Introduction
Lower Assam or Western Assam is the gateway to Assam and the whole of North-East India. It mainly consists of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Dhubri, Chirang, Nalbari, Kamrup Rural, Kamrup Metro and Goalpara districts. It is considered to be the most neglected part in the whole of Assam but nature has bestowed Lower Assam with many gifts from various scenic beauties to different ethnicity, from lush green forests to beautiful hills.
In short, it can be said that Lower Assam is a place which a person must visit at least once in his/her lifetime to know the beauty of the places and the people.
Geography Of Lower Assam
The term Lower Assam is popularly used by the people residing there whereas to accurately define the region scholars refer to it as Western Assam. The total area of Lower Assam region is 17420.28 sq. km. (approx)
Lower Assam is an administrative division of Assam comprising of the Kamrup and the Goalpara region under the jurisdiction of a Commissioner, stationed at Guwahati. The region covers the lower areas of the Brahmaputra river occupying entire western Brahmaputra valley.
The climate of Lower Assam is intermediate to that of West Bengal and Central Assam Valley. In this region, the day temperature in April-May is nearly the same as in the monsoon months. In summer, the maximum temperature reaches around 35 degree Celsius and during the winter season, the maximum temperature is somewhat around 32 degree Celsius.
The presence of mighty Brahmaputra River has slowly enhanced the land into a very fertile zone where numerous cash crops are grown today. Due to its geographical location and climatic conditions, Lower Assam is credited for having quality alluvial soil.
Demography Of Lower Assam
According to the Census published in 2011, the total population of Lower Assam was 1,12,53,550 out of which 19,59,707 were urban population while rural population was 92,93,843. This demographic Census metrics shows that the majority of the population in Lower Assam resides in the rural region.
Source: 2011 Census
History Of Lower Assam
In the Hindu epics Lower Assam region was mentioned as Pragjyotisha. The first historical mention of the Lower Assam region was found in the Pragya stone pillar, where it is mentioned as one the frontier kingdom. This region served as the capital of ancient Kamrup kingdom till its end. Three dynasties predominantly ruled the Lower Assam region throughout its course of history.
Varman Dynasty
The founder of Varman dynasty was Pushya Varman (350AD-374AD) named after Pushyamitra Sunga and became the first ruler of Varman dynasty. His son Samudra Varman (374AD-398AD) named after Samudragupta was accepted as an overlord by many local rulers. Initially the Kamrup kingdom was a small kingdom but with the acceptance of the king Samudra Varman as their overlord by many local rulers, it grew into a powerful kingdom which was much larger than the modern Kamrup region.
The first major assault on the Kamrup kingdom came from the Yasodharman (525AD-535AD) of Malwa but it is unclear as to what were the consequences of the invasion under the Bhuti Varman’s reign. The most illustrious of the Varman kings was the Bhaskar Varman (600AD-650AD) who succeeded in turning his kingdom and invading the very kingdom which took him as captive. With the alliance of Harshvardhana, Bhaskar Varman was able to defeat Shasanka and take over most of Gauda kingdom.
In about 643AD Yuan Chiwang (Huen Tsang) visited Bhaskar Varman’s court and recorded details of his kingdom. Later on, they both became very good friends as Bhaskar Varman accompanied Yuan Chiwang on a mission to India as his second-in-command. According to Chinese accounts, Bhaskar Varman was bachelor king and died without an heir.
Pala Dynasty
The founder of Pala dynasty was Brahma Pala (900AD-920AD) and ruled from the capital of Durjaya (modern day Guwahati). Pala dynasty reached its peak during the reign of Dharma Pala. Records of the land grants have been found in Bargaon and Sualkuchi of Pala dynasty. A relic of Indra Pala has also been discovered in Guwahati. Pala dynasty came to an end with Jaya Pala (1075AD-1100AD)
Ahom Dynasty
In 1228AD the Ahoms entered Assam crossing the eastern hills and with very little resistance from the local tribes like Chutias and Kacharis were successfully able to establish their kingdom. The entrance of the Ahoms in Assam marked a beginning of the new history in Assam and many scholars and historians are of the view that the present day state got its name from the Ahom dynasty.
