Comilla District is a district of Bangladesh located about 100 kilometers south east of Dhaka. Comilla established as a district of Bengal by the British in 1790, it included the Sub-divisions of Brahmanbaria and Chandpur which eventually became separate districts in 1984.
Comilla is bordered by Brahmanbaria districts to the north, Noakhali and Feni districts to the south, Tripura of India to the east, and Munshiganj and Chandpur districts to the west.
Total area of Comilla district is 3085.17 square kilometers. It is bounded by Brahmanpara, Burichong and Sadar upazila to the east, Homna and Muradnagar on the north, Monohargonj, Chauddagram and Nangalkot on the south, and Daudkandi & Meghna to the west. Major rivers passing through Comilla are Gumti, Dakatia, Titas and Kakri.
Comilla district consists of 17 upazilas, 1 City Corporation, 8 pourashavas and 185 unions. Internal road communication systems of this district enormously developed in last decade. As a result, it is now accessible most of the important land marks. Mainly based on agriculture, the economy of Comilla has been flourished through trade and cottage industries, especially the 'Khadi' textile. Previously cotton cloths were exported to other districts. At present, Comilla Khaddar is famous in all over the country. For the economic development of this region, the "Bangladesh Export Promotion Zone Authority" has established the "Comilla Export Processing Zone" spread over an area of 104.44 hectares (258 Acres) in the Comilla old Airport Area. Comilla has a Land-port at Bibir bazaar. Comilla is also enriched with natural resources. Bakhrabad gas-well is situated at Muradnagar. Numbers of new gas mines also discovered in Comilla. The HQ of “Bakhrabad Gas System Ltd”also is situated at Comilla. Manufacturers of popular Comilla Rosomalai are mostly based on Manoharpur area of the main town.
Important landmarks include Kotbari, a cantonment and Kandirpar are considered the heart of the Comilla district. Ancient Buddhist Monastery ruins are the major attraction of Mainamati, near Kotbari. There is also a Second World War cemetery located about 3.1 km away north from Comilla Cantonment. Paschimgaon Nawab Bari, the place of only lady Jaminder Faizunnesa, a poet, educationist and a great donor. Once Comilla was known as city of Banks and Tanks.
Kazi Nazrul Islam, the national poet of Bangladesh, passed significant time of his life in this town. Both his wives, Promila Devi and Nargis born in this district.
Comilla also contains Comilla University, Comilla Medical College, Polytechnic Institute, Survey institute, Teachers Training Collage, Primary Teachers Training Institute, Goverenment Labratory School, Technical Training Center, famous Victoria Collage and numerous colleges and schools such as Comilla Cadet College, Comilla Zilla School, Ispahani Public School & College. Moreover, the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) is also situated in Kotbari, Comilla.
Comilla is situated by the bank of Ghumti river. It is also famous for some tanks such as 'Dhormo Sagor', ‘Amir Dhigi’, 'Ranir Dighi', 'Nanuar Dighi', 'Ujir Dighi' etc.
Marks of rich ancient civilization Mainamati Hill found in Lalmai. In these hills there are plenty of archaeological sites, various archaeological relics includes images, metalled utensils etc.which are now preserved in the Mainamat Museum.
Comilla is also historically recognized as participation of its people in the Independence movement in 1947 & 1971. In Muktijuddho 1971, Comilla movement was administered by Mukti Bahini Sector-2 which led by Major Khaled Mosharraf (later Major General of Bangladesh Army) as its commanding officer. Comilla was invaded by Allied Forces directing by 23 Mountain Division of Indian Army under Command of Major General Hira Kiloferce & Mukti Bahini under Command of Major Khaled Mosharraf & Major A.T.M Haider on December 8, 1971 and liberated.