Comilla facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Comilla কুমিল্লা
Metropolis
Cumilla
Comilla Skyline Comilla Town Hall Shah Shuja Mosque Mainamati War Cemetery Dharmasagar Lake Comilla Club Roop sagar park Comilla University
Comilla Location in Chittagong division Show map of Chittagong division Comilla Location in Bangladesh Show map of Bangladesh
Country	Bangladesh
Division	Chittagong
District	Comilla
Municipality	1890
City Corporation	10 July 2011
Government
• Type	Mayor–Council
• Body	Comilla City Corporation
Area
• Metropolis	53.04 km2 (20.48 sq mi)
• Land	50 km2 (20 sq mi)
• Water	3.04 km2 (1.17 sq mi)
• Urban	113.04 km2 (43.64 sq mi)
• Rural	40 km2 (20 sq mi)
• Metro	150 km2 (60 sq mi)
Population  (2022)
• Metropolis	1,364,172
• Density	16,570/km2 (42,900/sq mi)
• Rank	3rd in Bangladesh
• Metro rank	3rd in Bangladesh
	485,300
Languages
• Official	Bengali • English
Time zone	UTC+6 (BST)
Postal code	3500–3583
Calling code	081
UN/LOCODE	BD CLA
Police	Cumilla Range Police

Comilla (Bengali: কুমিল্লা), officially spelled Cumilla, is a big city in eastern Bangladesh. It sits on the banks of the Gomti River. Comilla was once an important city in ancient Bengal and even the capital of the Tripura kingdom.

The Comilla Airport is located in the Dulipara area. This area has become a busy business and industrial hub with many factories. Comilla is a central city for its surrounding districts, offering many job opportunities. The Bibir Bazar land port is also close by, about 5 kilometers from the city. The Comilla City Corporation covers an area of 53.04 square kilometers, including parts of the main city and its nearby areas.

History of Comilla

Ancient Times in Comilla

Shalaban Bihar shows how old Comilla is.

Long ago, the Comilla region was part of ancient kingdoms like Gangaridai and Samatata. In the 9th century AD, kings from the Harikela kingdom ruled this area. Later, the Lalmai Mainamati region was governed by the Deva dynasty in the 8th century AD and then by the Chandra dynasty from the 10th to mid-11th century AD. In 1732, Comilla became a key center for the Bengal-backed domain of Jagat Manikya.

A big event in Comilla's history was the Peasants' Movement in 1764. Farmers protested against the king of Tripura, led by Shamsher Gazi. In 1765, the East India Company took control of the region. It was named Tripura district in 1790 and later renamed Comilla in 1960. In 1984, two parts of this district, Chandpur and Brahmanbaria, became separate districts.

Comilla During British Rule

This cemetery in Mainamati remembers soldiers from World War II.

In 1905, during the partition of Bengal, there was some tension in Comilla. On November 21, 1921, the famous poet Kazi Nazrul Islam visited Comilla. He wrote patriotic songs to inspire the people against the Prince of Wales's visit to India. During this time, a revolutionary group called Avay Ashram was very active. Important leaders like Poet Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi also visited Comilla.

In 1931, about 4000 farmers in Mohini village protested against a land tax. British soldiers fired at them, and four people died. The next year, in 1932, police fired at another large gathering of farmers in Hasnabad, killing two people and injuring many. Comilla Victoria Government College was named after Queen Victoria. This shows that the people of Comilla have always tried to live peacefully and work well with others.

Comilla in World War II

Comilla Cantonment is a very important and old military base in eastern Bangladesh. The British Indian Army used it a lot during World War II. It was the main base for the British 14th Army.

There is a special place in Comilla called Maynamati War Cemetery. It was built after World War II to honor the Allied soldiers who died during World War I and II. Most of these soldiers were from Commonwealth countries and the United States. Some Japanese soldiers from World War II are also buried there.

Comilla in the Bangladesh Liberation War

Pakistani military plans for East Pakistan's defense (1967-1971).

