Dimapur

History

Situated on the banks of the Dhansiri (originally known as Dong-siri meaning a ravine of peaceful habitation), Dimapur was described as the 'Brick City' by the European scholars and by the Ahoms.

Medieval period

Capital of the Kachari Kingdom

Dimapur served as the capital of the Dimasa Kingdom during the medieval period. The extensive fortifications, gateways, reservoirs and monumental remains found within the modern city testify to the prosperity and architectural development of the Kachari capital. According to one tradition, the city was founded by the Kachari king Mahamanipha, whose reign is placed between 1330 and 1370.

The Ahom–Kachari conflict under Suhungmung began in 1526, but the campaign did not immediately result in the conquest of Dimapur. According to Edward Gait, renewed hostilities in 1531 followed the construction of an Ahom fort at Marangi in the lower Dhansiri region. After defeating a Kachari army commanded by Detcha, the Ahoms advanced up the Dhansiri River, pursued the retreating forces to Dimapur and compelled the Kachari king Khunkhara to flee. A Kachari prince named Detsung was then installed as ruler under Ahom suzerainty.

When Detsung subsequently resisted Ahom authority, another expedition advanced through the Dhansiri valley in 1536. The Ahom forces again entered Dimapur, while Detsung fled and was later captured and killed at Jangmarang. Following this defeat, the Kachari royal house abandoned Dimapur and transferred its political centre southwards to Maibang.

The occupation of Dimapur was nevertheless temporary and did not amount to its permanent annexation or settlement by the Ahom kingdom. Gait describes the Kachari capital as having been “twice occupied”, but states that the Ahoms “never attempted to occupy” the Dhansiri valley, which subsequently reverted largely to forest. Permanent Ahom administration was concentrated farther north, in the lower Dhansiri or Marangi frontier, where an official known as the Marangikhowa Gohain was appointed. Dimapur's fall therefore represented the military defeat and abandonment of the Kachari capital rather than the incorporation of the city and the surrounding upper Dhansiri valley into the Ahom administrative system.

The frontier remained contested: after a Kachari incursion, Pratap Singha led an expedition through the Kopili and Dhansiri valleys in 1606, but the Kacharis later attacked the Ahom force at Raha, killed Sundar Gohain and drove out the survivors, prompting the king to seek conciliation. He subsequently settled four hundred Ahom families around Marangi and proposed an embankment along the Kachari boundary, but abandoned the plan after his nobles argued that a fixed frontier might restrict future expansion.

With the Ming dynasty and kingdom of Ava (1400–1500)

It appears that Chinese Ming dynasty had political contacts with the Dimasa and other neighbouring kingdoms between 1406 and 1439. The Ming dynasty canonised the Dimasa kingdom as a tusi in 1406. A Pacification superintendency was established in the Dimasa kingdom and Lawangpa was appointed as the Di-ma-sa Pacification Superintendent. The Ming court sent Zhou Rang, a Supervising Secretary to bestow Imperial orders, patent, seals, paper money, silks etc. to the kingdom and in return, the chieftain of Dimasa sent horses and local products as a sign of tribute. In 1425, paper money, ramie-silks, silk gauzes and thin silk were conferred to Mazhiasa who was sent to the Ming court by Diedaomangpa, the acting head of Di-ma-sa Pacification Superintendency.

It is speculated that Dimasa kingdom is referred to as Timmasala in the Yan-anng-myin pagoda inscription of Burma in 1400 A.D. In this inscription by Minkhaung I, the kingdom of Ava is said to extend on the east to Shan Pyi, northwest to Timmasala, west to Kula Pyi, and south to Talaing Pyi.

In a 1442 inscription from Pagan of Burma mentions Timmasala (Hill Kacharis) to be one of the 21 principalities under Mong Mao ruler Thonganbwa (1413–1445/6), who was later captured by the Governor of Taungdwin and presented to King Narapati I of Ava.

The ruins of Dimasa Kingdom in Dimapur include a brick wall of the length of nearly 2 miles and 2 tanks about 300 yards square, are indicative of a city of considerable size.

