Jorhat history

Foundation and Historical Roots

The name Jorhat literally translates as "two markets". The etymology traces back to the words "Jor" (pair or junction) and "Hat" (market), referring to two bustling trading posts — Macharhat and Chowkihat — which were located on opposite banks of the Bhogdoi River. The city has gone down in history as the last capital of the Ahom Kingdom. In the late 18th century, amidst internal unrest, the centre of power was shifted here from Rangpur.

Key Factors of Formation

The development of Jorhat was driven by a combination of strategic and geographical reasons:

• Political Necessity: The relocation of the capital by King Gaurinath Singha in 1794 was a strategic move to protect the administration during the Moamoria rebellion.
• Geographical Location: Its position on the south bank of the Brahmaputra and the presence of the Bhogdoi River provided waterways for transport and fertile lands for agriculture.
• Trade Hub: The presence of two major markets initially made this location a centre for commercial exchange in the region.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

During its formation as a capital, Jorhat was not merely an administrative centre, but also the cultural heart of Assam. The aristocracy and artisans of the Ahom Kingdom were concentrated here. The city's economy was based on active river trade and agriculture. It was during this period that the foundations were laid which later allowed the region to become a global centre of the tea industry, although in the early years the focus was on traditional crafts and managing the vast territories of the valley.

Major Milestones in the History of Jorhat

• 1794: King Gaurinath Singha officially moves the capital of the Ahom Kingdom from Rangpur to Jorhat due to the Moamoria rebellion.
• 1817: The beginning of Burmese invasions into Assam, leading to destruction and destabilisation of the capital.
• 1824: British troops enter the region, driving out the Burmese army during the First Anglo-Burmese War.
• 1826: The Treaty of Yandabo is signed, under which Jorhat, along with the rest of Assam, comes under the administration of the British East India Company.
• 1828: Gomdhar Konwar leads the first rebellion against British rule in the region, attempting to restore the Ahom monarchy.
• 1858: Public execution of resistance leaders Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua for their participation in the Indian Rebellion (Sepoy Mutiny).
• 1885: Launch of the narrow-gauge Jorhat Provincial Railway (JPR) for transporting tea and passengers.
• 1909: The Jorhat Municipal Board is established to manage the developing urban infrastructure.
• 1911: Foundation of the Tocklai Tea Research Institute, cementing the city's status as the "Tea Capital".
• 1930: Opening of Jagannath Barooah College (J.B. College), which became the first higher education institution in the district.
• 1969: Assam Agricultural University is founded in the city, the first university of this profile in Northeast India.
• 1983: Jorhat officially becomes the administrative headquarters of a separate district of the same name, carved out of the Sibsagar district.

Key Stages of Jorhat's Transformation

The city's development followed a path of transformation from a royal capital into a modern commercial, industrial, and scientific centre. The following significant areas of transformation can be highlighted:

• Becoming the "Tea Capital of the World":

  The development of tea plantations around the city in the 19th century became the main economic driver. The opening of the Tocklai Tea Research Institute turned Jorhat into a global centre of agronomic science, where technologies for growing and processing tea, applied worldwide, are developed.

• Infrastructure Breakthrough with JPR:

  The construction of the Jorhat Provincial Railway (JPR) was crucial for logistics. The narrow-gauge line connected tea gardens with river ports (Kokilamukh), ensuring rapid export of produce and stimulating the inflow of goods to the region, which turned the city into a major trading hub.

• Formation of a Scientific and Educational Cluster:

  The creation of Assam Agricultural University and the opening of the CSIR-NEIST (North East Institute of Science and Technology) laboratory changed the demographic and social landscape of the city. Jorhat began to attract students and scientists, forming the intellectual elite of the region.

• Cultural Centralisation:

  The location of the headquarters of the Asam Sahitya Sabha — the state's premier literary organisation — here secured Jorhat's status as the cultural capital of Assam. This contributed to the preservation of language, literature, and traditions during a period of active modernisation.

• Development of Air Connectivity:

  The modernisation of Rowriah Airport provided the city with direct links to Kolkata and other Indian metropolises. This significantly increased tourism appeal and simplified business contacts, lifting the city's economy out of geographical isolation.

