Dima Hasao district#History

"Dima Hasao" means "Dimasa Hills" in the Dimasa language.{{cite web |title=Dimahasao District - NC Hills Autonomous Council |url=https://dimahasao.assam.gov.in/information-and-services/nc-hills-autonomous-council |website=Government Of Assam, India |access-date=8 November 2023}}

{{Main|Möng Mao}}

From {{Circa|1500}}, Dima Hasao was part of the Dimasa Kingdom (or Kachar kingdom), with its capital at Maibang and Dimapur.{{sfn|Shin|2020|p=64}}{{sfn|Shin|2020|p=70}}{{sfn|Bhattacharjee|1987|p=222}} 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.{{sfn|Ramirez|2007|p=93}}{{sfn|Phukan|1992|p=57}}File:India Map 1860.png created by W. G. Blackie in 1860}}]]

File:Bengal gazetteer 1907.jpg created by J. G. Bartholomew in 1907. A part of Tularam's territory (stretching from Jamuna river to Lumding) was transferred to Sivasagar district and the rest (stretching from Lumding to Maibang) was transferred to Cachar district.}}]]

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.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} 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 1829Rhodes, NG & Bose, SK. (2006) History of the Dimasa -Kachari As seen Through the coinage. Mira Bose: Dhubri (Assam). 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.{{Cite web |date=29 September 2021 |title=Historical Demarcation of Nagaland-Assam Border - Eastern Mirror |url=https://easternmirrornagaland.com/historical-demarcation-of-nagaland-assam-border/ |access-date=28 May 2023 |website=easternmirrornagaland.com |language=en-GB}}Stewart, Lieutenant R. "Notes on Northern Cachar (1855).

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.{{cite book |last1=Prakash |first1=Col Ved |title=Encyclopaedia of North-East India |date=2007 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist |isbn=978-81-269-0703-8 |page=268,269 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ic4UCdaxbHIC&pg=PA268}}{{cite book |last=Gait |first=Edward Albert |title=A History of Assam |date=9 January 2024 |publisher=Thacker, Spink & Company |page=307 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GvcRAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA307}} In 1880, this portion was constituted into a sub-division with headquarters at Gunjung under Cachar district.{{cite book |title=Assam Information |date=1981 |publisher=Directorate of Information & Public Relations. |pages=47–50 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W7e1AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA47}} This headquarters was shifted to Haflong in 1895. Since then, Haflong continued to be the headquarters till 1951.

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.{{cite web |title=District Profile of Karbi Anglong |url=https://karbianglong.gov.in/information-services/district-profile |website=Government Of Assam, India |access-date=8 November 2023}} 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.{{cite news |title=Tribes in Assam hill district seek separate autonomous council |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/tribes-in-assam-hill-district-seek-separate-autonomous-council/article66360275.ece |work=The Hindu |date=11 January 2023 |access-date=10 October 2024}}

The district headquarters are located at Haflong. Dima Hasao district occupies an area of {{convert|4888|km2|sqmi}},{{cite book|last1=Srivastava |first1=Dayawanti |title=India 2010: A Reference Annual |publisher=Additional Director General, Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India), Government of India |year=2010 |isbn=978-81-230-1617-7 |edition=54th |location=New Delhi, India |pages=1116 |chapter=States and Union Territories: Assam: Government}} It is the second-largest district of Assam after Karbi Anglong.{{cite web |title=Districts - Assam State Portal |url=https://assam.gov.in/about-us/396 |website=assam.gov.in |access-date=8 November 2023}} 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.{{cite web |title=Administrative Division Map of Assam (Census - 2011) |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/1369 |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=8 November 2023}}

{{historical populations|11=1901|12=40,812|13=1911|14=27,296|15=1921|16=28,913|17=1931|18=32,844|19=1941|20=37,361|21=1951|22=39,663|23=1961|24=54,319|25=1971|26=76,047|27=1991|28=1,50,801|29=2001|30=1,88,079|31=2011|32=2,14,102|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901]|align=right}}

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 {{convert|44|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}}. 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%.

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%.{{cite web |title=District Profile - Dimahasao District |url=https://dimahasao.assam.gov.in/about-us/district-profile |website=Government Of Assam, India |access-date=8 November 2023}} Non-tribal communities includes Bengalis, Nepalis, Hindi-speakers and few other communities who have made the district their home.

{{bar box

|title=Religions in Dima Hasao district (2011)

|titlebar=#FCD116

|left1=Religion

|right1=Percent

|float=right

|bars=

{{bar percent|Hinduism|darkorange|67.07}}

{{bar percent|Christianity|dodgerblue|29.57}}

{{bar percent|Islam|green|2.04}}

{{bar percent|Others (Tribal religion)|chartreuse|0.55}}

{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.77}}

}}

As of the 2011 census, 67.07% of the population are Hindus, 29.57% Christians and 2.04% Muslims.{{cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-01 Population By Religion: Assam |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11365/download/14478/DDW18C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=census.gov.in |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India |access-date=9 November 2023}}

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Languages of Dima Hasao (2011)

|label1 = Dimasa |value1 = 35.72 |color1 = powderblue

|label2 = Bengali |value2 = 11.80 |color2 = orchid

|label3 = Zeme |value3 = 9.65 |color3 = thistle

|label4 = Hmar |value4 = 7.65 |color4 = lavender

|label5 = Nepali |value5 = 6.36 |color5 = lightcoral

|label6 = Kuki |value6 = 5.11 |color6 = slateblue

|label7 = Karbi |value7 = 4.46 |color7 = darkblue

|label8 = Hindi |value8 = 3.14 |color8 = orange

|label9 = Khasi |value9 = 1.93 |color9 = aqua

|label10 = Assamese |value10 = 1.89 |color10 = purple

|label11 = Others |value11 = 12.29 |color11 = grey

}}

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.{{cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-16 Population By Mother Tongue: Assam |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10195/download/13307/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India |access-date=9 November 2023}}

{{Main|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.

