# Khagrachhari District

Khagrachhari District (Bengali: খাগড়াছড়ি জেলা), officially Khagrachhari Hill District, is a district in the Chittagong Division of Southeastern Bangladesh. It is a part of the Chittagong Hill Tracts region.

## Etymology

The zila headquarters is located on the bank of the Chengi river (meaning Chhara in local language) which was full of Catkin plants (meaning Khagra in local language). It is believed that the zila might have derived its name from the above two words 'Khagra' and 'Chhara'.

## History

The Chittagong Hill Tracts was loosely under the reign of the Tripura State, the Arakans & the Sultans in different times before it came under the control of the British East India Company in 1760. Although the British got the authority of the Chittagong Hill Tracts in 1760, they had no authority besides collecting nominal taxes. Until 1860, two kings or chiefs governed the internal administration of this region. In 1860, another circle was formed in present Khagrachari zila, inhabited by the Tripura population. The chief or the Raja of this circle was selected from the minority Marma population. The circle was named after the Tripura dialect the Mun Circle, but later, the 'Mun dialect', was changed and renamed as Mong Circle. In 1900 the British offered independent status to Chittagong Hill Tracts recognizing the culture and language of the hill tracts population. But during the Partition of India, this status was abolished and became part of East Bengal, ruled under Pakistan. Then, the name of this subdivision was Ramgarh with its headquarters at Khagrachari. It was upgraded to zila in 1983. Khagrachari Local Govt. Council was established on 6 March 1989 to uphold the political, social, cultural, educational and economic right and to expedite the process of socio-economic development of all residents of Khagrachari Hill District. According to 'Peace Accord' this council was renamed as “Khagrachari Hill District Council (KHDC)” by the Act-10 of 1998. Now this council has been regarded as the main focal point of administration as well as development activities of the district.

## Geography

Khagrachari is a hilly area. It is bounded by Tripura state of India on the north and west, Rangamati district to the east and Chittagong District to the southwest. Notable hill ranges are Golamoon, Chotto Panchari, Karmi Mura, Lutiban, Kuradia, Bhanga Mura, Jopisil.
It has three rivers, namely Chengi, Feni and Maini. Chengi is the longest river in Khagrachhari. The main ethnic groups living in the district are Tripuris, Chakmas, Bengalis and Marmas.

## Demographics

According to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh, Khagrachhari District had 169,526 households and a population of 714,119 with an average 4.14 people per household. Among the population, 144,968 (20.30%) inhabitants were under 10 years of age. Khagrachhari had a literacy rate of 71.80%, compared to the national average of 74.80%, and a sex ratio of 100.27 males to 100 females. Approximately, 41.74% of the population lived in urban areas. The population density was 260 people per km.$^2$.
As per the 2022 Census, there were a total of 349,390 (48.93%) indigenous people in the district. The population of major ethnic minorities living in the district besides the Bengalis, including: Chakma 175,165, Tripura 98,500 and Marma 74,210.
* Bengali (51.07%)
* Chakma (24.53%)
* Tripura (13.79%)
* Marma (10.38%)
* Others (0.21%)

### Bengali in Khagrachhari

According to 2022 census, Bengalis are the largest group in Khagrachhari District(51.07%).
They are largest ethnic group in Matiranga Upazila (76.10%), Manikchhari Upazila (73.57%), Ramgarh Upazila (73.14%) and Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila(40.77%).
| Upazila | District | Percentage of Bengali |
| Matiranga Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 76.10% |
| Manikchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 73.57% |
| Ramgarh Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 73.14% |
| Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 40.77% |
| Dighinala Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 39.00% |
| Mahalchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 36.95% |
| Guimara Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 35.59% |
| Panchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 33.02% |
| Lakshmichhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 25.76% |

### Chakma in Khagrachhari

According to 2022 census, Chakmas are the largest indigenous group in Khagrachhari District(24.53%).
They are the largest ethnic group in Dighinala Upazila (53.38%), Lakshmichhari Upazila(51.33%), Panchhari Upazila (44.04%) and Mahalchhari Upazila (43.52%).
| Upazila | District | Percentage of Chakma |
| Dighinala Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 53.38% |
| Lakshmichhari Upazila, | Khagrachhari District | 51.33% |
| Panchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 44.04% |
| Mahalchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 43.52% |
| Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 27.13% |
| Guimara Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 7.37% |
| Matiranga Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 3.12% |
| Ramgarh Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 2.77% |
| Manikchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 1.93% |

