Dimapur district

Dimapur (Pron:/ˌdɪməˈpʊə/) is a district of Nagaland state in India. Its headquarters is the city of Dimapur. As of 2011 it is the most populous district of Nagaland (out of 11).[1]

This article is about the district. For its eponymous headquarters, see Dimapur.

Dimapur district
District of Nagaland
The ruins of a Dimasa palace in Dimapur
Dimapur district's location in Nagaland
Coordinates: 25°48′N 93°47′E
Country India
StateNagaland
SeatDimapur
Government
 • Deputy CommissionerAnoop Khinchi, IAS
Area
 • Total927 km2 (358 sq mi)
Elevation
260 m (850 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total378,811
 • Density410/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
ISO 3166 codeIN-NL-DI
Websitedimapur.nic.in

History

Situated on the banks of the Dhansiri (originally known as Dong-siri meaning a ravine of peaceful habitation), Dimapur, often described as the ‘Brick City’ by European scholars and also by the Ahoms, was the ancient capital of Dimasa Kachari community and an independent nation of the Dimasa, who were once a powerful and predominant in the now North East India region (Brahmaputra/Dilao Valley).

Medieval period

According to popular belief, the city's formation in Nagaland is separate from that of Assam.[clarification needed] In the Middle Ages, it was the capital of the Dimasa Kingdom. In the heart of the town there is an old relic of the Dimasa Kachari Kingdom which speaks about the once prosperous era.

1900

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 for Kohima about 77 km from Dimapur is considered the turning point for the Japanese retreat from South East Asia.

The Jains were amongst the earliest non-Naga settlers of Nagaland. A few Jain families came to Kohima in the 1880s and settled there. They later moved to Dimapur in 1944 due to Japanese invasion during World War II. Prominent among them were Phulchand Sethi, Udayram Chabra, Mangilal Chabra, Phulchand Binaykia, Jethmal Sethi, Ramchandra Sethi, Bhajanlal Sethi, Kanhaiyal Sethi, Nathmal Sethi etc. Phulchand Sethi, Bhajanlal Sethi and other Sethi and Chabra brethren set up the SD Jain Temple, SD Jain School, SD Jain Charitable Hospital. Kanhaiyalal Sethi, Phulchand Sethi, and his brothers also built the Durga Mandir in Old Daily Market.[citation needed]

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. Though, there is refute of this claim, as both state government has not come forward to comment on the matter. (Copied content from Dimapur; see that page's history for attribution)

Demographics

According to the 2011 census Dimapur district has a population of 378,811,[1] roughly equal to the nation of Maldives.[2] This gives it a ranking of 563rd in India (out of a total of 640).[1] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 0%.[1] Dimapur has a sex ratio of 916 females for every 1000 males,[1] and a literacy rate of 85.44%.[1]

The majority of the people are Christians (61.84%),with significant Hindu population (28.75%).[1]

Flora and fauna

In 1986 Dimapur district became home to the Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary, which has an area of 4.7 km2 (1.8 sq mi).[3]

Education

The district has ample number of institutions devoted for providing quality education to the residents. Most schools have English as their medium of instruction and are affiliated to the Nagaland Board of School Education.


Sports

Dimapur is also home to Dimapur United a soccer club which plays in Nagaland Premier League. Most schools in Dimapur held friendly football matches and tournaments. Apart from football, many other games are also played in the district. Cricket, Badminton, Wrestling and Angling are other sports played in Dimapur. Sovima Cricket Stadium is a cricket ground in Dimapur, Nagaland. It is the only cricket ground in the eastern state of India.

Esports is also becoming popular and various tournaments are being held. Dota 2 and CSGO are some of the popular online games played in Dimapur. Currently, mobile gaming is quite popular among the youths since most people are not capable of affording desktop or gaming consoles. On June 2020, government of India banned Mobile Legends which was the most popular game in Dimapur, later PUBG Mobile was also banned. The ban was due to the border conflict between India and China.

Culture

Diezephe village in the district has the Diezephe Craft Museum displaying woodcarving and weaving.[4]

References
  1. "District Census 2011". Census2011.co.in. 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  2. US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Retrieved 1 October 2011. Maldives 394,999 July 2011 est.
  3. Indian Ministry of Forests and Environment. "Protected areas: Nagaland". Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  4. 101 pilgrimages. Outlook India Publishing. 2006. p. 311. ISBN 9788189449032.
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