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{{short description|Alluvial floodplains in eastern-northeastern India}}
{{short description|Alluvial floodplains in eastern-northeastern India}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2013}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2013}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox ecoregion
{{Infobox ecoregion
|name = Dooars
|name = Dooars
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|global200 = [[Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands]]
|global200 = [[Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands]]
|country = {{flagicon|India}} [[India]]
|country = {{flagicon|India}} [[India]]
{{flagicon|Bhutan}}
[[Bhutan]]
|elevation = {{convert|90-1750|m|abbr=on}}
|elevation = {{convert|90-1750|m|abbr=on}}
|soil =  
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The '''Dooars''' or '''Duars''' ({{IPAc-en|d|u|ˈ|ɑː|r|z}}) are the alluvial [[floodplains]] in eastern-northeastern [[India]] that lie south of the outer foothills of the [[Himalayas]] and north of the [[Brahmaputra River]] basin. This region is about {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} wide and stretches over about {{convert|350|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the [[Teesta River]] in [[West Bengal]] to the [[Dhansiri River]] in [[Assam]]. The region forms the gateway to [[Bhutan]].<ref name=Debnath2010>{{cite book |author=Debnath, S. |year=2010 |title=The Dooars in Historical Transition |publisher=Shiv Mandir: N. L. Publishers |url=http://14.139.206.50:8080/jspui/bitstream/1/885/1/THE%20DOOARS%20IN%20HISTORICAL%20TRANSITION.pdf}}</ref> It is part of the [[Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands]] [[ecoregion]].<ref name=im0701>Dinerstein, E., Loucks, C. (2001). {{WWF ecoregion|name=Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands|id=im0701}}</ref>
The '''Dooars''' or '''Duars''' ({{IPAc-en|d|u|ˈ|ɑː|r|z}}) are the alluvial [[floodplains]] in eastern-northeastern [[India]] and southern [[Bhutan]] that lie south of the outer foothills of the [[Himalayas]] and north of the [[Brahmaputra River]] basin. This region is about {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} wide and stretches over about {{convert|350|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the [[Teesta River]] in [[West Bengal]] to the Dhansiri River in [[Udalguri district]] of [[Assam]]. The region forms the gateway to [[Bhutan]].<ref name=Debnath2010>{{cite book |author=Debnath, S. |year=2010 |title=The Dooars in Historical Transition |publisher=Shiv Mandir: N. L. Publishers |url=http://14.139.206.50:8080/jspui/bitstream/1/885/1/THE%20DOOARS%20IN%20HISTORICAL%20TRANSITION.pdf |access-date=18 February 2017 |archive-date=19 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219102130/http://14.139.206.50:8080/jspui/bitstream/1/885/1/THE%20DOOARS%20IN%20HISTORICAL%20TRANSITION.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> It is part of the [[Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands]] [[ecoregion]].<ref name=im0701>Dinerstein, E., Loucks, C. (2001). {{WWF ecoregion|name=Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands|id=im0701}}</ref>


''Dooars'' means 'doors' in [[Assamese language|Assamese]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Maithili language|Maithili]], [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]], and [[Magahi language|Magahi]] languages.<ref>[http://www.westbengaltourism.gov.in/web/guest/dooars-main West Bengal Tourism] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806220511/http://www.westbengaltourism.gov.in/web/guest/dooars-main |date=2013}}</ref> There are 18 passages or gateways between the hills in Bhutan and the plains in India.<ref name=Debnath2010/> This region is divided by the [[Sankosh River]] into Eastern and Western Dooars, consisting of an area of {{convert|880|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}. The Western Dooars are also known as the Bengal Dooars, and the Eastern Dooars also as the Assam Dooars. Dooars is analogous with the [[Terai]] in northern India and southern [[Nepal]].
''Dooars'' means 'doors' in [[Assamese language|Assamese]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]], [[Kamtapuri language|Kamtapuri]], [[Magahi language|Magahi]] and [[Maithili language|Maithili]] languages. There are 18 passages or gateways between the hills in Bhutan and the plains in India.<ref name=Debnath2010/> This region is divided by the [[Sankosh River]] into Eastern and Western Dooars, consisting of an area of {{convert|880|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}.


