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==Politics==
==Politics==
Golaghat is a part of [[Kaliabor (Lok Sabha constituency)]].<ref>{{cite web
Golaghat is a part of [[Kaliabor (Lok Sabha constituency)]].<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S03/AS_ACPC.pdf
|url=http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S03/AS_ACPC.pdf
| title = List of Parliamentary & Assembly Constituencies
|title=List of Parliamentary & Assembly Constituencies
| accessdate = 2008-10-06
|accessdate=2008-10-06
| work = Assam
|work=Assam
| publisher = Election Commission of India }}</ref>
|publisher=Election Commission of India
|deadurl=yes
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060504181808/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S03/AS_ACPC.pdf
|archivedate=2006-05-04
|df=
}}</ref>


== Notable personalities ==
== Notable personalities ==

Revision as of 20:30, 13 January 2017

This article is about the municipality in India. For its namesake district, see Golaghat district.
Golaghat
গোলাঘাট
City
Skyline of Golaghat Central (west)
Skyline of Golaghat Central (west)
Country India
StateAssam
RegionUpper - Assam
DistrictGolaghat
Ward13
Golaghat Municipal Board1920[1]
Government
 • BodyGolaghat Municipality Board
 • Deputy CommissionerGaurav Bothra, IAS
Area
[2]
 • Total7.32 km2 (2.83 sq mi)
Elevation
95 m (312 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total60,782
 • Density8,303.55/km2 (21,506.1/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialAssamese
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
785 621 (Golaghat Central) - Head Post Office (HPO)
  • 785 702 (Bengenakhowa Circuit Area) - Sub-office (Delivery)
  • 785 702 Missionpatty and Pulibar Bidyapith - Branch offices (Delivery)
Telephone code03774
ISO 3166 codeIN-AS
Vehicle registrationAS - 05 - XX - XXXX
Legislature typeMunicipality
ClimateSemi-Arid (Köppen)
Precipitation500 millimetres (20 in)
Avg. annual temperature26 °C (79 °F)
Avg. summer temperature35 °C (95 °F)
Avg. winter temperature06 °C (43 °F)
Websitewww.golaghat.gov.in

Golaghat (Pron: ˌgəʊləˈgɑ:t) one of the largest subdivisions of Assam, later elevated to the position of a full-fledged district on 15 August 1987, is the headquarters of Golaghat district and a sister town to Jorhat which is about 55 km away. The Dhansiri, one of the tributaries of the Brahmaputra passes through Golaghat and is the primary water source for its citizens.

Golaghat is one of the oldest tea urban centres of Assam and has been the headquarters of the oldest subdivision for 150 years since 1839,[3][4] and was declared a District in 1987. The Golaghat Municipal Board (GMB) established in 1920, is one of the oldest civic bodies of the state of Assam formed before Indian Independence of 1947, and is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Golaghat. GMB is a historical one in terms of its age (since 1920).

Golaghat has the earliest post/mail service and telegraphic communication systems in Assam dating back to 1876.[5] It has one of the oldest social - literature/rhetorical congresses of Assam. The Golaghat Sahitya Sabha is one of the oldest congresses of Asam Sahitya Sabha, started in 1918. The Golaghat Amateur Theatre Society (GATS), established in 1895,[6] is one of the oldest theatre societies to uplift the dramatic and cultural activities in the state of Assam, particularly in Golaghat.

Golaghat has a number of heritage buildings and sites - the Golaghat British Cemetery, established in 1876,[7] the Bezbaruah Higher Secondary School, set up in the late 19th century in the year 1886[8] by the educationalist Dinanath Bezbarua, the Baptist Church set up by American missionaries in 1898, the Mission School setup by British missionaries in 1919 to name a few.[9]

It is the only place in Assam to have Sport Authority of India - Sports Training Centre (STC) after Guwahati. The place is also the headquarters of The North Eastern Tea Association (NETA),[10] one of the tea growers' groups in the state of Assam, a constituent member of Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations (CCPA), Assam Valley branch.[11]

Divisions

Golaghat has been divided into following divisions:

  • Golaghat Central
  • Golaghat East
  • Golaghat North
  • Golaghat South
  • Golaghat West
  • Morangi

Etymology

The name Golaghat ('Gola' which means shop and 'Ghat' meaning the landing point of river ferry) originated from the shops established by the 'Marwari' businessmen during the mid-20th century at the bank of river Dhansiri near present Golaghat town.

