Dhubri district

This article is about the district. For its eponymous headquarters, see Dhubri.

Dhubri district ধুবুৰী জিলা
District
(Clockwise from top) Netai Dhubunir Ghat, Historical Panbari Mosque, Chilarai statue at Dhubri town, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Gurdwara, and Bhola Nath College
Dhubri district's location in Assam
Country	India
State	Assam
Headquarters	Dhubri
Area
• Total	2,838 km2 (1,096 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	1,948,632
• Density	690/km2 (1,800/sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
ISO 3166 code	IN-AS-DB
Website	http://dhubri.gov.in/

Dhubri District (Pron:ˈdʊbri) (Assamese: ধুবুৰী) is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. The district headquarters are located at Dhubri town which is situated at ~290 km from Guwahati, the state capital. This was also the headquarters of erstwhile undivided Goalpara district which was created in 1876 by the British government. In 1983, Goalpara district was divided into four districts and Dhubri is one among those. The Dhubri district is one among the many Muslim Majority districts of Assam. About 75% of population is Muslim in Dhubri.

As of 2011 it is the second most populous district of Assam (out of 27), after Nagaon.

Etymology

The name Dhubri comes from the tale of Chand Sadagar, where the main character of the story Netai Dhubuni used to wash her clothes on the surface of a big stone at bank of the river Brahmaputra . This particular place had a name called "Netai Dhubunir Ghat".

History

In the past, the gateway of western Assam was a meeting place of different racial groups which mingled together and formed a unique cultural heritage and historical background. The growth of blended culture in this region, particularly in the areas of language, art and religion is due to the continuous process of assimilation of various races, castes, and creeds of local people, invaders, and migrated people.

Gurdwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib at Dhubri

Chilarai statue at Dhubri Town

In 1669 AD Raja Ram Singh, Raja Ram Singh of Amber was deputed by Emperor Aurangzeb to crush a rebellion by the Ahom king Chakradhwaj Singha. But Assam was a difficult country for such an operation and Raja Ram Singh requested Guru Teg Bahadur (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਗ਼ ਬਹਾਦੁਰ, Hindi: गुरू तेग़ बहादुर) to accompany him. Guru's role was proved to be much more crucial than his mere presence. This operation was actually a punishment for Ram Singh because it was from his custody that Shivaji and his son had escaped, a few years earlier.

Historical Sites

Historic Panbari Mosque at Dhubri

Inside look of Historic Panbari Mosque at Dhubri

Historic Netai Dhubunir Ghat at Dhubri

The Historic Panbari Mosques is situated on the National Highway 31, about 25 km east from Dhubri town, near Panbari and Rangamati, is considered to be the oldest mosque in the Indian state of Assam. It was built by an able administrator Hussain Shah in between 1493 and 1519 AD, Who was then the Governor of Bengal. This mosque was used as a prayer hall by the Mughal Mohmmedan Soldiers. There is also an "Idgah" and a deep well which were also probably constructed during that period. Panbari "Pahar", thus is known as the holy seat of the Muslims in Assam. The scenic beauty of the hills with its rich flora, its unique location together with the archeological importance, holds promise of becoming an important tourist spot in India. It is said that about 200 years ago, the local people of this place found this mosque in Panbari "Pahar" under the thick foliage. They cleaned this place and started to offer Namaz there. During ‘Idd’ this mosque wears a special look. Thousands of people from different parts of the country visit this mosque. Not only the people from India but also from England and Japan visit this place. But the masjid is fast losing its glory due to lack of proper maintenance.

Panchpeer Dargaha It is Mazar Sharif of five Sufi Saints who accompanied Raja Ram Singh during his time of Mughal fight with the Ahom Regime of Assam

Modern-day Dhubri district was created on 1 July 1983 when it was split from Goalpara district.

Geography

Dhubri district occupies an area of 2,838 square kilometres (1,096 sq mi), comparatively equivalent to Russia's Zemlya Georga.

