| Rangpur Division | |
| Native Name: | রংপুর বিভাগ |
| Native Name Lang: | bn |
| Other Name: | Barind-Uttarbanga |
| Nickname: | North Bengal |
| Coordinates: | 25.8333°N 89°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Bangladesh |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Established Date: | 1 July 2010 |
| Seat Type: | Capital |
| Seat: | Rangpur City |
| Leader Title: | Divisional Commissioner |
| Leader Name: | Jakir Hossain [1] |
| Leader Title1: | Parliamentary constituency |
| Leader Name1: | Jatiya Sangsad (33 seats) |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Area Total Km2: | 16184.99 |
| Population Total: | 17610956 |
| Population As Of: | 2022 census |
| Population Demonym: | Rangpuriya |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Blank Name Sec1: | HDI (2019) |
| Blank Info Sec1: | 0.606[2] |
| Timezone1: | BST |
| Utc Offset1: | +6 |
| Iso Code: | BD-F |
| Blank Name Sec2: | Notable cricket teams |
| Blank Info Sec2: | Rangpur Riders, Rangpur Division |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official language |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Bengali[3] |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Regional language |
| Demographics1 Info2: | Rangpuri |
Rangpur Division (Bengali: রংপুর বিভাগ) is one of the Divisions in Bangladesh. It was formed on 25 January 2010,[4] as Bangladesh's 7th division. Before that, it was under Rajshahi Division. The Rangpur division consists of eight districts. There are 58 Upazilas or subdistricts under these eight districts. Rangpur is the northernmost division of Bangladesh and has a population of 17,610,956 in the 2022 Census.
The major cities of this new division are Rangpur, Nilphamari, Saidpur and Dinajpur. Rangpur has well-known educational institutions, such as Carmichael College, Rangpur Government College, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Rangpur Medical College, Rangpur Cadet College, Begum Rokeya University and Bangladesh Army University of Science and Technology, Saidpur.
The division was the poorest in Bangladesh and had the highest incidence of extreme poverty (over one third of the population) according to World Bank data from 2016.[5]
Mansingh, commander of Emperor Akbar, conquered part of Rangpur in 1575. Rangpur came completely under the Mughal empire in 1686. Mughalbasa and Mughalhat of Kurigram district still bear marks of the Mughal rule in the region. During the Mughal rule part of Rangpur was under the sarkar of Ghoraghat, and part under the sarkar of Pinjarah.[6] Rangapur Ghoraghat has been mentioned in the Riyaz-us-Salatin. During the early period of the company rule Fakir-Sannyasi Rebellion and peasant rebellion were held in Rangpur.
Rangpur Division was formed by taking 8 northern districts of Rajshahi Division. Now it has 8 Districts, 58 Upazilas, 1 City Corporation, 21 Pourasavas and 536 Union councils.
| Dinajpur District | Dinajpur | 3,444.30 | 3,315,238 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kurigram District | Kurigram | 2,245.04 | 2,329,161 | |
| Gaibandha District | Gaibandha | 2,179.27 | 2,562,232 | |
| Lalmonirhat District | Lalmonirhat | 1,247.371 | 1,428,406 | |
| Nilphamari District | Nilphamari | 1,643.70 | 2,092,567 | |
| Panchagarh District | Panchagarh | 1,404.63 | 1,179,843 | |
| Rangpur District | Rangpur | 2,400.56 | 3,169,615 | |
| Thakurgaon District | Thakurgaon | 1,781.74 | 1,533,894 | |
| Total | 8 | 16,184.99 | 17,610,956 |
According to the 2011 census, the total population of Rangpur Division is 15,787,758 and population density is 980/km2. 51.18% of total population is male, and 48.82% is female. Bengali's are the majority community. Notable native ethnic groups are Santal, Munda, Oraon, Rajbanshi including Kaibarta and Koch. Most of the people of Rangpur Division are Muslims. Hindus are a large minority whereas a small number of adherents of Christianity and other religions are also seen.[7]
Rangpur has good road, rail and air communications with the capital as well as other parts of the country. The N5 (National Highway 5) links the division with the capital. There are a total of 21 express trains which connect different districts of the division with the capital and other parts of the country. There are also three Domestic airports, among them Saidpur Airport is the major one.
Rangpur has lent its name to the fruit Rangpur (fruit) and Tanqueray Rangpur Gin.