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Jorhat city is the 2nd largest city in the Indian state of Assam. It is situated 307 kilometres (191 mi) east of Guwahati. "JORHAT" or "JOREHAUT" means two hats or mandis-"Macharhat" and "Chowkihat" which existed on the two different banks of the river Bhogdoi during the 18th Century, Jorhat was the last capital of the Ahom Kingdom. In the year 1794 the Ahom king Gaurinath shifted the capital from Sibsagar (erst-while "Rangpur") to Jorhat. This town was a flourishing and commercial metropolis but completely destroyed after a series of the Burmese invasions since 1817 till the arrival of the British force in the year 1824 under the Stewardship of David Scott and Captain Richard.
The British Rule, though, was not free from rebellions and revolutions, contributed to reemergence of this historical town. From the very first decade of the British rule, the great revolutionists who emerged were Gomdhar Konwar, Jeuram and Piyali, British system of administration, came into vouge in the year 1839 with an established Police Thana. During the great “Sepoy Mutiny” and Piyali Barua was sabotaged and these leader were hanged in public at this very place in 1858.
In 1885,a narrow gauge train services (Jorhat Provincial Railway)had come into operation and ultimately became instrumental in rapid growth of tea industry. Though, the Civil Sub-division under Sibsagar district at Jorhat was formed in 1869,this great place was declared as administration head quarter of the undivided Sibsagar district in 1911 which comprised of the present Sibsagar, Jorhat and Golaghat and parts of Karbi-Anglong district with Major A. Playfare as the first Deputy Commissioner.
Nestled in the tea gardens dotted around sprawling in and around the city, boosts of the Tocklai Research Association (TRA) is the oldest and the largest tea research station of its kind in the world.
Jorhat today has grown into a thriving with a strong sense of character and identity. It is the best laid out town in Upper Assam with broad roads, cutting each other at right angles. People of Jorhat have traditionally displayed a high interest towards arts and culture diversities. Jorhat is known as "The Cultural Capital of Assam". Jorhat, the fourth biggest city of Assam also has the distinction of having the largest number of educated residents in Assam, among all other districts of Assam.
Attractions :
Majuli: Majuli, the largest river island in the world, is a civil sub-division of Jorhat District. It is located 20 km. off Jorhat town (Asom, India). It is a pollution free fresh water island. Total area of the island was 1250 sq.km., now it is about 650 sq.km. Its length from east to west is about 90 km. & width from north to south is avg. 16 km. Majuli is a natural & cultural heritage site. With water bodies covering most of the areas , Majuli attracts plenty of birds both local & migratory. About 25—26 Satras are remaining now in Majuli of which the Satras of Kamalabari, Auniati & Garmur are worth mentioning. These Satras are propagating the religious ideology of great Assamese medieval Vaisnavite Saint Sankardeva & Madhavdeva, preaching Satria culture.
Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar: It is one of the famous Bor namghar (place of worship) in Assam, established by saint-reformer Madhabdev in 1461. It is located at Dhekiakhowa village of Jorhat, 3.5 km away from National Highway 37. From the time of saint-reformer Sri Srimanta Sankardev and Madhavdev, this namghar has been continuing as an important centre for Baisnav Religion.
Now this Bor namghar has 13 bighas[clarification needed] of land, an auditorium of its own. The devotees of Assam donate freely to this namghar and due to their helping hand, the managing committee of namghar works a lot of social and cultural welfares. Almost 461 years old, this namghar has been playing an important role in the exercise of Baisnav Religion and unity for the people of Assam. There are many stories associated with this Bor namghar. It is said that the main piller of the namghar is made of a Xaal tree (Shorea robusta). One night one of the bhakat (monk) of the namgahr saw in his dream that the river near the Bor namghar (known as dhekiyakhua jaan) is flowing in opposite direction and is carrying a Haal tree mean to be for the construction of the Bor namghar. Next day when people saw that dream to be true, they made the main pillers of the Bor namghar from the tree.
