Fenchuganj () is an upazila of Sylhet District in the Division of Sylhet, Bangladesh.
Etymology
There are many theories behind the naming of the upazila. Some say that Fenchuganj is named after Penchu (or Fenchui) Shah, a guardian of Shah Malum's dargah, who had a habit of sitting at the ghat of the Kushiyara River during the evening every day. One day, he decided to open up a shop in the ghat, which eventually expanded into Fenchuganj or Fenchu's neighbourhood.
History
After the Conquest of Gour in 1303, some disciples of Shah Jalal migrated and settled in present-day Fenchuganj where they preached Islam to the local people. Shah Malum and Shah Mohabbat migrated to Mahurapur/Mourapur.
In 1907, the Fenchuganj thana was established. Before 1907, it was a part of the Balaganj Thana. During the 1950 East Pakistan riots, the factory of a steamer company was looted and set on fire. Pulin De was murdered near Ilashpur village. under Fenchuganj police station, the houses of Ambika Kabiraj and Makhan Sen were looted and set on fire.
During the Bangladesh Liberation War, The Pakistani army shot two gardeners at the gate of the Fenchuganj Fertiliser Factory in May 1971. The army then proceeded to the Manipuri Tea Garden, killing another two tea labourers. Dala Bridge (Ilash Pur)and,Kaiyer Warehouse is recognised as a mass killing site during the war and the Ghilachhora Monument stands out to commemorate the tragedies of the war. In 1980, Fenchuganj Thana was upgraded to an upazila.
Administration
Fenchuganj Upazila is divided into five union councils. The five unions are further subdivided into 29 mouzas and 89 villages: Fenchuganj Sadar: Fenchuganj, Islampur, Qazibari, Rajanpur, Pathantila, Mughalpur, K. M. Tillah, Chhattish, Nij Chhattish, New Tillah, Tafadar Tillah, Golagat, Pitaitikar, Baghmara Maijgaon: Kachuabahar, Karmadha, Nizampur, Faridpur, Nurpur, Moinpur, Fakirpara, Maijgaon, Kayasthagram, Old Bazar Ghilachhara: Manipur, Mahurapur, Moomin Cherra, Dalichhara, Ashighar, Nij Ghilachhara, Judhistipur, Badedeuli, Dharon, Gazipur, Barabari, Qurbanpur, Mirzapur, Jafarabad North Kushiara: Danaram, Rokanpur, Noagaon, Narayanpur, Chanpur, Ilashpur, Salehpur, Purbakandi, Gazipur, Khilpara, Dinpur, Atghar, Konapara, Katalpur, Dandi, Majhpara, Muhipur, Terakuri, Fakirpara North Fenchuganj: Mallickpur, Kutubpur, Lamagangapur, Gayasi, Ujangangapur, Sultanpur, Manikkona, Khatkhal (Bhelkona), Surikandi, Shailkandi
Geography
Fenchuganj is located at . It has 13368 households and total area 114.48 km2.
Demographics
As of the 2011 Bangladesh census, Fenchuganj has a population of 138,881 . Males constitute 51.07% of the population, and females 48.93%. This Upazila's eighteen up population is 65383. Fenchuganj has an average literacy rate of 68.5% (7+ years), and the national average of 62.4% literate. Now 91,400 Male are 45,040, and Females are 46,369. Religions: Muslim 88.72%, Hindu 11.25%, Buddhist and Christian 0.03%.
Economy
Fenchuganj Upazila has seven power plants, two urea fertilizer factories, three tea gardens, three rubber gardens, one gas field, Hakaluki Haor (largest Haour in South Asia) and many more.
Farms and industries
Fertiliser Factories are
Natural Gas Fertiliser Factory Ltd. (First fertilizer factory planted in Asia) (Producer : Ammonia, Ammonium sulphate, Urea.) Shahjalal Fertiliser Factory Ltd (The biggest fertiliser factory planted in Bangladesh )
Power Plants are
Fenchuganj Combined Cycle Gas (170 MW) Barakatullah Electro Dynamics Limited (51 MW) Energy prima Ltd ( 50 MW) Liberty Power US (60 MW) Kushiara Power Plant Fenchuganj (50 MW) Build Own Opora (BOO) 170 MW Tea gardens are Monipur Tea Garden Muminchara Tea Garden Gas field Fenchuganj Gas Field
Transport
Fenchuganj has good communication with the rest of the country because it has river, road and rail links. During British rule river and rail travel were popular, following that roads became more used, and more currently the A2( Asian Highway) road built through Fenchuganj, connecting Sylhet-Dhaka and other parts of the country. Established there is a market place on the bank of River Kushiara, with Tuesday and Saturday being the main trading days. People from the surrounding 10–15 miles come to the market to trade and shop. Now there are many local markets which sit every day. Among the views from Fenchuganj are both bridges over Kushiara. Hills around degree college, lake near degree college, fertiliser factory from nearby hill (jola tilla), tea estates, Delwar Hussain mosque, sunset from ilashpur (dhala) bridge and boat trip down the river are very enjoyable.