Dima Hasao district

Etymology

"Dima Hasao" means "Dimasa Hills" in the Dimasa language.

History

Dimasa kingdom

Main article: Möng Mao

From , Dima Hasao was part of the Dimasa Kingdom (or Kachar kingdom), with its capital at Maibang and Dimapur. As per Ahom Buranji, the kingdom stretched from the Kopili river in present-day Nagaon district to the Dhansiri river in present-day Golaghat district. This included parts of Cachar and North Cachar (Dima Hasao), the districts of Hojai, Nagaon, Golaghat and Karbi Anglong of Assam and Dimapur district, in Nagaland.[[File:India Map 1860.png|thumb|260px|right|]]

In the colonial period, Khaspur in present-day Cachar district was the administrative centre. However an internal schism led to the division of the old Kachar Kingdom into two parts. The last Dimasa king, Govinda Chandra Hasnusa, assigned Kashi Chandra the hilly tract of Kachar (i.e. the area between Mahur river and the Naga Hills in the south, the Doyang river on the west, the Dhansiri River on the east and Jamuna river in the north.) for administrative purposes. Soon the latter declared his independence over the hilly portion. That led to the treacherous murder of Kashi Chandra by Raja Govinda Chandra Hasnusa. Incensed, the son of Kashi Chandra, Tularam Senapati, incessantly created political turbulence, asserting his sovereignty over hilly portion of Kachar Kingdom. Finally, with British assistance, Tularam succeeded in carving out his own territory from Kachar Kingdom. David Scott, agent to the British Raj in 1829 made an arrangement to recognise Tularam as the ruler of hilly tract of Kachar. In 1850, Tularam died and the frequent Angami raids and a grave incident at Semkhor village paved the ground to extend British influence over Tularam's territory. In 1852, his territory was annexed and made part of the Nowgong district of British Assam as a subdivision, with Asalu as its headquarter.

British administration

In 1866, this sub-division was abolished and apportioned into three parts among the Cachar, Naga Hills district, and Nowgong district. The present area of the Dima Hasao district was included in the old Cachar district. In 1880, this portion was constituted into a sub-division with headquarters at Gunjung under Cachar district. This headquarters was shifted to Haflong in 1895. Since then, Haflong continued to be the headquarters till 1951.

Since Indian independence

On 17 November 1951, United Mikir and North Cachar Hills District was created with area occupying present-day Dima Hasao district, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong district. On 2 February 1970, the government declared an independent administrative district, viz. North Cachar Hills District with the geographical boundary of present-day Dimapur Hasao district. On 30 March 2010, the district was further renamed to Dima Hasao district.

Geography

The district headquarters are located at Haflong. Dima Hasao district occupies an area of 4888 km2, It is the second-largest district of Assam after Karbi Anglong. Dima Hasao District is surrounded by Karbi Anglong district and Nagaland on the northeast, Manipur on the east, Hojai District to the north, West Karbi Anglong district on the northwest, Meghalaya on the west and Cachar district in the south.

Demographics

Population

According to the 2011 census, Dima Hasao had a population of 214,102, giving it a ranking of 588th in India (out of a total of 640). The district had a population density of 44 PD/sqkm. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 13.53%. Dima Hasao had a sex ratio of 931 females for every 1000 males and a literacy rate of 78.99%.

Ethnic groups

Dima Hasao is one of the three hill districts in Assam with a tribal majority population, the others being Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong. The tribal population in Dima Hasao accounts for about 70.92% of the total population of the district according to the 2011 census, the highest percentage in the state, including Dimasa Kachari, Zeme Naga, Hmar, Kuki, Karbi, Khasi, Hrangkhol and Biate. Scheduled Castes are 2.02%. Non-tribal communities includes Bengalis, Nepalis, Hindi-speakers and few other communities who have made the district their home.

As of the 2011 census, 67.07% of the population are Hindus, 29.57% Christians and 2.04% Muslims.

Languages

At the time of the 2011 census, 35.72% of the district spoke Dimasa, 11.80% Bengali, 9.65% Zeme, 7.65% Hmar, 6.36% Nepali, 5.11% Kuki, 4.46% Karbi, 3.14% Hindi, 1.93% Khasi, 1.89% Assamese.

Government and politics

Politics

Main article: Dima Hasao Autonomous Council

Dima Hasao district is an autonomous district with Sixth Schedule status granted by the Constitution of India. The Dima Hasao District is administered by Dima Hasao Autonomous Council (DHADC). Members of the Autonomous Council (MAC) are elected by people of Dima Hasao. The Political party who has majority MACs form the ruling party. The Autonomous Council is a powerful body and almost all the department of government are under its control except the police and Law & Order is under Assam Government.

Administration

Dima Hasao comprises three subdivisions: Haflong, Maibang, and Diyungbra. The district consists of five Community Development Blocks: Jatinga Valley, Mahur; Diyung Valley, Maibang; Harangajao ITD Block, Harangajao; Diyungbra ITD Block, Diyungmukh; and New Sangbar, Sangbar.

