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Historical events The Arab traders and preachers came to the ports of Chittagong and Akiab in the eighth century AD and consequently the Arab Muslims came in close contact with Cox's Bazar area situated between the two ports. The greater Chittagong including Cox's Bazar was under the rule of Harikela king Kantideva in the nineteenth century. The Arakan king Sulat Inga Chandra (930-975) captured Chittagong in 953 AD and since then Cox's Bazar had been a part of the kingdom of Arakan. Chittagong remained part of the kingdom of Arakan till its conquest by the Mughals in 1666 AD. The Mughal general Buzurg Umed Khan captured the Magh Fort on the southern bank of the Karnafuli and the Arakanise took shelter in the Ramu Fort, which was later surprised by the Mughals.

The company, with a view to establish settlement in Cox's Bazar area, took a liberal policy of distributing land to the cultivators and this encouraged people from different parts of Chittagong district and from Arakan to settle in Cox's Bazar area. The Burmese king Bodhapaya (1782-1819) captured Arakan in 1784 AD. About thirty thousand Arakanese escaped the atrocities of the Burmese king to Cox's Bazar area in 1799 AD. The East India Company deputed one Captain Hiram Cox to arrange for the rehabilitation of the refugees (1799). Each refugee family was granted 2.4 acres of land and also granted food support for six months. Hiram Cox died (1799) before the completion of rehabilitation work. To commemorate his role in rehabilitation work a market was established and was named after him as Cox's Bazar (market of Cox) which originates the name of the place.

Marks of War of Liberation Shaheed memorial monument 3, Mass killing site 1.

Population 1957321; male 46.23%, female 53.77%; Muslim 92.13%, Hindu 5.6%, Buddhist 2.17%, Christian 0.06%, others 0.04%. Density of population per sq km is 570.

Religious institutions Mosque 1626, temple 212, Buddhist keyang and pagoda 162, church 8, mazar 12.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 21.9%, male 28.2%, female 14.9%. Educational institutions: government college 4, non-government college 17, government high school 6, non-government high school 107, junior high school 8, madrasa 150, government primary school 376, non-government primary school 235, NGO operated primary school 22, primary teacher's training institute 1, technical training institute 1, kindergarten 9. Old institutions: Cox's Bazar Government High School (1874), Idgah Ideal High School (1928), Maizpara Government Primary School (1930), Qutubdia High School (1938), Teknaf Government Primary School (1890), Manikpur Burmeese Primary School (1828), Herbang Government Primary School (1884), Pekua Government Primary School (1918), Chakoria Government High School (1919), Saharbil Anwarul Ulum Senior Madrasa (1918), Maheskhali Government Vernacular School (1923).

Newspapers and periodicals (Daily) Saikat, Cox's Bazar, Ajker Desh-bidesh, Dainandin, Mayer Desh, (weekly) Swadesh Bani, Kutubdia, Chakori, (fartnightly) Mehdi; extinct- Himchhari, Bak-khali, (weekly) Cox's Bazar, Cox's Bazar Barta, Sagar Bani, Sagar Kantha, Naf kantha.

Cultural organisations Club 161, society and organisation 5, women's organisation 24, cooperative society 367, public library 5, theatre group 3, cinema hall 5.

Main occupations Agriculture 25.64%, forestry 1.85%, fishing 4.01%, agricultural labourer 21.2%, wage labourer 7.64%, service 4.68%, commerce 15.14%, transport 1.86%, others 17.98%.

Land use Cultivable land 79500 hectares, land for salt cultivation 13355 hectares, land for shrimp cultivation 24,114 hectares, forest area 91865 hectares, fallow land 8620 hectares; single crop 26.5%, double crop 61%, triple crop 12.5%; cultivable land under irrigation 64%.

Land control Among the peasants, landless 46.5%, small peasant 27.5%, intermediate 19%, and 7% rich; cultivable land per head 0.06 hectare.

Value of land The market value of the first grade arable land is Tk. 7000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, potato, pulse, onion, garlic, ginger, betel leaf, betel nut, wheat, sugarcane, ground nut, tobacco, rubber, vegetables.

Extinct and nearly extinct crops Sesame, linseed, mustard, cotton, jute, kaun, lentil, gram, arahar, sweet potato.

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, pineapple, banana, papaya, coconut, plum, litchi, guava.

Dairies, fisheries and poultries Livestock 49, poultry 246, fishery 1458, shrimp 759, hatchery 47, dry fish processing 6.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 462 km, semi pucca 340 km and mud road 176 km; airport 1.

Traditional transport Boat, sampan and palanquin (nearly extinct), bullock cart and couch (extinct).

Manufactories Rice mill 473, salt mill 38, ice factory 64, flour mill 145, fish processing industry 31, fish feed mill 1, saw mill 74, printing press 18.

Cottage industries Weaving 851, brass work 33, garments industry 200, conch industry 50, welding 172, fish preservation centre 85, bamboo and cane work 9991, goldsmith 290, blacksmith 232, potteries 405, wood work 1141, tailoring 1766.

Mineral resources natural gas, zircon, ilmenite, rutile, magnetite, monazite, coralline limestone.

Hats, bazars and fairs Hats and bazars are 120; fair 8.

Main exports Betel leaf, betel nut, jackfruit, banana, papaya, pineapple, timber, shrimp, dry fish, salt, tobacco, ground nut, fish, coconut, shrimp fry, rubber.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are caritas, Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh, Prism Bangladesh, Gana-Svasthya Kendra, brac, asa, Ananda, proshika, Bangla-German Sampriti, World Vision, Concern, Islamic Relief Organisation, Muslim Aid, Al-Furkan Welfare Association, MSF (Holland), Red Crescent Society, CARE.