==History==
==History==
[[File:Nalraja fort chilapata.JPG|thumb|Remains of Nalrajar Garh in Chilapata Forest]]
{{More citations needed section|date=April 2023}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2020}}
The Dooars belonged to the [[Kamata Kingdom]] under the [[Koch dynasty]]; and taking advantage of the weakness of the Koch kingdom in subsequent times, Bhutan took possession of the Dooars. This region was controlled by the kingdom of Bhutan when the [[British India|British]] annexed it in 1865 after the [[Bhutan War]] under the command of Captain Hedayat Ali. The area was divided into two parts: the eastern part was merged with [[Goalpara district]] in [[Assam]] and the western part was turned into a new district named [[Western Dooars]]. Again in the year 1869, the name was changed to [[Jalpaiguri District]]. After the end of the British rule in India in 1947, the Dooars acceded into the dominion of India and it merged with the Union of India shortly afterwards in 1949.


==Geography and climate==
[[File:Nalraja fort chilapata.jpg|thumb|Remains of Nalrajar Garh in [[Chilapata Forest]]s in Western Dooars]]
===Political geography===
[[File:River Murti.jpg|thumb|Murti river]]
The Dooars region politically constitutes the plains of [[Kalimpong district]], the whole of [[Jalpaiguri district]] and [[Alipurduar district]] and the upper region of [[Cooch Behar district]] in [[West Bengal]] and the districts of [[Kokrajhar district|Kokrajhar]] and [[Bongaigaon district|Bongaigaon]] in the state of [[Assam]].


===Physical geography===
[[File:Southern border of Bhutan1985.jpg|thumb|280px|Most of the Duars were under the [[Kingdom of Bhutan]] till the [[Duar War]] of 1865]]
[[File:Tea Garden nearby the park.jpg|thumb|Tea garden at Dooars]]
The elevation of Dooars area ranges from 90 to 1,750 m. Innumerable streams and rivers flow through these fertile plains from the mountains of Bhutan. In Assam, the major rivers are the [[Brahmaputra river|Brahmaputra]] and [[Manas River|Manas]]. In northern West Bengal, the major river is the [[Teesta River|Teesta]] besides many others like the [[Jaldhaka River|Jaldhaka]], Murti, [[Torsha River|Torsha]], [[Sankosh River|Sankosh]], Dyna, [[Karatoya River|Karatoya]], [[Raidāk River|Raidak]], and Kalchini rivers, among others.


===Climate===
The Dooars belonged to the [[Kamata Kingdom]] under the [[Koch dynasty]];<ref name=Debnath2010/> They acted as a trade route between Assam and [[Bhutan]]. Assam exports wäre muga, silk cloth, endi cloth, dried fish and rice and imports consisted of woollen cloth, gold-dust, rock salt, yaktails musk, ponies and blankets from Bhutan.<ref>{{harvcol|Das|1998|p=28}}</ref>
The average rainfall of the area is about 3,400&nbsp;mm. Monsoon generally starts from the middle of June and continues till the end of September. Winters are cold with foggy mornings and nights. Summer is mild and constitutes a very short period of the year.
In the early 17th century, the combined forces of Ahoms and Koches temporarily checked the Bhutia's transgression.{{fact|date=May 2026}} During this period two important Duars on the Darrang frontier, Buriguma and Killing were under [[Ahom kingdom|Ahoms]] control.{{fact|date=May 2026}} During the [[Ahom–Mughal conflicts]] in the mid-17th century, the Bhutias attempted to extend their authority as far as [[Gohain Kamal Ali]] road.{{fact|date=May 2026}}


{{Siliguri weatherbox}}
In the reign of Ahom king [[Jayadhwaj Singha]], the [[Druk Desi]] of Bhutan requested the transfer of these Duars to Bhutan. Therefore, an agreement was drawn, and the Darrang Duars went to the hands of Bhutias on the condition of annual tribute to the Ahoms. The Darrang Duars were also surrendered to Ahoms annually for four months from June to October. These Duars were properties of [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom government]], but the [[Druk Desi]] of Bhutan took possession of them in last phase of 18th century when the Ahoms were engaged in [[Moamoria rebellion|internal rebellions]].<ref>{{harvcol|Gogoi|2016|p=298}}</ref>


