Tezpur

India / Assam / Tezpur /
 city, taluka headquarter, district headquarter

Tehsil Tezpur, District Sonitpur (Tezpur), Assam, Bharat.

Tezpur is a city and Urban Agglomeration in the state of Assam in North-eastern India. It is the administrative headquarters of Sonitpur district. Tezpur is a fast growing city on the banks of the river Brahmaputra and is the largest of the north bank towns with a population exceeding 100,000. It is 175 kilometres (109 mi) northeast of Guwahati. Long known as the "Cultural Capital of Assam", Tezpur is also referred to as the Most Clean City of Assam because of its clean and green view. Tezpur attracts every visitor who comes here with its beautiful parks, hillocks, sceneries and well established hotels.

The name Tezpur is derived from the Sanskrit words 'teza' (meaning blood) and 'pura' (meaning town or city). Legend has it that the original name of this place was 'Sonitpur' ("sonit" in Sanskrit also means blood). When the battle between Krishna's army and Lord Shiva, his disciple Banasura's army fought for the rescue of Aniruddha (who was the grandson of Lord Krishna, according to legend) there was so much bloodshed that the place was stained red. This led to the name of the place becoming Tezpur. The Shiva temples in and around Tezpur shows the love and devotions of King Baanasur for Lord Shiva.

Banasura was the eldest of the hundred sons of Bali, who in turn was the son of Virochana and grandson of Prahlada (son of Hiranyakashipu and devotee of Narasimha). Banas mother was Vindhyavali. Bana, the king of demons (asuras), ruled over Sonita-pura. The word 'bana' also means an arrow.

He went to the Himalayan regions and performed a penance invoking Shiva's favour. When Shiva appeared in answer to his austerities, Bana begged the god to bestow a thousand arms carrying a multitude of weapons to destroy his enemies and opponents. He also desired that Parvati should consider him as her son. Bana was a great devotee of Shiva and there are several famous self manifest bana-lingas being worshipped in India. Banasura was a powerful and terrible asura. All people, the king of earth, and Devas of heaven were afraid of him. Bana was a follower of Siva. Banasura ruled in present-day central Assam with his capital at Sonitpur (present-day Tezpur). Banasura's wife's was Kandala. Banasura had a beautiful daughter named Usha. Usha one day saw a young man in her dream and fell in love with him. He was Aniruddha, the grandson of Lord Krishna. There was a war between Banasura and Krishna in which Banasura was defeated. Krishna married Usha with Aniruddha and brought them to dwaraka. Banasura moved to Himalayas and devoted his life in worship of Shiva.

Historical ruins from the 8th and 9th centuries dot the surrounding areas. The ruins of Bamuni Hills are the most famous. They resemble Gupta period art. Accordingly, there are plenty of myths as well. The ruins of Da Parbatia are an example of the architecture around the 6th century AD. Modern Tezpur was founded by the British colonial administration in 1835 as the headquarters of Darrang district. During World War II, Tezpur received large numbers of refugees fleeing from Burma, particularly the corps of Anglo-Burmese and Anglo-Indian nurses. After independence of India in 1947, it remained the headquarters of Darrang district. During the Sino-Indian War of 1962 the Chinese army advanced to the Tawang city, Arunachal Pradesh. The town was evacuated. The jails were opened and the prisoners released. In 1983 a part of the district was carved out to form a separate district, Darrang. Tezpur was made the headquarters of the new district of Sonitpur.
Rock inscriptions: In 1897, Sir Edward Albert Gait discovered a copper inscription in Tezpur the deciphering of which provided information regarding the Ahom rulers. He referenced the nine line inscription of Harjjar Varma in 'A History of Assam'. The inscription, dating to 829 A.D., is the first historical record of Assam. The inscription was found engraved on a massive stone some 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Tezpur near Rudrapad Temple.
Hazara Pukhuri: A king of the dynasty Harjjar Varma excavated a large pond in 70 acres (280,000 m2) of land, later came to be known as Hazara Pukhuri (Harjjara Pukhuri).
Christian cemetery: The cemetery dates to the 17th century. It contains the grave of Alexander Bruce, founder of the tea industry in India, and of Europeans who died here before independence.
The first electric power station in this part of India was established at Tezpur by the British in 1913.
Jonaki: The first cinema hall of Northeast India was established by Jyoti Prasad Agarwala in 1935.
Chitraban: The first film studio of Northeast India was established by Jyoti Prasad Agarwala in 1934.The twin lakes Bor Pukhuri and the Padum Pukhuri in the heart of the city memorialize King Bana and his daughter Usha.