Health centre Hospital 1, upazila health complex 7, mother and child care centre 1, TB clinic 1, satellite clinic 15, family planning centre 35, private hospital 5. [Mahibbullah Siddiqi]

Chittagong (Town) consists of six thanas, 68 wards and 236 mahallas. It has an area of 209.66 sq km. The town has a population 3202000; male 54.37% and female 45.63%; population density per sq km 15272. The main seaport of Bangladesh is located at the estuary of the Karnafuli river. Chittagong is also called the commercial capital of Bangladesh. Interesting places of the city include Batali Hill (87.5 m in height), War Cemetery, Patenga Sea Beach, foy's lake, etc. The first Export Processing Zone (1983) of Bangladesh is situated here. Chittagong Municipal Committee was established in 1860. At present, it has been turned into Chittagong City Corporation.

Administration Chittagong district was established in 1666 including three hill districts. The district of Chittagong Hill Tracts was established in 1860 with the hill region of the district. Later, Chittagong district was further divided into Chittagong and Cox's Bazar districts. The district consists of one city corporation, seven municipalities, six thanas, 20 upazilas, 197 union parishads and 1,319 villages. The upazilas are anwara, banshkhali, boalkhali, chandanaish, fatikchhari, hathazari, lohagara, mirsharai, patiya, rangunia, raozan, sandwip, satkania and sitakunda. The thanas are chandgaon, Bandar thana (chittagong port) , double mooring, kotwali, pahartali and panchlaish.

Archaeological heritage and relics Bronze statues (8th and 9th centuries, in Anwara upazila), Fakira Mosque (Hathazari), Musa Khan Mosque (1658), Kura Katni Mosque (1806), Kala Mosque (16th century), Chhuti Khan Mosque (Mirsharai), Kadam Mobarak Mosque (1719), Andar Killah Mosque, Wali Khan Mosque (1790), Badar Awlia Dargah, Bakshi Hamid Mosque of Banshkhali (1568), Chittagong Court Building (1893), Collegiate School, Ethnological Museum (1974).

Historical events Chittagong had been a sea port since the ancient time. The Arab traders had business transactions with this port since 9th century AD. Chittagong region was under the kingdom of Arakan during sixth and seventh centuries. Before the Muslim rule Chittagong had been either under the control of the Arakans or under the kings of Burma. Sultan Fakruddin Mubarak Shah of Sonargaon conquered Chittagong in 1340. After the defeat of Sultan Giasuddin Mahmud Shah in the hands of Sher Shah in1538, the Arakanise again captured Chittagong. From this time onward until its conquest by the Mughals this region was under the control of the Portuguese and the Magh pirates. The Mughal Commandar Bujurg Umed Khan expelled the Portuguese from the area in 1666 and established Mughal rule there. The Mughals renamed Chittagong as Islamabad.

On 18th April 1930, the revolutionaries looted the Chittagong armoury under the leadership of Mastarda surya sen. During this time the leaders of the women revolutionaries were pritilata waddedar, Bina Das, Lila Ray, Kalpana Dutta etc. The Declaration of Independence of Bangladesh was announced from swadhin bangla betar kendra located at Kalurghat.

Marks of the War of Liberation Mass graves and mass killing sites: Foy's Lake, Lalkhan Bazar, hilly area adjacent to Firoz Shah Colony, Kattoli Beach, CRB area, hills on the east of Sher Shah Colony, Patenga Air Port, hills around Nasirabad Residential Area and many other places.

Religious institutions Mosque 7140, tomb 220, temple 1,206, church 8 and sacred place 1 the most noted of which are Chuti Khan Mosque, Daulat Bibir Mosque, Mahadia Mosque, Noi Duari Mosque, Hamidullah Khan Mosque, tomb of Shah Jadeh (R), three domed Khan Mosque (Dohazari and Baghica Hat), tombs of Hazrat Shah Amanat (R), Hazrat Bayazid Bostami (R), Mohsen Awlia, Goribullah Shah (R), Hajrat Shah Pir Awlia, Baro Awlia (Sitakunda), Miskin (R), Akbaria Jami Mosque, Nasrat Shah Jami Mosque, Jagannath Mandir (Abu Torab Bazar), World Peace Pagoda (Hathazari), Sitakunda Shankar Math, Dharmo Chakro Buddho Vihara, Koriya Nagar and Sonakania Buddho Viharas, Chandranath Temple Hill, etc.

Population 6545078; male 52.16%, female 47.84%; Muslim 83.92%, Hindu 13.76%; Buddhist 2.01%, Christian 0.11% and others 0.2%.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 43.2%; male 50.3%, female 35%. Educational institutions: university 3, medical college 2, Bangladesh institute of technology 1, college of physical education 1, teachers training college 1, regional public administration institute 1, polytechnic institute 1, homeopathy college 2, nursing institute 1, forest research institute 1, veterinary college 1, home economics college 1, Bangladesh military academy 1, vocational institute 1, law college 2, art college 1, marine academy 1, marine fisheries academy 1, cadet college 1, madrasa 217, college 103, high school 574, junior school 4 and primary school 2,240. Noted educational institutions: Chittagong University (1961), Dr. Khastagir Government Girls' School, Ispahani School and College, Nasirabad Government High School, Chittagong City College, Chittagong College, Chittagong Commerce College, Mohsin College, Chittagong Collegiate School, North Amirabad High School (1932), Patiya Ideal High School (1845), Abdus Sobhan Rahat Ali High School (1914), Shah Chand Awlia Alia Madrassa (1928), Fouzdarhat Cadet College (1958), Rangunia Ideal Multipurpose Pilot High School (1915), Satkania Ideal Pilot High School (1902), Garangia Islamia Kamil Madrassa (1920), Ramgati Ramdhan Abdul Bari Chowdhury High School (1898), Banigram Primary School (1881).

