Barura (Town) The town is now a municipality with an area of about 4.87 sq km. It consists of 9 wards and 26 mahallas. The town has a population of 38608; male 49.76%, female 50.24%. Literacy rate among the town people is 35.7%. There is a big pond known as Krishna Sagar located in the upazila sadar.

Administration Barura thana was established in 1948 and was turned into an upazila in 1983. Earlier Barura thana was a part of the Chandina thana. Barura municipality was established in 1995. The upazila consists of one municipality, 15 union parishads, 231 mouzas and 332 villages.

Archaeological heritage and relics Adinamura Mosque and Mazar, Chandimata Mandir located on the top of the Lalmai Hill adjacent to Chandimura Bazar.

Historical events During the war of liberation on 10 September 1971 a battle was fought between the Pakistan army and the freedom fighters at Payalgachha Battali. In this battle five freedom fighters were killed.

Marks of the War of Liberation Mass grave 1 (Narayanpur near Battali).

Population 310778; male 50.05%, female 49.95%; Muslim 91.37%, Hindu 8.44%, Buddhist 0.14%, and others 0.05%. Population density per sq km is 1284.

Religious institutions Mosque 499, temple 98, buddhist vihara 1, Eidgah 134. Noted religious institutions Barura Jami Mosque, Adinamura Mosque and Mazar, tomb of Abdul Hamid (R) at Maheshpur, Barura Central Eidgah and Chandimata Mandir at Chandimura.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 31.8%; male 37.6% and female 26%. Educational institutions: college 3, high school 35, junior high school 3, madrasa 35, maktab 300, government primary school 97, non-government primary school 23 and low cost school 15. Noted educational institutions: Barura Shahid Smriti Government College (1972), Payalgachha Post Graduate College, Barura Hazi Nawab Ali Pilot High School (1967), Talagram T C Laha Multilateral High School (1931), Rajamara Sunnia Madrassa (1944), Barura Alia Madrassa.

Locally published newspapers and periodicals Weekly Telephone (current), Aahaban (extinct).

Cultural organisations Club 42, public library 2, theatre party 1, cooperative society 218, community centre 16.

Main occupations Agriculture 53.28%, agricultural labour 18.88%, wage labourer 2.22%, commerce 7.96%, service 6.31%, transport 3.26%, and others 8.09%.

Land use Total cultivable land 18020.64 hectares single crop 6.73%, double crop 62.74% and treble crop land 30.53%; cultivable land under irrigation 9337.92 hectares.

Land control Among the peasants 22% are landless, 29% small, 38% intermediate and 11% rich.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is 20000 Tk per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, jute, mustard seed, wheat, sesame, betel leaf, hogla leaf and vegetables.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Linseed, kaun , local variety of paddy.

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, coconut, kul , palm and watermelon.

Fisheries, dairies, poultries farm Dairy 35, poultry 46.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca road 61 km, semi pucca 10 km and mud road 982 km; railways 0.25 km.

Traditional transport   Palanquin (extinct),  bullock cart (nearly extinct), boat.

Manufactories Rice mill 1, brick field 4, cotton mill 1.

Cottage industries Loom 129, bamboo and cane work 746, hogla leaf work 41, jute and wood work 173.

Main hats, bazars and fairs Main hats and bazars are 45, the most noted hats and bazars are Barura, Rammahan, Jhalam, Fakirhat, Khosgbas, Maheshpur, Adda, Haripur, Chandimura, Amratali, Payalgachha, Aganagar Hat; noted fairs are Chandimura, Sahapur, Laxmipur and Rammahan Mela.

Main exports Betel leaf.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac , asa , grameen bank , Care, proshika , Pages and Health Care Clinic.

Health centres Upazila health complex 1, family planning centre 14, satellite clinic 5, private clinic 1 and charitable dispensary 5.

Brahmanpara Upazila with an area of 128.90 sq km, is bounded by kasba and muradnagar upazilas on the north, burichang upazila on the south, Indian state of tripura, Kasba upazila on the east and debidwar , Muradnagar upazilas on the west. Main rivers are gumti , Salda and Ghungur; Makimpur Go-bak Beel, Shaitshalar Dam, Pellar Beel, Baroni Beel at Jamtali are noted depressions.

Brahmanpara (Town) consists of two mouzas. The area of the town is 1.97 sq km. The town has a population of 3059; male 53.42%, female 46.58%; population density is 1553 per sq km. Literacy rate among the town people is 41%; male 43.40%, female 36.3%.

Administration Once Brahmanpara was included in Kasba thana and it was included in Burichang thana in 1954. In 1968, Brahmanpara police out post was established and in 1976 it was separated from Burichang thana and became an independent thana. It was turned into an upazila in 1983. The upazila consists of 8 union parishads, 53 mouzas and 65 villages.

Archaeological heritage and relics Tombs of Panch Pir (1815) west side of the Shashidal Rail Station, Shaitshala Jami Mosque (1719), Shiva Mandir (eighteenth century) at Chandla, Math and sacred place (1822) at Harimangal, Ramnagar elongated Math (1705) and Rammahan Mandir (1805) at Shaitshala.

Historical events During the war of liberation a battle was fought between the Pakistan army and the freedom fighters (under the command of honourary Captain Md. Wahab) on the bank of the Ghungur River at Holaimuri (border of Kasba and Brahmanpara). In this battle, 15 members of the Pak army including a Captain were killed. The Pak army later established camps at nearby Chandala and Shaitshala Villages and killed more than one hundred villagers.

Marks of War of Liberation Mass grave on the bank of a pond at Harimangal near the Railway; mass killing sites premises of Bhuiya Bari at north Chandala and premises of Probad Kumar Das at south Chandala.

Population 161906; male 51%, female 49%; Muslim 96.14%, Hindu 3.36%, Christian 0.12%, Buddhist 0.10% and others 0.28%; ethnic nationals 8 families.

Religious institutions Mosque 155, temple 12, tomb 4 and sacred place 5. Noted religious institutions: Baghai Shah Jami Mosque, Shaitshala Jami Mosque, tombs of Panch Pir at Shashidal, Chandala Shiva Mandir, Math and place of pilgrimage at Harimangal, Ramnagar joint Math and Rammahan Mandir at Shaitshala.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 32.6%; male 40.25%, female 24.9%. Educational institutions: college 4, high school 26, madrasa 18, government primary school 53, non-government primary school 38, low cost school 9, satellite school 13 and maktab 178. Noted educational institutions: Shashidal Union High School (1890), Chandana K B High School (1920), Brahmanpara Bhagaban High School (1940), Madhabpur Sheikhlal High School (1911) and Sahebabad Degree College (1970).