### Tripura in Khagrachhari

According to 2022 census, Tripuras are second largest indigenous group in Khagrachhari District(13.79%).
They are the second largest ethnic group in Matiranga Upazila (18.68%) and Ramgarh Upazila (13.28%)
| Upazila | District | Percentage of Tripura |
| Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 20.99% |
| Panchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 19.36% |
| Guimara Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 18.79% |
| Matiranga Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 18.68% |
| Ramgarh Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 13.28% |
| Dighinala Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 7.38% |
| Manikchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 5.60% |
| Mahalchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 3.97% |
| Lakshmichhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 0.46% |

### Marma in Khagrachhari

According to 2022 census, Marmas are third largest indigenous group in Khagrachhari District (10.39%).
They are the largest indigenous group in Guimara Upazila (38.10%) and second largest in Manikchhari Upazila (18.73%).
| Upazila | District | Percentage of Marma |
| Guimara Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 38.10% |
| Lakshmichhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 21.82% |
| Manikchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 18.73% |
| Mahalchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 15.25% |
| Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 10.86% |
| Ramgarh Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 10.61% |
| Panchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 3.12% |
| Matiranga Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 2.07% |
| Dighinala Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 0.06% |

## Religion

* Islam 46.59 (46.6%)
* Buddhism 35.93 (35.9%)
* Hinduism 16.76 (16.8%)
* Christianity 0.62 (0.62%)
* Other 0.1 (0.10%)
| Religion | 1941$^{:104–105}$ | 1941$^{:104–105}$ | 1981 | 1981 | 1991 | 1991 | 2001 | 2001 | 2011 | 2011 | 2022 | 2022 |
| Religion | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % |
| Tribal | 73,324 | 96.26% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Islam | 712 | 0.94% | 89,630 | 32.19% | 162,504 | 47.44% | 228,753 | 43.52% | 274,258 | 44.18% | 332,687 | 46.59% |
| Buddhism | — | — | 139,166 | 49.98% | 121,631 | 35.51% | 206,473 | 39.28% | 231,309 | 37.68% | 256,600 | 35.93% |
| Hinduism | 26,907 | 6.78% | 48,160 | 17.30% | 57,158 | 16.69% | 86,351 | 16.43% | 103,195 | 16.81% | 119,706 | 16.76% |
| Christianity | 0 | 0% | 637 | 0.23% | 939 | 0.27% | 3745 | 0.71% | 4,070 | 0.66% | 4,407 | 0.62% |
| Others | 207 | 0.27% | 868 | 0.30% | 256 | 0.09% | 342 | 0.06% | 1,085 | 0.18% | 719 | 0.10% |
| Total Population | 76,171 | 100% | 278,461 | 100% | 342,488 | 100% | 525,664 | 100% | 613,917 | 100% | 714,119 | 100% |

### Islam

According to 2022 census, Islam is the largest religion in Khagrachhari district(46.59%).
| Upazila | District | Percentage of Islam |
| Matiranga Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 73.94% |
| Manikchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 68.02% |
| Ramgarh Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 65.48% |
| Dighinala Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 35.70% |
| Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 34.98% |
| Mahalchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 30.94% |
| Panchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 30.78% |
| Guimara Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 30.60% |
| Lakshmichhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 20.07% |

### Buddhism

According to 2022 census, Buddhism is the second largest in Khagrachhari District(35.93%).
| Upazila | District | Percentage of Buddhism |
| Lakshmichhari Upazila, | Khagrachhari District | 77.73% |
| Mahalchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 61.67% |
| Dighinala Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 54.54% |
| Panchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 47.25% |
| Guimara Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 46.74% |
| Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 38.50% |
| Manikchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 21.50% |
| Ramgarh Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 14.63% |
| Matiranga Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 5.58% |

### Hinduism

According to 2022 census, Hinduism is third largest religion in Khagrachhari district(16.76%).
| Upazila | District | Percentage of Hinduism |
| Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 24.76% |
| Guimara Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 22.51% |
| Panchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 21.46% |
| Matiranga Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 19.73% |
| Ramgarh Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 19.16% |
| Manikchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 10.15% |
| Dighinala Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 9.41% |
| Mahalchhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 6.93% |
| Lakshmichhari Upazila | Khagrachhari District | 2.07% |

### Christianity

According to 2022 census, Christianity is the fourth largest religion in Khagrachhari district(0.62%).
Christian form 1.75% in Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila.

