Indo-Bangladesh enclaves

Simplified map of part of the border area, near 26°15′43″N 88°45′6″E / 26.26194°N 88.75167°E, showing some of the larger Indian enclaves in Bangladesh. There are many smaller enclaves in this region which are not shown.
More complete map of the exclaves. Top of the map is east, India is orange and Bangladesh is cyan.
One third-order enclave exists, called Dahala Khagrabari #51: a piece of India within Bangladesh, within India, within Bangladesh. It is less than 7000 square meters, or 1.7 acres, in size and was the site of a jute field. It is the world's only third-order enclave. 28 other enclaves within the overall complex each are smaller. (Maps)

The Indo-Bangladesh enclaves, also known as the chitmahals (Bengali: ছিটমহল chitmôhol), sometimes called pasha enclaves,[1] are the enclaves along the Bangladesh–India border, in Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya.

There are 106 Indian enclaves and 92 Bangladeshi enclaves. Inside the main part of Bangladesh, 102 of these are first-order Indian enclaves, while inside the main part of India, 71 of these are Bangladeshi first-order enclaves. Further inside these enclaves are an additional 24-second order- or counter-enclaves (21 Bangladeshi, 3 Indian) and one Indian counter-counter-enclave, called Dahala Khagrabari #51. They have an estimated combined population between 50,000 and 100,000.[2]

In September 2011, Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh of India and Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh signed an accord on border demarcation and exchange of adversely held enclaves; however, the Indian parliament has yet to ratify it. Under this intended agreement, the enclave residents could continue to reside at their present location or move to the country of their choice.[3]

History

The diagramatic sketch of Coochbehar district of West Bengal marking enclaves

According to a popular legend, the enclaves were used as stakes in card or chess games centuries ago between two regional kings, the Raja of Koch Bihar and the Maharaja of Rangpur.[2] As far as history records, the little territories were apparently the result of a confused outcome of a 1713 treaty between the Kingdom of Koch Bihar and the Mughal Empire. Possibly, the Kingdom and the Mughals ended a war without determining a single boundary for what territories had been gained or lost.[4]

After the partition of India in 1947, Rangpur was joined to East Pakistan, and Koch Bihar was merged in 1949 with India. The desire to "de-enclave" most of the enclaves was manifested in a 1958 Nehru-Noon agreement for an exchange between India and Pakistan without considering loss or gain of territory, but the matter then worked into a Supreme Court case in India and Supreme Court ruled that constitutional amendment is required to transfer the land. So the ninth amendment was introduced to facilitate the implementation of the agreement. The amendment could not be passed due to objection to transfer of southern Berubari enclave.[2] Due to detoriated relation with Pakistan, the issue remained unsolved. With that agreement unratified, the negotiations had to restart after East Pakistan became independent as Bangladesh in 1971.

The Land Boundary Agreement was signed on 16 May 1974 between Indira Gandhi and Mujibur Rehman which provided for exchange” of enclaves and the “surrender” of adverse possessions. Under the agreement, India retained Berubari Union No. 12 enclave while Bangladesh retained Dahagram and Angorpota enclaves with India providing access to it by giving 178 metre × 85 metres corridor, called the Teen Bigha Corridor. Bangladesh quickly ratified the agreement in 1974 but India failed to do so. The issue of undemarcated land boundary of approximately 6.1 km in three sectors — Daikhata-56 in West Bengal, Muhuri River-Belonia in Tripura and Lathitila-Dumabari in Assam — also remained unsolved. The Teen Bigha Corridor was leased to Bangladesh in 1992 amid local opposition.[2]

