Designation of the ruler turned into deputy commissioner from superintendent in 1867. First administrative headquarters of the district was set up at Chandraghona in 1863. But the headquarters transferred to Rangamati from Chandraghona in 1868 and came into effect in the following year. Capt. T. H. Lewin was the first deputy commissioner who moved to Rangamati permanently. But in 1891 Chittagong Hill Tracts lost its position as a district because of the conquest of the Lushai Hills by the British. Which reduced the importance of Chittagong Hill Tracts as a district. It was made a sub-division of Chittagong district and given the authority to rule to an assistant commissioner. But in 1900, a regulation named Chittagong Hill Tracts regulation 1900 was formulated to administer the area and the position of Chittagong Hill Tracts as a district was reinstated. Officer in charge of the district became superintendent again. At this time, the district was divided into three sub-divisions such as Rangamati, Bandarban & Ramghar. A sub-divisional officer was appointed to each sub-division. Three more sub-divisions were created by three different gazettes in 1979. In 1920, the Chittagong Hill Tracts regulation 1900 was amended and the ruler of the district was renamed as the deputy commissioner and an Indian Civil Service officer was appointed as the deputy commissioner of Chittagong Hill Tracts. Sub-ordinate officers of the deputy commissioner were termed as deputy magistrate or deputy collector and sub-deputy magistrate or sub-deputy collector.
