Background, Geographic Area and Location: Bagerhat, the sanctuary of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali, was formerly a part of Khilafatabad Pargana. It is situated at the fringe of the Bay of Bengal with the plentiful bounties of Sundarbans. It became a Police Station under Khulna sub-division of Jessore zila in 1842. Bagerhat was raised into a sub-division under the same zila in 1863 with the recommendation of the then Deputy Magistrate poet Bankim Chandra Chattapadhya, Chattapadhy, Bagerhat sub-division was transferred to Khulna zila in 1882 and was upgraded to a zila in February 23, 1984. It is bounded on the north by the Gopalganj zila, on the east by the Pirojpur and Barguna zilas, on the south by the Bay of Bengal and on the west by the Khulna zila. It lies between 21º 49' and 22º 59' north latitudes and between 89º 32' and 89º 98' east longitudes. The total area of the zila is 3959.11 sq. km. of which and 1912.82 sq. km. is under forest.
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 33.5°C and minimum 12.5°C. Annual rainfall is 1710 mm.
Main Rivers: Panguchi, Daratana, MADHUMATI, PASUR, Haringhata, Mongla, Baleswar, Bangra and Goshairkhali.
Administration: Bagerhat subdivision was turned into a zila in 1984. The zila consists of 9 upazilas, 75 unions, 720 mauzas, 1047 villages, 3 paurashavas, 27 wards and 56 mahallas. The upazilas are BAGERHAT SADAR, CHITALMARI, FAKIRHAT, KACHUA, MOLLAHAT, MONGLA, MORRELGANJ, RAMPAL, SARANKHOLA.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: SHATGUMBAD MOSQUE, NINE-DOME MOSQUE, Sona Mosque, KHAN JAHAN'S TOMB Complex, seven-domed Mosque, ten-domed Mosque, one-domed Mosque, Pacha Dighi, Ghora Dighi, Kodla Math or Ayudha Math, Kuthibari (1849), Durgapur Shiva Math, Shiva Temple, Rajbari of Bangram.
Historical Events: The name of KHAN JAHAN ALI is related to the history of Bagerhat. He migrated here in 1429 with a large number of soldiers. He established the Khalifabad Pargana covering areas including Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira, Jessore and Barisal. He ruled this pargana during the period from 1429 to 1449. After the death of Khan Jahan Ali in 1449, Raja Prajapaditya occupied the pargana. During the WAR OF LIBERATION in 1971 the Pak army entered Bagerhat on 21 April through the land way via Domerpool. They killed about 200 innocent people at Khalishakhali and Babuganj. Many people were killed and wounded in encounters between the Pak army and the freedom fighters at Doyapara, Shakharikarihat, and at Chakulia of Mollahat. Besides, 35 persons were killed in an encounter between the freedom fighters and the Razakars in Morrelganj.
Marks of War of Liberation: Mass grave 9, memorial monument 8, mass killing site 4.
Main Crops: Paddy, wheat, jute, sugar cane, potato, banana, onion, garlic, spices. Extinct and nearly extinct crops are Tobacco, mustard seed.
Main Fruits: Sabeda, mango, jackfruit, banana, papaya.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin (extinct), horse carriage and bullock cart (nearly extinct), boat.
Main Export Items: Paddy, fish (shrimp) coconut, betel nut, betel leaf, honey.
