Barlekha Upazila: History
The Malegarh hillock at Lathu (came to be known later as Shahbajpur), the northern tip of Barlekha Upazila, was shaken up in November 1857 after Indian rebels revolted in Meerut. The soldiers of 34 Native Infantry in Chittagong revolted, looted the armoury and treasury and set army barracks on fire. These rebel soldiers, on their way to reach Manipur, pitched their tents at Malegarh. A force of 160 company soldiers under Major Byng, initially reached Protaphgarh (now in India) and then Malegarh on December 19, 1857. In that battle, Major Byng and four other company soldiers lost their lives. The mutineers retreated leaving behind twenty-six rebels including Major Sher Khan and Captain Shamsher Khan. For those who lived long enough to make it to Manipur, they were attacked not only by the company soldiers but also Kuki scouts. Ali Bakhsh of Chittagong, one of the rebels, was caught and charged of desertion, robbery and revolt. Gonjer Ali of Pratapgarh and Zamindar Gaus Ali Khan of nearby Prithimpasha were accused of helping the rebels.
At the Delhi Durbar on 12 December 1911, King George V announced the reunification of a Bengal Province and the creation of an Assam Province. During this time, the Sylhet region was split into four mahakumas (or subdivisions); Sylhet (including Moulvibazar), Habiganj, Sunamganj and Karimganj. In 1882, the Sylhet Mahakuma was split into two; Sylhet and South Sylhet. On 18 May 1940, one of the five thanas of the Karimganj Mahakuma, Jolodhup, was planned to also be split into two - Beanibazar and Barlekha. Beanibazar went to Sylhet Mahakuma while Barlekha went to South Sylhet (Moulvibazar) Mahakuma.
On 1 July 1983, Barlekha Thana was upgraded into an upazila.