Rajshahi

Rajshahi (Bengali: রাজশাহী, [radʒ.ʃaɦi]; historically Rampur Boalia; nicknamed Silk City or City of Education) is a metropolitan city, and a major urban, commercial and educational centre of Bangladesh. It is also the administrative seat of eponymous division and district. [note 1] Located on the north bank of the Padma River, near the Bangladesh-India border, the city has a population of over 23,77,314 residents.[4] The city is surrounded by the satellite towns of Nowhata and Katakhali, which together build an urban agglomeration of about 1 million population. Arguably Rajshahi is the most clean and green among the cities in Bangladesh.[5]

This article is about the city. For the district, see Rajshahi District. For the division, see Rajshahi Division.

Rajshahi

রাজশাহী
Metropolis
From top: City Skyline, Shaheed Kamruzzaman crossing, First Administration Building of University of Rajshahi, Mango roundabout, Varendra Research Museum, Administration Building of Rajshahi College
Nickname(s): 
Silk City, Rampur Boalia
Rajshahi
Location of Rajshahi in Bangladesh
Rajshahi
Rajshahi (Bangladesh)
Coordinates: 24°22′N 88°36′E
CountryBangladesh
DivisionRajshahi Division
DistrictRajshahi District
Establishment1700
Municipality1876
Granted city status1991
Government
 • TypeCity Corporation
 • BodyRajshahi City Corporation
Area
 • Metropolis96.68 km2 (37.33 sq mi)
 • Metro
900 km2 (300 sq mi)
Elevation
18 m (59 ft)
Population
 (2011)[3]
 • Metropolis763,952
 • Density7,900/km2 (20,000/sq mi)
 • Metro
1,500,000
Time zoneUTC+6 (BST)
Postal code
6000, 6100, 6203
National Calling Code+880
Calling Code0721
PoliceRajshahi Metropolitan Police
AirportShah Makhdum Airport
Websiteerajshahi.gov.bd

Modern Rajshahi lies in the ancient region of Pundravardhana. The foundation of the city dates to 1634, according to epigraphic records at the mausoleum of Sufi saint Shah Makhdum. The area hosted a Dutch settlement in the 18th century.[6] The Rajshahi municipality was constituted during the British Raj in 1876. It was a divisional capital of the Bengal Presidency.

Rajshahi is an important administrative, educational, cultural and business centre in Bangladesh today. It is a historic center of silk production. Varendra Research Museum, the oldest of its kind in Bangladesh, is located in the city. The city is home to many renowned educational institutions of Bangladesh. The head office of Rajshahi Agricultural Development Bank and Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) is situated in the city. Rajshahi is served by the Shah Makhdum Airport.

History

Rajshahi district was a part of the Pundra region of ancient Bengal ruled by the Pundra Kingdom. The capital of Prince Vijaya, the king who led military operations in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia was located 14 kilometres (9 mi) to the west of Rajshahi town. In medieval times, the region came to be known as "Rampur Boalia". The origin of the present name of "Rajshahi" is debated among scholars. Most say that it takes its name from Hindu Kings and zamindars (or "Rajas") as Raj and the persianised Shahi; both of which mean "royal" or "kingdom".[7] The administrative district was established in 1772 and the municipal corporation in 1876. Rajshahi was dominated by various Maharajas, Rajas and Zamindars.[8]

Rajshahi Railway Station in the 1930s

During the British raj, it was also known as "Beuleah" and was the administrative headquarters of Rajshahi district in Eastern Bengal and Assam. It was originally chosen as a commercial factory for the silk trade, which was being officially encouraged by the agricultural department of that time. The town contained a government college, and an industrial school for sericulture. Most of the public buildings were severely damaged by the earthquake of 12 June 1897.[9] Throughout much of the early part of the twentieth century there was a daily steamer service on the Ganges which connected it to rail-heads that led to the then provincial capital of Calcutta as well as other cities in the province of Bengal.

Pakistani Eastern Command plan for the defence of East Pakistan from 1967 to 1971 (generic representation—some unit locations not shown.

