Origin of rivers Shitalakkhya, Banar from old Brahmaputra

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The meeting point of three districts- Mymensingh, Kishoreganj and Gazipur (Dhaka) at Toke bazar is the place where old Brahmaputra splits off as Banar/Lakkhya river. A portion of upper course of Lakkhya is known as Banar River (ref: 1776 Renelle-Dury map).

In the past, the course of old Brahmaputra river, the main channel passed through Jamalpur, Mymensingh and Kishoreganj districts to meet the Meghna at Kuliarchar-Bhairab point. In April 2, 1762 a major earthquake of 7.5 magnitude caused tectonic uplift of Modhupur tract. As a result, the main channel of the Brahmaputra at Bhahadurabad point switched southwards to open a new channel as 'Jamuna'. The eastern branch, formerly the larger became lesser and came to be known as the lower or old Brahmaputra.(Banglapedia). (According to another study, 'The Brahmaputa Basin Water Resources', the old Brahmaputra started its present journey through the present Jamuna only after a great flood of 1787 waters when flow of the Tista river suddenly moved eastward into an old abandoned course, causing the river to join the Brahmaputra opposite Bahadurabad Ghat in Mymensingh district).

Old Brahmaputra curves southeast at Toke bazar and bifurcates as Banar/Lakkhya river. Lakkhya river joins the Padma and Meghna and converge near Narayanganj-Chandpur to flow into the Bay of Bengal. Several streams originating from the highland of the Tract north of Madhupur and Phulbari upazilas join at the southeast of Trishal to form the Banar river to meet the mainstream near Toke above Trimohoni. Banar river form a tributary of Lakkhya.

This place at Toke is noted for the historical battle between 'Bhati' ruler Mashnad-e-Ali Isha Khan and Mughal General Maan singh that took place on the west bank of river (daak bungalow), it ended in a truce. Half a century later, several confrontations took place between Mughal troops and 'Hajong' tribal chief for the control of eastern Bengal and Assam. The Hajong chief was taken captive later by the Mughal Subahder Islam Khan Chisty.
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