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Coordinates: 26°24′00″N 90°16′12″E / 26.40000°N 90.27000°E / 26.40000; 90.27000
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[[File:Album Pose.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A Brahma Temple at Kokrajhar]]
[[File:Album Pose.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A Brahma Temple at Kokrajhar]]
{{see also|Protected tribal belts and blocks in Assam}}
{{see also|Protected tribal belts and blocks in Assam}}
Historically Bodoland Territorial Region was inhabited by the ''Boros'' or ''Bodos'' or ''Kacharis'' and ''Mechs''. During the reign of Kamata king [[Nara Narayan]], The country at foot of Bhutan Hills i.e Eastern and Western Duars were given to Bodo tribe due to superstitious believe and Bhutan aggression<ref>{{Harvcol|Allen|1905|p=66}}</ref>, those regions were known as Kachari Duar and Mech Duar. According to tradition the Kacharis had their domain in [[Kamarupa]] and they belonged to a lineage called ''Ha-tsung-tsa'' or ''Ha-cheng-sa'' or ''Hachengsa'' and Kacharis called themselves ''Rangtsa''<ref>{{harvcol|Kakoty|1981|p=40}}</ref> or [[Bodo people|''Ramsa'']]<ref>{{Harvcol|Soppitt|1885|pp=80-81}}</ref> <ref>{{Harvcol|Damant|1879|p=12}}</ref>. The British gained control of the region through the [[Treaty of Yandabo]] upon winning the [[First Anglo-Burmese War]] in 1826. The war was primarily for the control of [[Northeast India]] between the [[British Empire|British]] and [[Konbaung dynasty|Burmese empires]]. It was than known as the ''Kachari Dwars'' or ''Kachari plains'' or ''Kachari country'' by the British during the [[British Raj]]. The Bodo people in the [[Brahmaputra Valley]] have survived in the midst of Khilji, Mughal, [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Aryan]] and [[Ahom people|Shan]] invaders and settlers. Mech-Koch descent Kamata kings ruled various parts of Lower Assam and North Bengal. Open caste Koch have become a semi-Hinduised aboriginal caste, due to inter-marriage who now speak [[Rangpuri language|Kamtapuri]] or [[Assamese language|Assamese]]. Surviving remnants of the royal family of Koch empire proved aboriginal members of the Koch caste spoke [[Bodo language]]. After Bodoland separate state movement, These tribal regions are named Bodoland.
Historically Bodoland Territorial Region was inhabited by the ''Boros'' or ''Bodos'' or ''Kacharis'' and ''Mechs''. During the reign of Kamata king [[Nara Narayan]], The country at foot of Bhutan Hills i.e Eastern and Western Duars were given to Bodo tribe due to superstitious believe and Bhutan aggression<ref>{{Harvcol|Allen|1905|p=66}}</ref>, those regions were known as Kachari Duar and Mech Duar. The British gained control of the region through the [[Treaty of Yandabo]] upon winning the [[First Anglo-Burmese War]] in 1826. The war was primarily for the control of [[Northeast India]] between the [[British Empire|British]] and [[Konbaung dynasty|Burmese empires]]. It was than known as the ''Kachari Dwars'' or ''Kachari plains'' or ''Kachari country'' by the British during the [[British Raj]]. The Bodo people in the [[Brahmaputra Valley]] have survived in the midst of Khilji, Mughal, [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Aryan]] and [[Ahom people|Shan]] invaders and settlers. Mech-Koch descent Kamata kings ruled various parts of Lower Assam and North Bengal. Open caste Koch have become a semi-Hinduised aboriginal caste, due to inter-marriage who now speak [[Rangpuri language|Kamtapuri]] or [[Assamese language|Assamese]]. Surviving remnants of the royal family of Koch empire proved aboriginal members of the Koch caste spoke [[Bodo language]]. After Bodoland separate state movement, These tribal regions are named Bodoland.


===Demand for statehood===
===Demand for statehood===

Revision as of 22:39, 23 March 2020

This article is about a region and proposed state. For the council which controls the region, see Bodoland Territorial Council.

