Shahjadpur Upazila: History
In c. 1250, a Yemenite Sufi prince known as Makhdum Shah Daulah settled in the area now comprising Shahzadpur, along with his sister, three nephews, twelve disciples and other followers. He is credited for propagating Islam in the region despite the displeasure of the local Hindu raja Vikrama Keshari. Conflict occurred between the two sides in which the prince was executed by Keshari and many of his disciples were martyred. Keshari later repented for his hostility towards the Muslim community and buried their deceased with due solemnity. The area was named as Shahzadpur (city of the prince) in his honour.
Shahzadpur was later included within the Yusufshahi pargana, named after Shah Yusuf. During the Mughal period, Shahzadpur was ruled by the zamindar Raja Ray, who was a member of the Baro-Bhuiyan confederacy, whilst Tuqmaq Khan was appointed as the Mughal jagirdar of Yusufshahi. Raja Ray welcomed Tuqmaq Khan and left his son, Raghu Ray, in the Khan's presence. However, the Raja later rebelled against the Mughal administration, bringing a large fleet to the besiege the Mughal fort for three days. Raja Ray was eventually defeated by the forces of Tuqmaq Khan, and later submitted to the Mughals, fighting on their behalf. His son, Raghu Ray converted to Islam and continued to serve under Tuqmaq Khan. The Subahdar of Bengal Islam Khan I notably celebrated Eid al-Fitr in Shahzadpur.
In 1845, a thana (police headquarters) was established in Shahzadpur by the Company Raj. The area was deeply affected by the Pabna Peasant Uprisings from 1873 to 1876. Under British rule, a munsif court and jailhouse was established in Shahzadpur. Shahzadpur Thana was upgraded to an upazila (sub-district) in 1983 as part of the President of Bangladesh Hussain Muhammad Ershad's decentralisation programme.