Darrang District

District Overview: Darrang District

• • Location: Central Assam, India.
  • Known For: Rich cultural heritage and historical significance.
  • Headquarters: Mangaldoi.

History of Darrang

Early History

• • Ancient Kingdoms: Part of the ancient Kamrupa kingdom; ruled by Chutias, Bodo-Kacharies, and Baro-Bhuyans.

  • Koch Kingdom (16th Century): Incorporated into Koch Hajo under King Nara Narayan.

  • Ahom Influence (17th Century): Raja Bali Narayan sought Ahom support against the Mughals; after his defeat in 1637, Ahoms took control.

Colonial Period

• • British Control (1826): Came under British rule after the Treaty of Yandabu.

  • Administrative Setup: Declared a district in 1833 with Mangaldai as headquarters, later shifted to Tezpur in 1835.

  • Peasant Uprising (1894): “Battle of Patharughat” – farmers protested high land revenue; British police fired, killing around 140, akin to Jallianwala Bagh.

Post-Independence Developments

• • District Reorganization (1983): Darrang split into Mangaldai and Sonitpur districts.

  • Cultural Contributions: Rich in literary and historical heritage; “Darrang Rajvansavali” documents its royal lineage.

Geography of Darrang District

• • Area: 1,585 square kilometers (612 square miles).
  • Topography: Mostly flat with some hilly areas.
  • Borders:
    • • North : Udalguri
      • South : Kamrup (Metro), Morigaon
      • East : Sonitpur
      • West : Kamrup
  • Rivers: Includes the Brahmaputra, Dhansiri, Bega, and Mangaldoi rivers.
  • Climate: Subtropical monsoon climate, ideal for agriculture.
  • Notable Site: Orang National Park (established in 1999) – a wildlife-rich area covering 79 square kilometers.

Socio-Economy of Darrang District

• • Economy: Primarily agrarian, with key crops like rice, jute, mustard, fruits, and vegetables.
  • Industries: Handloom weaving and bamboo crafts have a rich tradition.
  • Challenges: High poverty rate (~45.5%) and infrastructure gaps.
  • Poverty: A significant portion of the population faces economic difficulties.

Transport in Darrang District

• • Main Town: Mangaldoi, a transport hub.
  • Railway: The nearest station is in Mangaldoi, connecting it to other parts of Assam.
  • Public Transport: Buses and auto-rickshaws for local travel.

Demographics of Darrang District

• • Population Overview

    • Total Population: 928,500

      • Male Population: 475,273 (51.2%)

      • Female Population: 453,227 (48.8%)

    Literacy Rate

    • Overall Literacy Rate: 63.08%

      • Male Literacy Rate: 67.87%

      • Female Literacy Rate: 58.04%

    Sex Ratio

    • Overall Sex Ratio: 954 females per 1000 males

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

    Religious Composition

    • Muslims: 64.34% (597,392)

    • Hindus: 35.25% (327,322)

    • Christians: 0.18% (1,688)

    • Others (including Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains): Less than 1%

    Urban and Rural Distribution

    • Rural Population: 94.02% (873,006)

    • Urban Population: 5.98% (55,494)

    Child Population

    • Total Children (0-6 years): 156,408

      • Male Children: 79,437

      • Female Children: 76,971

Administrative Setup of Darrang District

• • Established: In 1983.
  • Blocks: Six administrative blocks – Mangaldoi, Sipajhar, Dalgaon, Kalaigaon, Khairabari, and Pub-Mangaldai.
  • Assembly Constituencies: Four – Mangaldoi, Sipajhar, Dalgaon, and Kalaigaon (Mangaldoi is reserved for Scheduled Castes).

Rainfall in Darrang District

• • Annual Rainfall: Ranges from 2,000 mm to 2,500 mm.
  • Monsoon: Heavy rainfall occurs mainly from June to September, which supports agriculture.

Attractive Tourist Places

• • Parks and Sanctuaries:
    • Orang National Park Also called a “miniature Kaziranga,” it is home to animals like the one-horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal tiger, and various birds.
    • Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary This is a treat for nature lovers and home to species like the pigmy hogs and the Himalayan black bear.
    • Gandhi Smriti Park A lush green park located in the center of Mangaldai town.
    Historical Places:
    • Patharughat Swaheed Minar A historical site where a large number of people were shot by the police on January 28, 1894.
    • Raj Hauli (Palace of the Koch Kings) This palace attracts many tourists, especially during the Durga Puja festival.
    Religious Sites:
    • Khatara Satra One of the oldest Satras, located 22 km from Mangaldai. Satras are similar to monasteries and unique to Assam, serving as cultural heritage centers.
    • Dihing Satra Located 45 km from Mangaldai.
    • Narikali Temple of Lord Shiva A religious site for those interested in religious tours.
    • Kamakshya Devalaya Near Lakhimpur village, this temple contains a stone fetish with 8 lotus petals on it.
    • Bar Masjid One of seven masjids around Mangaldai town.
    Other attractions:
    • Bhairabkunda A lake near Udalgiri known for its religious significance and beauty.
    • Batha Beel Offers bird watching opportunities, as thousands of migratory birds visit.
    • Pukhuria Beel Another location for bird watching.
    • Baladev Pukhuri A pond created during the reign of King Dharma Narayana, now serving as a government fishery.
    • Jaypal Pukhuri A pond created during the reign of King Jaypal, with crystal clear water

Languages Spoken in Darrang District

• • Assamese: 49.29%
  • Bengali: 48.40%
  • Hindi: 0.68%
  • Bodo: 0.45%
  • Bhojpuri: 0.37%