Rangpur City
This article is about Rangpur as a city in
Bangladesh. For other uses, see Rangpur (disambiguation)
. Rangpur (Bengali: রংপুর) is one of the major cities in Bangladesh and Rangpur
Division. Rangpur was declared a district headquarters on 16 December 1769,
and established as a municipality in 1869, making it one of the oldest
municipalities in Bangladesh.[4][1] The
municipal office building was erected in 1892 under the precedence Raja Janaki
Ballav, Sen. Chairman of the municipality. During the period of 1890,
"Shyama sundari khal" was excavated for improvement of the town. The
Municipality is located in the north western part of Bangladesh.[1] A
Recently established public university of Bangladesh named "Begum Rokeya
University, Rangpur" is situated in the southern part of the city.
Previously, Rangpur was the headquarters of Greater Rangpur district.
Later the Greater Rangpur district was broken down into the Rangpur, Kurigram, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat andGaibandha districts. In the great Rangpur
region, little economic development took place until the 90s, mainly because of
the yearly flooding the region used to see before the making of the Teesta
Barrage. Coal is found near this district. There is a large military
cantonment in the town.
History
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.
Names of places like Mughalbasa (literal meaning being a locality of
the Mughals), and Mughalhat (literal meaning a "local
market" organized by the Mughals) bear testimony to the Mughal Association
and past of Rangpur and its hinterland. Later on, Rangpur passed under the
control of "Sarker" of Ghoraghat. During the period of the British East India Company, the Sannyasi Rebellion took place.[5] Rangapur
Ghoraghat has been mentioned in the Riyaz-us-Salatin. During the early period
of the company rule fakir-sannyasi resistance and peasant rebellion were held
in Rangpur.
Geography
Rangpur town
is the divisional headquarters. The soil composition is mainly alluvial soil
(80%) of the Teesta River basin, and the remaining is barind soil.
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
28 square kilometers, lies on the bank of the Ghaghat river, and was turned
into a municipality back in 1869. The population of the Rangpur municipality as
of 2006 is 251,699, with 52% male and 48% female, and the literacy rate is
54.6%. Establishment of Rangpur City Corporation, as Divisional City is now
under way after the establishment of Rangpur Division in January 2010.
Climate
Rangpur has
a tropical wet and dry climate. The climate
of Rangpur is generally marked with monsoons, high
temperature, considerable humidity and heavy rainfall. The hot season commences
early in April and continues till July. The maximum mean temperature observed
is about 32 to 36 °C (90 to 97 °F) during the months of May, June
July and August 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).[6]
Climate in
Rangpur
|
||||||||||||
Month
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Average
Temperature (°C)
|
13.5°
|
15.5°
|
19°
|
21°
|
21.5°
|
23°
|
22°
|
23°
|
21.5°
|
22.5°
|
18.5°
|
16°
|
Average
Precipitation
(mm)
|
0
|
0.1
|
0.6
|
1
|
2.8
|
4
|
6.7
|
2.9
|
3
|
1.4
|
0
|
0
|
Source: [1]|[National
news papers]
|
Economy
Bangladesh
Bank building in Rangpur
The city is
the commercial hub for the surrounding districts. The city centre has number of
government and private banks, insurance companies, residential hotels, Chinese
and Indian restaurants, fast food, sweet shops, gift shop and many more. It is
one of most important economic zone in Bangladesh, because of its global
positioning.
Places of
interest
Tajhat
Palace (Rangpur Divisional Headquarters Building and Museum)
The Coat of
Arms of Maharaja Gopal Lal Roy as depicted on a ground floor French Door window
panel.
Rangpur town
hall
Tajhat
Palace
Main
article: Tajhat Palace
Tajhat
Palace is located at Tajhat, the southern end of Rangpur city. It was the
earlier high court building established in 1984 called the Tajhat, a former zamindar's
palace. After the end of the British
Raj, the building was abandoned and decayed rapidly, although it was used
for a few years as a courthouse during the 1980s. In 2004, it was largely
restored and turned into a museum which hosts a collection of Blackstone Hindu
carvings, calligraphic art from the Mughal
period and other objects d'art and coins from the area on display. Due
to lack of funding, the museum is sometimes closed.[7]
The place is
situated three km on the south–east outskirts of the town of Rangpur. Probably
this place was built by Maha Raja Kumar Gopal Lal Ray in the beginning of the
20th century from 1984 to 1991. The palace was used as a Rangpur high Court
branch of the Bangladesh Supreme court in 1995. The palace was declared as a
Protected monument by the department of archeology. recognizing its outstanding
archeological value the government of Bangladesh decided to shift the Rangpur
museum here in 2002. Accordingly, the palace in being partly used as Rangpur
museum since 2005.
