Dimapur (/diməˈpʊər/) is the largest city and municipality in the Indian state of Nagaland. As of 2024 , the municipality had a population of 172,000. The city is the main gateway and commercial centre of Nagaland. Located near the border with Assam along the banks of the Dhansiri River. Its main railway station is the second busiest station in Northeast India.
Etymology
Many historians explain the name 'Dimapur' as the city of the Dimasa people. The compound word is derived from the Dimasa Kachari words: di (water), ma (big), and pur (settlement).[4]
In the AhomBuranjis, Dimapur is referred to sometimes as Che-din-chi-pen (town-earth-burn-make) meaning "Brick-town" and its rulers as khun timisa[5] (distorted word for Dimasa).[6]
History
Situated on the banks of the Dhansiri (originally known as Dong-siri meaning a ravine of peaceful habitation), Dimapur was described as the 'Brick City' by the European scholars and by the Ahoms.[7]
According to local legend, Dimapur is said to have been named after the Mahabharatha character Hidimba.[8] It was first called "Hidimbapur" (Pronounced as Hirhimbapur),[9] which translates to "the city of Hidimba." Later, it changed to Dimbapur, and then to Dimapur.[10][11] Another legend says that the place is related to Hidimbi, the sister of Hidimba who later married the Pandava prince Bhima and gave birth to Ghatotkacha.[4]
During Arjuna's exile, he married Chitrangada, a princess of Manipur. It is believed that the Kachari kings trace their lineage to Ghatotkacha,[12] Bhima's son. After Ghatotkacha's death in the Kurukshetra battle, his son Sasempha took the throne.[13]
Medieval period
Capital of the Kachari Kingdom
In the 13th century, the city was the capital of the Dimasa Kingdom.[14] In the heart of the city there is an old relic of the Dimasa Kingdom which speaks about the once prosperous era.[15]
The city of Dimapur is said to have been founded by a Kachari king Mahamanipha (1330-1370) and it remained as the capital of the Kacharis until it was captured by the Ahom ruler Suhungmung in 1526 A.D.[16]
With the Ming dynasty and kingdom of Ava (1400-1500)
Dimapur under the kingdom of Mong Mao (yellow) in the heyday of the Si Kefa period (1360)
It appears that Chinese Ming dynasty had political contacts with the Dimasa and other neighbouring kingdoms between 1406 and 1439.[17] The Ming dynasty canonised the Dimasa kingdom as a tusi in 1406.[18] A Pacification superintendency was established in the Dimasa kingdom and Lawangpa was appointed as the Di-ma-sa Pacification Superintendent.[19] The Ming court sent Zhou Rang, a Supervising Secretary to bestow Imperial orders, patent, seals, paper money, silks etc. to the kingdom[20] and in return, the chieftain of Dimasa sent horses and local products as a sign of tribute.[21] In 1425, paper money, ramie-silks, silk gauzes and thin silk were conferred to Mazhiasa who was sent to the Ming court by Diedaomangpa, the acting head of Di-ma-sa Pacification Superintendency.[22]
Chinese plate for Dimasa of the era of Emperor Yong-le (1407 AD.)[23]
It is speculated that Dimasa kingdom is referred to as Timmasala in the Yan-anng-myin pagoda inscription of Burma in 1400 A.D.[24][25] In this inscription by Minkhaung I, the kingdom of Ava is said to extend on the east to Shan Pyi, northwest to Timmasala, west to Kula Pyi, and south to Talaing Pyi.[26]
Ava in 1400s
In a 1442 inscription from Pagan of Burma mentions Timmasala (Hill Kacharis) to be one of the 21 principalities under Mong Mao ruler Thonganbwa (1413–1445/6),[27] who was later captured by the Governor of Taungdwin and presented to King Narapati I of Ava.[28]
The ruins of Dimasa Kingdom in Dimapur include a brick wall of the length of nearly 2 miles and 2 tanks about 300 yards square, are indicative of a city of considerable size.[29]
20th century
World War II
During World War II, Dimapur was the centre of action between British India and Imperial Japan. It was the staging post for the Allied offensive. The Japanese could reach Kohima where a siege was laid. Allied reinforcement came through Dimapur by rail and road for the push against the Japanese. An airport at Dimapur was also in use for supplies to the allied forces in Burma. The Battle of Kohima about 77 km from Dimapur is considered the turning point for the Japanese retreat from Southeast Asia.[citation needed]
Assam lease Dimapur to Nagaland
