Madaripur

About Madaripur

Madaripur is a compact district on the south bank of the Padma, between Faridpur and Shariatpur, with Gopalganj and Barishal to the south. It has five upazilas: Madaripur Sadar, Shibchar, Kalkini, Rajoir and the newly created Dasar. The 2022 census counted about 1.29 million people, three-quarters of them in rural areas.

Rivers define the district. The Arial Khan, a powerful distributary of the Padma, runs past Madaripur town and has eaten into its banks many times; the Kumar, Palardi and many canals cut through low fields and beels. Shibchar, in the north, faces the Padma directly and now lies on the main route from the Padma Bridge to the south-west.

Madaripur town is built around Shakuni Lake, a large rectangular water body in the centre that serves as the town's park and promenade. Rajoir, to the south-west, has a large Hindu community and many temples, while Kalkini borders the wetlands of Barishal.

History

The district takes its name from the Sufi saint Shah Badiuddin Madar, whose shrine stands in the area. Madaripur became a subdivision of Bakerganj in 1854, was moved to Faridpur district in 1873, and became a district in its own right in 1984. In the early 19th century Haji Shariatullah, born at Shamail in present-day Shibchar, launched the Faraizi movement, a religious reform campaign that grew into resistance by peasants against indigo planters and zamindars; his son Dudu Miyan carried it on. Shariatullah is buried at Bahadurpur.

The river port of Charmuguria was once one of the busiest jute markets in eastern Bengal, with agencies of British trading firms along its banks. Madaripur also played a part in the anti-colonial movement of the early 20th century, and many of its people fought in the 1971 Liberation War.

Economy and livelihoods

Agriculture dominates: rice, jute, sugarcane, oilseeds, pulses and vegetables grow on the river-built land, and winter brings the date-palm harvest that makes Madaripur one of the best-known sources of khejur gur in the country. Fishing on the Arial Khan, Padma and beels is important, and Shibchar's Padma-side ghats were for years famous for hilsa. Remittances from workers in the Middle East, Europe and especially Italy support many families. Trade centres on Madaripur town, Charmuguria and Takerhat.

Food, culture and festivals

Folk traditions include gazir gan, kirtan and dhua gan, and the Matua community of Rajoir sings its devotional songs at festivals. The urs at Shah Madar's shrine and Durga Puja in Rajoir draw large crowds, as do boat races on the Arial Khan.

In winter, households and sweet makers turn date juice into liquid gur, patali and pitha, and Madaripur's rasgolla and sweets made with gur are popular gifts. Padma hilsa fried crisp at the riverside ghats is a favourite with travellers.

Places to visit in Madaripur

1. Shakuni Lake

   A large lake in the heart of Madaripur town, lined with walkways, benches and an observation tower. It is the best place to start a walk around the town, especially at sunset.

2. Algi Kazibari Mosque

   A Mughal-era mosque at Algi in Madaripur Sadar upazila, with domes and old brick walls. It is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the district.

3. Auliapur Neelkuthi

   The ruins of a British indigo factory at Auliapur, a reminder of the indigo trade that the Faraizi movement opposed.

4. Charmuguria river port

   The old trading port on the Arial Khan just east of Madaripur town, once a hub of the jute trade. Its riverside bazar is still a lively place to watch boats and markets.

5. Senapati Dighi

   A large old pond in Kalkini upazila, linked in local tradition with a medieval commander, and a pleasant spot for a rural outing.

What Madaripur is famous for

• Madaripur date-palm molasses (khejur gur)
• Patali gur
• Madaripur rasgolla
• Padma hilsa

How to get to Madaripur

Since the Padma Bridge opened, Madaripur is close to Dhaka: buses from Jatrabari, Sayedabad and Gabtoli cross the bridge and reach Madaripur town in roughly two and a half to three hours, passing Shibchar on the expressway. Trains on the Padma Bridge rail link stop at Shibchar and Bhanga, from where local transport goes on to the town. Rivers and launches still matter for local trips.

Markets and haats

Charmuguria Bazar

A historic market on the Arial Khan, once famous for jute and still a busy centre for rice, fish and local produce.

Takerhat

A large market town in Rajoir upazila, a trading hub for the south-west of the district.

Madaripur Puran Bazar

The old central market of Madaripur town, where in winter you can find fresh khejur gur and patali from nearby villages.

Madaripur at a glance

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Questions about Madaripur

More districts in Dhaka Division

• Dhaka The capital on the Buriganga: Mughal forts, muslin memories and a city that never pauses
• Faridpur Jute country on the Padma, and home of the poet of rural Bengal
• Gazipur Sal forests, jackfruit orchards and the factory belt north of Dhaka
• Gopalganj Beel country on the Madhumati, with floating gardens and Tungipara
• Kishoreganj Gateway to the haors, home of Sholakia and the poet Chandrabati
• Manikganj Where the Jamuna meets the Padma: zamindar palaces and hajari gur
• Munshiganj Ancient Bikrampur: potatoes, patkhir and the north end of the Padma Bridge
• Narayanganj Old Sonargaon, jamdani looms and the knitwear port on the Shitalakshya
• Narsingdi Looms of Madhabdi, lotkon orchards and the ancient city of Wari-Bateshwar
• Rajbari Goalundo and Daulatdia: the Padma gateway of onions and jute
• Shariatpur Where the Padma meets the Meghna: Zajira, Kirtinasha and bibikhana pitha
• Tangail Tangail saree, Porabari chamcham and the sal forests of Madhupur