History of Chittagong 1761 1947 Vol 2 PDF
History of Chittagong 1761 1947 Vol 2 PDF
History of Chittagong 1761 1947 Vol 2 PDF
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I(ANUNGOPARA
CHITTAGONG
hrbltshedba
Dipankar $anungo
hintedat
Shahti Press
14 Rajapurlane,
Anderkilla, Chittagong.
janani.janmabfunnischasuargadapi'gartttgasL
PREFACE
The present book is the continuation of my
pubtished work A History of Chittagong, volume one
which deals with ancient and medieval periods. The
present work deals with the modern period of the
history of Chittagong. Thus the two volumes jointly cover
the ancient, medieval and modern periods of the
history of Chittagong.
During the latter part of the British rule people of
Chittagong became very much conscious of local
history. A number of native writers wrote many books
connected with the history of particular area. Most of
these works are not available at the present time. The
government reports, contemporary newspapers,
statisfical accounts, district gaoetteers, census reports,
travellers' accounts and other written documents are
useful sources of information regarding the history of
Chittagong under British rule. These sources have been
utilized in writing the book.
From the very beginning the British ruJers
conducted experiments in administration in order to
plan, organize and run the statecraft. Throughout the
latter half of the eighteenth century, the successive
experiments have failed to evolve an acceptable
system of govenrment. It was found difficult to carr5r on
day to day administration of the province and to
replace the Mughal administration. In fact, the British
administration was an amalgamation of British and
Indian system of administration. By the Cornwallis code
the magistrate collector was given sole authority to
orgarize the public affairs. Chapter four deals with the
evolution of administration in the district.
Four major communities, namely the Muslims,
Hindus, Buddhists and Christians are living together
in Chittagong from the medieval period. Each
tl
Preface I
Contents III
Chapter I L"and and People t
Chapter 2 Establishment of an
Authoritarian Government 8
Chapter 4 Administration 2r
Chapter 5 Societir and Social Life M
Chapter 6 Urban Centres 84
Chapter 7 Political Parties l08
Chapter 8 lndependence Movement 130
Note :
i5 Buchanant, p. l5
16 N/lennrandum. p. 83
17 Buchamtn, p. 3l
iB lbid., 1t" 50
l9 Htrnter, op. cit., p. I l8
Chapter 2
Establishment of an Authoritarian
Government
A. Chittagong under the trast India Company's
rule (1761- 1858)
By a secret treaty between the English East India
Company and Na'uvab Mir Kasim on Septentber 27, 1760, the
foriner gained the diwani of Chittagot g.l The grant of diwani,
embodied in the secret treaty, was oflicially confirmed on
October 15, 1760.2
In reality, a mere acquisition of diwani did uot satis$r the
English. They proceeded to take firrn hold of the district's ad-
nrinistration. In December, 1760, the council at Fort William
appointed Harry Verelst 'Chief of Chittagong and asked him to
take over char5les of the district from the faujdar. A council
consistirrg of two rnembers \^/as crlso appointed to advise the chief
in ofTir:ial functions.
On Janr-rery 5, 176l Verelst took charges of the adminis-
tration from Muharnmad Reza Khan, the last Mughal faujdar of
Chittagong, who Ilersonally acconrpanied Mr. Verelst in Decenr-
ber, 1760.3 Nawab Reza Khan never returnecl to Chittagong as
his powers and functions had been captured by tire English.
The appointment of 'Chiel'virtually put an end to the faujdarship
in the district. The company authorities brought. the giarrison-
ing Mugl-ral anny in Chittagong under Lheir control. The faujdar's
court was replaced by a council consisting of European
members. 'i'he adrninistration of the district was broughl
under direct supervision of the Calcutta auLhorities.
The cliwani grant of Chittagong was renewed by Nawatl
Mir Zafar on JuIy 6, 1763.
Establishment of an Authoritarian Governrnent II
Taking privilege of the diwani, the East India Company
'step by step assumed monopoly of inland trade.'By the
establishment of the Board of Trade in 1774 the English
acquired full authority over inland trade.
The company's rule in Bengal gained great significance
by enactment of the Regulating Act of 1773. This Act provided
for parliamentary superwision over the compally'S administra-
tion in India.
The East India Company began to make revenue man-
agements in its owrr way. In 1776 the khasmahal settlement
was introduced in some parts of the district. It was rnade more
extensive in 17 83. By this arrangement the British
government became the direct owrler of the cult-ivable land.
The refonns of l,ord Corrrwallis further consolidated the
British power in Bengal. By the Permanent Settlement a
subseryient landlord class was created. Executive power of the
district's ruler was strengthened by the concentration of
judicial functions in his hand. Thanas \vere created to make
sure. thal the laws wet'e obeyecl without question. During the
Independence mo\/ement a strong police force was created to
crush a.ll sort.s of agitation against government.
Tlie Brit.ish rulcrs took severe measures against any per-
son who refused to dcl r,r'hat the larv tells him to do. The Bengal
Regulation III of iElS authorized the British government to put
under detenticln for an indefinite period any person who mi$ht
be suspected of committing or cotrtentplating to ccmmit any act
injurious to tl"ie safety of ttre lSritish govenlment in India.
The suppression of the Sepoy Mutiny brought the whole of
the Mughal territory under the sway of one suprelne military
power-the British.
ts. Chittagong under the British Crown (l B5B-
1947)
On November t, 1858 by a proclamation, Queen Victoria
took over the administration of India to her owrr hand and put
10 | A History of Chittagong
not only over the political affairs but also over the economy,
education and civil service.
The Vernacular Press Act (1878) clearly and lirmly states
that one cannot write or speak anything that is critical of the
government. Newspapermen and writers had to write under
threat of interference by the goverrrment. By the Indian Act
( 19 I O) publication of materials what were thought to be
provide them with food and shelter the British authorities built
a number of refugee camps at Cox's Bazar area. Captain Hiram
Cox was appointed to supervise the relief works. The extreme
physical work was responsible for Captain Cox's premature death
in the later part of the year L798. His service to humanity is
preserved by naming the place Cox's Bazar.
In September, 1799, Lieutenant Thomas Hill was sent to
Burma to discuss with the Burmese government on the sub-
ject of the mass emigration of the Arakanese from their owrl
country. He was directed to tell the Burmese authorities clearly
and unequivocally that the British government would not expel
the emigrants by force, although no pains would be spared to
induce them peacefully to return to their native country. The
Arakanese governor justified the military action taken by him
on the ground that it was the British authorities who were
giving protection to rebellious Mu$s. The goverrlor, however,
declared that this unhappy incident should be forgotten and the
old ties of friendship uniting the two countries should be
rest<-lred. l6
The magistrate of Chittagong gave an order that the
troublesome Arakanese should be expelled from the British
territory if necessary by force.
The voluntary repatriation of the Arakanese refugees were
not safe. Buchanan's narratives give evidence of the cruel
action taken by the Burmese authorities towards the emi$rants
who had returned to their native places. -A Rakain chief named
Damaning had a few hundred attendants, and fled hither on
the overthrow of his country by the Burmese. (Afterwards) he
returned to Arakan, and \Mith his whole family was put to Death
17
by those sanguinary conqll".or"."
In l8ll serious troubles arose in connection with the
offensive operations against the Burmese authorities by an
Arakanese rebel leader named Nga Chin Slan, who is referred
to under the name of King Bering in contemporary British
records.
Relation with Burma I 17
{.
l8 I A History of Chittagong
Note :
l. Fifth Report from lhe Select Committee of the House oJ Commons on the
Alfairs oJ the East Irtdio Contpantg (1812), ed. W K Firminger, I, C)Oil
2. A. C. Banarji, Eastent Flontier of British Indtn. p. IOO
3. Memorandunr p. 98
4. Bengal District Gozetter
5 Hunter, op. cit, p. I lB
6 Btrchanran,p. 53
7 lbid".. p. 55
B lbid"., p. 52
9 Eastern Frontier. p. lO3
lO tbid.. p. tO4
II Memorandurn. pp. 205-06
12 Eastern Frortier. p. 133
13 Memorandurn, p. lO7
14 Buchuran,p. 57
15 lbid., p. 53
16 Eastem Frontier, pp. 145-46
17 Btrchanan, p. 55
lB Eostern FYontier. p. 179
19 lbid"..p. t77
20 tbid.. p. 179
2L lbid.. 1t. tB4
22 lbid., p. 186
23 O'Malle.y, op. cit.
24 Eastent F-ro..rlier. p. lS)5
the Mughal chakla system which had its revenue and civil
aspects.
