Bagmara is an upazila of Rajshahi District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

Geography

Bagmara is located to the north of Rajshahi city, about 42km distant from the city. It is located within 24°30' and 24°41' north latitudes and 88°41' and 88°58' east longitudes. To the north of Bagmara are Atrai and Manda upazilas of Naogaon district; to the south are Durgapur and Puthia upazilas of Rajshahi; to the east are Sadar upazila of Natore and Atrai upazila; to the west are Mohanpur upazila of Rajshahi and Manda upazila. Total area of upazila is 366.26km2. According to NRCC catologue of rivers, Fakirni and Barnoi rivers flow through Bagmara.

History

Bagmara Thana was created in 1869 and was elevated to upazila in 1984. During the 1971 War of Liberation, Pakistan Army engaged in surreptitious attack on Taherpur hat, causing death to 25 persons. The freedom fighters, led by Havilder Shafiq, mounted an attack on a Pakistani Army patrol boat, killing 18 Pakistani soldiers.

Demographics

According to the 2022 Bangladesh census, Bagmara upazila had 106347 households, which is the highest among nine upazilas of Rajshahi. The population numbered at 373,845, the second highest among the upazilas of the district. The literacy rate stood at 69.21% among the whole population. According to the 2011 Census of Bangladesh, Bagmara Upazila had 94,050 households and a population of 354,664. 64,230 (18.11%) were under 10 years of age. Bagmara had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 46.31%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 1002 females per 1000 males. 38,214 (10.77%) lived in urban areas.

Administration

Bagmara is the sole upazila that comprises Rajshahi-4 parliamentary constituency. Prior to 2008 delimitation, Bagmara, with bordering Mohanpur upazila, formed the Rajshahi-3 constituency. Bagmara Upazila is divided into 2 municipalities: Bhawanigonj and Taherpur; and 16 union parishads: Auchpara, Basupara, Borobihanoli, Dippur, Ganipur, Gobindapara, Gualkandi, Hamirkutsa, Jogipara, Kacharikoalipara, Maria, Nordas, Sonadanaga, Sreepur, Suvodanga, and Zhikra. The union parishads are further subdivided into 293 mauzas and 372 villages.

Notable residents