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Comilla

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Comilla is a major metropolis located in eastern Bangladesh.

Comilla City Corporation in Chittagong division (Bangladesh)
Comilla City Corporation in Chittagong division (Bangladesh)

It sits on the banks of the Gumti River.

গোমতী নদী, কুমিল্লা
গোমতী নদী, কুমিল্লা

The city serves as a central hub for the surrounding districts. It is part of the Chittagong division. To the north, it is bounded by Burichang Upazila and Tripura. Laksam and Chauddagram lie to the south. Barura Upazila marks its western border. The city is a vital center for diverse types of work in the region.

The history of Comilla spans many ancient eras. The region was once part of Gangaridai and Samatata. In the ninth century AD, the kings of Harikela ruled the area. The Deva dynasty ruled Lalmai Mainamati during the eighth century AD. Later, the Chandra dynasty ruled during the tenth and mid-11th century AD. In 1732, the area became a center for the domain of Jagat Manikya. The district was established as Tripura district in 1790. It was finally renamed Comilla in 1960.

Many significant historical events occurred during the British era. In 1905, communal tension spread after a Muslim was shot in the town. The poet Kazi Nazrul Islam lived here and composed patriotic songs in 1921. He used his music to protest the visit of the Prince of Wales. During this era, the revolutionary institution Avay Ashram played a major role. Famous figures like Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi also visited the city. In 1931, approximately 4,000 peasants in Mohini village revolted against land revenue taxes. This event led to violence by British Gurkha soldiers.

Comilla also holds a deep military history. The Comilla Cantonment is the oldest military base in East Bengal. During World War II, the British Indian Army used this base extensively. It served as the headquarters for the British 14th Army. After the war, the Maynamati War Cemetery was established.

This cemetery honors Allied soldiers from World War I and World War II. It contains graves for soldiers from Commonwealth states and the United States. Japanese soldiers from the Second World War are also buried there.

The city played a role in the War of Liberation of Bangladesh. In mid-November, the Pakistan Army created the 39th ad hoc Division. They deployed units from the 14th Division to hold Comilla and Noakhali. The 14th Division was tasked with defending Sylhet and Brahmanbaria. On 16 December 1971, 93,000 Pakistan Army troops surrendered to the Joint Coalition forces. This surrender is celebrated as Bijoy Dibos in Bangladesh.

Today, the Comilla City Corporation manages the urban area. This jurisdiction covers 53.04 square kilometers. The city is a growing metropolitan area. The metro population was estimated at 691,000 for the year 2025. This represents a 2.98% increase from 2024. In 2022, the City Corporation had 440,233 residents across 101,245 households. The literacy rate for those aged 7 and older is 87.28%.

Cumilla City Night
Cumilla City Night

Transportation in the city is well-established. The Grand Trunk Road is one of the oldest highways in the Indian subcontinent.

Dhaka Chittagong Highway
Dhaka Chittagong Highway

It passes directly through the city. Additionally, the Dhaka–Chittagong Highway bypasses the city. This route runs from the cantonment to Shuagaji via Poduar Bazar. There is also the Comilla Airport in the Dulipara area. While it is a public-use airport, it is not used for commercial travel.

Visitors can find many points of interest in the region. The Mainamati Museum preserves archaeological relics from the seventh and eighth centuries.

Shalbanbihar
Shalbanbihar

People can also visit Roop Sagar Park for recreation.

For sports fans, the Comilla Victorians are a notable team. They are a professional cricket franchise in the Bangladesh Premier League. The team is considered the most successful in that league.

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Comilla City Corporation in Chittagong...
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