During the Mughal rule, the whole district was divided
into nine chaklas. These were Nizampur (chiefly Mirsarai
Thana), Bhatiyari (comprising the greater part of Sitakunda
Thana), Aurangabad (comprising Hathazari and Fatikchhari
Thanas), Noapara (greater portion of Raozan Thana), Rangunia
(comprising the valley of the lchamati), Chakrasala (compris-
ing Patiya, Satkania and Boalkhali Thanas), Dohazari (com-
prising portions of Patiya and Satkania Thanas) Banskhali,
Deang (comprising Anwara Thana). To facilitate revenue settle-
ments chakladar was appointed in every chakla. Hc would be
responsible for regular collection of revenue. They were also
connected with the works of civil administration. The chakladars
were remunerated by the revenues derived from'secreted land.'
The chakladari system could not be persisted long owing
to the active opposition of Lhe zamindars.
After the abolition of the chakladari system the district
authorities proceeded to make settlements with Llne zarnindars
directly. Collector Goodwin was directed to make agreements
with the leading zarnindars of the district to ensure regular
collection of revenue. This alTangement was known as farmer
security system. By this system tlne zamindars were converted
to the fzrrmers who could retain their tracts of land on
payment of a fixed sum of money to the government. The
securities were to be the guards and guarantors for fulfilrnent
of the obtigation of paymelrt of revenue. The farmers artd their
sec:urities were in general relat.ed to the payment of revenue.
An interesting feature was that one farmer acted as surety for
another. The failure of the quinquineal settlement pul the
farrner-security system to an end.
In 1774, a great change took place in the district's
adrninistrative system. In this year, "the European Collectors
were recalled from the districts and native amils lilled ttre place
Adrninistration I 25
of the Collectors."B The amil was given wide power over district's
administration especially with regard to revenue affairs. In fact,
he filled the role of a collector.
under the amil the post of ameen was revived. The word
ameen means a trustworthy person. The post of ameen was
introduced in 1776. He was to investigate accounts connected
with revenue collection. Krishna Dulal was the first anleen
appointed in chittagong by the Governor General. "The Gover-
nor General himself gave him a special letter of introduction."9
I-Ie was to "collect from the zarnindars and talookdars the ac-
counts of the jumma, wasil bakee of the different land holders
for some years past."Io
Krishna Dulal left Chittagong on July 10, LTTT. He was
succeeded by Sreemunta Roy.
ljnder the amilship much of the Mughal system of gov-
ernment was revived. The amil and the group of native officials
under him were responsible for the goverrrment of the district.
'fhe official staff of the collectorate durin g IZTZ consisted of the
following persons. Collector or amil, assistant collector, diwan,
ameen, peshkar, head munshi, persian muhuri, karkun,
Bengali muhuri, writer, arasbegi, vakeel, khazanchi, poddar,
naib, nazir.
The lower grade staff was composed of the foilowing per-
sons, jamadar, peons, daftari, coly, hadi (sweeper), mashalchi.
The Regulations of the I lth April, rr9o rec:omnlended the
establishment of mufassil courts at Islamabad.l I In the next
year the recommendation was put into effect.
In l78 I some important changes gave a new shape to the
administrative system ol the district.
The native amil, whatever administrative efficiency he
had could not be wholly understandable to the Brilish authori-
ties. In actual flact, a British collector was capaLrle of being readily
understood by the higher authorities. In l78l the native amil
was replaced by European collector. The British collector gained
26 | A History of Chittagong
end the trial,_ or he may disagree and have the case tried
again before another jury.a2
The introduction of jury system is a significant step to
the involvement of public in the court of law.
The civil service means all governmental functions un-
der the Crown except military and naval functions.
The civil service system, introduced by the British
government was the mixture of the Indian especially the Mughal
mansabdari system with the Furopean civil service.
Indians were made eligible for the government
office, when entrance to the Indian civil service was thrown
open to a competitive examination in f 853.
Provincial executive service or Bengal civil service came
into operation in 1884. Before lB84 officers were appointed by
patronage system. From this time the officers were appointed
on the basis of a competitive examination.
Referring to the sanctioned office staff of the district
O'Malley writes (1909) :
At Chittagong the sanctioned staff consists of six Deputy
collectors, of whom four are Magistrates of the first class,
including usually of Joint Magistrates, and two are vested
with the powers of Magistrates of the second or third class
in addition to these officers, there are generally two Sub-
Deputy Collectors, and occasionally an Assistant Magistrate
stationed there.43
The chief secretariat of the district is known as sadar
katchery. Katchery means 'an office of administration, a court
house. -44 T]ne existence of the katchery dates back to the
pre-British Mughal period.
The working force of the sadar katchery in the beginning
of the 20th century was as follows : peshkar, muhuree, munshi
or writer, khajanchi or treasurer, nazir, government amin,
sheristadar.
34 I A History of Chittagong
In 1786 the collector of chittagong complained to the
higher authorities about the poor condition of the kutchery
buildings involvin$ risk to human lives. "It has often happened
*that
during the present rainy season" he wrote, I have been
obliged to keep back part of the business of the public for
days
together because I did not chos e to hazard the lives of
public
for the
officers by insistin$ upon their going into the buildings
purpose of paying or receiving money'
The present katchery buildings were built on the top of
the Katchery HiU (Fairy Hill) in the beginning of the lgth
century.
The christian holidays (especially X'mas) involved
vacation for a number of days when government offices, schools'
and business premises were closed. An Act declaring holidays
for Ramzan and Durgapuja was passed in 18O0'
Decent ralization of administration
Decentralization of district administration under the
British rule started in the middle of the 19th century' From
were
this time much of the functions of the district govelrlment
transferred to the authorities of the subdivision, thana'
municipality, local boards, port trust etc'
The subdivisional system, in the view of o'Malley, was
introduced in 1854. The district of chittagong was divided
into
and cox's
two subdivisions or mahakumas viz, chittagong sadar
Bant.
each
Each of the subdivisions was divided into thanas and
thana was subdivided into mauzas'
Administration of chittagong sadar sub division was
under the direct supervision of magistrate collector while
Cox's
officer who
Bazar was under the control of a subdivisional
belonged to the category of first class magistrate.
The powers and functions of a sub divisional officer
have not been delineated in any Act or [,aw. Referring
to his
Administration I 35
Note :
57 O'Malley, op.cit.
58 Hunter, op. cit., P. f 15
59 Hennessy, oP. cit., P. I70
60 Verelst to Playdell, 15th Feb. 1761
61 Buckland, op.ciL,I, 8O5-8O9
62 O'Malley, op.cit.
63 TI:Le Panch4ianycu Autumn Number' 1936 p- L22
Chapter 5
Socie$r and Social Life
A. Societies
People of chittagong are divided into four principal
organized religious groups, nalnely the Muslims, the Hindus'
the Buddhists and the Christians-
(A) The Muslim SocietY
Islam was brougfrt into Chittagong by the Arab traders and
preachers as early as the tenth century A D. From that time
Islam grew rapidly and within a short period the Muslims formed
the largest religious group in the district-
Muslims of chittagong mostly belong to the sunni sect.
Shiaism, the other major branch of Islam comprises a small
section of the Muslim society of Chittagong-
During the early British period, the economic condition
and the moral standards of the Muslims have fallen to a low
level.
In the middle of the nineteenth century, Lhere was a
number of reformation movernents amon$ the Muslims in
order to correct the social abuses. Among these movements
the Wahabi and the Faraizi movements were irnportant.
In the latter part of the nineteenth century and in the
early part of the twentieth century, two socio political
movements exercised deep influence on Muslim mind. These
were the Pan-lslamic movement and the Khilafat movement.
The infiltratiolr of western ideas in to the Muslim society
and the authoritative behaviour of the European countries
towards the Muslims produced serious problems in the Muslim
society. To overcome this crisis a greater unity among the
Societ5r and Social Life I 45
effects.
The Deoband educated scholars professed nationalist
ideologr.
A number of Muslim young students received education
in Aligarh system. Later on, they formed the Aligarh group of
Muslim elite.
The Muslim organizations of northern India had profound
impact on the Muslim society of Chittagong. Some of these
organizations were as foliows :
(Central) National Muhammadan Association. It was
founded byAmirAli in 1878. Within the space of the year 1883
the Association opened its branches in different places of
Bengal including Chittagong. According to the Article 9 of the
constitution of the Association, the presidents of the branches
would be the honorary vice-presidents of the central body and
the vice-presidents and secretaries of the branches would be
the members of the cent.ral body.
The Chittagong branch enrolled as many as 64 members.
Khan Bahadur Ikram Rasul was its president and Julfiqar Ali of
Chittagong Madrasa was its secretary. I Shr.ikh Riyazuddin
Ahmad Siddiqi was an important member.
The Chittagong branch of the Association was
officially functioning till 1909.2
Anjuman e Islami or Muhammadan Association. It
was established at Calcutta in 1855. Kazi Abdul Bari, a promi-
nent social worker of Chittagong was its vice-president.3 A
branch of the organization was also established in Chittagong
and Kazi Abdul Bari was appointed its president. He held this
post till his death in 1871.
The aim of the Muhammadan Assot:iation was to look
after the welfare of the Muslim society.a
Anjuman e Ulema. A number of Muslim theologians
and educated persons of Chittagong joined this organization.