The list of enclaves was prepared in 1997 by both nations. Two Joint Boundary Working Groups was formed to work out the details of enclaves in 2001. The joint census was carried out it May 2007. In September 2011, India signed the Additional Protocol for the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh.[5] The both nations announced an intention to swap 162 enclaves, giving residents a choice of nationality.[6][7][8] Under the agreement, India will receive 51 out of the 71 Bangladeshi enclaves (from 51 to 54 of the 74 chitts) that are inside India proper (7,110.2 acres), while Bangladesh will get from 95 to 101 of the 103 Indian enclaves (111 out of 119 chitts) that are inside Bangladesh proper (17,160.63 acres). India will also acquire 2777.038 acres adverse possession areas and transfer 2267.682 acres adverse possession areas to Bangladesh. According to July 2010 joint census, there were 14,215 people residing in Bangladeshi enclaves in India and 37,269 people residing in Indian enclaves in Bangladesh.[9] Apparently Bangladesh would retain the 4617 acres of its Dahagram-Angarpota exclave. The Constitution (119th Amendment) Bill, 2013 was introduced to the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Parliament of India, on 18 December 2013.[3][10][11][12][13][14] The parliament panel, Standing Committee on External Affairs, approved the bill in November 2014.[15][16]

Notable enclaves

Bangladesh

Dahagram–Angarpota: The largest Bangladeshi composite enclave (combining the first- and third-largest Bangladeshi chhits by area), administered as part of Patgram upazila in Lalmonirhat zila, lies within the Indian province of West Bengal. It is separated from the contiguous area of Bangladesh at its closest point by less than 200 meters. The enclave has an area of 25.95 km2 (10 sq mi) with a resident population of 20,000 people. The enclave lacks all facilities. The lone health complex remains virtually useless for lack of power supply, as India refused to allow Bangladesh to run power lines to the enclave.

The Tin Bigha Corridor, the 178 x 85 meter strip of Indian territory separating the Dahagram–Angarpota composite enclave from other Bangladeshi territory, was leased to Bangladesh for 999 years for access to the enclave. It is available for use by the residents of Dahagram–Angarpota during specified hours of the day.[2]

India

Dasiar Chhara, the fourth largest Indian chhit by area, is the largest stand-alone Indian enclave (i.e., not a composite of adjoining chhits). It lies 3 km (2 mi) from the main part of India and has an area of 6.65 km² (3 sq mi).

According to the Census Report issued by Bharat Bangladesh Enclave Exchange Co-ordination Committee (31 July 2010), the total population of 9510 includes: male 4941, female 4569; Hindu 640, Muslim 8870; cultivator 2426, non-cultivator 840; literate 4148; disabled 6; with Indian EPIC 193, with BD EPIC 1173; under 5 years 378; 6 to 18 years 1072.

Dahala Khagrabari is the world's only third-order enclave, being Indian territory inside a Bangladeshi territory which is itself inside an exclave of India in Bangladesh.

List of enclaves and exclaves

Bangladesh

In order to distinguish chhits having the same names, serial numbers established by Banerjee (1966)[17] are shown in parentheses, as (#). The Bangladesh series is separate from the India series.

