Rangpur, Bangladesh is a major city and the center of northwest Bangladesh. It features the best of rich and exotic Bangladesh, of a storybook charm you can only find in this part of the world. The center is filled with rainbow colored markets and rickshaws that sell all kinds of products. It’s not that difficult to get smitten by the city.
Rangpur is one of the oldest municipalities in Bangladesh, established in 1869. It was declared as a district headquarters in 1769. The city has a current population of 3,200,000, covering an area of some 50 square kilometers. The center of Rangpur is on the northern half of the Rajshahi division. It has busy streets, several public buildings including the Tajhat Palace, Rangpur Medical College and the Carmichael College. It is also known as an important trade center and a cultural heritage gem in Bangladesh. Some of their products include paddy, sugarcane, tobacco, ground nut, oil, ginger, tomato and brinjal.
Getting There and Around
Currently, commercial flights have not been in operation to Rangpur for some time now. You can go there by bus via Bogra and Rajshahi. You can also go by train via Green line and Hanif.
Cars are a rarity, and the main forms of transportation are rickshaws.
Tourist Spots
• Tajhan Rajbari or Rangpur Museum
The museum is located south of the city, and was formerly a rajbari or a zamindar’s palace. Towards the end of the British Raj the building was decaying rapidly and abandoned. It was only during the year 2004 that the building was restored and converted to a museum. It houses magnificent art, coins and ancient inscriptions that are on display to all.
• Begum Rokeya Museum
Begum Rokeya Museum is a women’s training center and museum, located in Pairabondh, the birthplace of the famous Begum Rokeya. It is a half hour drive away from the center of Rangpur.
• Paharphur Buddhist Monastery
The Buddhist Monastery is an ancient monastery dating back from the late 8th century. It was made as a tribute to the Pala Dynasty that ruled the area for 5 centuries. The monastery is now in the World Heritage List.
• Kantanagar Temple
This 18th century temple is most famous for its ornate style of architecture, with adorned terracotta bricks covering the entire exterior of the temple. The art’s subject matter focuses on the stories of Mahabharata and Ramayana, exploits of Krisna, and scenes depicting the favorite pastimes of the ancient royals.