History of Karimganj District
Early period
The early history of present district of Karimganj, Assam, is hazy and obscure. With available source materials and evidences, it is difficult to construct a chronologically comprehensive account of early history of the region. Only a broad outline, with major gaps, can be attempted.
From the Nidhanpur copper inscriptions issued by King Bhaskarbarman, it is learnt that the region has been within the Kamrupa Kingdom for about a hundred years since A.D. sixth century. The Aryanisation of the region under the leadership of the pioneer immigrant Brahmins with plough-based agriculture as economic basis had its beginning during this period. From the Kalapur copper plates issued by Samata Marundanatha, it is learnt that in the 7th Century A.D., this region, along with foothills of North Cachar Hills had passed on to the Samatata Kingdom of the Eastern Bengal. Of ourse, there is no direct evidence to prove it. In the 10th Century A.D., King Srichandra of the renowned Chandra Dynasty of Eastern Bengal incorporated the entire region within his Vanga Kingdom. During this period, the Chandrapura Matha or monastery, situated at Panchakhanda (8 miles From Karimganj town, now in Bangladesh), became a very reputed centre of learning. According to the renowned historian D.C. Sarkar, the Chandrapura Matha was the greatest centre of Hindu-learning in the entire Eastern India of the early period. From two Bhatera inscriptions of Govindakeshava Deva and Ishana Deva, it is learnt that there was an independent Srihatta Rajya in the 12th Century within which the entire Karimganj District along with a major portion of the Cachar plains were incorporated.
Middle Age
When Hazarat Shah Jalal, a warrior Muslim Saint from Yemen, conquered Sylhet in 1328 A.D., Srihatta, along with a major portion of Karimganj district passed on to the Bengal Sultanate. A portion of Karimganj district comprising the present thana area of Patherkandi was under the control of the Tripura King at that period. However, during the reign of Hussain Shah (1483-1519), this region - at that time known as Pratapgarh - also came under the Sultanate. We have two inscriptions - one of Hussain Shah, and another of his son Mahmud Shah, found respectively at Kaliganj and Suprakandi, to show that Bengal Sultanate had complete sway over this entire region. The region, along with other parts of Sylhet, was incorporated within the Mughal Empire in 1576 during the reign of Akbar. According to Ain-I-Akbari, most of the areas of the district were placed under the Pratapgarh Revenue Mahal of the Silhat Sarkar of the Mughals. The district continued to be part of the Silhat Sarkar and Bangla Suba of the Mughals.
British Era and Freedom Movement
In 1765, the diwani of the Bangla Suba was taken over by the British East India Company and the District of Sylhet, of which Karimganj was a part, passed on to the British. However, upto 1786, the British could not establish their hegemony over the entire region. A local Zamindar, Radharam, brought under his administrative control, a vast region of Southern Karimganj, and local people started calling him Nawab Radharam. His blatant defiance of British authority brought the matters to a head, but Radharam could survive two successive expeditions of the British contingents. Ultimately, a reinforced contingent succeeded in capturing him after defeating his native force. While he was being carried to Sylhet by the Company soldiers, Radharam reportedly committed suicide. It is only with his fall in 1786 that the British could establish their complete authority in the region around Karimganj.
In November 1857, three companies of the 34th Native Infantry stationed at Chittagong mutinied and they subsequently emerged in the south-east of the Sylhet District. At Latu village of present Karimganj district, these rebel soldiers encountered a contingent of the Sylhet Light Infantry under the command of Major Byng. The sepoys were defeated, but Major Byng was killed. At Malegar hillock of Latu village, the graves of the fallen rebels are still venerated by the local peple.
The Sub-division of Karimganj under the Sylhet District was created in 1878 with Karimganj town as its headquarters. The sub-division played an important role in the freedom movement. The famous Chargola exodus, one of the earliest organised labour movements of the country, had its origin in the Chargola valley tea-belt of Karimganj sub-division.
