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Quick answerRajshahi is a city in Bangladesh, with 552,791 people inside the city limits in 2022. The wider metropolitan area had about 1.0 million people in 2022. It is best known for the City of Education, the Silk production and the Varendra Research Museum. Its official language is Bengali, and its currency is the Bangladeshi taka.
Rajshahi is the largest city of North Bengal, with about 553,000 people in the city and about 1 million in the urban agglomeration (2022). It stands on the Padma River in north-western Bangladesh and is known as the City of Education and a historic centre of silk.
Key facts
| Country | Bangladesh |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | 552,791 (2022) |
| Population (metro) | 1,032,000 (2022) · Rajshahi metro area (MacroTrends) |
| Elevation | 23 m above sea level |
| Time zone | Asia/Dhaka |
| Language | Bengali |
| Currency | Bangladeshi taka (BDT, ৳) |
| Coordinates | 24.3745° N, 88.6042° E |
Overview
Rajshahi is a metropolitan city in north-western Bangladesh, on the north bank of the Padma River near the border with India. The city had 552,791 residents in the 2022 census, while the urban agglomeration around it, including the satellite towns of Nowhata and Katakhali, held about 1,032,000 people. The city sits 23 metres above sea level and is the largest city of North Bengal.
Rajshahi was established as a town in 1634 and grew as an administrative and trading centre of the Bengal region. It is a historic centre of silk production, and it is home to the Varendra Research Museum, the oldest museum of its kind in Bangladesh. The Puthia temple complex, with its terracotta Hindu temples, lies about 30 kilometres east of the city.
Today Rajshahi is known as the City of Education, on account of its many renowned schools and universities, above all the University of Rajshahi. It is the administrative seat of Rajshahi Division, and the surrounding Barind region is famous for its mangoes, its silk and its position on the Padma River.
What Rajshahi is known for
- City of Education
- Silk production
- Varendra Research Museum
- Puthia temples
- Padma River
- Barind mangoes
Landmarks
- Varendra Research Museum
- Puthia Temple Complex
- Padma River gardens
- University of Rajshahi
- Bagha Mosque
- Choto Sona Mosque
- Rajshahi University campus
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Rajshahi?
About 553,000 people live in Rajshahi (552,791 in the 2022 census). The wider urban agglomeration, including the satellite towns of Nowhata and Katakhali, had about 1 million people. That makes Rajshahi the largest city of North Bengal and the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Bangladesh.
What is Rajshahi famous for?
Rajshahi is famous as the City of Education, home to the University of Rajshahi and many renowned schools, and as a historic centre of silk production. It is also known for the Varendra Research Museum, the Puthia temple complex and the mangoes of the Barind region.
Where is Rajshahi located?
Rajshahi is in north-western Bangladesh, on the north bank of the Padma River, near the border with India. It is the capital of Rajshahi Division and the largest city of North Bengal. Its coordinates are 24.37° N, 88.60° E, and its time zone is Bangladesh Standard Time.
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Keep exploring
- Bangladesh — the country Rajshahi is in
- Dhaka — another city in Bangladesh
- Chattogram — another city in Bangladesh
- Khulna — another city in Bangladesh
- All cities in Bangladesh
- All countries — the full list
Sources & last updated
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.