Background, Geographic Area and Location: Jhenaidah was a former sub-division of Jessore zila. It became zila in the year 1984. Nothing is definitely known about the zila name. There is a hearsay that in the long past the area become prominent for collection of Jhinuk from the river Nobagonga and burning (meaning Daha in Bengali) them for the production of calcium. The zila might have derived its name as Jhinaidah from the above words. The zila is bounded on the north by Kushtia and Rajbari zilas, on the east by Magura zila, on the south by Jessore zila and on the west by Chouadanga zila and India. The total area of the zila is 1,964.77 sq.km (758.00 sq. miles) of which 33.80 sq.km (13.05 sq.miles) is reiverine. The zila lies between 23º 13' and 23º 46' North latitudes and between 88º 42' and 89º 23' East longitudes.
Main Rivers: GARAI, KUMAR, NABAGANGA, Begabati, CHITRA, BAIRAB, KOBADAK, Kodla, Phatki, Kaliganga and ICHAMATI. Baors 9, noted of which are Baluhar, Marjat, Sarjat, Majdia and Barphar Baors; noted canals are Putimari, Sonalidanga, Dakuar and Tattipur Canal; noted beels are Kannadaha, Kajli, Shikir, Patar, Ruimari, Azampur, Dobila, Urki and Uttar Beel (Magura-Tattipur).
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 37.1°C, minimum 11.2°C; annual rainfall 1467 mm.
The area of the town is 39.63 sq km.
Administration: At the beginning of the British rule Jhenaidah was a police out post and was turned into a thana in 1793. The Jhenaidah subdivision was established in 1862 and was turned into a zila in 1984. The zila consists of 6 upazilas, 67 unions, 981 mauzas, 1136 villages, 6 paurashavas, 54 wards and 146 mahallas. The upazilas are JHENAIDAH SADAR, SHAILKUPA, KALIGANJ, HARINAKUNDU, KOTCHANDPUR and MAHESHPUR.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: Biswabat (Bethuli), Harihar Garh (Shailkupa), Shailkupa Jami Mosque, Ram Gopal Mandir (Shailkupa), Rani Mata Dighi, Sawdaghar Dighi and Mosque, Gorai Mosque, Jor Bangla Mosque, Galakata Dighi and Mosque, Cheragdani Dighi and Mosque, Dighi of Sree Ram Raja, Tombs of Ghazi, Dhol Samudra Dighi (Jhenaidah Sadar), Naldangha Rajbari and Mandir (Kaliganj), Manasa Mandir (Maheshpur), Sree Krishna Balaram Dev Bigraha Mandir (Kaliganj).
Historical Events: BARA BAZAR (ancient name Gangadighi) of Kaliganj upazila had been a famous port of India. It has been mentioned in the Greek history that in the ancient time Prabal and MUSLIN used to be exported from this port. In the 1860s INDIGO RESISTANCE MOVEMENT spread all over this zila. During the War of Liberation in 1971 battles were fought between Pak army and the freedom fighters at Mandartala (Kaliganj), Dulalmundia and Besaykhali (Jhenaidah Sadar) in which several members of the Pak army were killed and so were many freedom fighters. Jhenaidah was liberated on 6 December 1971.
Marks of War of Liberation: Mass grave 7, mass killing site 3.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: Dailies: Daily Jhenaidah, Daily Adhibeshan, Daily Jhenaidah Bani, Daily Bir Darpan, Daily Nabachitra; Weeklies: Weekly Aunirvan and Bir Darpan, Weekly Chalantika, Weekly Simanter Bani, Weekly Chetana; noted periodicals: Kotchandpur, Shapla, Aognishikha, Disha, Boipatra, Mati Mon, Shuktara, Chharapatra, Khejurtala, Sabuj Patra, Joybangla, Ullas, Chetana, Disheri, Anurag, Bishwabani, Usha and Shailabarta.
Main Crops: Paddy, jute, wheat, sugarcane and mustard seed, onion garlic and varieties of pulse and vegetables. Extinct or nearly extinct crops Barley, bhura, kaun, aus paddy, cotton, opium, indigo and tobacco.
Main Fruits: Mango, jackfruit, banana, litchi, coconut, dates and palm.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin (extinct), horse carriage (nearly extinct) and boat.
Main Export Items: Paddy, jute, banana, onion, garlic, betel leaf and date molasses.