In 1918, Dimapur was leased to then Naga Hills District (Now Nagaland) by then erstwhile Assam Province of British of India for 30 years for construction of Railways lines (unclear from which district).[30] In 1963, it was again leased to now state of Nagaland for 99 years.[31] There is controversy surrounding this claim, as both state governments have not come forward to comment on the matter.[32]
On 2 October 2004, two powerful bombs were set off—one at the Dimapur Railway Station and the other at the Hong Kong Market killing 30 and injuring over 100 others.[33][34]
Geography
Dimapur is located in the southwest of Nagaland. The vast majority of this area is flat with the Dhansiri River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra River flowing east of the city.[citation needed]
Climate
Dimapur is hot and humid in summers and moderately cold in winters.[35]
Dimapur has been ranked 28th best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 3 population under 3 lakhs cities) in India.[37]
Demographics
According to the 2011 census, the city-population of the old Town Committee area (up to the old dhansiri bridge) at 122,834. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Dimapur has an average literacy rate of 86% male literacy is 88% and, female literacy is 84%.[3] In Dimapur, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Unlike other places in the state, this city has a heterogeneous mix of people from all over India, and for which it is also known as "Mini India".[citation needed]
Christianity is the most followed religion in the city making up 45.10% of the city's population, closely followed by Hinduism at 41.11%.
Islam is followed by 11.21%, Jainism by 1.73%, Buddhist by 0.48% and Sikhs by 0.19% respectively.[3]
Although is left in ruins after centuries of abandonment, after facing conflict with the Ahom King in 18th century and with the settlement of township occupying almost half of its former glorious fortress, is still a national heritage site. It signifies great historical importance for the region of North-East. It also gives great value to the state of Nagaland.[citation needed]
Dimapur City Tower
The Dimapur City Tower is a major landmark of the city. It is located at Circular Road in the heart of Dimapur. Also known as the Clock Tower, the tower is decorated with Christmas Lights during the Christmas season.[citation needed]
The Dimapur Jain Temple was built in 1947. The temple has some intricate glass work. The temple is considered very auspicious by the people of Dimapur. The temple was built by the tireless effort of Shri Jethmal Sethi, Shri Phulchand Sethi, Shri Udayram Chabra, Shri Chunnilal Kishanlal Sethi, Shri Kanhaiyal Sethi, Shri Mangilal Chabra, Motilal Patni, Subhkaran Sethi and other Jain families present in Dimapur at that time.[citation needed]
The Dimapur District Sports Council Stadium is multi-purpose sports stadium in the city while the Nagaland State Stadium is another multi-disciplinary sports stadium currently under construction.[42]
Economy
Market Area, Dimapur
Dimapur is the commercial centre of Nagaland. It also acts as a transit hub for trading goods brought in from trains at Dimapur railway station and by road via National Highway 29 to other parts of Nagaland. Many private and central banks are also located in the city. Some major hotels are Hotel Acacia (3-star hotel), Hotel Saramati, Hotel Lake Shiloi among many others.[citation needed]
Commerce
A number of shopping centers and markets have sprung up in Dimapur, with the HongKong Market, Central Plaza, New Market, Bank colony (Super Market Area) and Circular and NL roads serving as the main commercial areas in the city. The Complexes and shopping centres have sprung up to Notun Bosti.[citation needed]
The stretch from Purana Bazaar to Chümoukedima along the AH-1 is also rapidly developing into commercial areas.[citation needed]
The city's Hong Kong Market is well known for imported goods from Thailand, China, and Burma and is the main Shopping Attraction for Tourists visiting Nagaland. The wholesale foodgrain items are available at KL Sethi Market Complex, Jasokie Market, etc. at GS Road, Dimapur.[citation needed]
^Basu, Ashok Ranjan; Nijhawan, Satish, eds. (1994). Tribal development administration in India (1st ed.). New Delhi, India: Mittal Publications. ISBN978-81-7099-470-1.
