The Kopothakho River (Sanskrit), or Kobodak (Bengali: কপোতাক্ষ নদ), Kabadak, or Kapotaksha, is a river of Bangladesh.[1] Kopothakho is famous for upholding the memory of popular Bengali poet and novelist Michael Madhusudan Dutt.[2][3]

Kapotaksha River
Native name	কপোতাক্ষ নদ  (Bengali)
Location
Country	Bangladesh
Districts	Jessore Jhenaidah Satkhira Khulna
Region	South west
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Mathabhanga
Mouth
• location	Kholpetua river in Khulna
Length	250 km
Width
• maximum	100 m

Origin

Though originated from the Mathabhanga river, Kopothakho got disconnected from its source. Now It is mainly a branch of Bhairab river. The river flows through different areas of Jessore, Satkhira, Khulna districts and finally meets the Kholpetua river in Khulna District.[4] The lower part of the river is tidal.[1]

Current situation

The river is shrinking everyday due to the actions of encroachers.[3] Different organizations have come forward and urged the authorities to take initiatives to save the river.[2]

Kapotaksha River in literature

Kopothakho first appeared in the famous poem "Kopotakkho Nod" of Michael Madhusudan Dutt. It was one of the first sonnets of Bengali literature introduced by Dutt. Afterwards many other works been created on it.[5]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kopothakho River.

References