Golaghat | |
|---|---|
City | |
| Golaghat Municipal Board | |
 Clockwise from top: Skyline of Golaghat Central (west), Heritage buildings and sites:[1]Bezbaroa Higher Secondary School,Circuit House,British Cemetery,Doss & Co. Store andBaptish Church | |
  Golaghat Location in Assam, India Show map of Assam Golaghat Golaghat (India) Show map of India | |
| Coordinates:26°31′N93°58′E / 26.52°N 93.97°E /26.52; 93.97 | |
| Country | India |
| State | Assam |
| Region | Upper – Assam |
| District | Golaghat |
| Settled | 20th century |
| Founded | 1839 |
| Consolidated | 1920[2] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Body | GMB |
| • District Commissioner | Pulak Mahanta, ACS |
| Area | |
• Total | 17 km2 (6.6 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 95 m (312 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 41,489 |
| • Rank | 18th in Assam |
| • Density | 3,500/km2 (9,100/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Golaghatian |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 6 areas
|
| Telephone Code | +91 - (0) 3774 - XX XX XXX |
| ISO 3166 code | IN-GG |
| Vehicle registration | AS – 05 – XX – XXXX |
| Sex Ratio | 964♀️/ 1000♂️ |
| Climate | Cwa |
| Official Language | Assamese |
| Planning agency | 1 |
| Literacy Rate |  77.43%low |
| Lok Sabha Constituency | Kaliabor |
| Vidhan Sabha Constituency | Golaghat, Bokakhat, Sarupathar, Khumtai, Dergaon |
| Website | golaghat |
| †India Post delivery offices. | |
Golaghat (English:/ˈɡoʊlɑːɡhɑːt/Gʊlaɡʱat['ɡʊlaɡʱat]ⓘ) one of the largestsubdivisions of the Indianstate ofAssam, later elevated to the position of a full–fledgeddistrict headquarter on 5 October 1987,[3] is a city[4] and amunicipality and the seat of administrative operations ofGolaghat district, besides being atwin city[5][6] toJorhat which is about 55 km away. It is one of the oldesturban areas[7][8] in Assam that recently featured on theSmart Cities nominations list, along withGuwahati and four other prominent urban areas of the state;[9][10][11][12] although losing out to Guwahati at the final stage. TheDhansiri, one of the tributaries of theBrahmaputra, passes through Golaghat and is the primary water source for its citizens.[13]
One of the earliest tea urban centres in Assam that has been the headquarters of the oldest subdivision for over 187–188 years since 1839,[14][15] thelocal government body,Golaghat Municipal Board (GMB), was set up in early 1920,[16] becoming a long-established civic body of the state, formed beforeindependent India. It is a historical body of 106–107 years of age in continuous operation.
Golaghat has the inceptivepost/mail service andtelegraphic communication systems in Assam going back to 1876.[17] The oldest social – literature/rhetoricalcongresses of Assam – theGolaghat Sahitya Sabha ofAsam Sahitya Sabha, also began here in 1918.[18] TheGolaghat Amateur Theatre Society (GATS), one of the premier theater societies of the state,[19] was set up here in 1895[20] to uplift the dramatic and cultural activities in the region, particularly Golaghat. TheGolaghat Bar Association (GBA), founded in 1891,[21] is one of the oldest legal societies in Assam, especially in theUpper – Assam division.
Golaghat has a number of heritage buildings and sites[1] – theGolaghat British Cemetery, constructed in 1876,[22] theBezbaruah Higher Secondary School, set up in the late 19th century in the year 1886[23] by the educationalist Dinanath Bezbarua, theBaptist Church founded by the American missionaries in 1898, the Christian High (Mission) School built by theAmerican Women Foreign Mission Society in 1919,[24] Assam's firstdepartment store –Doss & Co., constructed in 1930 and incorporated under the Registrar of Companies (RoC) –Shillong in the year 1955[25] to name a few.[26]
The headquarters ofAssam Valley Tea Planters' Association (now Assam Tea Planters Association) was also based in Golaghat. Set up in 1941 underMahendra Nath Barooah's management,[note 1] the erstwhile headquarters played a significant role in enrolling associate members, besides laying the first foundations of growth, recognition and reputation that the association is presently credited for.[27] Golaghat also has one of the oldest boards of trades and industries in the state.[28] TheUnited Chamber of Commerce (UCC) formed in 1954[29][28] antecedes many newerchambers of commerce that have been set up in the state in the more recent years.
