Savar Upazila

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Savar
সসসসস
— Upazila —

Jatiyo Smriti Soudho in Savar, Bangladesh

Savar
Location in Bangladesh
Coordinates: 23°51.5′N 90°16′ECoordinates:
23°51.5′N 90°16′E

Country Bangladesh
Division Dhaka Division
District Dhaka District
Area
- Total 280.13 km2 (108.2 sq mi)
Population (1991)
- Total 378,034
- Density 1,349/km2 (3,493.9/sq mi)
Time zone BST (UTC+6)
Website Official Map of Savar

Savar (Bengali: সাভার) is an Upazila of Dhaka District in the Division of Dhaka,

Bangladesh. It is located at a distance of about 24 km to the northwest of Dhaka city.
Savar is mostly famous for Jatiyo Smriti Soudho, the National Monument for the Martyrs
of the Liberation War of Bangladesh.

Contents
[hide]
 • 1 Geography
• 2 Demographics
• 3 Administrative
• 4 Economy
• 5 Politics
• 6 History
• 7 Important Institutions
• 8 See also

• 9 References

[edit] Geography
Savar is located at 23.8583°N 90.2667°E23.8583; 90.2667 . It has 66956 units of
household and a total area of 280.13 km². It is bounded by Kaliakair and Gazipur Sadar
upazilas on the north, Keraniganj upazila on the south, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Pallabi
and Uttara thanas of Dhaka City on the east,and Dhamrai and Singair upazilas on the
west. The land of the upazila is composed of alluvium soil of the Pleistocene period. The
height of the land gradually increases from the east to the west. The southern part of the
upazila is composed of the alluvium soil of the Bangshi and Dhalashwari rivers. Main
rivers are Bangshi, Turag, Buriganga and Karnatali.

The total cultivable land measures 16745.71 hectares, in addition to fallow land of
10551.18 hectares

[edit] Demographics
As of the 1991 Bangladesh census, Savar has a population of 378034. Males constitute
are 54.67% of the population, and females 45.33%. This Upazila's eighteen up population
is 207401. Savar has an average literacy rate of 37.8% (7+ years), and the national
average of 32.4% literate. Male literacy is 44.8% and female is 29.1%.[1] The religious
break down is Muslim 88.59%, Hindu 10.41%, Christian 0.93%, Buddhist 0.03% and
others 0.04% and ethnic nationals number 319 including Buno, Garo, Sangma and
Barman. The main occupations are Agriculture 24.34%, agricultural labourer 12.84%,
wage labourer 4.44%, cattle breeding, forestry and fishing 1.90%, industry 1.37%,
commerce 17.35%, service 20.68%, construction 1.66%, transport 3.96% and others
11.46%.

[edit] Administrative
Savar has 13 Unions/Wards, 350 Mauzas/Mahallas, and 321 villages. The municipal area
(Savar Town) consists of 9 wards and 55 mahallas. The area of the town is 24.1 km². It
has a population of 124885; male 53.03%, female 46.97%; population density per km² of
5182. Savar thana was established in 1912 and was turned into an upazila in 1983.
[edit] Economy
Agriculture and manufacturing are the two major economic sectors in Savar. The main
crops grown here are Paddy, Jute, peanut, onion, garlic, chilli and other vegetables. The
extinct or nearly extinct crops in the region are Aus paddy, Asha Kumari paddy, sesame,
linseed, kali mator, randhuni saj, mitha saj, kaun and mas kalai. The main fruits
cultivated here are Jackfruit, mango, olive, papaya, guava, kamranga, berry and banana.
There are 181 combined fisheries, dairies and poultries Dairy, 5 hatcheries, 209 poultries,
and 1319 fisheries. Manufacturing facilities include Ceramic industry, beverage industry,
press and publication, garments industry, foot ware, jute mills, textile mills, printing and
dying factory, transformer industry, automobile industry, biscuit and bread factory,
pharmaceutical industry, soap factory, brick field, cold storage, welding, plant nursery,
etc. Bangladesh Export Processing Zone is located in this upazila. The Cottage industry
includes 8 Weaving, 100 goldsmith and 29 others workshops. The main exports are
Jackfruit, papaya, flower, sapling, dairy products, meat, transformer, fabrics, dye,
medicine, ready made garments, electronics and electric goods, shoe, brick, sweetmeat
etc.

