Howly Through Time | A Historical Timeline
Historical Archive

Howly

A journey through centuries of memory, people, places and events
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Before there was a town, there was a history

Howly's story stretches across centuries of religious movements, kingdoms, roads, markets, institutions, education, culture, sport and community life. This timeline brings together significant milestones in the historical journey of Howly and the surrounding region.

1546 — 1679 · Early History
1546

Arrival of Srimanta Sankardev

Srimanta Sankardev arrived at Barpeta, beginning an important chapter in the region's Vaishnavite history.

1547

Gohai Kamal Ali

Construction of the historic land route, Gohai Kamal Ali, through Bijaynagar.

1553

Ghilanagar Sub-Capital

King Naranarayan established a sub-capital at Ghilanagar, which remained important for twelve years.

1555

Sankardev Meets Naranarayan

Srimanta Sankardev visited Ghilanagar and Howly and met King Naranarayan.

1563

The Four Towns

King Naranarayan brought artisans to establish Barnagar, Bhawanipur, Kaljhar and Navanagar.

1575

Padmapriya

Birth of Padmapriya, daughter of Gopal Ata, regarded as Assam's first female poet.

1581

Ghila-Bijaypur Fort

Raghu Rai constructed the Ghila-Bijaypur Fort, encompassing Ghilanagar and Bijaypur.

1589

Kaljhar Satra

Establishment of Kaljhar Satra.

1603–1610

Parabhural Satra

Establishment of Parabhural Satra.

1600–1615

Ghilajari Satra

Establishment of Ghilajari Satra.

1611

Gopal Ata

Gopal Ata passed away at Kaljhar, Howly.

1659

Ahom Control

Ghila-Bijaypur came under complete Ahom control.

1679

Namatighat Satra

Establishment of Namatighat Satra by Mukunda Dev.

1823 — 1897 · Roads, Administration & Change
1823

Burmese Invasion

The capital of King Chandibarua was destroyed during the third Burmese invasion.

1826

Treaty of Yandaboo

The Barpeta region came under British rule following the Treaty of Yandaboo.

1834

British Administrative Plans

Elevated land in Howly was selected for a Sub-Divisional Headquarters and bricklaying began.

1840

Dak Bungalow

A Dak Bungalow was constructed at Halapakuri, near Uttar Sadar Ali.

1841

Chaulkhowa River Bridge

The British constructed a bridge over the Chaulkhowa river to improve travel.

1881

Rakhial Gosai Than

Establishment of Rakhial Gosai Than in Howly Gaon.

1897

The Great Earthquake

A major earthquake transformed the geography of Assam and migration towards the Howly region began.

1900 — 1939 · The Making of Modern Howly
1900

Howly Market

The beginning of the Howly market and publication of Monomoti, an important historical document.

1907

Railway Era

Eastern Bengal Railway passed through Barpeta district.

1909

Howly Town Jama Masjid

Establishment of Howly Town Jama Masjid.

1910

First Primary School

Moinaram Pandit and Gayaram Nath Pandit established the first primary school in Howly.

1919

Howly–Barpeta Road

Construction of the route connecting Howly and Barpeta.

1921

Post Office

A sub-office of Howly Post Office was established.

1925

Moiramara Opera

Formation of Howly's first drama troupe, Moiramara Opera.

1927

A Year of Institutions

Barpeta Road railway station was established, public Durga Puja began at Howly Middle Market, and Howly M.V. School was established.

1928

Raas Mahotsav Begins in Howly

In 1928, the tradition of Raas Mahotsav began in Howly, becoming one of the defining cultural chapters in the town's story.

1933

Seba Sangha

Establishment of Seba Sangha.

1939

Howly High School

Establishment of Howly High School.

1940 — 1959 · Community, Education & Culture
1940

Football Arrives

The first organized football tournament was held in Howly.

1943

Gandhi at Howly

Mahatma Gandhi participated in a freedom movement rally held at Howly.

1946

Pragati Sangha

Pancharatna Farm calendar was published and Pragati Sangha was established.

1949

Basic Training Centre

Establishment of Howly Basic Training Centre.

1950

Normal School

Establishment of Howly Normal School.

1952

Natya Sangha

Howly Natya Sangha was formed on November 9, alongside the establishment of the Government Sericulture Farm.

1954

Chandibarua Smriti Bhawan

Construction of Chandibarua Smriti Bhawan began on March 22.

1955

Howly Football Association

Birth of the Howly Football Association.

1958

Library & Girls' High School

Establishment of Monomoti Puthivoral and Howly Girls' High School.

1960 — 1979 · Institutions & Identity
1960

Sankara Adhyayan Chakra

Foundation of the literary organisation Sankara Adhyayan Chakra.

1962

Development & Education

Bhawanipur Development Block Office was established and Barbala Higher Secondary School was founded.

1965

Sports & Community

Formation of Howly Sports Association, establishment of Howly Public Cremation Ground and Howly Shiva Mandir.

1966

B.H. College

Howly Branch of Sahitya Sabha was formed and B.H. College was established.

1970

Mobile Theatre

Formation of Howly's first mobile theatre group, Sankara Sangam Natya Gosthi.

1972

Adarsha Vidyapith

Establishment of Howly Adarsha Vidyapith High School.

1974

Howly Town Committee

Howly Town Committee was established on May 17, alongside publication of Bindu.

1977

Electricity Comes to Howly

Electricity supply began in Howly and the magazine Aranya was published.

1978

Cultural Organisations

Jayanta Sowarani Kala Parishad and Rupkonwar Silpi Samaj were formed. Dalagaon Shiva Mandir was also established.

1979

Madanmohan Kirtanghar

Establishment of Madanmohan Kirtanghar.

1980 — 1993 · The Modern Cultural Era
1980

Ramdhenu

Foundation of Ramdhenu, a society dedicated to literature, culture and sports.

1982

Aurora Club

Establishment of Aurora Club.

1987

Amar Desh

Publication of the local weekly newspaper Amar Desh.

1993

Launching

Publication of the magazine Launching, marking the final milestone currently documented in this historical timeline.

Historical Documentation

Preserved by Ashim Das

This historical timeline has been documented by Ashim Das, drawing from his historical documentation of Howly.

Howly's Historical Book
Howly Historical Archive · Howly Digital Media