Dhemaji District is one of the districts situated in the remote corner of North East India on the north bank of river Brahmaputra. The boundaries of the district are the hilly ranges of Arunachal Pradesh to the North and the East, Lakhimpur district in the West and the river Brahmaputra in the South.

The Dhemaji district came into being on 14th August / 1st October 1989. It comprises of erstwhile Dhemaji and Jonai sub-division and parts of Machkhowa mouza and Bordoloni. Forted by arch shaped Arunachal hills on the North and the East, the district emerges from the foot hills and streches to the Brahmaputra river with Subansiri one side and the river Siang on the other. Geographically situated between the 940 12' 18'' E and 950 41' 32'' E longitudes and 270 05' 27'' N and 270 57' 16'' N latitudes, the district covers an area of 3237 Sq. Km and is a basically plain area lying at an altitude of 104 m above the Mean Sea Level.

Dhemaji district shelters a population of 571944 as per 2001 census, which includes 294643 males and 277301 females, sex ratio being 936 females per thousand males. The average density is 176 per Sq. Km. The Schedule tribe and schedule caste population of the district works out to be 47.29% and 5.33% respectively of the total population.

The urban population is only 1.85%, which indicates the predominantly rural character of the district. The literacy rate is 41.69% while the female literacy rate is 13.6%. The rate of growth of population in the district between 1971 and 1991 was 104.48%, which incidentally, is the highest, recorded in the state. The annual rate of growth of population worked out to be 5.22% compared to the overall state growth of 2.62%.

In general there is a huge chunk of Other Backward Classes (OBC) population comprising of Ahoms, Chutiyas, Konches etc. The Schedule tribes include Mishings, Sonowal Kacharis Bodos, Deoris, Lalungs, Hazongs, Ex-tea garden community makes up only a negligible part of the total population. The principal languages of the region are Assamese, Mishing, Bodo and Bengali. The principal religion is Hinduism. However, Christianity and Islam are also practiced to a limited extent. there is almost no record of Communal violence.

HISTORY

It is believed that in 1240 A.D.; (approx). The first King of Ahom reign Chow Chukafa established his capital at a place named Haboong in the district of Dhemaji. Due to perennial flood in the area the King shifted the capital from Haboong and after that the area became under the rule of Chutias and it continued from 1223 to 1523 A.D. During 1523 A.D. the then Ahom King Chuhung - Moong attacked and kill the Chutia king Natipal and as a result the area again became under the kingdom of Ahoms.

The entire Dhemaji district area was originally inhabitated by various indigeneous tribes like Mising, Sonowal Kachari, Bodo Kachari, Deori and Laloong. In addition to this different tribes e.g. Ahom, Rabha, Tai - Khamti, Konch, Keot, Koiborta, Brahman, Kayastha, Kalita etc. were migrated during different moments of time span.

There are a number of mythological and hypothetical believes regarding the origin of the name "Dhemaji". One of the most popular believe is that - there was a river which used to change its course very frequently and resulted unanticipated flood covering different parts of the area. Hence the river was believed to be a kind of evil spirit. The Assamese version of the words flood and playing are "Dhal" and "Dhemali" respectively and therefore the area when flood is a perennial phenomenon may be called as a playground for flood i.e., in Assamese it became to be "Dhal Dhemali" with the ellapsation of time the word "Dhal" was omitted and also the word "Dhemali" started to be pronounced as "Dhemaji".

Initially, the present geographical area of Dhemaji district was a part of the then Lakhimpur District with its headquarter at Dibrugarh. In 1971 Dhemaji was declared as a Sub-Division, Including Jonai and Dhakuakhana (Presently under Lakhimpur District) 14th Aug/1st Oct, 1989 Dhemaji was declared as an independent district covering Jonai and Dhemaji (Sadar) Sub-Divisions.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Gerukamukh: is located at a distance of 44 Km from the district Head Quarter in the North-West direction. Regular communication is available from Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Guwahati. At Gerukamukh Sobansiri, the largest tributary of Brahmaputra touches the plains from the hills giving a scenic beauty with its virginity. The condition is favourable for angling and picnic parties. National Hydro Electric Power Corporation is implementing a mega hydro electric power project at Gerukamukh.

Malini Than: This place has been using for worship to the Goddess Malini from ancient time. Lots of historical monuments have also been excavacated from the spot. It is located 42 kms away in the north eastern direction of Dhemaji.

Ghuguha Dol: It is historically believed that at this place Bamuni Konwar The son of then Ahom King Tyao Khamti was born. The Dol (Temple) Was built in the memory of Bamuni Konwar's mother Ghuguhi and is at a distance of 17 km in south west of Dhemaji.

Maa Manipuri Than: This Than (i.e. place of worship) distance of 25 km in the south west direction of Dhemaji was established by the then Ahom King Gourinath Singha as a monument of help by the Manipuries in controlling Mua-Mariah renaissance during the later period of Ahom reign.

Rajgarh: Under Machkhowa Mouza.

Garakhia Than: 12 km from Dhemaji under Gohain Mouza.