Lachit Borphukan's Maidam: This is the maidam of great Lachit Borphukan. He was the greatest ever Ahom General who defeated the mighty Mughals at Saraighat in 1672. It is located at Gohain gaon of Meleng-Hulungapar. It is 8 km from the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Satras: The Vaishnava Satras were founded by Sankardeva, the father of Assamese culture. The historic and auspicious 'Manikanchan Sanjog' was the first Satra in Majuli. Subsequently 65 satras grew which propagated the ethnic and sociocultural ideals. At present there are only 22 Satras in Majuli and rest have been shifted to other safer places due to flood and erosion. These Satras are the treasure house of 'Borgeet', Matiakhara, Jumora dance, Chali dance, Noyua dance, Nande Vringee, Sutradhar, Ozapali, Apsara dance, Satria Krishna dance, Dasavater dance etc. which were contributed by Shri Sankardeva.
Dakhinpat Satra: Dakhinpat Satra was founded by Banamalidev, an exponent of Raasleela, which is now observed as one of the State festivals of Assam.
Garamurh Satra: This Satra was founded by Lakshmikantadeva. During Autumn end traditional Raasleela is performed with great enthusiasm. Some ancient weapons are also preserved here.
Auniati Satra: Founded by Niranjan Pathakdeva, this satra is famous for 'Paalnaam' and Apsara dance and it also has considerable collection of old Assamese utensils, jewellery and handicrafts.
Kamalabari Satra: Kamalabari Satra founded by Bedulapadma Ata, is a center of art, culture, literature and classical studies. Its branch Uttar Kamalabari Satra has performed cultural programme of satria art in several states of India and abroad.
Bengenaati Satra: It is a store house of culturally important antiques and an advanced center of performing arts. Muraridev, the grand son of Shankaradeva's step mother, had founded the SSwargadeoatra. The royal robes belong to the Ahom king Swargadeo Gadadhar Singha, made of Gold and an umbrella which is also made of gold, are preserved here.
Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary: Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife sanctuary, more popularly known as Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary named after Hoolock Gibboncovers an area of 20.98 square kilometers (including the area under Military Engineering Services of Indian Army) at Jorhat district of Assam. The Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary was earlier known as Hoollongapar Forest during British period in 1881. This sanctuary is approximately 19 km from Jorhat town centre and 5 km from Mariani.
Bangalpukhari: On the southern side of Jorhat, near Na-ali, there is a tank popularly known as Bangalpukhari. In the month of Sravana of Saka 1739, Badan Barphukan was murdered by Rupsinghh Bangal when he was going to take bath. For this act , he was rewarded with some money which he spent in excavating this tank. The people do not use the water of this tank as it was excavated with the money received for killing a man.
Mou Chapori: Mou Chapori is a nice place at Neematighat, Jorhat. Its a small river island ( on might brahmaputra ) and an ideal place for family outings. Cottages are pretty decent and available at affordable price.
Economy :
There are about 135 tea gardens, including out gardens, and the predominant field crop is rice, with per capita food grain production of 205 kg per annum. There are various minor oil fields of ONGC and OIL India Ltd. is availabe in various parts of the districts. Major prople of the district are occupied in farming of rice, sugar-cane, pulses, and fish farming.
Education :
Jorhat is considered a good place for modern education.
Assam Agricultural University: It is the first institution of its kind in the whole of North-Eastern Region of India. The main goal of this institution is to produce globally competitive human resources in farm sectorand to carry out research in both conventional and frontier areas for production optimization as well as to disseminate the generated technologies as public good for benefitting the food growers/produces and traders involved in the sector while emphasizing on sustainability, equity and overall food security at household level.
