Naharkatiya

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Naharkatia
নাহৰকটীয়া
Naharkatiya
city

Aerial view of Naharkatiya (near tuesday bazar)
Naharkatia

Location in Assam, India

Coordinates: 27°17′N 95°20′E / 27.28°N 95.33°E / 27.28; 95.33Coordinates: 27°17′N 95°20′E / 27.28°N 95.33°E / 27.28; 95.33
Country  India
State Assam
District Dibrugarh
Government
 • Body Naharkatiya Town Committee
Elevation 121 m (397 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 18,937
Languages
 • Official Assamese
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 786610
Telephone code (+91)374
Vehicle registration AS-06

Naharkatiya (Assamese:নাহৰকটীয়া) (also spelt as Naharkatia or Nahorkatiya) 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 both the towns are close packed within a distance of 30 minutes journey.

Demographics

According to the 2011 India census,[1] Naharkatia had a population of 18,937 which 9,790 are males while 9,147 are females.Naharkatia has an 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 communities from different states of India, mainly Assamese, Bengali, Biharii, Gorkhali/nepali and many Marwari and Rajasthani people reside in the town area. A few Punjabi families have also lived in the town for many years.

However, Buddhist descendants of a Mongolian tribe known as Phakials or Tai-Phakes, also reside outside the town . Their village houses a Buddhist monastery and handicrafts woven by them are very beautiful. The monastery is a tourist attraction and is considered to be meditation center in a serene atmosphere.[2] The town is more attractive due to the three tea estates.

Theres also few Bodo, Manipuri peoples reside outside the town.

Transport

The Naharkatia Railway station serves as the railhead. Buses ply frequently to and from Duliajan, Namrup, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Moran, Jorhat, Sibsagar etc.

Geography

Naharkatia is located at 27°17′N 95°20′E / 27.28°N 95.33°E / 27.28; 95.33.[3] It has an average elevation of 121 m (397 ft).

Burhi Dihing, a tributary of Brahmaputra runs through the town. There are some agitation and appeals by some organizations to make this town a subdivision of the district, but the town always lags behind in improvements, according to official data.

Sasoni Gojpuria,Gabhoru Dolong,Merbill Echo-Tourism,[4] Namphake are beautiful villages a few kilometres away from the town and the lifestyle of the simple villagers is quite eye catching.

History

Naharkatia, the place name is connected with history of killing or punishment of one Prince Nahar, an adopted son of Tai-Ahom king Siukhampha alias Khora Raja punished by one 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 is known to be Nahakatia. Nahar+katiya, i.e., the person who cut or beheaded Nahar at the instance of Tai-Ahom king Siukhampha was setteld here.Naharkatiya was frequented by Austric King Sung-Saumara, Kachari kings Bicharpatipha, Mahamanukyapha, Tai-Ahom kings Chaolung Siukapha, Siukhampha alias Khora Raja during the attack of Koch General Chilarai to capital Gargaon in A.D. 1562 also Jaydhvajsimha while he was on exile during the Mughal invasion by Nabab Mirjumla A.D. 1662, etc.

The Burmese General Mingimaha Tilwa, came via this route to Mung-dun-chun-kham in the late Tai-Ahom rulers Chandrakantasimha and Purandersimha some times in early part of A.D. 19th century.

The Ahom General Patalsing Barbarua founded Jaypur garh against the advancing Burmese through this route, who finally sacrificed his life in the hands of Burmese at Jaypur.

Sriram Ata founded his Vaisnavi Satra here. One Nocte Chief Narottama accepted Vaisnav faith here.

Nearby Naharkatiya, historical Tipam, Jaypur and Namrup(derived from Namruk) rests. The oldest oil pool is located here. It is also famous for tea gardens. It has produced several sports persons and sports organisers who had a great contribution in the field of sports.

Economy

The town is considered to be commercial hub for the nearby tea gardens and villages. A few kilometres on, there is the rainforest along Jaypur, and cross it to get into Arunachal Pradesh. The illegal wood business has been minimized by regulation, but that has hit the economy of the town.

Culture

Bihu The major festival of Assam, during this season Bihu dance competition is held in Langharjan stadium. It is a week-long celebration for all the youngsters in the region.

Durga Puja is another major festival observed in the town. During this season the idol of goddess Durga is prayed and the town is decorated with lights and several pandals, throughout the town. In the last day of the celebration a processions is organized, also known as Bhasan. In the past, prizes were also given to the best Durga Puja Pandal Committee and was announced as winner every year.

A major population of the Tai Phake tribe reside in the Namphake Village.Sangken or the Water Festival is a festival celebrated in the month of April by the Tai Phake people and it continues to be a special attraction for tourists visiting Namphake village during this period.

Mangalbaria (Tuesday) Bazaar is worth a visit for the shoppers. There is a sports stadium known as Langharjan Field which is situated just at the outskirts of the town.

Education

Primary & Secondary Schools The four major education centers in Naharkatia are:

Other Educational institutions are Naharkatia New High School, Bidya Mandir, R K Jitani School, St. Xaviers School, Model School, Naharkatia Junior College, etc.

Higher Education 1.Naharkatiya College is the only institution of Higher Education. It offers bachelor's degree in Arts and Commerce. It has also a study center of Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU).

Sports

Naharkatia is very active town when talked about sports. It has given birth to several sports-person representing the state and the nation. The natives are very good with Football, hockey, handball and cricket. The youths are more drawn towards Cricket and Tae-Kwon-Do (Korean Martial arts).

Politics

Naharkatia is an Assembly constituency .it is 120no constituency of Assam, which is a part of Dibrugarh (Lok Sabha constituency).[5]

Schools

Naharkatiya has mainly 3 English Schools, 2 Hindi Schools, 1 Bengali School and Many Assamese Schools. The largest populated school in Naharkatiya is the ST. Mary's Higher Secondary School. The schools has more than 2K students (2000) as per 2012's records. Accordingly, Shankardev Sishu Vikash Kendra is an Assamese School known most for its good results in Metric and also in Yearly Examinations. We have Naharkatiya Model High School and Weingken English School, situated in Naharkatiya in the list of English Schools. Weingken English School is an excellent place to send in children at the Nursery level. They not only teach the basics of A,B,C but also a whole lot of nursery rhymes, etiquette and manners.

Organizations

References

  1. ↑ "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.
  2. ↑ Namphake Village , Naharkatiya
  3. ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Naharkatia
  4. ↑ Merbill Eco Tourism
  5. ↑ "List of Parliamentary & Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Assam. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-10-06.

See also

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