Gabtali Upazila: History
Modern-day Gabtali Upazila was historically known as a stronghold for Muslim revivalist campaigns such as the 19th-century Tariqah-i-Muhammadiya movement and the early 20th-century Khilafat Movement. In 1914, Gabtali was established as a thana.
During the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, the Pakistan Army set up a military camp in Gabtali. On November 15, a commander of the Bengali freedom fighters was killed during a brawl between the two sides in the village of Daripara in Balia Dighi Union. Civilians were also killed when the Pakistani army attempted to take control of Jaybhoga's Railway Bridge. The army retreated on December 13, murdering two civilians on the way, leading to another brawl with freedom fighters killing a Pakistani soldier. The final encounter was when four soldiers were caught hiding behind bushes in Kshudraperi on December 16. This encounter resulted in the deaths of all four soldiers and a freedom fighter.
In 1983, the Gabtali thana was upgraded to an upazila (sub-district).