With the growing power of the Ahom dynasty the center of power shifted from Kamrup in Lower Assam to Sibsagar in Upper Assam. The importance of Lower Assam declined considerably, except for a short period in the early 16th century when the Koch dynasty expanded their western limits significantly under their illustrious king Naranarayana.
Culture Of Lower Assam
Villages in Lower Assam still contain the traditional Vedic culture while in the case of towns and cities the culture had been modernized a bit. During the reign of Pushya Varman the founder of Kamrup dynasty the culture of Lower Assam largely flourished. Scholars believe Bhaskar Varman’s Kamrupi culture had a significant mark in every sphere which included Science, Literature and Astronomy as well.
Languages Of Lower Assam
When Yuan Chiwang visited the region in the seventh century AD he also wrote about the language, which convinced many historians and scholars that “Assamese entered into Kamrupa or Lower Assam where this speech was first identified as Assamese”.
Indo-Aryan languages are predominant in the region. Kamrupi, Goalparia, Bodo, Rabha and Koch are the languages spoken in the lower Assam region.
Kamrupi
It is a dialect of Assamese and was the first ancient Aryan literary language spoken in Brahmaputra valley. The Kamrupi language is heterogeneous with four dialects; Barpetiya, Nalbariya, Kamrupi and South-Kamrupi.
Goalpariya
It is a group of regional Indo-Aryan dialects spoken in the present day Dhubri, Goalpara, Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon district of the Lower Assam region. The basic characteristic of the Goalpariya language is that it is a composite one into which words of different concerns and regions have been amalgamated.
Rabha
It is a Sino-Tibeten language of India. The two dialects, Maituri and Rongdani are divergent enough to cause problems in communication.
Koch
This language is a small family of a Sino-Tibeten language spoken in Eastern India. They are Atong, Koch, Ruga and Rabha.
Bodo
It is an ancient language of Assam. The names of the rivers like Dihing, Dibru, Dihong, Dikrai etc reveals that it was the most important language in the ancient times. Bodo language is now spoken largely in the Lower Assam region (Bodo Territorial Council area).
Religion In Lower Assam
Hinduism and Islam are the major religion followed by the people of Lower Assam region. Hindu way of life can be seen in their dressing, foods and lifestyle, an important aspect of cultural identity for the people of the Lower Assam region.
In the early part of the second Millennium, Islam arrived in the Lower Assam region with the Turkish and Afghan invaders. The Muslims first came to Assam in the early 13th century, when Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji, led an army to eastern India in 1205AD and with came the Islam religion.
Music Of Lower Assam
Music plays a very important role in the life of the people of the Lower Assam region. With the vast culture and ethnic background Lower Assam is rich in different folk song and dance. Music can be seen and heard in almost every kind of festivals in Lower Assam; songs linking the day to day activities are also popular like biyar geet (marriage song), now khelar geet (boat race) and harvest festivals geet.
Kamrupi Lokgeet
It is a popular folk music of Kamrup. It is a popular form of folk music that express thought and emotion of the people of the Lower Assam region.
Goalpariya geet
It is a folk music of Goalpara, sung to traditional lyrics. Some noted singers are Allaudin Sarkar, Hamida Sarkar, Abdul Jabber and many more.
Dances Of Lower Assam
Folk dances of Lower Assam include the Bihu dance and Bagurumba (both danced during the festivals held in the spring), the Bhortal Nritya and the Ojapali.
The Bihu Dance
It is a joyous dance performed both by men and women and is characterized to brisk dance steps and rapid hand movement. While performing this dance dancers wear Mekhela Chador (traditional Assamese clothing). Its origin is unknown but was first cited to be when Ahom king Rudra Singha invited Bihu dancers to perform at the Ranghar on the occasion of Rongali Bihu somewhere around 1694AD.