Assam's first major political party, theAGP was formed here and launched in the year 1985 at the historicGolaghat Convention[30] and by 2008; the same members of the convention[31] reunified the party at this place.[32]
The place is also the headquarters of TheNorth Eastern Tea Association (NETA),[33] one of the tea growers' groups in the state of Assam, a constituent member ofConsultative Committee of Plantation Associations (CCPA), Assam Valley branch.[34]
The nameGolaghat (gola which means shop andghat meaningthe landing point of river ferry orenclosure for boats) originated from the shops established by theMarwari businessmen during the mid-20th century at the bank ofDhansiri river near present Golaghat.[35]
There is another view, which is more sophisticated and older than the arrival of the British and Indian businessmen. During theAhom kingdom era, there was a storehouse of cannonballs also locally calledGola and transported by local ferryGhat, from which nameGolaghat is derived.[36]
The stone inscription ofNagajari-khanikar village ofSarupathar, dating back to the 5th century, reveals that there was an independent kingdom inDoyang – Dhansiri valley and the relics of ramparts, brick structures, temples and tanks etc. discovered in these areas suggest the presence of a kingdom during 9th and 10th century.
TheDoyang – Dhansiri valley came under the rule ofAhom dynasty during the 16th century. During Ahom rule, this area was under Morongi-khowa Gohain, an administrative officer.
In 1751, certain portions ofBarpathar,Sarupathar Barangimauzas of Golaghat circle andDuarbagari ofBokakhat circle were transferred to theUnited Mikir andN.C. Hills districts.[37]
During the last phrase of theAhom kingdom, when the independent sovereignty of Ahoms had come to an end,Purandar Singha was entrusted in 1833 with the administration ofUpper – Assam by theEast India Company who had already won mastery over Assam. However, this artificial ornamentation by the scion ofAhom Royal House was short-lived, and in the year 1838, the whole area was resumed by the authorities of the company and annexed to the British territory with the appointment of Col. Aham White as the political agent on 16 September during the same year.
By a proclamation in 1839, the British took possession of Assam and the area was divided into two districts ofLakhimpur andSibsagar, where theDoyang – Dhansiri valley was included under the newly formed Golaghat subdivision ofSibsagar district in 1839. Golaghat became the largest subdivision in Assam and comprisedDergaon and Golaghat circles. Golaghat circle was the largest among them with 150.10 square miles of area, while Dergaon was the smallest. During this time,Purandar Singha continued to rule with Jorhat as the capital of his territory, Upper – Assam, but with the formation of two other subdivisions, one atJaipur and the other at Golaghat.[38]
On 18 December 1846, Jorhat was declared a subdivision comprising certain portions of Golaghat subdivision. The earliest head post offices of the Assam circle ofBritish Assam were located in Golaghat besidesDebrughur,Goahati,Jorhat,Nowgong,Sibsagar,Shillong andTezpore.[note 2][39][40]
Much later after telegraph lines had been stretched betweenCalcutta and Guwahati in 1869; Golaghat got its speaking wires' system in and around 1876. The lines were stretched to connect Golaghat withKohima, Shillong with Goahati, Sibsagar withNazerah and Debrughur withMakum.[note 3][39]
InBritish Assam, Golaghat derived its importance chiefly because of having advanced communication systems during that time and on account of itsconnection by road with Kohima.[note 4][41] One of the oldest railway lines in Assam was also built in Golaghat.[42] The text noted from the bookGlimpse of Assam written by Mrs. S.R. Ward in 1884 state:
Mr Bryers who was then the Chief of Cachar andAssam Railway Survey succeeded in finding a railway route that would be carried up the Dhunsiri valley to Golaghat... thus giving Assam direct railway communication withChittagong and Calcutta.
Golaghat elevated to the position of a full-fledged district in Assam comprising an area of 3,502 km2 (or 1, 352.13 sq. mi) on 5 October 1987 and is known for its notable contribution inIndia's independence movement,arts andculture,literature andsports in the region.
