| Kapotaksha River | |
| Source1 Location: | Mathabhanga River |
| Mouth: | Bhairab River |
| Mouth Location: | Shibsa River in Sundarban |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Type2: | Bangladesh |
| Subdivision Type3: | India |
| Length: | 250km (160miles) |
| Width Max: | 100 m |
| Region: | South west |
| River System: | Ganges Delta |
The Kopothakho (Sanskrit), or Kobodak (Bengali: কপোতাক্ষ নদ|Kapōtākṣa Nada), Kabadak, or Kapotaksha, is a river of Bangladesh.[1] The river is famous for upholding the memory of popular Bengali poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt.[2] [3]
Though originated from the Mathabhanga river, the Kopothakho has gotten disconnected from its source. Now it is mainly a branch of Bhairab river. The river flows through Jessore, Satkhira and Khulna districts and finally meets the Kholpetua river in Khulna District.[4] The lower part of the river is tidal.
The river is shrinking due to encroachment.[3] Different organizations have urged the authorities to take initiatives to save the river.[2]
The Kopothakho first appeared in the famous poem "Kopotakkho Nod" of Michael Madhusudan Dutt. It was one of the first sonnets of Bengali literature introduced by Dutt. Afterwards many other works been created on it.[5]