Dibrugarh district General information
Dibrugarh is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. The district headquarters are located at Dibrugarh. The district occupies an area of 3381 km² and has a population of 1,185,072 (as of 2001).
Origin Of Name
Dibrugarh is the headquarter of the district derived its name from Dibarumukh. The name derived from the mouth(mukh) of the river Dibaru or Dibru(Bodo word dibru, a blister) Dibarumukh was a renowned encampment of Ahoms during Ahom Chutia war. Earlier Dibrugarh was the district HQ of Undivided Lakhimpur district. In 1971 the Dibrugarh Sub-division itself became the full flaged district. Later on the Tinsukia Sub-division separated as district in 1989 from Dibrugarh district. But now Dibrugarh is a separate district having its own identity with the District HQ still in Dibrugarh town itself.
Geography
The Dibrugarh district extends from 27o 5' 38'' N to 27o 42' 30'' N latitude and 94o 33' 46'' E to 95o 29'8'' E longitude. It is bounded by Dhemaji district on the North, Tinsukia district on the East, Tirap district of Arunachal district on the South-East and Sibsagar district on the North and South-West. The area stretches from the North Bank of the mighty Brahmaputra, which flows a length of 95km through the northern margin of the district, to the Patkai foothills on the South. The Burhi Dihing, a major tributary of the Brahamputra with its network of tributaries and wetlands flows through the district from east to west.
Physiography
The Dibrugarh district is located in the north eastern corner of the Upper Brahamputra valley south with an altitude ranging between 99 and 474 meters. A major part of it is and extensive plain formed by the Brahamputra and its major south bank tributary-the Buri Dihing.
The Physiography of the district is constituted by a variety of elements such as flood plain, beels and swamps, occasional highlands and foothills of the Barail Range. The Brahamputra river is fairly wide here (average width 10km). The general gradient of the district of the area is from south-east to north-west. The altitude of the south-easternmost corner covering the Hapjan Parvat and Hilika Parvat of the Barail foot hills is 200m. The height decreases gradually from this corner to the mouth of the Buri Dihing river where the altitude is 99 m. However the northern belt of the area has a gentle slope from east to west. The altitude of the eastern part is 115 m, while it is 99 m in the western part. The average east-west slope is 152 cm per km. Because of the relatively high slope and large volume of water, the Brahamputra flows with a high velocity causing significant bank erosion in the area. The earthquake of 1950 (magnitude 8.7 in the Richter scale, Poddar, 1952) accelerated the intensity of bank erosion. The impact is alarming in the north of Dibrugarh city and Rahmaria mouza.
Rivers
On the northern margin of the district lies the river Brahamputra which basically drains the whole area
Climate
Being located on the north of the 27o North latitude and with its unique physiographic elements, the area experiences subtropical monsoon climate with mild winter, warm and humid summer which may be designated as CWB (Borthakur,1986). Rainfall decreases from south to north and east to west in the area. The average annual rainfall of the Dibrugarh city in the north is 276 cm with a total number of 193 rainy days, while at Naharkatia in the south, it is 163 cm with 147 rainy days. The temperature generally decreases from south to north. The average annual temperature in Dibrugarh and Naharkatia is 23.9 C and 24.3 C respectively. Located on the bank of the Brahmaputra, the Dibrugarh city experiences mild climate with low temperature and high rainfall as compared to Chabua in the east and Moran in the west. The average annual temperature in Chabua and Moran is 28 C and 32 C respectively. Rainfall records show a decreasing trend towards east and west of Dibrugarh city. The annual amount of rainfall in Chabua and Moran is 250 cm and 171 cm and 171 cm respectively.
Tourist Place
Dehing Satra: During the Moamoria uprising this satra received royal patronage from kings like Rajeswar Singha, Lakhi Singha, Gaurinath Singha. It is situated on the banks of the river Dehing under Larua mouza. This once famous satra is now in utter ruin.
