Rangpur, Bangladesh

History

Mughal Period

According to Ain-i-Akbari, the Mughal period Rangpur consisted of three types of administrative areas. Rangpur was conquered by the army of Raja Man Singh, a commander of the Mughal emperor Akbar, in 1575, but it was not until 1686 that it was fully integrated into the Mughal Empire. The Mughal Empire was established in the whole of Rangpur in 1611 AD. Place names Mughalbasa ("a locality of the Mughals") and Mughalhat ("local market") organized by the Mughals bear testimony to the Mughal association and past of Rangpur and its hinterland. Later, Rangpur passed into the control of Sarker of Ghoraghat.

British Period

After the East India Company gained "Deoani" in 1765, Rangpur came under British rule. The Fakir-Sannyasi rebellion took place in the Rangpur region, in which leaders like Fakir Majnu Shah played a key role. The notable anti-colonialist rebels Devi Chaudhurani and Bhabani Pathak were from this region. In the Rebellion of 1857, the rebellious sepoys spread terror among the British rulers in the region. Later, in 1930, the first civil disobedience movement was started in different parts of Rangpur on the call of Congress. A meeting of the peasant leaders of North Bengal was held here in October 1946, and the Tebhaga movement began in November.

Pakistani Period and Liberation War

Rangpur was a district of East Pakistan Province during the Pakistani period. People of Rangpur took an active part in different movements like the Bengali language movement, Six point movement and 1969 Mass uprising. The first martyr from Rangpur in the liberation war was Sangku Samajhder, who was martyred on the date of 3 March 1971. Rangpur people started the Liberation War decisively on 28 March 1971, only three days after the Pakistani crackdown, by attacking the Rangpur Cantonment. During the Bangladesh Liberation War, Rangpur was under Sector 6 of the Bangladesh Forces and it was strategically important due to its proximity to the border with India.

Post-Independence Period

The greater Rangpur district was divided into five districts in 1984. On 28 June 2012, Rangpur Municipality was upgraded to Rangpur City Corporation, and on 16 September 2018, Rangpur was granted as 8th Metropolitan city of Bangladesh.

Geography

Rangpur is the divisional headquarters of Rangpur Division. The soil composition is mainly alluvial soil (80 percent) of the Teesta River basin, and the remaining is barind soil. The elevation of Rangpur is 34 meters. The temperature ranges from 32 degrees Celsius to 11 degrees Celsius, and the annual rainfall averages 2931 mm. Rangpur town, covering an area of around 42 square kilometers, lies on the bank of the Ghaghat River and was turned into a municipality back in 1869.

Climate

Rangpur has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cwa), also in the Trewartha climate classification (subtropical summer wet Cw). The four seasons of Rangpur are generally characterized as a summer or pre-monsoon season with high temperatures and frequent intense thunderstorms named Nor'westers (March–May); an intense and very wet monsoon season with substantial flooding in low-lying areas (June–September); a short and cooler autumn season (October–November); and lastly, the more pleasant, mild and drier winter season (December–February) with warm afternoons and cool mornings, with some cold nights. The average annual temperature in Rangpur is 24.9 °C (76.8 °F). In winter, it can be very foggy, and nighttime temperature can fall below 5 °C (41.0 °F), whereas daytime temperature remains around 20 °C (68.0 °F). About 2,192 mm (86.30 in) of precipitation falls annually, almost all of it falling in the monsoon season (June to September), Although there is very little rain from November to March, a small amount of precipitation can be seen due to Western Disturbance coming from the Mediterranean Sea.

Demographics

As of the 2022 census, Rangpur City Corporation had 170,733 households and a population of 708,570. 15.99% of the population was under 10 years of age. Rangpur had a literacy rate of 80.94% for those 7 years and older and a sex ratio of 103.79 males per 100 females.

According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Rangpur city had 64,885 households and a population of 300,659. 51,791 (17.23%) were under 10 years of age. Rangpur had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 72.08%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 926 females per 1000 males.

Economy

The city is a commercial hub. Its center has several government offices and private banks, insurance companies, residential hotels, and international restaurants, such as Chinese, Thai, Indian, and Mexican, convenience food, and gift shops. It is one of the most important economic zones in Bangladesh because of its global positioning. Rangpur is one of the major tobacco producing regions in Bangladesh. The northern suburbs of Rangpur are home to tobacco companies like British American Tobacco, Akij Group, and Abul Khair Group.

Sports

Cricket is the most popular sport in Rangpur, Bangladesh, while field hockey, basketball, football, baseball, and tennis are also popular.