Jorhat Engineering College: Jorhat Engineering College, the premier institution of the North East India and the second Government Engineering College of Assam is about to complete its fifty years of relentless service to the society. The College came into existence on 7th January, 1959 at H.R.H.P.O.W. The Jorhat Engineering College was established in 1960 and is located at a distance of 3 km on the east of Jorhat Town/ Railway Station and 8 km to the east of Jorhat Airport. The College is affiliated to Dibrugarh University also recognized by A.I.C.T.E. and it offers the following courses. The present annual intake capacity of the college is as follows:-
UNDERGRADUATE COURSE (4 Year B.E)
i) Civil Engineering 60
ii) Electrical Engineering 40
iii) Mechanical Engineering 60
iv) Computer Science & Engineering 30
v) Instrumentation Engineering 20
POST-GRADUATE COURSE
(i) Master of Computer Application (3 years MCA) 30
(ii) Production & Industrial Engineering (2 Years) 15
Address:Jorhat Engineering College,Garmur, Jorhat, Assam,Pin:- 785007,Phone-0376-2330134
Jorhat Medical College: A long felt need of the people of Jorhat is going to be fulfilled with the laying of the Foundation Stone of the Jorhat Medical College by Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, in presence of Hon'ble Chief Minister of Assam Sjt Tarun Gogoi, Hon'ble Union Minister of Law & Justice Shri Veerappa Moily, Hon’ble Union Minister of Mines and DoNER Shri B.K. Handique, Hon'ble Health Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Hon'ble MLA Shri Rana Goswami and a galaxy of distinguished guests and a huge crowd, on the historic day of 25th August 2008.
Tocklai Tea Research Centre: Since its inception in 1911, Tocklai has been serving the industry and has become synonymous with the research on tea in the country .It has unfurled technological knowledge in tea from time to time. The phenomenal increase in production of tea in N.E. India, from 234 million kg in 1951 to about 669 million kg in 1998, clearly underlines the impact of R&D activities on production. The average productivity of TRA member estates covering 75% of the total tea growing area of the N.E. Contact Phone - +91-376-360467
Regional Research Laboratory(RRL): The Regional Research Laboratory (RRL) , Jorhat was established in the year 1961 as one of the multidisciplinary laboratories of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research(CSIR) under its Chemical Science Group of laboratories. Its major thrust of R&D activities has been to develop indigeneous technologies by utilising the immense natural wealth of India. The North Eastern Region of the country being bestowed with an abundance of material resources like petroleum, natural Gas, Minerals, Tea as well as aromatic and Medicinal plants and hence the laboratories was targeted to undertake research for development of Know-How for a wide a range of industries and extension works. Over the years, the laboratory has generated more than 100 technologies in the areas of Agrotechnology, Biological and Oil Field Chemicals of which about 40% were of commercial success culminating in setting up of various industries through out the country. Phone : +91-376-370121/370086
Rain Forest Research Institute: Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI), Jorhat, Assam, is one of the constituent institutes of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun. The Institute came into being in 1988 to cater the forestry related research & extension needs of the North Eastern Region of the country. The Institute encompasses of all the disciplines of forestry research. Recently an Advanced Research Centre for Bamboo and Rattan (ARCBAR) has also been established at Aizwal in Mizoram under this institute.