19th century Sanskritisation

During the early 19th century, the Dimasa chiefs with the assistance of Brahmins claimed themselves to be descendent of Hidimba. According to the legend constructed in the court, during their exile, the Pandavas came to the Kachari Kingdom where Bhima fell in love with Hidimbi (sister of Hidimba). Bhima married princess Hidimbi according to the Gandharva system and a son was born to princess Hidimbi, named Ghatotkacha. He ruled the Kachari Kingdom for many decades. Thereafter, kings of his lineage ruled over the vast land of the "Dilao" river ( which translates to "long river" in English), now known as Brahmaputra River for centuries until 4th century AD.

20th century

World War II

During World War II, Dimapur was the centre of action between British India and Imperial Japan. It was the staging post for the Allied offensive. The Japanese could reach Kohima where a siege was laid. Allied reinforcement came through Dimapur by rail and road for the push against the Japanese. An airport at Dimapur was also in use for supplies to the allied forces in Burma. The Battle of Kohima about 77 km from Dimapur is considered the turning point for the Japanese retreat from Southeast Asia.

William Slim in his Defeat into Victory mentions that three all-weather roads were prepared by the Allied forces during World War II: Ledo Road in the north:Central Front road from Dimapur to Imphal; and a southern road from Dohazari to Arakan(Even though a road from Dimapur from Imphal already existed, a new road was made in 1942-43 with assistance from the pioneers of The 7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment). Out of these, the Dimapur- Imphal Road proved to be the most critical as the events unfolded.

Assam lease Dimapur to Nagaland

In 1918, Dimapur was leased to then Naga Hills District (Now Nagaland) by then erstwhile Assam Province of British of India for 30 years for construction of Railways lines (unclear from which district). In 1963, it was again leased to now state of Nagaland for 99 years. There is controversy surrounding this claim, as both state governments have not come forward to comment on the matter.

21st century

2004 Dimapur bombings

On 2 October 2004, two powerful bombs were set off—one at the Dimapur Railway Station and the other at the Hong Kong Market killing 30 and injuring over 100 others.

Geography

Dimapur is located in the southwest of Nagaland. The vast majority of this area is flat with the Dhansiri River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra River flowing east of the city.

Climate

Dimapur is hot and humid in summers and moderately cold in winters.

Dimapur has been ranked 28th best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 3 population under 3 lakhs cities) in India.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census, the city-population of the old Town Committee area (up to the old dhansiri bridge) at 122,834. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Dimapur has an average literacy rate of 86% male literacy is 88% and, female literacy is 84%. In Dimapur, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. Unlike other places in the state, this city has a heterogeneous mix of people from all over India, and for which it is also known as "Mini India".

Religion

Christianity is the most followed religion in the city making up 45.10% of the city's population, closely followed by Hinduism at 41.11%. Islam is followed by 11.21%, Jainism by 1.73%, Buddhist by 0.48% and Sikhs by 0.19% respectively.

Tourism

Religious and historical sites

• Ruins of Kachari Rajbari

Although is left in ruins after centuries of abandonment, after facing conflict with the Ahom King in 18th century and with the settlement of township occupying almost half of its former glorious fortress, is still a national heritage site. It signifies great historical importance for the region of North-East. It also gives great value to the state of Nagaland.

• Dimapur City Tower

The Dimapur City Tower is a major landmark of the city. It is located at Circular Road in the heart of Dimapur. Also known as the Clock Tower, the tower is decorated with Christmas Lights during the Christmas season.

• Dimapur Jain Temple

The Dimapur Jain Temple was built in 1947. The temple has some intricate glass work. The temple is considered very auspicious by the people of Dimapur. The temple was built by the tireless effort of Shri Jethmal Sethi, Shri Phulchand Sethi, Shri Udayram Chabra, Shri Chunnilal Kishanlal Sethi, Shri Kanhaiyal Sethi, Shri Mangilal Chabra, Motilal Patni, Subhkaran Sethi and other Jain families present in Dimapur at that time.

