Knowing Bangladesh
Rangamati district
Area: 6116.13 sq km, located in between 2227 and 2344 north latitudes and in between 9156 and 9233 east longitudes. It is bounded by Tripura state of India on the north, Bandarban district on the south, Mizoram state of India and Chinpradesh of Mayanmar on the east, Khagrachhari and Chittagong districts on the west.
Population: Total 508182; male 274551, female 233631; Muslim 187132, Hindu 26944, Buddhist 8781, Christian 284906 and others 419. Indigenous communities such as Santal, Chakma, Marma, Manipuri, Tanchangya, Tripura, Bome, Chak, Khumi, Kheyang, Lushei, Mro, Murang, Pankho belong to this upazila.
Water bodies: Main rivers: Karnafuli, Kassalong, Chengi, Myani; Kaptai lake is notable.
Administration: Rangamati sub-division was turned into a district in 1983. Of the ten upazilas of the districts Baghaichhari is the largest (1931.28 sq km) and Rajasthali is the smallest (145.04 sq km).
Archaeological heritage and relics: Palace, dighi and mosque of Raja Jan Baksh Khan, remnants of the residence of Raja Harish Chandra Roy (1873), residence of the Deputy Commissioner (1868).
War of History of the Liberation: Ranagamati district was under Sector 1 during the War of Liberation.
On 27 March 1971, a temporary training camp was established in the playground of the Station Club to locally train the freedom fighters.
On 2 April, then Deputy Commissioner Hossain Towfiq Imam distributed a huge amount of money and arms and ammunitions (belonging to Police, EPR and Ansar) to the freedom fighters from the treasury. On 20 April Lance Naik Munshi Abdur Rauf of 8 East Bengal Regiment destroyed 2 gun boats and one speed boat of the Pak army and drowned to death about one platoon Pak soldiers. He ultimately embraced martyrdom. In recognition to his heroic role he was awarded with the title Birsrestha.
There were Pak army bases at Barkal, Farua and Shukur Chhari in 1971. Nearlymore than one hundred freedom fighters were killed in encounters with the Pak army in Farua area. Rangamati district was liberated on 14 December.
Literacy rate and educational institutions: Average literacy 43.60%; male 51.47%, female 34.21%. Educational institutions: primary teachers training institute, polytechnic institute 1, technical training institute 1, college 13, pali college 3, secondary school 177, primary school 512, kindergarten 13, community school 10, madrasa 11.
Noted educational institutions: Kachal Degree College, Rangamati Government College, Rangamati Government Mohila College, Kawkhali College, Bangalhalia College, Naniarchar College, Rajasthali College, Barkal High School, Narangiri Government High School, Ghagra High School, Mainimukh Model High School, Langadu Girls High School, Naniarchar Islampur Dakhil Madrasa, Siddiqui Akbar Dakhil Madrasa, Betbunia Moinul Ulam Rezvia Dakhil Madrasa.
Main sources of income: Agriculture 59.08%, non-agricultural labourer 6.06%, industry 0.46%, commerce 10.70%, transport and communication 1.06%, service 13.48%, construction 0.83%, religious service 0.19%, rent and remittance 0.73% and others 7.41%.
Newspapers and periodicals: Daily: Giri Darpan, Rangamati, Parbatta Barta; weekly: Banabhumi, Parbatta Barta; monthly: School Barta.
Folk culture: Biju Sangrai Baisabi festival, Hal Palani festival, Pala Gan, Pahari Lokageeti, Geeti Nritya Natak (dance drama),Garaiya dance, Jhum dance, Bamboo dance, Bottle dance are the prevalent folk culture of the district.
Tourist spots: Rangamati Lake, Chakma Rajbari, Buddhist Vihara at Rajban, Hanging Bridge, Shuvolong Water Fall, Furaman Hill, Tribal Cultural Institute and Museum, Memorial Sculpture of the War of Liberation, Satellite Ground Station at Betbunia, Police Special Training School, Kaptai Hydro-electric Power Centre, Karnafuli Paper Mill.
Source: Banglapedia