The most popular sport in Rangpur is cricket, although football is also popular. There is a 25,000-capacity Rangpur Stadium that is used for football and other sports. Another local stadium is Cricket Garden, which is mainly used for cricket. There are also a few sports training academies in the city. Rangpur has a Bangladesh Premier League franchise known as Rangpur Riders. In December 2012, I Sports bought the Rangpur franchise for $1.01 million, which is currently owned by Bashundhara Group. It also has a domestic cricket team named the Rangpur Division cricket team. Notable players from Rangpur who have played for the national team include Nasir Hossain and Suhrawadi Shuvo.

Government

The Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) is responsible for governing municipal areas in the Rangpur Metropolitan Area. It was established on 28 June 2012. Rangpur City Corporation's total area is 205.70 square kilometers. There is a population of 796,556 people in the city corporation area. It is headed by the mayor of Rangpur. The mayor and ward councillors are elected every five years. The mayor's office has jurisdiction over all 33 wards of Rangpur. Its principal sources of revenue are municipal taxes and conservancy charges.

Military

Rangpur is the headquarters of the 66th Infantry Division of the Bangladesh Army.

Education

Major educational institutions in the city including:

Universities

• Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur

Medical and dental colleges

• Rangpur Medical College
• Prime Medical College
• Rangpur Community Medical College
• Northern Private Medical College.
• Rangpur Army Medical College
• Kasir Uddin Memorial Medical College
• Rangpur Dental College

Schools

• Rangpur Zilla School
• Police Lines School and College, Rangpur
• Cantonment Public School and College, Rangpur
• Rangpur Govt. Girls' High School
• Lions School and college, Rangpur
• Collectorate School and College, Rangpur
• Rangpur High School
• Shishu Niketan High School Rangpur

Colleges

• Carmichael College
• Rangpur Cadet College
• Police Lines School and College, Rangpur
• Cantonment Public School And College, Rangpur
• The Millennium Stars School & College
• BIAM Model School And College, Rangpur
• Rangpur Government College
• Begum Rokeya College
• Rangpur Engineering College
• Dr M A Wazed Miah Textile Engineering College
• Rangpur Marine Academy
• Collectorate School and College
• Carmichael Collegiate School and College
• Rangpur Technical School and College
• Rangpur Model College
• RCCI Public School & College
• Lions School & College
• Somaj Kolyan Women School & College
• Residential Model School and College
• Rangpur Public School and College
• Rangpur City College
• Siddique Memorial School & College
• Dhap Lalkuthi High School & College

English medium schools

• The Millennium Stars School & College
• International Grammar School
• BIAM Laboratory School
• Shahan International School
• Nalanda International School

Polytechnic institutes

• Rangpur Polytechnic Institute
• Rangpur Technical School and College

Affiliated colleges

• International Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Rangpur

Neighbourhoods

Rangpur City Corporation is divided into 33 wards and different neighbourhoods (Mahallah), which can be categorized as Urban and Suburban.

• Burirhat
• Chabbis Hazari
• Panadardighi
• Uttam
• Hazirhat
• CO Bazar
• Dhap
• Kellabond
• Radhaballov
• Shimulbag-Sagarpara
• Keranipara
• Munshipara
• Lalkuthi lane
• Khalifapara
• Jummapara
• Jahaj Company
• Nababgonj
• Betpotti-Taltola
• Kotkipara
• Parjantan Para
• Modern
• Ashratpur
• Alamnagar
• Robertsonganj
• Darshana
• Lalbagh
• Khamarpara
• Islampur
• Pirjabad
• Parbatipur
• Mahiganj
• Tajhat
• Ganeshpur
• Babukha
• DC More
• Adarshapara
• Mistry Para

Transport

Road

Rangpur is well connected by highways to Chittagong and Dhaka, as well as other parts of Rangpur. It takes about 6 to 7 hours by road to reach the capital, Dhaka, by National Highway 5. Bus services to other major districts are also available from Rangpur. Highway links to India have been established through the Asian Highway 2. Rangpur also has a BRTC double-decker bus service, which connects the suburbs of the city to the city center.

Railway

The Rangpur Railway Station is the main railway station providing trains on national routes operated by the state-run Bangladesh Railway. The Rangpur Express is a Bangladeshi intercity train that runs between Rangpur and Dhaka. Other trains running between Rangpur and Dhaka are the Kurigram Express and Lalmoni Express.

Air

The city of Rangpur is served by Saidpur Airport, located to the north of the city. Saidpur Airport is a domestic airport. Saidpur Airport is connected through several private airlines such as Novoair, US-Bangla Airlines, Air Astra, and Biman Bangladesh Airlines, a government airline with its main hub in the capital city of Bangladesh, Dhaka. A massive renovation is going on at Saidpur Airport ahead of its planned transformation into the new international airport for the northern Bangladesh region.

