Namsai is the headquarters of Namsai district in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. This place is one of the 60 constituencies of Arunachal. Name of current MLA (August-2016) of Namsai constituency is Zingnu Namchoom.

Overview

Situated near the Nao-Dihing river, the township received a major boost when the much-awaited bridge over the river was inaugurated in March 2002. The bridge is 660.37m long and recently it came to the 2nd position in Arunachal Pradesh after the inauguration of Parasuram Bridge, which is 85 km ahead of Namsai. Some 30 km to the east lies the town of Diyun. The road to Diyun takes a turn from the NH52. This road, developed by Oil India Limited, is still functioning although it is worsening with each year. Just 75 km from Tinsukia Town, the major railway station, Namsai is fast developing as a township.

History The Namsai region was historically connected with the Chutia kingdom, while some Mishmi groups inhabited the higher hills. Following the fall of the Chutia kingdom in 1524 CE, the plains section of the district appears to have been brought under Ahom occupation. Two new positions, Thaomung Bo-gen (Sadiyakhowa Gohain) and Thaomung Bo-klang (Hatkhowa Gohain), were created to administer the plains region and manage the salt mines, with headquarters in the Mohong region. Over time, the Mishmi, Khamti and Singpho groups expanded their control and influence over the entire area of the district.

The Chutia association with the present Namsai region is reflected in the traditions of the Tengaponia Deoris, one of the priestly groups of the Chutias. Nicolas Lainé notes that, before the arrival of the Ahoms and the Khamti, Upper Assam was dominated by the Chutias, and that one of their clans, the Tengapanyas, lived along the Tengapani River in the present Namsai district. Following Sidney Endle, Lainé further records that the Tengapanya clan observed a cult on a mountain in Manabhum, and that this forest cult coincided with an older cult practised by the Deori population. He also states that after the Khamti settled along the Lohit River, the Deoris were asked to close and then move this place of worship, and argues that the Khamti cult of Chao Noi Cheynam may have developed through the appropriation and transformation of an earlier Deori cult connected with Manabhum. According to Lainé's fieldwork, Deoris from Mahadevpur near the present Assam–Arunachal border still sought access to the Manabhum forest to perform an ancient ritual, but were refused access by the Khamti. Later, the Khamti people migrated in the late 18th century and settled in the Namsai plains.

The Archaeological Department of Arunachal Pradesh has found ruins of a fort with an earthen rampart similar to the Tezu and Hatiduba (Sadiya) sites, dating back to the 14th-15th century, as well as some stone pillars in the Manabhum region, which may have been a settlement from the Chutia era linked to the Tengaponia Deoris. Historical maps from the early 19th century name the hills near the Tengapani river as Daedam hill which may have been the site of this worship place.The map titled "Karte von Assam und seinen Nachbar-Ländern" by Heinrich Berghaus, dated 1834, showing Daedam hill near Tengapani River. This site may be the same historical Joidham parvat site mentioned in Deori folklore.

Demographics As per 2011 Indian census, Namsai has a population of 14,246 of which 7,487 are males while 6,759 are females. The population of children aged 0-6 is 2,098, which is 14.73% of the total population. The female sex ratio is 903, compared to the state average of 938. Child sex ratio is around 964 compared to the state average of 972. Literacy rate is 76.61%, higher than the state average of 65.38%. Male literacy is around 82.10%, while the female literacy rate is 70.45%.

Languages

According to Census 2011, Assamese is spoken by 1,961 people, Bengali by 1,932 people, Hindi by 1,416 people, Bhojpuri at 1,166, Nepali by 1,102 people and Adi by 573.

Tourism Golden Pagoda Located in the heart of Namsai town, this pagoda was the first prominent structure to come up in the area. It is surrounded by beautiful temples in the vast compound along with other delightful structures.

The newer Golden Pagoda Monastery at Tengapani in Namsai district is a major tourist destination.Hundred novice monks ordained at the Golden Pagoda , The Arunachal Times Known as 'Kongmu Kham' in the local Tai-Khamti language, Golden Pagoda is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in North East India. Tengapani is located about 20 km far, northerly to Namsai town.

Media Namsai has an All India Radio Relay station known as Akashvani Namsai. It broadcasts on FM frequencies.

References