History

Stone inscription of Nagajari Khanikar gaon of Sarupathar, dating back to the 5th century, reveals that there was an independent kingdom in Doyang - Dhansiri valley and relics of ramparts, brick structures, temples, tanks etc. discovered in these area confirms the presence of a kingdom during 9th and 10th century.

The Doyang – Dhansiri valley came under the rule of Ahom's during the 16th century. Prior to that, this part was ruled by the Kacharis known as Herombial. During Ahom rule this area was under 'Morongi – Khowa Gohain', an administrative officer.

British Rule

After British took possession of Assam, Doyang – Dhansiri valley was included under the newly formed Golaghat subdivision of Sibsagar District in 1839.[12] Golaghat was one of the largest subdivisions of Assam which was later, elevated to the position of a full-fledged district of Assam on 15 August 1987. Golaghat boasts of having one of the earliest post/mail service and telegraphic communication systems.

The earliest head post offices of the Assam Circle of British Assam were located in Golaghat besides Debrughur, Gouhati, Jorhat, Nowgaon, Sibsagar, Shillong and Tezpore (spellings as appear in the book - Glimpse of Assam).[13] Much later after telegraph lines had been stretched between Calcutta and Guwahati in 1869; Golaghat got its speaking wires' system in and around 1876. The telegraphic lines (speaking wires) were stretched to connect Golaghat with Kohima (in Nagaland), Shillong with Guwahati, Sibsagar with Nazira and Dibrugarh with Makum.[13]

In British Assam, Golaghat derived its importance chiefly because of having advanced communication systems during that time and on account of its connection by road with Kohima.[14]

Golaghat also has one of the oldest railway lines in Assam.[15] Text noted from the book Glimpse of Assam written by Mrs. SR Ward in 1884 states that, Mr. Bryers who was then the Chief of Cachar and Assam Railway Survey succeeded in finding a railway route that would be carried up the Dhansiri valley to Golaghat... thus giving Assam direct railway communication with Chittagong and Calcutta.[15]

Golaghat Sahitya Sabha is one of the oldest congresses of Asam Sahitya Sabha
.

Golaghat is known for its notable contribution in India's Freedom Struggle, Arts, Literature and Culture and Sports.

File:Golaghat Amateur Theatre Society (GATS).png
Logo of Golaghat Amateur Theatre Society (GATS) - ESTD 1895
.
  • Kushal Konwar, Kamala Miri, Dwariki Das, Biju Vaishnav, Sankar Chandra Barua, Shri Tara P. Barooah, Maheshwar Barooah, Rajendra Nath Barua, Gaurilal Jain, Ganga Ram Bormedhi and Dwarikanath Goswami are eminent freedom fighters of the town.[16]
  • The Golaghat Sahitya Sabha is one of the oldest congresses of Asam Sahitya Sabha, started in 1918.
  • The most prominent writer of the 19th century who hailed from Golaghat was Hem Chandra Barua, the writer of first Assamese dictionary Hemkosh.
  • Ghanashyam Barua of Golaghat, who was also famous in the field of politics as the first Central Minister of Assam, translated William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors into the Assamese language along with three of his partners.
  • Golaghat has played an important role in the field of sports in Assam. The tea centre has produced several National and International players of repute in athletics, table tennis, tennis, boxing and football. Sports Authority of India has a training centre at SAI sports' complex in Golaghat.
  • Golaghat Tennis Club (GTC) is one of the oldest in Assam. Presently, besides two clay courts, there are also 2 lawn courts at Kushal Konwar Memorial Trust complex. The old club is now equipped with modern infrastructure facilities that includes the facility of floodlight system and qualified coach. The club has been organising North East Tennis Championship and other AITA tournaments regularly since 1987.
  • The Lawn court at Kushal Konwar Memorial Trust Complex located near Mission Circle in Golaghat is the only grass court of Assam.
  • Numaligarh Refinery, located at Morangi area, Numaligarh is one of the employment and revenue generating sectors of Golaghat.

Geography

Golaghat is located at 26°31′N 93°58′E / 26.52°N 93.97°E / 26.52; 93.97.[17] It has an average elevation of 95 metres (311 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[18] Golaghat had a population of 33,021. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Golaghat has an average literacy rate of 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 84%, and Female literacy is 79%. In Golaghat, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

  • Doss & Co. - Golaghat, circa 1920
    Doss & Co. - Golaghat, circa 1920
  • Traffic point - Golaghat
    Traffic point - Golaghat
  • Christian High School - Golaghat, ESTD 1919
    Christian High School - Golaghat, ESTD 1919
  • Traffic circle with musical fountain on display - Golaghat
    Traffic circle with musical fountain on display - Golaghat
  • British Cemetery - Golaghat, ESTD 1876
    British Cemetery - Golaghat, ESTD 1876
  • Bezbaruah H.S. School - Golaghat, ESTD 1886
    Bezbaruah H.S. School - Golaghat, ESTD 1886
  • Baptist Church - Golaghat, ESTD 1898
    Baptist Church - Golaghat, ESTD 1898

Education

Golaghat is known for many literary intellects who have made outstanding contributions to Assamese literature. The place has good old institutions which have been credited with students' high academic performance and record scores in the past when being compared to other institution equivalents of similar repute in Assam.