With 4 exceptions (Chhat Tilai, Baikunthapur Teldhar (#3, #4, #5)), the first-order enclaves, including the 3 composite enclaves, lie entirely within the Cooch Behar District of West Bengal state, India. All 21 counter-enclaves lie within the Rangpur Division of Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi Chhits Within Indian Territory[2]Area (km2)Notes
Bangladesh Dahagram-Angarpota18.684Largest composite exclave of Bangladesh within India, comprises the contiguous Dahagram and Angarpota chhits.
Bangladesh Dahagram❋15.690Largest chhit of Bangladesh, part of the Dahagram-Angarpota composite exclave within India.
Bangladesh Nalgram7.705Composite exclave of Bangladesh within India, comprises the contiguous Falnapur and Nalgram (#52) chhits.
Bangladesh Nalgram (#52)❋5.655Part of the Nalgram composite exclave within India (area includes 2 other smaller chhits, each itself an exclave and true enclave, each also named Nalgram (#53, #54)). Surrounds the Indian counter-enclave, Nalgram Chhit (#111).
Bangladesh Nalgram (#53)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Nalgram (#52).
Bangladesh Nalgram (#54)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Nalgram (#52).
Bangladesh Angarpota❋2.994Part of the Dahagram-Angarpota composite exclave within India.
Bangladesh Dakshin Masaldanga<2.797Composite exclave of Bangladesh within India, comprises the contiguous Kachua and Dakshin Masaldanga (#74) chhits.
Bangladesh Poaturkuthi2.387First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Batrigach (#59)2.337First-order enclave within India (area includes the smaller Batrigach (#60), itself an exclave and true enclave). Surrounds the Indian counter-enclave, Madnakura Chhit in Bhoti Nath Batrigach.
Bangladesh Batrigach (#60)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Batrigach (#59).
Bangladesh Dakshin Masaldanga (#74)❋2.312Part of the Dakshin Masaldanga composite exclave (along with Kachua chhit) within India; area includes 6 other smaller chhits, each also named Dakshin Masaldanga (#73, 75, 76, 77, 78 & 90), each itself an exclave and true enclave.
Bangladesh Dakshin Masaldanga (#73)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Dakshin Masaldanga (#74).
Bangladesh Dakshin Masaldanga (#75)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Dakshin Masaldanga (#74).
Bangladesh Dakshin Masaldanga (#76)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Dakshin Masaldanga (#74).
Bangladesh Dakshin Masaldanga (#77)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Dakshin Masaldanga (#74).
Bangladesh Dakshin Masaldanga (#78)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Dakshin Masaldanga (#74).
Bangladesh Dakshin Masaldanga (#90)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Dakshin Masaldanga (#74).
Bangladesh Falnapur❋2.050Part of the Nalgram composite exclave within India.
Bangladesh Sibprasad Mustafi (#67)1.510First-order enclave within India (area includes the smaller Sibprasad Mustafi (#68), itself an exclave and true enclave).
Bangladesh Sibprasad Mustafi (#68)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Sibprasad Mustafi (#67).
Bangladesh Chhit Kuchlibari1.500First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Bala Pukhari1.342First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Karala (#63)1.092First-order enclave within India (area includes 2 other smaller chhits, each itself an exclave and true enclave, each also named Karala (#64, #65)).
Bangladesh Karala (#64)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Karala (#63).
Bangladesh Karala (#65)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Karala (#63).
Bangladesh Kismat Batrigach0.850First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Dhabalsati Mirgipur0.704First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Upan Chowki Bhajni, 1110.685Counter-exclave surrounded by and sharing borders with two contiguous Indian chhits, Balapara Khagrabari (#42) and Kothajni (#43) (both within the composite exclave named "Balapara Khagrabari" in the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh).
Bangladesh Purba Masaldanga (#87)0.623First-order enclave within India (area includes the smaller Purba Masaldanga (#86), itself an exclave and true enclave). A map from the 1930s and a 1940 source[18] imply that Purba Masaldanga (#86) and (#87) form a single enclave. However, topographic mapping and other sources suggest two enclaves, as listed here, but if joined, they are connected across the narrowest gap separating them, along a beel (marshy former river course).[2]
Bangladesh Purba Masaldanga (#86)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Purba Masaldanga (#87).