==Cities and towns==
This region was controlled by the kingdom of Bhutan when [[British India]] annexed it in 1865 after the [[Duar War]] under the command of Captain Hedayat Ali. Bhutan lost almost one-fifth of its area in this war.<ref>{{harvcol|Phuntsho|2013|p=453}}</ref>
The Dooars is a large region and is dotted with many towns and cities. The largest cities in the region stretching from the [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]] foothills to the [[Arunachal Pradesh]] foothills are [[Siliguri]] and [[Jalpaiguri]], which both partly lie in the [[Terai]] region rather the Dooars, geographically. This [[North Bengal|northern Bengal]] cities are well connected with the rest of country by road, air and railway and is the business hub of the region.
[[File:National Highway penetrating the park.jpg|thumb|National Highway inside [[Gorumara National Park]]]]


The other major cities are [[Kokrajhar]], [[Bongaigaon]], [[Goalpara]], [[Barpeta]] and [[Dhubri]] in Assam. [[Cooch Behar]], [[Alipurduar]], [[Dhupguri]], [[Malbazar]], [[Mainaguri]], [[Falakata]] and [[Birpara]] are the major cities of the Dooars in West Bengal, and Kishanganj in Bihar. Also, the commercial capital of Bhutan, [[Phuentsholing]], near [[Jaigaon]], can be considered a part of this region.
The area was divided into two parts: Western Dooars and Eastern Dooars. The Western Dooars were under the Kingdom of [[Cooch Behar State]] from 1586 to 1949, and the Eastern Dooars under the Kingdom of [[Koch Hajo]]. Under the Koch government, the officer-in-charge of the Duars were called ''[[Subahdar]]''.<ref name="harvcol|Das|1998|p=31">{{harvcol|Das|1998|p=31}}</ref> Similar office existed  under the Bhutan government, the ''Subah'' was selected by the provincial governors called ''[[Ponlop]]s''. The Ahom government managed the Duars through Duarieas.<ref>{{harvcol|Das|1998|p=32}}</ref> The other two Dooars were the Kamrup Duars and Darrang Duars. The Eastern Dooars was merged with [[Goalpara district]] in [[Assam]], the Kamrup Dooars was merged with [[Kamrup district]], the Darrang Dooars was merged with [[Darrang District]] and the western part was turned into a new district named [[Western Dooars]]. Again in the year 1869, the name was changed to [[Jalpaiguri district]].<ref>{{cite web |title=District Census Handbook - Jalpaiguri |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/1902_PART_B_DCHB_JALPAIGURI.pdf |website=censusindia.gov.in |access-date=18 February 2022 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308151844/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/1902_PART_B_DCHB_JALPAIGURI.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>


==Politics==
===Western Dooars===
Historically, the region has suffered from ethnic strife. The [[Bodoland]] agitation in Assam for a separate state for the [[Bodo people]] and the [[Kamtapur]] or Greater Cooch Behar movement for a Kamtapur state in northern Bengal for the Rajbongshis are the two most vociferous ones.
The Western Dooars are part of the [[Duars]] of northern part of [[West Bengal]], [[India]] or those located to the west of [[Goalpara district]] of [[Assam]]. The Western Dooars came under the [[Presidencies and provinces of British India|British]] in 1865.The region comes under the [[Kalimpong district]], [[Jalpaiguri district]], [[Alipurduar district]] and some parts of [[Cooch Behar district]]. The Western Dooars were created in 1865. It was merged with the Jalpaiguri district in 1869.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}


==Economy of Dooars==
===Eastern Dooars===
[[File:Gorumara Gateway Arnab Dutta.JPG|thumb|Entrance gate of Gorumara National Park]]
The Eastern Dooars are part of the Dooars of [[Lower Assam]]. Dooars between [[Sankosh River]] and [[Manas River]] are called Eastern Dooars.<ref name="harvcol|Das|1998|p=26">{{harvcol|Das|1998|p=26}}</ref> The five Dooars under Eastern Dooars includes [[Bijni]], Sidli, Chirang, Ripu and Guma.<ref name="harvcol|Das|1998|p=26"/> The area came under the rule of the [[Presidencies and provinces of British India|British]] in 1865. The region today falls under the [[Bongaigaon district]] and [[Kokrajhar district|Kokrajhar]], [[Chirang district]]s of [[Bodoland Territorial Region]] in Assam.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2021}}
The economy of Dooars is based on three "T"s – Tea, Tourism and Timber. The main industry of the Dooars region is the [[tea]] industry. Thousands of people are engaged in the tea estates and factories. Several people are also engaged in the cultivation of [[betel nut]]s which also contributes to the economy. Cultivation of other crops is done mainly for local consumption.


