# Nilphamari, Bangladesh

Nilphamari (Bengali: নীলফামারী) is a city of Nilphamari District in Rangpur Division of Bangladesh. It is one of the major cities of Northern Bangladesh and headquarters of the district. The city started its journey in 1875 after formation of Mohokuma/Sub-Division Office of Nilphamari at Shakhamacha Hat on the bank of Bamondanga River. The city got its name from its Mohokuma/district name “Nilphamari”, the cultural name of this region.

## History

The city Nilphamari was established in 1882 by the British Colonial regime around the headquarters Nilphamari Mohokuma. The place was then called Shakhamacha Bazar. Nilphamari subdivision was established in 1875 and Domar’s Baghdogra village was its first headquarter. It was a subdivision of the Rangpur District and was previously under the Rajshahi division. It was turned into a district in 1984. The city got its name Nilphamari from the name of the Mahakuma Nilphamari, the cultural and historical name of the region.

## Administration

Major parts of Nilphamari city is administered by Nilphamari Municipality and some parts of it is administered by adjacent Union Parishad (Itakhola, Kundupukur, Khokshabari & Tupamari). The municipality of Nilphamari was incorporated in 1972. Before that, Nilphamari Town Committee was formed in 1964. At present, Nilphamari Municipality is divided into 15 wards. The area of the Nilphamari Municipality will be 42.70 sqkm (present area: 27.50 sqkm, Ongoing expansion: 15.2 sqkm) if ongoing expansion work completed .

## Demographics

Religions in Nilphamari (2011) :
| Religion | Religion | Percent | Percent |
| Islam | Islam | 85.72% | 85.72% |
| Hinduism | Hinduism | 13.52% | 13.52% |
| Other or not stated | Other or not stated | 0.76% | 0.76% |
According to the 2022 Bangladesh census, Nilphamari city had a population of 85,700 and a literacy rate of 81.15%.$^{:388–394}$
According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Nilphamari city had 9,448 households and a population of 45,386. 8,789 (19.37%) were under 10 years of age. Nilphamari had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 64.13%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 949 females per 1000 males.

## International stadium

The city has an International Stadium called "Nilphamari International Stadium" which has 20K Capacity. The ground already hosted an International friendly football match between Bangladesh and Sri-Lanka. The ground regularly host Bangladesh Premier League (football) match as home venue of Bashundhara Kings.

## Education

The city has some good quality educational Institutions. Nilphamari Medical College is recently established medical school and Hospital to give tertiary health services to people of Northern Region. Nilphamari Government High School is the oldest secondary school of the district established in British era as English High School. Nilphamari Government college is the largest undergraduate and post-graduate college of Nilphamari District under National University. Nilphamari Polytechnic Institute is the latest established technical school for providing technical education. Other notable institutions are:
* Nilphamari Government Mohila College
* Nilphamari Government Girls' High School
* Nilphamari Government Technical School and College
* Nilphamari Teachers Training College
* Collectorate Public School & College, Nilphamari
* Nilphamari Model College, Nilphamari
* Moshiur Rahman Degree College
* Samir Uddin School & College
* Nilsagor Cadet Academy