Muktagacha মুক্তাগাছা |
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Upazila | |
Location in Bangladesh | |
Coordinates: 24°45.5′N 90°16′E / 24.7583°N 90.267°ECoordinates: 24°45.5′N 90°16′E / 24.7583°N 90.267°E | |
Country | Bangladesh |
Division | Mymensingh Division |
District | Mymensingh District |
Area | |
• Total | 314.71 km2 (121.51 sq mi) |
Population (2008) | |
• Total | 300,000 (approximately) |
Time zone | BST (UTC+6) |
Postal code | 2210 |
Website | Official Map of Muktagacha |
Muktagacha (Bengali: মুক্তাগাছা) is an Upazila of Mymensingh District in the Division of Mymensingh, Bangladesh. It is known for sweets which are made there, called "Monda". It is also known for the Rajbari (a king's residence) which is currently used as an educational institute, Shahid Shrity College.
The previous name of Muktagacha was Binodbari. When the Zamindars (kings) arrived from Natore, an inhabitant of the town, Muktaram Karmakar, presented them with a gold lamp-stand, locally called Gacha. This pleased the Zamindars. They wanted to acknowledge the present and show respect to Muktaram, so they renamed the town to Muktagacha.
Muktagacha is located at 24°45′30″N 90°16′00″E / 24.7583°N 90.2667°E. It has 64044 households and total area 314.71 km².
As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Muktagacha had a population of 321,759. Males constituted 50.77% of the population, and females 49.23%. This Upazila's eighteen and up population was 160,859. Muktagacha has an average literacy rate of 22.9% (7+ years), and the national average of 32.4% literate.
Muktagacha has always been a place to nourish the various cultural activities. The Zaminders of Muktagacha were always conscious of cultural activities. Raja Jagat Kishore Acharya Choudhury was a true patroner of culture. He brought famous cultural people like Ustad Alauddin Khan, Hafiz Ali Khan, Dabir Khan and many more famous people to Muktagacha. A lot of people are directly nourishing the field of culture. People here practice Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet,Kirtan, Lalon Geeti etc. In addition, various cultural activities are held around the year.