Bogra District
Encyclopedia
Bogra is a northern district of Bangladesh
, in the Rajshahi Division. It is called the gateway to the north Bengal
. It is an industrial city where many small and mid sized industries are housed. Bogra district was a part of the ancient Pundravardhana
territory and Bogra
was the capital of Pundravardhana
. Bogra is famous for its historical values with Pundravardhana
as former capital, which is now known as Mahasthangarh
. Bogra Cantonment
is located in Bogra District.
. In the ancient period, it was a part of the territory of the Pundras or Paundras, which was known by the name of Pundravardhana
. Pundravardhana was one of the kingdoms of Eastern India and was separated by the stream of Karatoya
from the more easterly kingdom of Prag-Jyotisha or Kamrup
a. The name, Pundravardhana
, occurs frequently in the Mahabharata
, Ramayana
and the various Puranas
. According to the Mahabharata and the Puranas, Vasudeva
, a powerful prince of the Pundra family, is said to have ruled over Pundravardhana
as far back as 1280 BC. The claims of the district to antiquity, however, rests chiefly on association which centre round the old fortified town, now known as Mahasthangarh
..
This district was under the following rules:
Inscription at Mahasthangarh
in this district. Bhadra
Babu, a high priest of the Jaina
church and a son of a Brahmin
of Kotivarsha in Pundravardhana
, was the Jain-Guru of Chandra Gupta Maurya. As Asoka was a firm believer in Buddhism
, he put to death many naked Sectarians (presumbly the Jains in Pundravardhana, because they did so despite the Buddhist worship.
authority over this district is revealed from the discovery of a number of inscriptions of that period from Pundravardhana. Pundravardhana was a Bhukti under the rule of Guptas till the end of the 5th century.
of Bengal
. But the history of a century of this district lies in obscurity. However, at the beginning of the 7th century. Sasanka came upon the throne of Gauda
and he definitely exercised his authority over Pundravardhana
(including this district)..
Pilgrim named Hiuen Tsang or Yuan Chwang, who visited Pundravardhana probably in 640 AD.
, established a royal dynasty known as the Pala Dynasty. After Gopal was elected king, he took his seat in Pundravardhana
. He ruled over the region up to c. 780 and was succeeded by his son Dharmapala
(c. 781-821). The Pala Kings had peaceful possession of this district up to the end of their rule over Bengal which ended in the 12th century.
Dharmapala
was the son and the successor of Gopala, extended his power beyond Pundravardhana. Like his father he was a Buddhist and founded the famous Buddhist Vihara
at Somapuri
in Varendra
, the ruins of which have been discovered in the Naogaon District.
. Vijayasena was the first great ruler of the dynasty. He defeated the last Pala king Madanapala
, and established his authority over this district. He was succeeded by his son, Vallalsena
(1160–1178) who was in definite possession of the district. He built his capital at Bhabanipur (a shakti-peeth
) in this district. Lakshmanasena
(1178–1204), the son and successor of Vallal Sena
, exercised authority over this district till he was driven out by Ikhtiyaruddin Muhammad-bin-Bakhtiyar Khalji in 1204. Even after this date, a dynasty of Sena Rajas ruled for nearly a century over the north-eastern tract of this district as feudatory chiefs under the suzeranity of the Muslim rulers of Bengal
. Their capital was at Kamalpur, a few miles to the north of Bhabanipur (a site of pilgrimage for the Hindu devotees) and little to the south of Sherpur
. Achyuta Sena was the last Prince of the line.
.
. In the 1901 census, the population of the district (on a reduced area) was around 854,533, an increase of 11% in the decade, the census revealed there was no town with as many as 10,000 inhabitants.
and Indian Army
(combined) which defeated the Pakistan Army
during the Bangladesh Liberation War
of 1971.
, Gabtali
, Sonatala and major part Dhunat
is called the eastern alluvial tract. Fertilised by the silt of flood waters, the eastern alluvion is one of the most fertile and prosperous areas in Bogra, Jute, aus, aman paddy, sugarcane and pulses are grown. Sometimes as many as three or more crops are grown on one field in a year without any apparent diminution of its productivity..
The western portion of the district is a marked contrast to the eastern one. In most parts it is well-wooded. Dense serub jungle is to be found is Upazilas of Sherpur
and in parts of Sibganj, which has a comparatively large proportion of cultivable waste land. This part of the district is slightly higher than the eastern parts and is generally above flood level. The soil of this part is generally suited to the growth paddy. Adamdighi is well-known for the fine qualities of rice. This rice is grown some extent in the Shibganj Upazila.
