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India

Barisal

On 14 April 1906, Sri Aurobindo was presented at conference at Barisal. On 19 June 1909 — at the regional conference. Speech at Jhalokati (Barisal District) On 23 June 1909, speech at Bakergunj (Barisal District).

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Barisal town, south-central Bangladesh. It lies in the Ganges (Padma) River delta on an offshoot of the Arial Khan River. The area of the town is 16.37 sq km.

The British police conducted lathi charge during the convention of the Bengal Provincial Assembly in 1906 in which many people were killed and wounded; after this incidence anti British movement spread over Bengal. The armed rebellion started in the region in 1912 with the construction of the Shankar Math. Barisal was liberated on 8 December 1971.

Incorporated as a municipality in 1876, it is a transshipment centre for rice, hides, and pulses. It is linked by steamer with Dhaka (117 km north) and with Chittagong to the southeast. There is a medical college affiliated with the University of Dhaka. Barisal gives its name to a curious natural phenomenon known as Barisal guns, thundering noises heard in the delta and apparently coming from the sea. The sounds have not been satisfactorily explained but may have a seismic origin. Population (1974) 98,127; (1981) 172,905; (1991) 180,014; (2000) 202,242; male 53.28%, female 46.72%. Literacy rate among the town people is 65%. Muslim 90.64%; Hindu 8.38% and Christian 0.98%. Religious institutions Mosque 130, church 5, noted of which are Saiyed Unnesa Mosque (Jami Kasai), Oxford Mission Church.

Archaeological heritage and relics Kalibari of mukundadas, Shankar Math.

Educational institutions: university college 1, polytechnic institute 1, medical college 1, physical education college 1, teacher's training college 2, nursing institute 1, cadet college 1, government college 7, non-government college 7, government high school 2, non-government high school 55, junior school 7, government primary school 175, non-government primary school 133. Noted educational institutions: b m college (1889), Oxford Mission High School, Barisal Zila School.

Cultural organisations Public library 2, cinema hall 4, theatre group 3, jatra party 1, circus party 2, literary society 4, women's organisation 5, shilpakala academy1, playground 11, most noted of which are Barisal Public Library, aswini kumar town hall.

Locally published newspapers and periodicals Dailies: Shahnama, Probashi, Gram Samachar, Ajker Barta, Ajker Kantha; periodicals- weekly Lokabani, Bakerganj Parikrama, Chirantan Bangla, Upakul, weekly Paira, the River, Etibriti; extinct: Barisal Bartabaha (1870), Hitasadhini (1871), Banglar Ranjika (1873), Kashipur Nibasi (1881), Swadesh (1885), Bharat Hitoishi (1882), Barisal Hiroishi (1885), Bikash (1900), Sahayogi (1885), Praddip (1927).

Main occupations Agriculture 14.39%, agricultural labourer 11.09%, wage labourer 6.46%, commerce 20.43%, service 22.17%, fishing 2.43%, construction 1.94%, transport 4.44%, others 16.65%.

Main crops Paddy, wheat, oil seed, betel leaf.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Jute, sugarcane, sesame.

Main fruits Coconut, banana, betel nut, amra.

Dairies, poultries Poultry 150, dairy 2, hatchery 5.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 120 km, semi pucca 85 km; air port 1.

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

Manufactories Flour mill 10, oil mill 3, ice factory 25, biscuit factory 5, pharmaceutical industry 2.

Cottage industries Spinning 18, goldsmith 200, blacksmith 32, potteries 4, wood work 25, tailoring 320, welding 25, bidi 2.

Hats, bazars and fairs Total hats and bazars are 8, most noted of which are Aratdari Hat and Chawkbazar.

Main exports Fish, medicine, bidi and handicrafts.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac, CARE, asa, caritas, proshika, grameen bank, BDS.

Health centres Medical college hospital 1, private hospital 1, upazila health complex 1, private clinic 6, private nursing home 8, chest diseases hospital 1. [Ushasi Eashika Khan]