During the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, the Pakistan Army created a special division to protect Comilla and Noakhali districts. The 14th Division was in charge of defending Sylhet and Brahmanbaria. On December 16, 1971, about 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered to the combined forces of Bangladesh and India. This day is celebrated as Bijoy Dibos in Bangladesh.

Geography of Comilla

The Gomti River in Comilla.

Comilla is surrounded by different areas. To the north are Burichang Upazila and Tripura. To the south are Laksam and Chauddagram. To the west is Barura Upazila. The main rivers flowing through Comilla are the Gomoti River and Little Feni. The Tropic of Cancer passes just south of Comilla town, near the Tomsom Bridge.

Comilla's Climate

Fun Places to Visit in Comilla

Comilla has many interesting places to see. You can visit the Mainamati Museum, which displays old items found in the district, some from as far back as the 7th and 8th centuries. There is also a World War II cemetery in Comilla. It is looked after by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and honors soldiers who died in the wars.

Sports in Comilla

The Comilla Victorians are a professional cricket team from Comilla. They are one of the most successful teams in the Bangladesh Premier League.

How Comilla is Governed

Comilla is managed by the Comilla City Corporation. The city is divided into 27 smaller areas called wards.

Comilla's Neighborhoods

Here are some of the neighborhoods in Comilla:

• Baghmara
• Bara Para
• Belghar
• Adra (North)
• Adra (South)
• Bijoypur
• Chapapur
• Durlovpur
• Chouara
• Galiara
• Purba Jorekaran
• Pachim Jorekaran
• Perul (North)
• Perul (South)

People of Comilla

In 2011, the Comilla City Corporation had a population of 339,133 people. There were more males (177,300) than females (161,833).

Most people in Comilla are Muslim, making up over 91% of the population. Hindus make up over 8%.

Getting Around Comilla

Dhaka-Chittagong Highway near Comilla.

Highways

One of the oldest roads in the Indian subcontinent, 'The Grand Trunk Road', goes through Comilla. The main Dhaka–Chittagong Highway also passes by the city.

Railways

Comilla is close to Laksham Junction and Akhaura Railway Junction. You can travel by train from Comilla to cities like Dhaka, Chittagong, Brahmanbaria, and Sylhet.

Education in Comilla

The Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education in Comilla is in charge of public exams like JSC, S.S.C, and H.S.C for Comilla and five nearby districts.

Media in Comilla

Several daily newspapers are published in Comilla, including Comillar Kagoj, Daily Amader Comilla, Shiranam, and Rupasi Bangla, which started in 1972. Amod, founded in 1955, is the city's oldest weekly newspaper.

Famous People from Comilla

Comilla has been home to many notable people, including:

• Kazi Zafar Ahmed, a former Prime Minister.
• Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, a retired General and former Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army.
• Kamrul Ahsan, a diplomat who served as Bangladesh Ambassador to Russia, Canada, and Singapore.
• Buddhadeb Bosu, a famous Bengali poet, novelist, and essayist.
• S. D. Burman, an Indian singer, composer, and music director, born in Comilla in 1906.
• Sabitri Chatterjee, an Indian actress, born in Comilla in 1937.
• Shib Narayan Das, one of the designers of the first flag of Bangladesh.
• Dhirendranath Datta, a former Minister of Law and a hero of the Bengali Language Movement.
• Major Abdul Gani, who helped organize the first East Bengal Regiment.
• Kazi Nazrul Islam, the famous poet, lived in Comilla for some time.
• Abdul Kadir, a poet, researcher, and editor.
• Mustafa Kamal, a politician who served as president of the International Cricket Council and is currently the Minister of Finance.
• Shaukat Mahmood, a senior journalist and former president of the National Press Club.
• Abdul Matin Patwari, a former vice-chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
• Reba Rakshit, a bodybuilder and circus performer, born in Comilla in the early 1930s.
• Bidya Sinha Saha Mim, an actress who has won a National Film Award.