The tract to the east of the Karatoya
is a part of the valley of the Brahmaputra and is generally low-lying and intersected by numerous khals (Canals) and shallow swamps and marshes. It is subject to yearly inudation from the overflow of the Brahmaputra and, therefore, gets a rich deposit of silt. There is very little jungle and almost the entire area is under cultivation.
is the central divider of water-channel of the district, the other rivers may be classified into the eastern and western systems.
Names of the some important rivers of this district are as follows:
s (Upazilas):
The Jackfruit
, Mango
and Banana
are abundant; but the Date and Cocoanut are both scarce.
of the Eastern Branch" says Dr. Grierson
, may be taken to be the form of the language, which is spoken in the Dinajpur
District, but the form of the dialect spoke in Bogra differs very little from that of Dinajpur. The northern dialect is spoken in the district of Rajshahi
, Dinajpur
, Rangpur
, Bogra
and Pabna
. The whole of the tract has within historic times been subject to Koch
tribes and members of this tribe still exist in each district. They were originally reported as speaking their original Koch language
, but on an examination of the specimens of the language, Dr. Grierson found that they have given up their original speech, and now only speak more or less corrupt variety of Northern Bengali..
Some peculiarities (examples) are given below (Bangla>Dialect, English)..
Tora dekh dekh re
Apna deher mamush
Kothay biraje.
Ore age Janmilam ami
Pachhe janmil bhai
Ore bhabte bhabte ma janmil
Bapto janme nai
Ulta gachher ulta pata
Ulta tahar mul
Ore patay patay chand dharechhe
Akale tar phul re.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, in the Rajshahi Division. It is called the gateway to the north Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
. It is an industrial city where many small and mid sized industries are housed. Bogra district was a part of the ancient Pundravardhana
Pundravardhana
This article is about the historical territory. For the Mahabharata kingdom see Pundra KingdomPundravardhana , was a territory located in North Bengal in ancient times, home of the Pundra, a group of people speaking languages not of the Indo-European family.-Etymology:There are several theories...
territory and Bogra
Bogra
Bogra is a town, and one of the oldest towns in northern Bangladesh. It is a centre of commerce and trade within the Bogra District and located under the Rajshahi Division. Bogra is sometimes described as the nerve centre of Northern Bangladesh. Amongst many notable activities, it has been hosting...
was the capital of Pundravardhana
Pundravardhana
This article is about the historical territory. For the Mahabharata kingdom see Pundra KingdomPundravardhana , was a territory located in North Bengal in ancient times, home of the Pundra, a group of people speaking languages not of the Indo-European family.-Etymology:There are several theories...
. Bogra is famous for its historical values with Pundravardhana
Pundravardhana
This article is about the historical territory. For the Mahabharata kingdom see Pundra KingdomPundravardhana , was a territory located in North Bengal in ancient times, home of the Pundra, a group of people speaking languages not of the Indo-European family.-Etymology:There are several theories...
as former capital, which is now known as Mahasthangarh
Mahasthangarh
Mahasthangarh is the earliest urban archaeological site so far discovered in Bangladesh. The village Mahasthan in Shibganj thana of Bogra District contains the remains of an ancient city which was called Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura in the territory of Pundravardhana...
. Bogra Cantonment
Bogra Cantonment
Bogra Cantonment is a cantonment located in Bogra, a northern district of Bangladesh. Among the 16 other cantonments of the Military of Bangladesh Bogra Cantonment is very important. The Armoured Corps Center & School , and the Non Commissioned Officers Academy of Bangladesh Armed Forces are...
is located in Bogra District.
Ancient History
The Bogra District occupies an important place in the legendary and the earlier historical annals of BengalBengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
. In the ancient period, it was a part of the territory of the Pundras or Paundras, which was known by the name of Pundravardhana
Pundravardhana
This article is about the historical territory. For the Mahabharata kingdom see Pundra KingdomPundravardhana , was a territory located in North Bengal in ancient times, home of the Pundra, a group of people speaking languages not of the Indo-European family.-Etymology:There are several theories...
