Dima Hasao district
Dima Hasao district | |
---|---|
UTC+5:30 (IST) | |
PIN | 788XXX |
Telephone code | 91 - (0) 03673 |
ISO 3166 code | IN-AS |
Vehicle registration | AS-08 |
Website | dimahasao.assam.gov.in |
Dima Hasao district (IPA: [ˈdɪmə həˈsaʊ]), is an administrative district in the state of Assam, India. As of 2011, it is the least populous district of Assam.[1] [2]
Dima Hasao district is one of two autonomous hill districts of Assam. The district headquarters Haflong is the only hill station in the state.[3]
Etymology
"Dima Hasao" means "Dimasa Hills" in the Dimasa language.[4]
History
Dimasa kingdom
From c. 1500, Dima Hasao was part of the
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
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.[14][15] In 1880, this portion was constituted into a sub-division with headquarters at Gunjung under Cachar district.[12] This headquarters was shifted to Haflong in 1895. Since then, Haflong continued to be the headquarters till 1951.[12]
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.[4][16] On 2 February 1970, the government declared an independent administrative district, viz., North Cachar Hills District with the geographical boundary of autonomous North Cachar Hills district council.[4] The council possesses administrative control over almost all departments of the district except police and Law and Order.[4][17]
Geography
The district headquarters are located at
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
1901 | 40,812 | — |
1911 | 27,296 | −3.94% |
1921 | 28,913 | +0.58% |
1931 | 32,844 | +1.28% |
1941 | 37,361 | +1.30% |
1951 | 39,663 | +0.60% |
1961 | 54,319 | +3.19% |
1971 | 76,047 | +3.42% |
1991 | 150,801 | +3.48% |
2001 | 188,079 | +2.23% |
2011 | 214,102 | +1.30% |
source:[22] |
Population
According to the
Ethnic groups
As per the language data, the largest non-tribal communities are Bengalis (25,264: change of -7.53% from 2001), Nepalis (13,615: +9.76%), Hindi speakers (9,926: +13.83%), Assamese speakers (4,057: -26.32%),
As of the 2011 census, 67.07% of the population are Hindus, 29.57% Christians and 2.04% Muslims.[24]
Ethnic Group | Decadal growth rate |
2001[25] | 2011[26] | Religion (2001) | Religion (2011) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | +13.83% | 188,079 | 214,102 | Hindu - 69.91% | Hindu - 67.07% |
Dimasa | +14.83% | 64,881 | 74,502 | Hindu - 98.73% | Hindu - 99.19% |
Kuki | +43.69% | 16,757 | 24,079 | Christian - 91.98%, Hindu - 7.56% | Christian - 93.17%, Hindu - 6.03% |
Naga | +21.98% | 17,078 | 20,832 | Christian - 52.20%, Hindu - 43.72%, Animist - 3.43% | Christian - 53.67%, Hindu - 40.46%, Animist - 5.14% |
Hmar | +8.7% | 13,863 | 15,070 | Christian - 98.71% | Christian - 99.18% |
Karbi | +16.59% | 7,973 | 9,296 | Hindu - 63.18%, Christian - 36.52% | Hindu - 50.77%, Christian - 48.69% |
Khasi | +17.89% | 3,157 | 3,722 | Christian - 95.31% | Christian - 96.94% |
Smaller tribes | -8.6% | 4,719 | 4,342 | Christian - 59.00%, Hindu - 38.12% | Christian - 62.92%, Hindu - 34.94% |
Non-tribal | +3.41% | 59,651 | 61,686 | Hindu - 86.57%, Muslim - 7.34%, Christian - 4.57% | Hindu - 85.80%, Muslim - 6.50%, Christian - 5.57% |
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.[23]
Government and politics
Politics
Dima Hasao district is an
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.[27]
Economy
In 2006, the Indian government named Dima Hasao one of the country's 250
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.[29]
Tourism
The village Jatinga is known for mysterious 'suicide of birds', between the months of September and November.[12][30] Large number of tourists visit that time of the year to witness the phenomenon.[12]
The town of
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
- St. Agnes Higher Secondary School, Haflong, Built by British during Colonial era for children of British officers and elite Indians in 1918
- Govt Boys Higher Secondary School, Haflong, Built post independence for boys.