## Subdivisions

Upazilas under this district are:
* Dighinala Upazila
* Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila
* Lakshmichhari Upazila
* Mahalchhari Upazila
* Manikchhari Upazila
* Matiranga Upazila
* Panchhari Upazila
* Ramgarh Upazila
* Guimara Upazila

## Administration

Khagrachhari district consist of 3 Paurashava, 9 Upazila/Thana, 38 Union, 122 Mauza, 27 Ward, 153 Mahalla and 1,702 Villages. The upazilas are Dighinala, Khagrachhari Sadar, Lakshmichhari, Mahalchhari, Manikchhari, Matiranga, Panchhari, Ramgarh and Guimara.
Deputy Commissioner (DC): Md. Shahiduzzaman
Chairman of Hill District Council: Mr. Kongjari Chowdhury

## Economy

Most of the people live on Jhum cultivation. There are also people of various professions like teacher, farmer and businessmen. Tourism is becoming a strong income source for the local.
Main sources of income Agriculture 59.92%, non-agricultural labourer 9.33%, industry 0.44%, commerce 10.67%, transport and communication 1.11%, service 7.94%, construction 0.92%, religious service 0.24%, rent and remittance 0.37% and others 9.06%.

## Education

Rate of school going student is 44.07%. There are 18 colleges, 71 high schools, 13 madrasa and different kinds of educational institutions.
Noted educational institutions:
* Khagrachhari Government College (1974)
* Matiranga Degree College (1992)
* Tabalchari Greenhill College (2009)
* Ramgarh Government Degree College (1980)
* Panchhari College (1990)
* Dighinala Government College
* Khagrachhri Cantonmet public school and college (2006),
* Panchhari High School and College (1981)
* Khagrachhari Government High School (1957)
* Tabalchhari Kadamtoli High School (1952)
* Matiranga Pailot High school
* Gomti B.K High school
* Santipur High School
* Amtoli High school
* Taindong High School
* Matiranga Girls High School
* Khadachora High School
* Bornal Moktizodha High School
* Matiranga Reacidencial High School
* Ramgarh Government High School (1952)
* Rani Nihar Devi Government High School (1976)
* Dighinala Government High School
* Choto Merung High School (1975)
* Thakurchara High School (1979)
* Khagrachhari North Khobongpodia Government Primary School (1905)

## Archaeological heritage and relics

Among the archaeological heritages and relics, Rajbari of the Mong Circle and Dighi (large pond) of Dighinala (excavated by Gobinda Manikya Bahadur exiled king of Tripura) are notable.

## Transport

Palanquin, elephant cart, buffalo cart, horse carriage, bullock cart and country boat were the traditional transports once found in the rural area of the zila. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct except country boat. Now-a-days, all the upazilas are connected to the zila headquarters by metalled roads. Bus, minibus, three wheelers, pickup van ply over the zila. Chander Gari (local four wheeled jeep) is a popular transport used to ply in the hill area of the zila.

## Climate

Temperature and Rainfall: The annual average temperature of the zila varies from maximum 34.6 °C to minimum 13 °C and the average annual rainfall is 3031 mm.

## Member of Parliament

| Election | Member | Party |
| 1986 | A. K. M. Alim Ullah | Jatiya Party (Ershad) |
| 1988 | A. K. M. Alim Ullah | Jatiya Party (Ershad) |
| 1991 | Kalparanjan Chakma | Bangladesh Awami League |
| 1996 | Kalparanjan Chakma | Bangladesh Awami League |
| 2001 | Wadud Bhuiyan | Bangladesh Nationalist Party |
| 2008 | Jotindra Lal Tripura | Bangladesh Awami League |
| 2014 | Kujendra Lal Tripura | Bangladesh Awami League |
| 2018 | Kujendra Lal Tripura | Bangladesh Awami League |
| 2024 | Kujendra Lal Tripura | Bangladesh Awami League |

## Notable persons

* A. K. M. Alim Ullah
* Wadud Bhuiyan
* Mong Sui Thowai Chowdhury
* Kujendra Lal Tripura
* Jotindra Lal Tripura
* Birendra Kishore Roaza
* Kalparanjan Chakma
* Upendra Lal Chakma
* Monika Chakma
* Basanti Chakma
* Supradip Chakma
* Aungmraching Marma
* Anai Mogini
* Anuching Mogini