Sonitpur district General information
Sonitpur is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. The district headquarters are located at Tezpur. The district has an area of 5324 km² and has a population of 1,677,874 (as of 2001).
History
The name `Sonitpur’ as well as Tezpur literally means "the city of blood". It reminds of the romantic legend of Usha and Anirudha. The legend revolves around Banasura, the great Asura king of ancient Tezpur, his beautiful daughter Usha and her friend Chitralekha. The princess saw a handsome prince in her dreams and fell in love with him. Chitralekha, a talented artist, not only painted his portrait from Usha's description but recognised him to be Aniruddha, the grandson of Lord Krishna and ruler of Dwarka. Using her magical powers, Chitralekha spirited Aniruddha away to the princess' boudoir where the two married each other according to Gandharva rites, without the knowledge of the king. When Banasura learnt of the clandestine romance, he imprisoned Aniruddha, which led to the arrival of Lord Krishna to rescue his grandson. A fierce battle followed and the entire city was drenched in human blood, hence the name Sonitpur or Tezpur, i.e. ‘the city of blood’ . The story of eternal love between Usha and Aniruddha finds expression in many stories, novels, dramas, dance-dramas, movies.
Sir Edward A. Gait ( 1897) had made reference to the nine line inscription of Harjjar Varma in his ‘’A History of Assam.’’ The inscription is the first recorded history of Assam and dates back to 829 A.D. The inscription was found engraved on a massive stone some two kms away from Tezpur town situated near a temple called Rudrapad.
Salastambha dynasty ruled Kamrupa from seventh to Tenth century A.D. The accurate boundary of their kingdom is debatable. But the erstwhile Darrang was certainly a part of the kingdom. They shifted their capital from Pragjyotishpur to Haruppeswara, or Hatappeswara- the present day Tezpur. The famous King of the dynasty Harjjar Varma, besides other things had excavated a large pond in 70 acres of land, later came to be known as Hajara Pukhuri ( Harjjara Pukhuri ).Pal dynasty ruled Haruppeswara till the 12th century. The most famous ruler of the Pal dynasty was Brahmapal.
After the Pal dynasty’’ the royal dominance of the Koch Kings in the west and the Ahoms in the east started growing. During the 14th and 15th century a large part of the western bank of Brahmaputra from Singri in the west and Sootea in the east was ruled by the Bara-Bhuyans. The great saint poet Sri Sri Shankardeva belonged to Bara-Bhuyan family, who settled at Rowta in Darrang District. The Ahom King Suhungmung alias Dihingia Raja occupied the territories of the Bara-Bhuyans on the north in 1505 A.D.The Koch King Biswa Sinha rose to power in 1515 A.D. King Naranarayana who ascended the thorne in about 1540 A. D. divided his Kingdom into two parts. He had given the eastern part to the son of his brother Chilarai and the western part of the kingdom to his own son Lakshminarayana . But soon after their ascension as kings, fatricidal war broke out and Lakshminarayana sought refuge with the Mughals which eventually led to invasion of Kamrup by the Mughals. Balinarayana, one of the brothers of Pariksitnarayana fled away to Gorgaon to seek the help of the Ahom king Swargadew Pratapsingha. Pratapsingha christened Balinarayana as Dharmanarayana, made him the king of Darrang and declared war against the the Mughals (1616-1637 A.D.). The Ahoms defeated the mighty Mughals in the Bharali war and re-occupied Darrang from the Mughals. King Dharmanarayana made supreme sacrifice in Singari war in 1638. His son Sundarnarayana ascended the throne and became the king of Darrang.(excluding Tezpur). On the otherhand, the Ahoms ruled the eastern part of Darrang ( present Sonitpur) through Kalia Bhomora Borphukan, stationed at Kaliabor. The Ahom Kings resettled many people in the southern part of Brahmaputra.
