RANGAMATI HILL DISTRICT

Rangamati (Bengali: রাঙামাটি, Chakma: , Rangamattye) is a district in south-eastern Bangladesh. It is a part of the Chittagong Division and the town of Rangamati serves as the headquarters of the district. Area-wise, Rangamati is the largest district of the country.

Rangamati was a contesting ground for the kings of Tripura and Arakan. This region came under the Mughal Empire after the Muslim invasion in 1566.[3] In 1737 Sher Mosta Khan, a tribal leader, took refuge with the Mughals. After this the Chakma settlement began along with various other settlements of varying ethnicity. From 1760 to 1761, this land was leased to the East India Company.

The total population is 508,182 according to 2005 census of which indigenous communities constitute 52% and non-indigenous Bengalis constitute 48%. The number of males is 287,060 and the females are 238,043 (Census 2001). The density of population is 83 per square kilometre (Census 2001). The number of household is 103,974 having the household size 4.8 (Census 2001). The total population is divided into Bangalees and indigenous communities (ethnic minorities): Chakma, Marma, Tanchangya, indigenous Assamese people, Keot(Kaibarta), Tripura, Pankua, Lushai, Khiang, Murang, Rakhain, Chak, Bowm, Khumi.

As per 1991 census, the religious break up of the population of the district were: Buddhist 53.83%, Muslim 39.28%, Hindu 5.62% and Christian 1.12%. Religious institutions Pagoda 1230, Mosque 1059, Temple 65, Church 16. Genderwise, male constituted 53.59% and female constituted 46.41% of the population.

As per the 2011 census, there were a total of 386,153 indigenous people in the district (64.79%)[5].

Rangamati is located in the Chittagong Division. It is bordered by the Tripura state of India to the north, Bandarban District to the south, Mizoram State of India and Chin State of Myanmar to the east, and Khagrachari and Chittagong Districts to the west. Rangamati is the only district in Bangladesh with international borders with two countries: India and Myanmar.

The area of the district is 6116 km2 of which 1292 km2 is riverine and 4825 km2 is under forest vegetation.

District Administration is the apex office of a district at the present context of administrative setting of Bangladesh. It is the management of affairs within a district, which is the basic territorial unit of administration in the country. It is at this level that the common man comes into direct contact with the administration. The district falls under the charge of a district officer, called either Deputy Commissioner or District Collector or District Magistrate. This officer acts as the representative of the central government at this level. Like other district administrations of the country, District Administration Rangamati, widely known as the Office of the deputy commissioner is the representative of the cabinet in the Rangamati Hill District.

There are 291 government primary schools, 120 non-government primary schools, 22 junior schools, 6 government high schools, 45 non-government high schools, 2 government colleges, 13 non-government colleges, 61 madrasa, 7 technical schools, Rangamati Medical College and Rangamati Science and Technology University located throughout the district.

Notable persons:

• Raja Tridib Raay: former king of Chakma community, father of the present king Debashish Raay, and lifetime federal minister and former ambassador of Pakistan to Argentina and United Nations
• Member of tenth Jatiyo Sangshad: Usatun Talukder

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