Cultural organisations Voluntary organisation 44, club 44, public library 1, cinema hall 1, cooperative society 195, rural community centre 8.

Main occupations Agriculture 53.74%, agricultural labourer 17.23%, wage labourer 1.94% commerce 9.84%, service 9.67%, and others 7.58%.

Land use Total cultivable land 8970 hectares, fallow land 19.40 hectares, permanently uncultivable land 32 hectares; single crop 12.04%, double crop 44.89% and treble crop 43.07%; cultivable land under irrigation 92.74%.

Land control Among the peasants 4.49% are landless, 7.8% marginal, 77.9% small, 9.46% intermediate and 0.35% rich.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is Tk 10000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, jute, mustard seed, wheat, potato, onion, garlic, betel leaf and vegetables.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Linseed, kaun , sugarcane, varieties of pulse, shalgam , arahar , carrot, local variety of paddy.

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, banana, papaya, kamranga , karamcha , sharif phal .

Fisheries, dairies, poultries Fishery 3, poultry 15 and hatchery 3 (fish).

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 25 km, semi pucca 2 km, mud road 278 km; railways 7 km, railway station 2; waterways 27 nautical mile.

Traditional transport Palanquin, horse carriage, bullock cart, gaina nauka (boat), kosha nauka and dinghi nauka . These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.

Manufactories Rice mill 44, oil mill 10, flour mill 45, ice factory 9 and saw mill 20.

Cottage industries Weaving 11, bamboo and cane work 61, blacksmith 95, potteries 110, wood work 71, goldsmith 20, jute and cotton work 23, oil grinding 6, bakery 25, tailoring 72 and others 112.

Hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats and bazars are 22, most noted hats and bazars are Sahebabad, Dulalpur, Chandala, Madhavpur and Malapara Hat. Fairs 16, noted fairs are Shiva Bali Mela at Chandala, Baishakhi Mela at Ramantar, Kalibari Mela at Sahebabad, Kalisiddha Mela at Shaitshala, Dayamay Mahautshab at Makimpur and Purnadham Mela at Austagram.

Main exports Jute, betel leaf and potato.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac , asa , grameen bank , proshika and Pages.

Health centres Upazila health complex 1, sub health centre 3, union clinic 5, satellite clinic 64.

Burichang Upazila with an area of 163.76 sq km, is bounded by brahmanpara upazila on the north, comilla sadar and barura upazila on the south, Tripura State of India on the east, debidwar and chandina upazilas on the west. Main rivers are gumti , Ghungur, Titi and Pagli.

Burichang (Town) consists of one mouzas. The area of the town is 3.73 sq km. The town has a population 7762; male 52.55%, female 47.45%; population density is 2080 per sq km. Literacy rate among the town people is 39.7%; the town has one dakbungalow.

Administration Burichang thana, now an upazila, was established in 1916. The upazila consists of 8 union parishads, 150 mouzas and 171 villages.

Archaeological heritage and relics Ranir Bangla of Rani Mainamati, wife of Raja Manik Chandra at Mainamati. Besides, many archaeological relics including image of Buddha, terracotta plucks and Buddhist relics have been discovered. These archaeological relics have great national importance of the glorious past.

Population 228479; male 51.68%, female 48.32%; Muslim 95.92%, Hindu 4.05% and others 0.03%.

Religious institutions Mosque 285, temple 21, tomb 9 and place of pilgrimage 1.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 34.3%; male 42.1%, female 25.9%. Educational institutions: college 7, high school 28, madrasa 21, government primary school 73, non-government primary school 96. Noted Educational institution: Fakir Bazar High School (1943), Burichang Ananda Pilot High School (1925), Kharataiya High School (1982), Mithilapur Government Primary School (1908) and Sreepur Senior Fazil Madrasa (1932).

Cultural organisations Rural club 42, public library 1, cinema hall 2, women's organisation 8, literary society 1, playground 18.

Main occupations Agriculture 56.64%, agricultural labourer 12.28%, wage labourer 1.86% commerce 10.23%, service 8.08%, transport 3.71% and others 7.2%.

Land use Total cultivable land 12942.53 hectares fallow land 3421.69 hectares, forestry 50.99 hectares; single crop 13.57%, double crop 74.91% and treble crop land 11.52%; cultivable land under irrigation 81.10%.

Land control Among the peasants 17% are landless, 21.50% marginal, 51% small, 10% intermediate and 0.5% rich; cultivable land per head 0.05 hectare.

Value of land The market value of the first grade land is Tk. 6000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, wheat, potato, onion, vegetables.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Linseed, kaun , sugarcane, jute, sweet potato and tobacco.

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, banana, papaya.

Fisheries, dairies, poultries Fishery 72, dairy 120, poultry 320 and hatchery 5.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca road 39 km, semi pucca 11 km, mud road 400 km; railways 10 km, railway station 1.

Traditional transport palanquin (extinct), horse carriage and bullock cart (nearly extinct), boat.

Manufactories Spinning mill 1, paper board factory 1, boiler mill 7, welding 9.

Cottage industries Weaving 127, bamboo and cane work 171, blacksmith 48, potteries 40, woodwork 106, goldsmith 7, tailoring 173 and cocoon production centre 1.

Hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats, bazars and fairs are 19, most noted of which are Kangshanagar, Nanuar Bazar, Saheb Bazar and Fakir Bazar; noted fairs are Mainamati Mela and Baishakhi Mela at Nanuar Bazar.

Main exports Loom cloths, potato and vegetables.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac , asa , grameen bank , proshika , Pages and Islamic Samaj Unnayan Sangstha.

Health centres Upazila health complex 1, family planning centre 6, EPI centre 192.

Chandina Upazila with an area of 202.98 sq km, is bounded by daudkandi , muradnagar and debidwar upazilas on the north, barura and kachua upazilas on the south, burichang and barura upazilas on the east, Daudkandi and Kachua upazilas on the west. Main river is Kalichari. Ghogra Beel is notable.

Chandina (Town) consists of Chandina, Maharang, Belashahar and part of Rarir Char. The town is now a municipality with an area of 4.27 sq km and population 35601; male 50.63%, female 49.37%. It has 9 words and 19 mahallas. Literacy rate among the town people is 38.7 %. It has five dakbungalows.