The British annexed the then Assam into the Indian British Empire in 1826. After1826 the Lower Assam and the Central Assam (Darrang, Nagaon and Raha) were made one division which extended up to Biswanath. The division was placed under one Administrative Officer designated as the Principal Assistant to the Commissioner. The Upper Assam portion was left to the native rulers with supervisory control under a British political agent with political headquarters at Biswanath. Captain Neufville was the political agent for Upper Assam. Darrang Division was administered till 1833 from Guwahati.
Darrang was converted into a district and Mangaldai was made the district Headquarter in 1833. But due to various reasons the British shifted the head quarter to Tezpur in 1835. The district comprised of two sub-divisions, Tezpur sadar sub-division and Mangaldoi sub-division with head quarter at Mangaldoi. The District of Darrang was divided in to six Revenue Circles under one Sub-Deputy Collector in each Circle. There was one Transferred area in the district at Charduar. An Asstt. Political Officer was posted at Charduar under the Deputy Commissioner who acted as Political Officer.
Tezpur was a small township then. The British developed Tezpur as a small garrison township. Later, tea gardens were set-up throughout the district. The old steamarghat at Jahajghat, the Dak-Bungalow, the then Chummery compound at present Don-Bosco School campus, the Planters Club of Tezpur (Stations Club) , the Jahajghat Railway Station, the Church of Ephiphany etc and many tea gardens are some of the examples of the contributions of the British.
There is no specific information about the alignment of the people of the district in the earlier struggle for liberation waged by the princely and upper class people in Upper Assam from 1828 to 1857. But, with the spread of western education during the last part of the 19th century a new awakening surcharged the patriots of the land.
Few years before the birth of the Indian National Congress in Bombay in 1885, the Tezpur Ryot Sabha was formed by a group of enlightened people primarily to protest against the enhancement of land revenue and to ventilate other public grievances .
The Tezpur Ryot Sabha sent Kali Krishna Barkakoti to as its delegate to the National Congress in 1885. It had played an active role in early period of the freedom struggle. The All Assam Student Association formed in 1916 worked in the district under the leadership of Chandra Nath Sarma. In June, 1921, the Tezpur District Congress Committee was formed under the presidentship of Chandra Nath Sarma. In August 1921, Mahatma Gandhi visited Tezpur and recorded his impression of the visit in Young India in the article ``From the Bank of Brahmaputra ". In 1934 Mahatma Gandhi visited Tezpur again during the course of Civil Disobedience Movement. In the final phase of British Period the Quit India Movement gained momentum with the slogan " Do or Die" in places like Tezpur, Sootea, Gohpur, Dhekiajuli and Jamuguri.
On 10th September 1942, at Gohpur a young girl led a procession of unarmed villagers under Congress flag. She was Kanaklata Barua – a girl from Barangabari village. As soon as Kanaklata unfurled the flag she and her companion Mukunda Kakati were gunned down by the armed Police. The saga of her heroic sacrifice is still remembered with pride. On the same day at Dhekiajuli Police Station eleven unarmed villagers were gunned down by the armed Police while trying to hoist the tri- color at the Police Station - three of them were teen-aged girls- Tileswari, Numali and Khahuli . Finally, the British era had come to an end on 15th August "1947" when India gained her Independence in the midnight of 14th August.
The administration set up by the British continued even after Independence. Darrang district with head quarter at Tezpur continued as an impotant district of Assam.
Towards 1961, Tezpur started to become a center of Trade and Commerce. A year later, in 1962, war broke out with China. The Chinese Army advanced up-to Sessa near Bhalukpung. People started fleeing from their homes. The war had left a bitter experience in the minds of the people of the district. In 1983, Darrang district was bifurcated. Tezpur sadar sub-division was named as Sonitpur district with an outlying Sub-Division at Biswanath Chariali. Mangaldoi sub-division was named as Darrang district. On 15th August, 2000, another Sub-Division namely Gohpur Sub-Division was carved out from the erstwhile Biswanath Sub-Division.
Boundaries
North: The state of Arunachal Pradesh.
