Cachar District

Overview of Cachar District

Formation

• • Established in 1832, Cachar is one of the oldest districts in Assam.
  • It has a rich historical background linked to the Kachari Kingdom.
  • In the former history of kachhari and Manipuri Kingdom, we find the description of this region.

Headquarters

• • Administrative headquarters: Silchar, a major urban and cultural center.

Geographical Area

• • Total area: Approximately 3,786 square kilometers (1,462 square miles).
    

Name derived from

• • • Two theories: 
      1. The Kacharis is gave the name Cachar when they ruled this land.
      2. The name Cachar  has been given by Bengalis of sylhet as the land which is surrounded by mountains.

History of Cachar (Pre-Independence & Post-Independence)

Pre-Independence Era

1. Dimasa Kachari Kingdom (1536 onwards)

• • • Conflict between Drikpati (elder prince) & Dakhin (younger brother).
    • Dakhin established a new capital in Barak Valley, later known as Twipra Kingdom.

2. Koch Dynasty Invasion (1562)

• • • Koch dynasty invaded and captured Barak Valley from the Twipra Kingdom.
    • Koch rule lasted until the 18th century, after which the Dimasa Kingdom regained control.

3. Significant Rulers

Raja Krishna Chandra (Dimasa Kingdom) played a key role in:

• • • Defeating Burmese forces.
    • Forming marital alliances with Manipuri royalty.

British Colonial Period

1. Annexation by the British

• • • British encountered Cachar during the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824).
    • Raja Govindra Chandra was assassinated in 1840, leaving no heirs.
    • British annexed Cachar under the Doctrine of Lapse on August 14, 1832.

2. Administrative Changes

• • • T. Fisher became the first Superintendent of Cachar.
    • Headquarters shifted from Cherrapunji → Silchar.
    • North Cachar annexed (1854) after Raja Tularam Thaosen’s death.
    • Complete British control over Cachar (1874).

Post-Independence Developments – Partition & District Reorganization

• • • 1947: Karimganj subdivision became part of Cachar.
    • 1963: North Cachar separated to form Dima Hasao district.
    • 1989: Hailakandi district carved out from Cachar.

Geography of Cachar District

• • Location: Southern part of Assam, in Barak Valley region.
  • Area: Approximately 3,786 square kilometers (1,462 sq mi).
  • Boundaries:
    • North: Borail Hills
    • South: Mizoram
    • East: Manipur
    • West: Hailakandi district and Bangladesh.
  • Rivers: The Barak River , Jiri river, chiri river, Sonai river etc.
  • Topography: Mix of hilly terrains (North – Borail Hills :; South – part of Mizo Hills) and plains (along Barak River), contributing to rich biodiversity.

Socio-Economy of Cachar District

• • Economy: Primarily agrarian, >70%  population engaged in agriculture.
  • Main Crops: Rice (principle food crop), tea (many tea gardens) , jute, and various fruits and vegetables.
  • Commercial Hub: Silchar serves as a significant commercial center in Assam.
  • Development Status:
    • • Classified as one of India’s backward districts, receiving special funding for development.
      • Huge water resources, natural resources, crude oil storage, Broad gauge Railway development – provides prospects of future development in this region.

Transport in Cachar District

• • Airport : Kumbhirgram Airport (Silchar) – about 30 km away from Silchar town.
  • Road Connectivity: Connected by National Highways (NH 54) and state highways.
  • Rail Connectivity: Silchar Railway Station links the district to other parts of Assam and Northeast India.

Demographics of Cachar District

• • • Population Statistics

      • Total Population: 1,736,617

        • Male Population: 886,284 (approximately 51.0%)

        • Female Population: 850,333 (approximately 49.0%)

      Population Density

      • Density: 459 inhabitants per square kilometer.

      Sex Ratio

      • Overall Sex Ratio: 958 females for every 1000 males.

      • Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years): 954 girls for every 1000 boys.

      Literacy Rate

      • Average Literacy Rate: 80.36%

        • Male Literacy: 84.78%

        • Female Literacy: 73.68%

      Urban and Rural Distribution

      • Urban Population: 315,464 (18.17%)

      • Rural Population: 1,421,153 (81.83%)

      Religious Composition

      • Hindus: 59.83% (1,038,985)

      • Muslims: 37.71% (654,816)

      • Christians: 2.17% (37,635)

      • Others: Includes Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and those not stated.

      Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

      • Scheduled Castes: Approximately 15.25%

      • Scheduled Tribes: Approximately 1.01%

Administrative Setup of Cachar District

• • Sub-Divisions: 2 (Silchar and Lakhipur).
  • Revenue Circles: 5.
  • Development Blocks: 15.
  • Administrative HQ: Silchar, which also serves as a key political and economic hub in the region.

Rainfall in Cachar District

• • Climate: Subtropical monsoon climate.
  • Average Annual Rainfall: Approximately 3,874 mm (152.5 inches).
  • Monsoon Season: Most rainfall occurs from June to September, crucial for agriculture.

Tourist Places in Cachar

• • Khaspur: An archaeological site with remnants of ancient Cachari kings.
  • Silchar Lake: A scenic spot for relaxation and picnics.
  • Barak Valley: Known for its natural beauty and biodiversity.
  • Barail Wildlife Sanctuary: Established in 2004, this sanctuary is home to rare species such as the Hoolock gibbon, Phayre’s leaf monkey, and the white-winged wood duck
  • Temples and Cultural Sites: 

    • • Famous temple Bhairav Vari (built by King Lakshmi Chandra) – 20 km from Silchar.

      • Bhubaneswar Temple: A Shiva Mandir houses idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati

      • Narasimha Akhara – another famous temple.

      • Siddeshwara temple (Badarpur Ghat) – famous for old stone ancient Shiva-lingam.

      • Bharam Baba temple (18 km from Silchar) – famous for large mass of devotee gathering every year during Raasa Purnima and Magh Purnima

Languages Spoken in Cachar District

• • Bengali: 75%
  • Manipuri (Meitei): Approximately 10%
  • Hindi: Approximately 5%
  • Assamese: Approximately 3%
  • Bishnupuriya Manipuri: Approximately 2%
  • Dimasa: Approximately 1%
  • Rongmei-Naga: Less than 1%
  • Others (including Mizo, Kuki, Khasi): Less than 1% each