Chakma Circle
Tribal chieftaincy in Bangladesh
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The Chakma Circle (Chakma: 𑄌𑄇𑄴𑄟𑄳𑄦 𑄥𑄢𑄴𑄇𑄬𑄣𑄴, Bengali: চাকমা সার্কেল), also known as the Chakma Raj (Bengali: চাকমা রাজ), is one of three hereditary chiefdoms (or "Circles") in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of modern-day Bangladesh.[1] The Chakma Circle encompasses parts of Rangamati Hill District and Dighinala and Rajasthali Upazilas in neighbouring Khagrachari District and Bandarban District respectively. The chiefdom's members are of Chakma descent.
Coat of arms of Chakma Circle | |
 Flag of Chakma Circle | |
| Predecessor | Raja Tridev Roy |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Rangamati Hill District |
| Location | |
Region | Chittagong Hill Tracts |
| Raja Devasish Roy | |
Leadership
The Chakma Circle is led by a hereditary chieftain called a raja, whose role encompasses judicial, administrative, ceremonial, legal and social responsibilities. Political power is passed from the father to the first-born son.[2]
The incumbent chieftain is Devasish Roy (b. 10 April 1959), according to the Chakma Bijok, a compilation of the Chakma history (1876-1934 CE). The Chakma chieftain also sits on the Advisory Council for the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and the Rangamati Hill District Council.[3] The Chakma chieftain leads a rajpunyah festival.[4]
History
Pre-colonial era
The lineage of Chakma chieftains may date to the 11th century or mid-16th century.[5] Chakma folklore and tradition ascribe the Chakma origins to the warrior castes of Bhagalpur in modern-day India.[6] The legendary raja Bijoy Giri (c. 1630), who is believed to have migrated the ancestors of the Chakma people north of the Naf River.[7] Through intermarriages with the Rakhine people, the Chakmas eventually converted to Buddhism.[7] Extant historical records date to the 1700s. Following the expansion of the Mughal Empire into Chakma territory, Chakma chieftains adopted Mughal names and titles (e.g., Khan) in exchange for tributary payments.[6][8]
British rule and modern era
During British rule, the Chittagong Hill Tracts were administratively divided into three circles in 1884, namely the Chakma Circle, the Bohmong Circle, and the Mong Circles, each presided over by a hereditary chief from the Chakma and Marma peoples.[7][9] The circles were codified into law with the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulations, 1900, which eased revenue collection and administrative burdens on British authorities by delegating tax collection, land administration management and social arbitration responsibilities to the chieftains.[9][10] In 1901, the Bohmong Circle extended 2,421 square miles (6,270 km2).[11] This administrative structure remained in place until 1964, when the introduction of local self-government abolished the special status of these circles and brought local administration under the control of the central government.[12]
List of Rajas
| No. | Portrait | Name | Reign | Life Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sudhanyei | |||
| 2 | Moru Dev | |||
| 3 | Champa Kali | |||
| 4 | Langal Dhan | |||
| 5 | Kshudrajeet | |||
| 6 | Samudrajeet | |||
| 7 | Shyamal | |||
| 8 | Champak Kali | |||
| 9 | Shandya Sur | |||
| 10 | Chandra Shug | |||
| 11 | Sadheng Giri | |||
| 12 | Dharma Shug | |||
| 13 | Sudhanyei-II | |||
| 14 | Champasura | |||
| 15 | Bimbasura | |||
| 16 | Shengbuddha | |||
| 17 | Udaya Giri | |||
| 18 | Bijoygiri | |||
| 19 | Srittoma Shak | |||
| 20 | Sarannama | |||
| 21 | Ulatnama | |||
| 22 | Jamu | |||
| 23 | Kamala Janu | |||
| 24 | Unacha Giri | |||
| 25 | Moichsyagiri | |||
| 26 | Kamala Juga | |||
| 27 | Madana Juga | |||
| 28 | Jeewana Juga | |||
| 29 | Rahtnaagiri | |||
| 30 | Dhanagiri | |||
| 31 | Swarnagiri | |||
| 32 | Buddhtang Giri | |||
| 33 | Dharmagiri | 1075 CE | ||
| 34 | Manorahta | |||
| 35 | Areejiet | |||
| 36 | Moimangsha | |||
| 37 | Kewala | |||
| 38 | Boirindham | |||
| 39 | Gyananu | |||
| 40 | Sweithawrator Chotungxa | |||
| 41 | Shakalia | |||
| 42 | Wangali Sherdhar | |||
| 43 | Manyiggiri | |||
| 44 | Madhalia | |||
| 45 | Ramathongxa | |||
| 46 | Kamala Chege | |||
| 47 | Ratana Giri | |||
| 48 | Hala Thongxa | |||
| 49 | Chakraw Dhaon | |||
| 50 | Phela Dhaveng | |||
| 51 | Shermatte Dhaveng | 1300 CE | ||
| 52 | Yongza | 1330s CE | ||
| 53 | Surzyojeet | 14th Century CE | ||
| 54 | Satrujeet | Early 15th Century CE | ||
| 55 | Ramtongza | Mid-15th Century CE | ||
| 56 | Manikgiri | Late 15th Century CE | ||
| 57 | Toin Sureshwari | Early 16th Century CE | ||
| 58 | Jonu | 1516 CE(Throned) | ||
| 59 | Sattwa | Late 16th Century CE | ||
| 60 | Kattwa Rani | Early 17th Century CE | ||
| 61 | Davana | Mid- 17th Century CE | ||
| 62 | Dharmmaya | 1661 A.D(Throned) | ||
| 63 | Mogollya | Late 17th Century CE | ||
| 64 | Jubal Khan or Subhal Khan | Late 17th Century CE | ||
| 64 | Jallal Khan | 1715(died) | ||
| 66 | Fateh Khan | Mid-18th Century CE | ||
| 67 | Serjjan Khan | Mid-18th Century CE | ||
| 68 | Shermust Khan | 1730s | ||
| 69 | Raja Shukdev Roy | Mid-18th Century CE | ||
| 70 | Sher Daulat Khan | 1776–1782 | ||
| 71 | Janbask Khan | 1782–1789 | ||
| 72 | Tabbar Khan | 1801–1811 | ||
| 73 | Jabbar Khan | 1811–1814 | ||
| 74 | Dharam Bux Khan | 1814–1832 | ||
| 75 | Rani Kalindi | 1832–1873 | ||
| 76 | Raja Harish Chandra Rai Bahadur | 1873–1885 | ||
| 77 | Court of Wards
(Nilo Chandra Dewan & Trilawchana Dewan) |
1885–1897 | ||
| 78 |  |
Raja Bhuban Mohan Roy | 7 May 1897
— 17 September 1933 |
|
| 79 |  |
Raja Nalinakshya Roy | 7 March 1935
— 7 October 1951 |
|
| 80 |  |
Raja Tridev Roy | 2 March 1953
— 1971 |
|
| 81 | Samit Roy | 1971–1977 | ||
| 82 |  |
Raja Devashis Roy Wangza | 25 December 1977
— present |