Thursday 5 July 2012

History of Rangpur

Rangpur is one of the oldest Municipality in Bangladesh, which was established in the year 1869. "Rangpur" declared as a District headquarter as on 16 December, 1769. The municipal office building was erected in the year of 1892 under the precedence Raja Janaki Ballav Sen. Chairman of the municipality to whom Rangpur is indebted for many works of public utility and for his assiduous efforts to advance the improvement of the town. During that period in 1890, "Shyama sundari khal" was excavated for improvement of the town. The Municipality is located in the north western part of Bangladesh. Rangpur is an 'A-1'  category Municipality. It's previous population was 3,20,000 [ 2,51,699 (2001 census)] covering an area of 50.66 sq km and the number of household is 55,184. It has 15 wards covering with population density is 6317 and average household size is 4.56. The present Area with extension area is 203.19 Sq.Km and population is about 10 Lac. 
  

A considerable number of important institutions are situated in and around Rangpur Pourashva. These are Bewgum Rokeya University, Carmichael University college, Rangpur Medical College, Rangpur Cadet College and numbers of private Colleges and other govt. & non-govt. institutions etc. In addition, some medium and small size industries (textile, garments) have been established and the large industries have also been established within and around the town area. It is expected that the area of the township will increase in the near future. Development in the housing sector is also prominent. The institutions and industries have their own housing schemes; in addition, some private real estate developers have set up or have planned to set up several residential villages in the area.


Rangpur is famous for its socio-economic and cultural heritage. The renowned visiting places are Rangpur Zoo, Tajhat rajbari, Dimlaraj Kali Mondir, Parjatan Motel, Karamotia Mosque, Mahiganj Shah Jalal Mazar, Mahiganj Paresnath Mondir and Rangpur Museum etc. It has turned into an important trade center because of its major agricultural product like paddy, tobacco, sugarcane, brinjal, ground nut, oil seeds, ginder, tomato etc. Some poultry firms and hatcheries have been developed in recent years. It has already turned into a trade center feeding the locality as well as Dhaka city. Because of good communication network with Dhaka. Rangpur serves as a collection and distribution of daily necessities of in and around the area. Commercial and business activities are rapidly growing in this town because of additional improvement of various sectors.


Since becoming a District headquarters, the Pourashava has established itself as a significant market town. It has also benefited from an increase in employment opportunities resulting from increased numbers of Government facilities to the area. The major employment areas of the town are found in Old Rangpur(Mahigonj), New Market, BSCIC Industrial area, Government areas and along the main roads, The town has turned into an important trade center because of its major agricultural product like paddy, tobacco, sugarcane, brinjal, ground nut, oil seeds, ginder etc. Facilities include wholesale markets, Super market, agricultural products processing, rice husking mills and saw mills. Major large- scale industries incluing BSCIC Industrial area, Rangpur Foundry Ltd. Small  scale manufacturing enterprises include production of rickshaws and handicrafts. Business enterprises including construction industry; furniture making; metal working; automotive, electrical and mechanical repairs. Public services include barbers, bakeries, Fast food and restaurants.


The town has already turned into a trade center feeding the locality as well as Dhaka city. Because of good communication network with Dhaka. Rangpur serves as a collection and distribution of daily necessities of in and around the area. Commercial and business activities are rapidly growing in this town because of additional improvement of various sectors.


In the recent past, development of major government buildings, commercial and residential buildings has concentrated on the area to the North and South of the town, along the Rangpur- Dhaka and Rangpur - Dinajpur road. The intensity of development in the centre of the Pourashava is considered high. The Pourashava will further pursue urban growth of the residential development of the peripheral areas, especially to the North and South.  The Pourashava is proud of its Zoo, Tajhat rajbari, Dimlaraj Kali Mondir, Parjatan Motel, Karamotia Mosque, Mahiganj Shah Jalal Mazar, Mahiganj Paresnath Mondir and Rangpur Museum etc