Tag Archives: political history

The political history of Chittagong, Bangladesh closely mirrors the similar political history of the greater South Asian sub-continent. Functioning as a port city for centuries, Chittagong has natural geographic benefits making it a desirable city to control for aspiring empires and leaders. Chittagong experienced political turmoil for much of their recorded history forcing several rebuilding efforts, but the city appears to become stronger each time. The political benefits to controlling a port city are clear. Direct access to imports/exports, travel, and food, often makes ancient port cities like Chittagong contested territory. The early political history of Chittagong demonstrates the importance of controlling the port. Beyond the water boundary, Chittagong is also surrounded by inhospitable land terrain, making it easier for controlling political powers to protect their interests. During the seventeenth century, the political control of Chittagong fell to the Mughal empire as much of the Indian sub-continent had during this period. The Mughal political system of overlords and subsidiaries maintained control of Chittagong until the British Empire eventually came to control the port city as their growing influence during the nineteenth and eighteenth centuries made this fate inevitable. Throughout the nineteenth century, the people of Islamabad–the Mughals changed Chittagong’s name … Continue reading