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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2010}}

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Naharkatia
| old_name = Naharkatiya
| nickname =
| settlement_type = city
| image_skyline = Naharkatiya.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Aerial view of Naharkatia near Tuesday Market.
| pushpin_map = India Assam
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Assam, India.
| coordinates = {{coord|27.28|N|95.33|E|display=inline,title}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/3/Nahorkatiya.html|title=redirect to /world/IN/03/Nahorkatiya.html|website=www.fallingrain.com}}</ref>
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Assam]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Dibrugarh district|Dibrugarh]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body = Naharkatia Town Committee
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 121
| population_total = 18937
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Assamese language|Assamese]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 786610
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = (+91)374
| registration_plate = AS-06
| website =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Naharkatia''' (previously spelt as '''Naharkatiya''' or '''Nahorkatiya''') is a town and a [[town area committee]] in [[Dibrugarh district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Assam]]. It is well known for [[petroleum]] and [[Natural gas|gas]] reserves. Earlier, [[Duliajan]], the head office town of [[Oil India|Oil India Limited]] was in its circle. However, the towns are close, within a 30-minute journey.

==Demographics==
According to the 2011 India [[2011 Census of India|census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/801588-naharkatiya-assam.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314145543/http://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/801588-naharkatiya-assam.html|archivedate=2015-03-14|title= Census of India 2011: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|accessdate=2015-03-14|publisher= census2011.co.in}}</ref> Naharkatia had a population of 18,937 which 9,790 are males while 9,147 are females. Naharkatia has an literacy rate of 87.29%, higher than the state average of 72.19%; male literacy is 91.23%, and female literacy is 83.08%. In Naharkatia, 9.76% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The town is an amalgamation of many communities, mainly [[Assamese people|Assamese]], [[Bengali people|Bengali]], [[Indian Gorkha]], [[Bihari people|Bihari]] and many Marwari people reside in the town area. A few [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]] families have also lived in the town for many years.

However, [[Buddhist]] descendants of a [[Mongols|Mongolian]] tribe known as Phakials or [[Tai Phake people|Tai-Phakes]], also reside outside the town . Their village houses a [[List of Buddhist temples|Buddhist monastery]] and handicrafts woven by them are very beautiful. The monastery is a tourist attraction and is considered to be meditation center in a serene atmosphere.<ref>[http://assaminfo.com/tourist-places/49/tai-phakey-village-or-namphake-village.htm Namphake Village , Naharkatiya]</ref> The town is more attractive due to the three [[tea]] [[plantation|estates]].

Theres also few [[Bodo people|Bodo]], [[Bisnupriya Manipuri Society|Manipuri]] peoples reside outside the town.

===Language===
{{Pie chart
|Thumb = right
|caption = Languages spoken in Naharkatiya (2011)<ref name="censuslang">{{cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16T/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX}}</ref>
|label2 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]]
|value2 = 27.15
|color2 = Red
|label1 = [[Assamese language|Assamese]]
|value1 = 43.87
|color1 = Yellow
|label3 = [[Hindi]]
|value3 = 16.54
|color3 = orange
|label5 = [[Nepali language|Nepali]]
|value5 = 1.42
|color5 = blue
|label4 = [[Odia language|Odia]]
|value4 = 3.73
|color4 = green
|label6 = others
|value6 = 7.29
|color6 = purple}}

Assamese is the most spoken language at 8,307 speakers, followed by Bangla at 5,141, Hindi is spoken by 3,133 people, Odia at 707 and Nepali at 270.

==Transport==
The Naharkatia Railway station serves as the [[railhead]]. Buses run frequently to and from [[Duliajan]], [[Namrup]], [[Tinsukia]], [[Dibrugarh]], [[Moran Town|Moran]], [[Guwahati]], [[Jorhat]] and [[Sibsagar]].

==Geography==
[[Burhi Dihing]], a tributary of [[Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra]], runs through the town.

Sasoni Gojpuria, Gabhoru Dolong, Merbill Echo-Tourism,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://telegraphindia.com/1100927/jsp/northeast/story_12984797.jsp|title=Pledge to promote wetland tourism - Dibrugarh villagers take vow to turn Merbil into favoured destination|website=telegraphindia.com}}</ref> and Namphake are villages a few kilometres away.

==History==
Naharkatia's name is connected with the history of killing or punishment of Prince Nahar, an adopted son of the [[Tai-Ahom]] king Siukhampha, also known as Khora Raja, punished by Kalia Chaodang. According to local saying, 'one Ahom Noble Kalia Chaodang' was entrusted to punish Prince Nahar at Bardoiyamukh for his misdeeds against the important Tai-Ahom nobles including the Ministers. This Kalia alias Kola Chaodang was finally settled near today's Naharkatia Railway Station and from this episode, the area became Nahakatia. Nahar+katiya, i.e., the person who cut or beheaded Nahar at the instance of Tai-Ahom king Siukhampha settled there. Naharkatiya was frequented by many Indian royals, including Austric King Sung-Saumara, Kachari kings Bicharpatipha, Mahamanukyapha, Tai-Ahom kings Chaolung Siukapha, Siukhampha alias Khora Raja during the attack of Koch General Chilarai on the capital [[Garhgaon|Gargaon]] in 1562. Jaydhvajsimha visited while in exile during the [[Mughal invasion of Bengal|Mughal invasion]] by Nabab Mirjumla, 1662.

