Uttar Dinajpur (North Dinajpur) possesses a deeply intertwined and complex historical context. Strategically located as a narrow corridor connecting mainland West Bengal with the northeastern states of India, its history is characterized by ancient sub-regional kingdoms, major medieval administrative shifts, and a dramatic modern partition.
​The district was officially created on April 1, 1992, following the bifurcation of the sprawling, undivided West Dinajpur district into Uttar (North) and Dakshin (South) Dinajpur, with Raiganj serving as its headquarters.