Administration Chandina thana was turned into an upazila in 1983. The upazila consists of one municipality, 12 union parishads, 126 mouzas and 232 villages.

Archaeological heritage and relics Raj Kachary (revenue office) and Kali Mandir.

Historical events On 11 December 1971, in a direct encounter between the Pak army and the freedom fighters nearly 1400 members of Pak army surrendered to the freedom fighters. In another direct encounter at Kat-tala on 12 December seven members of the Pak army were killed and so were three freedom fighters

Marks of War of Liberation Mass killing site 2, Puira Bridge east of Chandina High School and the northwest side of the Chandina Hospital; mass grave 3, Shashan Ghat (crematorium) at Kashimpur, Baroi Para at Mohichail and Barabari at Konghai.

Population 269878; male 50.18%, female 49.82%; Muslim 91.53%, Hindu 8.35%, Christian 0.03%, Buddhist 0.03% and others 0.06%.

Religious institutions Mosque 375, temple 18, tomb 1,

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 27.7%; male 34.3%, female 21.1%. Educational institutions: college 6, high school 36, junior high school 2, madrasa 96, government primary school 86, non-government primary school 20, satellite school 10, low cost school 9, maktab 175 and orphanage 4. Noted educational institutions: Chandina Pilot High School (1916), Bishwas Government Primary School (1916), Bakarhat Government Primary School (1939), Chandina Model Government Primary School (1940), West Belashahor Government Primary School (1935), Madhaiya Government Primary School (1930).

Cultural organisations Club 52, public library 3, cinema hall 1, theatre stage 1.

Main occupations Agriculture 50.45%, agricultural labourer 21.07%, commerce 9.3%, service 5.95%, transport 2.95%, wage labourer 2.34% and others 7.84%.

Land use Total land 20202.35 hectares, cultivable land 15831.65 hectares, fallow land 4370.70 hectares, khas land 704.69 hectares; single crop 10%, double crop 61%, treble crop 29%.

Land control Among the peasants 22.17% are landless, 30.12% marginal, 37.35% small, 31.78% intermediate and 1.76% rich; cultivable land per head 0.06 hectare.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is 50000 Taka per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, wheat, potato, brinjal, chilly, mustard seed, betel leaf and cucumber.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Linseed, sesame, jute, kaun , sugarcane, onion, garlic, sweet potato and tobacco.

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, banana, papaya and litchi.

Fisheries, dairies, poultries Fishery 2, dairy 16, poultry 107 and hatchery 5.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 41 km, semi pucca 1.5 km, mud road 398 km.

Traditional transport Palanquin (extinct), bullock cart (nearly extinct) and boat.

Manufactories Textile mill 1, flour mill 2 and cold storage 3.

Cottage industries Weaving 200, bamboo work 28, blacksmith 9, wood work 15, potteries 9, goldsmith 30, tailoring 41.

Hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats and bazars are 29, most noted of which are Chandina, Madhaiya, Nababpur and Badarpur Hat; fairs 6, noted of which are Pihar, Madhayamtala and Madhaiya Mela.

Main exports Khaddar cloth, betel leaf, flour, potato and cucumber.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac , asa , grameen bank , proshika , Pages, Samabaya, Disha, nijera kari , Grameen Karma Bikash and Mahila Shilpa Uddakta Unnayan Karmasuchi.

Health centres Upazila health complex 1, sub health centre 1, family planning centre 12.

Chauddagram Upazila with an area of 268.48 sq km, is bounded by comilla sadar upazila on the north, feni sadar and daganbhuiyan upazilas on the south, Tripura State of India on the east, nangalkot and laksham upazilas on the west. Main rivers are Dakatia and Kakari. Amandanga Shalban (shorea forest), Dhal Samudra (marsh land) and four canals (20 miles length) are noted in the upazila.

Chauddagram (Town) consists of 6 mouzas. The area of the town is 5.06 sq km. The town has a population of 10822; male 53.83%, female 46.17%; population density is 2138 per sq km. Literacy rate among the town people is 42.9%.

Administration Chauddagram thana was turned into an upazila in 1983. The upazila consists of 14 union parishads, 418 mouzas and 402 villages.

Archaeological heritage and relics Palace of Senbahadur and Kali Mandir at Chandiskara, Bardhan Mura, Jagannath Dighi (pond) and Suamar Dighi .

Historical events On 28 November 1971, the freedom fighters occupied the Jagannath Dighi Camp of the Pak army. During the war of liberation 25 freedom fighters were killed in various encounters with the Pak army in Chauddagram upazila. This upazila was completely liberated on 7 December 1971.

Marks of War of Liberation Memorial monument 1 (Betiara).

Population 332055; male 49.83%, female 50.17%; Muslim 97.84%, Hindu 2.02%, Christian 0.10%, Buddhist 0.01% and others 0.03%; population density per sq km 1488.

Religious institutions Mosque 723, temple 29, pagoda 1 and Buddhist Vihara 1.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 33%; male 39.8% and female 26.5%. Educational institutions: college 7, high school 54, junior high school 25 madrasa 61, government primary school 114, non-government primary school 36, satellite school 10, low cost school 8, kinder garden school 11, BRAC school 158. Noted educational institutions: Chauddagram H J Pilot High School (1921), Padua Government Primary School, Chauddagram Girl's School and Munshir Hat High School (1954).

Cultural organisations Club 33, women's organisations 9, cooperative society 4, cinema hall 1, theatre stage 1 and playground 15.

Main occupations Agriculture 40.61%, commerce 10.16%, service 16.33%, wage labourer 3.08%, transport 3.17% and others 12.37%.

Land use Total cultivable land 21180 hectares; uncultivated land 15 hectares; fallow land 185 hectares; forestry 40.47 hectares; marsh land 1960 hectares; single crop 31%, double crop 87.25% and treble crop land 9.44%; land under irrigation 12500 hectares.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is 30000 Taka per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, wheat, potato, mustard seed, and vegetables.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Linseed, jute, kaun .

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, papaya, kul and palm.

Fisheries, dairies, poultries Fishery 10, poultry 12 and hatchery (fish) 9, nursery (fish) 30, cattle breeding centre 4.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca road 111 km, semi pucca 26 km, mud road 960 km; railway 5 km.

Traditional transport Palanquin (extinct), bullock cart (nearly extinct).

