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History of Nalbari

Welcome to Nalbari, a district steeped in the whispers of history and the warmth of community. As you venture into this vibrant corner of Assam, you'll find yourself immersed in tales that span generations, weaving together the threads of ancient civilizations and modern-day life.

Picture this: it's the late 19th century, and British Railway Engineers stumble upon a patch of land teeming with reeds, a serene landscape that would soon be known as Nalbari. But long before its colonial encounter, this place danced to the tunes of different names – Satra, Govindapur, Khata – each a chapter in its ever-evolving story.

Beyond the names, Nalbari holds secrets of kingdoms long past. From the mighty reigns of Kampitha and Pagarjotic to the mythical echoes of Jarasandha and Krishna, the land resonates with the footprints of ancient rulers and revered deities alike. Walk through its winding paths, and you'll trace the footsteps of empires, from Ashuras to Mughals, each leaving behind a mark on its cultural canvas.

But Nalbari isn't just a page in a history book; it's a living, breathing testament to resilience and faith. Wander through its timeless villages – Khata, Bahjani, Tihu – and you'll encounter stories etched in every corner, stories of love, loss, and the enduring spirit of community. Stop by the Sri Sri Sri Bilveswar Maharudra or the Balilecha Mandir, and you'll feel the heartbeat of devotion that has echoed through the ages.

In the embrace of Nalbari's landscape, legends come to life. Imagine the sage Vasistha passing through these very lands, or the Pandavas and Kauravas weaving through its forests during the days of Duryodhana's wedding. It's a place where myth and reality dance hand in hand, where every stone has a story to tell.

As the sun sets over Nalbari's horizon, it casts a golden glow on its Sanskrit schools, the torchbearers of wisdom and knowledge. Here, amidst the rustle of reeds and the whispers of the past, generations have found solace in learning, shaping the future while honoring the traditions of old.

And amidst the tales of kings and sages, heroes emerge – the brave souls like Haradatta and Biradatta, whose courage reverberates through the ages. Their stories, like the legendary Kumedan Bangal and Padma Kumari, remind us of the resilience and strength that define the spirit of Nalbari.

So, as you journey through Nalbari, let yourself be enveloped by its warmth, its history, and its humanity. For in this place of reeds, amidst the ebb and flow of time, you'll find not just a district, but a soul – one that invites you to become a part of its timeless narrative, to weave your own story into its rich tapestry of life.

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Barpeta holds significant religious importance, known by various names such as Tatikuchi, Porabhita, Mathura, Vrindavan, Choukhutisthan, Nabaratna-Sabha, Icchakuchi, Pushpak Vimana, Kampur, and Barpeta. The establishment of Barnagar (Sorbhog) by Koch King Naranarayan marked a crucial historical point in the region, which was part of the Koch-Hajo and Ahom Kingdoms until British administration took over.

Throughout its history, Barpeta witnessed the rule of various dynasties, including the Varmans (380-654), Salasthamas (655-985), Palas (985-1260), Kamatas (1260-1509), and Koches from 1509. During the Kamata and Koch rule, the region saw significant developments, with local feudatory chiefs known as 'Bhuyans' ruling under the patronage of the Kamatas. These Bhuyans, originally from eastern parts of India like Kanauj, Gauda, and Bengal, eventually became a general Assamese caste and embraced the Vaishnava faith influenced by Shrimanta Sankardeva.

Koch King Naranarayan established his temporary capital at Barnagar, where he encountered Shrimanta Sankardeva and embraced Vaishnavism. It was during Naranarayan's reign that the great saint established the Satra at Patbaushi to propagate his socio-religious faith. The Koch rule concluded with Mughal annexation, following valiant Ahom resistance against Mughal invasions at battles like Jakhlikhana, Bhabanipur, and Bhatekuchi.

Under Mughal rule, the Ahoms were defeated, and the entire revenue administration was systematized. Barpeta became a Pargana, divided into subdivisions such as Khetri, Bajali, Barnagar, Bahbari, and Bijni. Administrative positions included Barbaruas, Choudhuries, Talukdars, Thakurias, Patwaries, Kakatis, and Gaon barikas.

Shrimanta Sankardeva's influence transformed Barpeta into a religious hub with numerous satras, leading to the town being referred to as 'Boikumthapuri Dham.' The Ahom rulers, regardless of religious affiliations, granted extensive land to satras. Copper-plate inscriptions from the reigns of Shiva Singha, Rajeswar Singha, Lakshmi Singha, Gaurinath Singha, and Chandra Kanta Singha document these land grants to satras, Darghas, and Devalayas.

The region faced destruction during the Myanmar invasion, with even the Barpeta Satra being razed. British intervention restored peace, but the Mouzadari system was implemented in 1841. British exploitation policies, particularly the sudden increase in land-revenue rates in 1893-94, led to peasant unrest, exemplified by the Lachima uprising. The Quit India Movement of 1942 saw significant local participation and sacrifice, with Madan Chandra Barman and Rauta Koch being the first martyrs.

Prominent leaders of the freedom struggle from Barpeta include Umesh Chandra Brahmachari, Dhaniram Talukdar, Ganesh Lal Choudhury, Debendra Nath Uzir, Akshay Kumar Das, Bongshidhar Choudhury, Nanamohan Mazumdar, Golak Pathak, Sonaram Choudhury, Dr. Jinaram Das, Biswanath Das, Praneswar Das, Ambikagiri Raichoudhury, Mahendra Mohan Choudhury, Madhusudan Das, Upendra Chandra Das, Debendra Sharma, Naranarayan Goswami, Kabiraj Ghanashyam Das, and Chandraprava Saikiani. Mahatma Gandhi visited Barpeta in 1934, and Jawaharlal Nehru followed suit in 1937.

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