Chittagong Hill Tracts history is often misunderstood or explained without full context. For the people who live there, it is closely connected to identity, land, and everyday life.
Understanding this timeline helps explain both the past and the present of the region.
Where is the Chittagong Hill Tracts located & who lives there?
The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is located in the southeastern part of Bangladesh, bordering India and Myanmar. It is a hilly and forested region, very different from the flat plains found in most parts of the country.
The region is home to several indigenous communities, collectively known as the Jumma people. The word “Jumma” comes from jhum (shifting cultivation), a traditional farming method practiced in the hills.
The Jumma people include groups such as the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Tanchangya, Mro, Bawm, Chak, Khumi, Lushai, Pankho, Santal and Khyang. Each group has its own language, culture, and traditions.
Unlike the majority population of Bangladesh, these communities have distinct cultural and historical identities closely connected to the hill region.
Understanding who lives in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and where it is located makes it easier to understand the history that follows.
Quick overview
- Pre-1900: Hill communities governed by their own chiefs and customary systems
- 1900: Special administrative status under the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation
- 1947: Incorporated into Pakistan during partition
- 1971: Became part of independent Bangladesh
- Late 1970s–80s: Major demographic and administrative changes
- 1997: Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord
- Present: Ongoing debates about land, governance, and implementation
Before 1900: Customary governance and regional continuity
Before formal British rule, the hill region operated through customary authority systems.
Local chiefs governed land, taxation, and dispute resolution, while communities practiced jhum (shifting) cultivation, shaping both their economy and way of life.
The region remained relatively separate from the plains due to geography and governance differences. This separation later influenced how the region was governed.
1860–1900: British frontier administration
The British formally incorporated the region in the 19th century but treated it as a frontier area rather than a typical district.
- 1860: The CHT district was established
- Governance relied on indirect rule through local chiefs
- Policies focused on stability, limited outside interference, and preservation of local systems
This created a system that was different from the surrounding plains.
This approach later led to the formal introduction of a separate legal framework, known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation of 1900.
1900: The Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation
The Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation, 1900 was a major legal milestone.
The regulation created a separate administrative system for the region, recognizing its unique population, land practices, and governance structures.
Key features included:
- Recognition of CHT as a distinct administrative area
- Division into Chakma, Bohmong, and Mong Circles
- Strengthening of traditional chiefs’ authority
- Restrictions on land transfer to outsiders
- Limitations on outside settlement
This law reinforced the idea that the region required a different system of governance.
1947: Partition and political transition
During the partition of British India, the Chittagong Hill Tracts became part of East Pakistan.
This marked a major shift from a protected administrative region to integration within a centralized state system.
The decision remains part of historical discussion because of the region’s distinct administrative and demographic background.
1947–1971: East Pakistan period
During this period, the region remained under a modified version of its earlier system.
However, governance gradually became more centralized, and integration with national structures increased.
This period laid the foundation for later political and administrative changes.
1971: Independence of Bangladesh
After independence in 1971, the Chittagong Hill Tracts became part of Bangladesh.
This created tension between the region’s earlier system and the new national system.
As a result, discussions about identity, autonomy, and governance became more visible.
Late 1970s–1980s: Land, settlement, and policy changes
This period represents one of the most important turning points in modern CHT history.
Land and customary systems
Traditionally, land in the Chittagong Hill Tracts was managed under customary systems, where communities used land collectively rather than through individual ownership titles.
This difference between customary land use and formal legal ownership later became a major source of conflict.
Settlement and land allocation
During the late 1970s and 1980s, settlement programs brought Bengali-speaking families from the plains into the region.
According to historical accounts and policy discussions:
- Land was allocated to incoming settlers through state-supported programs
- Indigenous communities often had limited ability to challenge these decisions within formal administrative systems
Because land was not always formally registered, many indigenous communities found it difficult to prove ownership under modern legal frameworks.
Why did this happen?
Different explanations are given in historical and policy discussions. Common reasons include:
- Population redistribution: Reducing pressure in densely populated plains areas
- Administrative integration: Expanding central governance in a region with a different administrative history
- Security considerations: Increasing state presence in a strategically important area
Some perspectives also suggest that demographic change was seen as a way to reshape the political balance of the region. However, this remains part of ongoing discussion rather than a universally agreed conclusion.
Impact
These changes led to:
- Shifts in population composition
- Increased pressure on land and natural resources
- Ongoing tensions related to:
- Land ownership
- Identity
- Governance
For many local communities, these were not just policy changes—they affected everyday life.
Key timeline points
- 1900 → Special administrative status established
- 1947 → Incorporated into Pakistan
- 1971 → Became part of Bangladesh
- Late 1970s–80s → Settlement programs
- 1997 → Peace Accord
1997: The Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord
The 1997 Accord was an important political development.
Key points included:
- Creation of regional and district-level governance bodies
- Recognition of local administrative participation
- Commitments to resolve land disputes
The Accord is viewed differently. Some see it as progress, while others note that many parts remain only partially implemented.
2000s–Present: Continuity and complexity
Today, the Chittagong Hill Tracts operates within a complex system that includes:
- National governance structures
- Regional institutions from the Peace Accord
- Continued influence of earlier laws
Key issues remain:
- Land rights
- Governance
- Identity
- Implementation of agreements
As a result, the region remains one of the most complex and sensitive areas in Bangladesh.
Indigenous perspectives on land and identity
Many indigenous communities of the Chittagong Hill Tracts view land not simply as property, but as a shared foundation of culture, identity, and survival.
From this perspective, the customary land system based on collective use and traditional authority represents a long-standing way of life that existed before modern state structures were introduced.
Because of this, many indigenous voices argue that their historical connection to land should be given priority in discussions about land rights, governance, and development in the region.
At the same time, these views exist alongside other perspectives within the broader national and policy framework. Understanding this difference is important for a balanced view of the region.
Why different narratives exist
The history of the Chittagong Hill Tracts is understood differently by different groups.
Some focus on laws and policies, while others focus on lived experiences and identity.
Understanding these differences helps create a clearer and more balanced view of the region.
Want to understand the full picture?
Then read:
👉 Who are the Chakma people?
👉 Who are the Jumma people?
👉 What is the Chittagong Hill Tracts problem?
👉 Who are the settlers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts?
Why This History Matters
The history of the Chittagong Hill Tracts is not simple. It is shaped by tradition, law, political change, and population shifts.
This is why the history of the Chittagong Hill Tracts continues to be discussed today.
Understanding this history is essential to understanding the present situation in the region.