Manufactories Aluminium, salt, soap, shoe, and garments factories.

Cottage industries include bamboo and cane works, tailoring and shital paty making, etc. Chauddagram is a BCSIC industrial city.

Hats, bazars and fairs Hats and bazars are 40, most noted hats and bazars are Miabazar, Chauddagram Bazar, Gunabati Bazar and Munshir Hat; noted fairs are Chansree Mazar Mela and Kali Bazar Mela.

Main exports Ready made garments.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac , asa and grameen bank .

Health centres Hospital 2, upazila health complex 1, sub health centre 3, union health and family planning welfare centre 12, maternity 1, private clinic 6, palli health centre 1 and veterinary hospital 1.

Comilla Sadar Upazila with an area of 280 sq km, is bounded by burichang upazila and Tripura state of India on the north, laksham and chauddagram upazilas on the south, Tripura State of India on the east, barura upazila on the west. Main rivers are gumti and little feni . Rajendrapur forestry, Shalvan Vihara and lalmai hills are most notable.

Comilla (Town) consists of 18 mouzas and 3 wards. It has an area of 11.47 sq km and a population of 135313; male 53.47%, female 46.53%. Density of population is per sq km 11797. Literacy rate among the town people is 60.3%. The town has one dakbungalow.

Administration Comilla thana was turned into an upazila in 1983. The upazila consists of one municipality, 18 wards, 19 union parishads, 452 mouzas and 458 villages.

Archaeological heritage and relics dharmasagar , Mainamati Museum, Shahsuja Mosque, Birchandra Library, Town Hall and Rajrajeshwari Kalibari.

Marks of War of Liberation Martyr memorial monument in front of Comilla Victoria College.

Population 516319; male 52.97%, female 47.03%; Muslim 93.42%, Hindu 6.30%, Buddhist 0.08%, Christian 0.07% and others 0.13%.

Religious institutions Mosque 300, temple 56, Church 3, Pagoda 2, Ashram 4, most noted Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Mosque and Asram (monstry) of Ramthakur.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 55%; male 61.4% and female 47.6%. Educational institution: college 17, high school 80, maktab 615, government primary school 147, non-government primary school 27, technical institution 1. Noted educational institutions: Comilla Victoria Government College (1899), Comilla Ishwar Pathshala (1914), Nibedita Primary School (1919), Rammala Student Hostel (1916).

Cultural organisations Library 5, museum 1, cinema hall 7 and playground 51.

Main occupations Agriculture 30.67%, agricultural labourer 8.06%, wage labourer 1.94%, industry 1.02%, commerce 18.03%, service 18.72%, transport 8.96%, construction 2.63% and others 9.97%.

Land use Total land 27970.05 hectares; cultivable land 21473.49 hectares; fallow land 72.85 hectares; single crop 2.34%, double crop 66.23% and treble crop land 31.43%.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is Tk. 60000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, wheat, potato, onion, garlic, sesame, brinjal and vegetables.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Jute, kaun , linseed, arahar and Suryamukhi.

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, banana and coconut.

Fisheries, dairies, poultries Poultry 122, fishery 8.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 109.33 km and mud road 350.93 km; waterways 12 nautical mile; railways 19.3 km; airport 1.

Traditional transport palanquin, horse carriage and bullock cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.

Manufactories Jute mill 1, cotton mill 1, shoe factory 1.

Cottage industries Weaving 13, wooden handicrafts 75, jute goods 35 and naksi kantha 12.

Hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats and bazars 38, most noted are Chawk Bazar, Rajganj, New Market, Shoagazi Bazar, Bijoypur Bazar; fairs 4, most noted are Comilla Town Hall Mela, Rani Bazar Mela and Kalibari Mela.

Main exports Flour, vegetables.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac , asa , grameen bank , Vision 2000, Attanibedita Mahila Sangstha.

Health centres Government hospital 3, private hospital 21, upazila health complex 1, health and family welfare centre 3.

Daudkandi Upazila with an area of 376.23 sq km, is bounded by homna upazila on the north, matlab and kachua upazilas on the south, chandina and muradnagar upazilas on the east, Matlab and gazaria upazilas on the west. Main rivers are meghna and gumti .

Daudkandi (Town) The town is now a municipality with an area of 2.46 sq km sq km and population 31738; male 50.89%, female 49.11%. It has 9 wards and 26 mahallas. Literacy rate among the town people is 45.2%. It has two dakbungalows.

Administration Daudkandi thana, now an upazila, was established in 1858. The upazila consists of one municipality, 22 union parishads, 274 mouzas and 467 villages.

Archaeological heritage and relics Tomb of Pir (saint) Shahbaj, a companion and disciple of Hazrat Shahjalal, at Gazipur village, historic Daria Sawdagar Mosque at Bara Goali, ramnants of the neelkuthi at Machhimpur, Math at Hasnabad and ramnants of fort at Hatiarbangha.

Historical events During the reign of Emperor Akbar Daud Karrani (son of Sulaiman Karrani) was the ruler of Bengal. Daud Karrani was defeated in a battle with Emperor Akbar while the former declared independence in Bengal. Daudkandi is said to have been named after Daud Karrani. On 23 May 1971 the Pak army in collabaration with Razakar and Albadar attacked Raipura Village and killed 11 persons including Doctor Pandav. They also set on fire many houses belonging to awami league leaders and workers at Jinglatali and Harpur villages.

Population 448503; male 50.44%, female 49.56%; Muslim 93.05%, Hindu 6.84%, Christian 0.03%, Buddhist 0.03% and others 0.05%.

Religious institutions Mosque 206, temple 7, tomb 19.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 29.9%; male 36.6%, female 23.2%. Educational institutions: college 6, high school 44, madrasa 32, government primary school 173, non-government primary school 62, NGO operated school 32, technical training college 1. Noted educational institution: Eliotganj R B High School (1908), Raipur K C High School (1912), Daudkandi Model School, Barpara Girl's High School (1919).

Newspaper and periodicals Dainik prantar

Cultural organisations Club 116, public library 1, women's organisations 15, literary society 3, cinema hall 4.

Main occupations Agriculture 41.61%, agricultural labour 18.71%, commerce 13.62%, service 7.24%, transport 2.16%, Fishing 1.36%, wage labourer 1.94% and others 13.36%.

Land use Total cultivable land 29960 hectares; fallow land 40 hectares; single crop 4%, double crop 10% and treble crop land 86%.

