Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Rajshahi is a city and a district in northwestern Bangladesh. It is situated on the river Padma. Rajshahi is the headquarter of Rajshahi Division, one of the six administrative divisions in Bangladesh. Rajshahi Municipality was established in 1876, one of the first in Bangladesh. Rajshahi is located near many ancient capitals of Bengal, notably Lakhnoiti or Lokhonaboti and Pundra. Rajshahi is home to many educational institutes, and is often is referred to in Bangladesh as education city.

History

Ancient and medieval history

Rajshahi district was a part of Pundru of the ancient Bengal. The capital of Vijay Sen, the king who lead military operations in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia was located 9 miles to the west of Rajshahi town. In medieval ages, the region came to be known as Rampur-Boalia.

Modern History

The administrative district was established in 1772 and the municipal corporation shortly after in 1876. It was made a city corporation in 1991.

Liberation war and Rajshahi

Along with all of Bangladesh, Rajshahi witnessed both great atrocities by the Pakistan army and heroic struggles by the freedom fighters during the liberation war in 1971. The largest mass grave in Bangladesh is located in Rajshahi University, which was used as an army camp during the war. On the other hand, one of the great battles of the war took place near Rajshahi. Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir, who died in battle, was awarded the highest honor (Bir Srhestha) by the Bangladesh government after the war.

Educational institutions

Rajshahi is also an important educational center in Bangladesh. Major educational institutes include:

• Rajshahi University
• Rajshahi College
• Rajshahi Collegiate School (First Modern School in Bangladesh)
• Rajshahi Madrasa
• Sarda Cadet College
• Sarda Police Academy
• Postal Academy of Bangladesh
• Rajshahi Medical College
• Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology

People

Famous people associated with Rajshahi include:

• Muhammad Enamul Hoque
• Shamsuzzoha
• Ila Mitra
• Hasan Azizul Huq
• Ramaprasad Chanda
• Jodunath Sarkar
• Mohiuddin Jahangir
• Akshay Kumar Maitreya
• Madarbux
• Khaled Masud
• Kamruzzaman Hena

Transport

Rajshahi is connected to the rest of coutry through roads, water, rail and air. It takes approximately 5 hours by road to reach the capital, Dhaka.

City Administration

Rajshahi is one of six metropolitan cities in Bangaldesh. A mayor and 30 ward comissioners are elected for a five year period by direct votes. Mijanur Rahman Minu is the current mayor of the city and also a member of parliament for the city constituency.

Heritage

Rajshahi is famous for its characteristic sweetmeats, not to be found anywhere else in the coutry. These special preparations include Roshkodom, Khaja, Raghobshahi and Kachagolla (Natore is specially famous for this particular sweetmeat). Along with neighboring Chapai Nababganj, Rajshahi is the home of the regions best mangoes and lichis. Rajshahi is also the home of Barendra Museum, one of the foremost museums in South Asia, and of Rajshahi Silk, the finest silk produced in Bangladesh.

Tourism

Rajshahi itself is a important tourist destination with the beautiful river beaches of Padma and its vast mango orchards. Other attractions in and near Rajshahi include:

• Barendra Museum
• Shah Makhdum's Shrine
• Puthia Palaces
• Bara Kuthi (16th century Dutch establishment)
• Dighapatia Palace, Natore
• Natore Palace, Natore
• Kushumba Mosque, Naogaon
• Shona Mosque, Chapai Nababganj
• Sompur Bihara (Buddhist ruins) Naogaon
• Chalan Bil (largest waterbody in Bangladesh), Natore
• Shona Dighi (Golden Pond)

Agriculture

Apart the usual agricultural products of Bangladesh, such as rice, wheat, poatatoes and lentils, Rajshahi and its neighboring regions are specially suited from various crops such as Watermelons, Sugarcanes, Mangoes and Lichies.

Industry

Inspite of being an important city and located on a riverbank, industrial development in Rajshahi hasn't been fast. Locals have claimed this is due to lack of attention from the central government in Dhaka. In 90's a Industry Park has been established in Rajshahi, now mainly home to industries producing products of the famous Rajshahi Silk. Rajshahi is also home to a jute mill, a sugar mill and mango based industries.

Also See

• Discovery Bangladesh
• Rajshahi University
• RUET
• A rajshahi based agriculture bank
• Map of Rajshahi