Bogra facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bogra বগুড়া Bogura
City
From top: Gokul Medh, Sathmatha, Delta Tower, Bogra Railway Station, Azizul Haque College
Bogra Location in Bangladesh Rajshahi division Show map of Bangladesh Rajshahi division Bogra Location in Bangladesh Show map of Bangladesh
Country	Bangladesh
Division	Rajshahi
District	Bogra
Upazila	Bogra Sadar
Pundravardhana	1280 BC
Municipal Council	1 July 1876
Government
• Type	Mayor–Council
• Body	Bogra Municipality
Area
• Total	71.56 km2 (27.63 sq mi)
Elevation	20 m (70 ft)
Population  (2022)
• Total	485,944
Time zone	UTC+6 (BST)
Postal code	5800
Calling code	051

Bogra (Bengali: বগুড়া), also known as Bogura, is a city in Bogra District, Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh. It is a very important business center in Northern Bangladesh. Bogra is the second largest city in its division by size and population. The Bogra bridge helps connect the Rajshahi and Rangpur Divisions.

The city gets its name from Nasiruddin Bughra Khan. He was a governor of Bengal from 1279 to 1282. He was also the son of Delhi Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban. Bogra covers about 71.56 square kilometers (27.63 sq mi). It is divided into 21 smaller areas called wards. The city has a population of around 1.24 million people. Bogra is one of the oldest cities in Bengal. It is famous for its ancient Buddhist stupas (dome-shaped shrines). It also has old Hindu temples and palaces from Buddhist kings and Muslim rulers.

Many famous people were born or lived in Bogra. These include Muhammad Ali Bogra, a former Prime Minister of Pakistan. Also, Ziaur Rahman, a former President of Bangladesh, was from here.

History of Bogra

Bogra is thought to be the oldest city in Bengal. Its history goes back to the time of the Great Emperor Ashoka. He ruled India from 268 to 232 BCE. When Ashoka took over the Bengal (Bongo) region, he started Bogra. He called it Pundra Bardhan. We know this because an old carved stone was found in 2008. It was from the Gupta era, a time of ancient India.

Bogra has been a key place for travel, culture, and business for thousands of years. In the early 800s AD, it was a major trading spot. This was thanks to the Karatoya River. By 1200 AD, it became important for spreading the religion of Islam. Later, in the 1500s, the British East India Company used it for trade.

In the late 1600s, the British East India Company gave control of the area to the Nowab and Shatani families. These families are still very respected in the city today.

During the Bangladesh War of Independence, a big fight happened here. It was called the Battle of Bogra. Bangladesh Forces fought bravely against the Pakistan Army.

Bogra's Climate

The city has a climate that is like a mix of warm and wet. It has two main seasons: winter and summer. Winters are dry with warm afternoons and cool nights. It never gets cold enough for frost. Summers are hot and humid. There is a lot of rain during the monsoon season.

People of Bogra

In 2022, a survey showed that Bogra city had 485,944 people.

Another survey in 2011 found that Bogra city had 350,397 people. About 17.59% of them were under 10 years old. The city also had a good literacy rate of 72.16%. This means most people aged 7 and over could read and write. For every 1000 males, there were 905 females.

Bogra's Economy

Since 2009, Bogra has made big improvements to its city. Roads were made wider and better. Phone and internet services improved. Gas connections were put underground.

Red chili farming is a huge business in Bogra. Big companies like Square and Acme buy red chilies from many places in Bogra.

Bogra is often called the "Town of Banks." It has many banks where people can do online banking. You can also use credit cards, debit cards, and send money. Many government banks are here, like Bangladesh Bank and Sonali Bank. There are also many private banks.

Sherpur Road, Bogra

More and more companies for IT, software, and computers are opening in Bogra. In 2008, a French company called Groupe Danone teamed up with a local company. They started an organization called Grameen Danone.

Most jobs in Bogra are still in farming (29.95%). Making things from farm products is also big (12.53%). Other jobs include general business (18.11%) and customer service (15.62%).

Getting Around in Bogra

Bogra is known as the "gateway of North Bengal." This is because it has great ways to travel. Bogra has several train stations and bus stops. People often travel 20 to 45 kilometers to work in the city each day. Not many cities in Bangladesh have such good transport. People use both trains and buses to visit the city daily. Buses and CNG auto-rickshaws are the main ways people get around.

Bir Shreshtha Smruti Pillar

Most schools have bus services. This helps reduce traffic jams during busy times. Bogra also has the second-highest number of rickshaws in the country. It has the most private cars in North Bengal, about 65% of them.

Bogra has always been a key travel hub for Bangladesh. Before the 1980s and 90s, all trucks and buses in North Bengal had to pass through Bogra. Because of this, Bogra has one of the biggest groups of transport workers in the country.

Fun Places to Visit

Near Bogra is Mahasthangarh. This is the oldest known ancient city site in Bangladesh. It is in the village of Mahasthan. This place has the remains of an old city called Pundranagara. It is a holy place for Buddhists, Muslims, and Hindus. Many people visit it all year.

Mahasthangarh, Bogra

The Behular Bashor Ghor is a popular place to visit. It is close to other interesting spots. These include the Nawab Palace and the Kherua Mosque. You can also see the Mazar of Shah Sultan Balkhi and the Gokul Medh. For kids, there's Wonderland Shishupark and Shanewaz Shishubagan. There's also the Bijayangan museum, which tells about the War of Liberation.

Famous People from Bogra

• Pinaki Bhattacharya – A human rights activist. He went to Bogura Zilla School.
• Ziaur Rahman – Was President of Bangladesh from 1977 to 1981. He attended Bogra Zilla School.
• Humayun Ahmed – A famous writer and filmmaker. He went to Bogra Zilla School.
• Khademul Bashar – A brave leader of the Bangladesh Air Force. He was born in Bogra.
• Apu Biswas – A popular film actress.
• Muhammad Ali Bogra – Was Prime Minister of Pakistan. He lived in Bogra.
• Akhteruzzaman Elias – A well-known writer of novels and short stories. He attended Bogra Zilla School.
• Gaziul Haque – An activist for the Bengali language movement. He went to Bogra Zilla School.
• Muhammed Zafar Iqbal – A physicist. He attended Bogra Zilla School.
• Shafiul Islam – A cricketer for the Bangladesh team.
• Tarun Majumdar – An Indian film director.
• Mushfiqur Rahim – A cricketer for the Bangladesh team.
• Towhid Hridoy – A cricketer for the Bangladesh team.
• Tanzid Hasan – A cricketer for the Bangladesh team.