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 for the liberation of Bangladesh, when Pakistan Army created an ad hoc Rajshahi brigade and deployed in September.[10] During the 1971 Bangladesh genocide by the Pakistan, in which Pakistani Army and its supporting militias (Razakar) killed estimated between 300,000[11] to 3,000,000 people and raped 200,000–400,000 Bangladeshi women in a systematic campaign of genocidal rape,[12][13][14] Rajshahi witnessed great atrocities by the Pakistan army in the 1962 Rajshahi massacres of Bangladeshis and heroic struggles by the Bangladeshi freedom fighters. The largest mass grave in Bangladesh is located in University of Rajshahi, 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 honour (Bir Shrestho) by the Bangladesh government after the war. Pakistan Army's 93,000 troops unconditionally surrendered to the Indian Army and India's local ally Mukti Bahini on 16 December 1971.[15] This day and event is commemorated as the Bijoy Dibos (Bengali: বিজয় দিবস) in Bangladesh and Vijay Diwas in India.[16][15]

Rajshahi was made a city corporation in 1991.

Geography

Topography

Geographically Rajshahi is situated within Barind Tract, 23 m (75 ft) above sea level, and lies at 24°22′26″N 88°36′04″E. The city is located on the alluvial plains of the Padma River, which runs through southern side of the city. It is bounded on the east, north and west by Paba Upazila (subdivision of a district) of the district.

Climate

Under Köppen climate classification, Rajshahi has a tropical wet and dry climate. The climate of Rajshahi is generally marked with monsoons, high temperature, considerable humidity and moderate rainfall. The hot season commences early in March and continues till the middle of July. The maximum mean temperature observed is about 32 to 36 °C (90 to 97 °F) during the months of April, May, June and July and the minimum temperature recorded in January is about 7 to 16 °C (45 to 61 °F). The highest rainfall is observed during the months of monsoon. The annual rainfall in the district is about 1,448 millimetres (57.0 in).[17]

Climate data for Rajshahi
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 30.0
(86.0)		 35.4
(95.7)		 40.3
(104.5)		 45.1
(113.2)		 44.8
(112.6)		 43.6
(110.5)		 39.7
(103.5)		 35.5
(95.9)		 39.2
(102.6)		 35.3
(95.5)		 34.3
(93.7)		 30.3
(86.5)		 45.1
(113.2)
Average high °C (°F) 25.4
(77.7)		 28.0
(82.4)		 33.5
(92.3)		 35.9
(96.6)		 34.8
(94.6)		 33.3
(91.9)		 32.0
(89.6)		 32.0
(89.6)		 32.3
(90.1)		 31.9
(89.4)		 29.5
(85.1)		 26.1
(79.0)		 31.2
(88.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 18.5
(65.3)		 20.6
(69.1)		 25.7
(78.3)		 28.8
(83.8)		 29.1
(84.4)		 29.4
(84.9)		 28.9
(84.0)		 29.1
(84.4)		 29.1
(84.4)		 27.6
(81.7)		 23.5
(74.3)		 19.4
(66.9)		 25.8
(78.5)
Average low °C (°F) 10.2
(50.4)		 13.3
(55.9)		 18.0
(64.4)		 21.7
(71.1)		 23.5
(74.3)		 25.5
(77.9)		 25.9
(78.6)		 26.2
(79.2)		 25.9
(78.6)		 23.4
(74.1)		 17.6
(63.7)		 12.8
(55.0)		 20.3
(68.6)
Record low °C (°F) 1.8
(35.2)		 3.9
(39.0)		 8.6
(47.5)		 10.8
(51.4)		 14.4
(57.9)		 20.3
(68.5)		 19.4
(66.9)		 18.3
(64.9)		 12.6
(54.7)		 11.4
(52.5)		 7.0
(44.6)		 4.2
(39.6)		 1.8
(35.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 13
(0.5)		 15
(0.6)		 27
(1.1)		 39
(1.5)		 129
(5.1)		 272
(10.7)		 301
(11.9)		 261
(10.3)		 234
(9.2)		 112
(4.4)		 14
(0.6)		 2
(0.1)		 1,419
(56)
Average relative humidity (%) 40 35 37 40 51 79 88 85 80 66 62 59 60
Source: WeatherBase.Com

Although once noted for its air pollution, since 2014 the levels of particulates have been dramatically reduced by various efforts to switch to cleaner fuels and to battery-powered vehicles, to pave earth streets, to encourage walking and bicycle transport, and to plant vegetation.[18] The levels of PM10 dropped by 67% and PM2.5 which are particularly harmful to human health, dropped from 70 to 37 micrograms per cubic metre between 2014 and 2016.[18]

Parks and greenery
Rajshahi Central Park

Shaheed A.H.M Qamaruzzaman Central Park and Zoo is one of the popular public places of Rajshahi city. A wide area with green trees and grasses houses different animal species. It is located by the bank of the Padma River. Other parks in the city are Bhubon Mohon park and Captain Monsur Ali park. Shahid Zia children's park is specially designed for children's amusement. The bank of the Padma river along the city is also a destination for recreation. The bank is a planned zone in many parts of the city to accommodate city dwellers for recreation purposes. In 2015, Munsguard park near the old Dutch Boro Kuthi building and Lalonshah park near Shahmukhdum Eidgah was built bordering the bank[19] to provide residents a place to enjoy the views of the Padma river.