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The administration of Golaghat is formed of two tiers: a city-wide and a local tier. The city-wide administration is coordinated by theGolaghat Development Authority, while the local administration is carried out by theGolaghat Municipal Board. The development authority functions under theDirectorate of Town and Country Planning – Urban Development Department,Government of Assam[52] and is responsible for the implementation of infrastructure projects, besides preparation of master plan for Golaghat urban area to ensure distributed growth.[53] The authority works closely with the municipal board.
The municipal board covers the geographical area of 17 square kilometres (6.6 sq mi) within Golaghat and has the administration over 9,646 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage, besides performing certain obligatory services as a part of the local administration.
TheDeputy Commissioner of Golaghat is the executive head and is responsible for law and order, implementation of government schemes, besides being also authorised to hear revenue cases pertaining to the district.
TheChairperson of Golaghat is an elected representative who is accountable for the strategic governance of Golaghat headquarters. TheChairperson directs the electedWard Commissioners in entirety of Golaghat on variouscivic matters.
The main functions include, but not limited to the following:
This is a list of the areas of Golaghat, in alphabetical order. In political or administrative usage contemporary areas of Golaghat are informal, often being based on or adapted from historic contexts. For electoral purposes the areas are divided intowards.
The oldestborough in Golaghat isAmolapatty.[note 6][54][55][56]
| Neighbourhoods |
|---|
| Old |
| Amolapatty – Old† |
| Baagicha Ali† |
| Amolapatty – New†‡ |
| Others |
| Arengapara†‡ |
| Bengenakhowa†‡ |
| Bet Mahal†‡ |
| Chandan Nagar† |
| Chanmari† |
| Geeta Nagar† |
| Junaki Nagar† |
| Krishna Nagar† |
| Maruwaripatty† |
| Missionpatty†‡ |
| Paltanpatty† |
| Santipur† |
| Subhash Colony† |
| Sreemanta Nagar† |
| Tapan Nagar†‡ |
| Tenpur† |
| Suburbs |
| Moinapara |
| Narakanwar |
| Pulibor |
| Rangajan |
| †Primarily a residential area. ‡A commercial area. |
Golaghat is located at26°31′N93°58′E / 26.52°N 93.97°E /26.52; 93.97.[57] It has an average elevation of 95 metres (312 feet).
The Golaghat telephone area code (3774) covers a larger area, the entire Golaghat district, while thePINs 785 621 – 785 702 range from Golaghat H.O. (Head Post Office) to other regions, such as the sub–office delivery inBengenakhowa,[58] branch office inMissionpatty etc.[59]
Golaghat presently comprises the areas within the jurisdiction ofGolaghat Municipal Board, however, the proposed planning covers an extended area ofGolaghat Grant andBengenakhowa Grant, besides theAmolapatty region.
Golaghat encompasses a total area of 17 square kilometres (6.6 sq mi), an area which has a population of ~ 60,000 and a population density of ~ 8,303.55 inhabitants per square kilometre (21,506.1 inhabitants/sq mi).Dhansiri River, one of the important tributaries ofBrahmaputra River, is the primary geographical feature of Golaghat which is a navigable river and the main factor for the growth of human settlements in the region. The Dhansiri is a tidal river and Golaghat and surrounding areas are vulnerable to flooding.[60]
Like most of the hill areas of Northeast India, Golaghat has asubtropical highland climate (KöppenCwb) characterised by pleasant, dry and sunny winters and warm, humid and very wet summers.
Thesummer season is very warm and usually humid starting from the end of March and continuing until October. Golaghat falls within the temperate region withmonsoon-type rainfall prevailing through the year. Summer days typically range from 20 to 24 °C (68.0 to 75.2 °F) but the humidity makes it feel hotter. South–west monsoons that lasts from June to September are responsible for a total average of 1,686 millimetres or 66.38 inches out of an annual total of 2,295 millimetres (90.35 in) of annual rainfall.[61]
Winter commences from the month of November with less rainfall and misty mornings and afternoons. By December, afternoon temperatures are a pleasant 16 °C or 60.8 °F and mornings average 8 °C or 46.4 °F.