Carmichael
College
Main
article: Carmichael College
Carmichael
College is one of the old colleges in Bangladesh established in 1916. The main
attraction of this college is its administrative building (which houses the
Bangla department). It is a white two-storied building designed in the style of
the buildings of Cambridge University of UK. It is also familiar with its huge
campus and natural beauty.
Town Hall
There is an
ancient auditorium named 'Town Hall' at the center of the city, where different
cultural programs are held.
Jadu Nibash
Located in
Radhaballav next to the Rangpur Government College. Home of Late Mashiur Rahman
Jadu Mia. It is an ancient house, about hundred years old. The house was
probably built and owned by Raja Gopal Lal Rai Bahadur at the same time that
the Rangpur District Council, Rangpur Town Hall and the famous Tajhat Palace
buildings were built.
Zoo
Rangpur Zoo
Rangpur
central zoo is
one of the main amusement and recreation spot of Rangpur city. With an area of
20.27 acre of lush green trees and grasses, the Rangpur zoo is located east
side of Hanuman-tola road beside police-line, not far from Rangpur district
Administration office. The Zoo has 193 individual animals of 28 species.[8] Many
wild animals are available to attract the visitors. A few of them are The
Bengal tiger, African lion, Black Panther, Rhinoceros, Leopard, Hippopotamus,
Peacocks, Alligators, Turtles, Spotted Deer, different kinds of Birds, Snakes
and so on.
The Rangpur
zoo was built in the 1880s. Bangladesh
University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) completed a digital
survey and feasibility study of "Dhaka And Rangpur Zoo Modernization
Project" to upgrade the facilities to international standard.[9][10][11]
Binodon Uddyan
"Binodon
Uddyan" is a massive park located in the middle of the city. A Shishu Park
(children's park), lake and a large restaurant are situated inside of this
park. The mini Tajmahal also latest attraction.
Kellaband
Mosque (Masjid)
Main
article: Bangle beauty
Kellaband
Mosque is situated at C.O. Bazar on the north of Rangpur-Dinajpur Highway
02 km north-west of Rangpur town. This three-dome mosque is about 200
years old. A concrete well and an ancient cemetery are lying beside the mosque.
Pirgacha
Landlord House
The Manthana
Kingdom Estate was established sometime around 1100 AD. Her Royal Highness
Maharani Joy Durga Devi Chaudhurani of Rangpur was the most influential and
famous ruler of the kingdom. After the death of His Royal Highness Rajah
Rajendra Narayan Roy Choudhury, the Monthana Kingdom Estate was divided into
two parts among his two sons Rajah Harendra Narayan Roy Choudhury and Rajah
Bhairab Narayan Roy Choudhury of Rangpur. As a result, the landlord house also
divided into two parts. After the death of HRH Rajah Harendra Narayan Roy
Choudhury his son HRH Rajah Mahendra Narayan Roy Choudhury succeeded the kingdom.
After his death HRH Rajah Bhupendra Narayan Roy Choudhury succeeded to the
throne of the kingdom and was the last crowned king of this kingdom estate. His
son HRH Prince Jyotirindra Narayan Roy Choudhury was born in 1947 and is the
crown prince of the estate. Soon after the birth of HRH Jyotirindra Narayan Roy
Choudhury, India and East Pakistan got independence from imperial British rule
and the partition of Bengal took place. HRH Prince Jyotirindra Narayan Roy
Choudhury of Rangpur now resides in Calcutta,
India with his family. His son HRH Prince Rupendra Narayan Anirban Roy
Choudhury of Rangpur who uses the name Anirban Roy Choudhury is the present
Titular Crown Prince of the kingdom-estate. The Pirgaccha Landlord House
popularly known as the Manthana Palace or Manthana Rajbari is a massive
structure spread over hundreds of acres of land and houses ponds, lakes,
buildings, temples, and various other assets. HRH Princess Kabita Rani Roy
Choudhury is the present legal owner of the entire kingdom-estate. The Kachari
House of the Manthana Palace is now used as Pirgasha Registrar Office.
