The group was founded in 1968 in pre-independence Bangladesh at the residence of journalist and TV personality Fazle Lohani, with the actor Ataur Rahman. and playwright Zia Haider. The troupe produced plays for TV and radio in the during the East Pakistan era, but could not bring plays to the stage. After Bangladesh gained independence, the troupe staged their first stage production, Michael Madhusudan Dutta's “Buro Shaliker Ghare Ro” in 1972. On 3 February 1973 Nagorik performed the first ever ticketed play in Bangladesh, with Badal Sarkar's “Baki Itihash” directed by Aly Zaker being staged at the British Council Bangladesh auditorium. Since then, the troupe regularly staged plays at the Bangladesh Mahila Samiti and Guide House stages.