Chittagong District

Chittagong District, renamed the Chattogram District, is a district located in the south-eastern region of Bangladesh. It is a part of the Chittagong Division. The port city of Chittagong, which is the second largest city in Bangladesh, is located within this district.

History

Because of the natural harbour, Chittagong had been an important location for trade, drawing Arab traders as early as the 9th century CE. The region fell under the rule of kings from Arakan in the 16th and 17th centuries, but later, the Mughal Army under Shaista Khan conquered Chittagong. During the 17th century, the region also faced a lot of attacks by Portuguese pirates. The Mughals established Chittagong as a district in 1666. Chittagong is the 2nd largest district in Bangladesh by population and area. The Chittagong Hill Tracts were separated from Chittagong in 1860. In 1947, Chittagong came under Pakistan and became part a district of East Pakistan. Port of Chittagong was a big spot for exports and imports of Pakistan. After the liberation of Bangladesh, Cox’s Bazar District was separated in 1984.

Administration

• Administrator of Zila Porishod: M A Salam
• Deputy Commissioner (DC): Mohammad Elius Hossain 

Subdivisions

There are 15 upazilas and 15 thanas (the latter under Chittagong Municipal area) within Chittagong District.

The upazilas are:

The thanas are:

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1974	3,506,150	—
1981	4,465,158	+3.51%
1991	5,296,127	+1.72%
2001	6,612,140	+2.24%
2011	7,616,352	+1.42%
Sources:

According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Chittagong District had a population of 7,616,352, of which 3,838,854 were males and 3,777,498 females. Rural population was 4,463,723 (58.61%) while the urban population was 3,152,629 (41.39%). Chittagong district had a literacy rate of 58.91% for the population 7 years and above: 61.13% for males and 56.56% for females.

Religion

Chittagong is multi-religious. Muslims are in majority with 86.90%, while Hindus and Buddhists are 11.31% and 1.59% respectively. Chittagong has the largest population of Hindus of any district in Bangladesh. Most of the Buddhists are Baruas and their population is decreasing with emigration, while Muslims and Hindus are both increasing in numbers, with Hindus growing more slowly.

Chittagong District has 13,148 mosques, 1025 Hindu temples, 535 Buddhist temples and 192 churches. Fakira Mosque in Hathazari, Musa Khan Mosque, Hafez Para Jame Mosque in Putibila, LOHAGARA, Kura Katni Mosque, Hashimpur Kadam Rasool Mosque in Chandanaish, the 16th century Kala Mosques, Chhuti Khan Mosque, Kadam Mobara Mosque, Andar Killah Mosque, Bakshi Hamid Mosque of Bashkhali, and East Gomdandi Chowdhury Para Old Mosque of Boalkhali are famous mosques in Chittagong. Also Badar Awlia Dargah is a tomb in Chittagong.

The ethnic population is 32,165, consisting mainly of Tripuris and Chakmas.

Education

Colleges

• Kulgaon City Corporation College
• Gachbaria Govt. College
• Patiya Govt. College
• Chittagong Cantonment Public College
• Chittagong College
• Satbaria Oli Ahmad Bir Bikram College
• Anowara Govt. College
• Govt. Hazi Mohammad Mohsin College
• Govt. City College
• Govt. Commerce College
• Nasirabad Govt. Woman College
• Faujdarhat Cadet College
• Chittagong Polytechnic Institute
• Chittagong Mohila Polytechnic Institute
• Halishahar Cantonment Public School and College
• Chunati Government Girls College, LOHAGARA

Universities

• Chittagong University
• Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology
• BGC Trust University Bangladesh
• International Islamic University Chittagong
• East Delta University
• Premier University, Chittagong
• Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
• Chittagong Medical University
• University of Science and Technology, Chittagong
• University of Creative Technology, Chittagong
• Southern University Bangladesh

Medical colleges

• Chittagong Medical College
• BGC Trust Medical College, Chandanaish
• CHİTTAGONG DENTAL COLLEGE

Language and Culture

Chittagong’s official language is Bangla but they have their own language which is called Chittagonian language. This language is distinct from Bangla. It has its own grammar, phonology and vocabulary.

Notable people