Karnaphuli
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Karnaphuli
River of Eastern Bengal and Assam. It rises in a lofty range of hills beyond the border of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, in 22 degree 53' N. and 92 degree 27' E., and, after following a generally south- westerly course of 121 miles, falls into the Bay of Bengal in 22 degree 12’ N. and 91 degree 47" E., 12 miles below the town and port of Chittagong, which is situated on its right bank. As far up as Chittagong it is navigable by sea-going vessels, and by shallow-draught steamers as high as Rangamati, the head-quarters of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Earge native boats go up as high as Kasalang, while small craft ply 14 miles farther up to the Barkal rapids. In the Hill Tracts it is known as the Kynsa Khyoung. The chief tributaries are the Kasalang, Chingri, Kaptai, and Rankhiang rivers in the Hill Tracts, and the Halda in Chittagong District ; the latter empties itself into the main river from the north, and is navigable by native boats for 24 miles throughout the year. Besides those already mentioned, the principal river-side villages are Chandraghona and Rangonia.
he Karnaphuli is 'largely used for floating cotton and forest produce from the Hill Tracts to Chittagong. The approaches to the mouth are lit by lighthouses at Kutubdia and Norman's Point, and the channels are buoyed by the Port Com- missioners of Chittagong.
