Dhemaji District lies on the north bank of the river
Brahmaputra, in a remote corner of north-eastern India. It is bounded by the hilly ranges of
Arunachal Pradesh in the north and east,
Lakhimpur District in the west and river Brahmaputra in the south. The first King of the
Ahom reign, Chow Chukafa, established his capital at a place called Haboong. The town of
Dhemaji is the headquartes. With an area of 3,237 sq km, the district has a population of 600,000.
The area had been originally inhabited by various aboriginal tribes such as
Mising, Sonowal Kachari, Bodo Kachari,
Deori and Lalung. There are a number of mythological and hypothetical speculations regarding the origin of the name 'Dhemaji.' In olden times there existed a river which changed its course very frequently resulting in unanticipated floods. The name 'Dhemaji', meaning 'the playground of floods', came from the
Assamese words 'dhal' (flood) and 'dhemali' (playing).
More than 85% of the population depends on agriculture for a living. Ali, Ahu and Boro are the three main varieties of rice commonly grown in Dhemaji. Sericulture (breeding of silk worms), is a major agro-based industry. It plays a very vital role in the socio-economic development of the weaker sections of the population. Dhemaji produces three different kinds of silks - Pat, Muga and Eri. They have a very high demand in the national and international markets.
There are nine reserve forests. Malini Than,
Ghuguha Dol and Maa Manipuri Than are the main tourist destinations.