Points of interest
The Padma River passes by the southern side of the city
  • Banks of the Padma River: One of the largest rivers in South Asia. During the Monsoon season, the water level rises.
  • Varendra Research Museum: Established in 1910, the museum is dedicated to ancient history and culture. It is recognised as the oldest museum in the country. It has a collection of artefacts relating to Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim heritage. Some of these date back to the 16th century. It is maintained by the University, located in the centre of town.
  • Shrine of Shah Makhdum Rupos: A dargah (tomb) was established to mark the resting place of Shah Makhdum in 1635. He was the first preacher of Islam in the region. Legend has it that he arrived by riding down the Padma on two crocodiles. To preserve this myth, some crocodiles are kept in the pond next to the shrine.
Dargah of Shah Makhdum Rupos
  • Shaheed A.H.M Qamaruzzaman Central Park and Zoo: The park is a wide area with trees and grass. The zoo houses a variety of animal species. It is located by the bank of river Padma.
  • Shahid Zia Park: An amusement park, it has a mono rail and bumping cars. It is under the Rajshahi City Corporation.
  • University of Rajshahi: This campus is within a few kilometres from the city centre. Second largest university in Bangladesh.
  • Shaheb Bazar: This is the centre of the city, where most of the shopping malls and commercial buildings are located.
  • Ghoramara: The oldest part of Rajshahi City, consisting most of the oldest (70 to 100 years old) buildings.
  • Boro Kuthi: In the compound of the Barakuthi there is a small cemetery with groves dating back to the nineteenth century. There are 14 tombs with thirteen epitaphs within the cemetery.
  • Upashohor: This is a planned model town. Rajshahi Cantonment is located beside this area.
  • Motihar: Rajshahi University is situated in this area on a large campus surrounded by mango groves.
  • Kashia-Danga: From this area a massive mango tree garden area of Rajshahi starts. It is in the west part of the city, near to Rajshahi court railway station.
  • Santal Para: Located inside the Mahish-Bathan Area. Some Santal tribes people live here.
  • Bangabandhu Novo Theatre,Rajshahi: Establishment of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre, Rajshahi is being implemented on 2.30 acres of land at Shaheed AHM Kamruzzaman Central Zoo and Park in Rajshahi metropolis with an estimated cost of Taka 222.03 crore.[20]
  • Saheb Bazaar Rajshahi
  • Shahid Zia Shishu Park
  • The site of mass grave inside Rajshahi University campus
  • View of Rajshahi city from the Padma River
  • Smriti Amlan Monument

Administration
Rajshahi City Corporation headquarter

Rajshahi is the headquarter of one of the eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh. Divisional Commissioner, who is the administrative chief of Rajshahi Division, DIG for Rajshahi division and other divisional civil servants have their own offices in the city, which functions as part of the government administrative setup. Deputy Commissioner (DC) who is the administrative chief of Rajshahi District, Civil Surgeon and other district level civil servants have their offices in the city. District judges as well as Metropolitan magistrates have their offices within the city.

Rajshahi is one of seven metropolitan cities in Bangladesh. One mayor and 30 ward commissioners are elected for five-year terms by direct votes. Rajshahi City Corporation is responsible for all the administrative work related to city governance under its jurisdiction.

Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP), headed by a Commissioner, controls law and order as well as traffic movements within the metropolitan area.

Rajshahi Unnayan Kortripokhkho/Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA) plans and coordinates the development related works within metropolitan area. Rajshahi WASA is responsible for water supply and drainage system within city area.

Economy
See also: Rajshahi silk

Apart from the usual agricultural products of Bangladesh, such as rice, wheat, potatoes and lentils, Rajshahi and its neighbouring regions are specially suited from various crops such as mangoes, lichis, sugarcane, tomatoes and watermelons. In spite of being an important city and located on a riverbank, industrial development in Rajshahi has not taken place to any great extent. There is an industrial park in Rajshahi, which is now mainly home to industries producing products of the famous Rajshahi silk. The head office of regulatory board for sericulture, Bangladesh Sericulture Development Board, is based in the city. Rajshahi is also home to a number of jute, textile and sugar mills, pharmaceutical and mango based industries. Two 50 MW power plants have been built at Katakhali to meet the growing electricity demand of the city.

Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of Bangladesh, has a regional office in the city. Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, a nationalised bank with its head office at Rajshahi, is working in a mission to help to develop the agriculture sector of Rajshahi and Rangpur division. Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA), a government organization for the integrated development of Rajshahi and Rangpur division, has its head office in the city.[21] The head office of the Western Zone of Bangladesh Railway is located in this city.

An estimated 14,000 new jobs are expected to be created with the construction of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park in Rajshahi, one of the 28 software technology parks the government is building countrywide as part of its Digital Bangladesh programme. The project, which was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in December 2016, will be implemented at a cost of Tk 281 crore by Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division, reports BSS.

Culture

Arts and festivals
Bengali New Year / বাংলা নববর্ষ celebration rally at Rajshahi city

Rajshahi is famous for Rajshahi silk, which has a special status as clothing material in Indian subcontinent. Rajshahi is the home of the region's best mangoes and lichis. Rajshahi is also the location of Barendra Museum, which is known for its collection of local sculpture and other artifacts dating from medieval times. It also has some important structures made by the British like the T Dam.

There are widespread celebration of Muslim festivals of Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, and Muharram; Hindu festivals of Durga Puja, Buddhist festival of Buddha Purnima; and the Christian festival of Christmas across the city.

Media

There are many Bengali daily newspapers published from the city, including Sonali Sangbad, Sunshine, "Uttorbongo Protidin (24x7upnews.com)" Dainik Barta, Sonar Desh, Natun Provat, and Amader Rajshahi.[22] There are also many online news portal such as rajshahinews24.com, silkcitynews.com, Uttorbongo Protidin (24x7upnews.com) etc.

The government-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar have transmission centres in Rajshahi.

A local FM radio station, Radio Padma, transmits at 99.2 MHz frequency and Radio Foorti transmits at 88.0 MHz.

Sports
Shaheed Qamaruzzaman Stadium

There are three 15,000+ capacity stadium in the city. One at the centre of the city which is normally called the Rajshahi District Stadium, another is inside the Rajshahi University and the last one basically used for cricket is located at Terokhadia called Shaheed Qamaruzzaman Stadium. There is also an international standard tennis complex and few sports training academy in the city.

Many national level footballers groomed in the city such as arguably the best goalkeeper in Bangladesh history. The city is the home of several national level club teams like Digonto proshari and Sonali Otit. There are also a few football training academies including one in the Rajshahi's central eidgah (large open ground used on special occasions for Muslim prayers) and in the Zilla stadium.

The city is an important place for cricket in Bangladesh. As regular supplier of cricketer in the national team, it is also the home of Bangladesh Premier League team Rajshahi Kings. The city has two cricket academies Banglatrack and Clemon, to grow and train upcoming cricketers.

Rajshahi is also known for hockey. There are many local hockey practice clubs that give opportunity to play in national, inter-university, college, and school levels. There are National Team hockey players from Rajshahi. Late Mintu was one of them and by his name there is "Mintu Chottor" at lokkhipur mor, Rajshahi.

Transport
Rajshahi central railway station

Road

Rajshahi is connected to most other parts of the country via the N6 national highway. There are two intercity bus terminal in the city. It takes about 5 to 6 hours by road to reach the capital city Dhaka. A number of bus services, including air-conditioned and non-air conditioned buses, are available to and from Dhaka. Bus services to other major cities and districts headquarter are also available from Rajshahi.

Shah Makhdum Airport, Rajshahi

Railway

Four inter-city train services are operated by Bangladesh Railway, named Silk City Express, Padma Express and Dhumketu Express, and Bonolota Express between Dhaka and Rajshahi railway station regularly.[23] There are other inter-city, mail and local trains operated from here to connect Khulna and other regions of the country.

Air

The city is served by Shah Makhdum Airport, named after the Islamic preacher Shah Makhdum Rupos, situated at Nowhata, a commuter town of the city. Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Novoair, and US-Bangla Airlines operate domestic flights to and from Dhaka.

Tomtom

Public transport

Cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws are the main mode of transport within the city and metro area. Once there were plenty of Tomtom (horse driven cart) in the city, which are still found, but fewer in numbers. There are bus and minibus services in a limited number of routes, connecting suburban areas of the city. Plenty of rental car agencies operate within the city and metro area, where sedans, SUVs, and micro-buses are available to hire on an hourly or daily basis. Ride sharing services like Uber and Obhai also available in the city.