South: Morigaon, Nagaon, Jorhat and Golaghat districts.
East: Lakhimpur District.
West: Darrang District.
( Pachnai river serves as the boundary)
The District lies between 26° 30’N and 27° 01’N latitude and between 92° 16’E and 93° 43’E longitude.
Physiography
Located between mighty Brahmaputra River and Himalayan foothills of Arunachal Pradesh, the district is largely plain with some hills.
Rivers
Brahmaputra River forms the south boundary of the district. A number of rivers which originate in the Himalayan foothills flow southwards and ultimately fall in Brahmaputra River.
Lakes & Ponds
Water bodies are in abundance in the District. There are lakes and ponds dotting every part of the District. The major lakes are~ Rowmari, Dighali, Borsola, Rongapani and Dhandi.
These water bodies along with the rivers and rivulets provide a lot of vistas for fishing in the District. Tourists can also do angling for pleasure, especially over the Bharali river at Bhalukpung.
The Main Plain
The central and southern portion of the main plain is dotted with hills and hillocks, especially near the Brahmaputra river. Important hills include the Agnigarh and the Bhomuraguri. The region has trees and tea-plantations and paddy fields.
The northern portion is made up of Forest Reserves and sparsely populated forest-villages. The region abounds in bio-diversity with evergreen and deciduous trees of several types. There is a National Park (Nameri), a few Wildlife sanctuaries (Sonai-Rupai & Bor-Dikorai), and a number of reserve forests (e.g. Chariduar, Balipara reserve-forest). In the extreme north of the region (Bhalukpung, Sijushah, Pabhoi, etc.), are hills and hillocks marking the starting of the Himalayan foothills.
The main-plain is slightly sloping from east to west, and is at an average altitude of 1800 feet from the mean sea level.
Climate
Sonitpur District falls in the Sub-Tropical climatic region, and enjoys Monsoon type of climate.
Summers are hot and humid, with an average temperature of 29° C. The highest temperature is recorded just prior to the onset of Monsoon (around May-early June). Summer rain is heavy, and is principally caused from late June to early September by the moisture-laden South-West Monsoon, on striking the Himalayan foothills of the north. Such rain is both a boon and a bane for the people. A boon, for it provides natural irrigation to the fields; and a bane, as it causes the rivers to overflow their banks and cause floods.
Autumns are dry, and warm. It gets cooler as the months progress.
Winters extend from the month of October to February, and are cold and generally dry, with an average temperature of 16° C. It gets quite chilling in late December and early January, on account of snowfall in the upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh.
Springs are cool and pleasant, occurring in the months of late March and April. Of course, during these months, flash rains and thunderstorms are at times caused by cyclonic winds, known in local parlance as Bordoichila.
Population Data
According to the 2001 Census, the Sonitpur District has a population of 16,77,874, with a density of 315 persons per sq. km.
The people here are not a homogeneous lot. Rather, they are a mosaic of ethnic groups, an admixture of diverse types of people.
Tourist Place
Tezpur City: Situated on the northern bank of the mighty Brahmaputra, Tezpur also known in the ancient days as Sonitpur- is a serene quite town, famous for its beautiful parks , ancient Hindu temples and archaeological ruins steeped in mythology, legend and folklore.
Chitralekha Udyan (Cole Park): It is, undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful places in Tezpur. Established by a British Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Cole in 1906, the park has two massive ornamented stone pillars, and other sculptural remnants . It was recently renovated and revitalized in 1996 under the stewardship of the then Deputy Commissioner, Mr. M.G.V.K.Bhanu, IAS. It has water sports facility, walk ways, restaurant and open air stage.
Agnigarh: This hillock on bank of river Brahmaputra is the site of legendary romance of princess Usha (the only daughter of king Bana) and Anirudha, grand son of lord Krishna. Usha was kept on this hillock which was surrounded by fire,hence the name of Agnigarh. Agnigarh provides a panoramic view of the great river and Tezpur. Recently Agnigarh has been developed as a beautiful park by district administration. It has a series of sculptures depicting the mythology ,open air stage, giant mushrooms and huge water fall .