Devi
Caudhuranir Jamindar Bari
The
Landlord-King of Pirgacha sub district HRH Rajah Narendro Narayan Roy
Choudhury, son of HRH Rajah Raghabendra Narayan Roy Choudhury died in 1765
without any legacy. Then the wife of the late King, HRH Maharani Joy Durga Devi
Chaudhurani of Rangpur managed the kingdom for three decades. HRH Maharani Joy
Durga Devi Chaudhurani is popularly known as Devi Chaudhurani in history and
was one of the most successful and popularly known rulers of the kingdom.
During the time of Sanyasi Bidroho (ascetic revolution)for the independence of
India, she along with Bhabani Pathak raged war against the British. In this
insurgency Collector Richard Gudland and army commander Lieutenant Brenan,
scared of the war situation, forfeited the kingdom from Devi Chaudhurani.
However the imperial British could not keep the kingdom forfeited from the
illustrious Maharani, and soon after she again came to manage the kingdom and
she ruled until 1791. Later in history, the famous Bengali novelist, Bankim Chandra
Chattopadhay, who also happened to be the Collector of Rangpur and under
the employment of the British rule, wrote the famous novel Devi Chaudhurani to
portray her as a dacoit-queen. The novel has been adapted into very famous
movies with the 1974 movie starring Suchitra
Sen in the lead. And National Award winning director Rituporno
Ghoshis adapting the novel into another movie in recent times, in which Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will play the
lead role of Devi Chaudhurani. However the novel has tarnished
the characted and image of Her Royal Highness Maharani Joy Durga Devi Chaudhurani
to a great extent. His Royal Highness Rajah Bhupendra Narayan Roy Choudhury of
Rangpur was the last king of the kingdom-estate. An earthquake damaged much of
the palace built by Devi Chaudhurani. However the palace was rebuilt several
times and is a sprawling structure spread over several hundreds of acres. The
property, land and the assets of the estate kingdom is presently legally owned
by Her Royal Highness Princess Kabita Rani Roy Choudhury of Rangpur, who lives
in Kolkata, India. Her son His Royal Highness Prince Rupendra Narayan Anirban
Roy Choudhury of Rangpur who commonly uses the name Anirban Roy Choudhury is
the present Titular Crown Prince of the estate-kingdom. HRH Prince Anirban Roy
Choudhury is currently studying the law at Symbiosis Law School and lives in Pune, Mumbai, New Delhi
and Kolkata.
Itakumari
Jamindar Bari
Itakumari
Landlord house was established in the 19th century. Shibchondro elder son of
landlord Rajarai was the founder of Itakhula Landlord house. Now most of the
building are ruined . Now a well two large pond and elderly building witness of
time. point to be noted that leaders of the public rebellion Devi singha and
his assistant Harram sen one time on a time get the owner by forcing. Again
Shibchanda and Devi Chowdhurani lead the public rebellion and free the people
of Rangpur from Devi singha's torture.
Deowan Bari
Jamindaar Bari
The Deowan
Bari Jamindaar Bari was built by Fonivuson Mojumdar. Fonivuson Mijumdar was the
son of Landlord Radharomon and mother Kusum Kumari Devi who was the second wife
of Radharomon. He was born in 1892. This landlord house is a small 2 storied
building. but the main gate of the house is like a Mughal Castle - gate. After
ban of the Real estate tenancy practices in 1952 the house was auctioned. The
property was purchased by one Nosor Ghatial who hailed from Kurigram. Now there
is a school and some business centers. It is located at Deowan Bari road in
Rangpur near the town.
Pirgachha
Pirgachha is
one of the Upazilas in Rangpur that carries some interesting aspects. The name
is derived from some unknown "pir"(religious guru), buried under a
tree("gach"). In other words, there was this tomb of a
"pir" under a big tree in Pirgachha. Pirgachha has a Rajbari, home of
the Jomider (barons, if you will, or landlord, appointed by the King at that
times). This one historic residence is now almost ruined. Also, there is a
minitarure prayer place such as a mosque (for Muslim) and a mondir(for Hindu)
built together. It shows a friendly Hindu-Muslim community at those ages.
Chicli vata
Near the
stadium, there is a very beautiful place called 'Chicli vata' surrounding by
many lakes and rice fields.
Other Places
There is a
large military cantonment in the town. Apart from the Tajbari museum there is
another museum at the heart of the town. The town is known as Green town for
its beautiful garden and green park throughout the town.
Medical
& Dental Colleges:
Prime
Medical College
Rangpur
Community Medical College
Northern
Private Medical College.
Rangpur Army
Medical College
Kasir Uddin
Memorial Medical College
Rangpur
Dental College
Polytechnic Institutes:
Rangpur
Technical Institute
Colleges:
Begum Rokeya
College
Carmichael
Collegiate School and College
Robertson
Gonj Girls High School & College
Siddik
Memorial School & College
Dhap
Lalkuthi High School & College
Schools:
Govt.
