Narail Sadar is an upazila of Narail District in the Division of Khulna, Bangladesh. Narail Thana was established in 1861 and was converted into an upazila (a sub-district) in 1984. The upazila takes its name from the district and the Bengali word sadar (headquarters). It is the subdistrict where the district headquarters, Narail town, is located.

Geography

Narail Sadar Upazila has a total area of 381.75 sqkm. It borders Magura District to the north, Lohagara Upazila to the north and east, Kalia Upazila to the southeast, and Jessore District to the south and west. The Chitra River flows south through the upazila.

Demographics

As of the 2011 Census of Bangladesh, Narail Sadar upazila had 62,795 households and a population of 272,872. 57,133 (20.94%) inhabitants were under 10 years of age. Narail Sadar had an average literacy rate of 65.52%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 1021 females per 1000 males. 51,318 (18.81%) of the population lived in urban areas.

Arts and culture

A weeklong festival is held in Narail town in memory of artist SM Sultan every year in January or February. Past events have included an art competition, art exhibition, music, bull fight, horse race, lathi khela, and wrestling. Shorter commemorations are held in August and October, around the anniversaries of his birth and death.

Museums

The SM Sultan Memorial Museum has 13 original Sultan artworks and digital prints of 28 others.

Administration

Narail Sadar Upazila is divided into Narail Municipality and 13 union parishads: Auria, Banshgram, Bhadrabila, Bisali, Chandiborpur, Habokhali, Kalora, Maijpara, Mulia, Shahabad, Sheikhati, Singasholpur, and Tularampur. The union parishads are subdivided into 180 mauzas and 231 villages. Narail Municipality is subdivided into 9 wards and 24 mahallas.

Transport

The town of Narail is the road transport hub of the district. To the west it is connected by regional highway R750 to Jessore, about 32 km away. R720 runs north 50 km to Magura. Within the district, zilla road Z7503 runs east to Lohagara and on to the Kalna ferry ghat on the Madhumati River. Z7502 runs south, across the Nabaganga River at Baroipara Ghat by ferry, and on to Kalia.

Education

There are 16 colleges in the upazila. They include Abdul Hye City College, Maij Para College, and Mirzapur United College. Narail Government Victoria College, founded in 1886, is the only honors level one. According to Banglapedia, Narail Government High School, founded in 1903, is a notable secondary school. The madrasa education system includes one fazil and one kamil madrasa.

Notable residents