When compared with winter, the summers have much more rainfall.
| Climate data for Golaghat: Statistics from Dibrugarh/Mohanbari weather station (The data for averages are taken from year 2000 to 2012) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 15 (59) | 15 (59) | 17 (63) | 20 (68) | 20 (68) | 23 (73) | 22 (72) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 22 (72) | 19 (66) | 16 (61) | 19.7 (67.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 8 (46) | 9 (48) | 13 (55) | 15 (59) | 16 (61) | 20 (68) | 18 (64) | 19 (66) | 18 (64) | 17 (63) | 12 (54) | 8 (46) | 14.4 (57.9) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 30 (1.2) | 54 (2.1) | 57 (2.2) | 96 (3.8) | 210 (8.3) | 405 (15.9) | 510 (20.1) | 360 (14.2) | 411 (16.2) | 114 (4.5) | 21 (0.8) | 27 (1.1) | 2,295 (90.4) |
| Average rainy days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 6 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 170 |
| Source 1:[62] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2:[63] | |||||||||||||
Although located in one of the environmentally clean regions of India, the recent studies of air pollution levels in Golaghat have suggest poor air quality in the region with harmfulair particulate matter levels higher than the standards.[64]
Being one of the oldest municipal regions in Assam, Golaghat has manypre-independence style of bungalows inAssam–type architecture, the design style that has houses with high ceilings and light tin roof and wooden or concrete flooring. However, with time, such characteristic designs are replaced withRCC houses and buildings.
| Religion | Percent(%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hindu | 77.04% | |||
| Muslim | 19.01% | |||
| Christian | 1.70% | |||
| Sikh | 1.34% | |||
| Buddhist | 0.07% | |||
| Jainism | 0.39% | |||
| Other | 0.34% | |||
| Undeclared | 0.11% | |||
Previously in2001 Census, Golaghat recorded a population of 33,021, constituting 53 percent males and 47 percent females of the total population, with 11 percent of the population under 6 years of age.[66] The average literacy rate was noted to be 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5 percent,where male literacy stood at 84 percent and female literacy at 79 percent respectively.
In2011 Census, Golaghat registered the lowest child sex ratio[note 7] of 884 females per 1000 males,[67] and the highest percentage of household-industry workers in the district at 4.98 percent. Males recorded a lower percentage than females at 2.57 males and 13.90 percent females respectively.[note 8]
TheScheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were at 3.69 percent and 1.21 percent i.e., a total of 1,549 and 507 populations respectively[note 9] and 3979[note 10] to be the totalslum population in the city.
The 2001-literacy rate of 82 percent increased to 90.93 percent in 2011, with the highest number of literates in the district, but at the same time, reporting the highest number of illiterates with 7,637 persons.[note 11]
The largest religious groupings of the census areHindus (77.04 per cent), and the smallest are undeclared at 0.11 (per cent).[68]
The modern economy in Golaghat began with a system of organized banking that started in 1926 with a functioning branch of theGauhati Bank. The years thereafter led to the establishment of other newer banks, namely; theUnion Bank, a cooperative bank under the presidency ofDebeshwar Rajkhowa in 1930 and theComilla Banking Corporation Limited in 1937. Later, the merger ofComilla Banking Corporation Limited withTripura Modern Bank Limited led to the formation ofUnited Bank of India branch in 1950.[69][70][71]
Golaghat is anagrarian economy, comprising cultivation ofcash crop: tea, besidesfood crops, such asrice andsugarcane.[72]
Golaghat has played a significant role in the tea industry of Assam and there is a saying thatone can’t make bad tea in the Golaghat belt. The small tea growers' movement was also started from Golaghat. As per the latest statistics, Golaghat has the third highest number of small tea growers (STGs) and third highest number of bought leaf factories (BLFs) in Assam.[73]
The region has sixty three largetea estates with aturnover of twenty thousand tonnes of tea per year.[note 12] Small-scale tea growers that are based here have also provided considerable traction to the economy because of large incomes. The Golaghat-based organisation,NETA representing 32 tea producers contributing 75 million kg of tea, has planned to set up tea boutiques for the promotion and easy accessibility of fresh, non-blended authentic tea at reasonable prices to consumers.[74] TheTea Board of India also organises period small tea growers conventions in Golaghat for understanding domestic trade challenges and providing strategic directions for the growth of the economy.[75]
TheNumaligarh Refinery is the majorheavy industry in the region processing three million tonnes of crude oil per year.[note 13]
An international trade centre for the regulation and governance ofAgarwood cultivation and trade is going to be set up in Golaghat.[76][77][78] The centre will assist in the export promotion efforts ofAssam's economy by informing on export markets and marketing, besides helping in the development of export promotion services.[79]
Jorhat Airport is the nearest airport to Golaghat which is about 37 km from the town.Dimapur Airport is situated about 88 km from Golaghat Town.
