Sivasagar

This article is about the municipality in India. For its namesake district, see Sivasagar district.

Sivasagar (Assamese: [xi.βɔ.xaɡɔ(ɹ)]) is a city and headquarter of the Sivasagar district, Assam. Sivasagar City It is well known for its Ahom palaces and monuments. Sivasagar is an important centre for tea and oil industries today.^[1]

Sivasagar
City
Sivasagar City
Clockwise from top: Sivadol, Azan Faqir Dargah, Garhgaon's Kareng ghar, Rang Ghar and night view of Sivasagar tank
Sivasagar Location in Assam, India Show map of Assam Sivasagar Sivasagar (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 26°59′04″N 94°38′15″E
Country	India
State	Assam
District	Sivasagar
Government
• Body	Sivasagar Municipal Board
Elevation	95 m (312 ft)
Population  (2025)
• Total	150,781
Demonym	Sivsagarian
Languages
• Official	Assamese
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	785640
Telephone code	91-3772
ISO 3166 code	IN-AS
Vehicle registration	AS 04
Nearest major city	Jorhat, Dibrugarh Nazira
Website	sivasagar.assam.gov.in

Etymology

It is said that the original name of Sivasagar was - 'Kalansupar' after the name of 'Kalansu Gohain' who resided in a village that originally existed in the place where currently the Sivasagar tank is located. ^[2][3] In the year 1733, the Ahom queen Ambika devi dug a tank at the ahom capital Rangpur, covering a area of 257 acre. The place came to be known as Sivpore (Sivpur) being associated with the great Siva temple (Siva Dol) built on the bank of this tank. Then with the passage-of time, the name Sibsagar was formed.^[4]

History

See also: Battle of Dhai Ali

Sivasagar, formerly known as Rangpur, was the capital of the Ahom Kingdom from 1699 to 1788. The Ahoms ruled Assam for six centuries until their kingdom fell to the Burmese Konbaung dynasty in 1819 and their ruling class was all but wiped out.^[5]

During the reign of Gaurinath Singha (1780–1795), a battle was fought against the Moamoria rebels in the vicinity of the Sivasagar tank.

The province was conquered by the British in 1825 and was completely annexed in 1826. For administrative purposes, it was divided into three sub-divisions.^[6]

Geography

Sivasagar is located at 27.15°N 95.25°E / 27.15; 95.25. It has an average elevation of 86.6 meters above sea level.^[7]

Climate

Sivasagar has been ranked 27th best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 3  population under 3 lakhs cities) in India.^[8]

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1951	10,622	—
1991	37,326	+251.4%
2001	63,854	+71.1%
2011	90,781	+42.2%
2021	130,567	+43.8%
Source: Census of India[9][10]

According to the 2011 census Sivasagar has a population of 1,151,050, roughly equal to the population of East Timor. The City has a population density of 50 inhabitants per square kilometre (130/sq mi).^[11] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 42.2%.^[11] Sivasagar has a sex ratio of 954 females for every 1000 males,^[11] and a literacy rate of 81.36%.^[11]

After bifurcation Sivasagar has a population of 679,632, of which 80,373 (41.83%) live in urban areas. The residual district has a sex ratio of 952 females per 1000 males. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 34,704 (5.11%) and 37,130 (5.46%) of the population respectively.^[12]

Religions in Sivasagar district (2011)[13]
Religion			Percent
Hinduism			87.17%
Islam			10.88%
Christianity			1.24%
Other or not stated			0.71%

In the residual district Hindus are 592,433 (87.17%), Muslims are 73,961 (10.88%), Christians 8,433 (1.24%).^[13] There are also a few villages of Buddhist tribes like Khamyang and Turung people. Moreover, there is a small population of Tiwas, Konyak, Meitei and Nocte living in certain parts of the district. Many Rajasthani families are also present in Sivasagar City.

