Discover Khulna Division

The region’s defining themes range from the mangroves of the Sundarbans to the historic sites in Bagerhat and Meherpur District. Different interests take center stage: the delta as a natural environment, a historic mosque city, and the history of the indigo trade and the independence struggle. When planning your trip, it makes sense to first consider which of these themes matters most to you.

Khulna Division between delta and mangroves

The mangrove forests of the Sundarbans lie in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal. Tidal waterways, mudflats and small salt-tolerant mangrove islands run through the landscape. For Bangladesh as a broader travel destination, the Sundarbans Reserve, located in the southwest of the country, is the world’s largest continuous mangrove forest. The Sundarbans in the broader destination of Bangladesh are also home to exceptional biodiversity across terrestrial, aquatic and marine habitats. For nature enthusiasts, this brings together two perspectives: the distinctive shape of the delta and the diversity of habitats in the wider context of Bangladesh. In the broader destination of Bangladesh, three wildlife sanctuaries lie in the southern part of the Sundarbans. Together, these protected areas cover 139,700 hectares and are considered key breeding grounds for several endangered species.

The historic mosque city of Bagerhat

The historic mosque city of Bagerhat was founded in the 15th century by the Turkish general Ulugh Khan Jahan. Its surviving sites include mosques, houses, streets, old ponds, tombs and a Chillakhana, meaning an old cemetery. The townscape thus ranges from religious buildings and residential structures to streets and burial sites. Shait-Gumbad is one of the largest mosques and is the only example of its kind in all of Bengal. For culture-focused travelers, the emphasis is therefore not solely on a religious building, but also on the connection between urban structure and mosque architecture.

Indigo trade and remembrance in Meherpur

In Meherpur District, Amjhupi Nilkuthi is a historic indigo factory and landmark. The building is estimated to have been constructed between 1800 and 1815, during the heyday of the East India Company’s indigo trade. On May 13, 1978, Amjhupi Nilkuthi was declared a tourist site during a meeting of the Khulna Division.

The Mujibnagar Smriti Saudha commemorates the swearing-in of the government-in-exile of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, which took place on April 17, 1971, in the village of Baidyanathtala in Meherpur District. The memorial complex, designed by Tanveer Naquib, was built on 23 triangular concrete pillars; its design is intended to represent a rising sun. Between 1996 and 2001, the complex was expanded to include a library, a mosque and a guesthouse; the grounds cover 20.10 acres. Nilkuthi points to the history of the indigo trade, while the Saudha centers remembrance of the 1971 oath.

Discover more destinations: Khulna, Jessore, Rangpur Division, Barisal Division, Chittagong, Dhaka, Sylhet Division, Rajshahi

For the broader travel overview: Bangladesh.