Value of land Taka 7000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, jute, wheat, potato, mustard seed, chilly, sweet potato, watermelon, peanut, pulse, onion, garlic and vegetables.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops indigo.

Main fruits Mango, blackberry, papaya, banana, lichee, kul and lemon.

Fisheries, dairies, poultries Fishery 4670, dairy 6, poultry 121 and hatchery 21, nursery 18.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 52 km, semi pucca 12 km, mud road 344 km and waterways 12 nautical mile.

Traditional transport Palanquin (extinct), bullock cart (nearly extinct).

Cottage industries Mostly jute, cotton and bamboo works.

Hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats and bazars are Daudkandi, Gauripur, Eliotganj, Batakandi, Goalmari, Hasnabad, Alipur, Paler Bazar and Shahidnagar Bazar.

Main exports Jute goods.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac , asa , CCDA, HRD and Uddipan

Health centres Upazila health complex 1, union health centre 15, health centre 9 and EPI centre 648.

Debidwar Upazila with an area of 238.36 sq km, is bounded by muradnagar upazilas on the north, chandina upazila on the south, burichang and brahmanpara upazilas on the east, Muradnagar upazila on the west. Main rivers are gumti and Buri.

Debidwar (Town) consists of two mouzas. Its area is 4.32 sq km. The town has a population of 9782; male 52.32% and female 47.68%; population density per sq km 2264. Literacy rate among the town people is 56.9%. 

Administration Debidwar thana was established in 1915 and was turned into an upazila in 1980. The upazila consists of 16 union parishads, 141 mouzas, 201 villages.

Historical events On 31 March 1971, in an encounter with the Pak army on the Comilla-Sylhet highways 33 Bangalis were killed.

Marks of War of Liberation Mass grave 1.

Population 336877; male 50.33%, female 49.67% ; Muslim 93.24%, Hindu 6.5% and others 0.26%.

Religious institutions Mosque 451, temple 27, tomb 9.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 35.1%; male 43.65%, female 26.5%. Educational institutions: college 9, high school 43, madrasa 29, government primary school 120, non-government primary school 37, low cost school 18 and satellite school 17. Noted educational institution: Debidwar Reazuddin High School (1918).

Cultural organisations Club 57, theatre group 1 and press club 1.

Main occupations Agriculture 53.68%, commerce 10.12%, service 10.09%, agricultural labourer 13.75%, wage labourer 1.6%, transport 2.8% and others 7.96%.

Land use Total cultivable land 16179.68 hectares; fallow land 1075 hectares; single crop 3.75%, double crop 41.27% and treble crop 54.98%.

Land control Among the peasants 18.38% are landless, 25.31% marginal, 31.15% small, 23.68% intermediate and 1.48% rich; land per head 0.15 hectare.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is 17000 Taka per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, wheat, potato, mustard seed, brinjal, betel leaf, cauliflower and cabbage.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Sesame, tobacco, jute, peanut, kaun , varieties of pulses.

Main fruits Guava and litchi.

Fisheries, dairies, poultries Fishery 7, dairy 5, poultry 30.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 38.31 km, semi pucca 20 km, mud road 450 km; waterways 14 nautical mile.

Traditional transport Palanquin, bullock cart, horse carriage. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.

Manufactories Jute mill 4, cold storage 3, ice factory 5 and brick field 7.

Hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats and bazars are 26, most noted of which are Dighirpar, and Rasulpur Hat; fairs 3, most noted of which is Ponra Mela.

Main exports Betel leaf, potato, cauliflower, fish, milk and jute goods.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac , asa , grameen bank , Pages , nijera kari , Vitamin A Project, Agro Care, Speed and SDA.

Health centres Upazila health complex 1, family planning centre 12 and CMH unit 1.

Homna Upazila with an area of 180.13 sq km, is bounded by bancharampur and araihazar upazilas on the north, daudkandi and gazaria upazilas on the south, muradnagar upazila on the east and sonargaon upazila on the west. Main river is Meghna.

Homna (Town) consists of one mouza. Its area is 2.85 sq km. the town has a population of 5999; male 52.94%, female 47.06%. Density of population is 2104. Literacy rate among the town people is 40.1%.

Administration Homna thana, now an upazila, was established in 1918. The upazila consists of 10 union parishads, 94 mouzas and 207 villages.

Archaeological heritage and relics Homna Kali Mandir.

Historical events At the end of July 1971 the Pak army tried to enter into the Joypur Village through the Titas river. The freedom fighters attacked them from both the sides of the river, which caused serious damage to the carrier motor launch. The Pak army retreated towards Machhimpur. In this encounter many soldiers of the Pak army were killed and wounded. Besides Joypur, encounters between the freedom fighters and the Pak army were held at Champak Nagar, Ghagutia, Nilokhi Bazar and Dulal Bazar. During the Liberation War about 21 freedom fighters were killed and about 24 wounded.

Marks of War of Liberation Mass grave 1, memorial monument 1.

Population 211563; male 50.21%, female 49.79%; Muslim 93.46%, Hindu 6.32% and others 0.22%.

Religious institutions Mosque 340, temple 20, sacred place 2.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 21.9%; male 28.8% and female 14.9%. Educational institutions: college 4, high school 16, junior school 2, vocational training institute 1, madrasa 6, government primary school 83, non-government primary school 11, low cost school 14. Noted educational institutions: Joypur Government Primary School (1918), Homna Government Pilot High School (1929).

Cultural organisations Public library 2, cooperative society 238, women's society 43, Shilpakala Academy 1 and playground 10.

Main occupations Agriculture 42.40%, agricultural labourer 11.75%,wage labourer 2%, weaving 10.58%, commerce 11.17%, service 4.48%, hawker 1.29%, and others 16.33%.

Land use Total cultivable land 13612.30 hectares; fallow land 24.28 hectares; single crop 49.93%, double crop 43.07% and treble crop land 7%. Land under irrigation 6987.45 hectares.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is Tk 7000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, jute, wheat, potato, mustard seed, onion, garlic, sesame, chilli and musuri (pulse).

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Indigo, kaun , china and mug (pulse).

Main fruits Mango, watermelon, papaya and phuti (a variety of melon).

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 22 km, mud road 968 km; waterways 35 nautical mile.

Traditional transport Palanquin (extinct).

Manufactories Rice mill 18, ice factory 15, saw mill 13 and welding 15.