Primary and secondary education in Golaghat are offered by various schools affiliated to one of the boards of education, such as the HSLC of SEBA, AISSE of CBSE and ICSE of CISE. Schools in Golaghat are either government run or are private (both aided and un-aided by the government). After completing their high or secondary education, students either attend Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) through Degree/Junior College affiliated to AHSEC or All India Senior Secondary School Examination (AISSSE) affiliated to CBSE or Indian School Certificate (ISC) affiliated to CISCE in one of the three streams – Arts / Humanities, Commerce or Science with combinational electives.

Following are a few of the institutes:

College

Colleges - Level: Undergraduate & Postgraduate Degree and HSSLC (Jr.)

School

Schools - Level: Primary & High Schools and Higher or Senior Secondary

Primary

  • Golaghat Sishu Bhavan
  • No. 1 Town Model School
  • No. 2 Town Model School
  • No. 3 Town Chandmari School

High School and Higher or Senior Secondary

Creche/Daycare for children

  • Bachpan Play School[19]
  • Blue Valley
  • Eurokids
  • Golaghat Sishu Bhavan school, a daycare for infants, babies and young school going children (post-school hours).
  • Kids Paradise
  • Kidzee

Others

  • Ajanta Kala Manadal: School of dance
  • KVK: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (ICAR - AAU)
  • Maheshwar Barooah Sangeet Mahavidyalaya: Music college
  • Mayur Kala Kendra
  • NEiiT: North East Institute of Information Technology
  • Rupaban Mahavidyalaya: College of music and dance

Transportation

Air

Rowriah Airport is the nearest airport from Golaghat.

Rail

The Golaghat railway station is located at Bet Mahal, and the main railhead is Furkating junction on Lumding–Dibrugarh section of Northeast Frontier Railway, about 10 kilometers from Golaghat municipal area. There are daily and weekly trains running through the Furkating junction to all important cities of the country.

Road

Golaghat is well connected by roadways to all the cities and towns of Assam. The National Highway 39 (NH 39) starts from Numaligarh, passes near Golaghat town which is linked by GD Road and GF Road.