48 | A History of Chittagong
into numerous groups each of which has its owrt beliefs and
practices.
Throughout the British period, the Durga Fuja was the
leading religious festival of the Hindu society. It falls during
the month of Aswin (September-October). At this festival the
image of Durga is worshippped generally for three days with
great devotion and then immersed in a river or a pond.
Corporate worship has gained growing popularity since
l93Os. According to the newspaper report, the sarbajanin
Durgapuja was first organised in 1937 in the village of Dakshin
Bhurshi.B In recent times, the Durgapuja festival is terminated
in a programme of cultural functions.
The Brahma Samaj
Brahmaism was introduced in Chittagong in the middle
of the nineteenth century. A number of enlightened youths
turned to Brahmaism the most prominent among whom was
Dr. Annada Charan Khastagir. From that time the number of
the Brahmas increased considerably.
Many Brahmas came to Chittagong from other parts of
Bengal and choose the place especially the town area to make
settlements. Referring to the numerical strength of the Brah-
mas the collector of Chittagong writes, "...nearly all had their
homes in other districts. Since I87I the number of Brahmas
in the district has increased to 5O or 60...-9
A number of the lJrahmas of Chittagong migrated to
Burma. The Brahma community of Burma formed social and
cultural organizations in order to solidi$r their community life.
According to newspaper reports, one such organization was
'Nikhi! Brahnro Pravasi Bangiya Sahitya Sammelan' (1923).
As the Brahma Samaj was becoming more and more
expanding, a schism within the Samaj developed. Ultimately
the Brahma Sama,i was divided into three different sects.
The Adi Brdt ma Samaj held the conventional view of
Society and Social Life I 53
bathing.
Journey to sacred places is an act of religious
devotion. Wealthy people and ascetics travelled to the distant
parts of India to visit sacred spots. While visitin$ a temple a
Hindu makes a circuit around the temple.
Religious structures
(a) Religious buildings used for the worship of
deities. The most sacred place of pil$rimage in the district is
the shrines of Sitakunda which attract pil$rims from distant
places of the country. Sitakunda is the collective name for a
number of shrines situated near one another. Bach one of the
temples is dedicated to a different deity.16
Barabkunda, a hot spring situated three miles south of
Sitakunda is a holyplace of bathing. Buchanan Hamilton saw
*several small temples dedicated to Siva and other gods" at
Barabkunda.
The temple of Adinath is situated in Maheshkhali Island
and is dedicated to Siva. The temple is visited by pil$rims in
large number throughout the y.ur.r7
Ramkot temple, dedicated to Siva is situated near Ramu.
Originally a Buddhist place of worship the environs of the temple
contain relics of Buddhist images which give evidence of its
existence as early as the tenth century A.D.
chatteswari temple is consecrated to the worship of
Chatteswari, the protectress goddess of Chattal or Chattagrama.
The worship of the goddess Chatteswari dates back to ancient
times.lS
The shrine of Medhas Muni is situated on the top of a
hillock at the village of Karaldenga in Boalkhali upazilla-
According to tradition, the shrirle was built by Medhas Muni' a
sage of remote ages. The sit.e was discovered by Swami
Vedanancla. le The temple is used lor the worship of the
goddess Dashabhuj a (Durga) .
58 | A History of Chittagong
perceptible.
The 'Magha Khamuja' of unknown authorship was trans-
lated into Bengali by Dharmaraj Barua under the name of
'Dharma Purabritta.'
The 'Agartara' was one of the earliest and the most
popular scriptural texts among the Bengalees and the Chakmas
alike. The whole book was divided into sixteen chapters or 'taras'.
The text was written in debased Pali langn.g..26
The 'Khaduthoyam'written in proto Burmese and dealing
with Lord Buddha's life and miraculous activities was
translated into Bengali verse by Nilkamal Das under the name
of 'Bouddha Ranjika'. The work was also translated into Bengali
prose by Fulchandra Barua.
Buchanan Hamilton states that "the principal
religious scripture" of the Rakhaing Buddhists was 'Kam-mua'.
He found 'some very fine copies of this book" in a kiyang of
southern Chittagong.2T The eminent traveller further writes,
"....Perhaps the Rakain edition of that book differs from the
Burma, as I found, that there existed many differences in the
religious doctrines of the two people."2B
'Kama-mua' is probably the Arakanese version of Kama
mukti or Nirbana. At present among the Bengalee Buddhists
and the Chakma Buddhists this sacred book is known as
'Parinirbana Sutta.'
Buchanan Hamilton ascribes priesthood to "two ranks of
priests : the Samona (sramana or samana) and Moishang (?
mahasaya), the latter of whom are the superiors, and by the
Bengalese are called Raulins2g 1r athat)" It may be assumed
that these kinds of priests were related to Buddhist asceticism.
Earlier than the nineteenth century the common Bud-
dhist priests used to live in village houses where they could
off'er their religious services. From the nineteenth century the
tsuddhist priests became familiar with living in monasteries
apart from villagers under vows of chastity. The normal part of
64 | A History of Chittagong
in his locality.
Lower middle class. This class consisted of independrint
farmers, traders, school teachers etc-
comrnon people, cultivators, manufacturers of commodi-
ties of daily tlse, daily wage earrlers, boatmen, cart drivers etc'
constituted the commonaltY.
Most of the peasants found it difficult to acquire their owrl
land since the land tenure system favoured land lordism'
Throughout the year a cultivator kept himself busy in such
works as preparing land, sewing plants and harvesting crops.
Interdependence among the common people helped to
sustain their livelihood.
Life style. Clothing for either men or women constituted
the casual and formal dress. Choga ("a dressing gown embroi-
dered on the sleeves and shoulders")Ss and chapkan were chiefly
worTl by the upper class male folk on the occasions of public
appearance and while attendin$ the official darbar'
shalwar kamij were outer $arments wore by Muslim
ladies on ceremonial or festive occasions. Embroidery works
provided clecorative details lbr the choga chapkan and shalwar
kamij.
Chemise and chaya (woman's body undergarment) are
originally Portuguese women's dress. These along with saree
were being used by the upper class Hindu womenfolk.
In the nineteenth century dhuti panjabi for the I'Iindus
and panjabi pyjama for the Muslims were $arments of the civil
aristocracy.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century the male folk
changed over to wester-n clothing. In the beginning of the tr'ven-
tieth century, the tlesign and type of clothing were modelled on
European uniforms.
costly dress and the use ofjewellery undoubtedly improved
appearance and heightened social position.
Society and Social Life I 77
ChittagongTown
In the early period of the British rule chittagong town
was merely a corporate place made up of a number of densely
populated villages connected with trading in goods. There are
about half a d.ozenplacenames ending in suffixes such asbazar
and ganj (for example, Waliganj, Imamganj, Nanakganj'
Rahamatganj, Katalganj, Kasim baz,ar, Lalkhan bazar, Dewan
$az.ar, Enayet bazar, Firingi bazar etc.) in the city area which
testiSr to their attachment to trade and commerce during the
Mughal period.
Dr. Francis Buchanan Hamilton while visiting the
Chittagong town in 1798 gives a description of the town as
*The town of chittagong is very populous....It consists
follows.
entirely of a number of scattered villages, occupying the
narTow vallies, which separate the south end of the low hills
running from Seetacoon (Sitakunda range) to the Kurrum
Fullee (Karnafuli).-l
The natural scenery of the town of chittagong
delighted a reporter, who visited the town in the middle of the
nineteenth century. He expresses his feeling in the following
words; "....a succession of small round hills, planted with coffee,
pepper, vines nnd bamboos, and surmounted by the villas of the
Engiish resid..:nts, give to the surrounding country an interest'-
ing and romantic aPpearance."2
At the time of the establishment of municipality,
chit, agong still retirined much of its rural character. Hunter
Urban Centres I 85
leader.aa
Throughout the Independence movement period the town
hall served as a forum for public speeches and debates on
political and social issues. Prominent politicians made public
addresses and patriots delivered fiery speeches before freedom
loving gathering.
Besides the political meetings, reception meetings, liter-
arJr meetings, anniversary meetings, condolence meetings and
cultural functions are regularly being held in the town hall.
Muslim Institute. The Muslim community of Chittagong
town felt the need of a building where people could meet for
literary and political purposes. To achieve this aim an assem-
bly hall was proposed to be constructed and it would be named
Muslim Institute.
Maulvi Nur Ahmad, chairrnan of the municipality while
praying grant of a sum of money for the construction of the
Muslim Institute to the goverrrment gives the following details
in the legislative council regarding the background of the
intended construction of the institute as follows :
A representation for a capital grant of Rs 30,000 was
submitted to government through Mr. A Momin the then
commissioner, chittagong Division in lg3o for establishing
an institution to be called the Muslim Institute at Chittagong.