Bangladesh Paschim Bakalir Chhara0.615First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Madhya Masaldanga0.553First-order enclave within India. Surrounds the Indian counter-enclave, Chhit Seoruguri.
Bangladesh Mahishmari0.497First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Kachua❋0.485Part of the Dakshin Masaldanga composite exclave (along with Dakshin Masaldanga #74) within India.
Bangladesh Upan Chowki Bhajni, 1100.449Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian exclave, Dahala Khagrabari (#47), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh. It surrounds the only counter-counter-enclave in the world, Dahala Khagrabari (#51).
Bangladesh Chhit Panbari0.439First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Jote Nijjama0.354First-order enclave within India; although not definite, it possibly forms an international quadripoint (one point in common with four different areas) of Bangladesh and India: two parts of Patgram thana (main part and the Jote Nijjama enclave itself) in Lalmonirhat District and two parts of Mekhliganj thana in Mekhliganj subdivision, Cooch Behar District, India.
Bangladesh Chhat Tilai0.330First-order enclave within India, straddling the border of Cooch Behar District (West Bengal) and Dhubri District (Assam).
Bangladesh Upan Chowki Bhajni, 220.292Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian exclave, Dahala Khagrabari (#47), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Chhit Land of Jagatber No. 30.283First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Chhit Dhabalsati0.269First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Dhabalsati (#32)0.245First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Baikunthapur Teldhar (#4)0.210First-order enclave within Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India (area includes 2 other smaller chhits, each itself an exclave and true enclave, each also named Baikunthapur Teldhar (#3, #5)).
Bangladesh Baikunthapur Teldhar (#3)see aboveFirst-order enclave within Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India (area combined with that shown for the larger Baikunthapur Teldhar (#4)).
Bangladesh Baikunthapur Teldhar (#5)see aboveFirst-order enclave within Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India (area combined with that shown for the larger Baikunthapur Teldhar (#4)).
Bangladesh Chhit Nalgram (#55)0.200First-order enclave within India (area includes Chhit Nalgram (#56), itself an exclave and true enclave).
Bangladesh Chhit Nalgram (#56)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for Chhit Nalgram (#55).
Bangladesh Uttar Bansjani0.191First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Chhit Bhandardaha0.162First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Upan Chowki Bhajni, 1130.148Counter-exclave surrounded by and sharing a border with two contiguous Indian exclaves, Balapara Khagrabari (#42) and Kothajni (#43) (both within the composite exclave named "Balapara Khagrabari" in the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh).
Bangladesh Purba Chhit Masaldanga (#84)0.142First-order enclave within India (area includes the smaller Purba Chhit Masaldanga (#83), itself an exclave and true enclave).
Bangladesh Purba Chhit Masaldanga (#83)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Purba Chhit Masaldanga (#84).
Bangladesh Bara Saradubi0.141First-order enclave within India; forms an international quadripoint (one point in common with four different areas) of Bangladesh and India: two parts of Hatibandha thana (main part and the Bara Saradubi enclave itself) in Lalmonirhat District and two parts of Sitalkuchi thana in Mathabhanga subdivision, Cooch Behar District, India.
Bangladesh Chandrakhan0.140Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian true enclave/exclave, Dasiar Chhara (#117), located within the Kurigram District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Madhya Bakalir Chhara0.132First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Chhit Land of Jagatber No. 10.124First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Chhit Kokoabari0.1193First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Paschim Masaldanga (#79)0.1193First-order enclave within India (area includes Paschim Masaldanga (#80), itself an exclave and true enclave).
Bangladesh Paschim Masaldanga (#80)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for Paschim Masaldanga (#79).