Bodoland
Territorial region
Bodoland Territorial Region
Official seal of Bodoland
Seal
Motto(s): 
For Peace and Development
Bodoland within Assam
Bodoland within Assam
Country India
StateAssam
Established9 February 2003
HeadquartersKokrajhar
Districts4
Government
 • BodyBodoland Territorial Council
 • SpeakerTridip Daimary
 • Deputy SpeakerNerswn Boro
 • Chief Executive MemberHagrama Mohilary
 • Deputy Chief Executive MemberKampa Borgoyary
Area
 • Total8,821 km2 (3,406 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total3,155,359
 • Density360/km2 (930/sq mi)
DemonymBodo
Languages
 • OfficialBodo, Assamese, English, Hindi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Websitewww.bodoland.in

Bodoland, (also Boroland), officially the Bodoland Territorial Region [1], is an autonomous region in the state of Assam in India. It made up of four districts on the north bank of the Brahmaputra river, by the foothills of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. The region is predominantly inhabited by the indigenous Bodo people and other indigenous communities of Assam. It is administered by the Bodoland Territorial Council, which covers over eight thousand square kilometres. The territory came into existence under the BTC Accord in February 2003.[2]

Etymology

Boros say, "Boro hari, geder hari", meaning Boro people, great people, So, Dalton concluded Boro means great people. In the Kokborok language, Borok means man ('K' being a suffix for every noun), so logically Boro would mean "man" even in the Boro language[3]. According to Brahma, Boro originated from the Tibetan word Brogok or Hbrog, meaning Man. Generally, the word Boro means a man, in the wider sense Bodo means a human being (but not specific to a female member of the family) in the languages used by Bodo-Kachari peoples.[4]

The controversial spelling of the word is Bodo where the letter’ is pronounced not as ‘d’ but as hard’ r.’ It was Brian Hodgson who first applied the generic name Bodo to this group of languages but their own name for their race is Boro. This generic name is also applied to the tribes and sub-tribes belonging to the Bodo group. The Bodo intellectual leaders of the national convention who took the decision to accept the generic name’ Bodo’ as the racial name were aware of it as it was already in use. At present, it is found that the use of the names Bodo and Boro are going on in parallel. The decision of the 1952 national convention is thus honored.[citation needed]

According to a grouping Hogdson identified the Kacharis in Assam and the Mechs in Bengal and Undivided Goalpara district as Bodos.[5] Bodoland is named after the Boro people of the Goalpara and Kamrup Dooars tribal regions.

History

A Brahma Temple at Kokrajhar
See also: Protected tribal belts and blocks in Assam

Historically Bodoland Territorial Region was inhabited by the Boros or Bodos or Kacharis and Mechs. During the reign of Kamata king Nara Narayan, The country at foot of Bhutan Hills i.e Eastern and Western Duars were given to Bodo tribe due to superstitious believe and Bhutan aggression[6], those regions were known as Kachari Duar and Mech Duar. The British gained control of the region through the Treaty of Yandabo upon winning the First Anglo-Burmese War in 1826. The war was primarily for the control of Northeast India between the British and Burmese empires. It was than known as the Kachari Dwars or Kachari plains or Kachari country by the British during the British Raj. The Bodo people in the Brahmaputra Valley have survived in the midst of Khilji, Mughal, Aryan and Shan invaders and settlers. Mech-Koch descent Kamata kings ruled various parts of Lower Assam and North Bengal. Open caste Koch have become a semi-Hinduised aboriginal caste, due to inter-marriage who now speak Kamtapuri or Assamese. Surviving remnants of the royal family of Koch empire proved aboriginal members of the Koch caste spoke Bodo language. After Bodoland separate state movement, These tribal regions are named Bodoland.

Demand for statehood

Along with the other parts of Northeast India, regional aspiration in the region reached a turning point in the 1980s. The isolation of the region, its complex social character, and its backwardness compared to other parts of the country have all resulted in the complicated set of demands ranging from demand for autonomy and opposition to 'outsiders' to movements for secession.