Parks and other highlights

Dimapur has several places where tourist can visit such as Nagaland Science Center, Stone Park, Hazi Park, Shiv Mandir and Kali Temple. The Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagaland Zoological Park, Green Park, Niathu Resort, Noune Resort, The Triple Falls, Nagaland Science Centre, Aqua Mellow Park and Agri Expo site in the neighbouring Chümoukedima District can be easily accessible from Dimapur.

Transportation

Airport

Dimapur is served by the Dimapur Airport located at 3rd Mile (AH1), Chümoukedima District. It is the only civil airport in the state and operates routes to Kolkata, Guwahati, Imphal, and Dibrugarh.

Bangladesh Air Force is born in Dimapur on 28 September 1971.

Roadways

Highways passing through Dimapur

• Asian Highway 1
• Asian Highway 2
• NH 29: National Highway 29 (India)
• NH 129: National Highway 129 (India)
• NH 129A: National Highway 129A (India)

Railway

Dimapur has direct train services to cities like Guwahati, Kolkata, Patna, New Delhi, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Dibrugarh and Chennai from the Dimapur railway station. The station is categorised as an A category railway station which lies on the Lumding-Dibrugarh section under the Lumding railway division of Northeast Frontier Railway.

It is one of the two railway stations in Nagaland. The other railway station is Shokhüvi railway station.

Sports

The Dimapur District Sports Council Stadium is multi-purpose sports stadium in the city while the Nagaland State Stadium is another multi-disciplinary sports stadium currently under construction.

Economy

Dimapur is the commercial centre of Nagaland. It also acts as a transit hub for trading goods brought in from trains at Dimapur railway station and by road via National Highway 29 to other parts of Nagaland. Many private and central banks are also located in the city. Some major hotels are Hotel Acacia (3-star hotel), Hotel Saramati, Hotel Lake Shiloi among many others.

Commerce

A number of shopping centers and markets have sprung up in Dimapur, with the HongKong Market, Central Plaza, New Market, Bank colony (Super Market Area) and Circular and NL roads serving as the main commercial areas in the city. The Complexes and shopping centres have sprung up to Notun Bosti.

The stretch from Purana Bazaar to Chümoukedima along the AH-1 is also rapidly developing into commercial areas.

The city's Hong Kong Market is well known for imported goods from Thailand, China, and Burma and is the main Shopping Attraction for Tourists visiting Nagaland. The wholesale foodgrain items are available at KL Sethi Market Complex, Jasokie Market, etc. at GS Road, Dimapur.

Education

Colleges

• Dimapur Government College
• Public College of Commerce
• Salesian College of Higher Education
• Sakus Mission College
• Trinity Theological College
• Unity College
• Pranab College
• S D Jain Girls College
• Cornerstone College
• Ngullie Memorial College
• School of Engineering & Technology, Nagaland University
• Yemhi Memorial College
• St. John College

Schools

• Assam Rifles Public School
• Assembly Of God Higher Secondary School
• Don Bosco Higher Secondary School
• Government Higher Secondary School
• Greenwood School
• Holy Cross School
• Christian Higher Secondary School
• Little Star Higher Secondary School
• Living Stone Foundation Higher Secondary School
• N. N. Nagi School
• Pranab Vidyapith Higher Secondary School
• St. John Higher Secondary Residential School
• King David School, Kushiabill
• Hollotoli school

Notable people

• Kevichüsa Angami (1903–1990), Politician
• Zhokhoi Chüzho, Actor
• Zuboni Hümtsoe (1990–2017), Entrepreneur
• Hekani Jakhalu Kense, Politician
• Chalie Kevichüsa (1943–1992), Journalist
• Razhukhrielie Kevichüsa (1941–2022), Bureaucrat and Musician
• Tubu Kevichüsa (1948–1996), Nationalist Leader
• Dolly Kikon, Anthropologist
• James Kithan, Sportsperson
• Viseyie Koso, Sportsperson
• Temsu Clover, Musician
• Abdon Mech, Musician
• Alobo Naga, Musician
• Phulchand Sethi (1911–1976), Businessperson
• Kihoto Hollohon Yepthomi (1932–2021), Politician