Cottage industries Weaving 105, goldsmith 48, blacksmith 45, wood work 51 and tailoring 320.

Hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats and bazars are 27, most noted are Homna, Ramkrishnapur, Dulalpur, Mirash, Kashipur, Joypur, Asadpur Hat; fairs 5.

Main exports Chilli, wheat, potato, sesame, mustard seed and musuri .

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac , asa , grameen bank .

Health centres Upazila health complex 1, union health and family planning centre 7, satellite clinic 5 and veterinary hospital 1.

Laksham Upazila with an area of 429.34 sq km, is bounded by Comilla Sadar and barura upazilas on the north, chatkhil , begumganj and senbagh upazilas on the south, nangalkot and chauddagram upazilas on the east, Barura and shahrasti upazilas on the west. Main rivers are Dakatia and Little Feni .

Laksham (Town) consists of 9 wards and 31 mahallas. The area of the town is 14.3 sq km. It has a population of 60926; male 52.31%, female 47.69%; density of population is 4261 per sq km. Literacy rate among the town people is 38.3%. Laksham is well known as a commercial town. Laksham Railway Junction is one of the five biggest junctions of Bangladesh.

Administration Laksham thana was turned into an upazila in 1982. The upazila consists of one municipality, 9 wards, 2 police outposts, 25 union parishads, 479 mouzas and 504 villages.

Marks of War of Liberation Slaughter place at Beltala of Laksham Railway Junction and a mass grave near the Harishchar Chaurasta .

Population 513119; male 49.42%, female 50.58%; Muslim 94.32%, Hindu 4.84%, Buddhist 0.70%, Christian 0.05% and others 0.09%.

Religious institutions Mosque 960, temple 18, Buddhist Vihara 2, tomb 7, most noted are tomb of Gazi Shaheb, Darbar Sharif at Panua, tomb of Pir Shaheb at Kaliapur, tomb of Syed Shah Waliullah Rajapuri Pir Saheb at Rajapur and Buddhist Vihara at Baraigaon.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 34.4%; male 40.7% and female 28.4%. Educational institutions: college 2, high school 64, junior high school 5, madrasa 59, government primary school 432, non-government primary school 69, satellite school 11, BRAC school 145. Noted educational institutions: Nawab Faizunnesa Government College, Laksham Pilot High School, Harishchar Union High School, Daulatganj Government Primary School, Gazimura Alia Madrasa.

Cultural organisations Club 2, public library 2, museum 1, cinema hall 2, theatre stage 1 and theatre group 1.

Locally published newspapers and periodicals Laksham Barta, Joykantha and Weekly Laksham.

Main occupations Agriculture 34.05%, agricultural labourer 19.08%, wage labourer 3.77%, commerce 11.21%, service 13.55%, transport 3.28%, construction 1.21% and others 13.85%.

Land use Cultivable land 32707.41 hectares; fallow land 9583.97 hectares; khas land 1959.94 hectares; land under irrigation 15068.39 hectares. Cultivable land per head 0.11 hectare.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is Tk 10000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, wheat, potato, brinjal, tomato, mustard seed and vegetables.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Jute.

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, papaya, litchi and kamranga .

Fisheries, dairies, poultries Poultry 28, fishery 402, hatchery 6, artificial breeding centre 4.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 165 km, semi pucca 30 km and mud road 1785 km; waterways 35 nautical mile; railways 57 km; railway junction 1 and railway station 6.

Traditional transport Palanquin, horse carriage, motor launch, bullock cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.

Manufactories Cigarette factory 2, bidi factory 4, rice mill 3, oil mill 27.

Cottage industries Total number of cottage industries 280.

Main hats, bazars and fairs Most noted hats, bazars and fairs are Daulatganj Bazar, Kemtali Mela, Nurpur Mela.

Main exports Cigarette, bidi and oil.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac , asa , bard , Swanirvar Bangladesh, UNDP, proshika and Muslim Welfare Organisation.

Health centres Upazila health complex 1, satellite clinic 8 and family planning centre 14.

Lalmai Upazila (Bengali: লালমাই উপজেলা) is an upazila of Comilla District in the Division of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Lalmai is the 17th upazila of Comilla District and 491st upazila of the country. It was formed on 9 January 2017 from eight union parishads of Comilla Sadar Upazila and one of Laksam Upazila. It has a total area of 147.03 square kilometres (56.77 sq mi), and has Joynagar as its headquarters.

It will include the 9 union parishads:

1. Bagmara uttar,
2. Bagmara dhakhsin,
3. Bhuloin uttar,
4. Bhuloin Dhakhsin,
5. Perul uttar,
6. Perul dhakhkhin,
7. Belghar uttar,
8. Belghar dhakhkhin,
9. Bakoi uttar.

Manoharganj Upazila (comilla district) area 166.50 sq km, located in between 23°04' and 23°12' north latitudes and in between 90°59' and 91°08' east longitudes. It is bounded by laksham upazila on the north, chatkhil and sonaimuri upazilas on the south, nangalkot upazila on the east and shahrasti upazila on the west.

Population Total 210810; male 103407, female 107403.

Water bodies Dakatia River and Mollar Canal are notable.

Administration Manoharganj upazila was formed in 2005 comprising parts of Laksham upazila.

Source  Bangladesh Population Census 2001, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

Archaeological heritage and relics Dhikchanda Math Bari, Naraharipur Dighi adjacent to the dargah of Mia Saheb, Nageshwar Dighi adjacent to the Sharifpur Mazar.

History of the War of Liberation On 13 September 1971, a frontal battle was fought between the freedom fighters and the Pak army at Chaumuhani on the northern side of the Hasnabad Bazar in which 70 Pak soldiers were killed and so was on freedom fighter.

Marks of the War of Liberation Mass grave 1 (Hasnabad).

Noted religious institutions Shah Sharifpur Dargah, Chandpur Dargah, Bara Mia Hujur Dargah, Mia Shaheber Dargah, Dhikhanda Math Bari, Maisatua Mahapravu Sena Ashram.

Literacy rate and educational institutions Average literacy 48.74%; male 50.38%, female. 47.19%. Educational institutions: Degree college 3, college 1, secondary school 28, primary school 86, community primary school 12, kindergarten 18, BRAC school 42, madrasa 15.

Cultural organisations Library 1.

Main crops Paddy, wheat, mustard seeds, corn and sugarcane.