Locally published newspapers and periodicals Present: Daily Azadi, Daily Purbokon, Daily Life, Daily Karnafuli, Weekly Chattala; extinct: Monthly Sanshodhani, Purobi, Mukulika, Simanto; Weekly Jyoti, Weekly Sultan, Daily Jyoti, Daily Rashtrobarta, Daily East Pakistan and Daily Azan.

Main occupations Agriculture 18.71%, fishing 1.16%, agricultural labourer 12.13%, wage labourer 3.54%, industry 1.72%, commerce 16.58%, transport 4.52%, construction 1.43%, service 24.09% and others 16.12%.

Land use Total cultivable land 223782.40 hectares; fallow land (wetland) 115901.25 hectares; forest 162082.56 hectares; hilly area 172759.21 hectares; single crop 29%, double crop 54% and treble crop 17%; cultivable land under irrigation 34.18%.

Land control Among the peasants 25% are landless, 27% small, 15% intermediate, 3% rich and 30% marginal; cultivable land per head 0.04 hectare.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is approximately Tk. 17000 per 0.01 hactare.

Main crops Paddy, betelleaf, potato, corn, turmeric, tea, peanut, mustard, patol (heap), brinjal, ginger, cucumber and vegetables.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Local varieties of rice.

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, guava, coconut, betel nut, palm, litchi, banana, papaya, watermelon and lemon.

Fisheries, dairies, poultries Dairy 1637, poultry 3257, hatchery (fishery) 7; dry fish work in the coastal areas of Anwara, Patiya, Cornel hut and Banshkhali.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 985.32 km, semi pucca 912.87 km, mud road 6534 km; railways 146 km; waterways 67 nautical mile; airport 1.

Traditional transport Palanquin, horse carriage and bullock cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.

Manufactories Major manufactories include Eastern Refinery, Pahartali Railway Workshops, Fouzi Flour mill, Jamuna Oil Company, Glaxo Welcome, Lever Brothers, KDS Garments etc.

Main exports Tea, leather, dried fish and readymade garments.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are caritas, YMCA, brac, FPAB, NGO forum for DWSS, ucep, proshika, asa, nijera kari, CODEC, Mamta, Love the Children Foundation, Sheba Shango, IMAGE, Chittagong Anti-drug Abuse Society, CWFP, Bita, Prottashi, Palli Progati Sangstha, Grammen Projukti (technical) Kendra, Bangladesh Samaj Unnayan Sangstha, SDI, Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha, Gana Unnayan Prachesta.

Health centres Medical college hospital 1, general hospital 1, upazila health complex 15, family welfare centre 112, TB hospital 1, infectious disease hospital 1, diabetic hospital 1, mother and children hospital 4, police hospital 1, jail hospital 1 and Bandar (port) hospital 1. [Jasim Uddin Harun]

Chandpur (Town) a municipal town, stands on the bank of the Meghna. Its area is 7.77 sq km. It consists of 15 wards and 75 mahallas. The town has a population of 94821; male 50.77%, female 49.23%. Literacy rate among the town people is 56.4%. Chandpur Municipality was established in 1897. In the map of Greater Bengal by James Renel Chandpur has been exactly indicated along with Tripura.

JN Sengupta thinks that Chandpur was named after zamindar Chand Ray of Bikrampur. Some people think that it was named after darvish Chand Fakir of village Koralia adjacent to the town. Again, some people think that it was named after Chand Sawdagar of the maimansingha gitika who used to come to this port for trade with his Swapta Dinga "Madhukar". During the first part of the twentieth century some European and Indian business firms established several jute mills here. But with the partition of Indian sub continent in 1947 most of these business establishments were closed down. This port was an important centre for jute and grain trades. Besides, many other trades on ship building, salt refinery, fishing net making and oil production are present in this port. However, some parts of the town have submerged into riverbed due to erosion and the Puran (old) Bazar is now under threat of river erosion. Since 1973 Tk 35 crores have been spent to build town protection dam with blocks.

Administration Chandpur sub-division was established in 1878 and was included in Tripura district. It was turned into a district in 1984. The district consists of 6 municipalities, 60 wards, 195 mahallas, 7 upazilas, 1 thana, 87 union parishads and 1226 villages. The municipalities are Chandpur Sadar, Shahrasti, Matlab, Changer Char and Hajiganj and the upazilas are chandpur sadar, hajiganj, kachua, faridganj, matlab, haimchar and shahrasti.

Archaeological heritage and relics Rasti Shah Dargah, Begum Mosque, Hajiganj Bara Mosque, Suja Mosque, Alamgiri Mosque, Mada Khan Mosque, Kalimandir at Matlab, Math at Lohagara, Math at Naorai, Math at Tultuli (Kachua), Raths at Sachar and Matlab, Pata of Behula at Ujani, ramnants of the fort at Nasir Court, Kali Bari at Meher, Neelkuthi at Shahebganj, Baraduara at Kasimbazar, Kalibari Mandir (1878) at Chandpur Sadar.

