A Study of River Channel Modifications of Jorhat District of Assam

Abstract

1. I ntroduct I on The Jorhat District is situated in the East Central part of Brahmaputra valley of Assam. An ethnic group known as Kachāri or Dimāsā (means offspring of river) has survived in the southern part of the district from hoary past. In 9 th century, the Dimāsā group of people had established their kingdom in the Central and eastern part of Assam. In 1086 AD, about 78 years before the Ahoms entered Assam; the Dimāsā capital was shifted from Jorhat to Dimapur of Naga Hills, not due to political, but most likely natural cause. When Ahoms had shifted their capital to Jorhat in 1794, there was a scarcity of water in Jorhat. As a result Ahoms King Kamaleswar Sinha (1795-1810) made arrangements to change the course of the pre-existing river Disoi to the Jorhat town to solve the problems of water. Considering the above historical background of Dimāsās and Ahoms, and present geographical description as well as local legend of the area, following questions may arise regarding the paleochannels of Jorhat – As Dimāsās were known to live near big river. Except one or two small stream no big river could be found in the area where this ethnic group is living today. This raises the question - was there a big river in that area where Dimāsās used to live. If yes, where has it gone? When the Ahoms first visited this area in 15 th century, and then shifted the capital to the