Sunamganj (Bengali: সুনামগঞ্জ Sunamgonj) is a district located in north-eastern Bangladesh within the Sylhet Division
Geography
Sunamganj is located in the Sylhet Division with the Sylhet District to its east, Habiganj District to its south and Netrokona District to its west. The Surma River and Kushiyara River run through the district.
The annual average temperature of Sunamganj has a maximum of 33.2°C and a minimum 13.6°C, with annual rainfall of 3334 mm. There are many haors and beels (wetlands ecosystems) in Sunamganj.
People and population
Sunamganj has a total population of 1,968,669; males constitute 50.89% and females 49.11%.
The religions include Muslims at 83.62% of the population. Minorities include Hindus, constituting 15.95%, and other religions at 0.43%.
There are also some 6,643 person with ethnic affiliations of Manipuri, Khasia, Garo and Hajong ethnic groups from neighbouring countries.
History
The name Sunamganj is derived from its founder, Sipahi Sunamuddin, who established a bazaar on the bank of the river Surma. In the ancient period, Sunamganj was part of the Rarh Kingdom that included Sylhet, Habiganj, Netrokona, Kishorganj and the northern part of Mymensingh. After the conquest of Sylhet in 1303 by Muslims under the spiritual guidance of Hazrat Shah Jalal, Hazrat Shah Kamal vanquished the entire district of Sunamganj. Hazrat Shah Kamal's second son, Shah Moazzamuddin, administered the entire district from Shaharpara.
In 1336 BS a devastating flood occurred as a result of a broken dam in Manipur. This flood is popularly known as 'White Water Flood'. An earthquake on 12 June 1897 caused heavy loss of lives and establishments.
During the Nankar Rebellion of Sukhair in 1922-23 many political leaders and activists of Sunamganj were involved in the anti-British movement. The leftist movement spread over the district after the partition of 1947.
During the war of liberation there were many encounters between freedom fighters and the Pakistani Army. Sunamganj was liberated on 6 December 1971.
Education
The major schools of Sunamganj are:
Chhatak Cement Factory High School
Government Jubilee High School
Government Satish Chandra Girls High School
HMP High School
Bulchand High School
Pirpur High School, Chattak
Moinpur High School, Chattak
Moinpur College, Chattak
Sunamganj Government College
Sunamganj Government Girls College
Subdivisions
Sunamganj District comprises 11 sub-districts or Upazilas:
Bishwamvarpur
Chhatak
Derai
Dharampasha
Dowarabazar
Jagannathpur
Jamalganj
Sulla
Sunamganj Sadar
Tahirpur
South Sunamganj