Bangladesh Uttar Masaldanga0.1104First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Chhit Land of Jagatber No. 20.1096First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Chhit Land of Dhabalguri No. 20.1086First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Bansua Khamar Gitaldaha0.0993First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Uttar Dhaldanga (#93)0.0966First-order enclave within India (area includes 2 other smaller chhits, each itself an exclave and true enclave, each also named Uttar Dhaldanga (#92, #94)).
Bangladesh Uttar Dhaldanga (#92)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Uttar Dhaldanga (#93).
Bangladesh Uttar Dhaldanga (#94)see aboveFirst-order enclave within India, area combined with that shown for the larger Uttar Dhaldanga (#93).
Bangladesh Chhit Dhabalguri0.0903First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Durgapur0.0848First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Nazirganj (#10)0.0799 †Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian exclave, Bewladanga (#39), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Teldhar (#1)0.0586Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian true enclave/exclave, Garati (#1), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh (area includes the smaller Teldhar (#2), itself an exclave and true enclave).
Bangladesh Teldhar (#2)see aboveCounter-enclave surrounded by an Indian true enclave/exclave, Garati (#1), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh, area combined with that shown for the larger Teldhar (#1).
Bangladesh Upan Chowki Bhajni, 1120.0571Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian exclave, Kothajni (#43), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Chhit Land of Dhabalguri No. 10.0565First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Dhabalguri0.0506First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Purba Bakalir Chhara0.0495First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Madhya Chhit Masaldanga0.0480First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Jongra0.0334Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian true enclave/exclave, Banskata (#93), located within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Paschim Chhit Masaldanga0.0308First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Debi Doba0.0302Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian exclave, Dahala Khagrabari (#47), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Nazirganj −290.0265Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian true enclave/exclave, Nazirganj (#27), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Debottar Saldanga0.0247Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian exclave, Bewladanga (#39), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Chhit Land of Dhabalguri No. 40.0184First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Chhit Land of Dhabalguri No. 50.0167First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Bamandal0.0089First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Chhit Land of Kuchlibari0.0074First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Upan Chowki Bhajni, 990.0071Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian exclave, Kothajni (#43), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Dhabalsati (#33)0.0065Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian exclave, Bara Khangir (#66), located within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Nazirganj (#8)0.0062 †Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian exclave, Shalbari (#35), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Upan Chowki Bhajni, 130.0054Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian exclave, Kothajni (#43), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Chhit Land of Dhabalguri No. 30.0054First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Amjhol0.0051First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Chhit Land of Panbari No. 20.0046First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Nazirganj −300.0046Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian true enclave/exclave, Nazirganj (#19), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Srirampur0.0042First-order enclave within India.
Bangladesh Upan Chowki Bhajni, 150.0041Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian exclave, Dahala Khagrabari (#47), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Nazirganj (#9)0.00291 †Counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian exclave, Shalbari (#35), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Upan Chowki Bhajni, 240.00287Smallest known chhit of Bangladesh, a counter-enclave surrounded by an Indian exclave, Kothajni (#43), located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
❋ This chhit is part of a composite enclave and by itself is neither an enclave nor an exclave.
† Stated size may not be exact.[2]

