Banshkhali Upazila


Banshkhali is a coastal upazila of Bangladesh, located in the Chittagong district along the Bay of Bengal. It is the 5th largest upazila in the Chittagong district and the largest in southern Chittagong. This upazila boasts the second-largest sea beach in Bangladesh, after Cox's Bazar, known as Banshkhali Sea Beach. The longest hanging bridge in Bangladesh is also located in this upazila.
WWW banshkhali.chittagong.gov...

History

Banshkhali’s recorded history traces back to the 16th century when it was part of Chakaria under the rule of Khodabakhsh Khan during the Sultanate of Bengal. Following the decline of the Bengal Sultanate, the region came under the control of the Arakanese kingdom, who exerted authority over coastal Chittagong for several decades.
In 1666, the Mughal subahdar Shaista Khan launched a successful military campaign to drive out the Arakanese, bringing Banshkhali and the rest of southeastern Bengal under Mughal control. The area remained under Mughal influence until the advent of British colonial rule, during which Banshkhali was incorporated into the Chittagong district and designated as one of nine revenue chaklas in 1772.
The British period saw administrative restructuring, but the region remained largely agrarian. In 1958, during the Pakistan era, Banshkhali was established as a Thana, and after Bangladesh's independence in 1971, it was upgraded to an Upazila in 1983.
In more recent times, Banshkhali has experienced political and social unrest, including the 2016 protests over land acquisition for a coal-fired power plant that led to deadly clashes, as well as the Banshkhali carnage.

Geography

Banshkhali Upazila is located at in Bangladesh. Its neighbouring upazilas are Anwara Upazila to the north, Chakaria and Pekua upazilas of Cox's Bazar District to the south, Lohagara and Satkania upazilas to the east, and Kutubdia Upazila and the Bay of Bengal to the west. Through it runs a canal named "Shonaichari at Banshkhali" which is locally known as “Honaichari.” In the past, businessmen from Chakaria bought bamboo here and used the Shonaichari Canal to transport the bamboo to other areas. At that time, local people observed that the Shonaichari Canal was filled with bamboo. Banshkhali is named after this historical event. It has 84,216 households and a total area of 376.9 km2.

Demographics

According to the 2022 Bangladeshi census, Banshkhali Upazila had 111,743 households and a population of 537,593. 11.45% of the population were under 5 years of age. Banshkhali had a literacy rate of 71.32%: 72.67% for males and 69.99% for females, and a sex ratio of 99.94 males for every 100 females. 89,668 lived in urban areas.
As of the 2011 Census of Bangladesh, Bashkhali upazila had 84,216 households and a population of 431,162. 128,881 were under 10 years of age. Banshkhali had an average literacy rate of 37.40%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 1034 females per 1000 males. 36,910 of the population lived in urban areas.
In 2001, Among the population, 87% are Muslim, 11% are Hindu, and 1% are Buddhist and other.

Places of interest

  • Chandpur-Boilgaon Tea Estate
  • Banshkhali Eco Park
  • Sangu River
  • Bokshi Hamid Mosque
  • Khan Bahadur Jame Masjid
  • Shafor Alli Munsi Bridge
  • Banskhali Sea Beach

Administration

Banshkhali Upazila is divided into Banshkhali Municipality and 14 union parishads.
Banshkhali Municipality is subdivided into 9 wards and 38 mahallas.
No.Union Name
11 No. Pukuria union
22 No. Sadhanpur union
33 No. Khankhanabad union
44 No. Baharchhara union
55 No. Kalipur union
66 No. Bailchhari union
76(A) No. Katharia union
87 No. Saral union
98 No. Gandamara union
109(A) No. Silkup union
1110 No. Chambal union
1211 No. Puichhari union
1312 No. Chhanua union
1412(A) No. Sekherkhil union

Education

There are 412 primary schools, 39 high schools, 66 madrassas, and 8 colleges.

Secondary schools

  • Chanua Kaderiya High School
  • Kalipur Ezharul Haque High School, Kalipur
  • Saral Amiria High School
  • Bailchari Nazmunessa High School
  • Kokdandi Gunagari High School, Kokdandi
  • West Banshkali High School & College, Chapachari
  • Kamal Uddin Chy Girls High School. Chapachari.
  • Natmura Pukuria High School, Pukuria
  • Banskhali Pilot High School, Joldi
  • Katharia Bagmara High School, Katharia
  • Banigram Sadhonpur High School, Banigram
  • Khankhanabadh Ideal High School, Khankhanabadh
  • Monaem Shah Awlia High School, South Borumchara
  • Hazigoan Borumchara High School, Hazigoan
  • Joldi Piolot High School, Joldi
  • Sadhonpur Girl's High School
  • B B Chowdhary High School, Raichata
  • Sadhanpur Polly Unniyon High School, West Sadhanpur
  • Baharchara Ratnapur High School
  • Napora Shekherkhil High School
  • Puichari izzatia ideal high school
  • Chambal High School, Chambal
  • Banskhali Bangabandhu High School
  • Raichatta Premasia Adhorsho High School

Colleges

  • Banshkhli Degree College, Gunagori
  • West Banshkhli Upokulio Degree College, Chapachari
  • West Banskhali High School & College Chapachari.
  • Alawl Degree College, Joldi
  • Mtr. N. Ahd. College, Napora
  • Banshkhli Mohila College, Boilchari
  • Banshkhali Public School & College, Jaldi Miar Baza
  • Hazigoan Borumchara School & College

Madrasas

  • Banskhali Hamedia Rahima Alia Madrasa, Chechuria
  • Chapachari Abu Bakkar Islamia Madrasa. Middle Chaparani.
  • Chandpur Q.H.R.D.U. Alim Madrasah, Pukuria Union
  • South Sadhanpur Jumhuriya Islamia Boys & Girl Madrasah West Banskhali Darul Islah Dakhil Madrasah
jaldhi hosainia kamil madrasah
  • Palegram Hakim Miya Shah Senior Madrasha

Notable residents