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Dhaka Division

Coordinates:24°10′N90°25′E/ 24.167°N 90.417°E/24.167; 90.417
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused withDhaka District,Greater Dhaka,orDhaka City Corporation.
Dhaka Division
ঢাকা বিভাগ
Dacca Division
Division
Location of Dhaka in Bangladesh
Location of Dhaka inBangladesh
Coordinates:24°10′N90°25′E/ 24.167°N 90.417°E/24.167; 90.417
CountryBangladesh
Established1829
Capital
and largest city		Dhaka
Government
•Divisional CommissionerMd. Sabirul Islam[1]
•Parliamentary constituencyJatiya Sangsad(70 seats)
Area
• Total20,508.8 km2(7,918.5 sq mi)
Population
(2022)[3]
• Total44,215,107
• Density2,200/km2(5,600/sq mi)
GDP (Nominal, 2015 US dollar)
• Total$104.7 billion (2023)[4]
• Per capita$2,400 (2023)
GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values)
• Year$349.3 billion (2023)
• Per capita$8,200 (2023)
Time zoneUTC+6(BST)
ISO 3166 codeBD-C
HDI(2018)Increase0.652[5]
Notable sports teamsDhaka Dominators
Dhaka Metropolis
Dhaka Division
Websitedhakadiv.gov.bd

Dhaka Division(Bengali:ঢাকা বিভাগ,Ḍhaka Bibhag) is anadministrative divisionwithinBangladesh.[6]Dhakaserves as thecapital cityof the Dhaka Division, theDhaka DistrictandBangladesh.The division remains a population magnet, covers an area of 20,508.8 km2with a population in excess of 44 million, It is the most populous countrysecond level divisionof the world, growing at 1.94% rate since prior count, compared with national average of 1.22%.[7]However, national figures may include data skewing expatriation of male labor force as gender ratio is skewed towards females.

Dhaka Division borders every other division in the country exceptRangpur Division.It is bounded byMymensingh Divisionto the north,Barisal Divisionto the south,Chittagong Divisionto the east and south-east,Sylhet Divisionto the north-east, andRajshahi Divisionto the west andKhulna Divisionsto the south-west.

Etymology

[edit]

The origins of the name Dhaka are uncertain. It may derive from thedhaktree, which was once common in the area, or fromDhakeshwari,the 'patron goddess' of the region.[8][9]Another popular theory states that Dhaka refers to amembranophoneinstrument,dhakwhich was played by order ofSubahdarIslam Khan Iduring the inauguration of the Bengal capital in 1610.[10]

Some references also say it was derived from aPrakritdialect called Dhaka Bhasa; or Dhakka, used in theRajtaranginifor a watch station; or it is the same as Davaka, mentioned in theAllahabadpillar inscription ofSamudraguptaas an eastern frontier kingdom.[11]According toRajataranginiwritten by a Kashmiri Brahman,Kalhana,[12]the region was originally known asDhakka.The wordDhakkameanswatchtower.BikrampurandSonargaon—the earlier strongholds of Bengal rulers were situated nearby. So Dhaka was most likely used as the watchtower for the fortification purpose.[12]

History

[edit]
Main article:History of Dhaka

The history of urban settlements in the area of modern-day Dhaka dates to the first millennium.[13]The region was part of the ancient district ofBikrampur,which was ruled by theSena dynasty.[14]The ancient city of Dholsamudra in present-day Gazipur served as one of the capitals of the BuddhistPala Empire.In the sixth century, forts were built inToke and Ekdalawhich continued to be used as late as theMughal Period.Chinashkhania was the capital of the Chandalas and Shishu Pal had his capital in modern-daySreepur,which the ruins of can still be seen today. Another fort was built in Dardaria in 1200.[6]UnderIslamicrule, the centre moved to the historic district ofSonargaon,the regional administrative hub of theDelhiand theBengal Sultanates.[15]

