Marigaon district General information
Marigaon is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. The district headquarters are located at Marigaon. The district occupies an area of 1704 km² and has a population of 775,874 (as of 2001).
History
The history of Morigaon is obscure. One famous traditional ruler of the region was Arimatta whose history is shrouded in mystery. After Arimattas's death, Jongalbalahu, his son ruled over the region. Jongalbalahu was ultimately killed by the Kacharis with a bamboo spear near Kajalimukh.
The legend further goes on to say that Jongalbalahu to escape his pursuers, submerged himself in Kollong river and emerge at Raha to quench his thirst and again dived here to emerge at Jagi. From this incident were derived the names of present day Raha and Jagi.
The writing of Bhimsingh throws some light on the history of present Morigaon town and its adjoining areas. This region was ruled independently by six rulers. During this time two princes from Darrang, Supradhvaj and Makardhvaj, fled from their homeland due to internal clash, by crossing the mighty Brahmaputra and they settled at Bahakajari. Later on, Supradhvaj married the daughter of Mangalsingh, the King of Baghara. Supradhvaj was then made the seventh king of the region, having an independent kingdom of his own.
During the days of Lachit Borphukan, another two princes from Darrang , Ram Singh and Bhimsingh crossed the Brahmaputra in search of plain lands. After Bhim Singh settled down, meanwhile, Ram Singh left for his home. Bhim Singh was not liked by the local people, hence, he left Brahmaputra and settled down near Mori Beel. This place came to known as Morigaon.
Geography
The district covers an area of 10,83,165 Bighas and 13 Lessas (1450.02 Sq. Kms). The district is bounded by the mighty Brahmaputra on the North, Karbi Anglong district on the South, Nagaon District on the East and Kamrup District on the West. The greater part of the district is an alluvial plain, criss-crossed with numerous rivers and water ways and dotted with many beels and marshes. The mighty Brahmaputra flows along with the northern boundary of the district.
Killing, Kollong and Kapili rivers flow through the southern part of of the district. The Killing meets the Kapili at the Matiparbat where from Kapili moves westward. The Kollong joins Kapili at the Jagi Dui Khuti Mukh and from here they jointly fall into the Brahmaputra. The general appearance of the district is extremely picturesque. On a clear day in the winter the view to the north is bounded by the blue ranges of the outer Himalayas, behind which snowy peaks glisten brightly in the sun, while to the west and the south of the district lie range upon range of lower hills, whose sides are covered with luxuriant vegetation of the tropical forest.
There are three Reserved Forest constituted under Assam Forest Regulation Act, 1891. These are Sunaikuchi, Khulahat, and Bura Mayong. There is also one wildlife Sanctuary, named Pabitara, which is famous for the Indian one horned Rhinoceros.
River
Killing, Kollong and Kapili rivers flow through the southern part of of the district. The Killing meets the Kapili at the Matiparbat where from Kapili moves westward. The Kollong joins Kapili at the Jagi Dui Khuti Mukh and from here they jointly fall into the Brahmaputra. The general appearance of the district is extremely picturesque. On a clear day in the winter the view to the north is bounded by the blue ranges of the outer Himalayas, behind which snowy peaks glisten brightly in the sun, while to the west and the south of the district lie range upon range of lower hills, whose sides are covered with luxuriant vegetation of the tropical forest.
Forest
There are three Reserved Forest constituted under Assam Forest Regulation Act, 1891. These are Sunaikuchi, Khulahat, and Bura Mayong. There is also one wildlife Sanctuary, named Pabitara, which is famous for the Indian one horned Rhinoceros.
Subdivision
Morigaon Sadar Sub division is the only Sub-Division in the District. Before crteation of the Morigaon District in 1989, Morigaon Sub-Division was a Civil Sub-Division of the un-divided Nagaon District.
Tourist Place
Pabitora Wildlife Sanctury : Legend says that the King of Mayong gave this name Pabitara to this forest in the name of his lovely daughter who died in her youth. On 18.11.1971 , this forest was declared as Reserved Forest, keeping in view that the one horned Rhinos are abound in it. On 16.7.1987 Pabitara was declared as Pabitora Wildlife Sanctury with an area of . 38.83 Hectars. It is an ideal habitat for the world famous endangered one horned Rhino with a density of five Rhinos in every square K.M. Pobitora is also rich in migratory birds, rare species of birds, wild buffeloes and wild pigs. It is about 17 Km. from National Highway No.37 from Chamata. One I.B. is there for the tourists. Boating is another pleasure at Haduck Beel at Pobitara.
Kachasila : Just few Kms. away from Pabitora to the top of Kachasila Hills, an ancient temple, perhaps of 9th Century ,with statues of Lord Shiva and Parvoti. There is also a large number of statues of Lord Ganesh. The statues and coriin stones are the matters of research.
Deosal : It is situated by National Highway no.37 about 4 kms. away from Jagiroad town, with a big ancient temple of Lord Shiva. Shiva Ratri Mela is observed every Year very colourfully. Local people believe that Deosal was the Ashram of Valmiki, where Sita Devi was left by Rama.
Sitajakhala : It was discovered in the last year of the fourth decade of the last Century. Several steps were made by cutting the stones from the temple to the River Killing at the Sita Jakhala Hills.The wall of the temple is full of statues of Hanuman & Sita herself. So people believe that Valmiki cut those stones as steps for Sita to go to the river from the temple when she was pregnant and leftby Rama. So the steps got the name SITA JAKHALA. This area is very rich in cattle population.
Sivakunda : This is a water fall in the Amsoi hills, located about 10 k.ms.from National Highway no.37 towards south. It is a picturesque spot and a large number of people gather from October to March for picnic.
Joon Beel Mela : A traditional mela of barter where people of the hills come to the plains with the goods produced in hills and exchange it with the goods produced in the plains according to their need. When this practice was started is not known clearly but the king of Gova gave it an organised form. During Magh every year this Mela is held, symbolising the mutual under standing between hills & plains.