Rangiya (Pron: ˈræŋˌgɪə) also known as Rangia, is a major city of Lower Assam division and a municipal board located in the Kamrup district of Assam, India. Rangiya is also the headquarters of Kamrup district, and Rangiya serves as the Sub-divisional headquarter of Rangiya Sub-division. One of Rangiya's significant features is its role as the divisional headquarter of the Northeast Frontier Railway, which is one of the major railway zones in India.[1] Baralia river flows through the heart of the city. The Redhorn Division of the Indian Army is located just three kilometers from the city.

Rangiya
Rangia
City
Rangia City
Nickname(s): 
City of Colors, Transportation Hub of Assam, Plantation Valley of Assam, Gateway of Indo-Bhutan Border
Rangiya is located in Assam
Rangiya
Rangiya
Location in Assam, India
Rangiya is located in India
Rangiya
Rangiya
Rangiya (India)
Coordinates: 26°28′N 91°38′E / 26.47°N 91.63°E / 26.47; 91.63
Country India
StateAssam
RegionLower Assam
DistrictKamrup
No. of Wards10
District OfficeAmingaon
Villages under Rangiya Sub-DistrictAlagdia, Madhya Panduri, Athara Madhukuchi, Bala Gaon Arimatta, Balikuchi Padum Kowari, Bangaon Padum Kowari, Barhampur Hat Bajali, Jayontipur, Barkuriha Haradutta, Barlessakona, Madhukuchi, Barmurah, Batakuchi and 74 more...
Founded byGovernment of Assam
Named forRangiya Municipality Board
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • BodyRangiya Municipality Board
 • Deputy CommissionerSmti Keerthi Jalli, IAS
 • MLABhabesh Kalita (BJP)
Area
 • Total9.6 km2 (3.7 sq mi)
 • Rank1st in Kamrup (R) District
Elevation
39 m (128 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total26,389
 • Rank16th
 • Density2,700/km2 (7,100/sq mi)
 • Climate
Cwa
DemonymRangian
Languages
 • OfficialAssamese
 • NativeKamrupi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
781354
Telephone code03621
ISO 3166 codeIN-AS
Vehicle registrationAS 01 & AS 25
Literacy71.4% (2011)
Sex ratio1.17:1 (male:female) /
Summer temperature30°C - 39°C
Winter temperature19°C - 29°C
Websiterangiamb.org.in

Etymology edit

The word "Rangiya" is believed to have been derived from the local term "Randiya". According to local folklore, "Ran" means 'war' and "Diya" means 'to give', indicating that Rangiya was a place where a conflict or battle took place between the Boro people and Bhutanese communities.[2]

History edit

In Ancient times it was part of Ancient Kamrup, and subsequently included in Kamapitha division of Kamarupa Kingdom. In modern times, Rangiya is part of Kamrupi cultural region.

Geography edit

Rangiya is located at 26°28′N 91°38′E / 26.47°N 91.63°E / 26.47; 91.63.[3] It has an average elevation of 39 metres (128 feet). Rangiya covers of area 9.6 square kilometres. The river Baralia flows through the heart of the city.

Politics edit

Assam has 126 assembly constituencies, and Rangiya Assembly constituency is one of these where voters elect their representative. Bhabesh Kalita is the MLA of Rangiya Assembly constituency. It also falls under the Mangaldoi Lok Sabha constituency, which elects members to the national-level Lok Sabha.

Demographics edit

As of 2011 India census,[4] Rangiya had a population of 26,389. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Rangiya has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 67%. In Rangiya, 12% of the population is under six years of age.

Healthcare system edit

There are several private hospitals in Rangiya apart from 2 government hospitals. Some of them are Swasti Hospital (Estd. 2018),[5] Rangia Poly Clinic & Nursing Home, Sparsh Hospital (Estd. 2016).[6]

Transport edit

National Highway 27 runs through the heart of the city. Rangiya is important transit point in the region, nearly all trains halts at Rangiya Junction railway station. It is a junction of the New Bongaigaon–Guwahati section of Barauni–Guwahati line. Rangiya Junction is the 4th largest railway station in North-east India. It is one of the divisional headquarters of Northeast Frontier Railway. The Rangiya–Murkongselek line connects the state to Arunachal Pradesh.[7]

Notable people edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ North East Frontier Railway: Rangia
  2. ^ Siiger, Halfdan (2015). The Bodo of Assam: Revisiting a Classical Study from 1950 (PDF). NIAS Press. p. 183. ISBN 978-87-7694-160-4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 August 2020. As the Bodos could not stand all this, in the long run they made war upon the Bhutanese. They fought in Rangiya. Ron means war, and from that the town has got its name. There the Bodos were defeated by the Bhutanese. As they were defeated by the Bhutanese, the Bodos had to pay land revenue to them.
  3. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Rangia
  4. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  5. ^ "Swasti Hospital".
  6. ^ "Sparsh Hospital | Best Multi-Speciality Hospital In Rangia | Guwahati".
  7. ^ "Rangiya broad gauge line to be operational next year". The Economic Times. 25 April 2012.

External links edit

  Rangiya travel guide from Wikivoyage