. Pundravardhana was one of the kingdoms of Eastern India and was separated by the stream of Karatoya
Karatoya River
Karatoya River , a small stream in Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh, was once a large and sacred river. A channel of it presently flows by the ancient ruins of Mahasthangarh in Bogra District. The Karatoya mahatmya bears testimony to its past greatness...
from the more easterly kingdom of Prag-Jyotisha or Kamrup
Kamrup
Kamrup district is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India, named after Kamarupa, a name by which Assam was previously known in ancient times. The district, however, is now a small western part of Assam, with a distinctive native Kamrupi culture and dialect . The distinctive...
a. The name, Pundravardhana
Pundravardhana
This article is about the historical territory. For the Mahabharata kingdom see Pundra KingdomPundravardhana , was a territory located in North Bengal in ancient times, home of the Pundra, a group of people speaking languages not of the Indo-European family.-Etymology:There are several theories...
, occurs frequently in the Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
, Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
and the various Puranas
Puranas
The Puranas are a genre of important Hindu, Jain and Buddhist religious texts, notably consisting of narratives of the history of the universe from creation to destruction, genealogies of kings, heroes, sages, and demigods, and descriptions of Hindu cosmology, philosophy, and geography.Puranas...
. According to the Mahabharata and the Puranas, Vasudeva
Vasudeva
In Hindu itihasa , Vasudeva is the father of Krishna, the son of Shoorsen, of the Yadu and Vrishni dynasties. His sister Kunti was married to Pandu. He was a partial incarnation of Rishi Kashyap....
, a powerful prince of the Pundra family, is said to have ruled over Pundravardhana
Pundravardhana
This article is about the historical territory. For the Mahabharata kingdom see Pundra KingdomPundravardhana , was a territory located in North Bengal in ancient times, home of the Pundra, a group of people speaking languages not of the Indo-European family.-Etymology:There are several theories...
as far back as 1280 BC. The claims of the district to antiquity, however, rests chiefly on association which centre round the old fortified town, now known as Mahasthangarh
Mahasthangarh
Mahasthangarh is the earliest urban archaeological site so far discovered in Bangladesh. The village Mahasthan in Shibganj thana of Bogra District contains the remains of an ancient city which was called Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura in the territory of Pundravardhana...
..
This district was under the following rules:
The Mauryas (4th Century to 3rd Century B.C.)
This district was under the rule of the Mauryas in the 4th century BC. This is evident from the existence of some Asokan Pillars in many parts of Pundravardhana and from the discovery of an old BrahmiBrāhmī script
Brāhmī is the modern name given to the oldest members of the Brahmic family of scripts. The best-known Brāhmī inscriptions are the rock-cut edicts of Ashoka in north-central India, dated to the 3rd century BCE. These are traditionally considered to be early known examples of Brāhmī writing...
Inscription at Mahasthangarh
Mahasthangarh
Mahasthangarh is the earliest urban archaeological site so far discovered in Bangladesh. The village Mahasthan in Shibganj thana of Bogra District contains the remains of an ancient city which was called Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura in the territory of Pundravardhana...
in this district. Bhadra
Bhadra
In Hinduism, Bhadra is a goddess of the hunt and one of Shiva's servants....
Babu, a high priest of the Jaina
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
church and a son of a Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
of Kotivarsha in Pundravardhana
Pundravardhana
This article is about the historical territory. For the Mahabharata kingdom see Pundra KingdomPundravardhana , was a territory located in North Bengal in ancient times, home of the Pundra, a group of people speaking languages not of the Indo-European family.-Etymology:There are several theories...
, was the Jain-Guru of Chandra Gupta Maurya. As Asoka was a firm believer in Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, he put to death many naked Sectarians (presumbly the Jains in Pundravardhana, because they did so despite the Buddhist worship.
The Guptas (3rd Century AD to the 5th Century AD)
The GuptaGupta Empire
The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire which existed approximately from 320 to 550 CE and covered much of the Indian Subcontinent. Founded by Maharaja Sri-Gupta, the dynasty was the model of a classical civilization. The peace and prosperity created under leadership of Guptas enabled the...
authority over this district is revealed from the discovery of a number of inscriptions of that period from Pundravardhana. Pundravardhana was a Bhukti under the rule of Guptas till the end of the 5th century.
Sasanka (the first quarter of the 7th Century AD)
By the beginning of the 6th century this region might have passed under the rule of the GaudasGauḍa region
Gauda , was a territory located in Bengal in ancient and mediaeval times.-Location and extent:The Arthashastra of Chanakya refers to it along with Vanga, Pundra and Kamarupa. This geographical idea continues with some of the ancient texts...
of Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
. But the history of a century of this district lies in obscurity. However, at the beginning of the 7th century. Sasanka came upon the throne of Gauda
Gauda
*Sanskrit ' :**Gauḍa region is a historical country in eastern India, which included Gaur in Bengal, of its eponymous capital, and of its inhabitants .**The ' , a branch of Panch-Gauda...
and he definitely exercised his authority over Pundravardhana
Pundravardhana
This article is about the historical territory. For the Mahabharata kingdom see Pundra KingdomPundravardhana , was a territory located in North Bengal in ancient times, home of the Pundra, a group of people speaking languages not of the Indo-European family.-Etymology:There are several theories...