Architectural Eclecticism: From Kingdom to Tea Empire

The architectural landscape of Jorhat represents a unique blend of the Ahom dynasty heritage, British colonial aesthetics, and modern functional development. The city developed organically, following the political and economic shifts of the region, transforming from a fortified capital into a centre of the tea industry.

The Ahom Era (Late 18th Century)

As the last capital of the Ahom Kingdom, the city has preserved traces of traditional town planning from that era, although many original wooden and bamboo structures have not survived to this day.

• Style: Traditional Ahom architecture.
• Features: Use of brick for sacred structures, creation of massive earthen fortifications, and a sophisticated system of water management structures (pukhuri ponds).
• Landmarks:
  • Raja Maidam: The vault of King Purandar Singha, preserved to this day, demonstrates the traditions of memorial architecture.
  • Historical Ponds: Kunwar Pukhuri and Rajmao Pukhuri, which remain important town-planning elements.

Colonial Period (19th — First Half of 20th Century)

With the arrival of the British and the boom in the tea industry, the city's most recognisable architectural layer was formed, adapted to the humid climate and seismic activity of Assam.

• Style: "Assam-type architecture" and the colonial bungalow.
• Features: Single or double-storey buildings with a light timber frame, reed walls plastered with lime (ikra technique), high ceilings, spacious verandas, and sloping corrugated iron roofs for protection against monsoons.
• Landmark Buildings:
  • Jorhat Gymkhana Club: Built in 1876, the club building is a classic example of colonial architecture designed for elite leisure and recreation.
  • Thengal Bhavan: A majestic residence built in 1880, combining European comfort with local traditions.
  • Tea Bungalows: Numerous planters' homes scattered across the surroundings, preserving the atmosphere of the British era.

Modern Stage (From Mid-20th Century)

After independence, the urban planning vector shifted towards creating educational and scientific clusters, which brought utilitarian features to the city's appearance.

• Style: Functionalism and modernism.
• Features: Transition to permanent reinforced concrete structures, construction of multi-storey administrative buildings and campuses.
• Landmark Districts:
  • Assam Agricultural University Campus: An example of comprehensive planning for an educational institution.
  • Tocklai Complex: Laboratory and administrative blocks of the research institute, combining strict forms with functionality.

Distinguished Personalities of Jorhat

Jorhat, being the cultural and historical capital of Assam, has been the birthplace and centre of activity for many iconic figures, from leaders of anti-colonial resistance to educators and modern politicians.

• Maniram Dewan
  Pioneer of the tea industry and freedom fighter (1806–1858)
  One of the region's most revered heroes. He became the first Indian to start commercial tea cultivation in Assam, challenging the British monopoly. Later, he led the 1857 rebellion in the region and was publicly executed by the British in Jorhat, becoming a symbol of patriotism.
• Gomdhar Konwar
  Prince of the Ahom dynasty and leader of the first rebellion (early 19th century)
  Led the first organised resistance against British rule in Assam in 1828, attempting to restore the independence of the Ahom Kingdom shortly after the signing of the Treaty of Yandabo.
• Krishna Kanta Handique
  Sanskrit scholar and educator (1898–1982)
  A world-renowned linguist and Indologist born in Jorhat. He became the first Vice-Chancellor of Gauhati University. His contribution to education is immortalised in the name of the Assam State Open University.
• Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya
  Writer and poet (1924–1997)
  A native of Jorhat who became the first Assamese writer to be awarded India's highest literary honour — the Jnanpith Award. His novel "Mrityunjay" is considered a classic of Indian literature.
• Piyali Barua
  Revolutionary (executed in 1858)
  A close associate of Maniram Dewan. He played a key role in organising the conspiracy against the colonial administration during the Sepoy Mutiny and was hanged alongside Dewan at the same site in Jorhat.
• Tarun Gogoi
  Statesman (1934–2020)
  A prominent politician born in the Jorhat district. He served as the Chief Minister of Assam for 15 years (three consecutive terms), playing a significant role in the modernisation of the region and the establishment of peace in the state.
• Siva Prasad Barooah
  Tea planter and media mogul (1880–1938)
  An outstanding entrepreneur who built the famous Thengal Bhavan mansion. He founded the first daily newspaper in the Assamese language, "Dainik Batori", which was a turning point in the development of journalism in the region.