Background, Geographic Area and Location: Manikganj was one of the sub-divisions of former Dhaka zila. It was up-graded to a zila in 1984. Nothing is definitely known about the origin of the zila name. It is said that the present areas of the zila Sadar was once known as Dakra. Subsequently, it was changed into Manikganj after name of one saint who was locally known as Manik Darbesh. The zila is bounded on the north by Sirajganj and Tangail zilas, on the east by Dhaka zila, on the south by Faridpur, Rajbari and Dhaka zilas and on the west by Pabna and Rajbari zilas. The total area of the zila is 1383.66 sq. km. (534.00 sq. miles). They lie between 23º 38' and 24º 03' north latitudes and between 89º 41' and 90º 08' east longitudes.
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 36°C and minimum 12.7°C; annual rainfall 2376 mm.
Main Rivers: The Padma, Jamuna, Dhaleshwari, Ichamati and Kaliganga. An extensive area of the zila especially riverine area of the upazilas of Harirampur, Shibalaya and Daulatpur becomes victim to riverbank erosion every year.
Administration: Manikganj subdivision was established in 1845 and was turned into a zila in 1984. The zila consists of 7 upazilas, 65 unions, 1176 mauzas, 1660 villages, 2 paurashavas, 18 wards and 64 mahallas. The upazilas are MANIKGANJ SADAR, SINGAIR, SHIBALAYA, SATURIA, HARIRAMPUR, GHIOR and DAULATPUR.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: Matta Math, Sree Sree Anandamayee Kalibari, Rajani Bhaban and Jhobhat Bhaban, Narayan Sadhu Asram, Sivabari Mandir, Neel-kuthi at Bimile (sadar upazila); Fort at Fordnagar, Baira Neel-kuthi, residence of Datta-Guptas, Ananda Kuthi and Mandir, Senabari and Durga-mandap, Imampara Jami Masjid, tomb of Ibrahim Shah, (Singair upazila); Ekdala Fort, Katasgarh Fort, Fort at Dhaki-jora, Daschira Buddha-vihara and stupa, Navaratna Math, Teota Zamindar Bari, Machain Masjid, tomb of Shah Rustam, Tepra Kali Mandir, Sree-bari, Neel-kuthi at Teota (Shibalaya upazila); Baliati Zamindar Palace, Dhankora Zamindar-bari, tomb of Kalu Shah, Gauranga Math (Saturia upazila); Neel-kuthi at village Sreebari Baratia, Panch-thubi Bauddha-vihara (Ghior); Jhitka Lokmania Dargah (Harirampur).
Historical Events: A decisive battle was fought between the Mughal army and the combined forces of the Bara Bhuiyans under Musa Khan at Jatrapur and Dakchara on the Ichamati (under Harirampur upazila) resulting in the defeat of the Bara Bhuiyans and establishment of the Mughal supremacy over the central bhati region. In the second half of the nineteenth century indigo uprisings spread over the zila. The anti-British revolutionists under Hiralal Mohanta of Manikganj town initially looted the postal despatch on 12 February1932.
During the War of Liberation in 1971 a group of Pak-soldiers on boats while proceeding towards the Singair camp was attacked by the freedom fighters on the Nurani-ganga Khal and in the encounter more than three hundred Pak-soldiers including a major were killed. In a pitched battle between the Pak-army and the freedom fighters at Baira under Singair upazila 15 Pak-soldiers were killed. The Pak-army killed 41 villagers by gun shot at village Terasree under Ghior upazila on 22 November. The Pak-soldiers attacked the camp of the freedom fighters at Nayabari under Shibalaya upazila in the month of November and after a fight for four hours the offenders were compelled of retreat. A battle was fought between the freedom fighters and the Pak-soldiers at village Kagajinagar of sadar upazila on 12 December in which the Pak-soldiers being pressed by guerrilla attack dispersed. In an encounter between the Pak-army and the freedom fighters at Baliartek on 14 December one Pak-soldier was captured and freedom fighter Nawsher Molla embraced death. The freedom fighter Chand Mia was killed in an encounter at village Manra. A battle was fought between the freedom fighters and the receding Pak-soldiers on 15 December at village Ghazinda in which the freedom fighters Mohammad Aminur Rahman, Chhakkeluddin, Shariful Islam and Rahijuddin embraced death.
The language martyred Rafiq Uddin Ahmed (Rafiq), hailed from Paril village of Manikganj zila, was shot dead by the Pakistani Occupation Forces in the language procession on 21st February in 1952.
Marks of War of Liberation: Mass killing site: Saturia Pilot High School compound, Primary Training Institute campus, Tara-ghat, house of Balai Babu; mass grave: by the side of Thana pond; Memorial monument: at a place adjacent to the Manikganj Bus-stand, memorial monument at village Terasree in Ghior upazila.
Main Crops: Paddy, jute, sugarcane, wheat, tobacco, mustard, sesame, potato, ground nut, onion, chilli, garlic, khesari, lentil, leguminous pulse and vegetables.
Main Fruits: Mango, jackfruit, safeda, banana, papaya, guava, coconut, palm, kamranga.
Traditional Transport: Horse, horse carriage, push van, palanquin, bullock cart, buffalo cart.
Main Exports: Tobacco, cotton and silk fabrics, molasses, paddy, jute, wheat, potato, milk, poultry, metal products, ground nut, oil seed, electric pole, gas cylinder.
