Naharkatiya
Encyclopedia
Naharkatia is a town and a town area committee in Dibrugarh district
in the India
n state
of Assam
. It is well known for petroleum
and gas
reserves. Earlier, Duliajan, the head office town of Oil India Limited
was in its circle. However both the towns are close packed within a distance of 30 minutes journey.
, Naharkatia had a population of 15,528. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Naharkatia has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 74%. In Naharkatia, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The town is an amalgamation of many communities from different states of India
, mainly Assamese
, Bengali
, Rajasthan
i, Bihari
and many Marwari people reside in the town area. A few Punjabi
families have also lived in the town for many years. However, Buddhist descendants of a Mongolian
tribe known as Phakials or Taiphakes, also reside outside the town . Their village houses a Buddhist monastery and handicrafts woven by them are very beautiful. The monastery is a tourist attraction and is considered to be meditation center in a serene atmosphere. The town is more attractive due to the three tea
estates
.
. Buses ply frequently to and from Duliajan, Namrup, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Moran, Jorhat, Sibsagar etc.
Burhi Dihing, a tributary of Brahmaputra
runs through the town. There are some agitation and appeals by some organizations to make this town a subdivision
of the district, but the town always lags behind in improvements, according to official data.
Naharkatiya was frequented by Austric King Sung-Saumara, Kachari kings Bicharpatipha, Mahamanukyapha, Tai-Ahom kings Chaolung Siukapha, Siukhampha alias Khora Raja during the attack of Koch General Chilarai to capital Gargaon in A.D. 1562 also Jaydhvajsimha while he was on exile during the Mughal invasion by Nabab Mirjumla A.D. 1662, etc.
The Burmese General Mingimaha Tilwa, came via this route to Mung-dun-chun-kham in the late Tai-Ahom rulers Chandrakantasimha and Purandersimha some times in early part of A.D. 19th century.
The Ahom General Patalsing Barbarua founded Jaypur garh against the advancing Burmese through this route, who finally sacrificed his life in the hands of Burmese at Jaypur.
Sriram Ata founded his Vaisnavi Satra here. One Nocte Chief Narottama accepted Vaisnav faith here.
Nearby Naharkatiya, historical Tipam, Jaypur and Namrup(derived from Namruk) rests. The oldest oil pool is located here. It is also famous for tea gardens. It has produced several sports persons and sports organisers who had a great contribution in the field of sports.
A few kilometres on, there is the rainforest
along Jaypur, and cross it to get into Arunachal Pradesh
. The illegal wood business
has been minimized by regulation, but that has hit the economy of the town.
Sasoni(Gojpuria), Achabam, Kaliapani ,Merbill Echo-Tourism are beautiful villages a few kilometres away from the town and the lifestyle of the simple villagers is quite eye catching.
Bihu
The major festival of Assam, during this season Bihu dance competition is held in Langharjan stadium. Its a week long celebration for all the youngsters in the region.
Durga Puja
is another major festival observed in the town. During this season the idol of goddess Durga is prayed and the town is decorated with lights. In the last day of the celebration a processions is organized.
Mangal (Tuesday) Bazaar
is worth a visit for the shoppers. There is a sports stadium in Langharjan T.E. which is situated just at the outskirts of the town.Managed by tea veteran Probin Bora, Langharjan is one of the most successful tea gardens in the World.
Baba Loknath Mandir, situated at Balughat which is the important temple in the city
Sri Devananda Das is one of the pioneer in leading the activities of Naharkatia in sports and culture in late 1960s. He represented Assam State Football Team, he had also scripted and directed many well known dramas like 'Octupus'. Late Phatik Gogoi, retired head of Naharkatia Higher Secondary School, has been a personality who had a great contribution in the field of education and in sports, the initiative of which legendary personality has uplifted the scenario of education and sports in this locality and given birth to several noted personalities and skilled sports-persons. Sasha Kamal Handique, who served as a Member of Legislative Assembly of Naharkatia constituency of Assam Legislative Assembly is a noted social worker here. Tridip Mahanta is a renowned craftsman who crafts bamboo cutlery which are not only eco-friendly but also completely washable and reusable the creation of whom has been a part of many renowned handicraft exhibition nationally and internationally. Dr Kalyan Baruah, principal of Naharkatiya College is also a respectful person. Dr.J.M. Das who was in army now a dentist(1st) in Naharkatia over 22 years serving this town is an well known person in this area.
.