Recently a mass meeting of the leading Muslims was held in
Chittagong and that copies of the resolution passed in the
same were sent to the Chief Minister under the signature of
Khan Bahadur Maulvi Abdus Sattar with a request to make
an early contribution of Rs 35,000 for the construction of the
proposed Muslim Institute.
In reply, Mr A K Fazlul Haque informed the Hon'ble
member that the matter was under consideration of the
goverrrment.45
There were some other minor buildings which were used
for gathering, discussion meetings, exhibition of handicraft and
96 | A History of Chittagong
other public business. Among these buildings the following two
are important.
Oldham Institute. It was primarily meant for public
meetings, particularly related to humanitarian works. In 1937
its secretary was Sunitibhushan Sen.
Chittagong Institute. It was established by a group of
elite for the purpose of social works. In 1913 Roy Upendra Lal
Bahadur and Mr. J K Ghoshal were its president and secretary
respectively. They held their posts till 1937.
Residential quarters. Chawk Bazar is the oldest part
of the town. During the Mughal and the early British period,
the ruling class and the aristocratic section lived in Chawk
Bazar area.
The placenarnes suffixed to tola, tuli, patti, sahar, abad
etc. suggest the extent of residential areas of the town during
early British period. (For example Mogaltuli, Pathantuli, Telipatli
Halishahar, Sholashahar, Agrabad, Ashkarabad etc.)
The part of the town covered by Chawkbaar, Chandanpura,
Dewan bazar was the most densely populated area, character-
ized by tightly clustered houses.
Since the seventeenth century Patharghata - Firingi Bazar
area has been the principal place of the Christian settlements.
Muslim settled areas could be found in every part of the
town. Their chief concentrations were Bakalia, Muradpur,
Khulsi, Madarbari, Pathantuli, Alqaran etc.
From the beginnin$ of the British rule changes appeared
in the pattern of residential areas of the town. The residential
quarters of the European officials were built on hill tops. W W
Hunter writes, "The houses occupied by the European officials
and their families are scattered over a considerable area, and
each house is on a separate hill."a6...
During the British period, small residential
neighbourhoods grew up in different parts of the town. These
areas were chiefly occupied by the middle class native elite.
Urban Centres I 97
inspector's office.
Some places of the town having natural beauty were given
special attention.
Hill resorts. There are a number of hills which are
pleasant to look at. A lot of people go to these hills especially at
afternoon to enjoy the sight seeing. Within the town some of
the attractive hills are as follows.
Fairy Hill (hill of fairies or hill of enchantment) is the
highest hill in the town. From the top of the hill the whole of
the town, river Karnafuli and many other objects can be seen
by bare eyes.
Tempest Hill is situated adjacent to the Fairy Hill.
Rangmahal Hill is situated near Anderkilla.
Golpahar Hills (Pravartak Hills). This range of rolling
hills was the most beautiful spot renowned for its natural
scenery. Climbing the hill tops and walking on the hill slopes
were enjoyable experiences.
Lakes and reservoirs. There are some lakes and
reservoirs which give the visitors great pleasure.
Lal Dighi. this is the natural reservoir of fresh water.
During the Arakanese period (1570- 1666) it was the principal
reservoir of water used by the garrisoning army. During the
subsequent Mughal period it retained its importance as the
principal source of fresh water. In the middle of the nineteenth
century Lal Dighi was given a beautiful shape. The inner sides
of the digtri were paved with brick. Two ghats or flight of stairs
were built on two sides of the dighi. One was Ricketts Ghat
named after the district magistrate Sir Henry Ricketts
(l 84 1-46). Another was Buckland Ghat named after the district
magistrate C T Buckland (1862-64).
Foy's lake. This natural reservoir was intended
particularty for the purpose of the railway workshop. A dam was
constructed on a stream under the supervision of Mr. Foys to
give a shape of reservoir. Since that time it has been named
Foy's lake. It is the most beautiful natural spot in the city, It
Urban Centres I lO3
Cox's Bazar
Before 1798 Cox's B,azar was an obscure place. Rennell's
map does not insert any habited place in this area. Dr. Buchanan
Hamilton while visiting the area in L797 does not mention
anything about human habitation in or near Cox's Bazar.
After the Burmese occupation of Arakan in 1786
thousands of Arakanese fled to southern Chittagong to escape
political persecution.
The Arakanese refugees could not settle permanently
anywhere owing to the continuous Arakanese incursions into
southern Chittagong. They lived in scattered hamlets spread-
ing all over southern Chittagong. The British government made
arrangements to assemble the Rakhaings in one place. Mr. H J
S Cotton writes, '"Towards. the close of the century (l8th) the
number (of the Arakanese immigrants) was found to be so great
as to demand special arrangements for their settlement."54 The
British Government in L798 "selected a tract of wasteland as a
convenient spot for the houses of the new Mugg (Rakhaing)
colony."ss The execution of the project was entrusted to. Cap-
tain Hiram Cox. Rent free lands were granted to the settlers.
"Since which time the inhabitants have enjoyed it rent free,
each person occupying his house as his own property."56 Th.
laborious task of relief works exhausted Mr. Cox's energy and
accounted for his premature death. He was the founder of the
township of Cox's Bazar. "He has left his name to the place now
called Cox's Bazar."57
In spite of continued Burmese military incursions into
southern Chittagong the Rakhaing settlement in Cox's Bazar
continued to be thriving. Within a short time Cox's Bazar grew
up to township. In l8l7 the district magistrate Mr. Paul
William Peehall writes, "Cox's Bazar is a large town upwards of
a mile in length, situated on a spot of sand about (at the
utmost) a quarter of a mile broad between the north and of the
hills called the White Cliffs and the river Bag Colly (Bak-khali).
This town.... is entirely full of houses."58 O""u.sional incursions
Urban Centres I lO5
I Buchanan, p, L23
2 Edward Thornton, A Gazetteer oJ the Territories under tlrc Gouentment
oJ the East Indta Compang, f B5B, p. 2O7
3 Hunter, op. cit., p. l5O
4 Buchanan, p. 123
5 Qt. Hunter, op.cit., p. l5O
6 rbtd.
7 O'Malley, op.ctt.
B The Panchqjanga, Autumn Number, i936, p. l2l
9 Hunter, op.ctt." p. l5l
l0 Buckland, op. cit., II, 959-60
I I tbid., p. 976
12 RAB, 1918-19. p. 46
13 lbid.. t92O-21, p. 46
t4 tbid.. 1922'23, p. 44
15 tbid., 1923'24, p. 43
16 lbtd.. 1925-26, p. 48
17 lbid., 1926 27. p. l2l
lB ORBLC, 1943. p.397
19 Qt. Hur-rtcr, oyt.cit. p. l50
20 Qt. Flunler. op.cit.. pp l5O-51
2l RAB, 1913-14. p:. XX
22 Bertgal Public: Heallh Report, 1941, p. B
23 The Pururbi. 1343
24 Buckland, op. ctt., II, 939
Urban Centres I LOZ
Tea garden strike and the exodus of coolies from the tea
gardens aggravated the situation. On the 20th and the 22nd
May the police made violent attacks on the assembled tea gar-
den coolies in the steamer ghats. The employees of the Assam
Bengal Railway did go on strike on the 24tl: and the 25th May.
These concerted refusal to work by the employees almost
paralysed the business transactions of the whole province.
To check the strikes and public meetings the government
undertook strong measures. Laws were enforced prohibiting all
kinds of anti government activities. On July 2, 1921, Jatindra
Mohan Sengupta, Mdhim Chandra Das and l6 others broke 144
and courted arrest and imprisonment. On July, 24, the police
forcefully dispersed a gathering of protesters at Pahartali- A
number of agitators were injured, some very seriously. Next
day the police enforced I44 Act in the city.
on July 27, on breaking I44 a mammoth gathering was
held at Gandhi Maidan. The police dispersed the meeting and
arrested Mrs. Nellie Sengupta and others.
Mahatma Gandhi accompanied with Maulana Mohammad
Ali came to Chittagong on Wednesday, August 31 , 1921, to preach
and expound the doctrine of Satyagraha and Khilafat ideology.
A mammoth meeting of about 20,000 people was held at Gandhi
Maidan. In this meeting Gandhiji ur$ed the audience to learn
how to spin with the help of 'charka'. Both the respected
leaders called for the deliverance of the country from forei$n
rule. In this meeting the young volunteers under the
leadership of Chandrasekhar De did praiseworthyjob. Gandhiji
stayed with Sengupta and was guided by Nripen Banarji.22 Next
day Gandhui and Mohammad Ali left Chittagong at 8 P M.
From ttre22nd to the 24th september, 1921 Urmila Devi,
sister of Chittaranjan Das gave a series of patriotic speeches
in a number of public meetings at different venue, in the town.
