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Background of Barisal Division

    In ancient times Barisal was known as Bangala. In the evolution of time, this Bengali word came to be known as Bakla. It is said that a man named Dr. Kanungo built the port of Bakla. Arab and Persian merchants used to come to this seaport to trade. In the tenth century, the Chandra dynasty established a kingdom called Chandradwip in South East Bengal. Apart from Bakla, Chandradwip was part of the present Madaripur, Gopalganj and Bagerhat districts. When the whole of Bangladesh was occupied by the Muslims in the fourteenth century, Danujmardan Dev established an independent kingdom in the region known as Bakla-Chandradwip. Bakerganj district was established here in 1898. In 1801, the district headquarters was shifted to Girde Bandar (now Barisal city).

     There are many differences about the naming of Barisal. Due to large willow trees (big + shawl) = Barisal; Barisal from the love story of Portuguese merchants Berry and Shelley; Barisal etc. for big salt balls. At Girde Port (Great Port) there was a large salt outpost of the Nawabs of Dhaka. The English and Portuguese merchants called the area "Barisalt" because of the large salt deposits and large grains in the district. Many people think that Barisal has changed to Barisal.

     Realizing the historical significance of Barisal, the then British government in its Bengal District Administration Report of 1913-14 recommended the establishment of Barisal division including Faridpur and Khulna districts. Later it was not implemented due to various political reasons but Barisal became a part of Khulna division. During the Pakistan period there were six subdivisions in this district including Barisal. Patuakhali subdivision was turned into a district during the Pakistan period. After the independence of the country, the remaining four subdivisions were transformed into districts in 1974 and Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Pirojpur, Bhola and Jhalokati became the six districts.

    Barisal, the granary of Bengal, was once known as "Agricultural Manchester". The economy of Bengal was connected with the economy of Barisal. This fertile area consisting of silt was excellent for agriculture and good for habitation. Agriculture was the main source of economy. Tourist Ralph Fiss described Bakla as very rich in 1560, mentioning rice, corpus, silk cloth and large houses.

    During the war of liberation in 1971, the people of the region bravely resisted the Pak aggressors. Of the seven Bir Shrestha of Bangladesh, Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir was born in Babuganj Upazila of Barisal and Mostafa Kamal, a sepoy in Bir Shrestha, was born in Daulatkhan Upazila of Bhola District. The heroism of Hemayet Bahini during the war is still shining in the history.

     The Barisal region was inhabited by Hindus till 1800. Later, the influx of Muslims from different areas, conversions and mass emigration of Hindus led to a Muslim majority. At present a number of Christians and Buddhists also live here. In ancient times, a nation called "Chandrabhadra" lived in Barisal. The present Namahsudras are their descendants. A group of people known as Rakhine live in the southern part of Patuakhali, retaining their own identity in terms of social customs and culture.

      The people of Barisal region are truly comfortable and fond of food. Family wise they are very close and sincere. They are not satisfied without a dessert after a variety of delicious oil-soaked food. Here are the types of cakes made from coconut juice, molasses, coconut and dairy. The reputation of the people of Barisal for entertaining guests is well known.

    Barisal has a glorious tradition in terms of art literature. Poet Jibananda Das, Sufia Kamal, Ahsan Habib, Abu Jafar Obaidullah, one of the best poets of the Middle Ages Vijay Gupta, Charan poet Mukunda Das, children of the Barisal Division. In other cases, the memorable personalities of this department include Sher-e-Bangla AKM, Fazlul Haque, Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia, Abdur Rob Serniabad, Arj Ali Matubbar and others.