The region is also the gateway to the North Eastern Region of India, where one of the main students organization, All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), allied with National Democratic Front of Boroland - Progressive (NDFB-P), National Democratic Front of Boroland - D.R. Nabla faction, People's Joint Action Committee for Boroland Movement (PJACBM) which is an amalgamation of over three dozen Bodo organisations[7] and its supporters are demanding from the Government of India that a separate state (within the Indian Union) be created comprising the seven districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji of Assam which have a significant Bodo population.[8][9][10] On the other hand, it is also claimed as a sovereign state (Complete independence) by the separatist insurgent group NDFB.[11]

The Bodoland movement is similar to the story of Mizoram and the Mizo National Front except that the later was granted full-fledged statehood with special powers and MNF agreeing to give up secessionist struggle, the former has not yet had such a happy ending and the region continues to be extremely sensitive.[12]

1993 and 2003 peace agreements

Following an agreement in 1993, Bodoland became an autonomous administrative unit constituted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India covering an area of 8,795 km2 administered by the Bodoland Autonomous Council.

Following a further peace agreement, the Bodoland Territorial Council was formed in 2003, with a mission to accomplish development in the area of economic, education, preservation of land right, linguistic aspiration, socio-culture and ethnic identity of Bodos and above all to speed up the infrastructure development of communities in the Bodoland area. The actual functioning of the council was started on 7 December 2003 by constituting the 12 members of the Council provisionally.

After the Council Election on 13 May 2005 and subsequent bye-election in November 2005, the 40-member Legislative Council has been formed to look after the development works in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts. The remaining six members are nominated by the Governor of Assam from the unrepresented Communities. Thus there are altogether 46 members of the Council, representing all communities of BTC Area known as Member of Council Legislative Assembly (MCLA).

2020 peace agreement

A new peace agreement was signed on 27th January 2020 between the Government of India and the Government of Assam on one side and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland, (NDFB) the All Bodo Students’ Union and United Bodo People’s Organisation on the other. [13] Under the terms of this agreement, a Bodoland Territorial Region was formed with enhanced executive and legislative powers. The Bodoland Territorial Council will have competency over almost all areas defined by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India and its membership will be increased to 60. [14] New districts will be created and the boundary of the region will be adjusted to include Bodo inhabited areas from neighbouring districts and exclude non-Bodo inhabited villages currently under the jurisdiction of the BTC. [15] Bodoland will also have the right to be represented at national level sports and cultural events. [16]

Government and Politics

Main article: Bodoland Territorial Council

The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) is an elected body that was established in the Assam state of India according to the Memorandum of Settlement of 10 February 2003. BTC came into existence immediately after the surrender of Bodo Liberation Tigers Force (BLTF). The BLTF laid down their weapons on 6 December 2003 under the leadership of Hagrama Mohilary and Hagrama was sworn in as the Chief Executive Member (CEM) on 7 December 2003.

The BTC has 46 executive members each looking after a specific area of control.

Bodoland constitutes 52% of marginalised Tribal groups like Bodos, Rabhas, Garos, sarania kachari, hajongs etc.

Districts

The Bodoland region has four districts for administrative purpose which are further subdivided into 10 Civil Subdivisions and 40 Development Blocks.

The area and population under the four districts has been estimated as follows:

Sl No Name of
the District 		Area in km2. Population (census 2011)
1 Kokrajhar 3,169.20 887,142
2 Chirang 1,069.96 482,162
3 Baksa 3,056.89 950,075
4 Udalguri 1,673.93 831,668
Total 8,969.98 3,151,047

[17]

Geography

The geographical boundary of BTAD lies between 26° 7'12'' N to 26° 47' 50'' N Latitude and 89° 47' 40'' E to 92° 18' 30'' E Longitude and is in the North Western part of Assam. Kokrajhar town the Administrative Head Quarter lies roughly between 26° 25' N latitude and 90° 16' 38'' E Longitude.

