North Guwahati

History

North Guwahati also known as Durjaya, was capital of ancient state of Kamarupa under Pala dynasty. In early medieval times area was known as Kamarupa Nagara. North Guwahati possesses temples, roads, bridges, fortifications and moats which are of ancient origin. There are two temples on the Aswakranta hill. The upper temple contains the image of Vishnu lying on Ananta-Sajya. It is one of the finest specimens of sculptural skill in Kamarupa about the beginning of the twelfth century. The western part of the town is called Sil-Sako because it still contains a small stone-built bridge over a stream. The eastern part is known as Raja-duar (king's gate), which shows that the Raja's palace was there. The second copper-plate of Dharma Pala was found in the village of Rangmahal about two miles to the north of Raja-duar. This is another indication that the capital was then at North-Guwahati. In Rajaduur itself exists the rock-inscription, dated 1127 Saka, proclaiming the destruction of the Turkish army of Mahammad Bukhtiyar.

North Guwahati continued to be the capital from the time of Dharma Pala till about 1260 A.D. when the seat of government was transferred to further west. The stone-slab inscriptioun found on the hill in Raja-duar, abutting on the Brahmaputra, it can found that this small hill was the abode of Sri Chandra Bharati, a well-known Kamrupi poet of the sixteenth century.

Geography

North Guwahati is located at 26.18°N 91.72°E / 26.18; 91.72. It has an average elevation of 54 m (177 ft).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, North Guwahati had a population of 16,131. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. North Guwahati has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 68%. In North Guwahati, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Places of interest

North Guwahati abounds with historical temples like Dirgheswari Deavalay (temple or shrine), Doul Govinda Temple, Mani-karneswar Devalay, Aswaklanta Devalay, Rudreswar Devalay, Auniati Satra, etc. Goddess Durga is worshipped in the Dirgheswari Devalay. Surrounded by evergreen trees and a fast-flowing brook, it is a beautiful spot for picnic. Another beautiful spot is Manikoreneswar Devalay situated on a hill on the back of the river Brahmaputra. Aswaklanta, another historical place, stands on the bank of the river Brahmaputra.

Major industries are set up in North Guwahati.

IIT Guwahati

IIT Guwahati is situated here amidst scenic hills and lakes. It is the only one of the Indian Institutes of Technology in the North East.