- Govt Girls Higher Secondary School, Haflong Built post independence for girls
- Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Haflong
- Ever Green High School, Maibang
Media
Television
Channel | Year founded | Language | Owned by | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
NDH (News Dima Hasao) | Dimasa, Hindi, English | Zed Nunisa | [1] | |
Assam Talks | Assamese | Mahmadhul Hussan | ||
News Live | Assamese | Ashim Choudhury | ||
News Time Assam | Assamese | Anup Biswas | ||
Prag News | Assamese | Sanjib Dutta | ||
DY365 | Assamese | Samsul Alam | ||
NKTV | Assamese | Pankaj Kumar Deb | ||
Hills Live TV | ||||
Borail News | ||||
Karbi Anglong Live | English and Karbi | Suroj Barman | ||
Pratidin Times | Assamese | Pankaj Tumung |
Radio
- All India Radio, Akashvani Haflong broadcasts from Haflong at 100.02 megahertz on FM band.
See also
- List of districts of Assam
- 2024 Dima Hasao Autonomous Council Election
Notes
- ^ 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.
References
- ^ a b "District Census Handbook: Dima Hasao" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
- ^ "District at a Glance | Dima Hasao District | Government of Assam, India".
- ^ "Haflong: The only hill station in Assam". The Times of India. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Dimahasao District - NC Hills Autonomous Council". Government Of Assam, India. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ Shin 2020, p. 64.
- ^ Shin 2020, p. 70.
- ^ Bhattacharjee 1987, p. 222.
- ^ Ramirez 2007, p. 93.
- ^ Phukan 1992, p. 57.
- ^ Rhodes, NG & Bose, SK. (2006) History of the Dimasa -Kachari As seen Through the coinage. Mira Bose: Dhubri (Assam).
- ^ "Historical Demarcation of Nagaland-Assam Border - Eastern Mirror". easternmirrornagaland.com. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Assam Information. Directorate of Information & Public Relations. 1981. pp. 47–50.
- ^ Stewart, Lieutenant R. "Notes on Northern Cachar (1855).
- ISBN 978-81-269-0703-8.
- ^ Gait, Edward Albert (9 January 2024). A History of Assam. Thacker, Spink & Company. p. 307.
- ^ "District Profile of Karbi Anglong". Government Of Assam, India. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ Johari, Binali. "Administrative Structure". North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ISBN 978-81-230-1617-7.
- ^ a b "District Profile - Dimahasao District". Government Of Assam, India. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ "Districts - Assam State Portal". assam.gov.in. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ "Administrative Division Map of Assam (Census - 2011)". censusindia.gov.in. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901
- ^ a b c d e "Table C-16 Population By Mother Tongue: Assam". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Table C-01 Population By Religion: Assam". census.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ "WELCOME TO CENSUS OF INDIA : Census India Library".
- ^ "Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India".
- ^ "Dima Hasao District". North Cachar Hills - Government of Assam. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- ^ Ministry of Panchayati Raj (8 September 2009). "A Note on the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme" (PDF). National Institute of Rural Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
- ^ "Kopili Hydro Electric Project". Water Resources Information System of India. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
- ^ "The Valley of Death: Jatinga, the Assam village, where birds are 'suicidal'". Firstpost. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
Sources
- Bhattacharjee, J B (1987). "The Economic Content of the Medieval State Formation Processes among the Dimasas of North East India". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 48: 222–225. JSTOR 44141683.
- Phukan, J. N. (1992), "Chapter III The Tai-Ahom Power in Assam", in Barpujari, H. K. (ed.), The Comprehensive History of Assam, vol. II, Guwahati: Assam Publication Board, pp. 49–60
- Ramirez, Philippe (2007), "Politico-ritual variations on the Assamese fringes: Do social systems exist?", in Sadan, Mandy; Robinne., François (eds.), Social Dynamics in the Highlands of Southeast Asia Reconsidering Political Systems of Highland Burma, Boston: Brill, pp. 91–107
- Shin, Jae-Eun (2020). "Descending from demons, ascending to kshatriyas: Genealogical claims and political process in pre-modern Northeast India, The Chutiyas and the Dimasas". The Indian Economic and Social History Review. 57 (1): 49–75. S2CID 213213265.