The Prince of Wales Institute Of Engineering & Technology: Established in 1927 , the institute is located at the heart of Jorhat town. The Institute has 31 acres of beautiful campus with a congenial academic atmosphere. The Institute is fully Govt. funded and is affiliated to State Council for Technical Education, Assam and under the control of Directorate of Technical Education, Assam . Phone : +91-376-320074(O/R)/330109(o)
Jagannath Barooah College (J.B. College): J.B.College, is a premier institute of higher education located in Jorhat, a city with rich cultural heritage and glorious historical background in the upper part of the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam. Since its inception in 1930, the college has already marched a long way and celebrated the Platinum Jubilee with a host of significant academic and non academic programmes. The institute has already been accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council(NAAC) in 2003 and awarded B+ grade on the basis of its performance in the field of higher education. Phone : +91-376-2320060
D. C. B Girl's College: D. C. B Girls' College is the first women's college in upper Assam and the second of its kind in the whole of Assam. Since its establishment in the year 1955 it has been striving sincerely to spread women's education in Assam. The college was established with the generous contributions made by the four illustrious sons of late Rai Bahadur Devicharan Barua viz. Heramba Prasad Barua, Umacharan Barua, Deba Prasad Barua and Bishnu Prasad Barua. Starting with an enrolment of only 56 students and 12 teachers the college has now fully blossomed with an enrolment of about 1800 students in both Arts and Science faculty. Phone - 0376-2371031
Banks:
1) Allahabad Bank, GARALI, Phone: 0376-2320696
2) Andhra Bank, AT ROAD, Phone: 0376-2300466
3) Axis Bank, A T ROAD CHOWKBAZAR ,Phone: 0376-2300 825 / 26 Fax: 0376-2300 334
4) Bank Of Baroda (BOB), P.W.D.PRIVATE ROAD,GARALI, Phone: 0376-2322413
5) Bank Of India (BOI), DEWAL ROAD
6) Canara Bank, GARALI, Phone: 0376-2321187
7) Central Bank Of India,GARALI, Phone: (0376) 2320539
8) HDFC Bank, M M PLAZA, K B ROAD, Phone: 9954532052 / 0376-2309780, Fax: 0376-2309780
9) Central Bank Of India, J.B.COLLEGE ROAD, BARUAH CHARIALI, Phone: (0376) 2321782 c.chest, Tel: (0376) 2325495
10) ICICI Bank, KASTURI BHAVAN,BARUAH CHARIALI,A.T.ROAD
11) Indian Bank (IB), Airforce Stn., Rowriah ,Phone: 0376 2340392
12) Indian Bank (IB), AT Road, Jorhat,Phone: 0376-2321578
13) Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), Ist Floor, Agrasen Complex, Garhali, Phone: (0376) 2300724,2309216
14) IndusInd Bank, 1st FLOOR, MADHU MARKET, J. B. ROAD, Phone: 0376/2301408/2301424
15) Kotak Mahindra Bank, GAR ALI ROAD & 1st FLOOR DR K C DEYS BULIDING JUNCTION OF GARALI & RUPAHIALI.
16) Oriental Bank Of Commerce (OBC), SHRE BHAWAN(GF) MUNC.,HOLDING NO 50 A T ROAD, Phone: 0376-2300324
17) Punjab National Bank (PNB), GARALI, Phone: 0376-2320311, A K DAM
18) Punjab National Bank (PNB), LICHUBARI, Phone: 0376-2340359
19) State Bank Of India (SBI), JORHAT MEDICAL COLLEGE,JAIL ROAD, Phone: 0376-2320098,2309096
20) State Bank Of India (SBI), GAR ALI, Phone: 0376-2304398
21) State Bank Of India (SBI), KATAKIPUKHURI, Phone: 0376-2372662 IP-750343
22) State Bank Of India (SBI), ASSAM AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY, Phone: 0376-2310773,2311212,2310776,2340010
23) State Bank Of India (SBI), RRL CAMPUS, Phone: 0376-2370126,2372782,2370125
24) Syndicate Bank, JPR ROAD JUNCTION,GAR ALI, Phone: (0376) - 2321293
25) Bank Of Rajasthan (BOR), MARWARI PATTY,BLOCK NO.1 GATTANI BLDG.,1st FLOOR, Phone: 0376 2301311, 94357 13887
26) Federal Bank,P B NO. 33, GAR - ALI, Phone: 0376-2323767
27) UCO Bank, AT.ROAD, Phone: 0376-2321537
28) Union Bank Of India (UBI),A.T. ROAD, CHOWK BAZAR, Phone: 0376 - 2320545
29) Vijaya Bank JORHAT,P B NO 64, A T ROAD
30) Punjab And Sind Bank, A.T ROAD, JORHAT, Phone: 0376 2320299
31) IDBI Bank, MITHAPUKHURI ROAD, WARD NO.8, Phone: 0376-2309830
32) Dena Bank, FIRST FLOOR,A.T ROAD, OPP.BOC PETROL PUMP,DEEPALI MEDICAL COMPLEX,JORHAT, Phone: 9856028223 |