At this time the number of political arrests was speeded
up. On Sept. 23, I92I, the renowned Khilafat leader MaulviAbdul
144 -l A History of Chittagong
Prasanna Kumar Sen was sentenced to two and a half year im-
prisonment, Mokshada Ranjan Kanungo was sentenced to one
and half years imprisonment. Tripura charan chowdhury and
Umesh Chandra Guha were sentenced to one year imprison-
ment each. They were kept in Alipore jail. Ramesh charan
Raksit, Jamini Mohan BaSu, Ratneswar Chakraborty, Barada
Prasad Nandi, Dwijendra Mohan Kundu, Nazir Ahmad
24
Chowdhury suffered imprisonment.
During the Non Cooperation Khilafat movement about 610
persons courted alTest and 488 persons suffered imprisonment
of various terms.2S ln a very few other districts in the subcon-
tinent the act of arresting people on mass scale breaking
government regulation took place.
on February 12, 1922, Gandhiji called off the Non co-
operation Movement. In March he was arrested. The failure of
the Non- Cooperation Khalafat movement $ave rise to commu-
nal tension. On August 9, lord Lytton visited to Chittagong'
Growth of Extremism. The post Non-co-operation
period is marked by the $rowth of extremism in the struggle for
independence.
There were many factors that contributed to the growth of
extremism in Chitagon$. Some of these are as follows.
During the Non Co-operation movement the activities of
the agitators in defiance of government regulation and the cruel
measures taken by the government to deal with the agitators
brought both the parties face to face with terroristic activities
on both sides.
Publication of inflamatory books greatly contributed to the
growth of terroristic activites. Among these books' 'Bartaman
Rananiti' published by Abinash Chandra Bhattacharya was a
practical manual of the revolutionaries dealing with how to
make bombs and handting of fire u..-".26 The book has been
described by James campbell Kerr as "the principal revolution-
ary text b,ook.' Tarun Bangali' edited by Brajabehari Barman
146 | A History of Chittagong
governmen t.
The revolutionary leaders laid emphasis on the manufac-
ture of bombs and grenades. Ramkrishna Biswas, Tarakswar
Dastidar and Ardhendu Dastidar took the responsibility of
making crackers.
Accordingi to the armoury raid case report, the house of
Ganesh Ghosh was used as a secret store house of weapons,
explosives and bombs.
The death of Jatin Das caused by hunger strike created
ftrrious excitement all over Bengal. On September 15, 1929 a
huge condolence rally was organized by the l'outh Association.
Surya Sen, Ganeh Ghosh, Ambika Chakravorby, Lokanaitl Baul,
Ananta Singh, Nirmal Sen, Tarakeswar Dastidar, Naresh Roy,
Tripura Sen and many others participated in this rally. The
procession carried bannars of revolutionary writings. In the
condolence meeting that followed inflamatory speeches were
given to the attendingi public.
On September 2l , 1929, the annual meeting of the
district Congress Party was held to appoint delegates to the
central committee. 1-he militant groups gained control over the
meer.-ing. Medical practioner Mahim Che-nCra Dasgupta was
elected president of the ciistrict Congress committee. About 3OO
volunteers armed with sticks were kept ready to face any
attack on the part of the opposition group.z8 A serious distur-
bance followed the conclusion of the meeting. During the
skirmish between the two iroups in the streets Sukhendu Dutta
was mortally wounded and a number of people were injured.
The moderate wing of the district congress Party orga-
nized meetings in support of the civil disobedience at several
places. The speakers asked the audience to revive swadeshi
spirit- and ti trnitedly resist the foreign domination. In a
meeting held irr ()ctober, 1929 at Shikarpur, l.ripura Charan
Chowdhury presided over the meeting. Charu Bikash Dutta,
Hirenlra lal Chowdhury, Mahim Chandra Das and others
Independence Movement I L49
of the severe famine in the district the people did not take part
in greater number in this movement.
Besides the political movement, the leftists organized a
peasant movement called the Tebhaga Movement which was
directed in favour of the peasants' demand for greater share of
crops which they produce.
The Azad Hind Fauj. To free the country from the
British control a liberation army called Azad, Hind Fauj was
formed in south East Asia. The leader of the Azad Hind Fauj in
chittagong was Maulana Manir:uzzanlr,an Islamabadi. He
secretly met with Subhas Chandra Bose in Burma. The bases
for their activities were established in sitakunda and chakaria
with great secrecy.
The progress of the Azad Hind Fauj inside India caused
much rejoicings in the country. But the withdrawal of the
Japanese troops from the warfield made the situation difficult
and the Azad Hind Fauj was forced to retreat from the occupied
areas.
Note :
Note :
I O'Malley, op. cit.
2 Hunter, op. cit., p. 219
3 lbid.. p. 22O
4 See the poet's autobiography
5 Hunter, op.cit., p. 22O
6 lbid.
7 rbid.
8 rbid.
9 tbid., pp 22O-2t
lO lbid., p 22O
I I O'Malley, op.cit
t2 lbid.
13 Chtttagong District Gazetteer, p. 19
L4 Hunter, op. cit., pp. 219-20
l5 ORBLC, 1939, pp. 314-15
16 CDG, p. 19
17 Hunter, op. ctt. p. 219
l8 O'Malley, op.ctt.
19 CDG, p. 19
20 lbid". p. 20
2l The Bangla Gazette, l93O
22 RAB, 1935-36, p. 89
23 ORBLC, 1941, pp. 426-27
24 T}:.e Bangla Gazette, l93O
25 rbid., 1929
26 ORBLC. 1939. p. 398
27 lbid., 1942, p. 19
28 O'Malley, op.cit.
29 CDG,p.20
30 O'Malley. op.ctt.
3l Hunter, op cit., p. 2ll
32 The Panchajanga, Autunrn Nunrber 1345, p. 105
33 ORBIT. rc39, p. 55
34 The Abhljan. 1938, p. t7
Education | 179
Note :
I Hunter, op. cit., p. 231
2 RAB, 1922-23
3 Bengal htblic Health Report, 1941, p. 22
4 The PanchqjanAo- Autumn Number, 1342, p. lO2
5 Annua| Report on the Worktng oJ Hospttals and Dtspensaries under the
Gouentment of BengaL 1929
6 lbid.
7 Trienninl Report on the Working oJ Hospitals and Dispensartes, 1932-34,
p. 2L
B lbid,., t929-31, p. 2O
9 ORBLC, 1945, p.277
l0 RAB. 1926-27, p. r97
II TRWHD, 1932-34, p. 2r
12 The Deshapriya, Jan, 1939, p. 23
13 Bengal Public Health Report, 1940, p. lol
14 ORBIC, 1928, p. 44
15 Hunter, op. ctt., p.233
16 ORBLC, 1940, p. 62
17 lbid.., 1945, p. 86
l8 TRWHD, t932-34, p. 34
r9 rbid., r93B-40
20 The Deshapnga, Falgun 9, 1344, p. 15
2l The Purabr' 1343
22 The Deshapriga, Paush 19, 1344. p. 3
23 Annuol Report oJ the Indtan Red Cross Society, Bengal Proutncial Branch,
1938, p. 32
24 T}:e PanchqjanAa, Autumn Number, 1343
Chapter 11
Disaster and Relief
The district of Chittagong is prone to natural
calamities such as tornado, cyclone, tidal bore, flood etc. The
district has also been victim of man made calamities such as
famine, wartime disaster and evacuee influx.
A. Natural Disasters
Referring to the natural disaster, differing in places,
Walter Hamilton writes that the coastal area is subjected to
terrible cyclones and tidal bores, "while those of the interior,
being subject to inundation from the mountain torrents which
rush down the hills."l
The natural disasters that frequently visit the
district are as follows :
1. Tornado, cyclone and tidal bore. Kalbaisakhi, the
Bengali name for tornado is a regular feature in the warrner
months of the year especially during April-May. The strong wind
that rises in the afternoon after day long heat is known as
kalbaisakhi. It is invariably accompanied with whirlwind, light-
ning and thunder. The cloud is usually dark because of its great
depth. The Kalbaisakhi is generally followed by hailstorm and
heavy showers.
Apart from the kalbaisakhi, cyclones of great strength
occasionally visit the district in any time of year. It is
associated with low depression created on the Bay of Bengal.
A cyclone always creates tidal bores in the coastal area
and follows high precipitation in the interrior of the district. A
very large ocean wave caused by cyclone destroys everything
in the coastal area. A short description of some worst type of
cyclones that visited Chittagong is given below.
Disaster and Relief | 189
to flood tide especially during the full moon and the new moon
periods. During the British period a number of embankments
were built up in order to keep out the sea water from flooding
the agricultural land. Some of these embankmens were the
Kutubdia embankments, the Gandamara dykes, the Saral
embankments, the Bakkhali embankments, the Gahira
embankments, the embankments on the Buramchhara.
Violent tidal bores seriously damage these embankments which
have to be rebuilt after each calamity.
4. Blight. Plant disease caused by parasites and cater-
pillars damages the paddy crops especially in aman season.
Every year blight visits some parts or other of the district, which
became disastrous to the afflicted areas. The condition is more
acute where aman is the only crop of the year.
