Brahmanbaria District

Brahmanbaria, located in the East-Central region of Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing district of the country. The Brahmanbaria city is in the bank of Titas River, has a tropical wet and dry climate. The district is bounded by Kishoreganj and Habiganj districts on the north, Cumilla district on the south, Habiganj district and Tripura state of India on the east, Meghna river, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi and Narayanganj districts on the west. Total population of the district is  2398254. It contains 1205552 male and 1192702 female. According to the census of 2011, the population of religious community are Muslim 2195583, Hindu  201843, Buddhist 187, Christian 90 and others 551.

Brahmanbaria was a part of Samatata region of the ancient Bengal by the name of “Rang”. History says that, during the Sena period, King Ballala Sena invited a Brahmin family to come and live in Rang as there was a deficiency of Hindu priests. In the 14th century, a Qadi(Kazi) by the name of Syed Mahmud came to Rang to propagate Islam to its inhabitants. The Brahman family willingly accepted Islam and gave up their position as the Priests of Rang. The family migrated to Nabinagar to start a new life. After that, Rang was named as Brahmanbaria which means “Brahmins leaving” in the local dialect of the district. It is said that, The area Kazi Mahmud resided in was named Kazipara after the incident, and his mazar (mausoleum) remains there. Sarail was the first capital of The leader of the Baro-Bhuiyan zamindars, Isa Khan. “Muslin”, a very soft cloth of Bengal  was famous during the Mughal era. Brahmanbaria was famous for producing quality cloth “Muslin”.

Brahmanbaria district was formed in 1984. Before that, it was included in Comilla district. Its municipality which is one of the oldest municipalities of Bangladesh established in 1769,  has a population of 168,636 according to the 2011 Census. It was a part of the greater Comilla District until 1984. Brahmanbaria contains 9 upazilas of which Brahmanbaria Sadar is the largest (440.57 sq km, 23.86% of the total area of the district) and Ashuganj is the smallest (69.59 sq km) in size. The towns of Akhaura and Ashuganj rank in the top three of the district.

In 1971, during the liberation war of Bangladesh, the district was under sector 2. “Bir Srestha” the most honourary title for the contribution in the liberation war was given to Sipahy Mohammad Mostafa Kamal, who was killed on 18 April 1971 in a frontal battle with the Pak army at a village called Daruin in Brahmanbaria. The tomb of Bir Srestha Mostafa Kamal is located in this village. Five freedom fighters of Banchharampur upazila were awarded the title of ‘Bir Pratik’, another honourary title for their heroic role in the War of Liberation.

Main water bodies of the district are Meghna, Titas, Buri, Kulkulia. Brahmanbaria is one of the fastest growing districts in the country. The prime economical areas of Brahmanbaria District have been Agriculture, Fishing, Power and Electricity, and Natural gas. Supplies of natural gas to Dhaka and most other parts of the nation comes from Brahmanbaria’s Titas gas which is the largest gas field of Bangladesh. Brahmanbaria owns the largest railway junction in the country at Akhaura. Akhaura railway junction connects to Kulaura and Chhatak with the Akhaura–Kulaura–Chhatak line, to Laksam and Chittagong with the Akhaura–Laksam–Chittagong line, and to Tongi and Bhairab with the Tongi–Bhairab–Akhaura line. There are about ten railway stations in the district.

Folkculture of Brahmanbaria is mostly similar with the folk culture of greater Cumilla. Jarigan, Sarigan, Baulgan, Kavigan, Jatragan, Palagan, Spiritual song, Folk song, Proverb, Pazzle, Rhyme, Punthi, Folk tale are notable folkculture of the area. Chhanamukhi a very famous sweet made with fried cottage cheese and sugar syrup, is originated in Brahmanbaria District.

Notable tourist spots of the district are Kalbrairab, Memorial Monument at Faruqui Park, Shaudha Hiranmoie, Hatir Pool, Mazar of Kelle Shahid, Gangasagar Dighi, mosque at Upchapara, Mazar of Kazi Mahmud Shah (R), Chhatura Sharif, Natghar Mandir, Swatidaha Mandir at Biddyakut and so on.

Upazilas

• Akhaura
• Ashuganj
• Kasba
• Nabinagar
• Nadirnagar
• Brahmanbaria Sadar
• Banchharampur
• Sarail
• Bijoynagar

Notable places

• Kharampur Mazar Sharif
• The Hatirpul Bridge
• Haripur Barabari, Nasirnagar
• India-Bangladesh Border Haat, Kasba
• Arifil Mosque, Sarail
• Mazar of Kelle Shahid
• Gangasagar Dighi
• mosque at Upchapara
• Mazar of Kazi Mahmud Shah ®
• Chhatura Sharif
• Natghar Mandir
• Swatidaha Mandir

Highlighted Personalities

• Alamgir (Actor of Cinema of Bangladesh.)
• Al Mahmud (poet)
• Mohammad Ashraful (Cricketer)
• Abdul Kadir (poet)
• Syed Shamsul Haque (poet)
• Nawaab Syed Shamsul Huda (was a leader of the Muslim League)

Written & Edited by Shaima Akter Sethu