Its strategic location is blessed with beautiful forests of flora and founa.[17]

Economy

Agriculture in Kokrajhar district

The economy is largely agricultural based and is lagging behind in urbanization and development. The region is industrially backward with most of its population depending on agriculture for livelihood. Most of the industries like oil, gas and major industries of the state are located in upper Assam.

Urbanization

The region is one of the most underdeveloped and backward regions of India of which only 3 percent of the population live in urban areas.

Tourism

Tourism in the region is regulated by the department of Bodoland Tourism. Manas National Park is the major tourist attraction of the region. It also has many wildlife sanctuaries, reserve forests, site seeings, picnic spots, and events.[18]

Manas National Park

Manas, the nature's abode is at the foothills of Bhutan with its unique biodiversity and landscape. The blending of the dense jungle and grassland at the confluence of Indian, Ethiopian and Indo Chinese realms enhances it as one of the richest region of wild animals. The Park harbours 60 species of mammals of which 23 has been listed in Schedule 1 under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The Park also has a recorded count of 36 species of reptiles and 476 species of birds. The Park is home for Elephant, Rhino, Tiger, Gaur, Wild Buffalo, Deer, Wild Hogs, and many other Reptiles, Birds and Insects including some highly endangered species like Pygmy Hog, Golden Langur & Bengal Florican. It is not only a significant National Park of India but also an important migratory corridor for the elephant population of the entire Indo-Bhutan region. Manas is also included in the much ambitious plan nomenclature as Indian Rhino Vision -2020 (IRV-2020) since 2006, with the support of Govt. of Assam in collaboration with Wildlife Trust of India, (WTI), Bodoland Territorial Council, WWF-India, International Rhino Foundation, and US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Trekking of Baukungri Hill

Main article: Baukungri Hajw Gakhwnai

Baukungri hill trekking is an exciting and adventurous event that is organised every year on the first day of the year according to Bodo Calendar which falls in mid-April. People from neighbouring states along with the host state arrives every year for a week. International tourists from neighbouring Countries and Westerns Countries are also among those who wait for this exciting event. Cultural and traditional fusion of various ethnic groups can be seen during this event. Tourists can have the taste of this rich cultural event with wide range of mouth-watering cuisines of the native people.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in Bodoland

Bodoland bus is served by the transportation department of the Bodoland Territorial Council.[19] Earliar 4 buses were run across four districts which now 16 buses that generates 18 cr annualy according to a report.

Energy

Electricity

State Power Sector Reform Programme under the provision of electricity act 2003 resulted in the unbundling of Assam State Electricity Board into three new succeeding companies namely Assam Power Generation Co. Ltd., Assam Electricity Grid Corporation Ltd. and Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd.

The Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited is mainly responsible for maximum energy generation to meet up the energy demand in the state of Assam,[20] while the latter is responsible to efficiently transport electrical power from electrical power bulk heads to the distribution company networks in the state of Assam.[21]

The primary purpose of the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited is to undertake distribution, trading and supply of electricity in the state of Assam or outside of it.[22]

Demographics

Population

Bodos are the majority community in the region followed by Bengali Muslims, who form the largest minority group.[23] The population of BTC area as per 2001 Census report is 2,920,000 out which the ST population is around 52% or approximately 1,500,000 of which only 3% of the total population live in urban area.The average density of the population in BTC is 326 per Sq.K.m. compared to 340 per Sq.K.m. of Assam. Amongst the ST/SC population Bodos, Rabhas, Keots(Kaibartas) and less quantity of Garos are inhabiting in this area out which Bodos will be 90% or approximately 1,400,000.[23] The other communities like Rajbongshi, Sarania are inhabiting in large part of BTC. Other immigrant Tea and Ex Tea-tribes including Santhal, Oraon etc. are also available. Moreover, other general communities like Bengali, Gorkha and few numbers of Hindi speaking people are also found in the Council area.[24]

