Naharkatiya
| Naharkatiya Naharkatia | |
|---|---|
| city | |
 Aerial view of Naharkatiya near Tuesday Market. | |
  Naharkatiya Location in Assam, India. | |
| Coordinates: 27°17′N 95°20′E / 27.28°N 95.33°ECoordinates: 27°17′N 95°20′E / 27.28°N 95.33°E[1] | |
| Country |
 |
| State | Assam |
| District | Dibrugarh |
| Government | |
| • Body | Naharkatiya Town Committee |
| Elevation | 121 m (397 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 18,937 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Assamese |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 786610 |
| Telephone code | (+91)374 |
| Vehicle registration | AS-06 |
Nahorkatiya (also spelled as Naharkatia) is a town and a town area committee in Dibrugarh district in the Indian 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, the towns are close, within a 30-minute journey.
Demographics
According to the 2011 India census,[2] Naharkatia had a population of 18,937, of whom 9,790 are males while 9,147 are females. Naharkatia has a literacy rate of 87.29%, higher than the state average of 72.19%: male literacy is 91.23%, and female literacy is 83.08%. In Naharkatia, 9.76% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The town is an amalgamation of many non-indigenous communities, mainly Bengali, Biharii, Gorkhali/nepali, Marwari and Rajasthani people. Indigenous Assamese communities reside in the town area. A few Punjabi families live in the town.
However, Buddhist descendants of a Mongolian tribe known as Phakials or Tai-Phakes reside outside the town. Their village houses a Buddhist monastery. The monastery is a tourist attraction and is considered to be a meditative atmosphere.[3] The town is home to three tea estates.
Manipuri people live outside the town. A major population of the indigenous Assamese Tai Phake community reside in Namphake Village.
Transport
The Naharkatia Railway station serves as the railhead. Buses run frequently to and from Duliajan, Namrup, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Moran, Jorhat and Sibsagar.
Geography
Burhi Dihing, a tributary of Brahmaputra, runs through the town.
Sasoni Gojpuria, Gabhoru Dolong, Merbill Echo-Tourism,[4] and Namphake are villages a few kilometres away.
History
Naharkatia's name is connected with the history of killing or punishment of Prince Nahar, an adopted son of the Tai-Ahom king Siukhampha, also known as Khora Raja, punished by 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 became Nahakatia. Nahar+katiya, i.e., the person who cut or beheaded Nahar at the instance of Tai-Ahom king Siukhampha settled there. Naharkatiya was frequented by many Indian royals, including Austric King Sung-Saumara, Kachari kings Bicharpatipha, Mahamanukyapha, Tai-Ahom kings Chaolung Siukapha, Siukhampha alias Khora Raja during the attack of Koch General Chilarai on the capital Gargaon in 1562. Jaydhvajsimha visited while in exile during the Mughal invasion by Nabab Mirjumla,1662.
Burmese General Mingimaha Tilwa traveled this route to Mung-dun-chun-kham in the early part of the 19th century.
Ahom General Patalsing Barbarua founded Jaypur garh against the advancing Burmese through this route, finally sacrificing his life at the hands of the Burmese at Jaypur.
Sriram Ata founded his Vaisnavi Satra there. Nocte Chief Narottama accepted the Vaisnav faith there.
Near Naharkatiya, historical Tipam, Jaypur and Namrup (derived from Namruk) rests. The oldest oil pool is located there. It is famous for tea gardens. It produced athletes and sports organisers.
Economy
The town is a commercial hub for nearby tea gardens and villages.
A few kilometres away, a rainforest is found along Jaypur, and cross it to get into Arunachal Pradesh. The illegal wood business has been minimized by regulation.
Culture
Bihu is the major indigenous festival of Assam. During this season, a Bihu dance competition is held in Langharjan stadium. It is a week-long celebration for all the indigenous Assamese communities in the region.
Durga Puja is another local festival observed. The idol of the goddess Durga is worshiped and the town is decorated with lights and pandals. On the last day a procession is organized, known as Bhasan. In the past, prizes were given to the best Durga Puja Pandal Committee.
Sangken or Bihu or Water Festival is celebrated in April, by the Tai Phake people and continues to be a tourist attraction.
Mangalbaria (Tuesday) Bazaar is the local market.
A sports stadium known as Langharjan Field is situated at the outskirts of the town.
Education
Naharkatiya has three English schools, two Hindi schools, one Bengali school and many Assamese schools. The largest populated school in Naharkatiya is St. Mary's Higher Secondary School. The schools had more than 2,000 students as of 2012.
The four major education centers are:
- Naharkatia Higher Secondary School (Class VI - XII) (1939). Assamese Medium with Arts, Science and Vocational studies in Higher Secondary Section.
- St. Mary's School, Naharkatia (1958) (English medium). The school initially had class L.K.G - Class X. Since 2008 the school has extended its education to higher secondary section and offers education in the Arts.
- Naharkatia Vidya Mandir School (two schools of Bengali medium) (Class I-V) (Class VI-X).
- Naharkatia Hindi (R.K. Jitani) School (two schools of Hindi medium) (Class I-V) (Class VI-X).
Other educational institutions are Naharkatia New High School, Bidya Mandir, R K Jitani School, St. Xaviers School, Model School and Naharkatia Junior College.
Naharkatiya College is the only institution of higher education. It offers bachelors degrees in Arts and Commerce. It has a study center of Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU).
Politics
Naharkatia is the 120th Assembly constituency of Assam, which is a part of Dibrugarh (Lok Sabha constituency).[5]
Members of Legislative Assembly
- 1978: Sasha Kamal Handique, Communist Party of India (Marxist).
- 1985: Kusumbar Tairai, Independent.
- 1991: Sasha Kamal Handique, Communist Party of India (Marxist).
- 1996: Pranati Phukan, Indian National Congress.
- 2000: Pranati Phukan, Indian National Congress.
- 2001: Pranati Phukan, Indian National Congress.
- 2006: Pranati Phukan, Indian National Congress.
- 2011: Pranati Phukan, Indian National Congress.
- 2016: Naren Sonowal, Asom Gana Parishad.
Organizations
References
- ↑ "redirect to /world/IN/03/Nahorkatiya.html". www.fallingrain.com.
- ↑ "Census of India 2011: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". census2011.co.in. Archived from the original on 2015-03-14. Retrieved 2015-03-14.
- ↑ "Tai-Phakey Village or Namphake Village Assam". assaminfo.com.
- ↑ "Pledge to promote wetland tourism - Dibrugarh villagers take vow to turn Merbil into favoured destination". telegraphindia.com.
- ↑ "List of Parliamentary & Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Assam. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-05-04. Retrieved 2008-10-06.