Keraniganj Upazila is an administrative area of the Dhaka Division in Bangladesh. As it is a place near the capital city of Dhaka, thousands of working-class and middle-class people live here.
It is a historical area of the south Asian country Bangladesh. This area represents the business of Bangladesh. There are many small and big factories in this locality.
Traveling through history can sometimes take you to the strangest places. During the era of Nawabs, their officials lived beside the river Buriganga in Keraniganj.
The people of this locality near Dhaka city are in a good position in business with agriculture. There is a place named Jinjira where many small and crafts businesses are visible.
The small businessman in this locality make products of iron and plastic. Besides, there is a place named Kaliganj. It has jeans garments which supply products in many areas.
There was a time when people of this Upazila used to cross the river in search of good schools or colleges in Dhaka. But the scenario has changed over time.
Information About Keraniganj Upazila
Keraniganj Upazila extends from 23.6833° North Latitude to 90.3125° East Longitude. Keraniganj is on the banks of the Buriganga river southwest of Dhaka city.
This upazila comprises of 166.87 sq km area. It is north of Mohammadpur, Hazaribagh, Kamrangirchar, and Lalbagh. It is also north of Kotwali, Sutrapur and Savar upazilas.
Shyampur Thana and Narayanganj Sadar upazila on the east of it. Sirajdikhan upazila is on the south. Nawabganj upazila and Singair upazila on the west.
The main rivers are Buriganga and Dhaleswari. The capital Dhaka has a connection with this locality through three modern bridges.
According to the 1991 census, the population of Keraniganj was 5,30,174. 54.6 percent of them are men, and 45.4 percent are women.
At that time, 37.7% of the 7-year-old population in this upazila had literacy skills. It is 32.4% of the national average literacy.
History
The officials lived across the river Buriganga during the reign of Nawab Shaista Khan. They were famous as Kerani, which means clerks.
That is why many believe that the name comes after these clerks. Also, there is a different valuable opinion about this place.
Two employees of Ibrahim Khan lived on the south bank of the Buriganga. He was the third governor of Dhaka during the Mughal period.
From that, the name of this area became Keraniganj. Buriganga is on the north and east border of Keraniganj Upazila. Dhaleshwari is on the west-south part.
Dhaleswari river was famous as Dhal Sawar during the Mughal period. Joar means region, and Par means coast. Nawab Sirajuddaula’s wife and one of his aunts faced imprisonment at Jinjira.
It happened after the change of regime in 1757. Keraniganj played a vital role during the War of Liberation in 1971. It is especially in guerilla warfare.
Most of the guerilla warfare conducted in Dhaka city was from Keraniganj, and it paid a heavy price for it. Pakistani troops set fire to many houses in Konakhola, Basta, and Brahmankirtha.
They also did it in Ghatarchar, Manoharia, Jayanagar, Goalkhali, Khagail, and Kholamora. Guerrillas later launched a massive guerilla attack on Pakistani troops from here.
Some Notable Places of Keraniganj
There are many notable places in this area of Dhaka city, without any doubt. Many people visit these places in this region of the Dhaka division.
Doleshwar Hanafia Jame Masjid
Doleshwar Hanafia Jame Masjid is in the Doleshwar Union of South Keraniganj. Amin Uddin Ahmed built this Middle Eastern-style mosque in 1868.
And it is still standing next to the present mosque with a tradition of 250 years. Moizuddin Ahmed, son of Amin Uddin, was the first Mutayall of the mosque.
He and some other great people of the area gave waqf in several places around the mosque in the name of the mosque.
This mousque is reacheble from any part of Dhaka via Postgola Bridge. You can get down from Postgola bridge and come to the mosque by renting an auto for Tk 20.
South Town Mosque
South Town Masjid is in the South Town residential project of Keraniganj Upazila near Dhaka. This mosque has already caught the attention of people.
It has an aesthetic structure and magnificent architecture. The religious people in the mosque have prayer places. And some of the mosque’s architecture grab everyone’s attention.
The construction of mosques has aesthetic structures and magnificent architectural styles. It has been going on almost since the beginning of the spread of Islam in this subcontinent.
One such architectural style mosque is South Town Mosque. It took about two years to build the South Town Mosque. About 600 people can pray in this mosque.
It has three main gates. There are two more doors on either side. There are lots of double-tiered windows all around to let in the light.
Anyone looking at the place from a distance would think it was a palace in heaven. It has a blend of exquisite beauty and eye-catching design. This mosque is enough to impress everyone.
Jatrabari will come first from anywhere in Dhaka. From Jatrabari, you will get off at Postgola Bridge by bus or Laguna for 5 takas. Postgola Bridge has CNG for passing.
It will take 1o taka. After crossing Postgola Bridge on CNG, there is Laguna from there. Get down at Keraniganj Central Jail Gate at Laguna.
You have to spend 25 takas for this. After 4/5 minutes walk from there, the South Town residential project will be on the right-hand side.
After entering the gate and walking for 6-7 minutes, you will find the unique beauty of the mosque.
Sarighat
Those who are in Dhaka’s Jatrabari or its vicinity can visit Sarighat. The place is good for some natural touch away from the mechanical side of Dhaka city.
Surrounded by greenery and accompanied by boat trips. You can get lost in the sea of Kashful if you want. Everyone will like the green and calm environment here.
Get lost in the familiar nature of rural Bengal. It is one of the best attractions for day trips or outings with friends, as you can travel from Dhaka day after day.
Insar Ali’s Khuder Bhat
If you want to eat at Insar Ali’s Khuder Bhat. You don’t have to go far as you should go to Rohitpur village of Keraniganj upazila near Dhaka. Around 40 to 50 food lovers gather here every day.
Khuder Bhat is famous as a traditional breakfast in Bangladesh. Many people consider Khuder Bhat as Bou Bhat, Khuder Bhaka in many places.
On the way to Rohitpur village of Keraniganj, you will see houses on both sides of the road. It has small ponds in empty spaces and paddy fields. It is a rural environment.
You will not even know when you will reach Sohana Hotel by seeing nature on both sides. And this is where Insar Ali’s Khuder Bhat will be available. Sohana Hotel is in big letters on the signboard.
Ansar Ali started Sohana Hotel one year ago. The small hotel sold simple food and snacks. But he used to cook many unique things like little Khichuri.
But no one would eat the little khichuri, but everyone would laugh at him. A few years later, a one-morning group of cyclists stopped for breakfast at the Sohana Hotel.
They spread the word of Khuder Khichuri on social media. The rest is history! During the holidays, the gathering of people is enormous. Insar Ali’s Khuder Khichuri is now famous.
The taste is also memorable. From morning to night, the smoke of selling Khudar Khichuri is there. People don’t mind standing outside and eating without getting a place.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that Keraniganj Upazila is a famous place in Bangladesh near Dhaka city. It has many mentionable places that play a vital role in the economy of Bangladesh.
Thousands of hard-working people live in this area of Bangladesh. These people usually work in many factories, including some famous garments.