Places of Interest

Homestay at Kaziranga, Golaghat
Garampani Hanging Bridge, Golaghat
  • Kaziranga National Park: Kazirônga is a national park in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam, India. A World Heritage Site, the park hosts two-thirds of the world's great one-horned rhinoceroses. Kaziranga boasts the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world and was declared a tiger reserve in 2006. The park is home to large breeding populations of elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer. Kaziranga is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for conservation of avifaunal species. Compared to other protected areas in India, Kaziranga has achieved notable success in wildlife conservation. Located on the edge of the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot, the park combines high species diversity and visibility. It is a vast expanse of tall elephant grass, marshland, and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests, crisscrossed by four major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, and the park includes numerous small bodies of water. Kaziranga has been the theme of several books, songs, and documentaries. The park celebrated its centennial in 2005 after its establishment in 1905 as a reserve forest.
  • Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary: It is a 6.05-square-kilometre (2.34 sq mi) wildlife sanctuary located in Karbi Anglong district, Assam, India. It is 25 km (16 mi) from Golaghat. It is one of the oldest sanctuaries containing Hot water spring and Waterfalls and surrounded is by Nambor Sanctuary having 51 rare species of orchid. Best season to visit: November to April.
Golaghat Natural History Museum
  • Golaghat Natural History Museum (Uncle Robin's Museum): The museum is located on the Mission Road in Golaghat and within the residence of late Dr Robin Banerjee, a naturalist of International repute. The museum is full of dolls, artifacts, mementos, movies and other personal collections of Dr Banerjee's lifetime. There are 587 dolls and 262 other show pieces. They have mostly been presented by admirers and children during his many trips to abroad and within the country as well.
Golaghat British Cemetery
  • Golaghat British Cemetery: The British Cemetery, established in 1876 is located on the premises opposite to Cally Coomer Doss & Co., adjacent to the circle office of Assam Power Distribution Company Limited at Golaghat. It is Assam's one of the oldest burial grounds dating back to India's pre-independence era, containing 28 burials of British officers of tea estates and their families, and is open for public viewing.
Golaghat Gymkhana - The front entrance of Barooah House, Golaghat
  • Golaghat Gymkhana: The new Golaghat Gymkhana is an architecture built in 1910 and is a clubhouse offering a complete package food and board with a restaurant and a bar, a swimming pool, a gymnasium and even a billiards room. Raibahadur Ghanashyam Baruah, had constructed the bungalow after the family ventured into the tea business. Being a tea centre of Assam, Golaghat had its own Gymkhana Club much like Jorhat which was later destroyed during the Quit India Movement.[20] It was then the centre of entertainment and merry-making for the Military personnel.
Golaghat Baptist Church
  • Golaghat Baptist Church: The Baptist Church, one of the oldest and biggest Baptist Churches in Assam was established in December 1898. It had celebrated its Centenary Jubilee in 1999. The pioneering man behind the foundation of this church was Dr. O. L. Swanson, a missionary from America, who had come to Assam in 1893 along with his wife. Dr. Swanson was assisted by a number of local people to erect this church.
  • Golaghat Amateur Theatre Society (GATS): Established in 1895,[6] is an oldest theatre society in Assam having its Town hall at Golaghat central. Most of the seminars, conferences, theatres, including experimental theatres,[21] meetings and other workshops are organised and conducted by GATS.
  • Doss & Co.: is one of the largest and oldest Department Store in Assam, established during British Raj, is still intact in its original building complex at the heart of the city centre. The store has many divisions comparising home appliances, electronics, and additionally select other lines of products such as paint, hardware, toiletries, cosmetics, photographic equipment, jewellery, toys, and sporting goods, among others. A branch of this store is also present in the sister town of Jorhat.
  • Dhansiri river bank: A walk down the Dhansiri bridge towards the river offers a very beautiful sight. It is a popular picnic spot for the citizens of Golaghat and others alike.
  • Jamuna boating park: It is a public boating park within the city with slow boating facility for the locals and the tourists.
  • Jamuna water body: It is a reserved area of Jamuna boating park that is used for the preservation of abundant flora and fauna plantations. It is not open for public boating and has a recorded history of rich and exotic species of biological plant and animal species.
  • Japixojia lake (beel): The late is about 30 minutes drive from Golaghat central, located near the central jail of Golaghat. The Japixojia lake is a very lovely spot, with lush tea gardens lining the borders of the vast expanses of water. The lake is visited by many migratory birds as well as home to various all season birds.
  • Athkheliya Namghar: It is one of the prominent religious places of Assam. The Namghar was built in 1681 by Ahom king Gadapani. It is situated at the bank of river Kakodonga in Bosagaon of Golaghat district.
  • Nambor - Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary: The wildlife sanctuary, spreading across 97 square kilometres (37 sq mi) in 3 blocks, is located in Morangi, Golaghat and is famous as a spot for Hot water spring and wildlife viewpoint to spot Rhino and other animals.

Sports

Sports' clubs and associations

  • Golaghat Tennis Club: Being one of the oldest clubs in Assam, the GTC has 2 clay courts in Golaghat Tennis Complex (GTC) besides two lawn courts at Kushal Kunwar Memorial Trust complex on Mission Road. The club is equipped with modern infrastructure facilities also has Floodlight stipulation - the facility that provides broad-beamed, high-intensity artificial lights for outdoor playing in low-light conditions, and qualified coaches. The club has been organising North East Tennis Championship and other AITA tournaments regularly since 1987.
  • Indoor Stadium: The premises confined near to Mission Circle, the Table Tennis and Badminton Indoor Stadium is equipped with four table tennis boards and two badminton courts. It is a professional sports centre for the sports enthusiast.
  • Boxing Club: Golaghat boxing club is one of the pioneering boxing clubs of Assam. The club in the Amulapatty - Old is a centre for boxing events.
  • The Swimming Club: Located next to the indoor stadium near to Mission Circle the swimming pool managed by Golaghat District's Sport Office, the club has training facility for all age groups conducted by trained and experienced coaches.
  • Golaghat Stadium (Golaghat District Sports Association - GDSA): A fully built stadium with galleries and sitting capacity of 4000 people. Good Cricket pitch which is however also used to host football matches.The stadium complex houses two volleyball courts, two boxing rings, a cricket ground, a football ground, a twin-crease indoor cricket practice stadium and a four star guest house-cum-gallery.The indoor cricket practice stadium is built with materials imported from Australia.
  • Golaghat District Carrom Association (GDCA): The only platform for the carrom players of the district.