At the end of theKarrani Dynasty(1564–1575), the nobles ofBengalbecame fiercely independent.Sulaiman Khan Karranicarved out an independent principality in the Bhati region comprising a part of greaterDhaka districtand parts ofMymensingh district.During that periodTaj Khan Karraniand another Afghan chieftain helpedIsa Khanto obtain an estate inSonargaonandMymensinghin 1564. By winning the grace of the Afghan chieftain, Isa Khan gradually increased his strength and status and by 1571, the Mughal Court designated him as the ruler of Bhati.[16]Mughal histories, mainly theAkbarnama,theAin-i-Akbariand theBaharistan-i-Ghaibirefers to the low-lying regions of Bengal asBhati.This region includes the Bhagirathi to theMeghna Riveris Bhati, while others include Hijli,Jessore,Chandradwip andBarisal Divisionin Bhati. Keeping in view the theatre of warfare between the Baro-Bhuiyans and the Mughals, the Baharistan-i-Ghaibi mentions the limits of the area bounded by theIchamatiRiver in the west, theGangesin the south, theTripurato the east; Alapsingh pargana (in presentMymensingh District) and Baniachang (in greaterSylhet) in the north. The Baro-Bhuiyans rose to power in this region and put up resistance to the Mughals, untilIslam Khan Chistimade them submit in the reign ofJahangir.[17]Throughout his reign Isa Khan put resistance againstMughalinvasion. It was only after his death, when the region went totally underMughals.[17]Isa Khanwas buried in the village ofBakhtarpur.[18]

Ruins ofLalbagh Fort

Dhaka became the capital of the Mughal province of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa in 1610 with a jurisdiction covering modern-day Bangladesh andeastern India,including the modern-dayIndian statesofWest Bengal,BiharandOrissa.This province was known asBengal Subah.The city was founded during the reign ofEmperor Jahangir.EmperorShah Jahanvisited Dhaka in 1624 and stayed in the city for a week, four years before he became emperor in 1628.[19]Dhaka became one of the richest and greatest cities in the world during the early period of Bengal Subah (1610-1717). The prosperity of Dhaka reached its peak during the administration of governorShaista Khan(1644-1677 and 1680–1688). Rice was then sold at eight maunds per rupee. Thomas Bowrey, an English merchant sailor who visited the city between 1669 and 1670, wrote that the city was 40 miles in circuit. He estimated the city to be more populated thanLondonwith 900,000 people.[20]

Bengal became the economic engine of the Mughal Empire. Dhaka played a key role in theproto-industrialisationof Bengal. It was the centre of themuslin trade in Bengal,leading to muslin being called "daka" in distant markets as far away asCentral Asia.[21]Islam Khan Iwas the first Mughal governor to reside in the city.[22]Khan named it "Jahangir Nagar" (The City of Jahangir) in honour of the Emperor Jahangir. The name was dropped soon after the English conquered. Dhaka became home to one of the richest elites in Mughal India.[23]

Under the Nawabs of Bengal, theNaib Nazim of Dhakawas in charge of the city. The Naib Nazim was the deputy governor of Bengal. He also dealt with the upkeep of the Mughal Navy. The Naib Nazim was in charge of the Dhaka Division, which included Dhaka,Comilla,and Chittagong. Dhaka Division was one of the four divisions under the Nawabs of Bengal. The Nawabs of Bengal allowed European trading companies to establish factories across Bengal. The region then became a hotbed for European rivalries. The British moved to oust the last independent Nawab of Bengal in 1757, who was allied with the French. Due to the defection of Nawab's army chiefMir Jafarto the British side, the last Nawab lost theBattle of Plassey.[citation needed]

In the northern part of the Dhaka division,Bhawal Estatewas a largezamindariinBengal(in modern-dayGazipur,Bangladesh) until it was abolished according toEast Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act of 1950.In the late 17th century, Daulat Ghazi was the zamindar of the Ghazi estate of Bhawal. Bala Ram was Diwan of Daulat Ghazi. In 1704, as the consequence of change in the policy of revenue collection, Bala Ram's son Sri Krishna was installed as the zamindar of Bhawal byMurshid Quli Khan.Since then, through acquisitions the zamindari expanded. The family turned into the proprietor of the whole Bhawal pargana after purchasing the zamindari of J. Wise, an indigo grower for Rs 4,46,000.[24]In 1878,British RajconferredRajatitle to Zamindar Kalinarayan Roy Chowdhury who oversaw the Bhawal estate.[24]At its peak, the estate comprised over 1,500 square kilometer, which included 2,274 villages and around 55,000 villagers.[25]