Bagurumba
It is a folk dance of Bodo tribes in Lower Assam region. The dance is sometimes referred to as “butterfly dance” as its motion resembles butterflies and is usually practiced during Bwisagu a festivals of Bodo in the Bishuba Sankranti on mid-April. While performing this dance Bodo women wear their traditional dress Dokhna, Jwmgra and Aronai accompanied by musical instruments like Serja (a bowed instrument), Sifung (flute), Tharkha (a piece of split bamboo), Kham/Madal (a long drum made of wood and goat skin), Jota (brass plates) and Gongona (curved horn).
Bhortal Nritya
It is known to have developed by Narahari Burha Bbakat, a well known Satriya artist. This dance of Barpeta district of Lower Assam region is said to have been derived from the classical dance of this state and is one of the most popular dance in the Lower Assam region.
Ojapali
It is a traditional folk dance of Lower Assam region. This dance form is believed to have been evolved from puppetry and is performed in a group and is considered to be one of the oldest dance forms of Lower Assam region.
Cuisine Of Lower Assam
The food of Lower Assam is quite simple to certain extent. Mustard seeds and coconut is largely used in cooking, while ginger, garlic, pepper and onion are rarely used. But with people belonging to different ethnic background, Lower Assam provides with a wide variety of cuisines.
Panta Bhat
It is the main traditional food of Rajbongshi people. Rice is cooked in a bamboo along with banana leaves by putting it in a fire.
Topla Bhat
It is a special kind of rice (Borni Chawel) wrapped in a banana leaf and tied with banana plant thread and is put in a mud vessel which contains water in it and is cooked in a fire.
Oma Bedor (Pork Meat)
It is considered a delicacy among the Bodo people in the Lower Assam region. It is fried, roasted, stewed or smoked in the sun for several days.
Napham
It is a unique dish made by grinding smoked fish, specific leafy vegetables, ground powder and the mixture is allowed to age in a sealed bamboo cylinder. The aged Napham could be fried or eaten as it is.
Onla
It is a gravy made from rice powder and slices of bamboo shoot cooked lightly with Khardwi and spices.
Zei-Mei/Jumai (Rice Wine)
This rice wine is produced mainly during Bodo festivals like Bwisagu and Domasi. This wine can be of two types i.e. Gishi (wet) and Gwran (dry). Gishi is brewed by fermenting rice and when plum is added to the Gishi mixture during fermentation, the product is plum wine. Gwran is produced by distillation and it tastes much like Japanese Sake.
Narzi
A bitter gravy that is made from dried jute leaves. Fresh water fish or pork is also added together to generate a distinct taste.
Serep
It is a beverage that is traditionally produced by women by the process of distillation. Serep is even stronger than foreign liquor.
Important Places In Lower Assam
Jogighopa and Pancharatna
These are the two historic sites situated on either bank of Brahmaputra river in Lower Assam. Jogighopa lies in the northern bank and Pancharatna lies in the southern bank of river Brahmaputra. Some cubicles which are cut on step rocks, supposed to have been used by monks for meditation in the medieval period can be found in these areas. Pancharatna boasts some ruins of a past Gupta temple and some rock-cut ruins including a monolithic Buddhist Stupa.
Kachugaon Game Reserve
It is located in Kachugaon under Gossaigaon sub-division of Kokrajhar district. It covers an area of around 214 sq. km. and has rare and endangered species of gaur, golden langur, spotted deer and elephant.
Sri Surjya Pahar
It is in Goalpara district and is famous for several rock-cut Shivalingas, Votiva Stupas and the deities of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain pantheon. The popular belief is that 99,999 Shivalingas were engraved here by Vyasa in order to build up a second Kashi and once it was one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in whole of Lower Assam.
