Background, Geographic Area and Location: Nawabganj was one of the sub-divisions of the former Rajshahi zila. It is said that this area had strategic and commercial importance due to its location at the junction of the rivers Mahananda and the Ganges. Because of its importance, Nawab Alivardi founded Nowabganj town which in course of time known as Nawabganj. The zila is bounded on the north by India, on the east by Naogaon and Rajshahi zilas, on the south and west by India. The total area of the zila is 1702.55 sq.km. (657.00 sq.miles). The zila lies between 24° 25' and 24° 58' north latitudes and between 88° 01' and 88° 30' east longitudes.
Main Rivers: GANGES, MAHANANDA, Pagla, Moraganga and PUNARBHABA. Beel Bhatia, Beel Choral, Beel Hogla, Beel Singra, Sukrabari Damos, Maricha Dara, Beel Putimari, Beel Anal, Kumiradaha are the noted depressions.
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 37.8°C, minimum 11.2°C; annual rainfall 1862 mm.
Nawabganj Town has an area of 46.26 sq km. Nawabganj municipality was established in 1903. The town has two dakbungalows, one circuit house, one officers' club, one BDR Camp, one Mango Research Centre and one horticulture centre.
Administration: Until 1947, Nawabganj was a Thana under the zila of Maldah (India). At the time of partition, it was upgraded to a Subdivision under Rajshahi zila and again upgraded to a zila in 1984. Nawabganj zila consists of 5 upazilas, 45 unions, 785 mauzas, 1122 villages, 4 paurashavas, 42 wards and 145 mahallas. The upazilas are BHOLAHAT, GOMASTAPUR, NACHOLE, CHAPAI NAWABGANJ SADAR and SHIBGANJ.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: Chota Sona Mosque (1493-1519), Darashbari Mosque (1479), Rajbari (palace), Baragharia Kacharibari (revenue office), Chapai Mosque, Naoda Stupa (Buddhist monument), Jora Math (twin monastery), Nachole Palace, etc.
Historical Events: Indigo Resistance Movement lead by Dewanatullah Chowdhury in 1830-35 and Nachole Krishak Andolan (peasants' movement) organised by ILA MITRA in 1949.
Marks of War of Liberation: Mass killing site: Nawabganj Shmashan (crematorium of Hindus), Rehaichar, Rohanpur Station Para, Satiar Bazaar (Bholahat) and Jadunagar (Bholahat); mass grave: near Sona Mosque, Shamsanghat, Boalia, Islampur and Gomostapur Fakirpara; memorial monument: BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) compound, near Sona Mosque and premises of Chatrajitpur School & College.
Main Crops: Paddy, jute, sugarcane, wheat, betel leaf, oil seeds, pulses. Extinct and nearly extinct crops Indigo, koda, maara (one kind of pulse), china (common millet).
Main Fruits: Mango, jackfruit, litchi, black berry, palm, coconut, watermelon and boroi.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin, horse carriage. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.