Marks of War of Liberation Memorial monument "Aungikar", Amra tomader bhulbana (we shall never forget you) at Faridganj, "Dipta Bangladesh" at Matlab and Chandrakandi memorial monument (Sadullahpur, Matlab); mass killing site: Raghunathpur Bazar (Hajiganj), Hamidia Jute Mils Compound, North and south Ray Sree; mass grave: Nasircourt (Hajiganj).

Population 2210162; male 48.67%, female 51.33%; Muslim 92.55%, Hindu 7.18%, Buddhist 0.06%, Christian 0.07% and others 0.14%.

Religious institutions Mosque 2852, temple 286, Church 2, most noted religious institutions are Begum Mosque, Puran Bazar Mosque, Shah Suja Mosque, Firoz Khan Mosque, Pasha Ghazi Mosque, Palgiri Mosque, Madakhan Mosque, Rasti Shah Dargah, Akra of Lakhinarayan Jeor, Chandpur Kalibari, Ajachak Asram, Kundubari Durga Mandir, Ramkrishna Mission, Harisava, New Zealand Baptist Missionaries, Meher Kali Bari.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 37.8%; male 42.7%, female 33%. Educational institutions: university college 1, government college 2, non-government college 36, primary teacher's training institute 1, government high school 6, non-government high school 224, madrasa 1157, government primary school 786, non-government primary school 684, mass education school 76, BRAC school 28, community school 61, satellite school 37, kindergarten school 11, government deaf and dump school 1.

Locally published newspapers and periodicals Dainik Chandpur Kantha, Chandpur Darpan; Weekly Chandpur Sangbad, Weekly Chandpur Sangbad, Weekly Rupasi, Weekly Dibachitra, Weekly Hajiganj; extinct- Nababanga (1947), Alo (1947), Weekly Annagram (1960), Bharat Hitashi, Rakta Palash, Raktim Surya and Mohana.

Cultural organisations Club 460, public library 9, cinema hall 12, theatre group 14, literary society 5, park 2, youth organisation 45, cooperative society 3129, voluntary organisation 451 and women's organisation 15.

Main occupations Agriculture 35.13%, fishing 3.03%, agricultural labour 20.04%, wage labourer 3.15%, commerce 12%, transport 2.24%, construction 1.64%, service 11.68%, others 11.09%.

Land use Total land 167009 hectares, cultivable land 112210 hectares; fallow land 48311 hectares; single crop 15.03%, double crop 59.93% and treble crop 25.04%; land under irrigation 60921 hectares.

Land control Among the peasants 22% are landless, 27% marginal, 39% small, 10% intermediate and 2% rich; cultivable land per head 0.08 hectare.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is Tk 10000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, jute, mustard seed, supari (nut), wheat, potato and sugarcane.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Linseed, sesame, kaun and china, local variety of rice, varieties of dal (pulse).

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, papaya, banana, papaya, coconut, palm and guava.

Fisheries, dairies, and poultry's Poultry 331, dairy 92, fishery 4076 and hatchery 113.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 215 km, semi pucca 91 km and mud road 1407 km; railways: 50 km; waterways: 190 nautical mile.

Traditional transport Palanquin, bullock cart and horse carriage. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.

Manufactories Jute mills 11, rice and flour mill 185, ice factory 14, cold storage 4, chemical industries 1, iron work 3, aluminum product 1, match factory 2.

Cottage industries Cottage industries include weaving, shital pati, potteries, bamboo and cane work, fishing net making, blacksmith, tailoring, goldsmith.

Hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats and bazars are 213, most noted of which are Puran Bazar, Natun Bazar, Baburhat, Kachua, Faridganj, Fatehpur, Suchipara, Begum Bazar, Hajiganj, Warukh, Matlab, Shahtali, Satnal; noted fairs are Austami Snan Mela (Chandpur), Meher Kali Mela (Shahrasti), Paush Samkranti Mela, Bijoy Mela, Asutami Mela (Aliganj, Hajiganj), Beltali Mela (Matlab) and Boi (book) Mela.

Main exports Hilsa fish, shrimp, betel nut and potato.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac, asa, CARE, grameen bank, Autta Nibedita, Aman, DPHE, BAVS, VOSD, Save Our Life.

Health centres Zila sadar hospital 1, charitable dispensary 1, upazila health complex 7, satellite clinic 20, health and family welfare centre 76, maternity centre 3, eye hospital 1, diabetic hospital 1, red crescent hospital 1, tuberculosis hospital 1, private clinic 6, railway hospital 1. [Abul Khaer Khan]

Brahmanbaria (Town) consists of 12 wards and 46 mahallas. The area of the town is 30.82 sq km. It has a population of 131334; male 51.34%, female 48.66%. Literacy rate among the town people is 52.3%. Brahmanbaria town began to grow from the nineteenth century. The town was turned into a municipality in 1869. The tomb of Hazrat Syed Kazi Mahmud Shah (R) is located at Kazipara of the town. During the invasion of Munipur by the British in 1824. Brahmanbaria town was their military headquarters. The main business centres of the town are Ananda Bazar and Tanbazar. Other notable areas of the town are Jagatbazar, Mahabedab Patti, Kalaishreepara, Madhyapara, Kazipara and Kandhipara.