Fisheries, dairies and poultries Fishery 15, dairy 30, poultry 35, hatchery 15, nursery 400.

Commnication facilities' Pucca road 934 km, mud road 460 km, railway 3 km, water way 14.03 nautical miles.

Extinct or nearly extinct traditional transport Palanquin and bullock cart.

Cottage industries Blacksmith, potteries, weaving.

Hats, bazars and fairs Hats and bazars are 4, fair 1, most noted of which are Mella Bazar, Nadnar Bazar, Lakshmanpur Bazar and Manoharganj Bazar and Baishakhi Mela.

Health centres Satellite clinic 3, family welfare centre 8 and clinic 4.

Natural disasters The cyclones of 1941 and 1968 caused heavy damages to settlements, livestock and crops of the upazila.

NGO activities brac, asa. [Abul Kalam Azad]

References Bangladesh Population Census 2001, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics; Cultural survey report of Manoharganj Upazila 2007.

Meghna Upazila (comilla district) area 98.47 sq km, located in between 23°34' and 23°41' north latitudes and in between 90°38' and 90°46' east longitudes. It is bounded by araihazar upazila (narayanganj) on the north, daudkandi upazila on the south, homna and titas upazilas on the east and sonargaon (Narayanganj) and gazaria upazilas on the west.

Population Total' 96970; male 47716, female 49254; Muslim 92032, Hindu 4925 and others 13.

Water bodies Main rivers: meghna and Kathalia.'

Administration Meghna Thana was turned into an upazila in 1999.

Source  Bangladesh Population Census 2001, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

Religious institutions Mosque 221, temple 6, Math 1.

Literacy rate and educational institutions Average literacy 33.34%; male 38.04%, female 29.92%. Educational institutions: college 2, secondary school 7, primary school 51, community primary school 1, madrasa 2. Noted educational institutions: Maniker Char College (1970), Daulat Hossain Multilateral High School (1938), Maniker Char LL High School (1946), Sonar Char High School (1967), Muzzafor Ali High School (1967), Chandanpur MA High School (1971).

Cultural organisations Library 2.

Main sources of income Agriculture 53.71%, non-agricultural labourer 1.52%, industry 0.99%, commerce 14.88%, transport and communication 1.88%, service 6.39%, construction 0.93%, religious services 0.21%, rent and remittance 6.62% and others 13.28%.

Ownership of agricultural land Landowner 74.07%, landless 25.93%.

Main crops Paddy, jute, wheat, pulses.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Kaun, sesame.

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, coconut, kul, water melon, palm.

Communication facilities Pucca road 168 km, mud road 12 km.

Extinct or nearly extinct traditional transport Palanquin, bullock cart.

Cottage industries Jute goods, pottery, etc.

Access to electricity All the unions of the upazila are under rural electrification net-work. However 11.85% of the dwelling households have access to electricity.

Sources of drinking water Tube-well 94.61%, tap 0.51%, pond 0.99% and others 3.89%.

Sanitation 21.84% of dwelling households of the upazila use sanitary latrines and 70.45% of dwelling households use non-sanitary latrines; 7.71%' of households do not have latrine facilities.

Health centres Hospital 1, family planning centre 7, community health clinic 7, diagnostic centre 1.

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac, asa, proshika, CARE. [Md. Habibur Rahman Bhuiya]

References Bangladesh Population Census 2001, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics; Cultural survey report of Meghna Upazila 2007.

Muradnagar Upazila with an area of 339 sq km, is bounded by nabinagar upazila on the north, chandina and debidwar upazilas on the south, Debidwar, brahmanpara and kasba upazilas on the east and daudkandi , homna and bancharampur upazilas on the west. Main rivers are Gumti and Buri Nadi; jalmahal 4.

Muradnagar (Town) consists of 2 mouzas. The area of the town is 10.53 sq km. It has a population of 18325; male 50.29%, female 49.71%; density of population is 1740 per sq km. Literacy rate among the town people is 34.9%.

Administration Muradnagar thana was established in 1858 and was turned into an upazila in 1983. The upazila consists of 21 union parishads, 154 mouzas and 301 villages.

Historical events National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam married at village Daulatpur. The home-stead of Nazrul Islam's in-law has now turned into Kabi Nazrul Smriti Niketan. During the War of Liberation quite a number of direct encounters were held between the freedom fighters and the Pak army and Razakars in which several freedom fighters were killed.

Population 417204; male 50.50%, female 49.50%; Muslim 90.6%, Hindu 9.39% and others 0.01%.

Religious institutions Mosque 280, temple 46, tomb 8, place pilgrimage 1; Bhutail Sarkarbari Mosque, Sonakandha Pirbari Mosque, Kashimpur Pirbari Mosque, Muradnagar Mosque, Nabipur Mandir, Sreekail Kalibari and Ramchandrapur Kalibari.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 30.6%; male 38% and female 23.2%. Educational institution: college 17, high school 80, madrasa 49, government primary school 149, non-government primary school 40. Noted educational institutions: Bangra High School (1887), Ramchandrapur High School (1918), Sreekail College (1942).

Cultural organisations Rural club 40, press club 2, public library 1, museum 1, cinema hall 5, playground 32.

Locally published newspapers and periodicals Monthly Bihanga and Muradnagar.

Main occupations Agriculture 44.14%, commerce 12.3%, service 7.68%, transport 1.97%, weaver 2.21%, agricultural labourer 16.89%, wage labourer 3.07%, fishing 1.58% and others 10.16%.

Land use Cultivable land 28621.28 hectares; fallow land 198.70 hectares; single crop 23.83%, double crop 63.88% and treble crop land 12.29%; land under irrigation 9117.36 hectares.

Land control Among the peasants 35% are landless, 30% small, 25% intermediate and 10% rich; cultivable land per head 0.07 hectare.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is Tk 7500 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, wheat, potato, linseed, sesame, chilli, onion and pulses.

Extinct or nearly extinct crop Jute.

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, banana and black berry.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 66 km, mud road 12 km.

Traditional transport Palanquin (nearly extinct).

Manufactories Bidi factory 4, rice mill 7, ice factory 4 and welding 40.

Cottage industries Weaving 1200, goldsmith 96, blacksmith 70, potteries 80 and tailoring 300.

Hats, bazars and fairs Total number of hats and bazars is 80, most noted hats and bazars are Ramchandrapur, Companiganj, Hatkhola, Pipdia Hat. There is a mention of Ramchandrapur Bazar as a rice export centre in William Hunter's Statistical Account of Bengal .

