Background, Geographic Area and Location: Pabna, one of the oldest zilas of Bangladesh, was created in 1828. Pabna Sadar sub-division of the greater Pabna zila was up-graded to a zila in 1984. Nothing is definitely known about the origin of the zila name. According to Cunningham, a renowned archaeologist, the name Pabna might have been derived from the old kingdom Pundra. The popular belief is that the zila might have originated its name from the name of a stream Pabnaee which was flowing by the southern side of this land towards the Ganges. It is bounded on the north by Natore and Sirajganj zilas, on the east by Manikganj zila and the river Jamuna on the south by Rajbari and Kushtia zilas and the river Padma and on the west by Natore zilas. It lies between 23° 48' and 24° 21' north latitudes and between 89° 00' and 89° 44' east longitudes. The total area of the zila is 2,376.13 sq. km. (917.00 sq. miles).
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 33.9°C, minimum 9.6°C; annual rainfall 1872 mm. Characteristically the soil of the zila is divided into four, viz flood plains of the Ganges, Karatoya, Jamuna and Barind Tract.
Main Rivers: Ganges, Ichamati, Gumani and Hurasagar.
The area of the town is 18.64 sq km. The only MENTAL HOSPITAL of Bangladesh, established in 1957, is located in the town.
Administration: Pabna zila was established in 1832. The zila consists of 9 upazilas, 73 unions, 1321 mauzas, 1549 villages, 9 paurashavas, 87 wards and 202 mahallas. The upazilas are ATGHARIA, BERA, BHANGURA, CHATMOHAR, FARIDPUR, ISHWARDI, SANTHIA, SUJANAGAR and PABNA SADAR.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: Three domed Mosque at Bharara (1176 AH), three domed Kazipara Mosque (Bhangura), Chatmohar Shahi Mosque (989 AH), Pathanpara Khandokarni Mosque (built by the Afghans, Chatmohar), Samaj Shahi Mosque (958 AH), three domed Jami Mosque at Juktitala (Ishwardi), Jor Bangla Mandir (eighteenth century, Pabna), Jagannath Mandir, Seth Kuthi (1779), Snana Mandir (Chatmohar) and Pabna Zila Judge Court Building (1884).
Historical Events: Once the present area of the Pabna zila was a part of the ancient Pundravardhana. Although established in 1832 the contours of the zila has been changed many times. The major changes of the boundaries of the zila took place in 1877 and 1881 with the major changes of the courses of the rivers Padma and Jamuna. In the 1980s greater Pabna zila was divided into two zilas namely Pabna and Sirajganj.
Marks of the War of Liberation: Mass grave 4, mass killing site 6, memorial 8.
Main Crops: Paddy, jute, wheat, sugarcane, oil seeds, onion, garlic, betel leaf, pulses.
Extinct or nearly extinct crops Indigo, sesame, linseed, kaun, china and arahar.
Main Fruits: Mango, jackfruit, banana, litchi, coconut, guava and papaya.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin, horse carriage and bullock cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.
