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Barlekha

Barlekha
বড়লেখা
Upazila
Location of Barlekha
Coordinates: 24°42.5′N 92°12′E / 24.7083°N 92.200°E / 24.7083; 92.200Coordinates: 24°42.5′N 92°12′E / 24.7083°N 92.200°E / 24.7083; 92.200
Country  Bangladesh
Division Sylhet Division
District Moulvibazar District
Government
 • MP (Moulvibazar-1) Shahab Uddin MP
 • Chairman (Barlekha Upazila) Rafiqul Islam Sundor (Awami League)
Area
 • Total 315.58 km2 (121.85 sq mi)
Population
 • Total 200,674
 • Density 640/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Time zone BST (UTC+6)
Postal code 3250
Website barlekha.moulvibazar.gov.bd

Barlekha (Bengali: বড়লেখা) is an Upazila of Moulvibazar District in the Division of Sylhet, Bangladesh.

The Malegarh hillock at Lathu (came to be known later as Shahbajpur), the northern tip of Barlekha Upazila, was shaken up in November 1857 after Indian rebels revolted in Meerut. The soldiers of 34 Native Infantry in Chittagong revolted, looted the armory and treasury and set army barracks on fire. These rebel soldiers, on their way to reach Manipur, pitched their tents at Malegarh. A force of 160 company soldiers under Major Byng, initially reached Protaphgarh (now in India) and then Malegarh on December 19, 1857. In that battle, Major Byng and four other company soldiers lost their lives. The mutineers retreated leaving behind twenty-six rebels including Major Sher Khan and Captain Shamsher Khan. For those who lived long enough to make it to Manipur, they were attacked not only by the company soldiers but also Kuki scouts. Ali Baksh of Chittagong, one of the rebels, was caught and charged of desertion, robbery and revolt. Gonjer Ali of Protapgarh and Zaminder Gous Ali Khan of nearby Prithimpasha were accused of helping the rebels.

Barlekha is located at 24°42′30″N 92°12′00″E / 24.7083°N 92.2000°E / 24.7083; 92.2000. The area of the upazila is 315.58 km².

At the 1991 Bangladesh census, Barlekha had a population of 200,674, of whom 50.09% were aged 18 or older (against the national average of 48.52%). Of the population, 49.86% were male (national average of 51.48%) and 50.14% female (national average of 48.52%). The average literacy rate (measured as having 7+ years of education) was 34.6%, against the national average of 32.4%. 70.59% of the population are Muslim, 28.31% Hindu, 0.92% Christian, 0.04% Buddhist, and 0.14% other beliefs. Ethnic nationals include Manipuri and Khasi, who have their own languages.


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