Localities

A few localities of Golaghat are:

Oldest prominent neighbourhood

  • Amulapatty - New (residential)
    • Baagicha Ali (residential)
  • Amulapatty - Old (residential)

Other neighbourhoods

  • Arengapara (residential and commercial)
  • Begenakhuwa (residential and commercial)
  • Chandan Nagar (residential)
  • Chandmari (residential)
  • Chitra Sen Kakoty Path (residential)
  • Court Road (residential and commercial)
  • Junaki Nagar (residential new development area)
  • Krishna Nagar (Golaghat south, residential)
  • Maruwaripatty (residential)
  • Mission Road (mostly residential with a few commercial establishments)
  • Paltanpatty (residential)
  • Santipur (residential)
  • Sreemanta Nagar (residential)
  • Station Road (mostly residential with a few commercial establishments)
  • Tapan Nagar (mostly residential with a few commercial establishments)

Politics

Golaghat is a part of Kaliabor (Lok Sabha constituency).[22]

Notable personalities

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
Image Name Residence Period Notes


Aideu Handique
Aideu Handique
 Aideu Handique Assamese actress
— Atul Bora Politician
— Ajanta Neog Politician
Chandradhar Barua
Chandradhar Barua
 Chandradhar Barua Eminent writer, poet


— Debo Prasad Barooah Academician, historian, Ex-VC Gauhati University
— Digbijoy Nath Engineer, professor at IISc
Gunaram Khanikar
Gunaram Khanikar
 Gunaram Khanikar Herbal medicine expert
Hemchandra Goswami
Hemchandra Goswami
 Hemchandra Goswami Eminent writer, poet, historian, teacher and a linguist
Nagen Saikia
Nagen Saikia
 Nagen Saikia Writer
— Nilmani Phookan Eminent writer, poet
— Hiren Gohain Literary critic, social scientist
Kushal Konwar
Kushal Konwar
 Kushal Konwar Freedom fighter
— Munin Barua Prominent Assamese film maker
— Rana Tamooly Assamese actor
Robin Banerjee
Robin Banerjee
 Robin Banerjee Padma Shri awardee, noted wildlife expert, environmentalist, painter, photographer and documentary filmmaker
Swargajyoti Barooah
Swargajyoti Barooah
 Swargajyoti Barooah Assamese actress
— Syed Abdul Malik Writer

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150119/jsp/northeast/story_9079.jsp#.V0OXAZMrIcg
  2. ^ http://indikosh.com/city/310394/golaghat
  3. ^ "Brief History of The District, page10" (PDF). Directorate of Census Operations. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  4. ^ http://sivasagarjudiciary.gov.in/data/barassociation.html
  5. ^ A Glimpse of Assam
  6. ^ a b "Golaghat Amateur Theatre Society : A Brief Introduction".
  7. ^ "British officers buried in Golaghat cemetery, The Telegraph - Calcutta - Gauhati". Pullock Dutta. 8 July 2013. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  8. ^ "Golaghat school completes 125 years, The Sentinel (Gauhati)". Sentinel Correspondent. 19 January 2016.
  9. ^ "Assam Travel Guide". Assam Tourism. 2011. p. 106.
  10. ^ "Barkakoty re-elected chairman of North Eastern tea association, Business Standard, Calcutta - Gauhati". BS Reporter. 11 April 2013.
  11. ^ "ACMS writes to tea growers on bonus, The Telegraph, Calcutta - Gauhati". The Telegraph Correspondent. 11 August 2016.
  12. ^ "Brief History of The District, page10" (PDF). Directorate of Census Operations. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  13. ^ a b A Glimpse of Assam
  14. ^ A Glimpse of Assam
  15. ^ a b A Glimpse of Assam
  16. ^ Sharma, Anil Kumar (2007). Quit India Movement In Assam. pp. 24, 99, 113, 114, 229. ISBN 9788183242424.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  17. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Golaghat
  18. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  19. ^ "Bachpan Play School". Bachpanglobal.com. Retrieved 2015-08-22.
  20. ^ "Quit India Movement In Assam, Quit India and Student and Woman Movements in Golaghat District, page 123". Anil Kumar Sharma. 2007.
  21. ^ "Golaghat to witness new theatre, The Telegraph - Calcutta - Gauhati". Ritupallab Saikia. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.,
  22. ^ "List of Parliamentary & Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Assam. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-05-04. Retrieved 2008-10-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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