The standard version of Bengali, developed in the 19th century, is based on the dialect spoken around Shantipur region of Nadia.

Known as the "Oxford of Bengal", Nabadwip made many contributions to Indian philosophy, such as the Navya-Nyaya system of logic, and is the birthplace of the Vaishnava saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

The district is largely an alluvial plain, formed by the constant shifting of the various rivers of the Ganges Delta.

As the main flow of the Ganga ran east into the Padma, the Bhagirathi largely dried up.

[3][4] One of the Indian schools of logic (Tarka sastra) called Navya Nyaya system was developed in Nabadwip, which produced great logicians in the 15th century.

The 1859 revolt against European Indigo planters started from the village of Chaugacha in Krishnanagar, Nadia.

On 17 August 1947 the final boundary adjustment of the Radcliffe Commission transferred these districts to the Dominion of India (specifically West Bengal) ,[8] to ensure the Hooghly River was entirely within India and to maintain connectivity between Kolkata and Guwahati through Darjeeling district.

Due to protests rectification was made and on the night of August 17, 1947, Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Shikarpur in Karimpur and Plassey were placed in India.

[10][11][12] Nadia district is also historically significant as the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a revered figure in Hinduism.

He was born in Nabadwip, a town in the Nadia district, on the full moon night of 18 February 1486.

Known as Gauranga for his molten gold-like complexion, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is considered an avatar of Lord Krishna by his followers.

Hinduism became majority in the district after Independence, when Nadia became the destination for millions of refugees from East Pakistan, and from Bangladesh after 1971.

Muslims are majority in Karimpur II (60.38%), Kaliganj (58.51%), Nakashipara (54.06%), and Chapra (59.00%) CD blocks.

In 1980, Nadia district became home to the Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary, which has an area of 0.7 km2 (0.3 sq mi).