How Bangladesh expanded its administrative map from four original divisions to eight today
In short: Bangladesh manages its vast population through a hierarchical system of administrative divisions. While the nation began with only four regional hubs after its 1971 independence, the map has evolved significantly. Today, eight distinct divisions oversee local governance, with ongoing debates about creating new ones to better handle administrative demands.
The administrative structure of Bangladesh is anchored by its divisions, which serve as the primary tier of regional governance. Each division is named after its major city, which acts as the administrative seat. Beneath this level, the country is further organized into districts, upazilas, and finally, union councils. This complex hierarchy is managed by a Divisional Commissioner, an official appointed from the Additional Secretary level of the Bangladesh Civil Service. These commissioners act as supervisory heads for government offices within their jurisdiction, holding direct responsibility for revenue and development administration.
Following independence in 1971, the country operated with just four divisions: Chittagong, Dacca, Khulna, and Rajshahi. The landscape began to shift in 1982 when the spelling of Dacca was updated to Dhaka to better reflect local pronunciation. Expansion continued in the 1990s, with Barisal splitting from Khulna in 1993 and Sylhet separating from Chittagong in 1995. The growth persisted into the 21st century, as Rangpur was carved out of Rajshahi in 2010, and Mymensingh became the eighth division in 2015 after separating from Dhaka.
The evolution of these borders remains a fluid process driven by the need to manage increasing population density. In 2015, proposals emerged to create Comilla and Faridpur divisions. By October 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced plans for two new divisions named Meghna and Padma, though these specific names were ultimately rejected. Following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, the Public Administration Reform Commission recommended in December 2024 that the government proceed with the creation of Comilla and Faridpur divisions, while also suggesting the integration of Tangail and Kishoreganj districts into the Mymensingh Division to further streamline regional oversight.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Divisions of Bangladesh
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