Economy

In 2006, the Indian government named Dima Hasao one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640). It is one of the eleven districts in Assam currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).

Energy

Kopili Hydro Electric Project is a power project near Umrangso, involving two dams on Kopili river and Umrong nalla, a tributary of Kopili. There are two power stations as part of Kopili HEP, Khandong Stage I & II (75 MW) and Kopili Stage I & II (200 MW), with total output of 275 MW.

Tourism

Place of interest

• Jatinga village The village Jatinga is known for mysterious 'suicide of birds', between the months of September and November. Large number of tourists visit that time of the year to witness the phenomenon.

• Panimur waterfall Panimur is also located in the Dima Hasao district of Assam, India. It is most famous for the Panimur Waterfall, also known as the Niagara of Northeast, which forms from the Kopili River as it flows over rocky terrain, creating a wide, cascading waterfall that is a major attraction for tourists and photographers. Additionally, the surrounding areas offer unique opportunities for eco-tourism and adventure activities, making it a favourite among explorers.

• Maibang The town of Maibang is notable for its rock-cut temple carved out of a single black sandstone in triangular dimension. It houses the Hindu goddess Ranachandi or Mahamaya. The town was the capital of the Dimasa Kingdom in the 16th century.

• Umrangso Notable for its hydroelectric power project and wildlife reserves, the town of Umrangso is a destination for sightseeing, fishing, camping and trekking. It is a popular resting place of the Amur falcon, and it also host the annual Falcon Festival for the same.

• Garampani The Garampani settlement, which is also known for its hot-springs, is situated 10kms from Umrangso.

Education

Average literacy rate of Dima Hasao in 2011 were 77.54% compared to 67.62% of 2001. All schools of Dima Hasao are run by the state government or private organisations. English is the primary languages of instruction in most of the schools. The schools are recognised either by the Board of Secondary Education, Assam, the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council, or the Central Board of Secondary Education. All Dima Hasao colleges are affiliated to Assam University, a central university, which imparts education in both the general as well as professional streams.

College

• Haflong Government College, Haflong

Schools

• Ever Green High School, Maibang

Media

Television

Radio

• All India Radio, Akashvani Haflong broadcasts from Haflong at 100.02 megahertz on FM band.

Notable place

• Haflong
• Maibang
• Panimur
• Umrangso

Notes

References

Sources

References

1. (2011). "District Census Handbook: Dima Hasao". [[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]].
2. "District at a Glance | Dima Hasao District | Government of Assam, India".
3. (21 October 2023). "Haflong: The only hill station in Assam". The Times of India.
4. "Dimahasao District - NC Hills Autonomous Council".
5. Rhodes, NG & Bose, SK. (2006) History of the Dimasa -Kachari As seen Through the coinage. Mira Bose: Dhubri (Assam).
6. (29 September 2021). "Historical Demarcation of Nagaland-Assam Border - Eastern Mirror".
7. Stewart, Lieutenant R. "Notes on Northern Cachar (1855).
8. (2007). "Encyclopaedia of North-East India". Atlantic Publishers & Dist.
9. Gait, Edward Albert. (9 January 2024). "A History of Assam". Thacker, Spink & Company.
10. (1981). "Assam Information". Directorate of Information & Public Relations..
11. "District Profile of Karbi Anglong".
12. (11 January 2023). "Tribes in Assam hill district seek separate autonomous council". The Hindu.
13. (2010). "India 2010: A Reference Annual". Additional Director General, Publications Division, [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)]], [[Government of India]].
14. "Districts - Assam State Portal".
15. "Administrative Division Map of Assam (Census - 2011)". Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.
16. [http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901]
17. "District Profile - Dimahasao District".
18. (2011). "Table C-01 Population By Religion: Assam". [[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]].
19. "WELCOME TO CENSUS OF INDIA : Census India Library".
20. "Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India".
21. (2011). "Table C-16 Population By Mother Tongue: Assam". [[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]].
22. "Dima Hasao District". North Cachar Hills - Government of Assam.
23. Ministry of Panchayati Raj. (8 September 2009). "A Note on the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme". National Institute of Rural Development.
24. "Kopili Hydro Electric Project".
25. (29 August 2023). "The Valley of Death: Jatinga, the Assam village, where birds are 'suicidal'". Firstpost.
26. (20 June 2021). "পানীমূৰ- নায়েগ্ৰা অৱ নর্থইষ্ট - Mahabahu.com".
27. (1 October 2020). "Panimur waterfall – The Niagara of Assam".
28. (10 January 2024). "Eco-tourism in Assam: Exploring the natural wonders of Dima Hasao".
29. In the given article published by Eastern Mirror, it has not been mentioned which area had been annexed to the Nowgong district as a subdivision in 1852. But, since Asalu has historically been a part of Tularam's territory, it can be implied that the same territory was annexed to the Nowgong district.