Shilaidaha Union, formally known as Union No. 2, is an administrative region under Kumarkhali Upazila in the Kushtia District of Khulna Division, Bangladesh. Covering an area of 64.41 square kilometres (24.87 square miles), this union stands as a significant locale both in terms of cultural heritage and rural development. According to the 2001 Population Census, the union is home to 24,238 residents, with an almost equal gender distribution—12,163 men and 12,075 women.
Table of Contents
2 No Shilaidaha Union, Kumarkhali, Kushtia
Geographical and Administrative Profile
Shilaidaha Union is located approximately 19 kilometres from the district headquarters (Kushtia) and 9 kilometres from the Kumarkhali Upazila centre. The union comprises 17 villages and 17 mouzas, reflecting its rich rural spread. It boasts 5,411 household holdings across a total of 5,400 homesteads, and the total cultivable land spans 4,565 acres, distributed among single, double, and triple-crop fields.
Education and Literacy
The literacy rate in Shilaidaha Union is 65%, which is above average for many rural regions in Bangladesh. The educational infrastructure includes:
- 1 college
- 1 higher secondary school
- 2 lower secondary schools
- 3 madrasas
- 10 primary schools (5 government and 5 registered non-government)
Health and Infrastructure
The union maintains a health centre and 3 community clinics to serve the medical needs of the population. Drinking water is largely sourced from 200 shallow tube wells and 3,500 hand-driven tube wells.
Transportation infrastructure includes:
- 25 kilometres of paved (pucca) roads
- 40 kilometres of unpaved (kachha) roads
- Access to the Padma River and 2 canals
- 1 boat terminal (ferry ghat)
Social and Religious Institutions
Shilaidaha Union hosts a variety of religious and social establishments:
- 29 mosques
- 2 temples
- 1 church
- 2 clubs
- 1 hat (weekly market)
- 1 khas pond
It also has an Agrani Bank branch and Grameen Bank, along with a post office and tehsil office for administrative services.
Socioeconomic Welfare
The union plays an active role in social welfare, with significant support schemes:
- 128 VGD card holders
- 223 widow allowance recipients
- 508 elderly allowance beneficiaries
- 42 disabled allowance recipients
- 18 maternity allowance beneficiaries
Population by Village
Below is a brief snapshot of village-wise population data:
| Ward | Village | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Komorkandi | 1054 | 1064 | 2118 |
| 1 | Kandabari | 890 | 864 | 1754 |
| 2 | Belgachi | 825 | 881 | 1706 |
| 2 | Jahedpur | 1539 | 1469 | 3008 |
| 3 | Nauthi | 623 | 561 | 1184 |
| 4 | Khorddabangram | 702 | 247 | 949 |
| 4 | Laladbarigram | 736 | 238 | 974 |
| 5 | Kasba | 1680 | 1678 | 3358 |
| 5 | Dwarigram | 506 | 1678 | 2184 |
| 6 | Majgram | 1748 | 1751 | 3499 |
| 7 | Khorshedpur | 327 | 390 | 717 |
| 7 | Chotomajgram | 310 | 331 | 641 |
| 8 | Kallyanpur | 1442 | 1731 | 3173 |
| 9 | Mirzapur | 882 | 893 | 1775 |
Cultural Heritage: Rabindranath Tagore’s Legacy
Perhaps the most notable feature of Shilaidaha Union is its deep connection to Rabindranath Tagore, the world-renowned poet and Nobel laureate. Tagore lived in Kasba village of this union while overseeing his zamindari (estate). It was here that he composed many of his literary masterpieces, including works from the collection “Gitanjali”, for which he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.
The Shilaidaha Rabindra Kuthibari, Tagore’s ancestral house, now stands as a preserved historical site and a prominent tourist attraction.
Other Places of Interest
- Gopinath Bari – Located to the east of the Shilaidaha market.
- A notable shrine (Mazar) – Located to the north-east of the market.
- Jugol Shah’s Pond – Now mostly abandoned, lies to the north-west of the market.
- Old Tehsil Office – Once used by Rabindranath Tagore, lies to the market’s north-west.
- Shelley Sahib’s Indigo Factory – Now submerged in the Padma River.
Notable Figures from Shilaidaha
- Amanullah Aman – Born in Arpara village, he served as the Education Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh.
- Gagan Harkara – A folk singer and poet, also born in Arpara.
Shilaidaha Union is a vibrant combination of historical importance, cultural legacy, and rural development. With a strong foundation in education, agriculture, and healthcare, along with its connection to literary genius Rabindranath Tagore, the union remains a proud symbol of Bangladesh’s rich heritage and potential. It is a destination worth visiting, a region worth preserving, and a community worth celebrating.