Healthcare

The city has many government, private and NGO run hospitals. Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) is a tertiary level public hospital with a teaching facility in graduate and postgraduate medical education. There are also a children's hospital, one chest hospital, a district level government hospital and a Christian missionary hospital within the city area. There are two private medical college hospitals, and another two are under construction in the city.

Demographics

Population of the city proper is about 0.77 million.[4] The metro area (which includes satellite towns of Nowhata and Katakhali) has an estimated population of about 1 million.

Bengali is the main language for the citizens of the city. Many distinctive Bengali dialects and regional languages are also spoken. There is a minority Urdu-speaking population, who are descendants of displaced Muslims from the eastern part of British India who sought refuge during separation of India and Pakistan in 1947.

The literacy rate of the city is 74.1%. Islam makes up about 86% of total population; about 13% people follow Hinduism, and 1% follow other religions like Buddhism, Jain, Sikh and Christianity.

Education
Administrative building of Rajshahi University
Shabash Bangladesh, a sculpture commemorating the liberation war
Administrative building of Rajshahi College, one of the oldest educational institutes of Bangladesh

Rajshahi is home to many government and private educational institutions. The city is home to the Rajshahi College- which is the third oldest college in Bangladesh after Dhaka College, and Chittagong College, Rajshahi Medical College, the second oldest medical college in erstwhile East Pakistan. The University of Rajshahi is the second oldest and one of the largest public universities in the country. Rajshahi Engineering College, now known as RUET, was the second engineering college established in the then East Pakistan in 1964.

Major educational institutes include:

Notable residents

Twin towns and sister cities

Rajshahi's twin town and sister city is:

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See also

References
  1. "Area, Population and Literacy Rate by Paurashava −2001" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 December 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  2. "PM opens 8 new police stations in Rajshahi". Rising Sun. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  3. "Statistical Pocket book 2008, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics" Archived 19 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Rajshahi (Bangladesh): City Districts and Subdistricts – Population Statistics in Maps and Charts".
  5. "Rajshahi: the city that took on air pollution – and won". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  6. "Rajshahi – Bangladesh".
  7. "800 years of Rajshahi city". The Independent. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  8. Singh, Nagendra Kr (1 January 2003). "Encyclopaedia Of Bangladesh (Set Of 30 Vols.)". Anmol Publications Pvt. Limited – via Google Books.
  9. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Rajshahi" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  10. Salik, Siddiq, Witness to Surrender, pp126
  11. "Bangladesh war: The article that changed history – Asia". BBC. 25 March 2010.
  12. Sharlach, Lisa (2000). "Rape as Genocide: Bangladesh, the Former Yugoslavia, and Rwanda". New Political Science. 1 (22): 92–93. doi:10.1080/713687893.
  13. Sajjad, Tazreena (2012). "The Post-Genocidal Period and its Impact on Women". In Totten, Samuel (ed.). Plight and Fate of Women During and Following Genocide. Transaction. p. 225. ISBN 978-1412847599.
  14. White, Matthew, Death Tolls for the Major Wars and Atrocities of the Twentieth Century
  15. Team, Editorial (17 December 2017). "Why Do India Celebrate 'Vijay Diwas' On 16th December". SSBToSuccess. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  16. "About us". Liberation War Museum. Archived from the original on 8 November 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  17. "bbsgov.org".
  18. Graham-Harrison, Emma; Doshi, Vidhi (17 June 2016). "Rajshahi: the city that took on air pollution – and won". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  19. "লালন শাহ পার্ক লিজ দেওয়া হবে না : রাসিক". Kalerkanthao. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  20. https://www.bangladeshpost.net/posts/construction-work-of-bangabandhu-novo-theatre-goes-on-in-full-swing-in-rajshahi-22937
  21. "BMDA".
  22. "পত্র-পত্রিকা".
  23. "First Rajshahi-Dhaka direct train launched". The Daily Star. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  24. "Kunstlotteri for Rajshahi" [Art lottery for Rajshahi]. Kristiansand Municipality (in Norwegian). [Every three years Kristiansands schools and kindergartens hold an action for Rajshahi in Bangladesh, our sister city since 1979.]

Notes
  1. Government of Bangladesh refers to administrative seat of its divisions and districts as headquarters and not as capital.
  1. Population and Housing Census 2011 - Volume 3: Urban Area Report (PDF), Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, August 2014
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