Bogra District

Bogra (officially called Bogura), one of the most renowned districts of Bangladesh because of its archaeological sites, particularly Mahasthangarh, is standing on the Karatoya river (a tributary of the Jamuna river) in the Northwestern part of Bangladesh and is known as the commercial hub and capital of North Bengal. Bogra connects between Rajshahi Division and Rangpur Division and is located between 24° 32′- 25°18′ North latitudes and 88° 57′ -89° 44′ east longitude. It is bounded on the north by Joypurhat and Gaibandha districts, on the south by Chalanbeel, Natore and Sirajganj districts, on the east by Jamuna River and Jamalpur districts and on the west by parts of Chalanbeel, Natore and Naogaon districts. Approximately 29,88, 567 people live in the total area of 2920 square kilometers of Bogra district. Bogra is covered by high lands mostly, but some low water bodies are also found here. From administrative standpoint, Bogra comprises of 12 Upazilas, 106 Unions and 1399 Mauzas.

Historical evidences of the reign of Great Emperor Ashoka consider the region of this district the most ancient city of Bengal. From the inscriptions found in Pundravardhana (known as the capital of ancient Pundra dynasty), we see the existence of the site of Mahasthan. It is thought that the existence of this region was evident from the time of Mauryan Empire (325-185 BCE). However, the land became extended and well known during the Gupta( 4th to 6th century) and the Pala empire (8th to 12th century). Regarding the origin of its name, history reveals that the name Bogra is given after the son of Delhi Sultan Giyasuddin Balban called Nasiruddin Bughra Khan.

The foundation of the present Bogra was first formed in 1821 under British rule.

The sacrifice of the inhabitants of Bogra during Liberation war in 1971 is still remembered through five mass graves in Padmapukur (Dhupacanchia), Bibir Pukur (Shajahanpur), Baman gram (Nandigram), Hariakandi (Sonatala) and near Dhunat police station. Baghra Colony of Sherpur Upazila reminds us the brutal mass killing of 25 people on 25 April, Ghoga Bridge reminds the killing of 300 villagers on 26 April and likewise many places bear testimony to the brutality of Pak army and fighting back of our freedom fighters during war period.  Battle of Bogra has a significant place in the history of liberation war in Bangladesh. After days of frontal battle between guerilla units under Sector 7 of Bangladesh forces and Pakistani army, Bogra town was freed on 13 December, 1971.

Because of situating many government banks, private banks and specialized banks, remittance companies and online bank facilities, Bogra is known as ‘Town of banks’ sometimes. The city is also home to growing sector of IT, software, and technology and computer services. People of Bogra, mostly involved in agriculture, are well-renowned for producing large quantity of Red chili. Major companies such as Square, Acme and BD Food collect Red chili from twelve centers within Bogra. Besides, Bogra is also rich in yielding coarse rice, oil seeds and jute.

There are 299 secondary schools, 399 Madrasas and 44 colleges and 1 polytechnic institute for ensuring education. Retrieved from the government information, the literacy rate in Bogra is 28.4%.

Bogra is well noted for traditional ‘Bograr doi’ (sweet curd). This district is home to different sub-genres of folk cultures such as Jarigan, Marfati, Bhatiali, Kavigan, Kirtan, Jatra pala, Meyeli geet, proverbs and puzzles. Bogra has only two stadiums named Shahid Chandu Stadium and Altafunnessa sport field for encouraging sports such as Volleyball, Cricket, Hockey, Football, Athletics, Handball, Ha-du-du, Badminton and Swimming.

The regional variety of Bogra is different from the Standard Bangla variety in terms of tone and pronunciation of words especially. Some distinction is evident in the usage of first person indicating words such as ‘hami’, ‘hamar’, ‘hamak’ are used respectively for ‘ami’ (I), ‘amar’(my) and ‘amake’ (me). Secondly, the aspirated sounds of standard Bangla becomes unaspirated such as ‘chok’, ‘gac’, ‘jacci’ instead of ‘chokh’(eye), ‘gach’(tree) and ‘jacchi’(going). Thirdly, ‘ba’ is an exceptional expression mostly used for ‘hello’ or for drawing attention as in ‘kya re ba? Khacchuna kenu?’ (Hello! Why aren’t you eating?). Researchers and linguists are still working more to discover more findings in this area.

Bogra has great significance in terms of contribution to economy by producing agricultural or other traditional products and by exporting Ceramic things, agricultural tools and rice. Moreover, the natural beauty and the archaeological beauty attract many tourists all over the country.

