Background, Geographic Area and Location: The area now constitutes Mymensingh zila comprises of two sub-divisions of former Mymensingh district. It is up-graded to a zila in 1984. The area constituting Mymensingh was once a part of the kingdom of Kumrupa. Sultan Hossain Shah of Gaur occupied this area and named it Nasrat Shahi after the name of his son Nasrat Shah. During the period of Mughal Emperor Akbar this area was renamed as Momishahi Pargana after the name of Mominshah a prominent lieutenant of the Sultan of Bengal. This area was again renamed as Mymensingh in the early part of the British rule when the muslim influence over the region was declining .The zila is bounded on the north by India, on the east by Netrokona and Kishoreganj zilas, on the south by Gazipur zila and on the west by Tangail, Sherpur and Jamalpur zilas. The total area of the zila is 4394.57 sq. km. (1696.00 sq. miles) of which 156.62 sq. km. (60.47 sq. mile) is under forest . The zila lies between 24° 15' and 25° 12' north latitudes and between 90° 04' and 90° 49' east longitudes.
The Main Rivers: Old Brahmaputra. Besides, there are small rivers, marsh, canals and forestry in the district. The soil formation of the district is flood plain, grey piedomont, hill brown and terrace. There are small valleys between the high forests.
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 33.3°C, minimum 12°C; annual rainfall 2174 mm.
Mymengingh (Town) was earlier called Nasirabad. It stands on the bank of the Brahmaputra.
Administration: Mymensingh district was established in 1787. Later on it was divided into six districts viz. Tangail, Jamalpur, Mymensingh, Kishoreganj, Sherpur and Netrokona. The zila consists of 12 upazilas, 146 unions, 2137 mauzas, 2692 villages, 10 paurashavas, 102 wards and 255 mahallas. The upazilas are BHALUKA, DHOBAURA, FULBARIA, GAFFARGAON, GAURIPUR, HALUAGHAT, ISHWARGANJ, MYMENSINGH SADAR, MUKTAGACHHA, NANDAIL, PHULPUR and TRISHAL.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: Rajbaris of Gauripur and Muktagachha, Shashi Lodge, Museum, Durgabari, Kella Tajpur, Mymensingh Town Hall, Bokaynagar Fort, Alexandra Castle and Gospel Church.
Historical Events: Fakir and Sannyasi revolt (1772-1790, flood (1787), famine (1788), earth quack (1897) and Swadeshi Movement (1905). Mymensingh possesses rich literary heritage recognized through the world. The MAINMANSINGHA GITIKA (ballads) collected and edited by Dr. Dinesh Chandra Sen represents a valuable treasure in the world literature and has been translated into English and French. Once National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam stayed and studied at Darirumpur of Trishal upazila.
Marks of War of Liberation: Mass grave: Dakbungalow Char of Mymensingh Sadar, Chakbazar, Jelkhana Char, River bank of Shambhuganj, Boror Char, Bangladesh Agricultural University Compound and Rasulpur of Muktagachha.
Main Crops: Paddy, jute, sugarcane, wheat, oil seed and pulse, betel leaf, karalla, sweet potato, turmeric, ginger, brinjal, cauliflower and chilli.Extinct and nearly extinct crops Aus paddy, indigo, kaun, china, linseed.
Main Fruits: Jackfruit, banana, pineapple, papaya, kadbel, guava, boroi, amloki, palm, latko.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin, horse carriage, bullock cart and buffalo cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.
Main Export Items: Jute, paddy, oil seed, egg, banana, leather, milk products, jackfruit, chicken and chilli.
