Background, Geographic Area and Location: The area now constitutes Jamalpur zila comprises of Jamalpur Sadar sub-division of former Jamalpur district. It is renamed as zila in 1984. It is said that during the reign of Emperor Akbar, a saint named Hazrat Shah Jamal (R.A.) came from Yemen to preach Islam with 200 followers and set up a hermitage at Singhajanee mauza located on the southern bank of Brahmaputra River. Subsequently, he rose to great prominence as a religious leader. It is believed that the name of the zila had been derived from the name of that saint.
The zila is bounded on the north by Kurigram and India, on the east by Sherpur and Mymensingh zilas, on the south by Tangail zila and on the west by Sirajganj, Bogra and Gaibandha zilas. The total area of the zila is 2115.16 sq. km. (816.00 sq. miles) of which 41.94 sq.km. is under forest. The zila lies between 24° 34' and 25° 26' north latitudes and between 89° 40' and 90° 12' east longitudes.
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 33.3°C, minimum 12°C; annual rainfall 2174 mm.
Main Rivers: Jamuna, OLD BRAHMAPUTRA, Jhenai, Banar, Jirjira, Chhatal.
The municipality was established in 1869. The area of the town is 53.28 sq km. It has a railway junction and three dakbungalows.
Administration: Jamalpur district was established in 1978. The zila consists of 7 upazilas, 68 unions, 718 mauzas, 1361 villages, 6 paurashavas, 57 wards and 225 mahallas.The upazilas are JAMALPUR SADAR, BAKSHIGANJ, DEWANGANJ, ISLAMPUR, MADARGANJ, MELANDAHA and SARISHABARI.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: Tomb of Shah Jamal, tomb of Shah Kamal, Dayamoye Mondir, five domed Raspal Jame Mosque at Sarishabari (nineteenth century), Narapara Fort at Sarishabari (sixteenth century).
Historical Events: Fakir Sannyasi Rebellion (1772-1790), Indigo Resistance Movement (1829), famine (1874) and construction of rail way (1899).
Main Crops: Paddy, jute, sugarcane, mustard seed, peanut, wheat, sweet potato, tobacco, betel leaf, chilly, pulse and vegetables. Extinct or nearly extinct crops Linseed, sesame, aus paddy, kaun, china, indigo and barley.
Main Fruits: Jackfruit, banana, latkol, tetul, kodbel, bangi.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin, horse carriage, soari, buffalo cart, small boat, dinga made of palm tree, and bullock cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.
Main Export Items: Jute, tobacco, mustard seed, peanut, leather, egg, pulse and betel leaf.
