Comilla
Cumilla (Bengali: কুমিল্লা), formerly known as Comilla, is a city in southeastern Bangladesh serving as the administrative headquarters of Cumilla District within the Chittagong Division.[1] Located on the banks of the Gomti River, a tributary of the Meghna, the city spans approximately 53 square kilometers and recorded a population of 440,233 in the 2022 national census conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.[2][3] The city's historical prominence traces back to ancient Bengal, where it formed part of the Samatata kingdom and later hosted significant Buddhist settlements from the 7th to 12th centuries, evidenced by the extensive ruins at Mainamati-Lalmai, including viharas, stupas, and temples that represent early examples of regional Buddhist architecture.[4] These archaeological sites, excavated to reveal over 50 ancient structures, underscore Cumilla's role as a center of Buddhist civilization before the decline of the faith in the area. Modern Cumilla functions as a vital economic node, bolstered by the Cumilla Export Processing Zone established in 2000, which spans 267 acres and employs around 50,000 workers in manufacturing and export-oriented industries.[5] The region also supports agriculture-based trade and cottage industries, contributing to the district's broader economic output amid Bangladesh's southeastern connectivity via major highways linking to Dhaka and Chittagong.[6] Cumilla's strategic location has historically drawn military presence, including a British-era cantonment and the Mainamati War Cemetery, which honors Allied soldiers from World War II, reflecting the area's involvement in 20th-century conflicts. As an educational hub, the city hosts numerous colleges and institutions, fostering human capital development in a district with a total population exceeding 6 million, though urban growth strains infrastructure like water tanks and road networks inherited from colonial times.[6]