Languages of Sivasagar district (2011)^[14]

1. Assamese (90.24%)
2. Mishing (2.78%)
3. Hindi (1.96%)
4. Bengali (1.58%)
5. Sadri (1.38%)
6. Others (2.06%)

Sivasagar is an overwhelming assamese majority district. At the time of the 2011 census, 90.24% of the population spoke Assamese, 2.78% Mishing, 1.96% Hindi, 1.58% Bengali and 1.38% Sadri as their first language.^[14]

Administration

District Court

In the year 1984, a separate Civil District of Sivasagar was declared, and in the year 1985, the District Judiciary was set up.

In the year 1983, C.J.M. court was opened at Sivasagar. Subsequently on 1984, the court of Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Charaideo, Sonari was established. In 1987, The Civil Judge & Asstt. Sessions Judge, Sivasagar was opened. From 2001 The Addl. District & Sessions Judge (F.T.C) begin functioning. The Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate Court(M), Nazira begin functioning from 24 July 2014. As per order of the Hon'ble Gauhati High Court, the new Addl. District and Sessions Judge, Charaideo, Sonari begin functioning from the date of 09-02-2018. On 27-02-2021, Charaideo judicial courts separated from Sivasagar district. There are currently twelve Judicial Courts in Sivasagar District.^[15]

Transport

Air

Jorhat Airport located at Jorhat, 75 km away from Sivasagar. Another option for getting here is via Dibrugarh Airport, located at a distance of 95 km from the city.^[1]

Rail

Sibsagar Town railway station serves the town. The nearest railway junction on the Lumding–Dibrugarh section of the Northeast Frontier Railways is Simaluguri Junction, 16 kilometers (9.9 mi) from Sivasagar. Buses ply regularly from Simaluguri towards Sivasagar. It is approximately a half-hour bus ride from Simaluguri town. ^[1]

Road

Sivasagar is well connected by road with the rest of the state. The National Highway (NH-37) or the Assam Trunk Road runs through the district. State-run buses connect it to Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Jorhat from the Assam State Transport Corporation's (ASTC) bus station in Sivasagar. Private buses are also available. Taxis are also available for hire. Auto-rickshaws and other modes of transport are available in and around the town. Cheaper modes of transport, like Tata Magic and Tempos, are available through Nazira, Mechagarh and Joysagar to Sivasagar.^[1]

Education

Sivasagar is a hub for education in Upper Assam, with a range of schools, colleges, and universities offering various courses. Here are some notable educational institutions in Sivasagar:

Schools

1. Sivasagar Govt. Boys' Higher Secondary School

2. Sivasagar Govt. Girls' Higher Secondary School

3. Sivasagar Jatiya Vidyalaya

4. Springdale English School

5. Sivasagar Public School

Colleges

1. Sivasagar College

2. Sivasagar Girl's College

3. Demow college

4. Nazira College

Universities

1. Sivasagar University (proposed)

2. Assam agricultural University

Other Institutions

1. Sivasagar Polytechnic

2. Institute of Pharmacy, Sivasagar

3. Sivasagar District Institute of Education and Training

Education Scenario

Sivasagar has a literacy rate of around 82%, with a strong emphasis on education. The district has a good network of schools, colleges, and universities, offering courses in various fields, including arts, science, commerce, engineering, and agriculture.

Initiatives

The government has initiated various programs to improve education in Sivasagar, including:

1. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)

2. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)

3. National Higher Education Mission (RUSA)

These initiatives aim to improve infrastructure, teacher training, and student outcomes in Sivasagar. ^[16]

^[17]

Politics

Sivasagar is a part of Jorhat (Lok Sabha constituency).^[18] Gaurav Gogoi of Indian National Congress is the current Member of Lok Sabha from the Jorhat Lok Sabha Constituency.

Akhil Gogoi of Raijor Dol is the incumbent MLA from Sivasagar assembly constituency.^[19]

Notable people

• Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, DGP of Assam police
• Bhogeswar Baruah, former athlete and coach
• Hiteswar Saikia, politician
• Pranab Kumar Gogoi, politician^[20]
• Manas Robin, musician
• Akhil Gogoi, MLA Sivasagar Constituency^[21]
• Devoleena Bhattacharjee, Indian TV actress ^[22]
• Amrita Gogoi, Assamese actress
• Dipali Barthakur, Assamese Singer
• Jatindra Nath Duwara, Assamese Poet
• Maniram Dewan, Freedom fighter