(including this district)..
Harshavardhana (the second quarter of the 7th century)
This region must have passed after death of Sasanka under the rule of Harshavardhana (606-647). This evident from the account of a ChineseChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
Pilgrim named Hiuen Tsang or Yuan Chwang, who visited Pundravardhana probably in 640 AD.
The Palas (c. 750-1150)
By the middle of the 8th century (c. 750) one Gopal assumed control of the affairs over North BengalNorth Bengal
North Bengal is a term used for the northern parts of Bangladesh and West Bengal. The Bangladesh part denotes the Rajshahi Division. Generally it is the area lying west of Jamuna River and north of Padma River, and includes the Barind Tract. The West Bengal part denotes Cooch Behar, Darjeeling,...
, established a royal dynasty known as the Pala Dynasty. After Gopal was elected king, he took his seat in Pundravardhana
Pundravardhana
This article is about the historical territory. For the Mahabharata kingdom see Pundra KingdomPundravardhana , was a territory located in North Bengal in ancient times, home of the Pundra, a group of people speaking languages not of the Indo-European family.-Etymology:There are several theories...
. He ruled over the region up to c. 780 and was succeeded by his son Dharmapala
Dharmapala
In Vajrayana Buddhism, a dharmapāla is a type of wrathful deity. The name means "Dharma-defender" in Sanskrit, and the dharmapālas are also known as the Defenders of the Law , or the Protectors of the Law, in English....
(c. 781-821). The Pala Kings had peaceful possession of this district up to the end of their rule over Bengal which ended in the 12th century.
Dharmapala
Dharmapala of Bengal
Dharama Pala was the second ruler of the Pala Empire of Bengal region in the Indian Subcontinent. He was the son and succeessor of Gopala , the founder of the Pala Dynasty. He greatly expanded the boundaries of the Pala Empire founded by his father and made the Palas the most dominant power in...
was the son and the successor of Gopala, extended his power beyond Pundravardhana. Like his father he was a Buddhist and founded the famous Buddhist Vihara
Vihara
Vihara is the Sanskrit and Pali term for a Buddhist monastery. It originally meant "a secluded place in which to walk", and referred to "dwellings" or "refuges" used by wandering monks during the rainy season....
at Somapuri
Somapura Mahavihara
Somapura Mahavihara in Paharpur, Badalgachhi Upazila, Naogaon District, Bangladesh is among the best known Buddhist viharas in the Indian Subcontinent and is one of the most important archeological sites in the country...
in Varendra
Varendra
Varendra was a region of Bengal, now in Bangladesh. It included the Pundravardhana or Pundra Kingdom region.According to Cunningham the boundary of Varendra was the Ganges and the Mahananda on the west, the Karatoya on the east, the Padma on the south and the land between Koochbihar and the Terai...
, the ruins of which have been discovered in the Naogaon District.
The Senas (c. 1150-1204)
The Senas originally came from the Deccan and settled in West BengalWest Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
. Vijayasena was the first great ruler of the dynasty. He defeated the last Pala king Madanapala
Madanapala
Madanapala was the successor to the Pala king Gopala III, and eighteenth and final ruler of Pala lineage reigning for 18 years. He was succeeded by Govindapala, whose lineage of that name is questionable....
, and established his authority over this district. He was succeeded by his son, Vallalsena
Ballal Sena
Ballal Sen was the second ruler of the Sen dynasty of Bengal. Son and successor of Vijay Sen, Ballal Sen is known from the extant Kuljigranthas to have introduced social reforms in Bengal, especially the system of Kulinism.-See also:* Prithvi Raj Chauhan* List of rulers of Bengal* History of...
(1160–1178) who was in definite possession of the district. He built his capital at Bhabanipur (a shakti-peeth
Shakti Peethas
The Shakti Pithas are places of worship consecrated to the goddess Shakti or Parvati or Sati or Durga, the female principal of Hinduism and the main deity of the Shakta sect...
) in this district. Lakshmanasena
Lakshman Sen
Lakshman Sen was the fourth king of the Sen dynasty of Bengal, who ruled for about 28 years. Lakshman Sen succeeded his father Ballal Sen...