^Bankoti, T. S.; Bisht, Narenda S., eds. (2004). Encyclopaedic ethnography of the Himalayan tribes (1st ed.). Delhi: Global Vision Publ. House. ISBN978-81-87746-91-1.
^"This city is probably the one mentioned in the Ahom Buranji, which records that Ahom king Suhungmung (alias Dihingia Rāja) and his son reached the city by ascending the river Timā (Dima or Dhansiri) in 1526 when the Ahoms attacked Dimapur."(Shin 2020:63)
^"As the regions of Da Gu-la and Di-ma-sa were broad, pacification superintendencies were established there, while in Xiao Gu-la, Cha-shan, Di-ban, Meng-lun and Ba-jia-ta, Chief's Offices were established. Po-di-na-lang was appointed as Da Gu-la Pacification Superintendent, and La-Wang-pa was appointed as Di-ma-sa Pacification Superintendent"(Wade 1994:301–302)
^"Patents, seals, Imperial tallies and red warrants engraved with gold characters were conferred upon all of them. The Supervising Secretary Zhou Rang was sent to take the Imperial orders and go and confer them upon these people. Further, paper money and silks as appropriate, were conferred upon them all."(Wade 1994:302)
^The chieftains sent separately by Po-di-na-lang, the pacification superintendent of Da Gu-la; La-wang-pa, the pacification superintendent of Di-ma-sa; Bai-zhang, the chief of Xiao Gu-la; and Zao-zhang, the chief of Cha-shan, offered tribute of horses and local products in gratitude for the Imperial grace manifested in the conferring of posts upon them."(Wade 1994:432)
^"Paper money, ramie- silks, silk gauzes and thin
silks as appropriate, were conferred upon ...the monk Hui Yuan from Yun-nan Prefecture; the chieftain Ma-zhi-a-sa, who had been sent by Die-dao Mang-pa, the husband of the younger sister of the deceased pacification superintendent of the Di-ma-sa Pacification Superintendency and acting head of the superintendency;"(Wade 1994:862)
^Plate was discovered in Jorhat Assam from Ahom royal family.
① 永樂五年: Yong-le emperor 5 years: 1407 AD.
② 信符: Plate.
③ 底馬撒宣慰司: Di-ma-sa Xuanwei Si
④ 皇帝聖旨: Imperial edict
⑤ 合當差發: “合當” means must or should, "差發" is a commercial form in the early Ming dynasty that frontier ethnic groups or tribes exchange horses for tea with Ming officials. "合當差發" could be understood as if you have this plate then you can exchange horses for tea with a Ming official. The Ming dynasty prohibits the folk tea trade with frontier ethnics and tribes. "合當差發" is the only way they can get tea from Ming.
⑥ 不信者斬: If somebody does not comply, he should be killed.