Brahmanbaria town has a rich tradition of the cultivation of art, education and culture. It is often figuralily called the cultural capital of Bangladesh. To the field of literature the contributions of Adyta Mallavarman, Jotirindra Nandi, Abdul Kadir and Al Mahmud are remarkable.he Town also represents a rich tradition of the cultivation of music. TUstad Ayet Ali Khan established the Alauddin Music College in 1957 and Shilpacharya Joinul Abedin established the Alauddin Sangitayan in 1975. Those who contributed to the development of music in Brahmanbaria town mention may be made of Ustad Fakir (Tapas) Aftab Uddin Khan, Ustad Alauddin Khan, Ustad Ayet Ali Khan, Ustad Ali Akbor Khan, Ustad Bahadur Hussain Khan, Ustad Abed Hussain Khan, Ustad Khadem Hussain Khan, Ustad Raja Hussain Khan, Amar Paul, Ustad Khurshid Khan, Ustad Subal Das and Ustad Afjalur Rahman.

Administration Brahmanbaria district, which was included in Comilla district (formerly Tipera district) was established in 1984. Before 1830 the Sarail Pargana was a part of Mymensingh district. The district has 4 municipalities, 39 wards, 97 mahallas, 7 upazilas, 98 union parishads, 1052 mouzas and 1329 villages. The upazilas are banchharampur, kasba, nabinagar, nasirnagar, brahmanbaria sadar and akhaura.

Archaeological heritage and relics Arphail Sagardighi Mosque and Twin Graves (sixteenth century, Sarail), Arphannesa Mosque (1662, Sarail), Bhadurghar Shahi Mosque (1084 AH), Ulchapara Mosque (sixteenth century), tomb of Kalla Shahid (R, Akhaura), Kalbhairab Mandir (Brahmanbaria), Sree Sree Anandamoye Ashram (seventeenth century) at Kasba, Satidaha Mandir (Biddakut), Shiva Mandir (Natghar), Sarvadharma Samanya Mandir (Kalikachha), Jagannath Mandir (Nasirnagar), Bishnu Statue (Baghaura), buddhist viharas (Devgram), Kailaghar Jangal (Kasba), Hatir Pool (elephant bridge) at Baraiura, Zamindar Bari of Haripur, Basudeva Statue (Kalikachha), Nabinagar Math, Haraspur Zamindar Bari, Brahmanbaria Archives and Museum, Anderson Memorial (Kautali).

Historical events Brahmanbaria was a part of samatata Janapada of the ancient Bengal. The first and temporary capital of isa khan was at Sarail 10 km on the north of Brahmanbaria Town. When the swadeshi movement began in the wake of the partition of Bengal (1905), revolutionary Ullaskar Datta (Aviram) was convicted for throwing bomb explosion and was deported to the Andamans. On 14 December 1931 Suniti Chowdhury, Shanti Ghosh and Gopal Deb killed the then District magistrate CCB Stevens at his residence by gun shot. During the peasant movement in 1930 Congress leader Abdul Hakim asked the peasant to stop payment of taxes. During the no-rent movement four civilians were killed when the British soldiers indiscriminately fired on civilians. During the War of Liberation Bir Srestha mohammad mostafa kamal was killed in an encounter at Daruin of Akhaura.

Marks of the War of Liberation Mass graves and slaughter places: Places adjacent to Pairtala Railway Bridge, west side of Judge Court, Kautali WAPDA Office, west side of Asuganj Silo, west bank of Gangasagar Dighi (Akhaura), Asuganj IGMN Steamer Ghat, Lalpur Bazar, Shahbajpur Titas Bridge, Lakshmipur (Kasba), Kella Pathar (Kasba); memorial monuments: Shahid Smriti Shaudha (Faruki Park), Shaudha Hiranmaya (Kautali), Shahid Samadi Complex, Bijoy Statue (Asuganj), playground of Sarail Degree College; grave yard of Bir Shreshta Mustafa Kamal (Mogra).

Population 2365880; male 49.49%, female 50.51%; Muslim 90.73%, Hindu 9.07%, Buddhist 0.05%, Christian 0.04% and others 0.11%.

Religious institutions Mosque 1987, temple 134, church 2, tomb 30 and sacred places 5. Noted religious institutions: Brahmanbaria Jami Mosque, Hatkhola Jami Mosque and Sagardighi Mosque at Sarail, Registry Office Jami Mosque and Shah Saheb Bari Jami Mosque at Nabinagar, Sree Sree Harisava Mandir (Nabinagar), Kalbhairav Mandir (Brahmanbaria), Brahmanbaria Baptist Church, tombs of Kutub Shah, Kala Shah and Ayet Shah (Sarail), tomb of Hazrat Kalla Shahid (Akhaura) and Dayamoye Asram (Sarail).

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 26.6%; male 32.7% and female 20.3%. Educational institutions: government college 2, non-government college 27, homeopath college 1, law college 1, government high school 7, non-government high school 144, junior high school 44, madrasa 78, government primary school 690, non-government primary school 323, nursing institute 1, primary training institute 1, deaf and damp school 1, blind school 1, industrial school 1, vocational training institute 2, textile engineering and technology school 1, community school 4, music school 4 and satellite school 14. Noted educational institution: Brahmanbaria Government College (1948), Brahmanbaria Annada Government High School (1875), Government Model Girl's High School (1936), Ramkanai Jamia Islamia Younusia Madrasa (1334 AH), Debgram Pilot High School (1905, Akhaura), Bangladesh Railway Government High School (1920), Kasba Government High School (1899), Kuti Atalbihari High School (1918), Nabinagar Pilot High School (1896), Phandauk PR High School (1938, Nasirnagar), Sarail Annada Government High School (1893), Chunta AC Academy (Sarail).