India

The 102 first-order enclaves (including the 6 composite enclaves) and the 1 counter-counter enclave lie within the Rangpur Division of Bangladesh. The 3 counter-enclaves lie within the Cooch Behar District of West Bengal state, India. In order to distinguish chhits having the same names, serial numbers established by Banerjee (1966)[17] are shown in parentheses, as (#). The India series is separate from the Bangladesh series.

Indian Chhits Within Bangladeshi Territory[2]Area (km2)Notes
India Balapara Khagrabari25.952Composite exclave of India, bordering the Panchagarh and Nilphamari Districts, Bangladesh, comprises the contiguous Dahala Khagrabari (#47), Kothajni (#43) and Balapara Khagrabari (#42) chhits (area includes 6 other smaller chhits, each itself an exclave and true enclave: 3 also named Dahala Khagrabari (#48, #49, #50) and 3 also named Kothajni (#44, #45, #46)).
India Shalbari14.091Composite exclave of India within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh, comprises the contiguous Shalbari (#35), Bewladanga (#39), Kajal Dighi, Daikhata Chhat, Nataoka (#37) and Nataoka (#38) chhits.
India Dahala Khagrabari (#47)❋10.717Largest chhit of India, part of Balapara Khagrabari composite exclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh (area includes 3 other smaller chhits, each itself an exclave and true enclave, each also named Dahala Khagrabari (#48, #49, #50)).
India Dahala Khagrabari (#48)see aboveFirst-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh, area combined with that shown for the larger Dahala Khagrabari (#47).
India Dahala Khagrabari (#49)see aboveFirst-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh, area combined with that shown for the larger Dahala Khagrabari (#47).
India Dahala Khagrabari (#50)see aboveFirst-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh, area combined with that shown for the larger Dahala Khagrabari (#47).
India Kothajni (#43)❋8.143Part of Balapara Khagrabari composite exclave, bordering the Panchagarh and Nilphamari Districts, Bangladesh (area includes 3 other smaller chhits, each itself an exclave and true enclave, each also named Kothajni (#44, #45, #46)).
India Kothajni (#44)see aboveFirst-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh, area combined with that shown for the larger Kothajni (#43).
India Kothajni (#45)see aboveFirst-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh, area combined with that shown for the larger Kothajni (#43).
India Kothajni (#46)see aboveFirst-order exclave bordering the Panchagarh and Nilphamari Districts, Bangladesh, area combined with that shown for the larger Kothajni (#43).
India Balapara Khagrabari (#42)❋7.092Part of Balapara Khagrabari composite exclave, bordering the Panchagarh District and Nilphamari Districts, Bangladesh.
India Dasiar Chhara6.651First-order enclave within the Kurigram District of Bangladesh.
India Shalbari (#35)❋4.811Part of Shalbari composite exclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Garati (#1)3.920First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Bewladanga (#39)❋3.479Part of Shalbari composite exclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Kajal Dighi❋3.122Part of Shalbari composite exclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Daikhata Chhat❋2.020Part of Shalbari composite exclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#33)1.758First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#93)1.675First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Kamat Changrabandha1.626Composite exclave of India within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh, comprises the contiguous Bhotbari (#74), Panisala (#77) and Kamat Changrabandha (#75, #76) chhits.
India Banskata (#97)1.275First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Lotamari (#83)1.147First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Kharkharia0.904Composite exclave of India within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh, comprises the contiguous Lotamari (#73), Kharkharia (#71) and Kharkharia (#72) chhits.
India Bans Pachai0.879First-order exclave bordering the Lalmonirhat and Kurigram Districts, Bangladesh.
India Bhotbari (#74)❋0.831Part of Kamat Changrabandha composite exclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Natatoka (#37)❋0.657Part of Shalbari composite exclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Panisala (#77)❋0.557Part of Kamat Changrabandha composite exclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Bara Khangir0.523Composite exclave of India within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh, comprises the contiguous Bara Khangir (#66) and Chhat Bagdokra chhits.
India Gotamuri Chhit (#112)0.512First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Putimari0.497First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Lotamari (#73)❋0.449Part of Kharkharia composite exclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Lotamari (#84)0.400First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Bara Khangir (#66)❋0.354Part of Bara Khangir composite exclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Bans Pachai Bhitarkuthi0.331First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja0.309Composite exclave of India within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh, comprises the contiguous Najirgonja (#28, #29, #30, #31) chhits.