The area is dotted by several [[national park]]s and [[wildlife sanctuary|wildlife sanctuaries]] which attract a lot of tourists from all over India and abroad, making it an important contributor to the economy and also employer of a number of people.
===Kamrup Dooars===
The Kamrup Dooars are part of the Dooars of Lower Assam. Dooars between [[Manas River]] and [[Bornadi River]] are called Kamrup Dooars.<ref name="harvcol|Das|1998|p=26"/> The five Dooars under Kamrup Dooars include [[Bijni]], Chapakhamar, Chapaguri, Banska and Gurkola.<ref name="harvcol|Das|1998|p=26"/> Under the Bhutan government, the Kamrup Duars was under a ''Penlop'' or Provincial
Governor under whom was the ''[[Dzongpen|Jongpen]]'' or Subah.<ref>{{harvcol|Das|1998|p=59}}</ref>
Kamrup Dooars were annexed  by the British [[East India Company]] in 1841.<ref name="harvcol|Das|1998|p=31"/> Today, the area falls under the [[Nalbari district]], [[Kamrup district]]  and [[Baksa district]] of Bodoland Territorial Region.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}


The timber industry, both legally and illegally, flourishes in this region. A number of saw mills, plywood industries and other allied business also act as an important contributor to the economy.
===Darrang Dooars===
The Darrang Dooars are part of the Dooars of Lower Assam. Dooars between [[Bornadi River]] and Dhansiri River are called Darrang Dooars.<ref name="harvcol|Das|1998|p=26" /> The three Dooars under Darrang Dooars include Killing, Buriguma and Koriapar.<ref name="harvcol|Das|1998|p=26" /> The Koriapar Dooar was held by the chiefs of the [[Monpa people]] who were subordinate  to the ruler of [[Tawang]], who in turn were a tributary to the [[Ganden Phodrang|Tibetan government]] at [[Lhasa]].<ref name="harvcol|Das|1998|p=26" /> The Killing, Buriguma were annexed by the East India Company in 1841 and Koriapar Dooars in 1844.<ref name="harvcol|Das|1998|p=26" /> The region today falls under the [[Udalguri district|Udalguri]] and [[Sonitpur district]]s of Assam.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}


The Dooars act as doorways to Bhutan; thus, the export-import industry also flourishes in the area. The towns of Jaigaon, Siliguri and Phuentsholing are important hubs of the export-import industry.
==Geography and climate==
The Dooars region politically constitutes the northern bank of the [[Brahmaputra Valley]] in state of [[Assam]] and the plains of [[Kalimpong district]], the whole of [[Jalpaiguri district]] and [[Alipurduar district]] and the upper region of [[Cooch Behar district]] in [[West Bengal]].{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}


As the region is near the international borders of Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh, the [[Border Security Force]] (BSF), the [[Central Reserve Police Force]] (CRPF), [[Indian army]] and [[Indian Air Force]] maintain a large presence in the area. This leads to a large population of semi-permanent residents who bring money into the local economy.
The Dooars is dotted with many towns and cities.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} The largest cities in the region stretching from the [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]] foothills to the [[Arunachal Pradesh]] foothills are [[Siliguri]] and [[Jalpaiguri]], which both partly lie in the [[Terai]] region rather the Dooars, geographically.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} This [[North Bengal|northern Bengal]] cities are well connected with the rest of country by road, air and railway and is the business hub of the region.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}