Tezpur is connected to the rest of the country by road, rail and air. In 1987 the Kolia Bhomora Setu, over the Brahmaputra, was inaugurated connecting Tezpur to the southern district of Nagaon. The bridge is the longest over the river, spanning 3,015 metres (3,297 yd), has become a tourist attraction. Dekargaon railway station is the nearest railway station of Tezpur which is about 10 km away from the town. The airport is located at Salonibari, 10 km from the heart of the city but is very less operated and connects to very few Indian cities which includes state capital Guwahati and Kolkata.
more details:- www.monsoondrizzle.com/tezpur-city-guide/
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   26°40'43"N   92°47'30"E

Comments

  • Tezpur, an Austric word, +suffix puram, pur –a city or plenty. The etymology of the place name Tezpur is –a place plenty of or known for land and water lizards. According to some, it is city of blood connected with conflict between Hari and Hara due to marriage ceremony of Usha-Aniruddha. The earlier names of Tezpur were: Sonitpur, Kanyakasrama, Agnigarh, Harupeswar, Hatakeswar, Hajjrapur @ Hajjrapar, Banpur, Mahbhoirava, Mahabhoiravi, Purapur, Ushavana etc. Tezpur was a part of ancient Dharmaranya, Champakaranya, Kusharanya, Koshakaranbhumi, Pagarjotic @ Pragjyotisha, Kamarupa, Vaisali, Rumi, Kangoor, Kiratadesha, Pravatdesha, Sanjamani, Girivarta, Natakachala, Amaravati, Koilasha, Swarga, Swarnapitha etc. The important hydronyms around Tezpur are: Bharali, Bhattarika, Dipota, Gabharu, Thelamora, Dikarai, etc. The important historical places are: Bhomoraguri, Haleswar, Nagsankara, Rudrapad, Ganeshghat, Saubhagya-Madhava, Ketekibari, Parvatiya, Bamunipahar, Agnigarh, Kumbhanda pukhuri, Mahabhoirava, Mahabhoiravi, Bhalukpung, Biswanath, Bolipora @ Balipara, Ballam-Halem, Brahmapur, Bedeti-Bodojyoti, Ghorbandha, etc. The earlier rulers are: Boli, Naraka, Bana, Bhagadatta, Bhaluka, Salstambha, Vijay, Palok, Kumar, Brajadeva, Harshavarma, Balavarma, Chakra, Arathi, Hajjravarma, Vanamaldeva etc. The medieval rulers were: Ahom king Pratapsimha, Koch king Naranarayana, Ahom king Rudrasimha, king Rajeswarsimha etc. The notable British Officers, who had special contribution to Tezpur were: Mr. Cole, D.C Mr. Lamb, S.P Mr. H.E. Sattleworth, etc.
  • Tezpur is my home town.For me TEZPUR is best place in the world.
  • I reside in nepalipatty, tezpur
  • I served Tezpur from 1998 to 2007. Till now I feel nostalgic about Tezpur. The Chitralekha Udyan, Padum Pukhuri, Agnigarh, Ganesh Mandir all these are yore tales. If ALMIGHTY favours I'll again go there.
  • I AM HERE IN TEZPUR 4M LAST JUN '07. .......OHH IT'S A SWEETABLE PLACE BESIDES THE MAHABAHU BRAHMAPUTRA. YOU CAN SEE THE TEZPUR TOWN , BEAUTIFUL BRAHMAPUTRA & THE KALIA BHUMORA BRIDGE FROM THE TOP OF CITRALEKHA UDYAN & KANAKLATA UDYAN. I AM HERE IN TEZPUR AT LATE ANANTA BORA'S RESIDENCE, KUMAR GAON.
  • tezpur is my home town........and for me it is the best place on earth. it has got beautiful landmarks......and parks......scenic river view of brahmaputra....legend agnigarh hill ......and much much more......its full of peace enviornment.......and jovial and friendly people.
  • Please contact Mustafa for sumo hire to Arunachal here at 91-9864366639
  • great place to live in.Isimply love it.Just wish that it retains its romantic flavour in the days to come
  • i spend the best part of my life from my birth till the age of 35 for me tezpur is a paradise on earth i am not sure if ever i will leave to see the same great brahamputra/ganesh temple/kolpark/darrang college/convent school/and my home in main road
  • Tezpur- my home town,the city of love and eternal beauty. tezpur what a poetic name, love you very much tezpur.
  • Tezpur the blood city,place full of romance. love you tezpur.
  • I HAVE SPENT MY CHILDHOOD AND ENJOYED MY BEST PART OF MY LIFE.LOVE YOU TEZPUR
  • THE CITY OF ETERNAL ROMANCE THAT WAS ONCE FAMOUS AS THE CLEANEST OF ASSAM HAS NOW TRANSFORMED AS THE GARBAGE CENTRE OF URBANISATION. LETS COME FORWARD TO MAKE IT CLEAN
  • THE TEZPUR IS A MEMORIABLE PLACE OF ROMANTICISM.I AM LUCKY BECAUSE,I AM BORN IN TEZPUR.SO,TO ALL OF YOU,MUST BE VISIT IN "TEZPUR".
  • So so nice place
  • M Proud 2 be an Tezpurian.........luv u Tezpur.....
  • Tezpur is my hometown and it is a city of eternal romance.... The inhabitab=nts of tezpur are very friendly and very helpful. They are very hardworking... Thanks to the people for being so kind and generous!!!
  • Lovely tree, Yesterday wild winds of winter combed your black and twining hair. When dawn blinked You emerged softly capped in ermine, star-kissed with diamonds. Wind's sharp breath caught in his throat and sun, stricken sun, can't turn his eye from you. (Sudarshan Mahanta,PH +918486059899,sudarshanmahanta99@gmail.com)
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