Burmese General Mingimaha Tilwa traveled this route to Mung-dun-chun-kham in the early part of the 19th century.

Ahom General Patalsing Barbarua founded Jaypur garh against the advancing Burmese through this route, finally sacrificing his life at the hands of the Burmese at [[Jaipur|Jaypur]].

Sriram Ata founded his Vaisnavi Satra there. Nocte Chief Narottama accepted the Vaisnav faith there.

Near Naharkatiya, historical Tipam, Jaypur and Namrup (derived from Namruk) rests. The oldest oil pool is located there. It is famous for tea gardens. It produced athletes and sports organisers.

==Economy==
The town is a commercial hub for nearby tea gardens and villages.

A few kilometres away, a [[rainforest]] is found along Joypur, and cross it to get into [[Arunachal Pradesh]]. The [[illegal logging|illegal wood business]] has been minimized by regulation.

==Culture==
[[Bihu]] is the major indigenous festival of Assam. During Bohag Rangali) Bihu season, a Bihu dance competition is held in Langharjan stadium. It is a week-long celebration for all the indigenous Assamese communities in the region.

[[Durga Puja]] is another local festival observed. The idol of the goddess [[Durga]] is worshiped and the town is decorated with lights and [[pandals]]. On the last day a procession is organized, known as Bhasan. In the past, prizes were given to the best Durga Puja Pandal Committee.

A major population of the Tai Phake tribe reside in the Namphake Village. [[Sangken]] or the Water Festival is a festival celebrated in the month of April by the Tai Phake people and it continues to be a special attraction for tourists visiting Namphake village during this period.

Mangalbaria (Tuesday) [[Bazaar]] is the local market.

A sports stadium known as Langharjan Field is situated at the outskirts of the town.

==Education==
Naharkatia has a college, a junior college, several Assamese schools and few English Hindi and Bengali schools. The only institution of higher education in this locality is Naharkatiya College. The largest populated school in Naharkatiya is St. Mary's Higher Secondary School. The schools had more than 2000 students as of 2012. Shankardev Sishu Niketan is an Assamese school known for its good results in HSLC and also in yearly examinations. St. Xavier School, Naharkatia Model High School and Weingken English School are amongst the English schools.

The few major education centers are:

* [[Naharkatiya College]] (1964). Offers higher secondary and bachelor's degrees in Arts and Commerce. Study center of [[Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University]] (KKHSOU).
* Naharkatia Higher Secondary School (Class VI - XII) (1939). Assamese Medium with Arts, Science and Vocational studies in Higher Secondary Section.
* St. Mary's School, Naharkatia (1958) (English medium). The school initially had class L.K.G - Class X. Since 2008 the school has extended its education to higher secondary section and offers education in the Arts.
* Shankardev Sishu Niketan, Naharkatia (1998). Assamese medium. (Class Primary-X)
* Naharkatia Vidya Mandir School (two schools of Bengali medium) (Class I-V) (Class VI-X).
* R.K. Jitani Hindi Vidyalaya (two schools of Hindi medium) (Class I-V) (Class VI-X).

Other educational institutions are Naharkatia New High School, Town MV School and Naharkatia Junior College.

==Sports==
Naharkatia is very active town when talked about sports. It has given birth to several sports-person representing the state and the nation. The natives are very good with [[association football|football]], cricket, hockey, handball and chess. The youths are more drawn towards [[cricket]] and [[taekwondo|tae-kwon-do]] (Korean martial arts).

==Politics==
Naharkatia is the 120th Assembly constituency of Assam, which is a part of [[Dibrugarh (Lok Sabha constituency)]].<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S03/AS_ACPC.pdf
|title = List of Parliamentary & Assembly Constituencies
|accessdate = 2008-10-06
|work = Assam
|publisher = Election Commission of India
|url-status = dead
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060504181808/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S03/AS_ACPC.pdf
|archivedate = 2006-05-04
}}</ref>

===Members of Legislative Assembly===

* 1978: Sasha Kamal Handique, [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]].
* 1985: Kusumbar Tairai, Independent.
* 1991: Sasha Kamal Handique, Communist Party of India (Marxist).
* 1996: Pranati Phukan, [[Indian National Congress]].
* 2000: Pranati Phukan, Indian National Congress.
* 2001: Pranati Phukan, Indian National Congress.
* 2006: Pranati Phukan, Indian National Congress.
* 2011: Pranati Phukan, Indian National Congress.
* 2016: [[Naren Sonowal]], [[Asom Gana Parishad]].
*2020: Taranga Gogoi, Bharatiya Janata Party.

==Organizations==
* [[Asam Sahitya Sabha]]
* [[All Assam Students Union|AASU]]
* [[All Tai Ahom Students Union|ATASU]]
* [[AJYCP]]
* [[All Assam Gorkha Student Union]]
* [[AATSA]]
* NYS (Naharkatia Yuva Samaj)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==See also==
* [[Naharkatiya College]]

[[Category:Cities and towns in Dibrugarh district]]
[[Category:Dibrugarh]]

Naharkatiya - Revision history

imported>Tjgogoi: Added content, typos corrected, content edited.