Partition & post-partition period
At the time of partition of the country, in 1947, the district of Sylhet was transferred to East Pakistan barring three-and-half thana areas (Ratabari, Patherkandi, Badarpur and half of Karimganj thana) of the Karimganj sub-division. This truncated Karimganj sub-division was incorporated in the Cachar District of Assam as a full-fledged sub-division. This sub-division was upgraded to a district on the 1st of July, 1983, vide Govt. Notification no. GAG15/83/1 dated June 14, 1983.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Karimganj Geography
Geography of Karimganj District
General
Karimganj District is situated in the Southern part of Assam - a state in India. Along with two neighbouring districts - Cachar and Hailakandi - it came to be known as Barak Valley from the name of the major rive 'Barak'. The total area of the district is 1809 Sq.Kms. which comprises varied geographical features like agricultural plains, shallow wetlands, hilly terrains and forests. The forest covers 30% of total geographical area of the district. Karimganj is bounded on the north by Bangladesh and Cachar district; on the South by Mizoram and Tripura states, on the West by Bangladesh and Tripura and on the East by Hailakandi district. The district shares 92 Kms. of International Border with the Bangladesh. 41 Kms of this is demarcated by the river Kushiara while 51 Kms is land border. On some stretches, there is no natural geographical demarcation for the border which cuts across open agricultural or grazing fields. However, on most parts, the international border with Bangladesh is marked by either the river Kushiara, or the sub-mountain tracts of the Adamail range. In a sense, Karimganj, along with the neighbouring district of Cachar demarcates the frontier between the plains of the Padma-Meghna basin and the hilly North-east India.
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Hilly terrains
Karimganj district is actually shut in between two hill ranges, whereas there is a third hill that runs through the southern part of the district.
The Chhatachura range that starts from the south-east border, forms the whole length of border with Hailakandi district. The summit of the range is called the Chhatachura peak and its height is 2087 feet above the sea-level. The hills gradually decline in height and in the middle section, which bears the name Sarashpur, are only 1000 feet above the sea-level near the Barak river. At the lowest level, where they are known as the Badarpur hills, the average height is about 500 feet. The Chhatachura range is about 50 miles from north to south and at some parts, 13 miles in breadth.
The Adamail or Patharia range marks the western border of the district forming the international border with Bangladesh. Running from the south to the north, its length is about 28 miles and breadth about 7 to 8 miles. The highest point of the range is about 800 feet above sea-level.
The third hilly range crossing through the district is the Duhalia range, also called the Pratapgarh range. It runs through the mid-south of the district demarcating the Longai Valley and the Chargola valley. The length of the range in the district is about 28 miles with highest peak at 1500 feet above sea-level,
Besides these main ranges, the plains of the district are also dotted with hillocks and forests. The north and north-eastern portion of the district are mainly plains whereas the South and South-western parts are mainly covered with forest.
Rivers and Their Courses
Kushiara, Longai and Shingla are the main rivers flowing through the district.
The river Barak enters the district through its north-eastern corner near Badarpurghat and after traversing a length of seven miles upto a place called Haritikar near Bhanga, is divided into two branches - namely, the Kushiara and the Surma. From the point of bifurcation, the Kushiara flows westwards to Bangladesh forming the northern boundary of the distict. The town of Karimganj is situated on the bank of this river. The old name of the Kushiara near Karimganj town was Bagali. In Bangladesh, the river is again divided near Bahadurpur in Moulavi Bazar district, the northern branch assuming the name Bibiyana and the southern branch, Shakha Barak. The Bibiyana is later merged with the Surma rver near Markuli steamer station in Habiganj district of Bangladesh, assuming the name Kalni, and then Bhera Mohana, and ultimately this huge combined stream merges with the great river Meghna of Bangladesh. The southern stream of Kushiara resumes the original name Barak or Shakha Barak and flows in a south-westerly direction through Habiganj district and finally falls into the old bed of the Brahmaputra near Bhairab Bazar in Maimansingh District (Bangladesh).
The Longai river originates in the Jampai Hills of Tripura state and travelling a course of northerly direction, turns south-west near Longai Railway station near Karimganj town. Near Latu village, it enters Bangladesh and then flows to meet the Hakaluki Haor (Haor = Atoll-like span of water) which absorbs the entire inflow during the winter. During the rainy season, an outlet springs out which ultimately merges with the Kushiara near Fechuganj in Sylhet district (Bangladesh).
The Singla river originates from Mizoram state and taking a northward direction, it falls in Sonbill Haor wherefrom the stream emerges bifurcated forming two rivulets - Kachua and Kakra.
