Rangamati Hill District at a glance.

1. Previous name of Rangamati Hill District            :  Karpas Mohol 

2. Creation of Rangamati Hill District                      : 20 June 2007 

3. Total Land Area                                                : 6116.13 sq. Kilometers 

4. Total Area of Kaptai Lake                                 : 356 sq. Kilometers 

5. Population                                                          : 5,25,100 thousand( as per census                                                                                                         of 2001 )

6. Number of Constituencies                                       : 1 

7. Number of Upazilla                                                  : 10 nos. 

8. Education Rate                                                         : 58.85% 

9. Number of Union                                                      : 48 nos. 

10. Circle                                                                       : 2( Bomang &  Chakma) 

11. Number of  Mouza                                                  : 159 nos. 

12. Number of Village                                                   : 1,353 nos. 

13. Highest peak of the District                                    : Thangnang( 2,405 feet) 

14. Number of Collages                                                 : 12 nos.( govt. 2 nos., non-govt. 10

                                                                                                        nos.) 

15. Number of High Schools                                          : 66 nos., (6 govt., 60 non-govt.) 

16. Number of Madrasas( Religious School )               : 8 nos. 

17. Number of Primary School                                      : 591 nos.( 391 govt.,200 non-

                                                                                                             govt.) 

18. Number of Mosque                                                    : 256 nos. 

19. Number of Kiang                                                       : 326 nos. 

20. Number of Temple                                                     : 35 nos. 

21. Number of  Church                                                    : 24 nos. 

22. Main Croup/Fruits                                                    :a) Rice, Potato, Mustard,

                                                                                        Turmeric, Zinger, Cotton, 

                                                                                        b)Pineapple, Water Melon,

                                                                                        Banana, Jackfruit, Mango,

                                                                                        Coconut, Lemon, Olive etc.

 23.  Number of  Cottage Industries                               : 8,347 nos. 

24. Number of  unit of Kaptai Hydroelectric Project  :  5, (Power generation capacity

                                                                                                    230 MW.) 

25. Earth Satellite Station                                               :  1 

26. Television Transmission Station                                : 1 

27. Radio Transmission Station                                      : 1 

28. Tea Garden                                                             : 1

29. Road

      a) Metal led                                                                 : 467 Km.

      b) Half - Metal led                                                      : 122.89 Km.

      c) Non- Metal led                                                        : 1919 Km. 

30. Hat & Bazar                                                                : 49 nos. 

31. Tourist Spots                                                               : Kaptai Lake, Water fall of

                                                                                               Shovolong, Rajbari, Tribal

                                                                                               Museum, Hanging Bridge of

                                                                                               Parjotan Complex, Kaptai

                                                                                               Hydro Electric Project, Kaptai

                                                                                               National Park, Karnophuli 

                                                                                               Paper Mills, Rajban Bihar,

                                                                                               Chitmorom Buddhist Temple ,

                                                                                                Shapchori Furamon Hill etc.   

First Forbes of Deputy Commissioner 1885

            Fighting Ethnic Women in Rangamati.

Lake view at Rangamati Kapti Lake.

Present Scenario of Rangamati.

