From aziz, in Khulna, Bangladesh

Khulna was part of the ancient kingdoms of Vanga or Samatata. In the 12th century, it came under the Sena dynastyduring the reign of Ballal Sena and formed part of the Bagri division of Bengal.

During the 14th century, Shamsuddin Firoz Shah became the first Muslim ruler to arrive in the city. The Muslim settlements in the city increased during the time of Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah. Subsequently, many mosques and shrines began to be established. In the 15th century, a Muslim saint named Khan Jahan Ali acquired a Jaigir comprising a large part of the greaterKhulna Division from the king of Gauda. Later he started to exercise full rights of sovereignty and continued to do so till his death in 1459.

After the death of Khan Jahan Ali, the city again became a part of the Sultanate of Bengal. During the reign of Daud Khan Karrani in the 16th century, Vikramaditya, one of the chief ministers of the ruler, obtained a grant in the southern Bengal including Khulna when the ruler was busy fighting the Mughals. He then established a sovereign kingdom, having the capital at Iswaripur currently in Jessore District. Vikramaditya was succeeded by his son Pratapaditya who gained preeminence over the Baro-Bhuyans, holding strong possession of Southern Bengal. He was eventually defeated by Man Singh I, a Hindu general of the Mughal emperor Akbar, in 1611 AD.

Khulna remained under the rule of autonomous Nawabs (rulers) of Bengal till 1793, when the British East India Companyabolished Nizamat (local rule) and took control of the city. In 1842, the city became a part of Khulna subdivision of Jessore District. In 1882, it became the headquarters of Khulna District, comprising the then Khulna and Bagerhat subdivisions of Jessore district, Satkhira subdivision of 24 Parganas district and the Sundarbans. Khulna was declared as a Pouroshava / Municipal council in 1884 and promoted to a Municipal corporation in 1984 on the platinum jubilee of Khulna Pouroshava. In 1990 Khulna has been declared as a City Corporation.

I was born in this city in our house in 1957 month of february. I spent few years in the city and now living at Dhaka and Beijing. I often goes there if a purpose arised. My own house is there and been rented.There are some particular memory I cant forget and often feel missed it. Following are some picture taken now and 2 years ago. The city now grows fast and many more things added which was not there. I still love it for a less expences city. We or say my family have to leave Khulna for a better education in the higher classes. Sometime you have to sacrifice for childrens future.

River Rupsha [Photo by aziz]