                                                           At A Glance Bogra
01 Area 2920 square kilometers
02 Population 29,88,567
3 Founding Year 1821
4 Density 1040/km2
5 Literacy rate 28.4%
6 Seats in the Parliament 3
7 Postal code 5800
8 Municipalities 11
9 Sector in Liberation War 7

Upazilas:                                                             

After being separated into two districts called Bogra and Joypurhat in 1983, under Bogra district, there are twelve upazilas and among them, Sariakandi Upazila covering 408.45 square kilometers is the largest and Sonatala Upazila covering 156.73 square kilometers is the smallest upazila. The names of the Upazilas of Bogra are stated below:

  • Bogra Sadar Upazila
  • Kahaloo Upazila
  • Shibganj Upazila
  • Gabtali Upazila
  • Sonatala Upazila
  • Dhunat Upazila
  • Adamdighi Upazila
  • Dhupchanchia Upazila
  • Nandigram Upazila
  • Shajahanpur Upazila
  • Sariakandi Upazila
  • Sherpur Upazila

Main Rivers

Karatoya, Bangali, Jamuna river, Nagar river, Holholiya river, Ichamati river, Mahishaban, Sukhadoho river, Dakuriya river, Belai river, Bhadrabati river, Condrabati river, Gangnoi river, Gojariya river, Monas river, Baniyaiyan river, Iramati river, Bhelka river.

Main Newspapers

Dailies: Karatoya, Satmatha, Durjoy Bangla, Aaj O Aagamikal, Chandnibazar, Uttarkon, Bogra, Uttaranchal, Muktabarta, Uttarbarta. Weeklies: Aajker Sherpur, Pancha Nadir Teere, Natun, Durjoy, Sahittya, Tarunya;

Notable places:

Bogra has numbers of places of historical interest that are contributing greatly to document the historical knowledge of ancient places and also to attract tourists from different corners of the country. Bogra is noted for many ancient Buddhist stupas, Hindu temples and many old palaces of ancient Buddhist kings and Muslim sultans. Some of such notable places are named below:

  • Three Domed Kherua Mosque (Sherpur)
  • Remnants of the historic Mahasthangarh
  • Arulia
  • Aria Bazar
  • Shujabad
  • Bibi Mosque
  • Khondakar Tola Mosque
  • Shahid Shah Turkhan’s mausoleum
  • Sherpur Murcha
  • Killa Kushi
  • Bhobanipur
  • Deogao
  • Durgapur fort
  • Malonchi
  • Dhap Sultanganj
  • Bara Mosque
  • Mazar of Shah Sultan Balkhi Mahisawar
  • Saudia City Park
  • Parsuram Palace
  • Baba Adam’s shrine and Alamdighi
  • Mazar of Panchpir
  • Gokul Medh
  • Palace of Parshuram
  • Basu Bihara
  • Palli Unnayan Academy
  • Santahar silo
  • Bhimer Jungle
  • Museum of Nawab Bari Palace (former Nilkuthi)
  • Karu Palli
  • Wonderland Shishupark (children park)
  • Shanewaz Shishubagan
  • Woodburn Park
  • Dreshtinandan Park
  • Bijayangan ( liberation war museum)

Highlighted Personalities:

Bogra is home to many notable personalities, such as:

  • Akhteruzzaman Elias (Novelist and short story writer)
  • Ziaur Rahman (former president of Bangladesh)
  • Prafulla Chandra Chaki
  • Gaziul Haque
  • Khademul Bashar (Freedom fighter, Bir Uttam)
  • Muhammad ali Bogra
  • Monoj Dasgupta (Writer and politician)
  • R. Akhtar Mukul (writer and journalist)
  • Romena Afaz (adventure thriller writer)
  • Mushfiqur Rahim(Cricketer)
  • Humayun Ahmed (great fiction writer)
  • Abdus Samad Mondal (freedom fighter and writer)
  • Shafiul Islam (Cricketer)
  • Apu Biswas (Actress)
  • Enamul Haque (Museologist)
  • Amiya Chakravarty (Film Director)
  • Tarun Majumdar (Film Director)

Written & Edited by Nushrat Ara

বাংলাকোষে লিখুন, আয় করুন... [email protected] 
বিঃদ্রঃ বাংলাকোষ কোনো সংবাদপত্র নয়, এটি মূলত একটি আর্কাইভ। বাংলাকোষ এ প্রকাশিত সকল তথ্য কপিরাইট এর অন্তর্ভুক্ত। সুতরাং কোনো পূর্বানুমতি ছাড়া বাংলাকোষের কোনো তথ্য ব্যবহার করা যাবে না। তবে অব্যবসায়িক প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলো সূত্রসহ ব্যবহার করতে পারবে।