Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part A (2020)

Abstract: The present study attempts to assess the nature of changes occurred in the leadership pattern of rural power structure in Bangladesh. A complete social research of Khalilabad village in Rauzan Upazila of Chattogram district was undertaken to identify rural leaders. Among 912 households, a total of 100 leaders were identified. The information about the changing aspects of rural power structure and the leadership pattern were collected by formal and informal interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), participant observation, and storytelling. Findings showed that majority of the leaders were aged (39%) had no specific lineage status and most of them (96%) were male. Education, personal qualities and affiliation with major political parties were more important factors influencing rural leadership. A remarkable change occurred in the power structure of rural Bangladesh during the last decade, more specifically from 2008 to 2018. Among the elites, the older ones were dominating the villages, whereas, the older some were losing the elite status, because of their lack of positional status and power. In this research It has been seen that some influential people in the village are full of their financial strength The village's power structure has kept itself under control. Those who play a leading role in the arbitrator, 15% of their institutional education (SSC and above) can sign 26.88% of the participants and 32.2% illiterate, and 65% of land ownership is 10 More than acre Profession of profession is 52.14% profession, 32.88% of the business is 3.3% and 11.75% is engaged in other occupations. 80 percent of the powerful people were parents and maternal grandfathers. It also revealed that the rural leaders changed their policy to create and sustain power, such as building business associations, forming party networks involving with different government and non-government organizations and maintaining a good link with local Member of Parliament etc. Finally, it can be said that a significant change occurred in leadership pattern and power structure of rural Bangladesh.