Chandpur District

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Chandpur District
চাঁদপুর জেলা
District of Bangladesh
Clockwise from top-left: Aerial view of Chandpur bridge, Rupsha Zamindar Bari, Chandpur Port, Lohagor Math, Meghna River, Hajiganj Boro Masjid
Interactive map of Chandpur District
Coordinates: 23°12′50″N 90°38′10″E / 23.2139°N 90.6361°E / 23.2139; 90.6361
Country Bangladesh
DivisionChittagong Division
Formed (Mahkuma)1878
Established as District15 February 1984 (split from Comilla)
HeadquartersChandpur
Government
 • Deputy CommissionerMd. Nazmul Islam Sarker
Area
 • Total
1,704.06 km2 (657.94 sq mi)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total
2,635,748
 (Current estimate approx. 2.75 million in 2026)
Time zoneUTC+06:00 (BST)
Postal code
3600
Area code0841
ISO 3166 codeBD-09
HDI (2021)0.695 (Medium)
Websitewww.chandpur.gov.bd

Chandpur District (Bengali: চাঁদপুর জেলা) is a district in Chittagong Division, Bangladesh.[1] Established on 15 February 1984, it is famously known as the "Home of Hilsa" (Bengali: ইলিশের বাড়ি) due to its vast production and trade of Hilsa fish.[2]

History

During the rule of the Baro-Bhuiyans, this region was occupied by Chand Ray, the Zamindar of Bikrampur and son of Kedar Ray. According to historian J. M. Sengupta, the region was named Chandpur, following the name of Chand Ray. On the other hand, others say that the name of this region comes from Chand Faqir of Purindapur mahalla of Chandpur, Bangladesh. It is said that an administrator named Shah Ahmed Chand came here from Delhi in the fifteenth century and established a river port.

In 1779 AD, Major James Rennel, a British surveyor, drew a map of Bengal during the British rule and included an obscure town called Chandpur. At that time, there were offices and courts at a place called Narsinghpur (which has now sunk) south of Chandpur. The confluence of the Padma and the Meghna was about 60 miles south-west of the present place. This area has now disappeared due to the game of breaking the Meghna river.

The first Chandpur subdivision was formed in 1878 as a result of administrative reorganization during the British rule. On 1 October 1896, Chandpur city was declared as a municipality. It was declared as Chandpur district on 15 February 1984.[3]

Geography

The geological structure of the district dates back to the Pleistocene and Holocene eras. The geographical history of the district can be traced back to the ancient maps of East India compiled by Perguitar.[4]

The district is situated at the confluence of the Padma, Meghna, and Dakatia Rivers. As of 2026, major riverbank protection projects have been completed to safeguard the district from erosion. The "Molhead" (Boro Station) in Chandpur Sadar is a significant geographical and tourist landmark where the three major rivers meet. The district is mainly composed of flat plains created by alluvial deposits of the Meghna.

Education

By 2026, Chandpur has emerged as a key educational hub in the region. Notable institutions include:

Economy and Infrastructure

The economy of Chandpur is primarily driven by fisheries, agriculture, and trade.

  • Fisheries: Chandpur is the largest hub for Hilsa fish in Bangladesh, and its port serves as a primary distribution point.
  • Infrastructure: As of 2026, the proposed Shariatpur–Chandpur Bridge (or Tunnel) project has reached critical development stages. This project is vital for connecting the Chittagong Division with the south-western districts of Bangladesh. The Chandpur River Port has been modernized with a multi-storey terminal to facilitate safer and faster river transport.

Administrative divisions

The district is divided into 8 upazilas:

  1. Chandpur Sadar Upazila
  2. Hajiganj Upazila
  3. Faridganj Upazila
  4. Matlab Uttar Upazila
  5. Matlab Dakshin Upazila
  6. Kachua Upazila
  7. Shahrasti Upazila
  8. Haimchar Upazila

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1974 1,543,183—    
1981 1,796,777+2.20%
1991 2,032,449+1.24%
2001 2,271,229+1.12%
2011 2,416,018+0.62%
2022 2,635,748+0.79%
Sources:[5][6]

According to the 2022 Census of Bangladesh, Chandpur District had 635,431 households and a population of 2,635,748 with an average 4.09 people per household. Among the population, 545,365 (20.69%) inhabitants were under 10 years of age. The population density was 1,602 people per km2. Chandpur District had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 78.23%, compared to the national average of 74.80%, and a sex ratio of 1144 females per 1000 males. Approximately 26.23% of the population lived in urban areas. The ethnic population was 2,863.[5]

Religions in Chandpur District (2022)[5]
Religion Percent
Islam
 
 94.41%
Hinduism
 
 5.56%
Other or not stated
 
 0.03%
Religion in present-day Chandpur District
Religion 1941[7]: 102–103 [a] 1981[6] 1991[6] 2001[6] 2011[6] 2022[5]
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Islam 855,937 79.99% 1,646,304 91.63% 1,881,130 92.56% 2,124,397 93.54% 2,269,246 93.93% 2,488,435 94.41%
Hinduism 213,022 19.91% 149,125 8.30% 145,871 7.18% 145,003 6.38% 145,551 6.02% 146,524 5.56%
Others[b] 1,069 0.10% 1,348 0.08% 5,448 0.26% 1,829 0.08% 1,221 0.05% 789 0.03%
Total Population 1,070,028 100% 1,796,777 100% 2,032,449 100% 2,271,229 100% 2,416,018 100% 2,635,748 100%

Muslims make up 94.41% of the population, while Hindus are 5.56% of the population. The Hindu population has remained relatively constant at 145,000 while its percentage has decreased.[6]

Administrative subdivisions

Upazilas

Chandpur District is divided into the following sub-districts (upazilas):[1]

  1. Chandpur Sadar Upazila
  2. Faridganj Upazila
  3. Haimchar Upazila
  4. Hajiganj Upazila
  5. Kachua Upazila
  6. Matlab Dakshin Upazila
  7. Matlab Uttar Upazila
  8. Shahrasti Upazila

Education

Notable residents

See also

Notes

  1. ^ 1941 census figures are for Chandpur subdivision of Tippera district, which roughly corresponds to the present district
  2. ^ Including Jainism, Christianity, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Ad-Dharmis, or not stated

References

  1. ^ a b Khan, Abul Khaer (2012). "Chandpur District". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  2. ^ Musa, Muhammad. Brahmanbariar Itibrittyo, Shetu Prokashoni, Brahmanbaria, 1998.
  3. ^ "Naming of Chandpur". Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Geological Structure". Chandpur District. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d Population and Housing Census 2022 National Report (PDF). Vol. 1. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. November 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Bangladesh Population and Housing Census 2011 Zila Report – Chandpur" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.
  7. ^ "Census of India, 1941 Volume VI Bengal Province" (PDF).
  8. ^ Ahmed, Jashim Uddin; Shimul, Anwar Sadat; Hossain, Shahid (January 2017). "Azad Products (Pvt.) Ltd: The Challenges Ahead". Business Perspectives and Research. 5 (1): 102. doi:10.1177/2278533716671634.
  9. ^ Halder, Sukanta (25 June 2024). "Kaus Mia: a role model in a nation where tax noncompliance is rife". The Daily Star. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
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