Previously known as Maharajganj ,the total area of Jhalokathi district is 758 sq.kms. It is assumed that the district is named with the idea that fishermen (Jelera) used to cut wood for making boats and they also made the forest suitable place for their housing. Moreover, the fisherman are known as Jhalo. With the passage of time & transformation of dialect it is currently known as Jhalokathi. I
n ancient times it gained its popularity as a centre of business and for its river port. Due to its commercial prominence it was known as the second Kolkata. Main Rivers: Bishkhali, Sugandha, Dhansiri, Gabkhan, Jangalia and Bamanda, Bazitpur river. The district stands on 59th place among 64 districts of Bangladesh in terms of area & 63rd according to population. In Barisal division it is the 6th district. In 1875 it was turned into municipality (Pourashava) & on 1 July 1971 a sub-division (Mohokuma) . Jhalokathi was established as a district on1 Feb, 1984. It has 4 upazillas named Jhalokathi Sadar, Kanthalia, Nalsity, Razapur. The prominent figures are:
1. Jibanananda Das (1899-1954) a major Bengali poet and
educationist.
2. Kamini Roy was Born on 12 October, 1864 , a poet,essayist
member of the Female Labor Investigation Commission
3. Hon'ble Minister of Industries, Al haj Amir Hossain Amu, MP
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
The first DC of this district was Mr. Syed Md. Shamsul Haque. The present DC is Mr. Shakhawat Hossain
The district administration is run by :
1. Deputy Commissioner (DC)
2. ADC (General,ICT)
3. ADC (Revenue)
4. Additional District Magistrate (ADM)
5. Deputy Director (Local Government)
6. Assistant Commissioner & Executive Magistrate