Dhubri District is bounded both by interstate and international borders: West Bengal and Bangladesh in the west; Goalpara and Bogaigoan district of Assam and Garo Hills district of Meghalaya in the east; Kokrajhar district in the north; and Bangladesh and state of Meghalaya in the south.

Economy

Dhubri District is primarily dependent on agricultural and forest products. The main source of income is paddy (both winter and autumn) with surplus production. Jute and mustard seed occupy the major share of cash crops. Wheat, maize, pulses and sugar cane are also grown moderately. From forest, mainly timber and bamboo add to the income, though boulders and sand are also available. Fish, milk, meat, and eggs have small contribution to the economy. Currently three tea gardens, whose contribution to the district economy is almost negligible, cover an area of 1362.33 hectares. Land revenue collection is minimal, whereas tax from check gates and excise duty occupy much of the government exchequer. Devoid of major industrial production, the district uses more funds for administration, development, and welfare works than it provides.

Its rich natural wealth is yet to be explored and some believe that proper utilization of natural resources could provide a boost for the struggling economy.

Some important production and earnings are given below:

2000-2001

Particular	Production (in tonnes)	Revenue (Rs.)
Rice	15,000 (Approx)
Forest		40,00000.00 (Approx)
Excise		1,70,80,742.00
Sales Tax		10,13,36,902.00
Total

Divisions

At present there are three sub-divisions:

1. Bilasipara and
2. Dhubri (Sadar)
3. South Salmara-Hatsingimari, Mankachar

The district has 8 revenue circles and 7 tahsils. It has 8 police stations and 4 basic towns.

There are seven Assam Legislative Assembly constituencies in this district: Mankachar, Salmara South, Dhubri, Gauripur, Golakganj, Bilasipara West, and Bilasipara East. All seven are in the Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency.

Transport

Airway

Dhubri has an airport at Rupshi which is about 23 km away from the town. It was constructed during World War II by the British Govt. mainly for military purpose. Till 1983, the Indian Airlines and some private commercial flights operated regularly between Calcutta, Guwahati and Dhubri. Now it is totally closed. However, recently the ministry of DONER, GOI, has taken some initiative to renovate and functionalise the airport.

Waterway

The town had a very busy river port on the bank of the Brahmaputra, which was used as an international trade centre with the neighbouring countries, specially in British era. At present, the port is lying idle.

Railway

The importance of the Railway station and the MG line was also decreased since 1947, when the direct line to Calcutta was snapped as it ran through erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The train service has newly started on 2010 again, and it is functioning smoothly. However the train services running from the Dhubri railway station are taking a new route from Dhubri to Kamakhya and Guwahati Junction. Trains originating from Dhubri station are, Dhubri-Silghat (Rajya Rani Express), Dhubri - Siliguri (Inter City Express) and Dhubri Fakiragram passenger.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census Dhubri district has a population of 1,948,632, roughly equal to the nation of Lesotho or the US state of West Virginia. This gives it a ranking of 240th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 1,171 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,030/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 24.4%. Dhubri has a sex ratio of 952 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 59.36%.

The largest religious group in the district are the Muslims, with 1,216,455 (74.29%)followers, while Hindus and Christians constitute 405,065 and 12,477 inhabitants respectively.

The district has become one of the most densely populated district in India with a density of 584 persons per km².(As per 2001 census report) which is second highest in Assam after Nagaon district. The literacy rate is 48.21% of which male 55.91% and female 40.04%. 26.23%Goalpariya, and 67.09% Bengali are the most widely spoken language in the district, although Assamese is the official language.

The district is located on the globe between 89.42 to 90.12 degree east longitude and 26.22 to 25.28 degree north latitude and situated at 30 meters above the sea level on an average. General topography of Dhubri district is plain with patches of small hillocks like Tokorabandha, Dudhnath, Chandardinga, Boukuamari, Boropahar, Chakrasila, etc. All these are situated in the north eastern part of the district. Mighty river Brahmaputra is flowing through this district from east to west with its tributaries like Champabati, Gourang, Gadadhar, Gangadhar, Tipkai, Sankosh, Silai, Jinjiram, etc. The average annual rainfall of the district is 2,916 mm.

