Rangpur is a region of significant historical importance. It evolved through the successive historical and geographical identities of Pragjyotisha, Kamarupa, Kamatapur, and Manthana Kot. These references are present in various medieval maps. The historical river—known by names such as Rangpu, Distang, and Teesta—along with the vast settlements along its banks, constitute the early geographical, social, and cultural foundations of what later became Rangpur.

Historical and cinematic documentation exists regarding the Indo-Alexandrian War in the early medieval period (323 BCE). It is recorded that a contingent of war elephants from Kamarupa participated in that conflict. During that era, under the name of Kamarupa, the Rangpur region—including the Teesta-Brahmaputra river basin—was governed by local feudal rulers who possessed their own national insignia or symbols, commonly represented by the figure of an elephant.

The Ramcharitam, a classical poem by Sandhyakar Nandi, recounts the history of power acquisition by the Kaivarta rulers, which directly connects to the greater Rangpur region. In 1071, Kaivarta King Dibyak and his nephew Bhim established control over the Barind region, formed an independent capital, organized a separate military force and monarchy, and engaged in warfare against the weaponized forces of King Rampala. The participation of the common people of northern Bengal in this resistance is a testament to the valor of Bengali inhabitants of the region.

During the Sultanate period, the areas of Ghoraghat and Pirganj-Chatra emerged as temporarily dominant centers of regional importance. Historical accounts of the Sultanate era indicate that Ghoraghat was the epicenter of more than fifty military engagements over the span of half a century. These battles played a critical role in shaping the territorial framework of Bengal.

Military dominance during this period often determined broader ethnic and cultural developments. For instance, during the reign of Sultan Ruknuddin Barbak Shah (1459–1474), and later under Sultan Alauddin Hussain Shah (1474–1515), the military leadership in the Ghoraghat region, particularly under Shah Ismail Ghazi (RA), contributed significantly to the spread of Islam in the area. This led to a substantial demographic transformation in what is now the modern Rangpur region.

These historic developments culminated in far-reaching consequences: the 1905 Partition of Bengal, the establishment of the University of Dhaka in 1921, the Partition of India in 1947, the Language Movement in 1952, and ultimately the creation of the independent and sovereign nation-state of Bangladesh in 1971. Behind these milestones lies a complex interplay of events, decisions, accidents, and inevitable consequences.

Each district within this region shares a common cultural heritage. The lifestyle, livelihoods, food habits, housing, language, and recreational practices of its people exhibit remarkable uniformity. The inhabitants of this region are predominantly agrarian. Owing to the fertile nature of its land, the region is a major producer of rice, jute, wheat, potatoes, and other winter crops for the entire country.

The northern region also possesses a distinct and vibrant regional dialect, which sets its people apart from those of other parts of the country, further enriching its cultural uniqueness.