5. Earthquake. The district of Chittagong is located in
the volcanic belt. A mild to moderate form of earth tremor may
occur in any time of the year.
Among the powerful earthquakes on record the earth
quake of 1762 was the most disastrous. Serious cracks on the
surface of the earth did occur ever5rwhere in the district. The
reporter gives a detailed description of the extensive damage to
life and property.16
Earthquake of moderate type often shakes the
district. An earth tremor occured in the winter of 1865. On the
I2th June, l8g7 an earthquake shook the distri ct.L7
B. Man made disasters
1. Famine. Every natural calamity followed famine. The
occurence of cyclone, tidal bore, flood, blight, draught etc. left a
trail of famine behind each of them. Extreme scarcity of food
caused death from starvation. No food or any kind of relief was
given to the distressed people to relieve their misery. If the
food, shelter and medicine were given to the distressed people
in time then the suffering of the victims would be much
reduced.
Disaster and Relief | 193
DUaT{ 6q-{r< ,[D qwrfrrs frr sqirqn s qrqrq ffirs sM sfu qf-< qd
S"nRi{ sRrt allfr\o rionrrt qNnft {t;t EIEzq< <l-{ ftftfu €o rfu uto <qrr<
q?co {rq< ersr< u3fl{ "Ffs RVe Ef$ qG-{tq rgq-cq-rt €p +q"rcr 1i o+
mro qfr$ q-+q<{t $ sRrtcR tgsrrr.'t3r qs flGm{ q{flil qr$-<l-Gr ?ffi I
ffiqR <-q ql{ Etrs qlqk$ E?qrf re El{ q-{13i okfl 6q'srt €qlcq r eR
qqw qq-{t c{q {rc{< Bqtfrrg mtF< E{< w,fs qtrTrq r tqr< E"r< frFrUftm-<
E"E-{ € eRrcq-< q;{I TITIIEFII XW fr{ti t...n2o
Note :
I Hamrlton's Htndustart
2 Gentleman's Magazine uol WII
3 Memorandum, p. 229
4 lbid.
5 Hunter, op. ctt., p.184
6 The Panch4janAa, Autumn Number, 1342, p. l0l
7 The Naua Jiban, l29l
8 See the poet's autobiography
9 RAB, 1922-23, p. 3
lO p. 43
Ibi.d.., 1923-24,
II lbid. 1926-27. p. 68
12 lbid., 1916-17, p. 77
13 ORBLC, 1928. p. 44
L4 lbid. 1937. p. 744
l5 lbtd... 1940; pp. 36-37
16 JASB, 1762
17 The Panchqjanga, Autumn Number 1342, p- LO2
this association
Throughout the period of its existence from L875 to 195O
the Association was connected with all kinds of social and
humanitarian works.
Within a very short time of its establishment about five
or six girls schools were established in the urban and rural
areas.lS Frorn that time down to the first quarter of the twenti-
eth century a number of educational institutions were built
under the patronage of the Chittagong Association.
The Chittagong Association provided humanitarian aid
for the famine and flood stricken people and the people affected
by the world wars. The Association urged the government to
treat the imprisoned revolutionaries fairly and not in a cruel
way.
In 1925 the Association celebrated its golden jubilee.
Islam Association (variously called Moslem
Association, Mohammadan Association) Chittagpng
Branch. The Association was established in lg08 (?). The
pulpose of the organization was the development of religion,
society, education and the country by establishing unity and
fraternity among the Muslims. Almost all the Muslim elite were
either members of the Association or connected with the
charitable activities of the Association. The members made
efforts to deal urith social problems according to the current
socio-political beliefs.
Chattagram Musalman Chhatra Samiti. The Samiti
was the district branch of province wide organization. It was
established in L924 for the purpose of welfare activities. The
organization was also connected with political movements.
Chattagram Zllla Juba Samiti. On October 29, Lg2g a
large gathering, presided over by the divisional commissioner
Mr. Abdul Momen was held at the Muslim Hall. A proposal to
establish a youth organization to be named as Chattagram ziLla
Jubo Samiti was adopted unanimously in the meetfhg.16
2O8 | A History of Chittagong
Note :
L ORBL C, l94 r
2 lbid. p. L3O
3 lbid. 1933.p.79
4 lbid".. p. 337
5 The Dourrk JgotL 1929: The Sa@abarta. 1344
6 'I\e DeshnpriAa- 2O Agralngarv 1344. p. 12
7 lbid-. I August. 1938
8 Annual Report on the Working of Hospitals and Di-spensaries under the
Gouentment oJ BengaL 1929-38
9 rbid_., 1932
lO lbid., 1938, p. L7
I I Annunl Report oJ tle Indio,n Red Cross hcietg, Bengal Prouitrcinl Bro.nch-
1937. p. 34
12 lbid.pp. 34-39
13 Hunter, op. ctt., p. 2ll
t4 lbid.
l5 Ibid.
16 The Bangla Gazette, 1929
t7 lbid.. 1930
18 The Abhijan, 1938, p. 15
l9 RAB. l9l9-2o. p. 45
20 ORBIT. 1935. p. 339
2r tbid.
Chapter 13
Literature and Literary Organizations
The term literature applies to a variety of literary
compositions suclr as poems, novels, plays, literary criticisms,
itineraries etc. In all these branches of literature, Chittagong
makes commendable contributions. Much of the compositions
either in prose or in verse written during the British period
have lasting quality and artistic merit.
The latter part of the nineteenth century and the early
part of the twentieth century witness a revolutionary change
in politics, religion and society. This change has charactertzed
the contemporary literary composition.
Contact with the English learning brought a change in
Bengali style of writing. The English poets anci writers greatly
influenced the Bengali poets and prose writers in the same
degree.
Establishment of printing press provided an opportunity of
printing and publication for a writer's compositions.
It is not possible to give a detailed description of literary
works in a short space Only a brief study on the literary
activities during the British period is permitted here.
Chittagong has a glorious tradition of the cultivation of
classical litel'at.ure such as Sanskrit, Pali and Persian. Culti-
vation of Sanskrit literature goes as far back as the ancient
period. A nur .ber of distinguished Sanskrit scholars during the
British period wrote many Sanskrit works among whom the
following writers are noteworthy. Rajani Kanta Chakravorty
Sahityacharya wrcte 'Chattal Bilapam' in praise of literary per-
Chandra Bhattacharya Vidyavinod
son . rges of C hittago 19. J agat
vi, ,te a biographice I work named 'Srivatsya Charitam' which
Literature and Literary Organizations | 2L3
the Parishad held at the J M Sen Hall homage was paid to the
great scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose.
In January. 1938 a condolence meeting on the death of
Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyaya was held in the J M Sen Hall.
The meeting was jointly organized by the Sahitya Parishad and
the Sahitya Majlis.
On February 3, 1939 the death anniversary of poet Nabin
Chandra Sen was held at the J M Sen Hall under the auspices
of the Sahitya Parishad. The Arya Sangeet Samiti conducted
the musical soire and Mrs Ashalata Mukherjee presented
vocal music. Presided over by Mahim Chandra Das, the
meeting was attended by a large number of literary persons.
Professor Jogesh Chandra Sinha delivered a valuable speech
on the literary composition of the great poet.
In l94O the Rabindra Jayanti in honour of the great poet
was celebrated at Patiya. The SDO Sailendra Mitra made
necessary arrangements f<lr the celebration. Acharya Ksiti
Mohan Sen, the renowned Rabindra scholar was invited to
preside over the conference.
The Chattagram Sahitya Parishad Library was a pride
possession of the Parishad. The library had no building of its
own. It was housed at the Public Library building. The library
was enriched by the donation of books by the local elite. In 1925
the total number of volumes in the library was 637.10
Chattagram Musalman Sahitya Parishad. It was
established in the early part of the 1940s. The purpose of this
orSanization was to promote the literary pursuits of the
Muslim writers. The Muslim landlords and merchants
generously helped the Parishad.
According to the news report, the annual literary confer-
ences under the auspiecs of the Parishad were usually held on
large scale. Literary persons of the other parts of the province
were invited to participate in the conference. In 1945, a two
days long literary conference was ceremoniously held at the
Literature and Literary Organizations I 227
Note :
I Ttre BangLodesh Asiattc Soctetg Patrtka. l9B3 p- 127
Literature and Literary Organizations I 231
2 Webster's Dicticsnary
3 rbid.
4 OxJord Dictiorruru
5 Qt. Jounral o-f Buddhist Text Society, VoL. 1, Pt. il, 1894, App. tti-
6 Bangtya Sahitya Parislwt, 1894, Proceedings
7 The Deshapriyla, ll October, 1937, p. l3
B Th.e Purabu 1345
9 The Deshapnya, No. 5, 1938
t 0 Bangilla Sahitga Parishat, Proceedings, 1332
was Bipin Chandra Barua. Lalit Kumar Barua and Upendra Lal
Barua were secretary and joint secretary respectively.