Commercial Institute
Salma Girls
High School
Afanullah
High School, Alamnagar
Adasha High
School, Babukha
Shalbon
Pauro Girls High School
Tajhat High
School
English Medium
School:
The
Millennium Stars School & College
Shahan
International School
Nalanda
International School
International
Grammar School
BIAM
Laboratory School
Healthcare
Rangpur is
well known for its healthcare facilities throughout the north-Bengal districts.
There are hundreds of hospitals, private clinics, diagnostic centers situated
all over the city. The Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH), a tertiary
level thousand bed facility public hospital with teaching facility in graduate
and post graduate medical education. The campus of Rangpur Medical College is
located in the northwest area of Rangpur. It is 210 kilometres from the Rajshahi
District and 330 kilometres from Dhaka and is
located next to the inter-country highway that connects India to Nepal. Prime
Medical College hospital(750 beds), Doctor's Community Hospital(500 beds),
Northern Private Medical College Hospital, Christian missionary hospital are
the well-known private institutes. Other government institutes include a
children hospital, a chest hospital and an infectious disease hospital.
A 1000
bed-hospital known as Health City is under construction aiming to provide
medical treatments and surgeries.
Media
Newspaper
There are a
number of locally published newspapers in the district. Locally published
newspapers and periodicals include Online News Portal Rangpur Crime News
(2005), Daily Rangpur Chitra (2009), Dabanal (1980),
Rangaprovat (1987), Juger Alo (1992), Dainik Paribesh (1994),Daily
Gonoalo(2012) Dainik Rangpur (1997), Weekly Atal (1991),Rangpur
Barta (1996) and Weekly Bajrakantha (Pirganj). Former newspapers
which are no longer published include Rangapur Bartabaha (1847), Rangapur
Dik Prakash (1861),Rangapur Darpan (1907), Uttar Bangla (1960)
and Pravati (1955).[13]
Transportation
The main
transport systems used in the city are cycle
rickshaws, auto rickshaws (mainly known as baby-taxis or
CNGs), buses, mini-buses and cars. There are about 50,000 rickshaws running
each day.
Roads
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.
Railway
The Rangpur
Railway Station is the main railway station providing trains on national routes
operated by the state-run Bangladesh Railway. Rangpur Express
Air
The city of
Rangpur is served by Saidpur
Airport, located at the north of the city. Saidpur airport is a domestic
airport.
Dialect
Many Rangpur
natives speak Rangpuri language. Rangpuri is an Indic language
spoken by ten million Rajbongshi people in Bangladesh and five million in India, where they
are known as Rajbanshi. Many are bilingual in either Bengali or Assamese.
Rangpuri goes by numerous names. In Bangladesh, these include Rangpuri, Bahe
Bangla, Anchalit Bangla, Kamta, Polia. The main dialects are Western Rajbanshi,
Central Rajbanshi, Eastern Rajbanshi and Hill Rajbanshi(also known as Koch
language).
The most
popular sport in Rangpur is cricket, although football is also popular. There
is a 10,000+ capacity stadium in the city. It is known as Rangpur
Stadium. It is used for football and other sports. Besides different
organization share to stage a show there occasionally. There are another ground
known as Cricket Garden[14] and
is mainly used for cricket. There are also a few sports training academies in
the city. In domestic Twenty20 cricket, Rangpur has a Bangladesh Premier League franchise
known as Rangpur Riders. On December 2012, I Sports bought
the Rangpur franchise for $1.01 m. Notable players from Rangpur who have played
for the national team include Nasir
Hossain,[15]Suhrawadi
Shuvo.[16]
Notable
people
William
Beveridge, British economist who wrote the Beveridge Report that
influenced United Kingdom to implement welfare
state policies after World
War II.
Begum
Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain, who was most famous for her efforts on behalf of gender equality
and other social issues.
Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia (Politician,
Founding member of BNP and Senior Minister with the rank of a Prime Minister in
1979).
Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem, 6th President of
Bangladesh, first chief justice of Bangladesh.
Anisul
Hoque, author, novelist, dramatist, and journalist.
M.
A. Wazed Miah reputed Bangladeshi nuclear scientist who was former
Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.
He is the husband of Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina
Wazed.
Nasir
Hossain, prominent Bangladeshi all-round cricketer.
Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, a Rabindra
Sangeet artist.
Rashid
Askari, writer and academic
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