Dibrugarh district
Dibrugarh is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. The district headquarters are located at Dibrugarh city. The district occupies an area of 3381 km².-Etymology:...
in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
. It is well known for petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
and gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
reserves. Earlier, Duliajan, the head office town of Oil India Limited
Oil India
Oil India is a public sector oil and gas company in India under the administrative control of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas of the Government of India. OIL is engaged in the business of exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas, transportation of crude oil...
was in its circle. However both the towns are close packed within a distance of 30 minutes journey.
Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Naharkatia had a population of 15,528. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Naharkatia has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 74%. In Naharkatia, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The town is an amalgamation of many communities from different states of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, mainly Assamese
Assamese people
The Assamese people are a well-defined subgroup of People of Assam. Though sometimes they are defined as the Assamese-speaking Indo-Aryans of the Brahmaputra valley,, this definition is not legally binding...
, Bengali
Bengali people
The Bengali people are an ethnic community native to the historic region of Bengal in South Asia. They speak Bengali , which is an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern Indian subcontinent, evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit and Sanskrit languages. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী...
, Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
i, Bihari
Bihari people
The Biharis are an ethnic group originating from the present state of Bihar with a history going back three millennia...
and many Marwari people reside in the town area. A few Punjabi
Punjabi people
The Punjabi people , ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ), also Panjabi people, are an Indo-Aryan group from South Asia. They are the second largest of the many ethnic groups in South Asia. They originate in the Punjab region, which has been been the location of some of the oldest civilizations in the world including, the...
families have also lived in the town for many years. However, Buddhist descendants of a Mongolian
Mongols
Mongols ) are a Central-East Asian ethnic group that lives mainly in the countries of Mongolia, China, and Russia. In China, ethnic Mongols can be found mainly in the central north region of China such as Inner Mongolia...
tribe known as Phakials or Taiphakes, also reside outside the town . Their village houses a Buddhist monastery and handicrafts woven by them are very beautiful. The monastery is a tourist attraction and is considered to be meditation center in a serene atmosphere. The town is more attractive due to the three tea
Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world...
estates
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
.
Transport
The Naharkatia Railway station serves as the railheadRailhead
The word railhead is a railway term with two distinct meanings, depending upon its context.Sometimes, particularly in the context of modern freight terminals, the word is used to denote a terminus of a railway line, especially if the line is not yet finished, or if the terminus interfaces with...
. Buses ply frequently to and from Duliajan, Namrup, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Moran, Jorhat, Sibsagar etc.
Geography
Naharkatia is located at 27.28°N 95.33°E. It has an average elevation of 121 m (397 ft).Burhi Dihing, a tributary of Brahmaputra
Brahmaputra River
The Brahmaputra , also called Tsangpo-Brahmaputra, is a trans-boundary river and one of the major rivers of Asia. It is the only Indian river that is attributed the masculine gender and thus referred to as a in Indo-Aryan languages and languages with Indo-Aryan influence...
runs through the town. There are some agitation and appeals by some organizations to make this town a subdivision
Subdivision (land)
Subdivision is the act of dividing land into pieces that are easier to sell or otherwise develop, usually via a plat. The former single piece as a whole is then known in the United States as a subdivision...
of the district, but the town always lags behind in improvements, according to official data.
History
Naharkatia, the place name is connected with history of killing or punishment of one Prince Nahar, an adopted son of Tai-Ahom king Siukhapha alias Khora Raja punished by one Kalia Chaodang. According to local saying, 'one Ahom Noble Kalia Chaodang' was entrusted to punish 'Prince Nahar' at Bardoiyamukh for his misdeeds against the important Tai-Ahom nobles including the Ministers. This Kalia alias Kola Chaodang was finally settled near today's Naharkatia Railway Station and from this episode, the area is known to be Nahakatia. Nahar+katiya, i.e., the person who cut or beheaded Nahar at the instance of Tai-Ahom king Siukhampha was settled here.Naharkatiya was frequented by Austric King Sung-Saumara, Kachari kings Bicharpatipha, Mahamanukyapha, Tai-Ahom kings Chaolung Siukapha, Siukhampha alias Khora Raja during the attack of Koch General Chilarai to capital Gargaon in A.D. 1562 also Jaydhvajsimha while he was on exile during the Mughal invasion by Nabab Mirjumla A.D. 1662, etc.
The Burmese General Mingimaha Tilwa, came via this route to Mung-dun-chun-kham in the late Tai-Ahom rulers Chandrakantasimha and Purandersimha some times in early part of A.D. 19th century.
The Ahom General Patalsing Barbarua founded Jaypur garh against the advancing Burmese through this route, who finally sacrificed his life in the hands of Burmese at Jaypur.
Sriram Ata founded his Vaisnavi Satra here. One Nocte Chief Narottama accepted Vaisnav faith here.
