Chittagong

Chittagong City is not only the principal city of the district of Chittagong but also the second largest city of Bangladesh. It is situated within 22°14′ and 22°24′ N Latitude and between 91°46′ and 91°53′ E Longitude and on the Right Bank of the river Karnafuli. Historians have given various explanations as to the origin of the name Chittagong. Bernoli in his Description Historique et Geographic de L’Inde (1786) explains that the name Chittagong came from the Arabic word Shat (delta) prefixed to Ganga (Ganges), indicating the city at the mouth of the Ganges. The district received the name ‘Chittagong’ from the city.

Being a port city from early times, Chittagong attracted people from various regions of the world. These international contacts left a lasting impact on the language, religion and culture of the city. Al Idrisi, writing in 1154 AD, states that Arab merchants from Baghdad and Basrah frequently visited an area near the mouth of the Meghna, which is now generally believed to be Chittagong. Other travellers and historians have recorded Arab contacts with Chittagong as far back as the ninth century AD. Apart from the merchants, many sufis and saints also visited and settled in Chittagong.