(The) 'Chandrasekhar' : a religion based monthly. It was
first published in L878.2
'Chattal Gazette' : weekly. The periodical was ed-
(The)
ited by Aksay Kumar Gupta. According to Brajendra Nath
Bandyopadhyaya, it was first published in 1888 A.D. The 'Dhaka
Prakash' while praising its good qualities mentioned the date
of its publication as l8B7.s According to the government report,
it was Iirst published in 1887.4 It -a" a renowrred newsperiodical
containing useful facts about current events and academic
affairs.
(The) 'Chattala': This literary periodical was
published by the Postal and RMS Employees Union. It was first
published in 1937. The quality of the periodical has owned praise
of the public.5
(The) 'Cox's Bazar Hitaishi' : edited by Abdur Rashid
Siddiqi, it was first published in 1946.
(The) 'Deshapriya; : weekly newspaper. This popular
newspaper was first published in 1937. Hirendra Lal Chowdhury
was its editor and Subrata Das was joint editor. The'Deshapriya'
belonged to the 'Panchajanya' newspaper group. An important
characteristic of this newspaper was the presentation of news
of rural areas in greater amount. It also contained articles on
political views and news of politcical and cultural meetings held
both in rural and urban areas.
(The) 'East Echo' : English fortnightly. Edited by Kalipada
Bhattacharya. First published in 1938 under the sponsorship of
the Bast Press Alliance.
(The) 'Gairika' : half yearly periodical. It was first pub-
lished in 1936. The name of the journal was given by Rabindra
Nath Tagore. The journal was edited by Prabhat Kusum Dewan
and was published under the auspices of Rani Binita Roy of
Chakma royal family.
236. I A History of Chittagong
(The) 'Ganabani' : edited by comrade Muzaffar Ahmad
and first published in 1926.
(The) 'Hitabarta' : weekly newspaper. It was first pub-
lished in l3to B E. Its new series appeared in the 193Os and
was edited by Birendra t al Dasgupta.
(The) 'Islamabad' : weekly. It was edited by Farrokh
Ahmad Nezampuri. After his going away to Rangoon Khorshed
Alam Chowdhury became its editor.
(The) 'Jagajyoti' : It was the spokesman paper of the
Bengal Buddhist Association, Calcutta. It was edited by Ven.
Gunalankar Mahasthavir. It played a very important role in the
revitabzation of the Buddhist society.
(The) 'Janamat' : weekly nationalist paper.
Edited by Abdul Monayem. It was first published in 1343 BE.
(The) 'Jugadharma' : weekly news magazine.
Edited by Jyotish Chandra Kar. It gained popularity so long it
continued to exist.
(The)'Juger Alo' : Edited by poet Didarul Alam it was
published in Fare Street, Rangoon. It was liberal and progres-
sive in ideologz.
(The) 'Juger Jyoti' : It started its publication in 1934.
Editor was Syedur Rahman.
(The) 'Jyoti' : a news based paper. Its founder
editor was Kalishankar Chakravorty. From l9l I to 1929 it was
published as weekly magazine. l,ater on, it was published as a
daily by Mahim Chandra Das. The paper was always very
critical of government policy. In 1929 the Jyoti was proscribed
by government ordinance.
tThe) 'Kohinoor' : monthly. It was the spokesman paper
of Jamaat e Ahle Sunnat and was published in 51, Ghat Farhad
Beg, Chittagong.
(The) 'Madina' : It was edited by Nazir Ahmad Chowdhury,
a renowrled freedom fighter.
Journalism | 237
The periodical was published only for two years ( 1320 and
1321). The publication of the periodical discontinued after the
death of the editor.
'Prantabasi' : The periodical is referred to by Purna
(The)
Chandra Chowdhury in his 'Chattagramer Itihas'.
(The) 'Pratibha' : monthly periodical edited by Umesh
Chandra Mutsuddi.
(The) 'Pujari' : monthly. First published in 1928. It was
edited jointly by Abdul Karim Sahitya Visharad and Manindra
L,al Chowdhury.
(The) 'Purabi' : a literary periodical. First published in
I 343 B E ( I 936) . It was joinfly edied by Ohidul Alam and Ashutosh
Chowdhury. Both of them were members of the Pragati lrkhak
Samgha. Preference was given to the members of the lrkhak
Samgha in publishing their compositions. The periodical is of
high standard in consideration of published materials, paper
and printing.
(The) 'Purb.a Darpan' : edited by Janab Ahmadullah. First
published in 1885. Circulation of the number of copies of this
paper was 7007 which suggests its popularity.
(The)'Purba Pratiddhani' : fortnightly periodical. It was
edited by Chandrakanta Chakravorty and printed in the press
established by Kamalakanta Sen. It was the first news based
periodical published in Chittagong. The periodical was published
for the first time in Baisakh, 1286 (1879). In 1883, 474 copies
were either sold or distributed.s
(The) 'Rashtrabarta' : editor Mohammad Lokman Khan
Sherwani
(The)'Rishitattva' : This religion based monthly periodi-
cal was first published in l88l, edited by Annada Charan
Saraswati.9
(The) 'Sadhana' : monthly literary periodical. [t was
edited by Abdur Rashid Siddiqi. The periodical was first
Llou.rrralism | 239
Note :
Note:
wood and fibrous plant. These were broken into small pieces
and crushed until it was soft. The powder then cooked gently
until it forms a pulp. The material then used to make paper.
Wood work. Wood workers known as sutradhar cut, shape
and erect various t5pes of wooden structures and decorative
objects.
Leather work. Luxury garments were made from fur that
grows on the body of some animals. Fur of beaver was of much
demand in Europe. It was an important item of export.43
There was a class of tanners (charmakar) who made
leather from hides and skins. They also made footwear of
different designs.
Weaving and embroidery. Weaving means to make
clothes on a machine called tant and the people who are
employed in weaving are called tanti.
Referring to the cloth rnanufacture during the early
British rule H J S Cotton writes, "The principal cloth aurunghs
(in 177Os) in the interior of tl-re Chittagong district were at Meer
Ka Sarai, Banscolly, Hazaree's Haut and Duckin seak."44
According to Hunter, "Coarse cloth was woven in the
mid-nineteenth century."4s "Th. Jugis of Chittagong manu-
facture coarse cloth." Lungi "made out of the silk and cotton
cloth is woven by the Magh women (of Cox's Bazar)"46
A weaving school was established at Cox's Bazar to train
the Rakhaings in weaving industry. In 1914 it was "becoming
popular.... and the accommoclation was increased.'47
According to government report, four more weaving schools
were established in 1914. These were l. Katirhat Weaving
School, 2. Fatehnagar Arya Weaving School, 3. Weaving school
at Hulain, anci 4. Muslim Shilpa Vidyalaya at Baraiar Dhala.a8
The Swadeshi and Independence movement gave an
impetus to the production of khaddar. Khaddar factories sprang
up in diffbrent. places of the district.a9
264 | A History of Chittagong
in the port area. Yakub Ali Dobhash ( 1836- l gog) and Abdul Haq
Dobhash (1874- l95l) were some of the notable persons who
were connected with the ship building industry.
In 1853 Mr. Currie of the Board of Revenue described the
port as a shipowning rather than a trading place.56
W W Hunter's narration gives information about the
gradual decline of ship building industry in Chittagong in the
latter part of the nineteenth century. He writes, "ship building
was till the year 1873, carried on to a considerable extent at
Chittagong. In 1860-61 sixteen vessels were built of a total
burthen of 2,036 tons.... In 1870-71 sixvessels of a total burthen
of 1,028 tons. In the year 1873-74 only four vessels were built"
ln L874-75 only one vessel of 286 tons."S7
The decline of the ship building industry in Chittagong
was due to the negative policy of the government. Mr Nur Ahmad,
chairman of Chittagong municipality strongly criticised the
government policy on the ship building industry and made the
government responsible for its decline. He says in the
provincial council,
In Chittagong, in our infancy whenever we went by the side
of the river Karnafuli, we found that it was full of ships so
much so that any casual observer from a distance might have
taken it to be a shipyard and not a river. But by the enact-
ment of the cruel law which prohibited Indian ships from
going out in the open sea; from that time ship building has
died out. During the last war in 1914, when Government again
permitted building of ships and allowed Indian ships to go
out in the open sea that industry revived and people began
to build ships. But after the war, the law was again enforced
and after that ship building died out. For that reason,
government should be asked to revive that industry which
once brought prosperity to Bengrl.58
Pahartali Railway Workshop. The Patrartali Railway
Workshop was built in the 1930s to rnanuf'acture railway
equipment and to repair railway machinery parts. It was the
Economic Condition | 267
Total : 12 memberslo6
Towards the close of the British rule the senior officers
employed at the management of the port were deputy
conservator, port engineer, secretary, harbour master.l0T
The establishment of Assam Bengal Railway headquar-
ters in Chittagong greatly increased the importance of
Chittagong port. The link line connecting the port with the main
line serves to carrlr imported goods to distant places of the
subcontinent.