In 1989, Government enacted the following laws relating to Chittagong Hill Tracts :
(a) Repeal of 1900 Reuglation ( Act No. XVI of 1989)
(b) Rangamati Local Govt. Council Act ( Act No. XIX of 1989)
As per Act of Rangamati local Govt. Council, 15 departments/subjects have been transferred to Zilla Parishad and few more departments are in the process of transfer to the Zilla Parishad.
On 2nd December 1997, peace accord between govt. and PCJSS was concluded and that was passed in the parliament, Under this agreement, Ministry of Hill Tracts Affairs & Regional Council have been setup and many changes have been brought in the Act of Zilla Parishad. As per peace accord, Chairmanships of Zilla Parishad, Regional Council and Refugee Rehabilitation Taskforce are kept reserve for tribal people. Unlike plain districts, Chairman of Zilla Parishad presides over the monthly co-ordination meeting. Apart from this, Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board is a active player in the field of development work. Circle chief, Raja of the tribal people, also plays a vital role in administration. International Agencies like UNDP and ADB are directly involved in implementing some development works in this district.
Against the peace treaty and demand for complete autonomy of this region, an organization in the name of UPDF has been formed. UPDF & PCJSS are in confrontation to each other and creating unrest in Hill Tracts. Apart from this, non-tribal people have also formed different organization in the name of Hill Tracts Bangali Gana Parishad, Adibashi Bangali Parishad etc. to establish their rights & demands, However, the overall law & order situation in this region is much better than that of pre-peace treaty period. But there is every possibility to deteriorate law & order due to mistrust exist between tribal & non-tribal people as well as terrorist activities between PCJSS & UPDF. So, the task of the Deputy Commissioner is becoming challenging day by day. Because, he is primarily responsible for maintaining the law & order in the district.
ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT
Rangamati Hill District consists of 10 Upazilas, 48 Unions, 159 Mouzas, 1347 villages and 2 Pourashavas. The Upazillas are Rangamati Sadar, Kaptai, Kowkhali, Rajastali, Bilaichari, Langadu, Naniarchar, Juraichari, Barkal & Baghaichari. Each Upazilla has one police station Except Kaptai where there are two police station namely Kaptai and Chandraghona.Two Pourashavas are Rangamati and Baghaichari. There are 159 Mouzas, 155Headman (head of Mouza)&1030 Karbari (head of para), concerning with the traditional land revenue system, are working in this district.
DEMOGRAPHIC FEATURES
The total area of this distrtict is 611.13 square Km. of which 53.54 sq. km is riverine and 4824.63 sq.km.is under forest vegetation. The total population is 5,07,180 accordinr to 2001 census of which tribal 52% and non-tribal 48%. The number of males is 2,71,813 and the femaleS are 2,35,367 (Census 2001). The density of population is 83 per square kilometer (Census 2001). The number of household is 1,03,974 having the household size 4.8(Census 2001). The total population is divided into Bangalees and seven tribes (ethnic minorities): Chakma, Marma, Tanchangya, Tripura, Pankua, Lushi & khiang.
EDUCATION

The literacy rate of this district is 58.85% (education census 1999). The number of school going student are 1,80,520 of which 1,23,324 & 57,196 are boys and girls respectively (education census, 1999). Percentage of children having 6-10 years enrolled (net) in primary school is 69% and percentage of net intake rate (Grade-1) in primary school is 24% (UNICEF Bullitin, 1999).

Superintendent to Deputy commissioner & Chandragona to Rangamati.

In 1867, the official designation of the officer in charge of the Hill Tracts of Chittagong was changed from Superintendent to Deputy Commissioner and he was vested with full control of all matters pertaining both to revenue and justice. In 1868, head quarter of the district was transferred from Chandraghona to Rangamati for administrative reasons.

Under the East India Company (1760-1947) and creation of Chittagong Hill Tracts as a district with its H.Q. at Chandragona.

The hill tribes living within Hill Tracts had constantly been subject to raid from the independent tribes and in consequences of an attack on a fort situated on the Kaptai Khal, the Commissioner in 1859 recommended the removal of the Hill Tracts from the Regulation District and the appointment of a Superintendent over the hill tribes. Both of these recommendations were adopted by act XXII, 1860. Accordingly, the Hill Tracts were separated from the Regulation District and an officer with the title of Superintendent of hill tribes was appointed. The hills in his charge were henceforth known by the name of Hill Tracts of Chittagong with its head quarter at Chandraghona.

Mughal Conquest (1616-1760) & renamed as Islamabad.

Shaista Khan, the Mughal Governor of Bengal under emperor Aurangazeb Alamgir conquered the district in 1666 and named of Chatgoan was changed to Islamabad which was in Mughal possession till 1760 AD, when it was coded to the East India Company by Mir Kashim Ali Khan, the semi independent Governor under Mughals

Contest between rulers of Tripura & Arakan (1515-1666)

During the period (1515-1666), either Hill Tripura or Arakan was the ruler of Chittagong and Hill Chittagong.

Conquest by Bengal Sultan (1338-1515) & settlement of Chakma’s at Ramu & Teknaf.

Sultan Fakruddin Mubarak shah conquered Chittagong including Hill Chittagong during 1338-49. In 1418, The Chakma king Mwan Tsni was driven out from upper Burma, because of his alleged disrespect towards Buddhism. He took shelter at Ali kadam under the muslim officer. He settled the Chakmas at Ramu and Teknaf.

Welcome to rangamati.

A bone of contention between Hill Tripura and Arakan(590 - 1240)
Chittagong Hill Tracts was a district with a unique status. It was neither a regular district like Chittagong nor an indirectly ruled “Princely state" like Hill Tripura. Chittagong Hill Tracts and Chittagong formed a bone of contention between the rulers of Hill-Tripura and Arakan and it frequently changed hands. According to the account, Bira Raja was the founder of Hill Tripura Raj Dynasty in 590 AD. He defeated the king of Hill Chittagong and made Rangamati his capital. In 953 AD,. Tsula Tsandra, a king of Arakan occupied the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Again in 1240 AD, the king of Tripura occupied this region.