Nearby Naharkatiya, historical Tipam, Jaypur and Namrup(derived from Namruk) rests. The oldest oil pool is located here. It is also famous for tea gardens. It has produced several sports persons and sports organisers who had a great contribution in the field of sports.
Economy
The town is considered to be commercial hub for the nearby tea gardens and villages.A few kilometres on, there is the rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
along Jaypur, and cross it to get into Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is a state of India, located in the far northeast. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Burma in the east, Bhutan in the west, and the People's Republic of China in the north. The majority of the territory is claimed by...
. The illegal wood business
Illegal logging
Illegal logging is the harvest, transportation, purchase or sale of timber in violation of laws. The harvesting procedure itself may be illegal, including using corrupt means to gain access to forests; extraction without permission or from a protected area; the cutting of protected species; or the...
has been minimized by regulation, but that has hit the economy of the town.
Culture
The AASU ( All Assam Students Union) and the Rotaract Club of Naharkatia are active organizations in the town. While the former is mainly involved in political activities.Sasoni(Gojpuria), Achabam, Kaliapani ,Merbill Echo-Tourism are beautiful villages a few kilometres away from the town and the lifestyle of the simple villagers is quite eye catching.
Bihu
Bihu
Bihu denotes a set of three different cultural festivals of Assam and celebrated by the Assamese diaspora around the world. Though they owe their origins to ancient rites and practices they have taken definite urban features and have become popular festivals in urban and commercialized milieus in...
The major festival of Assam, during this season Bihu dance competition is held in Langharjan stadium. Its a week long celebration for all the youngsters in the region.
Durga Puja
Durga Puja
Durga puja ; দুর্গা পূজা,ଦୁର୍ଗା ପୂଜା,‘Worship of Durga’), also referred to as Durgotsava ; , is an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and...
is another major festival observed in the town. During this season the idol of goddess Durga is prayed and the town is decorated with lights. In the last day of the celebration a processions is organized.
Mangal (Tuesday) Bazaar
Bazaar
A bazaar , Cypriot Greek: pantopoula) is a permanent merchandising area, marketplace, or street of shops where goods and services are exchanged or sold. The term is sometimes also used to refer to the "network of merchants, bankers and craftsmen" who work that area...
is worth a visit for the shoppers. There is a sports stadium in Langharjan T.E. which is situated just at the outskirts of the town.Managed by tea veteran Probin Bora, Langharjan is one of the most successful tea gardens in the World.
Baba Loknath Mandir, situated at Balughat which is the important temple in the city
Notable personalities
The most respected person in this locality is Dr Tankeswar Swargari, a retired military surgeon, who has been rendering notable selfless service in the field of health and social reform in the locality. Ven. Gyanpal Mahathero, head priest of Namphake Buddhist Monastery, is also an honourable person here.Sri Devananda Das is one of the pioneer in leading the activities of Naharkatia in sports and culture in late 1960s. He represented Assam State Football Team, he had also scripted and directed many well known dramas like 'Octupus'. Late Phatik Gogoi, retired head of Naharkatia Higher Secondary School, has been a personality who had a great contribution in the field of education and in sports, the initiative of which legendary personality has uplifted the scenario of education and sports in this locality and given birth to several noted personalities and skilled sports-persons. Sasha Kamal Handique, who served as a Member of Legislative Assembly of Naharkatia constituency of Assam Legislative Assembly is a noted social worker here. Tridip Mahanta is a renowned craftsman who crafts bamboo cutlery which are not only eco-friendly but also completely washable and reusable the creation of whom has been a part of many renowned handicraft exhibition nationally and internationally. Dr Kalyan Baruah, principal of Naharkatiya College is also a respectful person. Dr.J.M. Das who was in army now a dentist(1st) in Naharkatia over 22 years serving this town is an well known person in this area.
Education
Naharkatiya College is the only institution of Higher Education here, which offers bachelor degree in Arts and Commerce. It has also a study center of Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University (KKHSOU) with Dr. Dipankar Gogoi as Coordinator. Naharkatia Higher Secondary School, St. Mary's School, New High School, R K Jitani Hindi Vidyalaya, Naharkatia Vidyamandir H.E. School are the important schools surrounding Naharkatiya.Sports
Naharkatia is very active town when talked about sports. It has given given birth to several sports-person representing the state and the nation. The natives are very good with football and cricket. The youths are more drawn towards Cricket and Tae-Kwon-Do (Korean Martial arts).Politics
Naharkatia is an Assembly constituency, which is a part of Dibrugarh (Lok Sabha constituency)Dibrugarh (Lok Sabha constituency)
Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam state in north-eastern India.-Assembly segments:Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency is composed of the following assembly segments :* Moran* Dibrugarh* Lahowal* Duliajan...
.