Country India Headquarters Dhemaji ISO 3166 code IN-AS-DM Area 3,237 km² | State Assam Time zone IST (UTC+05:30) Population 688,077 (2011) | |
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Colleges and Universities Dhemaji College, Silapathar College | ||
River bramhaputra at bogibeel ghat connects dibrugarh with dhemaji districts of upper assam
Dhemaji district (Pron:deɪˈmɑ:ʤi or di:ˈmɑ:ʤi) (Assamese: ধেমাজি জিলা) is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. The district headquarters are located at Dhemaji. The district occupies an area of 3237 km² and has a population of 571,944 (as of 2001). Main Religions are Hindus 548,780, Muslims 10,533, Christians 6,390.
Contents
- River bramhaputra at bogibeel ghat connects dibrugarh with dhemaji districts of upper assam
- Map of Dhemaji Assam
- Etymology
- History
- Geography
- Education
- Economy
- Divisions
- Demographics
- Township Areas
- Flora and fauna
- References
Map of Dhemaji, Assam
Etymology
The town's name "Dhemaji' is believed to be derived from a combination two Assamese words "dhal" meaning flood and "dhemali" meaning "play".
History
The areas of the present district was part of the greater Sutiya kingdom along with Lakhimpur, Tinsukia, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Sonitpur district from the 12th century to the 16th century until the Ahom-Sutiya war during the early period of the 16th century. Ruins of the erstwhile capital are still there but not well preserved. A number of monuments Ghuguha Dol, Ma Manipuri Than, Padumani Than built by the Ahom kings are worth visiting.
Dhemaji became a fully-fledged district on 14 October 1989 when it was split from Lakhimpur district.
Geography
Dhemaji district occupies an area of 3,237 square kilometres (1,250 sq mi), comparatively equivalent to Solomon Islands' Makira Island. It is one of the most remote districts of India, at the easternmost part of Assam. Situated in the foothills of the lower Himalayas it is relatively a small town.
Being in a confluence of rivers with the mighty Brahmaputra river flanking the district and its numerous tributaries running through the district, the region is perennially affected by floods.
The heart of Dhemaji district is Dhemaji Mouza (an area demarcated by the British regime for the purpose of tax collection, equivalent to a taluk or pargana in the pan-Indian context). Secondly, Silapathar & Sissi Borgaon are the main business place of Dhemaji.The Bogibil project is running nearest to these places.
Education
Lower and Upper primary school:
Economy
In 2006 the Indian government named Dhemaji 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).
Divisions
There are two Assam Legislative Assembly constituencies in this district: Dhemaji and Jonai. Both are designated for scheduled tribes. They make up a part of the Lakhimpur Lok Sabha constituency. Dhemaji district is politically very poor. Community politics is main reason for this. Very less funds have been released for the financial year 2012-2013.As of 2013, Rani Narah is MP (Member of Parliament), Sumitra Patir is MLA from Dhemaji and Pradan Baura from Jonai. On 2016, Pradan Barua is MLA from dhemaji.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census Dhemaji district has a population of 688,077, roughly equal to the nation of Equatorial Guinea or the US state of North Dakota. This gives it a ranking of 504th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 213 inhabitants per square kilometre (550/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 20.3%. Dhemaji has a sex ratio of 949 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 69.07%.
The district is inhabited by Assamese speaking people—Sutiya, Ahom, Sonowal Kacharis, Koches, Kalita, Kaibartas and other tribes like Mishing, Tiwa (Lalung) and Deoris. Also there are the migrant Hindu and Muslim Bengalis.
Township Areas
Flora and fauna
In 1996 Dhemaji district became home to the Bardoibum-Beelmukh Wildlife Sanctuary, which has an area of 11 km2 (4.2 sq mi). It shares the park with Lakhimpur district.