There are 62 km of pucca, 56 km of semi pucca, 562 km of mud road; and 50 km of

highway. Transports used here include the traditional (and extinct or nearly extinct)
Palanquin, bullock cart and horse carriage as well as modern day vehicles.

There are 14 regular Hats and bazars here. Noted bazars are Savar, Nabinagar, Amin
Bazar, Balibhadra and Bagbari Bazar. Noted hats include Ashulia, Savar, Shimulia,
Kathgara, Sadullapur, Nayar hat (with adjoined bazar), and Vhakurar Hat. Prominent
fairs include Darogali Bayati Mela (Nayarhat), Bahattar Prahar mela (Savar), Ghora Pirer
Mela (Nalam), Muharram Mela (Katlapur) and Pawsh Mela (Dhamsona).

[edit] Politics
Several Hindu families played a critical role in the development of the township during
the British Raj in the 19th and first half of the 20th century. After partition of India in
1947, the Hindu influence in the area waned following the departure of many prominent
Hindu families. The 1960s saw the establishment of some important institutions,
including a dairy farm and a University in the area. Concurrently, communist politics was
on the rise in the area. However, this was replaced with Bengali nationalist zeal, when the
Awami League won the 1970 election in this constituency. In 1975, Savar came to the
spotlight when the Maoist leader Shiraj Shikdar was secretly tortured and executed at
Savar cantonment. Savar was politically important to the military dictators of the mid-
1970s and '80s, as the cantonment armory here was the closest one outside the capital.
From the 1990s to mid-2000s, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party candidate has been
routinely elected to parliament from this constituency. However, Awami League and
other parties (including several Islamist ones) continue to have a strong grassroots
presence. The general election at the end of 2008 saw an Awami League candidate
elected to parliament from this constituency. Jahangirnagar University and a few colleges
in the area serve as a hotbed of active student politics and strife. Foreign dignitaries
customarily visit Savar as a part of their trip to Bangladesh to pay respect to the martyrs
of 1971 at the Jatiyo Smriti Soudho.

[edit] History
The origin of the name Savar is thought to be an evolved version of the ancient 7th-8th
century township of Sharbeshvar or Shombhar situated on the banks of the river known
today as the Bangshee. It was the capital of the Sanbagh Kingdom then. Local legends
claim that a king by the name of Harish Chandra ruled over Sharbeshvar. There is an old
shloka that goes "Bangshabatir purboteere sharbeshvar nagari, boishe raja Harish
Chandra jini shurpuri' (Bengali: বংশাবতীর পূবরতীের সেবরশর নগরী, ৈবেশ রাজা হিরশচন িজিন সূরপুরী. Literal
translation: Sharbeshvar city by the East banks of the Bangshabati, King Harish Chandra
lives there conquering Heaven).