Manas National Park
This national park is situated in Barpeta district and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a project tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve in Lower Assam. This park is famous for rare and endangered species like Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur, pygmy hog and water buffalo.
Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary
This wildlife sanctuary situated in Kokrajhar district is spread over an area of 45.50 sq. km. and is home to the golden langur. The sanctuary also has about 273 species of birds, 14 species of reptiles, 11 species of amphibians and 60 species of fishes.
Netai Dhubuni Ghat
This ghat is situated in Dhubri district. The word “Dhubri” comes from a legendary lady named Netai Dhubuni. The story of lady Netai Dhubuni is widely accepted for the naming history of Dhubri.
Barpeta Satra
It is one of the leading attractions in Barpeta district. Ever since it was founded by Shri Madhavdeva over 500 years ago, the Satra remains the most influential identity of all Vaishnavite Satras in Assam. Kirtan Ghar, the prayer hall of Barpeta Satra is the biggest hall among the Satras across Assam. It is a fine specimen of the architectural excellence in Assam during medieval period. Tourists from various parts of the world frequently visit this place.
Ripu and Chirang Forest Reserve
It is a contiguous forest area which connects with the buffer zone of Manas Tiger Project and contiguous with those of Buxa Tiger Reserve of West Bengal and Phipsoo Wildlife Sanctuary of Bhutan. This forest reserve is situated in the extreme western part of Lower Assam and is enriched with the known largest population of golden langur. Till now, no detailed study of avian fauna have been done about this area but some preliminary study shows that this area is so diverse that more than 200 species are easily accessible.
Industries In Lower Assam
Lower Assam has strong presence of industries in the region which also provides people with various job opportunities.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited
The IOCL Bongaigaon Refinery is the eighth largest refinery of Indian Oil. Formed upon the amalgamation of Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemical Limited (BRPL) with Indian Oil on March 25th 2009. Bongaigaon Refinery is situated at Dhaligaon in Chirang district of Lower Assam.
NTPC Bongaigaon
This power project is located at Salakati in Kokrajhar district of Lower Assam. This power plant is one of the coal based power plants of NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation). The planned capacity of NTPC Bongaigaon is 750 MW of electricity out of which 250 MW has already been commissioned in the month of June 2015. And the project is expected to be fully functional by the end of the year 2017 with a manufacturing capacity of 750 MW of electricity.
Apart from these two major industries there are several other small scale factories in Lower Assam which also provide a good number of employments to the people of this region. A few of them are Carbon factory in Tuniapara, Ice factory in Bongaigaon, Tribal Co-Operative Dairy Farm and Allied Industries Ltd in Dhaligaon
Occupation In Lower Assam
Many people of Lower Assam are dependent on agriculture as their primary source of income; hence they work as farmers in their own land. A certain groups of society in Goalpara, Kamrup and Barpeta district are Hira Potters. Pottery making is an age-old traditional occupation but with the establishment of industries like IOCL, NTPC and various different factories, people are now working as full-time service holders. With a large number of educational institutions in Lower Assam, some people are also into the profession of teaching.
Educational Institutions In Lower Assam
Lower Assam also has a good number of educational institutions which contributes to the good literacy rate in the region. Some of them are mentioned below.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati is the sixth member of the IIT fraternity and was established in 1994. The academic programme of IIT Guwahati was commenced in 1995. The campus is spread on a sprawling 285 hectares plot of land on the north bank of the river Brahmaputra around 20 kms. from the heart of the city. With the majestic Brahmaputra on one side, and with hills and vast open spaces on others, the campus provides an ideal setting for learning.
Central Institute of Technology (CIT)
It is a public engineering institution establishes by the Government of India in 2006. It spreads across 20 acres in the area of Debargaon-Tiniali patch of Kokrajhar district.
Bodoland University
This is a university located in Debargaon and was established by the Bodoland University Act 2009 by the Assam Government. Students from Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh also come here for higher studies.