Locally published newspapers and periodicals Dailiy Brahmanbaria (1992), Daily Pratibedan (1993), Daily Ajker Halchal (1997), Daily Titas Kanth (1999), Daily Samatat Barta (2000), Daily Dindarpan (2000); Weekly Titas, Weekly Penbridg (1999), Fortnightly Charch (1997); Periodicals- Sahitya Academy Patrika, Nasirnagar Barta, Sarail Barta, Muktaprabaha; extinct- Bangabandhu (1875, Kalikachha), Usha (1893), Hira (1894), Sudhakar (nineteenth century), Santan (1913), Palli Pradip (1920, Kalikachha), Al Bushra (1921), Prajabandhu (1920), Chunta Prakash (1926), Tripura Prakash (1301 BS), Rayat Bandhu (1929, Kalikachha), Jayanti (nineteenth century), Sebak (1957), Parichaya (1964), Samaj (1966), Pari (1966), Vhela (1967), Tridhara (1967), Pratinidhi (1970), Pratibedan (1979), Renessa (1988), Belaseshe (1992, Sarail).

Cultural organisations Club 89, public library 9, cinema hall 16, womem's organisation 80, community centre 8, Shilpakala Academy 1, Shishu Academy 1, Museum 1, theatre stage 1, theatre group 8, opera party (extinct) 20, circus party 1, puppet-show party 10, literary society 20, cooperative society 832 and playground 85. Noted cultural organisations: BGFC Officers' Club, Brahmanbaria Public Library, Brahmanbaria Archives Museum, Town Hall (Ustad Alauddin Khan Municipal Auditorium), Royal Star Circus, Royal Bina Opera, Sahitya Academy; extinct- Lalmohan Library, Swashwata Brahmo-Samaj, Kalyan Sangha (revolutionary organisation), Pabitra Sangha and Sarail-Kalikaschha Club.

Main occupations Agriculture 44.79%, agricultural labourer 15.82%, wage labourer 3.13%, commerce 12.26%, service 6.8%, fishing 2.02% and transport 1.85%, weaving 2.39% and others 10.94%.

Land use Total cultivable land 152280 hectares; fallow land 700 hectares; single crop 28.38%, double crop 53.95% and treble crop land 17.67%; land under irrigation 55.31%.

Land control Among the peasants 11% are landless, 61% small, 24% intermediate and 4% rich; cultivable land per head 0.07 hectare.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is 7500 Taka per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, jute, wheat, mustard seed, potato, onion, garlic, chilli, pulses, brinjal, kakrol and patal. Kakrol produced in Mukundopur of this district deserves special mention.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Linseed, sesame, tobacco, Chaplaish and Kataktara varieties of paddy, arahar and kaun.

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, black berry, papaya, coconut, guava, olive, lemon, litchi, bilimbi and banana.

Fisheries, dairies, poultries Poultry 83, fishery 64, dairy 61, hatchery 43, nursery 17 and artificial breeding centre 1.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 266 km, semi pucca 86 km and mud road 1629 km; waterways 131 nautical mile; railways 71km.

Traditional transport Palanquin, horse carriage and bullock cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.

Manufactories Fertiliser factory, flour mill, rice mill, ice factory, oil mill, saw mill, welding, etc.

Cottage industries Brahmanbaria district is famous for the production of cotton fabrics. In the nineteenth century Tanjeb, fine quality muslin, used to be produced in Sarail. Hats, made of cane, are being produced at Radhika from the British period. Since Brahmanbaria has a rich tradition of boat race, boats are being made at Champanagar. Other cottage industries include weaving, such bamboo work, cane work, handicraft, goldsmith, blacksmith, wood work, potteries and tailoring.

Main hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats and bazars are 245, most noted of which Ananda Bazar, Asuganj, Chandura, Lalpur, Panishwar, Akhaura, Magra, Banchharampur, Dariar Char, Masimnagar, Kasba, Muslimganj, Gopinathpur, Nabinagar, Bhangura, Shibpur, Phandauk, Nasirnagar and Sarail; fair- 20 most noted of which are Kendua Mela, Shiva Bari Mouza Mela (Akhaura), Chaumohoni Mela (Kasba), Radhanagar Baishaki Mela (Nabinagar) and Baruni Mela of Ghazi and Kalu (Sarail).

Mineral resources Natural gas; gas field 3 (Titas Gas, Meghna Gas Field and Saldandi Gas Field).

Main exports Jute, paddy, mustard seed, vegetables, cotton fabrics, handicrafts, natural gas and leather.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are asa, brac, CARE, grameen bank, proshika, Save the Children, Social Marketing Company, IDE, VDC, Ujjiban Kendra, Gana Kalyan Kendra.

Health centres Zila Sadar Hospital 1, upazila health complex 8, health and family planning centre 79, maternity and child welfare centre 2, TB hospital 1, diabetics hospital 1, police hospital 1, prison hospital 1, mission hospital 1, palli health centre 2, satellite clinic 13. [Shekh Muhammad Sayed Ullah Litu]

Brahmanbaria (Town) consists of 12 wards and 46 mahallas. The area of the town is 30.82 sq km. It has a population of 131334; male 51.34%, female 48.66%. Literacy rate among the town people is 52.3%. Brahmanbaria town began to grow from the nineteenth century. The town was turned into a municipality in 1869. The tomb of Hazrat Syed Kazi Mahmud Shah (R) is located at Kazipara of the town. During the invasion of Munipur by the British in 1824. Brahmanbaria town was their military headquarters. The main business centres of the town are Ananda Bazar and Tanbazar. Other notable areas of the town are Jagatbazar, Mahabedab Patti, Kalaishreepara, Madhyapara, Kazipara and Kandhipara.

