Chakma Circle

The Chakma Circle (Chakma: 𑄌𑄇𑄴𑄟𑄳𑄦 𑄥𑄢𑄴𑄇𑄬𑄣𑄴), also known as the Chakma Raj, is one of three hereditary chiefdoms (or "circles") in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of modern-day Bangladesh. 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.
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.
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. The Chakma chieftain leads a "rajpunnah" festival.
History.
Pre-colonial era.
The lineage of Chakma chieftains may date to the 11th century or mid-16th century. Chakma folklore and tradition ascribe the Chakma origins to the warrior castes of Bhagalpur in modern-day India. The legendary raja Bijoy Giri (c. 1630), who is believed to have migrated the ancestors of the Chakma people north of the Naf River. Through intermarriages with the Rakhine people, the Chakmas eventually converted to Buddhism. Extant historical records date to the 1700s. Following the expansion of the Mughal Empire into Chakma territory, Chakma chieftains adopted Muslim names and titles (e.g., Khan) in exchange for tributary payments.
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. 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. In 1901, the Bohmong Circle extended . 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.
List of leaders.
1. Shakya
2. Sudhanya
3. Langal Dhan
4. Kshudrajit
5. Samudrajit
6. Shyamal
7. Champakali
8. Sadang Giri
9. Chengyasur
10. Chandsur
11. Sumesur
12. Bhimanjoy
14. Sambuddha
15. Udaigiri
16. Bijoygiri
17. Shakalia
18. Manikbi
19. Manikgiri
20. Madalia
21. Kamal Chega
22. Ratan Giri
23. Kala Thongza
24. Sher Matya
25. Arunjug
26. Chanda Thongza
27. Moisang
28. Manikya
29. Kadam Thongza
30. Tin Sureswari
31. Janu
32. Rani Janu
33. Sathua
34. Dhabana
35. Dharamya
36. Mogalya
37. Jubal Khan
38. Fateh Khan
39. Sher Must Khan
40. Shukdev Roy
41. Sher Daulat Khan
42. Jan Bux Khan (1787-1800)
43. Tabbar Khan (1800-1801)
44. Jabbar Khan (1801-1812)
45. Dharam Bux Khan (1812-1832)
Manager-Shuklal Dewan
46. Kalindi Rani (1832-1873)
47. Harish Chandra Rai Bahadur (1873-1885)
47A. Court of Wards (Nil Chandra Dewan & Trilochan Dewan) (1885-1897)
48. Bhuvan Mohan Roy (1897-1934)
49. Nalinaksha Roy (1934-1951)
50. Tridev Roy (1951-1971)
50A. Samit Roy [Regent](1971-1977)
51. Devashish Roy (1977–present)