Bangladesh is a country with a rich culture and history. It offers many interesting facts and stories that can make for fun riddles. Here are 32 riddles about Bangladesh, along with their answers.
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
I’m a large bay that takes up most of southern Bangladesh. Many rivers flow into me, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna. What am I?
Answer: The Bay of Bengal
Riddle 2
I’m an elongated triangle-shaped country nestled between India and Myanmar. I have the world’s largest delta and mangrove forest. What country am I?
Answer: Bangladesh
Riddle 3
We are the longest unbroken natural sea beach in the world, stretching 125 km along the Bay of Bengal. Millions come to enjoy our windswept sands. What are we?
Answer: Cox’s Bazar Beach
History & Culture Riddles
Riddle 4
Built in the 15th century, I’m an ancient city located on the banks of the Buriganga River. My name means “city of mosques” in reference to my 400+ Islamic holy sites. What historic city am I?
Answer: Old Dhaka
Riddle 5
Constructed in the 8th century, I’m an ancient Buddhist monastery and temple complex located in the northeastern Bangladeshi district of Naogaon. What am I?
Answer: Paharpur Vihara
Riddle 6
I’m a type of aged, fermented tea consumed in Bangladesh as an important part of social culture. My name refers to the brass pots I’m prepared and stored in. What savory tea am I?
Answer: Noon Chai
Riddle 7
We are a rice-based summer dessert especially popular in Sylhet. Our name means “soaked in syrup,” referring to the jaggery sauce we’re soaked in before serving. What sweet treat are we?
Answer: Pitha
Riddle 8
I’m a traditional form of Bangladeshi folk music and dance passed down for centuries by mystical Baul musicians. With roots in spiritual poetry, I focus on the relationship between people and the divine. What genre am I?
Answer: Baul music
Animal Riddles
Riddle 9
I’m the national animal of Bangladesh, a type of wild ox recognized by my long horns and humped shoulders. Local legends say I have the strength of five elephants. What strong animal am I?
Answer: Indian water buffalo
Riddle 10
We are the national bird of Bangladesh, known for our colorful patterns and long tail feathers. We decorate everything from money to postage stamps. What showy bird are we?
Answer: Oriental magpie robin
Riddle 11
I’m the national tree of Bangladesh, prized for my beautiful red flowers. My genus name means “gift of the gods.” What flowering plant am I?
Answer: Krishnachura
Riddle 12
I’m the national flower of Bangladesh, instantly recognizable for my bright red color. Despite my name, I’m not actually aquatic. What vivid blossom am I?
Answer: Water lily (lotus)
Riddle 13
We are a rare freshwater dolphin found in rivers and marshes across Bangladesh. Nicknamed “tigers of the water,” we’re known for our bulky bodies and long beaks. What pinkish river-dwellers are we?
Answer: Ganges river dolphins
Riddle 14
I’m a majestic wild cat found in the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world. With beautiful spotted coats, my species is also nicknamed the “royal Bengal tiger.” What feline am I?
Answer: Bengal tiger
Food & Cooking Riddles
Riddle 15
I’m a spicy Bangladeshi chili paste and cooking sauce made from pungent naga chilies. I’m widely used for flavoring curries, dals, and stir-fries. What is my scorching name?
Answer: Naga morich
Riddle 16
We are a popular Bengali breakfast made from flour, yogurt and coconut. Our name means “puffed rice” in Bangla, referring to the key ingredient we’re made with. What sweet and savory food are we?
Answer: Mohinga
Riddle 17
I’m sweet and creamy dessert popular across Bangladesh, especially during holidays like Eid. My name translates to “sweet cheese” in English. What traditional treat am I?
Answer: Mishti doi
Riddle 18
I’m a classic Bengali fish dish traditionally made with ilish fish eggs during the monsoon season. My name describes the roe-filled eggs as “ricelike” in texture. What savory dish am I?
Answer: Ilish bhapa
Riddle 19
We are a trio of flavorful fish curries named after the Laksam district they hail from. Our mustard oil-based sauces pack quite a spicy punch. What are we?
Answer: Laxmichar, Laksmi fry, Laksmi curry
Art, Literature & Media Riddles
Riddle 20
I’m an ancient form of Bengali folk art done by rural women using colored powders. My name literally means “colored floors.” What artistic tradition am I?
Answer: Alpana
Riddle 21
We are traditional, colorful Bangladeshi masks made from bamboo, paper, and clay during harvest festivals. We symbolize driving away evil spirits. What are we called?
Answer: Gambhira masks
Riddle 22
I wrote the national anthem of Bangladesh and pioneering short stories in the Bangla language. Known as the father of the Bengali short story, what is my name?
Answer: Michael Madhusudan Dutta
Riddle 23
I’m an Oscar-winning Muslim Bangladeshi filmmaker known for humanistic movies about rural poverty and women’s issues. I’m the only female director to win two Academy Awards. Who am I?
Answer: Tareque Masud
Riddle 24
We are traditional handmade Bangladeshi textiles recognized worldwide for our delicate embroidery and intricate jamdani weaving. What colorful fabrics are we?
Answer: Jamdani saris
People & Culture Riddles
Riddle 25
I’m Bangladesh’s largest religious minority group, making up less than 1% of the population. While my name comes from Sanskrit meaning “natural way of life,” I have Persian roots tracing back to the Mughal Empire. What religious community am I?
Answer: Parsi community
Riddle 26
We are an ethnic group concentrated in southeastern Bangladesh near Chittagong. Our name means “people of the mountains” in Bangla due to our history of settlement in hill tracts. Who are we?
Answer: Chakma people
Riddle 27
I am Bangladesh’s only constitutional indigenous group, with origins as boatmen sailing Bangladesh’s rivers. My name became adopted nationwide as an honorable term meaning “river gypsy.” Who am I?
Answer: Bede community
Riddle 28
I’m an annual Bengali celebration of spring, nature, and the New Year according to the Bangla calendar. My name literally means “nuts, fruit, and roots” referring to crops harvested this time of year. What fun festival am I?
Answer: Pohela Boishakh
Religion & Spirituality Riddles
Riddle 29
I’m a four-day Islamic religious holiday occurring after Ramadan. Known as “small Eid,” my name means “break fast” referring to the first day’s breakfast feast. What holiday am I?
Answer: Eid al-Fitr
Riddle 30
I’m the world’s second-largest annual Muslim gathering held on Shonargaon river island outside Dhaka. Millions attend my night prayers seeking blessings and purification. What spiritual event am I?
Answer: Bishwa Ijtema
Riddle 31
We are nine Hindu goddesses worshipped during Durga Puja, the largest religious festival in Bangladesh. Our name comes from the Sanskrit for “nine forms.” What group are we?
Answer: Navapatrika
Riddle 32
I’m an ancient mosque located in Bagerhat, featuring hundreds of domes and an innovative ventilation system. I’m a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “mosque city.” What historic place of worship am I?
Answer: Sixty Dome Mosque
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 32 riddles about the diverse country of Bangladesh. From geography and culture to history, food, religion, and more – Bangladesh offers much to discover if you look closely! Let me know if you have any other clever riddles about this South Asian country.