On the southern side the notable township was Fatehabad located by a stream known as the Dead Padma, which was 32 kilometres (20 mi) from the main channel of the Padma River. SultanJalaluddin Muhammad Shahestablished amintin Fatehabad during his reign in the early 15th century. Fatehabad continued to be a mint town of theBengal Sultanateuntil 1538. InAin-i-Akbari,it was named asHaweli Mahal Fatehabadduring the reign ofEmperor Akbarin theMughal Empire.ThePortuguesecartographerJoão de Barrosmentioned it asFatiabas.The Dutch map of Van den Brouck described it asFathur.[26]By the 19th century, the town was renamed as Faridpur in honour of theSufisaint Shah Fariduddin Masud, a follower of theChishti orderofAjmer.[26]Haji ShariatullahandDudu Miyanled the conservativeFaraizi movementin Faridpur during the early 19th century. The Faridpur District was established by the British in 1786. The Faridpur Subdivision was a part of Dacca Division in theBengal Presidencyestablished by theEast India Company.The municipality of Faridpur was established in 1869.[27]The subdivision covered modern day Faridpur,Rajbari,Madaripur,ShariatpurandGopalganjdistricts (collectively known as Greater Faridpur). It was included inEastern Bengal and Assamduring theBritish Rajbetween 1905 and 1912.

Dhaka was the capital ofEastern Bengal and Assamin theBritish Rajbetween 1905 and 1912

During theIndian mutiny of 1857,Dhaka witnessed revolts by theBengal Army.[28]Direct rule by the British crownwas established following the successful quelling of the mutiny. It bestowed privileges on the Dhaka Nawab Family, which dominated the city's political and social elite. In 1885, the Dhaka State Railway was opened with a 144 km metre gauge (1000 mm) rail line connectingMymensinghand thePort of Narayanganjthrough Dhaka.[29]The city later became a hub of theEastern Bengal State Railway.[29]The electricity supply began in 1901.[30]

Dhaka's fortunes changed in the early 20th century. British neglect of Dhaka's urban development was overturned with thefirst partition of Bengalin 1905, which restored Dhaka's status as a regional capital. The city became the seat of government forEastern Bengal and Assam,with a jurisdiction covering most of modern-day Bangladesh and all of what is nowNortheast India.The partition was the brainchild ofLord Curzon,who finally acted on British ideas for partitioning Bengal with a view to improving administration, education, and business. Dhaka became the seat of theEastern Bengal and Assam Legislative Council.Dhaka was the seat of government for 4 administrative divisions, including the Assam Valley Division, Chittagong Division, Dacca Division, Rajshahi Division, and the Surma Valley Division. There were a total of 30 districts in Eastern Bengal and Assam, including Dacca, Mymensingh, Faridpur andBackergungein Dacca Division;Tippera,Noakhali, Chittagong and theHill Tractsin Chittagong Division; Rajshahi, Dinajpur,Jalpaiguri,Rangpur, Bogra, Pabna andMaldain Rajshahi Division; Sylhet,Cachar,theKhasi and Jaintia Hills,theNaga Hillsand theLushai Hillsin Surma Valley Division; andGoalpara,Kamrup,theGaro Hills,Darrang,Nowgong,SibsagarandLakhimpurin Assam Valley Division.[31]The province was bordered byCooch Behar State,Hill Tipperahand theKingdom of Bhutan.

NASA animation showing the urban growth of Dhaka from 1972 to 2001.

The development of the "real city" began after thepartition of India.[32]After partition, Dhaka became known as thesecond capitalofPakistan.[32][33]This was formalized in 1962 whenAyub Khandeclared the city as the legislative capital under the1962 constitution.The economy began to industrialize. On the outskirts of the city, theworld's largest jute millwas built. The mill produced jute goods which were in high demand during theKorean War.[34]TheIntercontinental hotel,designed byWilliam B. Tabler,was opened in 1966. Estonian-American architectLouis I. Kahnwas enlisted to design the Dhaka Assembly, which was originally intended to be the federal parliament of Pakistan and later became independent Bangladesh's parliament. TheEast Pakistan Helicopter Serviceconnected the city to regional towns.

TheDhaka Stock Exchangewas opened on 28 April 1954. The first local airlineOrient Airwaysbegan flights between Dhaka andKarachion 6 June 1954. TheDhaka Improvement Trustwas established in 1956 to coordinate the city's development. The first master plan for the city was drawn up in 1959.[35]TheSoutheast Asia Treaty Organizationestablished a medical research centre (now calledICDDR,B) in the city in 1960.

