Tanchangya people
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𑄖𑄧𑄐𑄴𑄌𑄧𑄁𑄉𑄴𑄡 তঞ্চঙ্গ্যা | |
|---|---|
 Tanchangya women | |
| Total population | |
| ≥45,972 [1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Bangladesh, India, Myanmar | |
 Bangladesh | 45,972 (2022)[1] |
 India | unknown |
 Myanmar | unknown |
| Languages | |
| Tanchangya | |
| Religion | |
| Buddhism • Christianity • others | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Chakma, Daingnet, Chak, Rakhine, Bamar | |
| People | Tanchangya |
|---|---|
| Language | Tanchangya (𑄖𑄧𑄐𑄴𑄌𑄧𑄁𑄉𑄴𑄡) |
| Country | Chapre (ancient homeland), Bangladesh, Myanmar, India |
The Tanchangya people, Tonchonga, Tanchangyas or Tonchongyas (/ˈtɒntʃɒŋɛ/) are an ethnic group living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh,[2] Indian states of Tripura and Mizoram, and Rakhine state of Myanmar.
According to the 2022 census, there are 45,972 Tanchangyas in Bangladesh.[1]
The Chakmas and Dainnaks are mentioned together in history in the early fourteenth century AD. Due to the similarity of religion and language, there is a history of closeness and friendship between the two communities.[citation needed]
The Tanchangya people migrated to present-day Bangladesh after facing severe oppression in Arakan. According to historical accounts, the Rakhines persecuted the Dainaks (Tanchangyas). Unable to endure the mistreatment, the Tanchangyas left their homeland of Chaprei in 1418 AD. Traveling through dense forests and crossing the Naf River, they eventually arrived in Chittagong. At that time, the ruler of Chittagong, Jamal Uddin, granted them permission to settle in twelve villages located in the Taingang River basin near the Matamuhuri River, an area that is now part of Alikadam upazila. Over time, the Tanchangyas gradually dispersed and established communities across various regions of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.[3]
Geographical location
According to the 2022 Bangladeshi census, there are 45,972 Tanchangyas in Bangladesh.[1] They are mainly found in Chittagong Division: 27,975 in Rangamati District, 14,889 in Bandarban District, 1,674 in Chattogram District, and 977 in Cox's Bazar District.[4][5][6][7]
They are the largest ethnic group in Belaichhari Upazila (38.77%) and second largest in Rowangchhari Upazila (14.39%).[7][4]
| Upazila | District | Population | Percentage of Tanchangya[4][5][6][7] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belaichhari Upazila | Rangamati District | 11,452 | 38.77% |
| Kaptai Upazila | Rangamati District | 6,881 | 12.42% |
| Bandarban Sadar Upazila | Bandarban District | 5,605 | 5.05% |
| Rajasthali Upazila | Rangamati District | 4,542 | 16.30% |
| Rowangchhari Upazila | Bandarban District | 3,990 | 14.39% |
| Rangamati Sadar Upazila | Rangamati District | 3,488 | 2.38% |
| Naikhongchhari Upazila | Bandarban District | 2,881 | 3.77% |
| Alikadam Upazila | Bandarban District | 1,977 | 3.10% |
| Rangunia Upazila | Chattogram District | 931 | 0.24% |
| Juraichhari Upazila | Rangamati District | 858 | 3.33% |
| Kawkhali Upazila | Rangamati District | 677 | 1.02% |
| Ukhia Upazila | Cox's Bazar District | 469 | 0.18% |
| Teknaf Upazila | Cox's Bazar District | 467 | 0.14% |
| Ruma Upazila | Bandarban District | 241 | 0.74% |
| Chandanaish Upazila | Chattogram District | 240 | 0.09% |
| Lama Upazila | Bandarban District | 183 | 0.13% |
| Others | <100 | ||