==Flora and fauna==
The other cities are [[Kokrajhar]], [[Bongaigaon]], [[Goalpara]], [[Barpeta]] and [[Dhubri]] in Assam. [[Cooch Behar]], [[Alipurduar]], [[Dhupguri]], [[Malbazar]], [[Mainaguri]], [[Falakata]] and [[Birpara]] are the major cities of the Dooars in West Bengal, and [[Kishanganj]] in Bihar.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
[[File: Wild Elephants at Jaldapara.JPG|thumb|A herd of elephant in Jaldapara National Park]]
[[File:Rhinoceros at Garumara.jpg|thumb|Rhinoceros at Gorumara National Park]]
A railway line runs through the tea gardens and the various protected areas and a number of elephants have been killed in collisions with trains.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bhattacharya, P. P. |title=Goods train mows downs 7 elephants {{!}} India News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Goods-train-mows-downs-7-elephants/articleshow/6616632.cms?referral=PM |date=2010 |access-date=4 October 2019 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2020}}
The beauty of the region lies not only in its tea gardens but also in the dense jungles that make up the countryside. Many wildlife sanctuaries and national park like [[Manas National Park]] in Assam, [[Jaldapara National Park]], [[Buxa Tiger Reserve]], [[Gorumara National Park]], [[Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Chilapata Forests]], [[Singalila National Park]], [[Neora Valley National Park]] and [[Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary]] in West Bengal are located in this region.


A number of endangered animals live in the forests of the Dooars like [[Bengal tiger]], [[Indian rhinoceros]], [[Indian elephant]], [[chital]], [[sambar (deer)|sambar]], [[clouded leopard]], [[Indian leopard]], [[gaur]], [[Indian peacock]] and [[great Indian hornbill]], [[monitor lizard]], [[Indian Python]], [[Indian cobra]], [[reticulated python]]. Bear species like [[sloth bear]] and [[Himalayan black bear]] live up north. [[Red panda]], [[rhesus macaque]], [[gray langur]], [[binturong]], [[pygmy hog]] and [[Indian boar]] can be found. [[Indian fox]], [[Indian wolf]], [[spotted linsang]] are some of the predators. The [[hispid hare]] is a very rare species which is found here. [[Leopard cat]] and [[Asian golden cat]] have been recorded. [[Himalayan tahr]], [[Bhutan takin]], [[Himalayan goral]] and [[Himalayan serow]] are found. In rivers, [[mugger crocodiles]] and [[gharial]] have been seen. In lakes, [[Eurasian spoonbill]], [[brahminy duck]], [[storks]], such as [[painted stork]], [[Indian cormorant]], [[red-naped ibis]], [[kingfisher]], and predatory birds like [[vultures]] and [[eagle]] species have been discovered here. Buxa Tiger Reserve is famous for butterflies, while Jorepokhri is the last refuge for [[tylototriton verrucosus]]. Pokhari Lake supports species of [[catfish]].
A number of endangered animals live in the forests of the Dooars like [[Bengal tiger]], [[Indian rhinoceros]], [[Indian elephant]],<ref>[http://www.wildlifetimes.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=332&sid=0306ed815c658b7c0569e8bb15c640e9 Wildlife Times: Elephants of North Bengal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718052504/http://www.wildlifetimes.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=332&sid=0306ed815c658b7c0569e8bb15c640e9 |date=18 July 2011 }}</ref>


==Transport==
{{Siliguri weatherbox}}
[[File:Railway penetrating the Park.jpg|thumb|Diesel locomotive of [[Indian Railways]] going through the forest of Dooars]]
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2021}}
The main mode of transport in the area is roadways. Most of the places are well connected by roads. [[National Highway 31 (India)|NH31]] is the main highway of the area. Asian Highway [[AH48]] is being constructed through the Dooars region.
Regular bus services provided by [[North Bengal State Transport Corporation]] and [[Assam State Transport Corporation]] and other private parties run between all the important places of the area. Shared jeeps and maxi-taxies are quite popular in the area.
There are some important railway stations in the area such as [[New Jalpaiguri]], [[New Mal Junction]], [[New Cooch Behar]], [[Alipurduar]], New [[Bongaigaon]], [[hasimara]], [[Falakata]]. An important rail route between Alipurduar Junction and New Jalpaiguri via [[Malbazar]] covers almost the entire Dooars.
Two important airports of the area are [[Bagdogra Airport]] near Siliguri and [[Guwahati Airport]].