The Banglapedia entry for Savar states "Two inscriptions have been reported from this
place; one on a burnt brick fragment contains only the name of a king called Harish
Chandra Pal, the other, apparently issued by a king called Mahendra, records his
genealogy. The text of the shlokas in that inscription states that Raja Dhimantasena, a
devotee of Buddha and son of King Bhimasena, invaded and conquered the powerful
Kiratas of Bhabalina (the land between the Brahmaputra and the Bangshi). His son
Ranadhirasena extended the kingdom up to the Himalayas and fixed his residence in the
city of Sambhara (Savar). Ranadhirasena's son Harish Chandra was a saint king and his
son Mahendra dedicated a math in the year 791 shakabda (equivalent to 869 AD). It may
also be pointed out that 6 post-Gupta gold coins have been reported from Savar; two of
these bear the legend Shri-Krama while a third bear the legend Sudhanya. It is not
unlikely that Savar was the seat of a political power as early as the Gupta period. A total
of 13 ancient archaeological sites have been discovered at Savar. These are Raja Harish
Chandrer Badi, Rajasan, Kotbadi, Gandaria, Karnapada, Kalma, Sulia, Dagar Mura,
Mathbadi, Madanpur, Fulbadi, Konda and Pathalia (Jahangirnagar University Campus).
These fall into three categories ie administrative, religious and pottery or residential sites.
All the sites are found in and around Savar and on the eastern side of the Bangshi. The
distance between one site to another site is not more than two kilometres. The cultural
remains discovered from these sites are pottery, brick stupas and monasteries, bronze
images, gold and silver coins, iron spear-heads and a dao (iron-knife), stone querns and
mullers, terracotta plaques, weights, dabbers, balls and decorated bricks. The potteries of
these sites represent red, black and grey wares. The common shapes are bowl dishes and
small to medium sized pots and jars. The ceramics are both plain and painted. The pottery
is decorated with black slips on red wares and painted horizontal bands and geometric
designs on the body and neck. A few potsherds have also been found decorated with mat
and cord impressions. The major sign of ancient occupation on the riverbank at Savar is
the still surviving Kotbadi mound, a fairly large rectangular area surrounded by a mud
wall, although it has been largely eroded now. Mathbadi, located close to the modern
channel, is another ancient occupational area. Buddhist monastic remains have been
found at least in three places, one of which is locally known as Harish Chandra Rajar
Badi in Majidpur village to the east of the Savar Market bus-stop. Archaeological
excavations at Savar have been conducted recently at this site. Further to its east is
Rajasan, another area containing Buddhist remains. In excavations, conducted here in
1925-26, traces of four structures along with some lintels of terracotta, Buddha images,
and an inscribed Visnu image were found. The evidence as a whole pointed to 7th-8th
century AD. Excavations in the Rajbadi mound in 1989-90 revealed a square-shaped
stupa enclosed by a wide wall. A silver Harikela coin, a gold coin and a number of
Buddhist bronze figures have been unearthed here. A date around 7th-8th century AD has
been suggested for the remains. Besides these sites a number of ancient ponds can also be
found in this area. Local legends suggest that King Harish Chandra excavated a total of
50 ponds in a single night. Of these the names of 30 ponds are known from different
literatures. These are Sagar Dighi (near Raja Harish Chandrer Badi), Raj Guru's pond,
Chhota Khuda, Bara Khuda, Kumaria pond, Dakaitmara pond, Jor pukur, Niramis pukur,
Kodaldhoya pukur, Giyas pukur, Satini pukur, Amis pukur, Doyatdhoya pukur, Raj
Dighi, Sukh Sagar, Khataishya pukur (near Kalma), Jalori pukur, Ban pukur,
Chhobangara pukur, Lal pukur, Satpukuri pukur, Chhaiyal pukur, Jaleshvari pukur,
Pitkila pukur, Choti Mara pukur, Andar pukur, a second Kodaldhoya pukur, Budir Bagh
pukur, Yogir pukur (at Jahangirnagar University Campus) and Moor pukur. Most of these
ponds have now silted up by natural processes or have been brought under human
habitation. [MM Hoque]"

It is supposed from the pottery inscriptions from the sixth century that many foreign
traders used to come here for business. There are also legends of the famous Bengali
Buddhist monk Atish Dipankar having stayed at the Buddhist monastery at Rajashan for
some time.

During the Bangladesh War of Liberation in 1971, Savar Cantonment and then newly
founded Jahangirnagar University were some of the first targets of military swoop outside
the capital following Operation Searchlight of 25 March. In December of that year, Savar
was the last obstacle before the freedom fighters (led by Kader Siddiqui and others)
entered the capital and the Pakistan army conceded defeat. Days before the end of the
war, teenager Golam Dastagirr Titu was killed in a direct encounter between the Pakistani
army and the freedom fighters. The compatriots buried him near the main gate of the
Savar Dairy Farm. Bangladesh Army constructed a memorial monument in honour of
him. Marks of the War of Liberation Jatiya Smriti Shaudha (National Memorial
Monument), mass grave in front of the National Memorial, martyr memorial (for Golam
Dastagirr Titu) at the gate of the Savar Dairy Farm, "Sangsaptak" and Amar Ekushey
Sculpture (in Jahangirnagar University Campus).

[edit] Important Institutions

Savar is the home of Jahangirnagar University, a Public University of Bangladesh and
only University for full student residence facilities which is famous for its scenic beauty
and as a prime destination for the Siberian migratory birds during winter.

