- This article is about the city. For the district, see Bogra District. For the cantonment, see Bogra Cantonment. For the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, see Mohammad Ali Bogra
| Bogra বগুড়া |
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  Bogra
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| Coordinates: 24°51′N 89°22′E / 24.85°N 89.367°E | |
| Country |  Bangladesh |
| Division | Rajshahi Division |
| District | Bogra District |
| Population (2001) | |
| - Total | 210,038 |
| Time zone | Bangladesh Time (UTC+6) |
| Calling code | 051 |
| Website | http://www.dcofficebogra.com |
Bogra (Bengali: বগুড়া) 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 cricket test matches in Shaheed Chandu Stadium. Bogra is also the battle honour of 5/11 Gorkha Rifles of Indian Army which fought a fierce battle with Pakistani army here during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 along with Muktibahni.
Bogra town also has an importance in terms of transport in northern Bangladesh, as it's situated at the centre. Very close to the town there is a place called Mahasthangarh which was the earliest capital city of Bangladesh, formerly known as Pundravardhana. This place is considered to be sacred by Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus alike and is visited by tourists from all over Bangladesh throughout the year.
Former president of Bangladesh Ziaur Rahman and Muhammad Ali Bogra a former Prime Minister of Pakistan both were born in the district.
Contents |
History
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Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Bogra. |
Ancient history
The history says it was the oldest city of Bengal in the Great Emperor Ashoka's India. He conquered the Bengal (Bongo) and founded this old city called Pundra Bardhan. It was famously written in famous ancient travellers of that time[citation needed].
An ancient engraved stone believed to be of Gupta era was discovered from the bank of a pond near Sura Masjid at Ghoraghat Upazila in Dinajpur in October 2008.
British rule
Bagura or Bogra was a town and district of British India, in the Rajshahi division of eastern Bengal and Assam. The town is situated on the right bank of the river Karatoya. But the present District Of Bogra, was first formed in 1821. It contains an area of 1359 mi² (3,520 km²). In 1901 the population of the town was 3,094 and of the district (on a reduced area) was 854,533, showing an increase of 11% in the decade. The district stretches out in a level plain, intersected by numerous streams and dotted with patches of jungle. The Karatoya flows from north to south, dividing it into two portions, possessing very distinct characteristics. The eastern tract consists of rich alluvial soil, well watered, and subject to fertilizing inundations, yielding heavy crops of coarse rice, oil-seeds and jute. The western portion of the district is high-lying and produces the finer qualities of rice.
The principal rivers are formed by the different channels of the Brahmaputra, which river here bears the local names of the Konai, the Daokoba and the Jamuna, the last forming a portion of the eastern boundary of the district. Its bed is studded with alluvial islands. The Brahmaputra and its channels, together with three minor streams, the Bangali, Karatoya and Atrai, afford admirable facilities for commerce, and render every part of the district accessible to native cargo boats of large burden. The rivers swarm with fish. The former production of indigo is extinct, and the industry of silk-spinning is decaying. There is no town with as many as 10,000 inhabitants, trade being conducted at riverside marts. Nor are there any metalled roads. Several lines of railway (the Eastern Bengal, &c.), however, serve the district[1].
Battle of Bogra
In the Bangladesh Liberation War, the area witnessed a fierce battle - Battle of Bogra - between the allied troops of Mitro Bahini and Indian Army (together/combined) which defeated the Pakistan Army.
Recent development
In the recent years there has been a significant development in town infrastructure. with new advanced urban planning. The town roads have been restructured and widened and telecommunications have greatly improved within the city. Gas connection through buried pipes has been set up. In recent years, red chili production in Bogra has taken a large shape, for which many companies like Square, Acme, BD Food are collecting chili from as many as 12 centers of Bogra. The business turnover has crossed 100 crore. [2] Banking in Bogra has significantly expanded with the branch expansion of private and specialized banks such as Standard Chartered Bank, Dutch Bangla Bank, BRAC Bank and so on. [3] Furthermore, online banking, ATM and modern banking facilities have been introduced. [3] Bogra is undergoing industrialization and urbanization. There are many IT and software, technology and computer services companies in Bogra and more companies are launching business here. [4] Grameen Group and Groupe Danone, a French company, entered into a joint venture named Grameen Danone and set up a nutritious yogurt project in Bogra in 2008. [5]
Education
There are numerous educational institutes. Bogra Zilla School is the most famous among them. Bogra Zilla School is situated at the centrer of the Bogra town (Saathmathha). It was established back in 1853. The Government girls' high school is popularly known as Victoria Memorial(VM) girls high school. There are some English medium schools like Millennium Scholastic School, BIAM Laboratory school, etc. It has the biggest college in the north Bengle region named Govt. Azizul Haque College which is under the national university. A large medical college & hospital named Shaheed Ziaur Rahman medical college and Hospital, equipped with adnavced facilities has been started recently. For technical hands, nevertheless, there is a famous polytechnic institute. Bogra Cantt. Public School & CollegeMIDSENCE is also a high ranked instituition.[SOS Hermann Gmeiner College] and the Armed Police Battalion Public School & College is another notable institution.
Culture
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Bogra has stronger cultural tradition than most other districts of northern Bangladesh. It has its own own cultural identity along with dialect. The district has many tourist attractions. As a consequence, many hotels have been established in this area. Among them Hotel Naz Garde, Hotel Royal Palace, Hotel Sunview, Hotel Safeway are notable. Major tourist attractions include Mahasthangarh, landmarks in Bogra include the Bogra Nawab Bari Museum and amusement park and the Akboria restaurant. This city has a number of special dishes such as doi (sweet yoghurt), kotkotee (sweet pretzel), etc. It also famous for red chilies and potatoes. Programs are arranged in special occasions in due manner and festivity. [6] Bogra has a strong cultural affinity to Baul, Marfati, Lalon and Sufi music. [7] There are a number of local newspapers and journals in Bogra. The Daily Korotoa and Daily Aaj O Agamikal are two main local newspapers. [8]
Notable people from Bogra
- Khademul Bashar, Air Vice-Marshal, Sector Commander and Chief, Bangladesh Airforce
- Muhammad Ali Bogra, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, 1953-1955
- M. R. Akhtar Mukul, author
- Ziaur Rahman, former president of Bangladesh
See also
References
This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
- ^ Bogra - Encyclopædia Britannica article
- ^ "Turnover goes up to Tk 100cr from Tk 5cr in just 5 years". The Daly Star. http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=115972. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
- ^ a b "Bogra banks bring jobs". The Daly Star. http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=101150. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
- ^ Bogra Database, retrieved 2009-12-07, Bogra.info
- ^ "French minister backs social business". The Daly Star. http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=117794. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
- ^ Three-day Lalon Festival begins in Bogra, retrieved 16-12-2009, The Daily Star
- ^ Lifestyle and Culture of Bogra, retrieved 2009-12-02,Bogra.info
- ^ Training on business journalism ends in Bogra, retrieved 2009-12-16, Daily Star
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bogra |
"Bogra". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.
Coordinates: 24°51′N 89°22′E / 24.85°N 89.367°E
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