Background, Geographic Area and Location: Meherpur was a sub-division of former kushtia zila. It was upgraded to a zila on 26 February, 1984. It is said that a man named Meher Ullah Shah rose to great prominence as a social and religious thinker in the present area of the zila. The zila might have derived its name from the name of that man. The zila is bounded on the north by kushtia zila, on the east by Chuadanga zila, on the south by Chuadanga zila and India and on the west by India. The total area of the zila is 751.62 sq.km. (290.00 sq. miles). The zila lies between 23° 44' and 23° 59' north latitude and between 88° 34' and 88° 53' east longitude.
Main Rivers: Bhairab, Mathabhaga and Kazli; Main depressions: Dharlar Beel, Chandbeel, Kolar Beel, Patapukur Beel, Gopalpur Beel, Bamandi Beel, Salika Beel, Terogharia Beel, Elangi Beel.
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 37.1°C and lowest 11.2°C; annual rainfall 1467 mm.
The town was established in the beginning of the 16th century. Meherpur municipality was established in 1960.
Administration: Before the partition (1947), Meherpur was a part of the Nadia zila of India. The Meherpur subdivision was turned into a zila in 1984. The zila consists of 3 upazilas, 18 unions, 199 mauzas, 259 villages, 2 paurashavas, 18 wards and 82 mahallas. The upazilas are MEHERPUR SADAR, GANGNI and MUJIBNAGAR.
Historical Events: The PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENDENCE was read at village Baidyanathtola, now Mujibnagar, on 17 April 1971. On this day the first provisional government of Bangladesh took oath here. The Pak army killed 8 persons at village Amjhupi on 18 April 1971.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: Gosaidubi Mosque at Karamdi, Dargahs of Sheik Farid and Shah Enayet, Mazars of Barkat Bibi and Bagudewan, Ballavpur Mission, Teragharia Marrut, Shiva Mandir at Ballavpur, Alampur Mandir, Bhabanipur Mandir, Neelkuthis at Aamjhupi, Bhatpara and Saharbati.
Marks of the War of Liberation: Mass grave: Meherpur Government College, Jagannathpur, Kazipur and Tengramari; Mass killing site: Jatarpur, memorial monument at Mujibnagar.
Main Crops: Paddy, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, chilli, kachu, sweet potato, ground nut. Extinct or nearly extinct crops are indigo, arahar, aus paddy, mustard seed, khesari.
Main Fruits: Mango, banana, litchi, jackfruit, coconut, guava and palm.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin (extinct), horse carriage (nearly extinct), boat.
