Overview of the Goalpara District

The present Goalpara district was created in the year 1983 with two sub-divisions viz Goalpara Sadar sub-division and North Salmara Civil sub-division, carved out from erstwhile Goalpara district. However, the same was again reconstituted in the year 1989 with only Sadar sub-division of Goalpara and the Civil sub-division of North Salmara was taken away in that year and merged with newly created Bongaigaon district. At present the district of Goalpara is situated entirely on the south bank of the river Brahmaputra . The district covers an area of 1,824 sq. km. and is bounded by West and East Garo Hill districts of the state of Meghalaya on the south and Kamrup district on the East, Dhubri district on the West and mighty river Brahmaputra all along the North.

Goalpara district is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. The name of the district is widely said to have originally derived from 'Gwaltippia' meaning Guwali village or village of the milk men. The story of Goalpara goes back to several centuries. Based on the Chinese traveler 'Hiuentsang' report, Sir Edward Gait had concluded that the erstwhile capital of state of the Kumar Bhaskar Varman is either in Goalpara district or in Coach Behar. The district came under British rule in 1765. Before this the area was under the control of the Coach dynasty. In 1826 the British accessed Assam and Goalpara was annexed to Assam in 1874, along with the creation of V headquarters of Dhubri. On 1st of July, 1983, two districts were split from Goalpara: Dhubri and Kokrajhar. On 29th of September 1989, Bongaigaon district was created from parts of Goalpara and Kokrajhar.

The Goalpara district was endowed with natural beauty and archaeological treasures. The important tourist spot of the district include: Sri Surya Pahar, a very significant but relatively unknown archaeological site in Assam, a hill which showcase the remains of cultural heritage of three important religions of India, Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. Dadan hill has a Shiva Temple on its top. The temple was established by a general of the army of King Bana of Sonitpur named Dadan. The mystical hill is surrounded by a mythological stories related to the bygone era. Pir Majhar is situated at the heart of the Goalpara town, a tomb of a saint named Hazarat Sayed Abul Kashem Kharasani. He is saint respected by Hindus and Muslim alike. Hulukanad hill is located at the heart of Goalpara. Sri Tukreswari hill, Paglartek Baba at Barbhita, Urpod beel of Agia, Dhamar Risen beel of Lakhipur is some other attractions of the district.