==See also==
== Media ==
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
The film "[[The Dooars World]]",<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Dooars World (2025) - Cast & Crew on MUBI |url=https://mubi.com/en/films/the-dooars-world/cast |access-date=24 July 2025 |website=mubi.com}}</ref> narrated by [[Dia Mirza]], shows the wildlife and human-animal relationship in the Dooars.
* [[Jayanti (village)|Jayanti]]
 
* [[Bhutanghat]]
==Notes==
* [[Buxa Fort]]
{{reflist}}
* [[Malbazar]]
* [[Teesta River]]
* [[Hasimara]]
* [[Coronation Bridge]]
* [[Phuntsholing]]
* [[Chalsa, India]]
* [[Rajabhatkhawa]]
* [[Jaldapara]]
* [[Jaldhaka River]]
* [[Sitai]]
* [[Falakata]]
*[[Terai]]
{{div col end}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Phuntsho |first1=Karma |title=The History of Bhutan |date=2013 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=9781908323583}}
* {{Cite thesis|last=Das|first=Smriti|date=1998|title=Assam Bhutan relations with special reference to duars from 1681 to 1949|type=PhD|publisher=Guwahati University|url=https://ir.nbu.ac.in/handle/123456789/195|hdl=10603/67909|access-date=31 March 2023|archive-date=16 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316100526/https://ir.nbu.ac.in/handle/123456789/195|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite book |last1=Gogoi |first1=Nityananda |title=Historical Geography of Medieval Assam |date=2016 |publisher=EBH Publishers (India) |isbn=9383252707}}
{{refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 105: Line 82:
*[http://coochbehar.nic.in/htmfiles/dooars.html Cooch Behar District Website – Dooars]
*[http://coochbehar.nic.in/htmfiles/dooars.html Cooch Behar District Website – Dooars]
*[http://jalpaiguri.nic.in/index.htm Jalpaiguri District Website]
*[http://jalpaiguri.nic.in/index.htm Jalpaiguri District Website]
*[https://www.wbtourismgov.in/destination/place/dooars Govt.of West Bengal]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130806220511/http://westbengaltourism.gov.in/web/guest/dooars-main Dooars]
*[https://northbengaltourism.com/dooars-tour/ About Dooars]


{{Dooars}}
{{Dooars}}

Latest revision as of 20:35, 5 May 2026


Template:Infobox ecoregion

The Dooars or Duars (/duˈɑːrz/) are the alluvial floodplains in eastern-northeastern India and southern Bhutan that lie south of the outer foothills of the Himalayas and north of the Brahmaputra River basin. This region is about 30 km (19 mi) wide and stretches over about 350 km (220 mi) from the Teesta River in West Bengal to the Dhansiri River in Udalguri district of Assam. The region forms the gateway to Bhutan.[1] It is part of the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion.[2]

Dooars means 'doors' in Assamese, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Kamtapuri, Magahi and Maithili languages. There are 18 passages or gateways between the hills in Bhutan and the plains in India.[1] This region is divided by the Sankosh River into Eastern and Western Dooars, consisting of an area of 880 km2 (340 sq mi).

History[edit | edit source]

Remains of Nalrajar Garh in Chilapata Forests in Western Dooars
Most of the Duars were under the Kingdom of Bhutan till the Duar War of 1865

The Dooars belonged to the Kamata Kingdom under the Koch dynasty;[1] They acted as a trade route between Assam and Bhutan. Assam exports wäre muga, silk cloth, endi cloth, dried fish and rice and imports consisted of woollen cloth, gold-dust, rock salt, yaktails musk, ponies and blankets from Bhutan.[3]

In the early 17th century, the combined forces of Ahoms and Koches temporarily checked the Bhutia's transgression.[citation needed] During this period two important Duars on the Darrang frontier, Buriguma and Killing were under Ahoms control.[citation needed] During the Ahom–Mughal conflicts in the mid-17th century, the Bhutias attempted to extend their authority as far as Gohain Kamal Ali road.[citation needed]

