Kokrajhar

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Kokrajhar | type = city | latd = 26.4 | longd = 90.27
locator_position = left | state_name = Assam
district = Kokrajhar
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 38
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 31,152| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 03661
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio = 52:50
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Kokrajhar is a city in Assam, one of the North East States and territories of India.

Kokrajhar city is located along the bank of Gourang river. The North East Indian Railways divides the city into two sides, north and the south sides. Kokrajhar city is the headquarter of Kokrajhar district and the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

A brief History

Kokrajhar was one of the territories of ancient Koch-Rajbongshi "Kingdom" i.e Kamatapur,The Kamata kingdom appeared in the western part of the older Kamarupa kingdom in the 13th century, after the fall of the Pala dynasty. The rise of the Kamata kingdom marked the end of the ancient period in the History of Assam and the beginning of the medieval period. The first rulers were the Khens, who were later displaced by Alauddin Hussain Shah, the Turko-Afghan ruler of Bengal. Though Hussain Shah developed extensive administrative structures, he could not maintain political control and the control went to the Koch dynasty. The KochRajbongshis called themselves Kamateshwars (the rulers of Kamata), but their influence and expansions were so extensive and far reaching that their kingdom is sometimes called the Koch Kingdom/Kamatapur.

The Bodoland movement started at the Kokrajhar city. Kokrajhar city serves as the capital town for the Bodos. The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) was formed in 2003-2004 as a consequence of a Memorandum of Settlement with the BLTF. The BTC is currently made of four districts. These four districts are officially recognized as Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD).

Geography

Kokrajhar is located at coord|26.4|N|90.27|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/3/Kokrajhar.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kokrajhar] ] It has an average elevation of 38 metres (124 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Kokrajhar had a population of 31,152. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Kokrajhar has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 74%. In Kokrajhar, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Transportation

Kokrajhar is served by the Assam State Transport System, private buses, cars, and the Northeast Indian Railways with services to Guwahati, Kolkata, New Delhi, Madras, and Mumbai.

University, Colleges and Schools

The Kokrajhar University was established following the Bodoland Movement. The Kokrajhar University is located in one of the suburbs of Kokrajhar city. Kokrajhar city has several schools and colleges. The Kokrajhar college is a premier educational institute that is located at the heart of Kokrajhar city. Other colleges include Kokrajhar Basic Training college, Kokrajhar Science college, Kokrajhar Commerce college, and Kokrajhar Girls college.

Today, Kokrajhar town is truly a cosmopolitan city. Kokrajhar city is not only inhabited by the Bodos, but also a hometown for a sizable number of Bengali, Assamese, KochRajbongshis, Nepali, Marathi, Gujarati, Bihari, Marwari and Bangladeshi people. There are Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, English, and Bodo medium schools that cater to almost every linguistic and ethnic groups. Central school, Himatsingh Bengali, Donbosco, and Babyland schools, - each have long-standing track records of producing students who compete at National level.

Politics

Kokrajhar consists of two assembly constituencies: Kokrajhar East and Kokrajhar West, both of which are part of Kokrajhar (Lok Sabha constituency). [cite web
url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S03/AS_ACPC.pdf
title = List of Parliamentary & Assembly Constituencies
accessdate = 2008-10-05
work = Assam
publisher = Election Commission of India ]

References

External links

* [http://www.bodoland.net Official Home page]
* [http://www.india9.com/i9show/51334.htm Inida9.com]

ee also

* Kokrajhar (Lok Sabha constituency)