Notable people

Presidents of Bangladesh

• Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem, 6th president of Bangladesh
• Hussain Muhammad Ershad, former president of Bangladesh, founder of the Jatiya Party

Chief Justices of Bangladesh

• Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem, 1st chief justice of Bangladesh
• Mustafa Kamal, Chief Justice of Bangladesh

Speakers of Parliament

• Shah Abdul Hamid, 1st speaker of the Constituent Assembly of Bangladesh also 1st speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament of Bangladesh)

Chief Ministers

• Abu Hussain Sarkar, 4th Chief Minister of East Pakistan, one of the founders of the United Front, founder of the Bangla Academy, and a Swadeshi movement revolutionary

Civil servants

• Hassan Mahmood Khandker, 26th Inspector General of Bangladesh Police. He was the longest-serving Inspector General in Bangladesh Police's history.

Freedom fighters in the Liberation War

• Sharif Imam, husband of Shahid janoni Jahanara Imam

Performing and fine arts

• Asaduzzaman Noor, actor, politician, and activist. Former Minister of Cultural Affairs and MP, popular for his role of Baker Bhai in Kothao Keu Nei
• Abbasuddin Ahmed, Independence Day Awardee, Bhawaiya and Ghazal singer
• Debi Prasad Roy Chowdhury, sculptor
• Dipankar Dipon, film director and screenwriter who predominantly works in Dhallywood
• Ferdausi Rahman, Independence Day Awardee and Ekushey Padak winner, legendary folk and playback singer
• Mashiat Rahman, actress
• Mustafa Zaman Abbasi, Ekushey Padak winner and Bangladeshi musicologist
• Rathindranath Roy, founder of Bhawaiya academy and singer
• Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, Rabindra Sangeet artist
• Tulsi Lahiri, actor and dramatist

Officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces

• General Mustafizur Rahman, 9th Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army
• Lieutenant General Hussain Muhammad Ershad, 4th Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army

Politicians

• Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia (politician, founding member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and senior minister with the rank of a prime minister in 1979)
• Tipu Munshi, Minister of Commerce of Bangladesh, former president of BGMEA, Awami League politician
• Mashiur Rahaman Ranga, Bangladeshi MP and Jatiya Party leader
• M. A. Sattar, chairman of Sattar Jute Mills Ltd, Minister of Jute and Textiles, Minister of Labour and Manpower, Member of Parliament, and Chief Whip
• Sharfuddin Ahmed Jhantu, first mayor of Rangpur City Corporation, Jatiya Party leader
• H. N. Ashequr Rahman, Bangladeshi MP, treasurer of the Central Committee of the Bangladesh Awami League. He is the chairman of Meghna Bank Limited and a member of the Board of Trustees, East–West University.

Poets, writers, and journalists

• Anisul Hoque, author, novelist, dramatist, and journalist
• Rashid Askari, academic, writer, fictionist, columnist, translator, media personality, and the 12th vice-chancellor of Islamic University, Bangladesh
• Buddhadeb Guha, author, novelist, and Bengali fiction writer
• Monajatuddin, journalist
• Rebati Mohan Dutta Choudhury, Assamese litterateur, Sahitya Akademi Award winner, and an academic

British revolutionaries

• Majnu Shah, leader of the Fakir-Sannyasi Rebellion. He used to operate in this region.
• Sri Aurobindo, British Indian philosopher, yogi, maharishi, poet, and nationalist. He spent his childhood here.
• Prafulla Chaki, British Indian revolutionary, famous for attempting to murder a British official along with Khudiram Bose. Studied at the Rangpur Zilla School.
• Devi Chaudhurani, revolutionary, one of the organizers of the Fakir-Sannyasi Rebellion

Reformers and activists

• Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain, who was most famous for her efforts on behalf of gender equality and other social issues
• Karimunnesa Khanam Chaudhurani, Bengali poet, social worker, and patron of literature
• Abu Sayed, quota reform activist who participated in the 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement. He was shot dead by the Bangladesh Police on 16 July 2024.

Scholars and scientists

• Annette Beveridge, British Indologist, known for her translations of the Baburnama from the Turki (Turkish) language, and the Humayun-nama from Persian
• William Beveridge, British economist who wrote the Beveridge Report that influenced the United Kingdom to implement welfare state policies after World War II
• M. A. Wazed Miah, reputed Bangladeshi nuclear scientist who was former chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission. He was the husband of Sheikh Hasina Wazed.

Sports

• Nasir Hossain, all-round cricketer
• Akbar Ali, cricketer, World Cup winning captain of the Bangladesh under-19 team in the under-19 World Cup 2020
• Mishrat Jahan Moushumi, women's footballer, Bangladesh Women's National Team
• Sirat Jahan Shopna, women's footballer, Bangladesh Women's National Team