A rumor is proclaimed that the word ‘Pabna’ came form ‘Pobna‘. The oldest available map of Pabna was made in the seventeenth century (1660) by a surveyor named Van-den Brook. Most probably the early inhabitants of Pabna were called 'Pundra'. In 12th century the Muslims came here. From 1848 to 1875 for the administrative facilities British government made many changes. Through these change Pabna & Sirajgonge became a district named ‘Pabna’. In early 20th century 1915 a bridge named ‘Hardinge’ was constructed on the river ‘Padma’. From that time by the construction of bridge 'Hardinge' railway communication was build up with West Bengal and southern part of Bangladesh. That's why Pabna got the chance to become a central town based on agriculture & small cottage industry. That time Pabna became a town of elite people. ‘Pabna Zilla board’ was established in 1886. A big change of Pabna occurred in 1947 for the partition of India and Pakistan. The rich and elite Hindus began to leave ‘Purbo Banga’.

Pabna lies at the meeting point of the rivers Padma and Jamuna. This district again lies from 23°48'30"N to the 24°47'0"N and between latitude 88°59'57"E and 89°59'40"E. To the north of the district is Bogra, to the west is Rajshahi and to the south on the opposite bank of the river Padma are Faridpur and Kushtia. The total area is 2371 sq.km. Pabna District (rajshahi division) with an area of 2371.50 sq km, is bounded by natore and sirajganj districts on the north, rajbari and kushtia districts on the south, manikganj and sirajganj districts on the east, ganges river and Kushtia district on the west. Average maximum temperature 33.9?C, minimum 9.6?C; annual rainfall 1872 mm. Characteristically the soil of the district is divided into four, viz flood plains of the Ganges, Karatoya, Jamuna and Barind Tract. Main rivers are Ganges, Ichamati, Gumani and Hurasagar.

Pabna (Town) consists of 15 wards and 34 mahallas. The area of the town is 18.64 sq km. The town has a population of 116371; male 52.37%, female 47.63%. The density of population is 6243 per sq km. Literacy rate among the town people is 60.1%. The only mental hospital (estd 1957) of Bangladesh is located in the town. Administration Pabna district was established in 1832. It consists of 9 upazilas, 8 municipalities, 81 wards, 191 mahallas, 72 union parishads, 1321 mouzas and 1540 villages. The upazilas are atgharia, bera, bhangura, chatmohar, faridpur, ishwardi, santhia, sujanagar and pabna sadar. The municipalities are Bera, Bhangura, Chatmohar, Faridpur, Ishwardi, Santhia, Sujanagar and Pabna Sadar.

Main occupations Agriculture 34%, agricultural labourer 22.77%, wage labourer 4.46%, transport 2.18%, weaving 2.85%, commerce 13.27%, service 7.26% and others 13.21%. Land control Among the peasants 29% are landless, 49% small, 18% intermediate and 4% rich. Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is Tk 7500 per 0.01 hectare. Main crops Paddy, jute, wheat, sugarcane, oil seeds, onion, garlic, betel leaf, pulses. Extinct or nearly extinct crops Indigo, sesame, linseed, kaun, china and arahar. Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, banana, litchi, coconut, guava and papaya. Fisheries, dairies, poultries Dairy 1069, fishery 88, poultry 714, hatchery 37. Communication facilities Roads: pucca 681 km, semi pucca 100 km and mud road 3198 km; waterways 184 nautical mile; railways 67 km; air port 1. Traditional transport Palanquin, horse carriage and bullock cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct. Manufactories Paper mill, sugar mill, cotton mill, jute press, oil mill, pharmaceutical co, biscuit factory, rice and flour mill, ice factory, welding, saw mill, cold storage, etc. Cottage industries Handloom, bamboo and cane work, blacksmith, goldsmith, potteries, wood work, tailoring etc. Hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats and bazars are 182, fairs 17. Main exports Paddy, jute, betel leaf, hosiery goods, cotton, cotton fabrics, etc. Health centres General hospital 4, mental hospital 1, zila sadar hospital 1, upazila health complex 9, health & family planning centre 25, TB hospital 1, diabetic hospital 1, eye hospital 1, community hospital 1, maternity & child welfare centre 1, police hospital 1, railway hospital 1, private clinic 15.