Main exports Rice and mustard seed.

Mineral resources Bakharabad Gas Field (one of the largest gas fields in Bangladesh) is located at Sreekail of this upazila.

NGO activities Operationally important ngo s is brac .

Health centres Upazila health complex 1, satellite clinic 5 and family planning centre 9.

Nangalkot Upazila with an area of 236.44 sq km, is bounded by laksham and chauddagram upazilas on the north, senbagh and daganbhuiyan upazilas on the south, Chauddagram upazila on the east, Laksham upazila on the west. River little feni , Hara Khal (canal), Trishna Beel, Aichha Dighi (pond), Nandeshwar Dighi and Gotrashala Dighi are notable.

Nangalkot (Town) consists of 3 mouzas. The area of the town is 3.25 sq km. It has a population of 5115; male 55.41% and female 44.59%; population density per sq km 1573. Literacy rate among the town people is 40.9%. The town has two dakbungalows.

Administration Nangalkot thana was turned into an upazila in 1983. The upazila consists of 11 union parishads, 213 mouzas and 285 villages.

Archaeological heritage and relics Brick-built fort at Patoar.

Marks of War of Liberation Memorial 2.

Population 275985; male 48%, female 52%; Muslim 98.31%, Hindu 0.83% and others 0.86%. Ethnic nationals: Chakma 5 families.

Religious institutions Mosque 394, temple 9, tomb 10, most noted of which are Nangalkot Bara Mosque, Jami Mosque at Khandkar Bari, Moukra Shahi Jami Mosque, Sree Sree Kali Mandir at Hesakhal, Belghar Mandir and Ohiajora Kali Mandir.

Literacy and educational institutions Average literacy 30.2%; male 36.6% and female 24.3%. Educational institutions: college 6, technical college 1, high school 28, madrasa 18, government primary school 105, non-government primary school 22. Noted educational institutions: Patoar Senior Madrasa, Nangalkot A U Kalim Madrasa, Nangalkot AR Multilateral High School, Badsha Mia High School, Nangalkot Hasan Memorial College, Mandali High School, Bholain Bazar High School and College and Shaktali High School.

Cultural organisations Club 102, public library 1, playground 10 and theatre stage 1.

Main occupations Agriculture 40.63%, agricultural labourer 18.87%, commerce 9.03%, service 13.97%, transport 2.04%, wage labourer 2.66% and others 12.8%.

Land use Total cultivable land 39755.57 hectares; single crop 10%, double crop 60% and treble crop land 30%. Cultivable land under irrigation 40%.

Land control Among the peasants 10% are landless, 38% small, 42% intermediate and 10% rich; cultivable land per head 0.15 hectare.

Value of land The market value of the land of the first grade is Tk. 10000 per 0.01 hectare.

Main crops Paddy, wheat, potato, corn, mustard seed, brinjal, garlic and pulses.

Extinct or nearly extinct crops Linseed, sesame, kaun , arahar , betel leaf and mulberry.

Main fruits Mango, jackfruit, papaya, banana, pineapple, guava, watermelon, palm, bel (wood apple), kamranga and dalim .

Fisheries, dairies, poultries Fishery 29, poultry 4 and hatchery 1.

Communication facilities Roads: pucca 85 km, semi pucca 12 km and mud road 1065 km; railway 21.5 km.

Traditional transport palanquin (extinct), bullock cart and horse carriage (nearly extinct) and boat.

Manufactories Rice mill 20, ice factory 4 and welding 67.

Cottage industries Goldsmith 20, bamboo work 130, blacksmith 80, wood work 204 and tailoring 305.

Hats, bazars and fairs Hats and bazars are 23, most noted of which are Nangalkot, Omarganj, Charia, Boxganj, Dhalua, Bangudda, Makrabpur, Hesakhal and Dayemchadi; fairs 2 (Kali Bari Mela at Thanda and Lemma Mela).

NGO activities Operationally important NGOs are brac , asa , grameen bank , Manab Kalyan, Bikalpa Sangshta.

Health centres Upazila health complex 1, satellite clinic 3, family planning centre 11.

Titas Upazila (comilla district) area 125.74 sq km, located in between 23°32' and 23°39' north latitudes and in between 90°42' and 90°51' east longitudes. It is bounded by homna upazila on the north, daudkandi upazila on the south, muradnagar upazila on the east, meghna upazila on the west.

Population 166457; male 83079, female 83378; Muslim 159343, Hindu 7081 and others 33.

Water bodies Main river: meghna.

Administration Titas upazila was formed on 22 February 2004 comprising a number of unions of Daudkandi upazila.

Source Bangladesh Population Census 2001, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

Archaeological heritage and relics Mazar of Pir Shahbajz (Gazipur).

Literacy rate and educational institutions Average literacy 34.22%; male 38.99%, female 29.83%. Educational institutions: College 1, secondary school 10, primary school 76, community primary school 9, madrasa 11. Noted educational institutions: Narayandia Mian High School (1913), Majidpur High School (1946), Jagatpur Sadan High School (1950), Mangalakandi Islamia Fazil Madrasa (1979).

Main sources of income Agriculture 49.94%, non-agricultural labourer 3.02%, industry 1%, commerce 19.07%, transport and communication 1.14%, service 6.23%, construction 0.78%, religious service 0.17%, rent and remittance 1.07% and others 17.58%.

Ownership of agricultural land Landowner 68.78%, landless 31.22%.

Main crops Paddy, jute, wheat, pulses.

Communication facilities Pucca road 24 km, semi pucca road 20 km and mud road 178 km.

Cottage industries Goldsmith, wood work, nakshi kantha, nakshi pankha, bamboo work.

Hats, bazars and fairs Hats and bazars are 17.

Access to electricity All the unions of the upazila are under rural electrification net-work. However 53.07% of the dwelling households have access to electricity.

Sources of drinking water Tube-well 91.17%, tap 0.60%, pond 3.45% and others 4.78%. The presence of arsenic has been detected in the shallow tube-well water of the upazila.

Sanitation 25.07% of dwelling households of the upazila use sanitary latrines and 63.93%' of dwelling households use non-sanitary latrines; 11% of households do not have latrine facilities.

Health centres Upazila health complex 1, satellite clinic 9. [AKM Jasim Uddin]

References Bangladesh Population Census 2001, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics; Cultural survey report of Titas Upazila 2007.