Patuakhali District () is a district in south-central Bangladesh in Barisal Division. This district is the main entrance for the beach of Kuakata.
History
The early history of Patuakhali is little known. In medieval times, the northern part of the district was part of the Chandradwip Kingdom, also called Bakla. The kingdom had its capital at Kachua in present Bauphal Upazila. Beginning in the middle 16th century, the kingdom began facing attacks from Portuguese and Magh pirates, so the kings shifted to Madhabpasha in present Barishal district. After the conquest of Bakla, Akbar's administrator Todarmal sent the quanungo Jimmak Khan to survey the region. He split up the still mainly forested southern part of Barisal as Bazuhadba, and later the region was split up into three parganas: Salimbada, Bajuk Umedpur and Uranpur. This southern part of Barisal region, which was still largely uninhabited, was colonized by Muslim pirs who introduced the local population to settled agriculture and spread Islamic beliefs among the local population, leading to the overwhelming majority developing an Islamic identity by the 19th century. In the 18th century, Rakhines fleeing the Burmese invasion of Arakan came to Bengal, with many settling on the deltaic islands especially in the southern upazilas of present Patuakhali. After the Rakhine arrival, this area became more populated with mostly Bengali Muslim cultivators. Patuakhali was made part of the Bakerganj District by the British. Eventually Patuakhali became a mahakuma of the district.
Administration
thumb|Patuakhali District upazila geocode map
There are 8 upazilas in this district. They are:
- Dumki Upazila
- Patuakhali Sadar Upazila
- Mirzaganj Upazila
- Bauphal Upazila
- Galachipa Upazila
- Dashmina Upazila
- Rangabali Upazila
- Kalapara Upazila
- Administrator of District Council: Khalilur Rahman Mohon
- Deputy Commissioner (DC): MD. Matiul Islam Chawdhury
- Superintendent of Police (SP): Md.Shahidullah PPM
Economy
Agriculture is the profession of most of the people. Fishing is also a prominent profession of this district. Thousands of boats go into the deep sea to fish and come back with tons of fish. Paddy, jute, and different types of vegetables are the main product of agriculture sector.
Main sources of income Agriculture 57.05%, non-agricultural labourer 5.37%, industry 1.03%, commerce 13.79%, transport and communication 2.04%, service 9.22%, construction 2.13%, religious service 0.26%, rent and remittance 0.40% and others 8.71%.
Crops
Main Crops of Patuakhali district areas as follows:
- Mango
- Banana
- Guava
- Jamun
- Custard-apple or আতা
- Tamarind
- Grapefruit
- Lime
- Jackfruit
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Bengal almond
- Lichi
- Pomegranate
- Palm or Tal
- Common fig
- Haritaki
- Date – scarce
- Coconut – scarce
Education
In 2011, the literacy rate of Patuakhali was 54.1%; male 56.2% and female 52.0%. Educational institutions: university 1, agricultural and veterinary college 1, college 65, technical and vocational institutes 6, secondary school 288, primary school 1152, kindergarten 36, madrasa 506.
; Universities
- Patuakhali Science and Technology University
; Medical College
- Patuakhali Medical College
; Colleges
- Patuakhali Government College
- Patuakhali Government Women's College
- Abdul Karim Mridha College
- Idris Molla Mahavidyalaya
- Bauphal Govt College
- Subidkhali Mohila College
- Kalapara Govt College
- Government Janata College
- Rangabali Government College
- Hazi Akkel Ali Howlader College
- Dr. Yakub Sharif College
- Aziz Ahmed College
; Schools
- Kalaia Secondary School
- Abdul High Bidda Nakeiton
- Patuakhali Government Jubilee High School
- Patuakhali Government Girls' High School
- Patuakhali Collectorate School and College
- Auliapur Adarsho Secondary School
- Latif Municipal Seminary
- Kanakdia Sir Salimullah High School & college
- Madhya Madanpura Secondary School
; Polytechnic Institute
- Patuakhali Polytechnic Institute
- Begum Fazilatunnesa Polytechnic Institute
- Kanakdia Sir Salimullah High School