India Garati (#3)0.298First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#27)0.297First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Panisala (#81)0.262First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Kharkharia (#71)❋0.246Part of Kharkharia composite exclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Ratanpur0.238First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#32)0.236First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Garati (#6)0.236First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#96)0.234First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Chhat Bhothat0.227First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Balapukhari0.226First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#19)0.219First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#31)❋0.216Part of Najirgonja composite exclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Kharkharia (#72)❋0.209Part of Kharkharia composite exclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Panisala (#82)0.208First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Bara Khangir (#65)0.204First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#25)0.198First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh. Najirgonja (#25) and (#26) are shown joined as one in pre-1947 maps, but as separate in 1991 Indian census maps.[2][19]
India Dwarikamari (#86)0.185First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Seotikursa0.185First-order enclave within the Kurigram District of Bangladesh.
India Uponchowki Kuhlibari (#62)0.178First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Kamat Changrabandha (#75)❋0.173Part of Kamat Changrabandha composite exclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Chhat Bagdokra❋0.169Part of Bara Khangir composite exclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Bara Gaochulka0.162First-order enclave within the Kurigram District of Bangladesh.
India Dwarikamari (#85)0.160First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Bhotbari (#63)0.149First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Bara Khanki Kharija Gitaldaha (#54)0.149First-order enclave within the Nilphamari District of Bangladesh.
India Dwarikamarikhasbash0.148First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Chhoto Guraljhara I0.145First-order enclave within the Kurigram District of Bangladesh.
India Madnakura Chhit in Bhoti Nath Batrigach0.144Counter-enclave surrounded by a Bangladeshi true enclave/exclave, Batrigach (#59), located within Cooch Behar District of West Bengal state, India.
India Nagarjikabari0.135First-order enclave within the Nilphamari District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#100)0.134First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Shahebganj0.128First-order enclave within the Kurigram District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#104)0.125 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#94)0.1244First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Barakhangir0.1236First-order enclave within the Nilphamari District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#99)0.1182First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Bagdokra0.1032First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#109)0.0986 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#88)0.0904First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Kalamati0.0858First-order enclave within the Kurigram District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#90)0.0853First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Gotamuri Chhit (#113)0.081First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Panisala (#80)0.0729First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Garati (#4)0.0728First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh. Garati (#4) and (#5) are shown joined as one enclave in pre-1947 topographic maps, in which the smaller (#5) adjoins the northern boundary of the larger (#4). Later sources (1991 Indian census maps[19] and Banerjee, 1966[17]) depict them as separate.[2]
India Najirgonja (#29)❋0.0726Part of Najirgonja composite exclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Chhoto Guraljhara II0.0722First-order enclave within the Kurigram District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#108)0.0686 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Kamat Changrabandha (#76)❋0.0648Part of Kamat Changrabandha composite exclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Dakurhat Dakinir Kuthi0.0577First-order enclave within the Kurigram District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#16)0.0575First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#101)0.0515 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Dighaltari I0.0498First-order enclave within the Kurigram District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#26)0.0493First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh. Najirgonja (#25) and (#26) are shown joined as one in pre-1947 maps, but as separate in 1991 Indian census maps.[2][19]
India Banskata (#95)0.0492First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#89)0.0484First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Gaochulka I0.0361First-order enclave within the Kurigram District of Bangladesh.
India Dighaltari II0.0357First-order enclave within the Kurigram District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#17)0.0335First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Chenakata0.0316 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Bara Khanki Kharija Gitaldaha (#53)0.0312First-order enclave within the Nilphamari District of Bangladesh.
India Shingimari Part I0.0246 ± 0.0013 First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Kuchlibari (#57)0.0234First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Jamaldaha Balapukhari0.0212 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#24)0.0204 †First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Nalgram Chhit0.0191Counter-enclave surrounded by a Bangladeshi exclave, Nalgram (#52), located within Cooch Behar District of West Bengal state, India.
India Bara Kuchlibari0.0176 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#28)❋0.01574Part of Najirgonja composite exclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#20)0.01566 †First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Bewladanga (#40)0.01097First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#103)0.01032 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Chhit Seoruguri0.01016Smallest Indian counter-enclave, surrounded by a Bangladeshi true enclave/exclave, Madhya Masaldanga, located within Cooch Behar District of West Bengal state, India.
