Rajshahi (Bengali: রাজশাহী, [radʒ.ʃaɦi]) is a metropolitan city and a major urban, administrative, commercial and educational centre of Bangladesh.

Located on the north bank of the Padma River, near the Bangladesh–India border, the city is surrounded by the satellite towns of Nowhata and Katakhali, which together build an urban agglomeration of about 1 million population.

The foundation of the city dates to 1634, according to epigraphic records at the mausoleum of Sufi saint Shah Makhdum.

The capital of Prince Vijaya, the king who led military operations in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia was located 14 kilometres (9 mi) to the west of Rajshahi town.

During the British raj, it was also known as "Beuleah" and was the administrative headquarters of the Rajshahi district in Eastern Bengal and Assam.

It was originally chosen as a commercial factory for the silk trade, which was being officially encouraged by the agricultural department of that time.

[14] Throughout much of the early part of the twentieth century there was a daily steamer service on the Ganges which connected it to rail-heads that led to the then provincial capital of Calcutta as well as other cities in the province of Bengal.

During the Bangladesh Liberation War, Pakistan Army created an ad hoc Rajshahi brigade, deployed in September.

Geographically Rajshahi is situated within Barind Tract, 23 m (75 ft) above sea level, and lies at 24°22′26″N 88°36′04″E / 24.37389°N 88.60111°E / 24.37389; 88.60111.

The climate of Rajshahi is generally marked with monsoons, high temperature, considerable humidity and moderate rainfall.

The hot season commences early in March and continues till the middle of July.

Although once noted for its air pollution, since 2014 the levels of particulates have been dramatically reduced by various efforts to switch to cleaner fuels and to battery-powered vehicles, to pave earth streets, to encourage walking and bicycle transport, and to plant vegetation.

Shaheed A.H.M Qamaruzzaman Central Park and Zoo is one of the popular public places in Rajshahi city.

In 2015, Munsguard Park near the old Dutch Boro Kuthi building and Lalonshah Park near Shahmukhdum Eidgah was built bordering the bank[20] to provide residents a place to enjoy the views of the Padma river.

The Divisional Commissioner, who is the administrative chief of the Rajshahi Division, the DIG for the Rajshahi division, and other divisional civil servants have their own offices in the city, which function as part of the government administrative setup.

Rajshahi Unnayan Kortripokhkho/Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA) plans and coordinates the development-related works within the metropolitan area.

Rajshahi WASA is responsible for the water supply and drainage system within the city area.

Rajshahi is also the location of Barendra Museum, which is known for its collection of local sculptures and other artifacts dating from medieval times.

There are many Bengali daily newspapers published in the city, including Sonali Sangbad, Uttorbongo Protidin, Sunshine, Dainik Barta, Sonar Desh, Natun Provat, and Amader Rajshahi.

Many national-level footballers groomed in the city such as former Bangladesh national team captain Mohammed Mohsin and recently midfielder Manik Hossain Molla.

There are also a few football training academies including one in Rajshahi's central eidgah (large open ground used on special occasions for Muslim prayers) and in the Zilla stadium.

Many local hockey practice clubs allow playing at national, inter-university, college, and school levels.

[26] There are other inter-city, mail and local trains operated from Rajshahi to Khulna and other regions of the country.

There are bus and minibus services in a limited number of routes, connecting suburban areas of the city.

Plenty of rental car agencies operate within the city and metro area, where sedans, SUVs, and micro-buses are available to hire hourly or daily.

Rajshahi consistently leads in pass rates and GPA 5 achievements in SSC and HSC results.