The New Nation - Internet Edition

Salim Reza from Sirajganj

The town of Sirajganj has taken the name of Muslim Zaminder Siraj Ali Chowdhury.

It is learnt that a severe earthquake changed the course of the river of Jamuna in 1762 and it became the main flow of the river Brahmaputra for carrying the water of the river Teesta as well. At that time, the river passéd through the town and met Hurasagar down the east at Nakalia under Bera upazilla. In 1787, the area, which is known as Sirajganj town was a huge sandy region. Boats cruising into the river used to anchor at this place giving birth of habitation on the western bank of the river.

Most of the land belonged to Zaminder Siraj Ali Chowdhury and he tried to build a river port in 1808 and it is he after whom the area took the name of Sirajganj. Gradually the river port gained importance and the area of the habitation expanded and people from far and near assembled here to find living and livelihood.

In 1869, Sirajganj Municipality was established followed by establishment of athana. Separating it from Mymensingh district, it was made subdivision of Pabna district and then became a district in 1984. From a research report it is learnt that the Kata-khali was a canal with rapid current.

It was wide and boats and steamers used to sail through this river and were the main sources of transports. Those carried both passengers and goods. In the year 1892, an Englishman, Bitzonbell by name, was the Sub divisional Officer of Sirajganj, who later became Governor of Bengal and Assam.

One day as SDO, he was walking along the canal. Suudenly he saw a poor man repeatedly requesting a boatman to take him across the canal. As he had no money, the boatman responded not to his request. Watching it, Bitzonbell decided to construct a bridge over the canal of Katakhali and sought the cooperation of the rich men and the traders.

Sir Charles Eliot, the then Governor of Bengal and Assam inaugurated the bridge named after him. The date was August 6, 1892. It is 180 feet long and 16 feet wide. Stuart Heartland, a British Firm, constructed the bridge without pillars.