(1178–1204), the son and successor of Vallal Sena
Ballal Sena
Ballal Sen was the second ruler of the Sen dynasty of Bengal. Son and successor of Vijay Sen, Ballal Sen is known from the extant Kuljigranthas to have introduced social reforms in Bengal, especially the system of Kulinism.-See also:* Prithvi Raj Chauhan* List of rulers of Bengal* History of...
, exercised authority over this district till he was driven out by Ikhtiyaruddin Muhammad-bin-Bakhtiyar Khalji in 1204. Even after this date, a dynasty of Sena Rajas ruled for nearly a century over the north-eastern tract of this district as feudatory chiefs under the suzeranity of the Muslim rulers of Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
. Their capital was at Kamalpur, a few miles to the north of Bhabanipur (a site of pilgrimage for the Hindu devotees) and little to the south of Sherpur
Sherpur Upazila
Sherpur is an Upazila of Bogra District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Sherpur has 12 Unions/Wards, 240 Mauzas/Mahallas, and 313 villages.It has 45,258 households and a total area of 296.27 km².-Demographics:...
. Achyuta Sena was the last Prince of the line.
.
British Era
The present District of Bogra, was first formed in 1821 during British ruleBritish Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
. In the 1901 census, the population of the district (on a reduced area) was around 854,533, an increase of 11% in the decade, the census revealed there was no town with as many as 10,000 inhabitants.
Battle of Bogra
The area was enveloped in thick fighting in the Battle of Bogra between the allied troops of Mitro BahiniMitro Bahini
Mitro Bahini was the alliance of the Indian Army and the then-East Pakistani Mukti Bahini that engaged the Pakistani forces in December 1971 during the Bangladesh Liberation War. The alliance provided the final blow to the already weakened Pakistan Army which surrendered thirteen days after the...
and Indian Army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
(combined) which defeated the Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
during the Bangladesh Liberation War
Bangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War was an armed conflict pitting East Pakistan and India against West Pakistan. The war resulted in the secession of East Pakistan, which became the independent nation of Bangladesh....
of 1971.
Formation of Land
The area consisting whole of Upazila SariakandiSariakandi Upazila
Sariakandi is an Upazila of Bogra District in the division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.-Geography:Sariakandi is located at . It has 46406 units of house hold and a total area of 432.55 km² .-Demographics:...
, Gabtali
Gabtali Upazila
Gabtali is an Upazila of Bogra District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.-Geography:Gabtali is located at . It has 52782 units of house hold and a total area of 239.6 km² . It is famous upazila in Bangladesh. The people of this Pazila are very peaceful.-Demographics:As of the 1991...
, Sonatala and major part Dhunat
Dhunat Upazila
Dhunat is an upazila of Bogra District in the Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh.Dhunat is a town situated near the Jamuna river. Every year a huge amount of crops are grown and the corn is the main agricultural product of this area. This small developing town has many schools, colleges, madrashas....
is called the eastern alluvial tract. Fertilised by the silt of flood waters, the eastern alluvion is one of the most fertile and prosperous areas in Bogra, Jute, aus, aman paddy, sugarcane and pulses are grown. Sometimes as many as three or more crops are grown on one field in a year without any apparent diminution of its productivity..
The western portion of the district is a marked contrast to the eastern one. In most parts it is well-wooded. Dense serub jungle is to be found is Upazilas of Sherpur
Sherpur Upazila
Sherpur is an Upazila of Bogra District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Sherpur has 12 Unions/Wards, 240 Mauzas/Mahallas, and 313 villages.It has 45,258 households and a total area of 296.27 km².-Demographics:...
and in parts of Sibganj, which has a comparatively large proportion of cultivable waste land. This part of the district is slightly higher than the eastern parts and is generally above flood level. The soil of this part is generally suited to the growth paddy. Adamdighi is well-known for the fine qualities of rice. This rice is grown some extent in the Shibganj Upazila.
The tract to the east of the Karatoya
Karatoya River
Karatoya River , a small stream in Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh, was once a large and sacred river. A channel of it presently flows by the ancient ruins of Mahasthangarh in Bogra District. The Karatoya mahatmya bears testimony to its past greatness...
is a part of the valley of the Brahmaputra and is generally low-lying and intersected by numerous khals (Canals) and shallow swamps and marshes. It is subject to yearly inudation from the overflow of the Brahmaputra and, therefore, gets a rich deposit of silt. There is very little jungle and almost the entire area is under cultivation.