Padum Pukhuri: This is a beautiful lake with an island. The island has been developed into a beautiful park with a musical fountain. There is an iron bridge to take you to the island. On the lake one can boat.
District Museum at Dak Bungalow: Dak Bungalow is an old and beautiful British era building in heart of the town. Recently it has been renovated and now houses the District Museum.
Ouguri Hill: Ouguri hill on bank of Brahmaputra river provides breath taking view of the mighty river and Tezpur town. There are huge rocks on the top of the hill which add to the beauty of the hill. These rocks provide facility for rock climbing. There is a giant statue of Kanaklata, legendary martyr of Quit India movement of 1942,on the top of the hill. Recently district administration started developing the hill in to a beautiful park.
Trimurty Udyan: This is a park along Borpukhuri. This has been named after the three jewels of Assamese culture: Rupkowar Jyoti Prasad Agarwalla, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha and Natasurjya Phani Sarmah.
The Hazara Pukhuri: It is a large tank in name of Harjar Varman in Tezpur. It was excavated in the early part of the 9th century.
Bamuni Hills: The ruins of Bamuni Hills are famous for their exemplary artistic finesse. The sculptural remains date back to the ninth and tenth century A.D.
Da Parbatia: Ruins of the door frame of Da Parbatia temple, a few kilometres away from Tezpur, is perhaps the finest and oldest specimen of sculptural art in Assam. Its carving is characteristic of the early Gupta school of sculpture.
Mahabhairab Temple: The ancient temple of Mahabhairab stands to the north of Tezpur town. This temple is believed to have been established by king Bana with a Siva lingam. Formerly, this temple was built of stone but the present one is built of concrete. During the later years, the Ahom kings donated devottar land for the Temple and Pujaris and Paiks were appointed to look after the temple. The responsibility of management was in the hands of a Bordoloi or Borthakur .But now the affairs of the temple is managed by the Government through a managing committee headed by Deputy Commissioner. Sivaratri is celebrated in the Temple in a big manner.
Haleswar: It is 10 km to the north of Tezpur, near Tezpur- Balipara main road. A linga was found by a cultivator ( Hallowa) while he was ploughing in the field. A temple was constructed initially on this linga. Later , the Ahom King Rudra Singha constructed the temple in 1705 AD.
Rudrapada Temple: To the east of Tezpur town, on the bank of river Brahmaputra the Rudrapada temple is situated. It is believed that Rudra ( Lord Shiva ) had left the print of his left foot (pada) on a stone found in the temple. It is believed that Mahadeva showed his real self to king Bana here. Rudrapada temple was later built by Siva Singha in the year 1730 A.D. The main temple was destroyed, due to erosion of river Brahmaputra.
Nine lines Inscription of Harjjar Varma: About 2 kms away from the heart of the town, close to the Rudrapada temple on the bank of river Brahmaputra the famous nine line inscription of Harjjar Varma (approximately – 815 – 834 AD) is seen. This inscription is of 829-30 A.D. This is found engraved on a stone. This inscription is archaeologically important.
Bhairabi Devalaya: Bhairabi temple is situated on a small hillock on the bank of river Brahmaputra. It is in the eastern side of Tezpur. Tradition has it that "Usha" the daughter of King Banasur, used to offer puja to the Goddess Bhairabi regularly. Bhairabi is another form of Durga.. The temple we see here now, is newly built. There is no sign of the old temple. It is believed to be destroyed by various natural calamities. Ruins of old temple are lying scattered around the temple.
Bhomoraguri: It is a mammoth stone inscription made by the Ahom General Kalia Bhomora Borphukan, who planned to construct a bridge over Brahmaputra. Almost two centuries later, a bridge at the same site now stands completed. The 3.015 km bridge, named after the great Ahom general, connects Silghat of Nagaon district with Tezpur.