Bogra


Bogra, officially Bogura, is a city located in Bogra District, Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh. Bogura is also called the capital of Northern Bangladesh. The city is a major commercial hub in Northern Bangladesh. It is the second largest city in terms of both area and population in Rajshahi Division.
Bogra is named after Nasiruddin Bughra Khan, the Governor of Bengal from 1279 to 1282 and a son of Delhi sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban. The city is approximately and is divided into 21 wards. Bogra has a population of around 480,000 people. Since it is one of the oldest cities in Bengal, Bogra is famous for its many ancient Buddhist stupas, Hindu temples, and ancient palaces of Buddhist kings and Muslim sultans.
The city was home to several notable individuals including Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Bogra of Pakistan, and President Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh, both of whom were born and lived in the city.
In 2018, the name of the city was officially changed from "Bogra" to "Bogura" by the Bangladeshi government, in order to reflect their pronunciation in Bangla.

History

Bogra is considered the oldest city of Bengal, dating to the reign of the Great Emperor Ashoka, who ruled India from 268 to 232 BCE. When Ashoka conquered the Bengal region, he founded Bogra and called it Pundra Bardhan. This is supported by the discovery in October 2008 of an ancient engraved stone believed to be produced in the Gupta era near Sura Mosque at Ghoraghat Upazila in Dinajpur.
Bogra has been a transportation, cultural and economic hub for thousands of years. In the early 800 AD, it was a core place of doing business through the Karatoya River. By 1200 AD it had also become an important geopolitical center for spreading Islam through the Mahasthangarh. In the late fiftieth century, it became a statistical trade area by the British East India Company.
In the late seventeenth century, the British East India Company gave control of the area to Nowab and Shatani families, who still are two of the most reputed families in the city.
During the Bangladesh War of Independence, the area witnessed the Battle of Bogra, a fierce conflict between the guerrilla units of the Bangladesh Forces under Sector 7 and the Pakistan Army.

Climate

The city enjoys a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate bordering on a tropical savanna climate, with two main seasons: winter and summer. Winters are dry with warm afternoons and cool nights, while summers are hot and humid with heavy rainfall due to the monsoon season.

Demographics

According to the 2022 Bangladesh census, Bogra city had 126,412 households and a population of 486,016. Bogra had a sex ratio of 104.23 females per 100 males and a literacy rate of 65.7%. 15.34% of the population were under 10 years of age.

Economy

Statistically, Bogra's workforce is primarily engaged in agriculture, followed by commerce and service sectors. Other significant sources of income include transport and communication, construction, non-agricultural labor, and industry. Additionally, religious services, rent and remittance, and other industries contribute to the local economy.
Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha is the largest national-level non-govt. contributor of Bogra.

Tourism

Near Bogra is Mahasthangarh, the earliest known urban archaeological site in Bangladesh, as well as the village of Mahasthan in Shibganj thana of Bogra District. This site contains the remains of Pundranagara, an ancient city in the territory of Pundravardhana. This place is considered sacred to Buddhists, Muslims, and Hindus alike.
The Behular Bashor Ghor is a popular tourist attraction in the city and is close to other popular spots and monuments such as the Mahasthangar, Nawab Palace, Kherua Mosque, Bara Mosque, Mazar of Shah Sultan Balkhi, Mazar of Panchpir, Gokul Medh, Palace of Parshuram, Basu Bihara, Palli Unnayan Academy, Saudia City Park, Bhimer Jangle, Museum of Nawab Bari Palace, Wonderland Shishupark, Shanewaz Shishubagan, Woodburn Park, Dreshtinandan Park, Bijayangan, and the Jaina Temple.

Notable residents