Rivers
There are quite a few rivers in the Bogra District. The KaratoyaKaratoya River
Karatoya River , a small stream in Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh, was once a large and sacred river. A channel of it presently flows by the ancient ruins of Mahasthangarh in Bogra District. The Karatoya mahatmya bears testimony to its past greatness...
is the central divider of water-channel of the district, the other rivers may be classified into the eastern and western systems.
Names of the some important rivers of this district are as follows:
- The BangaliBangali RiverThe Bangali River is one of the main rivers in the northern part of Bangladesh . As of 2007, the river is in the news because of the possibility that it might merge with the Jamuna River, which could lead to major changes in the geography of the region.-Etymology:In the later part of the 18th...
- The KaratoyaKaratoya RiverKaratoya River , a small stream in Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh, was once a large and sacred river. A channel of it presently flows by the ancient ruins of Mahasthangarh in Bogra District. The Karatoya mahatmya bears testimony to its past greatness...
- The Jamuna
- The Nagar
- The Tulshiganga
Civic Administration
Bogra Pourashava (Bogra Municipal Corporation) is the civic administration of the city of Bogra.Thana(Upazilas)
Bogra has 12 SubdistrictSubdistrict
Subdistrict is a low level administrative division of a country. In Thailand it may refer to the King Amphoe or to the Tambon. In England and Wales it was part of a Registration district....
s (Upazilas):
- AdamdighiAdamdighi UpazilaAdamdighi is an Upazila of Bogra District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Naming of this upazila or area as Adamdighi came from Adam's Dighi which means Adam's Tank...
- Bogra SadarBogra Sadar UpazilaBogra Sadar is an Upazila of Bogra District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.-Geography:Bogra Sadar is located at . It has 107224 units of house hold and a total area of 420.64 km² .-Demographics:...
- DhunatDhunat UpazilaDhunat is an upazila of Bogra District in the Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh.Dhunat is a town situated near the Jamuna river. Every year a huge amount of crops are grown and the corn is the main agricultural product of this area. This small developing town has many schools, colleges, madrashas....
- DupchanchiaDupchanchia UpazilaDupchanchia is an Upazila of Bogra District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.-Geography:Dupchanchia is located at . It has 29153 units of house hold and a total area 162.45 km² . Dupchanchia has an area of 4.93 km² for the municipality.Dupchanchia pourashava mayor is md:...
- GabtaliGabtali UpazilaGabtali is an Upazila of Bogra District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.-Geography:Gabtali is located at . It has 52782 units of house hold and a total area of 239.6 km² . It is famous upazila in Bangladesh. The people of this Pazila are very peaceful.-Demographics:As of the 1991...
- KahalooKahaloo UpazilaKahaloo is an Upazila of Bogra District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.-Geography:Kahaloo is located at . It has 36537 units of household and a total area of 238.38 km² .-Demographics:...
- NandigramNandigram UpazilaNandigram is an Upazila of Bogra District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.-Geography:Nandigram is located at . It has 27470 units of house hold and a total area of 265.47 km² .-Demographics:...
- SahajanpurSahajanpur UpazilaSahajanpur is an Upazila of Bogra District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. This Upazila is recently created. It is the 12th upazilaof Bogra district.-See also:* Upazilas of Bangladesh* Districts of Bangladesh* Divisions of Bangladesh...
- SariakandiSariakandi UpazilaSariakandi is an Upazila of Bogra District in the division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.-Geography:Sariakandi is located at . It has 46406 units of house hold and a total area of 432.55 km² .-Demographics:...
- SherpurSherpur UpazilaSherpur is an Upazila of Bogra District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Sherpur has 12 Unions/Wards, 240 Mauzas/Mahallas, and 313 villages.It has 45,258 households and a total area of 296.27 km².-Demographics:...
- Shibganj
- SonatalaSonatala UpazilaSonatala is an Upazila of Bogra District in the Division of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. An administrative thana was founded at Sonatala in 1981 and upgraded as Upazila in 1984.-Geography:Sonatala is located at...
Fruits
The fruit trees indigenous to Bogra district areas as follows:- The MangoMangoThe mango is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native to India from where it spread all over the world. It is also the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. While...
or Aim (Mangifera indicaMangifera indicaMangifera indica is a species of mango in the Anacardiaceae family. It is found in the wild in India and cultivated varieties have been introduced to other warm regions of the world...