^"The Yan-anng-myin pagoda inscription at Themaungan, south of Pinya, claims that in 1400 A.D. the rule of the king extended beyond the Kandu (Kadu, an ethnic group
in northern Burma) and the “Palaung who grow tails,” to the “heretic kingdoms of the naked Nagas on the borders of Khamti Khun kyuiw, as far as the heretic kingdom called Timmasala where they kill people and turn into spirits.” This Timmasala should be
identified with the Dimasa Kacharis of Upper Assam."(Laichen 2000:21–22)
^"The Khaṁtī mentioned after Muiwkon (Mogaung) and Muin Can (Maing Zin) in the Kyankse Hill inscription (List 1084a 5, 955 s.), is doubtless Singkaling Khamti. The recently discovered Yan-aung-myin pagoda inscription at Thèmaunggan, south of Pinya (Obverse, line 8, 762 s.), claims that in 1400 A.D. the rule of the king extended beyond the Kandu (Kadu) and the Ponlon amri yols ("Palaungs who grow tails"), to the "heretic kingdoms of the Naked Nagas on the borders of Khamti Khun lcyviw (?), as far as the heretic kingdom called Timmasàla where they kill people and turn into spirits," i.e., the Dimasa Kacharis of Upper Assam."(Luce 1958:174)
^"At, or shortly after, his formal ascension, Mingaung the First claimed in the same inscription noted above that “Myanma Pyi” extended on the east to “Shan Pyi,” on the northwest to “Timmasala” (Assam?), on the west to “Kula Pyi,” and on the south to “Talaing Pyi.” What these entities might have been depends on the word pyi. Since Pagan times, the Old Burmese word pran (pyi) has been used in both a concrete, geopolitical
and cultural sense (as it is here), as well as in a abstract way, such as in the phrase nibban pyi (the state of nirvana)."(Aung-Thwin 2017:71)
^"On Tuesday the [5th] waxing of Tagu he captured the capital of Suiw Khut called Kale. On Thursday the 7th waxing of the month, he captured the Mo[Mong Mao] king Suiw Nam Phwa, own grandson of the lord of Nine Hundred Thousand, Suiw Khan Phwa (Thonganbwa), ruler of the 21 Umbrellas:- Muin Mo, Muin Nan; the ocean-ordered anklet wearing Kula (Indians) and Timmasala (Hill Kacharis); Muin Kale; Kasan (Manipur); Kakran (Kachin); Muin Tin; Muin Pran; Muin Ti; Muin Na; Muin Myan; Kyra Uiw; Muin Nuiw; Muin Luiw; Muin Saou; Muin Ya; Muin Khruin; Muin Khun; Muin Yuiw;........Many of these 'Umbrellas', i.e independent states can be identified :- Maw (Lu-ch'uan); Mohnyin (Mengyang); Kula and Dimasa; Kalemyo; Manipur; Kachin - these are unmistakeable"(Luce & Htway 1976:214)
^"Thonganbwa and the chief of Kale were soon afterwards taken by the governor (of Taungdwin) to the presence of King Narapadi, who was then sojourning in a temporary palace on Minwun hill, and on Sunday, the 12th waxing of Kason, several elephants and ponies and a quantity of jewellery obtained from Kale were presented to the king."(Nyein Maung 1998:38)
^"However, no clear trace of temples and images in the Dimapur ruins raises doubt about the scale and intensity of Brahmanisation in the early history of the Dimasas. The ruins of Dimapur, which include a brick wall of the aggregate length of nearly 2 miles and 2 tanks about 300 yards square, are indicative of a city of considerable size." (Shin 2020:63)
Luce, G.H; Htway, Tin (1976), "A 15th Century Inscription and Library at Pagán, Burma", Malalasekera Commemoration Volume. Colombo: The Malalasekera Commemoration Volume Editorial Committee, Dept of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Ceylon, pp. 203–256
Aung-Thwin, Michael A. (2017). Myanmar in the Fifteenth Century. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. ISBN978-0-8248-6783-6.
Bathari, Uttam (2014). Memory History and polity a study of dimasa identity in colonial past and post colonial present (Ph.D.). Gauhati University. hdl:10603/115353.
Laichen, Sun (2000), Ming -Southeast Asian overland interactions, 1368--1644.
Ramirez, Philippe (2007), "Politico-ritual variations on the Assamese fringes: Do social systems exist?", in Sadan, Mandy; Robinne., François (eds.), Social Dynamics in the Highlands of Southeast Asia Reconsidering Political Systems of Highland Burma, Boston: Brill, pp. 91–107
Shin, Jae-Eun (2020). "Descending from demons, ascending to kshatriyas: Genealogical claims and political process in pre-modern Northeast India, The Chutiyas and the Dimasas". The Indian Economic and Social History Review. 57 (1): 49–75. doi:10.1177/0019464619894134. S2CID213213265.
Wade, Geoffrey (1994), The Ming Shi-lu (Veritable Records of the Ming Dynasty) as a Source for Southeast Asian History -- 14th to 17th Centuries, Hong Kong{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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