Sonitpur District

District Overview: Sonitpur District

• • Location: Central Assam, India.
  • Significance: Known for its rich cultural heritage, agriculture, and historical importance. The name “Sonitpur” translates to “city of blood”, a name rooted in local legends and history.
  • Administrative Headquarters: Tezpur (a prominent town in the region).

History of Sonitpur District

Ancient and Medieval History

• • Kamarupa Kingdom: Part of the Kamarupa empire, ruled by a powerful monarch with an organized administration during the Pala dynasty (11th century CE).

  • Baro-Bhuyan Rule (14th century): The region came under the control of the Baro-Bhuyan feudal lords.

  • Ahom Conquest (16th century): The Ahoms captured eastern Sonitpur up to the Kameng River in 1523.

  • Mughal Conflict:

    • The Ahoms defeated the Mughals on the Kameng River in 1532.

    • In 1637, the Mughals killed Bali Narayan, bringing all of Sonitpur under Ahom rule.

    • The Ahoms attempted expansion to the Sankosh River after Shah Jahan’s death (1658) but were repelled by Mir Jumla, who captured Gargaon.

British Colonial Rule

• • Treaty of Yandabo (1826): British took control after the First Anglo-Burmese War.

  • Darrang District Formation (1833): Sonitpur was part of Darrang, which became a separate district.

  • Tezpur as Capital (1835): The district headquarters was shifted to Tezpur.

  • Tea Plantations: The British introduced tea cultivation and brought laborers from Chota Nagpur.

Modern History

• • Quit India Movement (1942): Led by Jyoti Prasad Agarwala in Sonitpur.

  • Creation of Sonitpur District (1983): Darrang district was split into Darrang and Sonitpur, with Tezpur as the headquarters.

  • District Bifurcation (2015):

    • Tezpur Sub-Division became Sonitpur District.

    • Biswanath and Gohpur Sub-Divisions formed Biswanath District.

Geography of Sonitpur District

• • Area: Approximately 5,324 square kilometers.
  • Coordinates: Around 26°38′ N latitude and 92°48′ E longitude.
  • Boundaries:
    • North: Borders Arunachal Pradesh.
    • South: Bordered by the Brahmaputra River.
    • East: Adjacent to Lakhimpur district.
    • West: Bordered by Darrang district.
  • Topography: The district features fertile plains along the Brahmaputra River and hilly terrains in the northern parts.
  • Rivers: Important rivers include Brahmaputra, Jiabharali, Gabharu, and Borgang.
  • Climate: Subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Average rainfall is about 2,500 mm, mainly during the monsoon season (June to September).

Socio-Economy of Sonitpur District

• • Agriculture: The economy is agrarian, with major crops like rice, jute, mustard, tea, and fruits. The region is also famous for horticultural crops like oranges and bananas.
  • Livestock: Animal husbandry (cattle, goats, and poultry) is common and contributes to the economy.
  • Small-scale Industries: Includes food processing, handicrafts, and products made from bamboo.
  • Tourism: The district’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty attract tourists, contributing to the economy.

Transport in Sonitpur District

• • Roadways: The district is well-connected by National Highway 15, linking it to other cities in Assam.
  • Railways: The nearest railway station is in Tezpur town, providing connectivity to Assam and beyond.
  • Airways: The Tezpur Airport connects the district to major cities across India.

Demographics of Sonitpur District

• • Population Overview

    • Total Population: 1,924,110

    • Male Population: 51.16% (983,904)

    • Female Population: 48.84% (940,206)

    Population Density

    • Density: 365 inhabitants per square kilometer

    Urban and Rural Distribution

    • Urban Population: 9.04% (173,845)

    • Rural Population: 90.96% (1,750,265)

    Sex Ratio

    • Overall Sex Ratio: 956 females per 1000 males

    • Urban Sex Ratio: 955 females per 1000 males

    • Rural Sex Ratio: 956 females per 1000 males

    • Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years): 966 girls per 1000 boys

    Literacy Rate

    • Overall Literacy Rate: 67.34%

      • Male Literacy Rate: 73.65%

      • Female Literacy Rate: 60.73%

    • Urban Literacy Rate: 89.73%

      • Male Urban Literacy Rate: 92.63%

      • Female Urban Literacy Rate: 86.70%

    • Rural Literacy Rate: 64.98%

      • Male Rural Literacy Rate: 71.65%

      • Female Rural Literacy Rate: 57.99%

    Child Population (Aged 0-6)

    • Total Child Population: 277,862 (14.44% of total population)

      • Male Children (0-6 years): 141,353

      • Female Children (0-6 years): 136,509

    Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

    • Scheduled Castes: 4.98% (65,367)

    • Scheduled Tribes: 10.60% (139,033)

    Religious Composition

    • Hindu: 73.95% (1,422,824)

    • Muslim: 18.22% (350,536)

    • Christian: 7.18% (138,166)

    • Sikh: 0.07% (1,363)

    • Buddhist: 0.26% (5,088)

    • Jain: 0.05% (1,003)

    • Others/Not Stated: Combined total of approximately 0.27%

Administrative Setup of Sonitpur District

• • District Headquarters: Tezpur.
  • Sub-Divisions: The district has one sub-division – Tezpur.
  • Revenue Circles: Includes Tezpur, Dhekiajuli, Thelamara, Chariduar, and Naduar.
  • Development Blocks: Seven blocks focused on local governance and development.

Rainfall in Sonitpur District

• • Average Annual Rainfall: Around 2,500 mm to 3,000 mm, most of which occurs during the monsoon months (June to September).
  • Impact: The heavy rainfall can lead to flooding, but it also enriches the soil, benefiting agriculture.

Attractive Tourist Places in Sonitpur

• • Agnigarh Hill: A hillock by the Brahmaputra River, where Banasura built a fortress to confine his daughter Usha. The site offers panoramic views of Tezpur and features sculptures depicting Usha’s abduction of Aniruddha, along with a viewing platform.
  • Bamuni Hills: Home to archaeological ruins from the 9th–10th centuries, showcasing ancient Assamese sculptural excellence.
  • Da-Parbatia: An ancient heritage site known for its intricate Assamese sculptures.
  • Cole Park (Chitralekha Udyan): Established in 1906, it features ornamental stone pillars, walkways, sports facilities, and a restaurant. It is renowned for its scenic beauty and houses sculptural remains from Bamuni Hills.
  • Mahabhairab Temple: A significant religious site, dating back to the 8th–10th century A.D., attracting many devotees.
  • Padum Pukhuri: A lake with an island park, featuring a musical fountain and boating facilities.
  • District Museum: Showcases Assamese culture, including old manuscripts and sculptures.
  • Kolia Bhomora Setu: A pre-stressed concrete bridge over the Brahmaputra River, linking Sonitpur and Nagaon, offering a stunning view.
  • Rudrapada Temple: Believed to house Lord Shiva’s footprint on a stone; the original temple was destroyed due to river erosion.
  • Nag-Sankar Temple: A temple of historical and cultural significance.
  • Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary: A major wildlife attraction along the Brahmaputra River.
  • Nameri National Park: Known for its rich biodiversity, offering jungle safaris and adventure activities.

Languages Spoken in Sonitpur District

• • Assamese: 37.01%
  • Bengali: 19.36%
  • Sadri: 12.52%
  • Boro: 8.93%
  • Nepali: 6.63%
  • Hindi: 3.79%
  • Odia: 2.54%
  • Mundari: 1.98%