There are many other important institutions in Savar. The 9th Division Army Cantonment
is located here. There is a Military Firm and Govt Dairy Firm Beside Jahangirnagar
University. BPATC training center (Public Administration Training Centre), the only
training centre for the public service commissioned officers in Bangladesh, is situated in
Savar. Radio Bangladesh (Bangladesh Betar) employers Residence and The Transmission
Zone with huge Transmission Setup. (HPT-1; high power transmission, HPT-2 etc). Two
Largest entertainment theme parks of Bangladesh namely "Fantasy Kingdom" and
"Nondon Park" are also located here.Fantasy Kingdom is situated in Jamgora Bazar and
Nondon Park is situated in Jirani. BKSP, Bangladesh Krira Shiksha Pratisthan, the only
national sports institute of Bangladesh is also situated in Jirani Bazar, Savar. Dhaka
Export processing Zone, DEPZ is also situated in this upazila.

The are 318 Mosques, 8 churches and 68 other religious institutions, most noted of which
are Jahangirnagar University and Savar Dairy Farm Mosques, Savar Baptist Church,
Savar Daskinpara Harir Akhra Temple and Panchabati Ashram Temple.

There are 2 universities, 5 colleges, 5 school and colleges, 38 high schools, 3 junior high
schools, 16 madrasas, 88 government primary schools, 13 non-government primary
schools, 12 community schools, 8 satellite schools, and 1 sports institution. Some of the
noteworthy institutions are Adhar Chandra High School (established in 1913),
Jahangirnagar University (along with its School and College), Gana Bishwabiddalay,
Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre, Bangladesh Krira Shikha Institution,
Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Satellite Ground Receiving Station (Talibabad),
National Institute of Biotechnology, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar
Youth Training Centre, brac Training Centre.

The locally published newspapers and periodicals are Jagrata Kantha, Savar Barta, Saf
Katha, Savar Kantha and Ganabhasa.

The officially registered cultural and social organisations here include 81 Co-operative
societies, 1 children's organisation, 3 film societies, 5 cinema halls, 5 theatre groups, 1
theatre stage, 3 music centre, 5 orphanages, 1 opera party (an indigenous travelling
theater troup), 3 women's club, 1 chapter of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, 2 Amnesty
organisations, 1 golf club, 2 entertainment parks. There are numerous other unofficial
organizations as well.

The operationally important NGOs are brac, asa, proshika, grameen bank, Ganasastha
Kendra, World Vision, Swanirvor Bangladesh, VERC, Palli Mangal Karmasuchi, CDD,
Adesh,Mother Vision Society of Bangladesh (AID FOR EYE DISABLE) etc.

The health centres in Savar include 1 Upazila health complex, a combined military
hospital (Savar Cantonment), the Korea Bangladesh Friendship Hospital, 7 family
planning centres, 2 satellite clinics, and 21 private clinics.

[edit] See also

• Jatiyo Smriti Soudho
• Jahangirnagar University
 • Upazilas of Bangladesh
• Districts of Bangladesh
• Divisions of Bangladesh

Savar Upazila (DHAKA district) with an area of 280.13 sq km, is bounded by KALIAKAIR and
GAZIPUR SADAR upazilas on the north, KERANIGANJ upazila on the south, MIRPUR,
MOHAMMADPUR, PALLABI and UTTARA thanas of Dhaka City Corporation on the east, DHAMRAI
and SINGAIR upazilas on the west. The land of the upazila is composed of alluvium soil of
the Pleistocene period. The height of the land gradually increases from the east to the
west. The southern part of the upazila is composed of the alluvium soil of the Bangshi
and Dhalashwari rivers. Main rivers are Bangshi, Turag, Buriganga and Karnatali.

Savar (Town) consists of 9 wards and 55 mahallas. The area of the town is 24.1 sq km. It
has a population of 124885; male 53.03%, female 46.97%; population density per sq
5182.
Administration Savar thana was established in 1912 and was turned into an upazila in
1983. The upazila consists of one municipality, 9 wards, 11 union parishads, 175 mouzas,
321 villages.

Archaeological heritage and relics Homestead of Raja Harish Chandra (8th century AD).

Historical events Savar was the capital of the Sanbagh Kingdom during seventh and
eighth century. Raja Harish Chandra was the king of this kingdom. It is supposed from
the inscriptions of the sixth century that many foreign traders used to come here for
business. During the War of Liberation in 1971 Golam Dastagirr Titu was killed in a
direct encounter between the Pak army and the freedom fighters. The compatriots buried
him near the main gate of the Savar Dairy Farm. Bangladesh Army constructed a
memorial monument in honour of him.