Religion in BATC (2011 Census)
Religion Percent
Hindus
 
 71.25%
Muslims
 
 19.12%
Christians
 
 9.14%
Buddhist
 
 0.16%
Not Stated
 
 0.24%
Language in BATC (2011 Census)
Language Percent
Bodo
 
 30.5%
Assamese
 
 23.7%
Bangla
 
 26.8%
Santali
 
 5.4%
Hindi
 
 4.7%
Nepali
 
 3.4%
Kurux
 
 1.5%
Rabha
 
 1.1%
Others
 
 2.5%

Education

Literacy rate

Bodos have a literacy rate (7 years and above) of 61.3%.[25]

Culture

Main article: Bodo culture
A green coloured Aronai with white Agor (design)

The Bodos have a distinct culture from the rest of the world, ranging from dance and music to festivals and attires. It also contributed significantly to the development of the Assamese culture and Assamese language.

Sports

Football is the most popular sport in the region. The region has many Football clubs of which Baarhoongkha AC, Udalguri FC and Global FC is the most widely known as they participate in Assam State Premier League, the premier football league of the state. Bodoland Martyrs Gold Cup is organised every year in memory of Bodoland martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Bodoland movement.[26] The region has also produced many national level athletes. Other sports followed in the region are Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball, Cricket, Taekwondo, Kabaddi, Chess, Archery, and other indigenous sports.[27]

See also

References

  1. ^ https://www.livemint.com/opinion/columns/optimal-delivery-or-mere-optics-in-bodo-peace-deal-11580407583890.html
  2. ^ "Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Accord". cdpsindia.org.
  3. ^ (Bhatt 2005:20)
  4. ^ (Brahma 2008:1)
  5. ^ "[Hodgson registers] only the Mechs and Kacharis [as Bodos] . . . . However, Hodgson does not cite any linguistic argument here. His approach cannot be taken as a classification, but rather traces more or less tightly linked circles with the Bodo as the centre." (Jacquesson 2008:21)
  6. ^ (Allen 1905:66)
  7. ^ "Bodo groups impose 12-hour 'bandh' in Assam over statehood demand". www.hindustantimes.com. 11 September 2017.
  8. ^ "A demand for Bodoland, with blood". www.telegraphindia.com.
  9. ^ [1]
  10. ^ [Bodoland Teer ]
  11. ^ T8N (14 September 2017). "NDFB(S) eyes Bodoland sovereignty".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "History of Mizoram". mizoram.nic.in.
  13. ^ https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/amit-shah-historic-bodo-peace-accord-sign-assam-1640584-2020-01-27
  14. ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/how-the-bodo-accord-was-accomplished-establishing-a-wider-template-for-peace-in-the-northeast/
  15. ^ https://www.news18.com/news/india/kmss-leader-akhil-gogois-judicial-custody-extended-2496251.html
  16. ^ https://indusscrolls.com/what-is-bodo-peace-accord-read-the-full-text-of-draft-bodo-treaty/
  17. ^ a b "About Bodoland". www.bodoland.in. 2 December 2018.
  18. ^ "Bodoland Tourism". www.bodolandtourism.org. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  19. ^ "Bodoland Transport Service Takes Off". 30 September 2008. Archived from the original on 2 January 2018 – via www.highbeam.com.
  20. ^ "company profile". www.apgcl.org.
  21. ^ "comprofile". www.aegcl.co.in.
  22. ^ [2]
  23. ^ a b "Bodos say most Muslim settlers are illegal migrants - Assam violence: Chief reasons behind the rivalry - The Economic Times". m.economictimes.com.
  24. ^ "Bodoland Territorial Council | Kokrajhar". bodoland.gov.in. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  25. ^ "2011 Estimates as per Census report 2001" (PDF).
  26. ^ "Bodoland martyrs gold cup kicks off". Assam Times.
  27. ^ "Assam State Premier League".

Bibliography

External links

26°24′00″N 90°16′12″E / 26.40000°N 90.27000°E / 26.40000; 90.27000

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