| Lalmonirhat | |
| Native Name: | লালমনিরহাট |
| Native Name Lang: | bn |
| Type: | District of Bangladesh |
| Map Caption1: | Expandable map of Lalmonirhat District |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of Lalmonirhat in Bangladesh |
| Coordinates: | 26°N 89.25°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Bangladesh |
| Subdivision Type1: | Division |
| Subdivision Name1: | Rangpur Division |
| Established Date: | 1 February 1984 |
| Area Total Km2: | 1247.371 |
| Population Total: | 1428406 |
| Population As Of: | 2022 census |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone1: | BST |
| Utc Offset1: | +06:00 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | 5500 |
Lalmonirhat (Bengali: লালমনিরহাট জেলা, Lalmonirhat Jela also Lalmonirhat Zila) is a District, situated at the northern border of Bangladesh. It is a part of the Rangpur Division.[1] Lalmonirhat mahakuma was established as a district on 1 February 1984. It lies north of Kochbihar and Jalpaiguri of West Bengal, south of Rangpur, east of Kurigram and Kochbihar and west of Rangpur and Nilphamari District. The international border line of Lalmonirhat district is 281.6 km long.
At the end of 19th century, the workers of the Bengal Duras Railway (BDR) while digging the mud for the installation of rail line, found a red color stone and since then, the place was recognized as Lalmoni. Whereas some legendary opinions that the railway which acquire the land owned by a lady named Lalmoni for which people kept the place after her name as the recognition of her contribution of land for the rail line. Others are of the opinion that in 1783, a woman named Lalmoni along with peasant leader, Nuruldin fought against the English soldiers and land lords for the cause to establish the interest of general peasants and laid down her life against the atrocity of the rulers. The place was named as the Lalmoni as the sign of respect. The word "hat" became adhered to her name in the course of time.[2]
Lalmonirhat emerged as a district from mahakuma by the inauguration of then gender and social welfare minister of Bangladesh government Dr. Shafia Khatun on 1 February 1984. After that Lalmonirhat sadar thana was established as a upazila on 18 March 1984. As a result, the number of upazilas in Lalmonirhat district becomes 5 which are Patgram, Hatibandha, Kaliganj, Aditmari and Lalmonirhat Sadar. In that time, Sinai, Rajarhat and Gharialdanga union was added to Kurigram District and the number of union of Lalmonirhat district and municipalities becomes 41 and 1 respectively. Alongside the area of Lalmonirhat Sadar becomes 104 sq. miles. After 1985, Dahagram and Angarpota enclaves became a single union of Patgram upazila and then the total number of union becomes 42.[3]
There are 5 upazilas, 5 thanas, 45 unions, 354 mouzas and 478 villages in Lalmonirhat.[4] The upazilas are:
Lalmonirhat is in the north of Bangladesh. There are six rivers in Lalmonirhat district. Teesta is one of the main rivers in this district. The total length of Tista river is 315 km, 115 km of which is in Bangladesh. The total arable land is 98,875 hectares.[5]
According to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh, Lalmonirhat District had 342,039 households and a population of 1,428,406, 20.4% of whom lived in urban areas. The population density was 1,145 people per km2. The literacy rate (age 7 and over) was 71.2%, compared to the national average of 74.7%.[6]
| 188,631 | 52.90% | 1,080,512 | 86.02% | ||
| 167,158 | 46.88% | 174,558 | 13.90% | ||
| Others | 777 | 0.22% | 1,029 | 0.08% | |
| Total Population | 356,566 | 100% | 1,256,099 | 100% |
Muslim make up 86.02% of the population, while Hindus are 13.90% of the population.
The dialect of the region is Rangpuria.
Lalmonirhat has 2 colleges, 212 secondary schools, 754 primary schools, 85 madrasas, 3 polytechnical institutes, 1 textile institute and 1 technical school and college. Lalmonirhat is one of the seven illiteracy-free districts in Bangladesh. The literacy rate of Lalmonirhat is 65%.[5]
Agriculture is the major income source. 72.78% of people are farmers, 10.49% are businessmen, 3.46% are labourers, and 4.45% are employees.[8]