The Mughal Emperor Akbar gave the Rajshahi region to the Puṭhia Raj family to govern under the governor "Pitambar".

During the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, the town was the site of battles between the Mukti Bahini and the Pakistan Army.

On 13 April, the Pakistan army killed Rajshahi Cadet College Professor AB Siddiqi.

Mukti Bahini commander Havilder Shafiq led an attack on a Pakistani boat on 8 August, killing 18 personnel.

Pakistan then killed two members of Bangladesh Ansar and established a camp in the Zoha Hall of Rajshahi University, where they massacred hundreds of civilians.

The Pakistan army also established camps inside Rajshahi Cadet College, Roy Saheb brickfield, Sardaha Pilot School, and Sardah Police Academy.

It tortured members of Mukti Bahini and civilians in the camps, and killed hundreds of refugees on the banks of the Padma river who were fleeing to India.

[4] In 2016, Rezaul Karim Siddiquee, a professor at University of Rajshahi, and a 65 year old Sufi preacher, Shahidullah, were killed by Islamic extremists.

Rajshahi District has a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 75.17%, compared to the national average of 74.80%, and a sex ratio of 100.25 males per 100 females.

Approved Bengali daily newspapers and Newsportals Published from the city, including Sonali Sangbad, Sunshine, Dainik Barta, Uttorbongo Protidin, Sonar Desh, Natun Provat, and Amader Rajshahi.