Khulna was part of the ancient kingdoms of Vanga or Samatata. It became part of the Sena dynasty during the 12th-century reign of Ballala Sena, and formed part of the Bagri division of Bengal. The region's previous name was Jalalabad.

Vikramaditya (one of Karrani's chief ministers) obtained a grant in southern Bengal— including Khulna—when Karrani was fighting the Mughals. Vikramaditya established a sovereign kingdom with its capital at Iswaripur (currently in Jessore District). He was succeeded by his son, Pratapaditya, who gained preeminence over the Baro- Bhuyans and controlled southern Bengal

Before 19 August 1947, Khulna district was a part of undivided Bengal.

Khulna Paurasabha was declared on 12 December 1884. It was up graded into a Municipal Corporation on 12 December 1984;