Established in 1873 in Rajshahi city, it is said to be the third oldest college in Bangladesh after Dhaka College and Chittagong College. In 1895 Rajshahi College was the first institution in the territories now comprising Bangladesh to award a master's degree. The first two master's degree candidates, Mr. Choyon Uddin Ahmed and Mr. N. N. Lehari, who after graduation became Chief Secretary of Bengal and Session Judge respectively.