Brahmanbaria town has a rich tradition of the cultivation of art, education and culture. It is often figuralily called the cultural capital of Bangladesh. To the field of literature the contributions of Adyta Mallavarman, Jotirindra Nandi, Abdul Kadir and Al Mahmud are remarkable.he Town also represents a rich tradition of the cultivation of music. TUstad Ayet Ali Khan established the Alauddin Music College in 1957 and Shilpacharya Joinul Abedin established the Alauddin Sangitayan in 1975. Those who contributed to the development of music in Brahmanbaria town mention may be made of Ustad Fakir (Tapas) Aftab Uddin Khan, Ustad Alauddin Khan, Ustad Ayet Ali Khan, Ustad Ali Akbor Khan, Ustad Bahadur Hussain Khan, Ustad Abed Hussain Khan, Ustad Khadem Hussain Khan, Ustad Raja Hussain Khan, Amar Paul, Ustad Khurshid Khan, Ustad Subal Das and Ustad Afjalur Rahman.

Administration Brahmanbaria district, which was included in Comilla district (formerly Tipera district) was established in 1984. Before 1830 the Sarail Pargana was a part of Mymensingh district. The district has 4 municipalities, 39 wards, 97 mahallas, 7 upazilas, 98 union parishads, 1052 mouzas and 1329 villages. The upazilas are banchharampur, kasba, nabinagar, nasirnagar, brahmanbaria sadar and akhaura.

Archaeological heritage and relics Arphail Sagardighi Mosque and Twin Graves (sixteenth century, Sarail), Arphannesa Mosque (1662, Sarail), Bhadurghar Shahi Mosque (1084 AH), Ulchapara Mosque (sixteenth century), tomb of Kalla Shahid (R, Akhaura), Kalbhairab Mandir (Brahmanbaria), Sree Sree Anandamoye Ashram (seventeenth century) at Kasba, Satidaha Mandir (Biddakut), Shiva Mandir (Natghar), Sarvadharma Samanya Mandir (Kalikachha), Jagannath Mandir (Nasirnagar), Bishnu Statue (Baghaura), buddhist viharas (Devgram), Kailaghar Jangal (Kasba), Hatir Pool (elephant bridge) at Baraiura, Zamindar Bari of Haripur, Basudeva Statue (Kalikachha), Nabinagar Math, Haraspur Zamindar Bari, Brahmanbaria Archives and Museum, Anderson Memorial (Kautali).

Historical events Brahmanbaria was a part of samatata Janapada of the ancient Bengal. The first and temporary capital of isa khan was at Sarail 10 km on the north of Brahmanbaria Town. When the swadeshi movement began in the wake of the partition of Bengal (1905), revolutionary Ullaskar Datta (Aviram) was convicted for throwing bomb explosion and was deported to the Andamans. On 14 December 1931 Suniti Chowdhury, Shanti Ghosh and Gopal Deb killed the then District magistrate CCB Stevens at his residence by gun shot. During the peasant movement in 1930 Congress leader Abdul Hakim asked the peasant to stop payment of taxes. During the no-rent movement four civilians were killed when the British soldiers indiscriminately fired on civilians. During the War of Liberation Bir Srestha mohammad mostafa kamal was killed in an encounter at Daruin of Akhaura.

Marks of the War of Liberation Mass graves and slaughter places: Places adjacent to Pairtala Railway Bridge, west side of Judge Court, Kautali WAPDA Office, west side of Asuganj Silo, west bank of Gangasagar Dighi (Akhaura), Asuganj IGMN Steamer Ghat, Lalpur Bazar, Shahbajpur Titas Bridge, Lakshmipur (Kasba), Kella Pathar (Kasba); memorial monuments: Shahid Smriti Shaudha (Faruki Park), Shaudha Hiranmaya (Kautali), Shahid Samadi Complex, Bijoy Statue (Asuganj), playground of Sarail Degree College; grave yard of Bir Shreshta Mustafa Kamal (Mogra).

Population 2365880; male 49.49%, female 50.51%; Muslim 90.73%, Hindu 9.07%, Buddhist 0.05%, Christian 0.04% and others 0.11%.

Religious institutions Mosque 1987, temple 134, church 2, tomb 30 and sacred places 5. Noted religious institutions: Brahmanbaria Jami Mosque, Hatkhola Jami Mosque and Sagardighi Mosque at Sarail, Registry Office Jami Mosque and Shah Saheb Bari Jami Mosque at Nabinagar, Sree Sree Harisava Mandir (Nabinagar), Kalbhairav Mandir (Brahmanbaria), Brahmanbaria Baptist Church, tombs of Kutub Shah, Kala Shah and Ayet Shah (Sarail), tomb of Hazrat Kalla Shahid (Akhaura) and Dayamoye Asram (Sarail).

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 26.6%; male 32.7% and female 20.3%. Educational institutions: government college 2, non-government college 27, homeopath college 1, law college 1, government high school 7, non-government high school 144, junior high school 44, madrasa 78, government primary school 690, non-government primary school 323, nursing institute 1, primary training institute 1, deaf and damp school 1, blind school 1, industrial school 1, vocational training institute 2, textile engineering and technology school 1, community school 4, music school 4 and satellite school 14. Noted educational institution: Brahmanbaria Government College (1948), Brahmanbaria Annada Government High School (1875), Government Model Girl's High School (1936), Ramkanai Jamia Islamia Younusia Madrasa (1334 AH), Debgram Pilot High School (1905, Akhaura), Bangladesh Railway Government High School (1920), Kasba Government High School (1899), Kuti Atalbihari High School (1918), Nabinagar Pilot High School (1896), Phandauk PR High School (1938, Nasirnagar), Sarail Annada Government High School (1893), Chunta AC Academy (Sarail).