); - The GuavaGuavaGuavas are plants in the myrtle family genus Psidium , which contains about 100 species of tropical shrubs and small trees. They are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America...
or Peyara (Psidium); - The Jamun or Jam (Syzygium cumini);
- The Custard-appleCustard-appleThe tree also grows in Egypt,but the fruit is quite greenish in color not brown or yellowish.The common name for the fruit in Egypt is "Kishta".The custard-apple, also called bullock's heart or bull's heart, is the fruit of the tree Annona reticulata...
or Aata (Annona reticulataAnnona reticulataAnnona reticulata is a small deciduous or semi-evergreen tree in the plant family Annonaceae.It is best known for its fruit, called custard-apple, a name it shares with fruits of other species from the same genus: A. cherimola and A. squamosa or sometimes it is called wild-sweetsop,...
); - The TamarindTamarindTamarind is a tree in the family Fabaceae. The genus Tamarindus is monotypic .-Origin:...
or Tetul (Tamarindus indica); - The GrapefruitGrapefruitThe grapefruit , is a subtropical citrus tree known for its sour fruit, an 18th-century hybrid first bred in Barbados. When found, it was named the "forbidden fruit"; it has also been misidentified with the pomelo or shaddock , one of the parents of this hybrid, the other being sweet orange The...
or Batabi nebu (Citrus grandis); - The LimeLime (fruit)Lime is a term referring to a number of different citrus fruits, both species and hybrids, which are typically round, green to yellow in color, 3–6 cm in diameter, and containing sour and acidic pulp. Limes are a good source of vitamin C. Limes are often used to accent the flavors of foods and...
or Nebu (Citrus aurantifolia); - The JackfruitJackfruitThe jackfruit is a species of tree in the Artocarpus genus of the mulberry family . It is native to parts of Southern and Southeast Asia. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh, . The jackfruit tree is believed to be indigenous to the southwestern rain forests of India...
or Kathal (Artocarpus heterophyllus); - The PapayaPapayaThe papaya , papaw, or pawpaw is the fruit of the plant Carica papaya, the sole species in the genus Carica of the plant family Caricaceae...
or Pepe (Carica papaya); - The pineapplePineapplePineapple is the common name for a tropical plant and its edible fruit, which is actually a multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries. It was given the name pineapple due to its resemblance to a pine cone. The pineapple is by far the most economically important plant in the Bromeliaceae...
or Anaras (Ananas comosus); - The Badam (Terminalia catappaTerminalia catappaTerminalia catappa is a large tropical tree in the Leadwood tree family, Combretaceae. The tree has been spread widely by humans and the native range is uncertain. It has long been naturalised in a broad belt extending from Africa to Northern Australia and New Guinea through Southeast Asia and...
); - The BananaBananaBanana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors when ripe, including yellow, purple, and red....
or Kala (Musa pradisiaca); - The Cocoanut or Narikel (Cocos nucifera);
- The Lichi or Lichu (Litchi chinensis);
- The Pomgranate or Dalim (Punica granatum);
- The Date or Khejur (Phoenix sylvestrisPhoenix sylvestrisPhoenix sylvestris also known as Silver Date Palm or Sugar Date Palm, is a species of flowering plant in the palm family native to southern Pakistan,most of India and Bangladesh. Growing in plains and scrubland to 1300 m, the fruit from this palm species is used to make wine and jelly...
); - The figFicusFicus is a genus of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and hemiepiphyte in the family Moraceae. Collectively known as fig trees or figs, they are native throughout the tropics with a few species extending into the semi-warm temperate zone. The Common Fig Ficus is a genus of...
or Dumur (Ficus hispida); - The HaritakiHaritakiHaritaki is an herbaceous plant. Its Latin Name is Terminalia Chebula. Its common names are Harar, Harida, Black Myrobalan, Chebulic Myrobalan.-Botany:...
(Terminalia chebulaTerminalia chebulaTerminalia chebula is a species of Terminalia, native to southern Asia from India and Nepal east to southwestern China , and south to Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Vietnam.It is a deciduous tree growing to tall, with a trunk up to in diameter...
); - The PalmArecaceaeArecaceae or Palmae , are a family of flowering plants, the only family in the monocot order Arecales. There are roughly 202 currently known genera with around 2600 species, most of which are restricted to tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate climates...
or Tal (Borssus flabel lifer);
The Jackfruit
Jackfruit
The jackfruit is a species of tree in the Artocarpus genus of the mulberry family . It is native to parts of Southern and Southeast Asia. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh, . The jackfruit tree is believed to be indigenous to the southwestern rain forests of India...
