The unit was raised in 1948, at Kurmitola in Dhaka in what was then East Pakistan from two Bengal Muslim Pioneer Corps (1256 and 1407) of British Indian Army Pioneer Corps from Bihar Regiments, the war raised auxiliary force created to support the war effort in engineering and infantry role.

These two companies were mainly composed of Bengali Muslims who had fought in the Burma sector during the Second World War and as such had been retained by the British Government with the mainstream of the British-Indian Army.

These two companies immediately after the partition of India in August 1947 moved from Jalna the Indian Pioneer Corps Centre initially to Pelkhana then to Kurmitola which is now Dhaka Cantonment.

The unit is a proud recipient of red piping — a decoration for their gallant contribution in the liberation war of Bangladesh.

In addition, Major General Quazi Golam Dastgir, KAAO, psc was commissioned in the First Bengal Regiment and as a lieutenant colonel served as the commanding officer from 1969 to 1970 while the battalion was posted in Jessore.

The unit's former commanding officer, Dastgir served as the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War and was instrumental in the selection of the Senior Tigers as Bangladesh's contingent under the United Nations command during Operation Desert Storm—and this pioneered the way for Bangladeshi troops participating in future UN forces.

Lt Col Azaher Uddin Ahammed, psc being the 51st CO of the traditional Battalion has left his distinct footprint, when the unit made significant leap forward in various fields of professionalism through a renovation program.

Lt Col Rifath prepared troops family accommodation in Ruppur by renovating 3 abandoned buildings of Pakshi Paper Mills.

He handed over the command to Lt Col Mohammad Saiful Islam, psc, who being the 54th CO re-established the culture of connectivity and cohesion among the men, trust and open communication, learning and professional development.