production, however, has not increased; it rather decreased, due to a lack of interest^{citation needed}.

With rainfall fishing starts in every paddy field and ditch. The most favoured edible fish are the Rrohit, Katla, Mirka, and Kalbaus: all Cyprinidae, which grow to large sizes in big rivers. One maund is said to be the record for one of such fish. The singi, boal and gaura among the siluridae and the chital (mystus chitala) and the phyasa or herring are common. Mullerts are to be found in shoals near the banks of the shallow ponds of Khaliajuri. They swim on the surface like frogs. Hilsa are chiefly imported, being caught in the Meghna and Jamuna. Within this district the mashseer, which resembles the salmon, is caught in the Someshwari and occasionally in the Jamuna. It fetches a very high price. Prawns, sometimes reaching a very large size in the winter, come to Mymensingh in great numbers.

Due to an increase in population and a consequent increase of co-shares of village ponds, fish cultivation is suffering a great deal. The share-holders do not take the responsibility of rearing fish^{citation needed}.

Economy

Previously, Mymensingh district was known for its' golden fiber, i.e., jute production. Due to the high demand for polythene bags and lower use of jute based products, and also other economical reasons, the jute industry has been depressed.

There are five cinema halls in Mymensingh town. Most of these halls are very old but still in operation. Due to cable TV connection and DVD facility, most of the people are now enjoy home entertainments. However, on special occasions such as Eid, new year, Puja, and other vacations, people still watch movies in the cinema halls. Aloka was the oldest cinema hall, but it has now been demolished to make a modern shopping and residential complex. Other cinema halls include Chayabani, Purabi, and Shenanibas.

There is only one public hospital (Mymensingh Medical College) in this city, but lots of private clinics where good treatment is also available, but at higher cost. SafeAid General Hospital is one of the private clinics.

There are many government offices as well as private companies located here, including banks, a jute mill, a rice mill, and a power plant (RPCL).

Picture Gallery

Monument of the Liberation War of Bangladesh, front view	Monument of the martyrs of the Language Movement in Mymensingh	The Boro Masjid, front view	Boro Kali Bari Mandir
Centre for Neuclear Medicine and Ultrasound in MMCH	Close view of the Power Station	Jainul Abedin Art Gallery	China-Bangladesh friendship bridge
Mymensingh Rajbari	Back Side of Mymensingh Rajbari	Mymensingh TTC (ladies)	Sculpture1 in TTC Mymensingh
Sculpture2 in TTC Mymensingh	Sculpture3 in TTC Mymensingh	Sculpture4 in TTC Mymensingh	Sculpture5 in TTC Mymensingh
Boat ride in Brahmaputra river Mymensingh	Sunset view1 in Brahmaputra river	Sunset view2 in Mymensingh	RPCL and Brahmaputra river

People from Mymensingh

• The then Governor of East Pakistan Abdul Monem Khan
• President Shahabuddin Ahmed
• Khorshed Ahmed Khan, former MNA of the East Pakistan
• Vasa Shahid Abdul Jabbar
• Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin
• Nirmalendu Goon
• Sri Anirvan
• Taslima Nasreen

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Mymensingh District

• Mymensingh in Banglapedia
• Telephone Index Mymensingh
• A web site run from Mymensingh

Coordinates: 24°45′14″N 90°24′11″E / 24.75389, 90.40306