Khilgaon (Bengali: খিলগাঁও) is a thana (police jurisdiction) and neighbourhood in the city of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The thana encompasses Dhaka South City Corporation wards 24, 25, and 26.[5][2] In 2022, it had a population of about 380 thousand.
During the 17th century, Khilgaon thrived as a bustling trading hub, situated alongside the now-defunct Pandu river.[6] Few families inhabited this uneven terrain, and agriculture was virtually non-existent. The name Khilgaon originated from Bengali, where khil refers to uncultivated land and gaon means village, reflecting its rural origins. Despite evolving into a significant settlement within the megacity, the name has endured. Later on, a prominent Chowdhury family acquired extensive landholdings and established their residence here, lending its name to the Chowdhury Para locality.[7]
At the 2022 Bangladeshi census, Khilgaon Thana had a population of 380,740 with average household size of 3.81 members, and an average literacy rate of 85.33 percent, more than ten percent higher than the national average.[2]
In the mid-2010s, the 1.85-kilometer Shaheed Baki Road and 300-meter Chowdhury Para Road gained prominence as a renowned food street. Established in 1986, the Taltola City Corporation Super Market occupies a sprawling 4.45-acre area, housing a total of 858 shops, and has become a favoured shopping destination.[10] Additionally, Khilgaon Thana hosts the headquarters of the Bangladesh Ansar.[5]
^Hossain, Nazir (April 1995). Kiṃbadantira Ḍhākā কিংবদন্তির ঢাকা [Dhaka in Legends] (in Bengali) (3rd ed.). Dhaka: Three Star Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited. pp. 180–181. LCCN95905768. OCLC33970022.