, Mango
Mango
The mango is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native to India from where it spread all over the world. It is also the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. While...
and Banana
Banana
Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors when ripe, including yellow, purple, and red....
are abundant; but the Date and Cocoanut are both scarce.
Local language (dialect of Bogra)
The mother tongue of this distrcit is Bangla. In this district of Bogra "the dialect spoken is what is known as Northern dialect of BengaliBengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
of the Eastern Branch" says Dr. Grierson
Grierson
Grierson may refer to:* Clan Grierson* Grierson * Grierson's Raid* Grierson Spring, TX* Grierson was one of the GWR 3031 Class locomotives that were built for and run on the Great Western Railway between 1891 and 1915; formerly named Ulysses before 1895....
, may be taken to be the form of the language, which is spoken in the Dinajpur
Dinajpur District, Bangladesh
Dinajpur is a district in Northern Bangladesh. It is a part of the Rangpur Division.- Geography :Dinajpur is bounded by Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts in the north, Gaibandha and Joypurhat districts in the south, Nilphamari and Rangpurdistricts in the east, and the state of West Bengal, India...
District, but the form of the dialect spoke in Bogra differs very little from that of Dinajpur. The northern dialect is spoken in the district of Rajshahi
Rajshahi
The city of Rajshahi is the divisional headquarters of Rajshahi division as well as the administrative district that bears its name and is one of the six metropolitan cities of Bangladesh. Often referred to as Silk City and Education City, Rajshahi is located in the north-west of the country and...
, Dinajpur
Dinajpur District, Bangladesh
Dinajpur is a district in Northern Bangladesh. It is a part of the Rangpur Division.- Geography :Dinajpur is bounded by Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts in the north, Gaibandha and Joypurhat districts in the south, Nilphamari and Rangpurdistricts in the east, and the state of West Bengal, India...
, Rangpur
Rangpur District
The district of Rangpur have 4924 mosques, 480 temples, 43 churches and six tombs.In an anthropologic view most people of Rangpur are having Rajbagshi blood in their veins...
, Bogra
Bogra
Bogra is a town, and one of the oldest towns in northern Bangladesh. It is a centre of commerce and trade within the Bogra District and located under the Rajshahi Division. Bogra is sometimes described as the nerve centre of Northern Bangladesh. Amongst many notable activities, it has been hosting...
and Pabna
Pabna
Pabna is a town in Rajshahi Division ofBangladesh and the administrative capital of eponymous Pabna District. It is located on the north bank of Padma river and has a population of about 138,000.-Name:...
. The whole of the tract has within historic times been subject to Koch
Koch
Koch may refer to:* Koch , a type of Arctic boat* Koch people , an ethnic group originally from the ancient Koch kingdom in north east India* Koch , people with this surname* Koch, Łódź Voivodeship, a village in central Poland...
tribes and members of this tribe still exist in each district. They were originally reported as speaking their original Koch language
Koch (language)
Koch is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken by the Koch people of both the Republic of India and Bangladesh.-External links:* *...
, but on an examination of the specimens of the language, Dr. Grierson found that they have given up their original speech, and now only speak more or less corrupt variety of Northern Bengali..
Some peculiarities (examples) are given below (Bangla>Dialect, English)..
-
- Initial a in the first person becomes ha, e.g. ami>hami, I ; amar>hamar, my; amra>hamra, we; amak>hamak, me; etc.
- Aspirated sound becomes unaspirated e.g. chokh>chok, eye; gachh>gach, tree; Jachchhi>Jachi, going; etc.
- In vocative case go, have ba reba are used, e.g. kya ra ba? jabuna?, hello! Will you not go. In feminine gender ro is used in place of ra e.g. Kyaro! Ki Kortitachu? Hello! What are you doing?
- U is used as final vowel in verb e.g. Jabi>Jabu? Will you go? Khachchhish??Khachchu?, Are you eating?; etc.
Religion
The district of Bogra consists 3472 mosques, 686 temples, 37 churches and 58 tombs.Folk Literature
Marefati, dehatatwa, dhua, meyeli gan and other types of folk songs and also Prabad, Prabachan, folk-tales etc. are in use among the people of the Bogra District. One specimen Marefati Song is given below (written in English alphabate):Tora dekh dekh re
Apna deher mamush
Kothay biraje.
Ore age Janmilam ami
Pachhe janmil bhai
Ore bhabte bhabte ma janmil
Bapto janme nai
Ulta gachher ulta pata
Ulta tahar mul
Ore patay patay chand dharechhe
Akale tar phul re.