In the reign of Ahom king Jayadhwaj Singha, the Druk Desi of Bhutan requested the transfer of these Duars to Bhutan. Therefore, an agreement was drawn, and the Darrang Duars went to the hands of Bhutias on the condition of annual tribute to the Ahoms. The Darrang Duars were also surrendered to Ahoms annually for four months from June to October. These Duars were properties of Ahom government, but the Druk Desi of Bhutan took possession of them in last phase of 18th century when the Ahoms were engaged in internal rebellions.[4]

This region was controlled by the kingdom of Bhutan when British India annexed it in 1865 after the Duar War under the command of Captain Hedayat Ali. Bhutan lost almost one-fifth of its area in this war.[5]

The area was divided into two parts: Western Dooars and Eastern Dooars. The Western Dooars were under the Kingdom of Cooch Behar State from 1586 to 1949, and the Eastern Dooars under the Kingdom of Koch Hajo. Under the Koch government, the officer-in-charge of the Duars were called Subahdar.[6] Similar office existed under the Bhutan government, the Subah was selected by the provincial governors called Ponlops. The Ahom government managed the Duars through Duarieas.[7] The other two Dooars were the Kamrup Duars and Darrang Duars. The Eastern Dooars was merged with Goalpara district in Assam, the Kamrup Dooars was merged with Kamrup district, the Darrang Dooars was merged with Darrang District and the western part was turned into a new district named Western Dooars. Again in the year 1869, the name was changed to Jalpaiguri district.[8]

Western Dooars[edit | edit source]

The Western Dooars are part of the Duars of northern part of West Bengal, India or those located to the west of Goalpara district of Assam. The Western Dooars came under the British in 1865.The region comes under the Kalimpong district, Jalpaiguri district, Alipurduar district and some parts of Cooch Behar district. The Western Dooars were created in 1865. It was merged with the Jalpaiguri district in 1869.[citation needed]

Eastern Dooars[edit | edit source]

The Eastern Dooars are part of the Dooars of Lower Assam. Dooars between Sankosh River and Manas River are called Eastern Dooars.[9] The five Dooars under Eastern Dooars includes Bijni, Sidli, Chirang, Ripu and Guma.[9] The area came under the rule of the British in 1865. The region today falls under the Bongaigaon district and Kokrajhar, Chirang districts of Bodoland Territorial Region in Assam.[citation needed]

Kamrup Dooars[edit | edit source]

The Kamrup Dooars are part of the Dooars of Lower Assam. Dooars between Manas River and Bornadi River are called Kamrup Dooars.[9] The five Dooars under Kamrup Dooars include Bijni, Chapakhamar, Chapaguri, Banska and Gurkola.[9] Under the Bhutan government, the Kamrup Duars was under a Penlop or Provincial Governor under whom was the Jongpen or Subah.[10] Kamrup Dooars were annexed by the British East India Company in 1841.[6] Today, the area falls under the Nalbari district, Kamrup district and Baksa district of Bodoland Territorial Region.[citation needed]

Darrang Dooars[edit | edit source]

The Darrang Dooars are part of the Dooars of Lower Assam. Dooars between Bornadi River and Dhansiri River are called Darrang Dooars.[9] The three Dooars under Darrang Dooars include Killing, Buriguma and Koriapar.[9] The Koriapar Dooar was held by the chiefs of the Monpa people who were subordinate to the ruler of Tawang, who in turn were a tributary to the Tibetan government at Lhasa.[9] The Killing, Buriguma were annexed by the East India Company in 1841 and Koriapar Dooars in 1844.[9] The region today falls under the Udalguri and Sonitpur districts of Assam.[citation needed]

Geography and climate[edit | edit source]

The Dooars region politically constitutes the northern bank of the Brahmaputra Valley in state of Assam and the plains of Kalimpong district, the whole of Jalpaiguri district and Alipurduar district and the upper region of Cooch Behar district in West Bengal.[citation needed]

The Dooars is dotted with many towns and cities.[citation needed] The largest cities in the region stretching from the Darjeeling foothills to the Arunachal Pradesh foothills are Siliguri and Jalpaiguri, which both partly lie in the Terai region rather the Dooars, geographically.[citation needed] This northern Bengal cities are well connected with the rest of country by road, air and railway and is the business hub of the region.[citation needed]