Science College, Kokrajhar
Established in 1959, though it started with Arts stream only, the Science stream was launched in 1964 and was brought under deficit system in 1972.
Goalpara College
It was established in 1955 with the help and co-operation of the local people. It is an old and premier institution for higher learning in Lower Assam.
Delhi Public School, Dhaligaon
Delhi Public School Dhaligaon is one of the most prestigious schools of Lower Assam. It was established in 1997. It is situated in Dhaligaon in the district of Chirang. The school is affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which is the largest educational board in the country.
Kendriya Vidyalaya, New Bongaigaon
It is a school directly run by the Central Government that has been instituted under the aegis of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
Birjhora Mahavidyalaya
Birjhora Mahavidyalaya popularly known as Birjhora Science College was established in 1986 and is affiliated to Gauhati University. It offers regular Three-year Degree Course in Science (B.Sc). Besides the traditional regular courses, the college also offers study of courses conducted by the Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL)-Gauhati University , Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University (KKHSOU) and various courses of IGNOU.
Apart from all these institutions there are also many other significant institutions such as U.N.Brahma College in Chirang, Bengtol College in Chirang, B.Ed College in Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar, Bijni College, Bongaigaon College, Bongaigaon Polytechnic, Abhayapuri College, Madhab Choudhury College in Barpeta, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College in Barpeta, Bhola Nath College in Dhubri, Kokrajhar Govt. College, Commerce College in Kokrajhar and many more…
Eminent Personalities Of Lower Assam
Many eminent personalities from Lower Assam played a major role in shaping the course of history, art, culture and various other fields of interest. Some of them are:
Pratima Pandey
Pratima Baruah Pandey was a popular folk singer from the royal family of Gauripur in Dhubri district. She was one of the greatest folk artists that Assam has ever produced.
Padmashree Nalini Bala Devi
She was born in Guwahati in 1898 and was best known female poet of her era. She was a noted Indian writer and poet of Assamese literature, known for nationalistic as well as mystery poetry. She was awarded the Padmashree by the Government of India in 1957 for her contribution to literature.
Bir Chilarai
Born in 1510, the younger brother of king Naranarayana (Kamata Kingdom) was known as Shukladhwaj. He was a great general who belonged to the Koch royal dynasty of Lower Assam. A master military strategist, he was the commander of his elder brother and Koch king Naranarayana’s army.
Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phukan
Tarun Ram Phukan, popularly known as Deshbhakta in Assam, was born in Guwahati in Kamrup district on January 22, 1877. He was a prominent member of the Assam Association which was the only political organization in Assam till 1920. He played an important role in forming the Assam branch of the Indian National Congress in 1921.
Dr.Mangal Singh Hazowary
Dr.Mangal Singh Hazowary is a noted writer and the first Academy Award winner (2005) among the Bodo people. He has been working endlessly for the upliftment of Bodo literature and culture.
Nabakanta Baruah
He is popularly known as Ekhud Kokaideu among Assamese people and was a prominent Assamese novelist and poet. He was born on 29th December 1926 in Guwahati.
Check out the 10 things you must know about all the districts of Lower Assam:
10 Things You Must Know About Kokrajhar
10 Things You Must Know About Barpeta
10 Things You Must Know About Nalbari
10 Things You Must Know About Dhubri
10 Things You Must Know About Guwahati
10 Things You Must Know About Chirang
10 Things You Must Know About Goalpara
10 Things You Must Know About Bongaigaon
References:
Wikipedia
Assam Science Technology Environment Council
Dept. of Environment and Forest (Govt. of Assam)
Envis Centre, Ministry of Environment and Forest (Govt. of India)
assaminfo.com
bodoland.in
Wikimapia
Sulekha Creative
wildtrail.org
chirang.gov.in
iitg.ac.in
census2011.co.in
Krishi Kosh – Indian National Agricultural Research System