Golaghat Railway Station is located at Bet Mahal, and the main rail-head isFurkating Junction, about 10 km from the Golaghat municipal area. There are daily and weekly trains running through the Furkating junction to other cities of the country.
Golaghat is connected to NH-37 by PHG Path via Dergaon, connected to NH-37 Kamargaon through Dhodar Ali and connected to NH-39 by Golaghat Dimapur road. Three major highway passes through Golaghat District namely NH-37, NH-39 and Dhodar Ali. Golaghat is well connected by roadways to all the cities and towns in Assam. The National Highway 39 starts from Numaligarh and touching Golaghat in south-west corner. A new highway linking Rangajan tiniali with Golaghat town has already been constructed that connects via Pulibor Golaghat towards Dergaon for urbanisation and expansion of town area.[80][81][82]
Debraj Roy College,Hemo Prova Borbora Girls' College,Golaghat Commerce College, Don Bosco College, Golaghat are full-fledged degree colleges;Reliance College Jr, Golaghat Jatiya Mahavidyalaya are intermediate-studies' college.
In the fields of legal and engineering studies, Golaghat Law College,Golaghat Engineering College and Golaghat Polytechnic Indian Technical Institute are major centers of education in the region. A proposed Sati Sadhani State University has been allocated.
Golaghat Nursing Home, Kushal Konwar Civil Hospital, HGM Nursing Home, GBM Nursing Home, Lifeline Hospital, VK- NRL Hospital. A proposed medical college and hospital has been allocated in Golaghat that will help in enhancement of Golaghat healthcare sector and its nearby areas.
Primary and secondary education in Golaghat are offered by various schools affiliated to one of the boards of education, such as theHigh School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) ofBoard of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA),All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE) ofCentral Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) andIndian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) ofCouncil for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISE). Schools in Golaghat are either government-run or are private (both aided and un-aided by the government).
After completingsecondary education, teenagers either attend Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) through institutions affiliated toAssam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) or All India Senior Secondary School Examination (AISSSE) affiliated to CBSE or Indian School Certificate (ISC) affiliated to CISCE in one of the three streams –liberal arts orhumanities,commerce orsciences with combination electives.
Primary school, such as theTown Model School, established in 1888[83] is136–137 years old school in operation, whereas secondary school, such asBezbaruah Higher Secondary School is over138–139 years of age functioning since 1886.[84]Sacred Heart School (SHS), set up by catholic missionaries in the year 1959. Kushal Konwar Balya Bhawan (KKBB),Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (VKV),Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Gurukul Global Academy, Golaghat Jatiya Vidyalaya, FMR Smart School and Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar are some schools in Golaghat.
Golaghat offers required leisure and pleasure trips in and around the region. The place has tea processing units[85] and other old landmarks and resorts, such as theGymkhana and theCircuit House.[86]
TheAssam government has planned to launch the homestay scheme which will include building around sixtyhomestays to boost tourism in the Golaghat region.[87]
Golaghat Gymkhana is a public/private members' club located onStation Road in Golaghat. Consisting mostly the citizens of Golaghat, it is a heritage bungalow built in 1910 and is aclubhouse. 116–117 years old building had been renovated to convert into a modernclubhouse.[88]
The present–day club, open to all, is equipped with a lounge bar along with abilliard table, agymnasium and aswimming pool, besides arestaurant.[89][90]
Although anyone may apply for the membership to avail 'members-only' facilities, such as the gymnasium, applications may be reviewed to make an informed decision.
Golaghat's heritageGymkhana Club, then the centre of entertainment and merry-making for military personnels, much likeJorhat, was destroyed during theQuit India Movement.[91]
Natural History (Robin's) Museum is located onMission Road, and was the former place of residence of lateDr Robin Banerjee, a naturalist of international repute.
Full of artefacts, mementoes, movies and other personal collections of Banerjee's lifetime, the museum showcases 587 dolls and 262 other showpieces which had been presented by admirers and children during his trips to abroad and in the country.