After independence, Following theindependence of Bangladeshin 1971, the country had four divisions:Chittagong Division,Dacca Division,Khulna Division,andRajshahi Division.In 1982, the English spelling of the Dacca Division (along with the name of the capital city) was changed into Dhaka Division to more closely match theBengalipronunciation. The post-independence period witnessed rapid growth as Dhaka attracted migrant workers from across ruralBangladesh.[36]In the 1990s and 2000s, Dhaka experienced improved economic growth and the emergence of affluent business districts and satellite towns.[37]Between 1990 and 2005, the city's population doubled from 6 million to 12 million.[38]There has been increasedforeign investmentin the city, particularly in the financial and textile manufacturing sectors.

Administrative divisions

[edit]

Dhaka Division consisted before 2015 of fourcity corporations,13 districts, 123 upazilas and 1,248 union parishads. However, four of the most northerly of the 17 districts were removed in 2015 to create the newMymensingh Division,and another five districts (those situated to the south of theGanges/Padma River) are in the process of being removed to create a newFaridpur Division.

Name Capital Area (km2) Area (sq mi) Population
1991 Census		 Population
2001 Census		 Population
2011 Census 		Population 2022 census
Dhaka District Dhaka 1,463.60 565.10 5,839,642 8,511,228 12,043,977 14,734,025
Gazipur District Gazipur 1,806.36 697.44 1,621,562 2,031,891 3,403,912 5,263,474
Kishoreganj District Kishoreganj 2,688.59 1,038.07 2,306,087 2,594,954 2,911,907 3,267,630
Manikganj District Manikganj 1,383.66 534.23 1,175,909 1,285,080 1,392,867 1,558,024
Munshiganj District Munshiganj 1,004.29 387.76 1,188,387 1,293,972 1,445,660 1,625,418
Narayanganj District Narayanganj 684.37 264.24 1,754,804 2,173,948 2,948,217 3,909,138
Narsingdi District Narsingdi 1,150.14 444.07 1,652,123 1,895,984 2,224,944 2,584,452
Tangail District Tangail 3,414.35 1,318.29 3,002,428 3,290,696 3,750,781 4,037,608
Faridpur District Faridpur 2,052.68 792.54 1,505,686 1,756,470 1,912,969 2,162,876
Gopalganj District Gopalganj 1,468.74 567.08 1,060,791 1,165,273 1,172,415 1,295,053
Madaripur District Madaripur 1,125.69 434.63 1,069,176 1,146,349 1,165,952 1,293,027
Rajbari District Rajbari 1,092.28 421.73 835,173 951,906 1,049,778 1,189,821
Shariatpur District Shariatpur 1,174.05 453.30 953,021 1,082,300 1,155,824 1,294,561
Total Districts* 13 20,508.80 7,918.49 23,964,789 29,180,051 36,433,505

Note: * revised area and its population after excluding the districts transferred to the newMymensingh Division.

Sources

[edit]

Census figures for 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2022 are from Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Population Census Wing. The 2022 Census figures are based on preliminary results.

References

[edit]
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  2. ^"ঢাকা বিভাগ".Archived fromthe originalon 2021-10-28.Retrieved2021-10-28.
  3. ^"Final Report"(PDF).bbs.portal.gov.bd.2022-07-23.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2022-08-13.Retrieved2022-10-31.
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  17. ^abAbdul Karim (2012)."Bara Bhuiyans, The".InIslam, Sirajul;Miah, Sajahan;Khanam, Mahfuza;Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.).Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh(Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust,Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.ISBN984-32-0576-6.OCLC52727562.OL30677644M.Retrieved27 August2024.
  18. ^Sharif Ahmad Shamim (19 Nov 2017).ঈশা খাঁর কবর গাজীপুরে![Isa Khar Qobor Gazipure].Kaler Kantho(in Bengali). Gazipur.Archivedfrom the original on 21 October 2019.Retrieved21 October2019.
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  25. ^Apurba Jahangir (2016-05-13)."The Haunted Estate".The Daily Star.Retrieved2020-06-24.
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  37. ^Hossain, Shahadat (January 2008)."Rapid Urban Growth and Poverty in Dhaka City"(PDF).Bangladesh e-Journal of Sociology.5(1).Archived(PDF)from the original on 18 August 2016.Retrieved24 September2016.
  38. ^"Dhaka: fastest growing megacity in the world".The World from PRX.Archivedfrom the original on 19 January 2022.Retrieved19 January2022.
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