Noakhali

The ancient name of Noakhali was Bhulua. Once the agricultural activities of the north-eastern region of Bhulua were seriously affected by floodwater of the Dakatia River flowing from the Tripura hills. To save the situation a canal was excavated in 1660 running from the Dakatia through Ramganj, Sonaimudi and Chaumuhani to divert water flow to the junction of the rivers Meghna and Feni. After excavating this long canal, Bhulua was renamed "Noakhali" after "Noa" (new) and "khal" (canal) in 1668.

The people of Noakhali actively took part in Jehad Movement in 1830 and Khilafat Movement in 1920. Mahatma Gandhi visited Noakhali (Begumganj upazila) in 1946 to ease communal riots.

Noakhali district was seriously affected many times by natural disasters like high tidal bore, tornado, flood, cyclone etc since 1790. In 1970, devastating tornado and tidal bore took lives of about 10 lakh people of the district. During the War of Liberation many direct and guerilla encounters were held between the Pak army and the freedom fighters. About 70 freedom fighters were killed in a direct encounter with the Pak army on 15 June 1971 in front of Sonapur Ahmadia School. Noakhali was liberated on 7 December 1971.