Marks of the War of Liberation Jatiya Smriti Shaudha (National Memorial Monument),
mass grave in front of the National Memorial, martyr memorial at the gate of the Savar
Dairy Farm, "Sangsaptak" and Amar Ekushey Sculpture (Jahangirnagar University
Campus).

Population 378034; male 54.67%, female 45.33%; Muslim 88.59%, Hindu 10.41%,
Christian 0.93%, Buddhist 0.03% and others 0.04%; ethnic nationals: 319 (Buno, Garo,
Sangma and Barman).

Religious institutions Mosque 318, church 8 and other religious institutions 68, most
noted of which are Jahangirnagar University and Savar Dairy Farm Mosques, Savar
Baptist Church, Savar Daskinpara Harir Akhra Mandir and Panchabati Ashram Mandir.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 37.8%; male 44.8% and female
29.1%. Educational institutions: university 2, college 5, school and college 5, high school
38, junior high school 3, madrasa 16, government primary school 88, non-government
primary school 13, community school 12, satellite school 8, sports institution 1. Noted
institutions: Adhar Chandra High School (1913), Jahangirnagar University, Gana
Bishwabiddalay, Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre, Bangladesh Krira
Shikha Institution, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Satellite Ground Receiving
Station (Talibabad), National Institute of Biotechnology, Bangladesh Livestock Research
Institute, Savar Youth Training Centre, BRAC Training Centre.

Locally published newspapers and periodicals Jagrata Kantha, Savar Barta, Saf Katha,
Savar Kantha and Ganabhasa.

Cultural organisations Co-operative society 81, children organisation 1, film society 3,

cinema hall 5, theatre group 5, theatre stage 1, music centre 3, orphanage 5, opera party 1,
women's club 3, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad 1, Amnesty organisation 2, golf club 1,
entertainment park 2 (Fantasy Kingdom, Nandan Park).
Main occupations Agriculture 24.34%, agricultural labourer 12.84%, wage labourer
4.44%, cattle breeding, forestry and fishing 1.90%, industry 1.37%, commerce 17.35%,
service 20.68%, construction 1.66%, transport 3.96% and others 11.46%.

Land use Total cultivable land 16745.71 hectares, fallow land 10551.18 hectares

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is Tk 10000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, Jute, peanut, onion, garlic, chilli and other vegetables.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Aus paddy, Asha Kumari paddy, sesame, linseed, kali
mator, randhuni saj, mitha saj, kaun and mas kalai.

Main fruits Jackfruit, mango, olive, papaya, guava, kamranga, berry and banana.

Fisheries, dairies and poultries Dairy 181, hatchery 5, poultry 209, fishery 1319.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 62 km, semi pucca 56 km and mud road 562 km;
highway 50 km.

Traditional transport Palanquin, bullock cart and horse carriage. These means of
transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.

Manufactories Ceramic industry, beverage industry, press and publication, garments

industry, foot ware, jute mills, textile mills, printing and dying factory, transformer
industry, automobile industry, biscuit and bread factory, pharmaceutical industry, soap
factory, brick field, cold storage, welding, plant nursery, etc. Bangladesh Export
Processing Zone is located in this upazila.

Cottage industries Weaving 8, goldsmith 100 and others 29.

Hats, bazars and fairs Hats and bazars are 14, noted bazars are Savar, Nabinagar, Amin
Bazar, Balibhadra and Bagbari Bazar; noted hats: Ashulia, Savar, Shimulia, Kathgara,
Sadullapur and Vhakurar Hat; fairs 6, Darogali Bayati Mela (Nayarhat), Bahattar Prahar
mela (Savar), Ghora Pirer Mela (Nalam), Muharram Mela (Katlapur) and Pawsh Mela
(Dhamsona).

Main exports Jackfruit, papaya, flower, sapling, dairy products, meat, transformer,
fabrics, dye, medicine, ready made garments, electronics and electric goods, shoe, brick,
sweetmeat etc.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are BRAC, ASA, PROSHIKA, GRAMEEN BANK,
Ganasastha Kendra, World Vision, Swanirvor Bangladesh, VERC, Palli Mangal
Karmasuchi, CDD, Adesh.
Health centres Upazila health complex 1, combined military hospital 1 (Savar
Cantonment), Korea Bangladesh Friendship Hospital 1, family planning centre 7, satellite
clinic 2, private clinic 21. [Amal Saha]