Silk was first discovered in China about 5000 years back. As such China is called the "Birth place" of silk. At that time Ho Yang Ti was the Emperor of China. It is said that Emperor's 14 years aged Princess, one day taking tea in the orchard within the Palace. At that moment a silk cocoon was fallen in her cup. When she was trying to pick up that unknown thing she found that a delicate fibre had been coming out of it. The incident was thought to be the gift of  God by the members of the Palace. The matter was kept secret within the four- walls of the palace for a long 2000 years.

The technique of silk-culture was migrated beyond the boundary of China after a long time. It was also a very interesting story. It is said that, in ancient time the Prince of Tibet married a Princess of China. After married the Princess carried eggs of silkworm and seeds of mulberry plant within her headdress.

In 140 B.C silk spread from Tibet to Sub- Himalayan region of India. Afterwards, it spread different parts of India. In ancient time Arabian merchants used to export silk goods through 'Silk Road'. It was the longest land rout that extended from China to Greece of 10 thousand Kilometers.  

Silk was introduced in Europe in 550 A.D. At that time, two Saints carried the technique of silk-culture from China to Constantinople.  In 12th century, silk was introduced in Italy. From there it slowly expanded to France and Spain in 13th Century. In 4th Century, it was smuggled to Japan secretly. In1872, silk industry was considered the main industry in Japan. Afterwards, silk production was declined in Japan because of high labor cost, cultivable land pressure and industrialization. Recently a major thrush has been given in Russia and Brazil for more silk production.

In16th and 17th century during the Mughal regime there was abundant silk production in India. In Nawab regime there was tremendous progress of silk production in the undivided Bengal. In 1914, during the then British regime a separate department was established for silk development. In 1934, a Tariff Board was formed which made a good number of recommendations for the protection of the silk industry.

         Sericulture in Bangladesh has a long history and glory. It inherits the same tradition of India. In 1947, after the partition of India two sericulture nurseries situated in Mirgonj (Rajshahi) and Bogra and some silk growing areas of Bholahat (Chapai-Nawabgonj) and Mirgonj were fallen in the part of the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Afterwards a massive sericulture development programme had been under taken. Under that programme 10 sericulture nurseries, one silk pilot project & silk-cum-lac research & training institute at Rajshahi was established in the country. In 1971 Bangladesh emerged as an independent country. From 1947 to 1977 Sericulture activities were looked after by organisations like Directorate of Industries and BSCIC. With a view to expand sericulture throughout the country a separate organization "Bangladesh Sericulture Board (BSB)" started functioning from February, 1978 with its Headquarters at Rajshahi - the Silk City.