India Banskata (#102)0.00943 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Kuchlibari (#58)0.00826First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Garati (#2)0.00704First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Dahala Khagrabari (#51)0.00688Dahala Khagrabari (#51) is the only counter-counter enclave in the world. It is surrounded by Upanchowki Bhajni 110, a Bangladeshi counter-enclave within the Indian composite exclave named Balapara Khagrabari, which is surrounded by the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh. Dahala Khagrabari (#51) is not part of the Balapara Khagrabari composite exclave, as it is not contiguous to it and borders only Bangladesh.
India Bhogramguri0.00583 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#106)0.00563 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#107)0.00554 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja Chhit (#30)❋0.00433Part of Najirgonja composite exclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#22)0.00421 †First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#21)0.00413 †First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Gaochulka II0.00364First-order enclave within the Kurigram District of Bangladesh.
India Fulker Dabri0.00356 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Bewladanga Chhat (#41)0.00336 †First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Garati (#5)0.00320First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh. Garati (#4) and (#5) are shown joined as one enclave in pre-1947 topographic maps, in which the smaller (#5) adjoins the northern boundary of the larger (#4). Later sources (1991 Indian census maps[19] and Banerjee, 1966[17]) depict them as separate.[2]
India Najirgonja (#23)0.00312 †First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#98)0.00312First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#105)0.00259 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Najirgonja (#15)0.00210First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Dahala Khagrabari (#52)0.00178First-order enclave within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh.
India Uponchowki Kuchlibari (#61)0.00129 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Banskata (#110)0.00113 †First-order enclave within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Panisala (#79)0.00109 †The smallest Indian true enclave; located within the Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh.
India Natatoka (#38)❋0.00105Smallest known chhit of India, part of Shalbari composite exclave; located within the Panchagarh District of Bangladesh; borders Bangladesh and Shalbari (#35).
❋ This chhit is part of a composite enclave and by itself is neither an enclave nor an exclave.
† Stated size may not be exact.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "India and Bangladesh discuss 'pasha' enclaves: Recognition of landlocked areas won in card games to be raised during India PM's visit". 6 September 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 Whyte, Brendan R. (2002). "Waiting for the esquimo: An historical and documentary study of the Cooch Behar enclaves of India and Bangladesh" (PDF). The School of Anthropology, Geography and Environmental Studies, The University of Melbourne. Retrieved 2011-09-11.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sougata Mukhopadhyay (7 September 2011). "India-Bangladesh sign pact on border demarcation". CNN-IBN. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
  4. ↑ Evgeny Vinokurov, "Theory of Enclaves" (2005) – Chapter 6: Enclave stories and case studies, page 117: Cooch Behar
  5. ↑ "India & Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement" (PDF). Ministry of External Affairs Government of India. Retrieved 2015-03-01.
  6. ↑ "The land that maps forgot". The Economist. 15 February 2011.
  7. ↑ "Bangladesh, India to swap 162 land parcels". AFP. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  8. ↑ "Hope for Indo-Bangladesh enclaves". NDTV. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  9. ↑ "Proposed enclave exchange with Bangladesh will be national loss: BJP". Daily News. 2013-05-11. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  10. ↑ Bagchi, Indrani (2013-08-15). "India-Bangladesh border pact constitutional amendment bill to be tabled in Parliament next week". Times of India. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  11. ↑ Chakrabarty, Rakhi (2013-08-15). "Mahanta canvassing support to stall exchange of enclaves bill in Parliament". Times of India. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  12. ↑ "Bangladesh land swap bill tabled in Rajya Sabha". Times of India. 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
  13. ↑ "AGP plea to Modi on land-swap deal". The Telegraph. 2014-05-29. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
  14. ↑ "Why Narendra Modi made a U turn on Land Boundary Agreement?". dna. 2 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  15. ↑ India (19 December 2014). "Bring bill without delay to ratify Indo-Bangla Land Boundary Agreement: Panel to House". The Indian Express. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  16. ↑ "Par panel approves bill on Indo-Bangla agreement". Business Standard. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Banerjee, R. (1966). "An Account of Exclaves – Origin and Development". Census 1961, West Bengal, District Census Handbook, Cooch Behar (West Bengal Government, India).
  18. ↑ Hartley, A. C. (1940). Final Report of the Rangpur Survey and Settlement Operations, 1931–1938. Bengal Govt.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 Census of India District Census Handbooks, for Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri, for 1991 census (West Bengal Government, India). Missing or empty |title= (help)

External links