Locally published newspapers and periodicals Dailiy Brahmanbaria (1992), Daily Pratibedan (1993), Daily Ajker Halchal (1997), Daily Titas Kanth (1999), Daily Samatat Barta (2000), Daily Dindarpan (2000); Weekly Titas, Weekly Penbridg (1999), Fortnightly Charch (1997); Periodicals- Sahitya Academy Patrika, Nasirnagar Barta, Sarail Barta, Muktaprabaha; extinct- Bangabandhu (1875, Kalikachha), Usha (1893), Hira (1894), Sudhakar (nineteenth century), Santan (1913), Palli Pradip (1920, Kalikachha), Al Bushra (1921), Prajabandhu (1920), Chunta Prakash (1926), Tripura Prakash (1301 BS), Rayat Bandhu (1929, Kalikachha), Jayanti (nineteenth century), Sebak (1957), Parichaya (1964), Samaj (1966), Pari (1966), Vhela (1967), Tridhara (1967), Pratinidhi (1970), Pratibedan (1979), Renessa (1988), Belaseshe (1992, Sarail).

Cultural organisations Club 89, public library 9, cinema hall 16, womem's organisation 80, community centre 8, Shilpakala Academy 1, Shishu Academy 1, Museum 1, theatre stage 1, theatre group 8, opera party (extinct) 20, circus party 1, puppet-show party 10, literary society 20, cooperative society 832 and playground 85. Noted cultural organisations: BGFC Officers' Club, Brahmanbaria Public Library, Brahmanbaria Archives Museum, Town Hall (Ustad Alauddin Khan Municipal Auditorium), Royal Star Circus, Royal Bina Opera, Sahitya Academy; extinct- Lalmohan Library, Swashwata Brahmo-Samaj, Kalyan Sangha (revolutionary organisation), Pabitra Sangha and Sarail-Kalikaschha Club.

Main occupations Agriculture 44.79%, agricultural labourer 15.82%, wage labourer 3.13%, commerce 12.26%, service 6.8%, fishing 2.02% and transport 1.85%, weaving 2.39% and others 10.94%.

Land use Total cultivable land 152280 hectares; fallow land 700 hectares; single crop 28.38%, double crop 53.95% and treble crop land 17.67%; land under irrigation 55.31%.

Land control Among the peasants 11% are landless, 61% small, 24% intermediate and 4% rich; cultivable land per head 0.07 hectare.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is 7500 Taka per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, jute, wheat, mustard seed, potato, onion, garlic, chilli, pulses, brinjal, kakrol and patal. Kakrol produced in Mukundopur of this district deserves special mention.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Linseed, sesame, tobacco, Chaplaish and Kataktara varieties of paddy, arahar and kaun.

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, black berry, papaya, coconut, guava, olive, lemon, litchi, bilimbi and banana.

Fisheries, dairies, poultries Poultry 83, fishery 64, dairy 61, hatchery 43, nursery 17 and artificial breeding centre 1.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 266 km, semi pucca 86 km and mud road 1629 km; waterways 131 nautical mile; railways 71km.

Traditional transport Palanquin, horse carriage and bullock cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.

Manufactories Fertiliser factory, flour mill, rice mill, ice factory, oil mill, saw mill, welding, etc.

Cottage industries Brahmanbaria district is famous for the production of cotton fabrics. In the nineteenth century Tanjeb, fine quality muslin, used to be produced in Sarail. Hats, made of cane, are being produced at Radhika from the British period. Since Brahmanbaria has a rich tradition of boat race, boats are being made at Champanagar. Other cottage industries include weaving, such bamboo work, cane work, handicraft, goldsmith, blacksmith, wood work, potteries and tailoring.

Main hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats and bazars are 245, most noted of which Ananda Bazar, Asuganj, Chandura, Lalpur, Panishwar, Akhaura, Magra, Banchharampur, Dariar Char, Masimnagar, Kasba, Muslimganj, Gopinathpur, Nabinagar, Bhangura, Shibpur, Phandauk, Nasirnagar and Sarail; fair- 20 most noted of which are Kendua Mela, Shiva Bari Mouza Mela (Akhaura), Chaumohoni Mela (Kasba), Radhanagar Baishaki Mela (Nabinagar) and Baruni Mela of Ghazi and Kalu (Sarail).

Mineral resources Natural gas; gas field 3 (Titas Gas, Meghna Gas Field and Saldandi Gas Field).

Main exports Jute, paddy, mustard seed, vegetables, cotton fabrics, handicrafts, natural gas and leather.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are asa, brac, CARE, grameen bank, proshika, Save the Children, Social Marketing Company, IDE, VDC, Ujjiban Kendra, Gana Kalyan Kendra.

Health centres Zila Sadar Hospital 1, upazila health complex 8, health and family planning centre 79, maternity and child welfare centre 2, TB hospital 1, diabetics hospital 1, police hospital 1, prison hospital 1, mission hospital 1, palli health centre 2, satellite clinic 13. [Shekh Muhammad Sayed Ullah Litu]