Jetties. Jetties are indispensable for a port. In earlier
times, woodwork jetties were constructed to protect the ships
from cyclone and tidal bore and to help loading and unloading of
cargoes. Four jetties were built between 1898 and 1910.
Light houses. A tower shaped building equipped with
powerful light was constructed in the island of Kutubdia to give
signal to the navigation of ships in the port area. It was
constructed by General Lighthouse, Government of India in the
tgth century. A lighthouse keeper was appointed to operate the
lighting and signalling. During his visit to the island, poet Nabin
Chandra Sen saw this lighthouse in functioning order.
Besides the Kutubdia Lighthouse, there were two other
lighthouses on the seashore for warning or guiding ships at
sea. One was Norman's Point Lighthouse and the other one
was Patenga Beacon. The latter one started its function on
October 14, L945.
Survey. Surveying of river bed with the objective of safe
navigation started immdiately after the acquisition of the
Diwani. A body of government officials were appointed to
examine the condition of the river bed. They were asked to
submit a report on the results of the investigation. Since then
the mouth of the river Karnafuli is regularly being surveyed.
Extensive survey work was undertaken in April, Lg42.ro8
Dredging. Constant dredging was required for
removing silting on the river bed and in checking shoaling on
282 I A History of Chittagong
Note :
I Hunter, op. ctt, p. f6f
2 Census Report, l93l
3 Brchanan p. 26
4 lbid. p- 15
5 Hunter, op. ctL p. 159
6 Brchonon p. 16
7 'the Parrch4janga 1342, p. l9l: Hunter op- cX., p. 2O8
8 'Hunter, op- cX., p- 2OB
I RA,B. r9r l-l2. p. 37
lO lbid. p. 23
. I I The Pancl4janga. Atrt. Sp. 1936
12 Brchanan p. 22
l3 lbid. p. 23
14 CDG.p.7
15 Memorandurru p. 188
16 lbid, p. r87
17 Brct'r.nan p- 26
18 lbid, pp. 35, 46
19 lbid, p. aG
20 Bttckland. I, 3f4
2l Hobson Jobson
22 Homifton's Hindustan, I, 169
23 Memorandtrrru p. l8
24 Hunter, op. cit., p. 129
25 lbid.
26 Bttct'c.nan p. 50
27 Memorandum. p. 20
Economic Condition | 287
28 Ibid.., p. 28
29 Hamilton's Hindustan
30 Buckland. l, 287
3l The Administration oJ the Ittuer Prouinces oJ Bengal during Lt. Gouernor-
ship oJ Sir John Woodburn, Calcutta, 1903, p. 37
32 RAB, 1917'18, p. 77
33 lbid"., 1922-23, p. lO6
34 lbid.. I9r7-lB, p. lO0
35 ORBLC, 1940, p. 964
36 Hobson Jobson, p. 336
37 RAB, 1922-23, p. 74
38 Htuter, op. cit., P. I32
39 RAB, 1922-23. p. 77
40 Hunter, op. ctt. p. lB7
4l Btrchanan,p. 38
42 RAB, 1922-23, p. 77
43 Hunter, op. ctt.. p. 132
44 Memorandum p. 23
45 Hunter, op. cit., p. lB7
46 lbid.: RAB, l9ll-12, p. 37
47 RAB, l9l4 15, p. 68
48 ORBlf, 1941, p. 247
49 RAB, 1922-23, p. 76
50 ORBIC, 1939, p. 9
5l RAI|, l9l4-15, p. 68
52 rbid.
53 ORBI,C, 1934, p.24
54 The Deslupngc, August 2, 1938,p.22
55 Hamilton's Hindustan, I, 169
56 Qt. Hunter, op.cit., p. 191
57 Hunter, op.cit., p. 192
58 ORBLC.1940, p. 609
59 The Deshapnya, 1939
60 Hunter, op. cit., p. 186-87
6I Memorandum p. 2O5
288 | A History of Chittagong
62 gt. Ibid.
63 Mernorandum, pp. 2O5-2Oo
64 lbid... p. 206
65 tbid.
66 ORBLC, 1939, p.73
67 C D G, B VoL. l92l-31, p. 23
68 Hunter, op. ctt., 186-87
69 ORBLC, 1941, pp 4O-4r
70 lbid., p. 4l
7I Hunter, op, cit., p. 127
72 lbtd., p. r29
73 Bucltanan,p. 23
7 4 tbid.
97 rbid
9B RAB, l9lI-12, p. 2O3
99 Ibid., l914-15, p. 58
loo Ibitl.. 19l3-14, pp. l3-14
lol Ibtd., rgl8-19, p. 58
r02 Ibid.. p. 6r
l03 Ibtd., 1924-25, p. 58
l04 Ibid., 1926-27, p. 143
105 Ibid., 1927-28.p. 143
106 ARPC. 1945-46
t07 rbtd.
r08 rbtd.
l09 RAB. 1911-12, p. 2O3
lto tbid.
lll ARPC, 1945-46
tt2 Hunter, op. cit., p. 129
l13 Ibtd. p. l9l
l14 Ibid., p. l9O
ll5 Ibid.
i
r16 Ibid.
tt7 Hamiltons Hindustan, I, 169
rl8 Hunter, op. cit., p. 132
ll9 Ibrd, p. l9l
r20 Ibid.
t2l I, 37
Firrninger,
122 MentorandurrL pp. l9-2O
t23 O'Malley, op.cit
124 Hunter, op. cit., p. 2O7
r25 The Deshapriga, 1938
t26 Hunter, op. cit.. p. 162
Chapter L7
Social Change
Society during the latter part of the British period
experienced fundamental changes in the social order which
was quite different from the beliefs, customs and the way of life
of the people of previous period. This change was not abrupt but
a gradual process, which continued for decades.
The process of becoming westernized in thoughts and
language ushered a change in the social order. As early al
order as the beginning of the nineteenth century, English
language has found favour with the people of Chittagong.
Ramkinu Dutta (I8Ol-1894) was one of the earliest persons
who was able to speak English fluently with the English
officers. He not only could write English in amusing way but
also could compose poems in English. Krishna Chandra
Chowdhury (1844- lB94) was the first English knowing person
in the Buddhist society. He had great influence in the contem-
porary Buddhist society. The highly English educated persons
such as S. Nader Ali ( 1854- l93O) Abdus Satter, Shaikh Rafiuddin
Siddiqi played important role in the process of social change of
the Muslim society as early as the nineteenth century.
The spread of Bnglish educatioir and the establishment of
English educational institutions in growing number eve4rwhere
in the district brought about a western educated societ5r which
worked to adapt to modern societ5r.
Both the government and the humanitarians were very
much keen to estaLrlish educational institutions particularly
higher English institutions. In the later part of the nineteenth
century goverrlment provided help for the implementation of
free compulsory primary education.
Study in government colle$es, Aligarh University, Calcutta
Social Change | 29L
tion and the changed social behaviour furnished the ability and
the qualities of good leadership needed to lead the society. The
transformation of leadership from the upperclass to
the middleclass was an important aspect of new social system.
In the early part of the twentieth century a number of
political partics came into being and the educated class of all
societies took an active part in political organizations espe-
cially political parties. The ideologies of the parby were expressed
in the party meetings and in the publication of parby bulletins.
Political activities were apparent in the election system
which greatly helped the democratization of political behaviour
of the people.
Newspapers and periodicals played a major role in
influencing people's opinions. Newspapers supplied reports on
national and international events to the readers. Newspapers
made the people aware of important social and political issues.
Periodicals published useful and interesting articles which
encouraged liking for the composition of literary works.
Freedom spirit engendered freedom fnovement. Even the
common people participated in the successive stages of the
Independence movement which brought a fundamental change
in the attitude of the people towards government.
The spread of communism and socialism brought an
important change to the political ideas of the people. The
revolutionary literature published in large number developed
political thinking among the masses.
The transformation of society is evident in social
behaviour, dress and manners, political and economic
activities.
The government service holder and the intelligentsia
preferred European dress. Upperclass male folk began to wear
coat stiffened with button.
The latter half of the lgth century and the first half of the
twentieth century witnessed religious toleration and mutual
294 I A History of Chittagong
Note :
I Menrcrandum, p. 223
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Abtrl F azal, Rekl^taclitra
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B ang tg a M us aLman Saltity a Patrika (The) (BM SP)
A MAP OF CHITTAGONG
N OAKHAL I
lnternational Boundary
Dislricl Boundary ...
Thana Boundary ...
Roads&Highways ..
Railway
Chittagong S.M.A.
1. Chanagaon
2. Panchlaish
3. Pahartali
4. DoubleMoorings
5. Bandar
f
f
-{
F
c)
r-l
'\a
BAY OF BENGAL
BANGLADESH
BURMA