The other cities are Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, Barpeta and Dhubri in Assam. Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Dhupguri, Malbazar, Mainaguri, Falakata and Birpara are the major cities of the Dooars in West Bengal, and Kishanganj in Bihar.[citation needed]

A number of endangered animals live in the forests of the Dooars like Bengal tiger, Indian rhinoceros, Indian elephant,[11]

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 32.5
(90.5)
33.2
(91.8)
38.1
(100.6)
41.7
(107.1)
40.8
(105.4)
41.9
(107.4)
40.4
(104.7)
40.0
(104.0)
39.2
(102.6)
36.6
(97.9)
33.8
(92.8)
32.6
(90.7)
41.9
(107.4)
Mean maximum °C (°F) 25.6
(78.1)
27.9
(82.2)
32.8
(91.0)
34.9
(94.8)
35.3
(95.5)
36.3
(97.3)
36.0
(96.8)
36.7
(98.1)
35.8
(96.4)
33.5
(92.3)
30.4
(86.7)
27.2
(81.0)
37.0
(98.6)
Average high °C (°F) 22
(72)
24.5
(76.1)
29.3
(84.7)
30.8
(87.4)
29.9
(85.8)
29.5
(85.1)
29.1
(84.4)
29.6
(85.3)
29.2
(84.6)
28.5
(83.3)
26.3
(79.3)
23.4
(74.1)
27.7
(81.8)
Average low °C (°F) 10.7
(51.3)
12.8
(55.0)
16.1
(61.0)
19.5
(67.1)
22.1
(71.8)
24
(75)
24.6
(76.3)
24.6
(76.3)
23.5
(74.3)
19.7
(67.5)
15.2
(59.4)
11.8
(53.2)
18.7
(65.7)
Mean minimum °C (°F) 6.9
(44.4)
7.2
(45.0)
12.5
(54.5)
16.5
(61.7)
18.6
(65.5)
22.0
(71.6)
23.4
(74.1)
23.6
(74.5)
21.9
(71.4)
16.8
(62.2)
11.9
(53.4)
7.7
(45.9)
6.5
(43.7)
Record low °C (°F) 1.9
(35.4)
3.5
(38.3)
6.2
(43.2)
9.6
(49.3)
15.0
(59.0)
20.0
(68.0)
21.0
(69.8)
18.4
(65.1)
19.8
(67.6)
12.3
(54.1)
6.4
(43.5)
2.4
(36.3)
1.9
(35.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 23
(0.9)
24
(0.9)
34
(1.3)
76
(3.0)
249
(9.8)
628
(24.7)
843
(33.2)
589
(23.2)
403
(15.9)
121
(4.8)
10
(0.4)
11
(0.4)
3,011
(118.5)
Average rainy days 4 4 5 11 17 20 21 20 18 8 2 2 132
Average relative humidity (%) 69 65 54 63 79 88 90 88 87 80 70 68 75
Average ultraviolet index 5 7 9 11 12 13 14 13 11 8 5 4 9
Source 1: normal temperatures[12][13]Ultraviolet Index[14]
Source 2: Extremes(India Meteorological Department[15]), Mean maximum and Mean minimum temperatures[16]

Media[edit | edit source]

The film "The Dooars World",[17] narrated by Dia Mirza, shows the wildlife and human-animal relationship in the Dooars.

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Debnath, S. (2010). The Dooars in Historical Transition (PDF). Shiv Mandir: N. L. Publishers. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 February 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  2. Dinerstein, E., Loucks, C. (2001). "Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
  3. (Das 1998:28)
  4. (Gogoi 2016:298)
  5. (Phuntsho 2013:453)
  6. 6.0 6.1 (Das 1998:31)
  7. (Das 1998:32)
  8. "District Census Handbook - Jalpaiguri" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 (Das 1998:26)
  10. (Das 1998:59)
  11. Wildlife Times: Elephants of North Bengal Archived 18 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  12. "Climate data for Siliguri". en.climate-data.org. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  13. "Regional Meteorological Department, Kolkata". Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  14. "Average UV Index for Siliguri". Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  15. "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M229. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 5 February 2020 suggested (help)
  16. "Climate for Siliguri city". Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  17. "The Dooars World (2025) - Cast & Crew on MUBI". mubi.com. Retrieved 24 July 2025.

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Dooars