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.{{cite web |title=Dima Hasao District |url=http://nchills.gov.in/NCHILLS-ADMIN.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921184021/http://nchills.gov.in/NCHILLS-ADMIN.htm |archive-date=21 September 2019 |access-date=19 September 2018 |publisher=North Cachar Hills - Government of Assam}}

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).{{cite web|author=Ministry of Panchayati Raj |date=8 September 2009 |title=A Note on the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme |publisher=National Institute of Rural Development |url=http://www.nird.org.in/brgf/doc/brgf_BackgroundNote.pdf |access-date=27 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405033402/http://www.nird.org.in/brgf/doc/brgf_BackgroundNote.pdf |archive-date=5 April 2012 }}

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.{{Cite web|url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Kopili_Hydroelectric_Project_JH00099|title=Kopili Hydro Electric Project|website=Water Resources Information System of India|access-date=23 February 2019|archive-date=20 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220041715/http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Kopili_Hydroelectric_Project_JH00099|url-status=dead}}

• Jatinga village

The village Jatinga is known for mysterious 'suicide of birds', between the months of September and November.{{cite news |title=The Valley of Death: Jatinga, the Assam village, where birds are 'suicidal' |url=https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/the-valley-of-death-jatinga-the-assam-village-where-birds-are-suicidal-13052212.html |access-date=8 November 2023 |work=Firstpost |date=29 August 2023}} 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,{{Cite web |date=20 June 2021 |title=পানীমূৰ- নায়েগ্ৰা অৱ নর্থইষ্ট - Mahabahu.com |url=https://mahabahu.com/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%82%E0%A7%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%8D%E0%A7%B0%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%85%E0%A7%B1-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A5/ |access-date=1 October 2024 |website=mahabahu.com |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |date=1 October 2020 |title=Panimur waterfall – The Niagara of Assam |url=https://destinationassam.org/2020/10/01/panimur-waterfall-assam/ |access-date=30 September 2024 |website=Destination Assam |language=en}} Additionally, the surrounding areas offer unique opportunities for eco-tourism and adventure activities, making it a favourite among explorers.{{Cite web |date=10 January 2024 |title=Eco-tourism in Assam: Exploring the natural wonders of Dima Hasao |url=https://assamtourism.gov.in/eco-tourism-dima-hasao |access-date=1 October 2024 |website=Assam Tourism |language=en}}

• 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.

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.

• Haflong Government College, Haflong

• Ever Green High School, Maibang

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

• Haflong
• Maibang
• Panimur
• Umrangso

• List of districts of Assam
• 2024 Dima Hasao Autonomous Council Election

{{Reflist|group=Note|refs=

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.

}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite journal| last = Bhattacharjee| first=J B| title = The Economic Content of the Medieval State Formation Processes among the Dimasas of North East India | journal= Proceedings of the Indian History Congress| volume=48 | year=1987| pages= 222–225| jstor=44141683|issn=2249-1937}}
• {{Citation |last=Phukan |first=J. N. |contribution=Chapter III The Tai-Ahom Power in Assam |editor-last=Barpujari |editor-first=H. K. |title=The Comprehensive History of Assam |volume=II |pages=49–60 |publisher=Assam Publication Board |place=Guwahati |year=1992}}
• {{citation |last=Ramirez |first=Philippe |year=2007 |chapter=Politico-ritual variations on the Assamese fringes: Do social systems exist? |pages=91–107 |title=Social Dynamics in the Highlands of Southeast Asia Reconsidering Political Systems of Highland Burma |editor-first=Mandy |editor-last=Sadan |editor-first2=François |editor-last2=Robinne. |place=Boston |publisher=Brill}}
• {{cite journal|last1=Shin|first1=Jae-Eun|year=2020|title=Descending from demons, ascending to kshatriyas: Genealogical claims and political process in pre-modern Northeast India, The Chutiyas and the Dimasas|journal=The Indian Economic and Social History Review|volume=57|issue=1|pages=49–75|doi=10.1177/0019464619894134|s2cid=213213265}}

{{Wikivoyage|Dima Hasao}}

• [https://dimahasao.assam.gov.in/ Dima Hasao District Official Website]

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Dima Hasao district

|North = Nagaon district

|Northeast = Karbi Anglong district (Eastern)

|East = Peren district, Nagaland

|Southeast = Tamenglong district, Manipur

|South = Cachar district

|Southwest =

|West = Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya

|Northwest = Karbi Anglong district (Western)

}}

{{Assam}}

{{Autonomous Areas of Northeast India}}

{{Minority Concentrated Districts in India}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Districts of Assam

Category:1970 establishments in Assam