Derai () is a town and

municipal corporation Municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including (but not necessarily limited to) cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. The term can also be used to describe municipally o ...

Derai Upazila Derai is an upazila (sub-district) of the Sunamganj District in northeastern Bangladesh, part of the Sylhet Division. History Derai was previously known as Babaganj Bazar. It was home to two influential Hindu residents; Jitarāma and Dvidarām ...

Sunamganj District Sunamganj District (), is a district located in north-eastern Bangladesh in Sylhet Division. History In the ancient period, Sunamganj was part of the Laur Kingdom. After the conquest of Sylhet (Kingdom of Gauiurh) in 1303 by Muslims under the sp ...

in northeastern Bangladesh, and forms part of the

Sylhet Division Sylhet Division () is a northeastern Divisions of Bangladesh, division of Bangladesh, renowned for its lush tea gardens, rolling hills and vibrant cultural heritage. Covering an area of approximately 12,298 square kilometres, it is bordered by t ...

. This region is particularly known for its extensive wetland ecosystems that play a crucial role in the local environment and economy. The topography of Derai is largely low-lying, making it susceptible to seasonal flooding. The economy of Derai is predominantly agrarian, with agriculture and fishing being the main sources of income for the majority of the population.

History

Derai was previously known as Babaganj Bazar. It was home to two influential Hindu residents; Jitarāma and Dvidarāma, who renamed the area to Derai Bazar. On 10 December 1892, an Assam Gazette notification recognised the name of the area as Derai. In 1938, the Nankar Rebellion started in Derai and surrounding areas. Derai was made the headquarters of a namesake

thana Thana means " station" or "place" in South Asian countries. The word ''thana'' originates from the Sanskrit word ''sthana'' or "sthanak", meaning "place" or "stand", which was anglicized as ''thana'' by the British. * Thanas of Bangladesh, forme ...

in 1942 and the capital of the namesake upazila in 1982.

Geography

Derai is a town and

in northeastern Bangladesh, and forms part of the

. The region is characterized by its numerous haors, which are large, saucer-shaped depressions that are extensively flooded during the monsoon season and form vast sheets of water. These wetlands are a dominant feature of the landscape. The Sunamganj District, where Derai is located, has more haors than any other district in Bangladesh. It covers an area of . Derai Municipality is subdivided into 9 wards and 29

mahalla is an Arabic word variously translated as district, Quarter (country subdivision), quarter, Ward (country subdivision), ward, or neighborhood in many parts of the Arab world, the Balkans, Western Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and nearby nations. ...

Demographics

According to the Population and Housing Census 2022 conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Derai municipality had a population of 32,154 which includes 17,063 males and 15,091 females. The total population of Derai Upazila was 269,726 people with the male population at 136,134 and the female population at 133,592. The literacy rate (7 years and above) in Derai was 69.83%. Agriculture remains primary livelihood. There are other cottage industries, representing local trade and agro-based economy. Rice cultivation, particularly the Boro paddy variety which is grown in the dry season on the receding floodplains, is a dominant agricultural activity. The extensive haor system supports a rich freshwater fishery, providing significant income and food resources for a large portion of the population. The Derai Upazila Health Complex has limited healthcare facilities.

References

* * {{cite web, url=http://www.derai.sunamganj.gov.bd/site/page/3b7660c8-0757-11e7-a6c5-286ed488c766/এক%20নজরে%20পৌরসভা, title=Derai Municipal Corporation , website=erai.sunamganj.gov.bd Derai Upazila Populated places in Sunamganj District Sylhet Division