Rajshahi
Rajshahi is a city and a district in northwestern Bangladesh. It yields a high crop of jute and oilseeds. 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. It is home to one of south asia's most important musuems, Barendra Museum.
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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
- Shamsujjoha
- Ila Mitra
- Hasan Ajijul Haque
- Ramaprasad Chanda
- Jodunath Sarkar
- Mohiuddin Jahangir
- Akshay Kumar Maitreya
- Madarbux
- Khaled Masud
- Kamruzzaman Hena
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.
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.
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:
- 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)