Culture

Terracotta and pottery craft

Dhubri district of Assam have occupied a pivotal position in terracotta market of the world. The Assamese terracotta art and culture took its birth at Asharikandi, a small village near Gauripur town in Dhubri district. More than 80% families of this craft village are engaged in this ethnic based art (handicraft) and pass their life after selling these terracotta products in the national and international markets.

Places of interest

The main places of interest in Dhubri district include Gurdwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, Mahamaya Dham, Rangamati or Panbari Mosque, the oldest mosque in entire northeast region of India, Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, Florican Garden and Panchpeer Dargah.

This place is famous for the Sikh Gurdwara namely Gurdwara Damdama Sahib or Thara Sahib which was constructed in memory of visit of First Sikh Guru Nanak Dev (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ, Hindi: गुरु नानक, Urdu: گرونانک Guru Nānak) and later it was followed by visit of Ninth guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਗ਼ ਬਹਾਦੁਰ, Hindi: गुरू तेग़ बहादुर) and the Gurdwara is named as Gurdwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. Hence, it has great importance for Sikh community.

Main towns in Dhubri district are Dhubri, Gauripur, Bilasipara, Golakganj, Tamarhat, Sapatgram, Chapar, Hatsingimari, Mankachar, Agomani, Halakura etc.

Flora and fauna

On 14 July 1994, a virgin forest patch of Dhubri District of Assam was declared as a wildlife sanctuary by the gazette notification of the Assam government. This sanctuary has been named as "Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary". It is the youngest sanctuary of North East India having an area of 11,260.00 acres (45.5676 km²). Chakrasila is unique because of the presence of Golden Langur (Presbytis geei) which is found nowhere else except along the Assam and Bhutan border. Besides, the virgin forest of Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary is endowed with rare specimens of trees, shrubs, medicinal plants, mammals, reptiles and birds and insects.

Geographical location of the Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary is in the latitude 26° 15′ to 26° 26′ N and longitude 90° 15′ to 90° 20′ E. It is in the District of Dhubri, the westernmost region of Assam. It is 68 km from the district headquarters Dhubri and 219 km from the Borjhar Airport of Guwahati City.

There are several small springs for quenching the thirst of the wild animals of this Hilly forest. But the two major perennial springs in the Sanctuary are howhowi Jhora and Bamuni Jhora, which flow over the rocks, sparkling and spattering throughout the year, adding to the scenic beauty of the Sanctuary.

Climatic conditions of Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary is like that of temperate zone with dry winter and hot summer followed by heavy rains. Annual rainfall is 200 to 400 cm. Soil is azonal, forestlike and hilly. temperature throughout the year generally varies between 8 °C and 30 °C.

The diverse eco-systems of Chakrasila present a model habitat diversity and support various mammalian species like tiger, leopard, Golden Langur, leopard cat, Gaur, mongoose, porcupine, Pangoline, flying squirrel, Civet cat. Along with all these prolific gifts of the nature Chakrasila has a wide variety of avifauna.

The two internationally recognized wetlands namely Dhir and Deeplai have not been yet taken inside the declared boundary of the sanctuary. But they are a part of the Chakrasila eco-system. It is expected that in due course they will be included within the sanctuary.

Education

Bhola Nath College at Dhubri

At present the district houses 15 colleges for higher education. B. N. College, Dhubri (estd. 1946) at Dhubri is one of the oldest and famous institutes in Assam. Bilasipara College situated in bilasipara town also imparts degrees (BA and BSc) and certificates (HSSLC) in the science and arts streams. Ratnapeeth College of Chapar is another prominent college of the district. The Government Boys Higher secondary School and Govt. Girls Higher secondary school are the two important schools of Dhubri town and the oldest too. Happy Convent School is also one of the best schools affiliated by CBSE.

One Industrial Training Institute and some 30 number of private run computer institutes are there.

More than hundred high and higher secondary schools are also imparting education to the people of the district. ASIAN MISSION INSTITUTE a vocational training centre is imparting education to the people.

External links

• Dhubri district official website