Sivasagar District

District Overview: Sivasagar District

• • Location: Northeastern Assam, India.
  • Historical Significance: Once the capital of the Ahom kingdom, Sivasagar is famous for its rich cultural heritage, archaeological sites, and natural beauty.
  • Established: September 15, 1989.
  • Importance: Known for its tourism and agriculture, including tea cultivation and oil fields.

Historical Overview of Sivasagar

Early History and Names:

• • Formerly known as Rangpur, earlier called Meteka.

  • Originally named Sibpur, later known as Sivasagar.

  • Believed to have been called ‘Kalansupar’, after Kalansu Gohain, who lived in the area.

  • Bordered by Cherekapar (East), Kathpar (West), Joyrapar (North), and Dhuliapar (South).

British Rule:

• • Treaty of Yandaboo (1826) ended Ahom rule and led to British occupation of Assam.

  • Sibpur and Rangpur were renamed Sibsagar under British administration.

  • Sibsagar district initially included Sibsagar, Jorhat, and Golaghat sub-divisions.

  • 1912: District headquarters shifted to Jorhat, making Sibsagar a sub-divisional headquarters.

  • July 1, 1983: Sibsagar and Golaghat declared separate districts.

Monuments and Structures:

• • Joysagar Tank: Built in 45 days by Rudra Singha (1696-1714) in memory of Joymoti Konwari.

  • Rang Ghar: Constructed by Pramatta Singha (1744-1751) in 1745.

  • Sivasagar Tank: Excavated by Queen Ambika Devi in 1733.

  • Siva Dol, Vishnu Dol, and Devi Dol: Located on the bank of the Sivasagar Tank.

  • Kareng Ghar (Gargaon): Built by Rajeshwar Singha (1751-1769).

Geography of Sivasagar District

• • Area: Approximately 2,668 square kilometers.
  • Coordinates: Around 26°59′ N latitude and 94°38′ E longitude.
  • Boundaries:
    • North: Borders the Brahmaputra River.
    • South: Shares borders with Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
    • East: Adjacent to Dibrugarh district.
    • West: Bordered by Jorhat district.
  • Topography: The district is made up of flat plains with low hills and several wetlands and water bodies.
  • Rivers: Major rivers include Brahmaputra, Dikhow, and Kopili.
  • Climate: Humid subtropical climate with an average rainfall of 2,500 mm to 3,000 mm, especially during the monsoon season (June to September).

Socio-Economy of Sivasagar District

• • Agriculture: The district’s economy is mainly based on agriculture. Key crops include rice, jute, mustard, tea, and various fruits. The region is known for its tea gardens and oil fields.
  • Livestock: Animal husbandry is also significant, with cattle, goats, and poultry contributing to local livelihoods.
  • Small-scale Industries: Industries in food processing, jute manufacturing, and handicrafts are present, but the industrial sector is still developing.
  • Tourism: Due to its cultural heritage and historical monuments, tourism is an important contributor to the local economy.

Transport in Sivasagar District

• • Roadways: The district is well-connected by National Highway 37, linking it to major cities in Assam.
  • Railways: The nearest railway station is Simaluguri Junction, located about 16 km from the district, providing connections to Assam’s other regions.
  • Airways: The nearest airport is in Jorhat, located about 75 km away, which connects Sivasagar to other parts of India.

Demographics of Sivasagar District

• • Population Overview

    • Total Population (2011): 1,151,050

    • Population Growth Rate (2001-2011): 9.37%

    • Population Density: 431 inhabitants per square kilometer

    Gender Distribution

    • Males: 589,216 (51.19%)

    • Females: 561,834 (48.81%)

    • Sex Ratio: 954 females per 1000 males

    Urban and Rural Population

    • Urban Population: 80,373 (6.97%)

    • Rural Population: 1,070,677 (93.03%)

    Age Distribution

    • Children (0-6 years): 139,380 (12.11%)

      • Males: 71,102

      • Females: 68,278

    • Population aged 7 years and above: 1,011,670 (87.89%)

    Literacy Rate

    • Overall Literacy Rate: 81.36%

      • Male Literacy Rate: Approximately 85.06%

      • Female Literacy Rate: Approximately 73.24%

    Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

    • Scheduled Castes: 34,704 (5.11%)

    • Scheduled Tribes: 37,130 (5.46%)

    Religious Composition

    • Hinduism: 87.17%

    • Islam: 10.88%

    • Christianity: 1.24%

    • Others/Not Stated: 0.71%

Administrative Setup of Sivasagar District

• • District Headquarters: Sivasagar town.
  • Sub-Divisions: The district is divided into two sub-divisions – Sivasagar and Nazira.
  • Revenue Circles: Includes circles like Sivasagar Circle and Nazira Circle.
  • Development Blocks: Several development blocks for local governance and development programs.

Rainfall in Sivasagar District

• • Average Annual Rainfall: Around 2,500 mm to 3,000 mm, with most of the rain falling during the monsoon (June to September).
  • Impact: Heavy rains can cause flooding, but they also help enrich the soil for farming.

Attractive Tourist Places in Sivasagar

• • Talatal Ghar (Rangpur Palace): Originally built as an army base, this monument has three underground floors and two tunnels that functioned as escape routes.

  • Siva Dol Temple: One of the most revered pilgrimage sites in Sivasagar, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built in 1734 by Bar Raja, it is the largest Shiva temple in Northeast India.

  • Vishnu Dol Temple: A 200-year-old temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, known for its remarkable architectural beauty.

  • Rang Ghar: Constructed in 1745 by Pramatta Singha, this 18th-century structure served as a royal pavilion for watching sports and games. It is regarded as Asia’s first sports pavilion.

  • Joysagar Tank: Built in 1697 by King Rudra Singha in memory of his mother, this is believed to be India’s largest man-made lake.

  • Kareng Ghar: Constructed by King Rudra Singha, this historical monument served as the military station of the Ahom kings.

  • Sivasagar Tank (Borpukhuri): Dug by Queen Ambika in 1734, this large water body is situated at a higher elevation than the rest of the town.

  • Ahom Museum: A repository of Ahom-era artifacts, including clothing, weapons, manuscripts, goblets, and platters.

  • Charaideo Maidams: Located 28 km from Sivasagar, Charaideo is famous for its Ahom-age tumuli (Maidams). It was the first capital of the Ahoms, established by Sukapha in 1253.

  • Pani Dihing Wildlife Sanctuary: Declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1996, this site is renowned for its migratory bird population, attracting numerous nature enthusiasts.

Languages Spoken in Sivasagar District

• • Assamese : 90.24%
  • Mishing : 2.78%
  • Hindi : 1.96%
  • Bengali : 1.58%
  • Sadri : 1.38%