Dehing Namti Satra: This satra is situated under Sasoni mouza on the banks of the river Disang and is about 8 miles away from the town of Naharkatiya. At present, the main wing of the satra is at Namti in Nazira. It should be noted that this satra was at earlier times situated in between the roads Hologuri and Sariyahtoli in the District of Dibrugarh. This satra was established by Binandashyam Gohain. According to a book brought out by the satra Lachit Borphukan was one of the chef followers of Binandashyam Gohain
Dinjoy Satra: The Satra is located at Dinjoy about 5kms north of Chabua Township. Amongst the twelve main devotees of Gopal Atadev, the distinguished devotee Aniruddha Dev founded a Satra first at Bisnubalikakunshi village of North Lakhimpur. Later on this Satra was shifted to Khutiaputa. During this period the Moamoria rebellion took place and this Satra fell into troubled waters. This rebellion took place when Astabhuj Gosain (Priest having eight hands) was the ninth head of this Xatra. After his demise, this religious seat of the Satra remained vacant for about fourteen years. Later on Pitambar Chandra Dev was made the head of the Xatra on the orders of Maharaj Gaurinath Singha. The Satra again fell into deep trouble when during this period there occurred a rebellion once again. Even after the end of the Moamaria rebellion this trouble continued at the time when the Burmese invasion began. After stability returned to the kingdom, Bhaktananda Gosain who had been absconding during the Burmese invasion, came to Barbheti Satra situated in Malowpather. Matibor Senapati, the son of Sarbananda Singha of Tinsukia(Bengmora), with due permission of Purnananda Singh Swargadev, brought Bhktananda Gosain first to Rangagara and then later on to the present site of Dinjan at Chabua and named the Satra thus established as Dinjoy Satra. The Satra since then(since 1837) has remained at this place and has become famous as the Dinjoy Satra.
Moderkhat Satra: It is an extension of Dinjoy Satra. When Sidanandadeb Dinjoy was the head priest of Dinjoy Satra, his brother Chandrakantadev established the Moderkhat Satra at Moderkhat.
Garpara Satra: This satra is situated in the Rohmoria mouza and was established even before the establishment of Dinjoy Satra. This satra is now being shifted to some safer place because of soli erosion. Narimaider was the first chief priest of this satra.
Koli Aai Thaan: It is one of the oldest 'thanns' which belonged to the Ahom regime. Since time immemorial, this 'thaan' had a profound influence upon the people of Dibrugarh. It is considered to be very holy place and is held in great esteem by the people of Dibrugarh. Every year lots of people visit the 'than' to pray obeisance to Aai and seek her blessings. Koli aai has a profound influence in the religious history of Assam. She was the daughter of the head priest of Dibaru Satra. As the satra did not have a male heir it gradually disappeared, but then Koli Aai kept the spirit of the Satra alive along with her 'Mising'(a tribe) disciples. It is believed that Koli Aai was bestowed with divine power and ultimately she disappeared from the site. Though 'Aai Thaan' has no temples on idols or celebration of any annual religious festivals, yet the people has a strong religious hold in the hearts of the people.
Barbarua Maidam : These age old two big graveyards (maidam) are sited 14 km south of Dibrugarh Town near National Highway No. 37. While it can not be ascertained for whom these graveyards were raised, but according to historian Sarbananda Rajkumar these graveyards were erected for BuraDihinigia Barbarua and DekaDihingia Barbarua. On the basis of size and structure it can be assumed that these graveyards were of certain high-ranking officials of Ahom Kingdom. There are also several other small 'maidams' at the site which are said to be the 'maidams' of the dead soldiers.
Bahikhowa Maidam : Bahikhowa Dasarath Dowerah Borphukan was the 'Borphukan' (Chief of the Army Staff of Ahoms) during the reign of Rajeswar Singha. Borphukan 'maidam' is found in the 'Khowang' Tea Estate but at present it is in a dilapidated condition. Near this huge 'maidam' are three other smaller 'maidams' and moreover several other 'maidams' are also to be found in its nearly places.
Sarumechlow & Bormechow Maidam: These two 'maidams' are found in the Lengeri mouza of Dibrugarh and are said to be the 'maidams' of the two queens of Sukhampha Khura Raja(1552-1611) who are known as Sorumechlow and Bormechlow.
Lekai Chetia Maidam: This maidam is sited at Sessa near Mankota road. The 'maidam' is presently called 'Thaan' (a religious establishment) This 'maidam' is considerabley large in size. The location to the north of this maidam is called 'Lekai'. Lekai Chetia was an officer of Ahom kingdom during the tenure of Swragodeo Pratapsingha.
Raidongia Dol: Among the various monuments that are to be found in Dibrugarh, special mention can be made of the 'Raidongia Dol' and 'Bezor Dol'. The 'Raidongia Dol' is situated in the Larua mouza near the Dihingia Barbarua road in the region of Kalakhowa. Adjacent to the dol is a large pond. The height of the dol is about 45 feet and its beneath is about 150 feet. Initially there were 24 statues on its walls, but now only 14 are to be found. It has been said that when Swargadeo Pramatta Singha married his sister to Raidnogia Barua, this dol and pond along with 200 pura were given as dowry to her.