Rangpur (; ;
) is a major metropolitan city in Bangladesh. This city serves as the administrative center of the Rangpur Division. It is strategically located on the banks of the Ghaghat River and near the Teesta River. It is the second-largest city corporation in Bangladesh. The city has developed rapidly in recent years, with improvements in infrastructure and services enhancing its role as a key regional hub. Rangpur has become a key destination for students from other districts and cities seeking quality education. Rangpur features notable educational institutions. Rangpur also has a vibrant local culture, including traditional festivals and community events.
It is said that back in 1575, a trusted general of the Mughal Emperor Akbar took over Rangpur. But it was not until 1686 that Rangpur was fully integrated into the Mughal Empire. Back on 16 December 1769, Rangpur was announced as a district seat (zila sadar), and in 1869, it was announced as a municipality, thus making it one of the oldest municipalities in the country. However, Ghoraghat in Rangpur served as one of the Mughal administrative headquarters till the 18th century. The municipal office building was erected in 1892.
Previously serving as the headquarters of the greater Rangpur district, the greater Rangpur district was divided into five districts in 1984. Rangpur underwent administrative restructuring, resulting in the formation of the Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, and Rangpur districts.
Etymology
It is said that the present name Rangpur came from the former 'Rongpur'. History has it that English colonial rulers in this region started cultivating indigo. Due to the fertile soil in this region, indigo cultivation was very profitable. The locals knew indigo by the name of "Rongo". So thus, this region was named "Rongopur". And from that, the name of today's Rangpur has originated. It is known from another conventional notion that the name Rangpur comes from the naming of Rangmahal (Palace of Entertainment) of Bhagadatta, son of Narakasura, king of the Pragjyotisha Kingdom.
History
Mughal Period
According to Ain-i-Akbari, the Mughal period Rangpur consisted of three types of administrative areas. 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. The Mughal Empire was established in the whole of Rangpur in 1611 AD. Place names Mughalbasa ("a locality of the Mughals") and Mughalhat ("local market") organized by the Mughals bear testimony to the Mughal association and past of Rangpur and its hinterland. Later, Rangpur passed into the control of Sarker of Ghoraghat.
British Period
thumb|left|120px|The coat of arms of Maharaja Gopal Lal Roy as depicted on a ground floor French door window panel of Tajhat Palace.
After the East India Company gained "Deoani" in 1765, Rangpur came under British rule. The Fakir-Sannyasi rebellion took place in the Rangpur region, in which leaders like Fakir Majnu Shah played a key role. The notable anti-colonialist rebels Devi Chaudhurani and Bhabani Pathak were from this region. In the Rebellion of 1857, the rebellious sepoys spread terror among the British rulers in the region. Later, in 1930, the first civil disobedience movement was started in different parts of Rangpur on the call of Congress. A meeting of the peasant leaders of North Bengal was held here in October 1946, and the Tebhaga movement began in November.
Pakistani Period and Liberation War
Rangpur was a district of East Pakistan Province during the Pakistani period. People of Rangpur took an active part in different movements like the Bengali language movement, Six point movement and 1969 Mass uprising. The first martyr from Rangpur in the liberation war was Sangku Samajhder, who was martyred on the date of 3 March 1971. Rangpur people started the Liberation War decisively on 28 March 1971, only three days after the Pakistani crackdown, by attacking the Rangpur Cantonment. During the Bangladesh Liberation War, Rangpur was under Sector 6 of the Bangladesh Forces and it was strategically important due to its proximity to the border with India.
Post-Independence Period
The greater Rangpur district was divided into five districts in 1984. On 28 June 2012, Rangpur Municipality was upgraded to Rangpur City Corporation, and on 16 September 2018, Rangpur was granted as 8th Metropolitan city of Bangladesh.
Geography
Rangpur is the divisional headquarters of Rangpur Division. The soil composition is mainly alluvial soil (80 percent) of the Teesta River basin, and the remaining is barind soil. The elevation of Rangpur is 34 meters. 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 42 square kilometers, lies on the bank of the Ghaghat River and was turned into a municipality back in 1869.
Climate
Rangpur has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cwa), also in the Trewartha climate classification (subtropical summer wet Cw). The four seasons of Rangpur are generally characterized as a summer or pre-monsoon season with high temperatures and frequent intense thunderstorms named Nor'westers (March–May); an intense and very wet monsoon season with substantial flooding in low-lying areas (June–September); a short and cooler autumn season (October–November); and lastly, the more pleasant, mild and drier winter season (December–February) with warm afternoons and cool mornings, with some cold nights. The average annual temperature in Rangpur is . In winter, it can be very foggy, and nighttime temperature can fall below , whereas daytime temperature remains around . About of precipitation falls annually, almost all of it falling in the monsoon season (June to September), Although there is very little rain from November to March, a small amount of precipitation can be seen due to Western Disturbance coming from the Mediterranean Sea. Snow and frost have been recorded in Rangpur, though very rarely.