In Bangladesh, discussions about cities are often dominated by scale, economic importance, and population density. Dhaka commands attention as the political and economic centre of the country; Chattogram drives trade and industry; and Sylhet and Rajshahi each possess distinct cultural and environmental identities. However, when shifting the focus from size to balance, there is a strong argument for Cumilla.
A 'balanced city' is not a large city or one with a tall skyline. It is measured by how well a city integrates its history, education, culture, lifestyle, economic activity, and civic consciousness into a cohesive whole while allowing for change. Cumilla is arguably the best urban centre in Bangladesh.
Cumilla's identity is not monolithic. It is rich in history, institutions and cultures. The city's impact does not stop at its geographical reach; it also shapes national development stories.
Cumilla is part of the ancient Samatata region, which was a centre of Buddhist civilisation in the Bengal delta during the 7th to 12th centuries. There are over 50 ancient sites located at the Mainamati-Lalmai ridge, one of the most important archaeological sites in Bangladesh.
Of these, the monastic complex of Shalban Vihara, built in the 8th century during the Deva dynasty, is one of the most significant archaeological remains of early urbanisation and intellectuality in the area.
Terracotta plaques, coins, inscriptions, and structural remains have been recovered here, all of which demonstrate that Cumilla was a long-time centre of learning and organised society.
This archaeological landscape is not isolated from modern life. The heritage of Cumilla can be seen and experienced, and it has its own presence within the city, though many cities have already forgotten their roots. Cumilla is shaping people's identities in subtle yet persistent ways.
Another key element of the city's balance is education. Cumilla is older than modern-day Bangladesh. The Cumilla Zilla School (1837) and Cumilla Victoria Government College (1899) are among the most notable schools in the nation.
These institutions have educated people for various fields of public administration, academia, medicine, and even engineering and over the years, the students have been instrumental in the nation's policymaking process.
There are hundreds of educational institutions at both the secondary and tertiary levels in the Cumilla district. It has an estimated literacy rate of approximately 76-77 per cent, marginally higher than the national average.
Cumilla's contribution to development thinking also holds national and international significance. Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), Kotbari, put Cumilla at the centre stage of the international dialogue on rural development.
During the 1960s, the 'Comilla Model' emerged under the efforts of Dr Akhter Hameed Khan, focusing on cooperative farming, decentralised planning, and the establishment of local governance frameworks. This model was extensively studied abroad and adopted as a rural development model in many parts of Asia and elsewhere in the world.
Long before 'inclusive development' became a global term, Cumilla was, in fact, a laboratory of institutional innovation.
The city also has a balanced economic structure, further solidified by its balanced character.
Cumilla has always been an important trade and movement hub between Dhaka and Chattogram. The area was linked with the historic Grand Trunk Road, making it a commercial bridge of eastern Bengal.
Its economy today is diversified, with agriculture, small and medium enterprises, transport services, retail trade, and budding manufacturing industries.
Cumilla is not highly industrialised, but its resources have helped ensure a degree of economic stability.
The city is home to another of the most influential composers of South Asian music, Sachin Dev Burman. It is closely linked to Rahul Dev Burman, who revolutionised modern film music in the subcontinent. They are responsible for their artistic legacy, which has put Cumilla at the heart of the musical development of Bengali and South Asian countries.
In addition to music, the city has preserved and maintained strong traditions in folk culture, literature, theatre and local journalism.
These cultural practices remain important in keeping the community and the intergenerational links alive today.
A significant yet less talked-about facet of Cumilla's legacy is its role in social reforms and women's education. One of the early Muslim women educationists of Bengal, Nawab Faizunnesa Chowdhurani (1834-1903), was born in the Nawab area of Lakshman, near Cumilla. She was a writer, philanthropist, and social reformer who stood against the tide of her times by actively promoting girls' education.
In 1873, she opened Faizunnesa Girls' School in Cumilla, where women's education was very limited in Bengal at the time. She is one of the first important Muslim women writers in Bengali literature, known for her literary work Rupjalal, an influential work that was an early example of progressive social thinking in the region.
This place is not just a hub of ancient civilisation, education, and modernity; it is also the seedbed of social change.
The key factor that makes Cumilla unique is its balance of continuity and change. In the many contexts that are rapidly becoming urban, development tends to be at the expense of historical and cultural erosion. But it is a more integrated model that is evident in Cumilla. Archaeological heritage is not in conflict with the present use of institutions; cultural traditions exist today, and continue to; and historical identity still lives in the present development. This balance is not accidental. It is the result of the depth and continuity of institutions, education, and culture over a long period.
It may continue to be open to interpretation whether Cumilla is the most balanced city in Bangladesh. It has nonetheless maintained, over the years, a unique and lasting role in the nation's urban history through its contributions to education, rural development, cultural production, and social reform.