The Kushiara and the Longai are perennial rivers, whereas the others dry up during the winter.
General
Karimganj District is situated in the Southern part of Assam - a state in India. Along with two neighbouring districts - Cachar and Hailakandi - it came to be known as Barak Valley from the name of the major rive 'Barak'. The total area of the district is 1809 Sq.Kms. which comprises varied geographical features like agricultural plains, shallow wetlands, hilly terrains and forests. The forest covers 30% of total geographical area of the district. Karimganj is bounded on the north by Bangladesh and Cachar district; on the South by Mizoram and Tripura states, on the West by Bangladesh and Tripura and on the East by Hailakandi district. The district shares 92 Kms. of International Border with the Bangladesh. 41 Kms of this is demarcated by the river Kushiara while 51 Kms is land border. On some stretches, there is no natural geographical demarcation for the border which cuts across open agricultural or grazing fields. However, on most parts, the international border with Bangladesh is marked by either the river Kushiara, or the sub-mountain tracts of the Adamail range. In a sense, Karimganj, along with the neighbouring district of Cachar demarcates the frontier between the plains of the Padma-Meghna basin and the hilly North-east India.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hilly terrains
Karimganj district is actually shut in between two hill ranges, whereas there is a third hill that runs through the southern part of the district.
The Chhatachura range that starts from the south-east border, forms the whole length of border with Hailakandi district. The summit of the range is called the Chhatachura peak and its height is 2087 feet above the sea-level. The hills gradually decline in height and in the middle section, which bears the name Sarashpur, are only 1000 feet above the sea-level near the Barak river. At the lowest level, where they are known as the Badarpur hills, the average height is about 500 feet. The Chhatachura range is about 50 miles from north to south and at some parts, 13 miles in breadth.
The Adamail or Patharia range marks the western border of the district forming the international border with Bangladesh. Running from the south to the north, its length is about 28 miles and breadth about 7 to 8 miles. The highest point of the range is about 800 feet above sea-level.
The third hilly range crossing through the district is the Duhalia range, also called the Pratapgarh range. It runs through the mid-south of the district demarcating the Longai Valley and the Chargola valley. The length of the range in the district is about 28 miles with highest peak at 1500 feet above sea-level,
Besides these main ranges, the plains of the district are also dotted with hillocks and forests. The north and north-eastern portion of the district are mainly plains whereas the South and South-western parts are mainly covered with forest.
Rivers and Their Courses
Kushiara, Longai and Shingla are the main rivers flowing through the district.
The river Barak enters the district through its north-eastern corner near Badarpurghat and after traversing a length of seven miles upto a place called Haritikar near Bhanga, is divided into two branches - namely, the Kushiara and the Surma. From the point of bifurcation, the Kushiara flows westwards to Bangladesh forming the northern boundary of the distict. The town of Karimganj is situated on the bank of this river. The old name of the Kushiara near Karimganj town was Bagali. In Bangladesh, the river is again divided near Bahadurpur in Moulavi Bazar district, the northern branch assuming the name Bibiyana and the southern branch, Shakha Barak. The Bibiyana is later merged with the Surma rver near Markuli steamer station in Habiganj district of Bangladesh, assuming the name Kalni, and then Bhera Mohana, and ultimately this huge combined stream merges with the great river Meghna of Bangladesh. The southern stream of Kushiara resumes the original name Barak or Shakha Barak and flows in a south-westerly direction through Habiganj district and finally falls into the old bed of the Brahmaputra near Bhairab Bazar in Maimansingh District (Bangladesh).
The Longai river originates in the Jampai Hills of Tripura state and travelling a course of northerly direction, turns south-west near Longai Railway station near Karimganj town. Near Latu village, it enters Bangladesh and then flows to meet the Hakaluki Haor (Haor = Atoll-like span of water) which absorbs the entire inflow during the winter. During the rainy season, an outlet springs out which ultimately merges with the Kushiara near Fechuganj in Sylhet district (Bangladesh).
The Singla river originates from Mizoram state and taking a northward direction, it falls in Sonbill Haor wherefrom the stream emerges bifurcated forming two rivulets - Kachua and Kakra.
The Kushiara and the Longai are perennial rivers, whereas the others dry up during the winter.
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