Bongaigaon District

Overview of Bongaigaon District

Formation

• • Established on September 29, 1989.
  • Formed from parts of Goalpara and Kokrajhar districts to address political and administrative demands.

Headquarters

• • Located in Bongaigaon town, an important industrial hub in Assam.

Area

• • Covers approximately 1,093 square kilometers.

History of Bongaigaon 

Early History & Kingdoms

1. Bijni Kingdom (16th Century – 1956)

• • • • Part of the Bijni Kingdom, ruled by Koch dynasty zamindars.
      • Bijni royal family descended from Nara Narayan of the Kamata Kingdom.
      • Ruled until the abolition of princely states in 1956.

2. Control by Bhutan (17th Century – 1865)

• • • • Parts of present-day Bongaigaon fell under Bhutanese rule.
      • 1865 Duar Wars: British forces expelled Bhutanese rulers.
      • Integrated into the undivided Goalpara district.

British Colonial Era

1. Formation of Goalpara District (1822)

• • • • British established Goalpara district, which included Bongaigaon.
      • Administrative boundaries shifted, leading to the formation of Bongaigaon district later.

2. Duar Wars & Administrative Changes

• • • • Post Duar Wars, British restructured local governance.
      • 1874: Region became part of Assam Valley Province.

Geography of Bongaigaon District

• • Location: Western part of Assam, India.
  • Area: Approximately 1,093 square kilometers.
  • Boundaries:
    • North: Chirang
    • East: Barpeta
    • South: Goalpara
    • West: Dhubri
  • Terrain: Mix of plains and hilly terrains.
  • Rivers: The Brahmaputra River (forming southern boundary) , Manas, Sampaboti, Aie, Tunia.
  • Beel : Dalani, Tamaranga, Kanora etc.
  • Geographical Features: Rich biodiversity and fertile land, making it suitable for agriculture.

Socio-Economy of Bongaigaon District

• • Economy: Primarily agrarian, with agriculture being the mainstay for most of the population.
  • Main Crops: Rice, tea, jute, and various vegetables.
  • Industrial Growth: Growing small-scale industries and manufacturing sector.
  • Backward District: In 2006, Bongaigaon was identified as one of India’s 250 most backward districts, receiving special funding under the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme.

Transport in Bongaigaon District

• • Road and Rail Connectivity: Bongaigaon town serves as a transport hub.
  • Rail Connectivity: The Bongaigaon Railway Station is a key junction on the North East Frontier Railway network.
  • Public Transport: Buses and auto-rickshaws facilitate local travel.

Demographics of Bongaigaon District

• • Population

    • Total Population: 738,804

      • Males: 375,818

      • Females: 362,986

    • Population Growth (2001-2011): 20.59%

    Sex Ratio

    • Overall Sex Ratio: 966 females per 1000 males

    • Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years): 969 girls per 1000 boys

    Literacy Rate

    • Overall Literacy Rate: 69.74%

      • Male Literacy Rate: 74.87%

      • Female Literacy Rate: 64.43%

    Religious Composition

    • Hindu: 48.61% (359,145)

    • Muslim: 50.22% (371,033)

    • Christian: 0.80% (5,924)

    • Sikh: 0.05% (384)

    • Buddhist: 0.03% (236)

    • Jain: 0.12% (871)

    Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

    • Scheduled Castes (SC): Approximately 11.21%

    • Scheduled Tribes (ST): Approximately 2.55%

    Urban vs Rural Population

    • Rural Population: Approximately 85.14%

    • Urban Population: Approximately 14.86%

    Child Population

    • Total children aged 0-6 years: 116,392

    • Child population percentage: 15.75%

Administrative Setup of Bongaigaon District

• • Formation: Created on September 29, 1989, carved out from parts of Goalpara and Kokrajhar districts.
  • Administrative HQ: Bongaigaon town.
  • Sub-Divisions: 3 (Bongaigaon (Sadar), North Salmara, and Manikpur).
  • Revenue Circles and Development Blocks: 5 each.

Rainfall in Bongaigaon District

• • Climate: Subtropical.
  • Average Annual Rainfall: Ranges from 250 cm to 350 cm.
  • Monsoon Season: Most precipitation occurs from June to September, supporting agricultural activities.

Attractive Tourist Places

• • Bagheswari Temple: A significant religious site with historical importance.
  • Eco-Park: A recreational area with natural beauty and outdoor activities.
  • Suryapahar: An archaeological site with ancient ruins.
  • Tea Gardens: Showcasing the region’s tea cultivation.

Languages Spoken in Bongaigaon District

• • Assamese: 49.00%
  • Bengali: 44.84%
  • Bodo: 1.13%
  • Hindi: 1.10%
  • Kamtapuri: 1.45%