Golaghat Baptist Church is one of the oldest and biggestBaptist churches in Assam[92] that was established in December 1898, and had celebrated itscentenary anniversary in 1999.
Golaghat British Cemetery, established in 1876, is located on the premises opposite toCally Coomar Doss & Co., adjacent to the circle office of Assam Power Distribution Company Limited. It is Assam's one of the oldest burial grounds containing 28 burials ofBritish officers of tea estates and their families and is open for public viewing.
Constructed in 1930 and incorporated 71–72 years ago asCally Coomar Doss Co. Pvt. Ltd. under theRegistrar of Companies (RoC) – Shillong in the year 1955,[93] located atKrishna Building,[94] the Golaghat Doss & Co. is the oldestDepartment Store,[95] and the largest during that time, that was established beforeIndia's independence fromBritain.
The general merchants' store belonging to entity of company with limited shareholders and an authorised capital of ₹500,000 and paid–up capital of ₹210,000,[96][94] still stands to this day, trading in the same building at the heart of the city centre, having many divisions comprising home appliances, electronics, and additionally select other lines of products such as paint, hardware, toiletries, cosmetics, photographic equipment, jewellery, toys, and sporting goods, among others.
Having built long ago, and reckoned as the earliest department store in the organised retail space, and with a legacy of sixty plus years in the state of Assam, the store is one of the recommended places for tourists in Golaghat, and has an official Assam Travel Guide entry, issued and published byAssam Tourism under the Joint Secretary Finance of Tourism Departments, Assam Secretariat.[97]
Two years later, a second branch of this store was opened in Jorhat in the year 1957.[98] The company was incorporated on 1 March 1957 under the name ofJorhat Doss Co. Pvt. Ltd. marked byRegistrar of Companies (RoC) – Shillong.[99][100]
The two stores with an age difference of two years, and with the assigned registration numbers of 1063[101] and 1086[102] respectively, laid the first foundations of department stores in the region, establishing Doss & Co. – Golaghat as the thousand sixty–third and Doss & Co. – Jorhat, the thousand eighty–sixth, limited companies in Assam to be listed under the category ofTrading as the principal business activity based on the classification of registered companies by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.[103]
A historical spot that has one of the finest sculptures of the pre-Ahom period.[104] An important archaeological site in the state, located on the hills amidst the tropical forests, consisting the ruins of an ancient temple, and a vast range of sculptured stone blocks of pre-Cambrian rocks – the architectural style is of the later Gupta-era.
The archaeological site, situated inNumaligarh, is a protected by theDirectorate of Archaeology,Government of Assam,India.
The site is atop a hillock called by the same name by the side of theNational Highway 39. The hillock is a part of a forest reserve.
Golaghat exerts a considerable impact upon the arts, music, education, entertainment of theregion. It houses some of the oldest institutions ofperforming arts, and has produced manyAssamese film directors and producers, such asMunin Baruah[105] andTapobrata Barua.[106]
Golaghat was home to earlyfilm houses, projectingcelluloid prints for viewingfilms, such as theUravashi and theChitralekha picture houses.[107] However, with the advent ofmultiplexes,[108] these have now been either closed or demolished.[109]
Golaghat Amateur Theatre Society (GATS), established in 1895,[20] is the oldest theatre society in Assam having its ownauditorium. Most of the seminars, conferences, theatres, including experimental theatres,[110] meetings and other workshops in the city are organised and conducted by GATS.
Established in 1951, theAjanta Kala Mandal (Ajanta Arts Society) is one of the oldest centres[111] of teaching and propagation ofSattriya – theclassical dance form of Assam. Set up byPradeep Chaliha,[112] a trained and renowned dancer of Assam and an honorary D.Litt. title holder fromDibrugarh University, the Ajanta Kala Mandal has trained numerous classical dancers of Assam since its inception, including internationally acclaimed Sattriya dancer,Indira P.P. Bora.[113] The institute continues to train dancers and organizes various cultural workshops for the promotion of arts and culture in Golaghat, and greater Assam.[114]
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Sadhani Kalakshetra (Queen's Arts & Cultural Complex), a cultural center located nearTenpursuburb in theNarakanwar region of Golaghat is a leading modern cultural centre inUpper – Assam. Spread over ~ 10acres of land, it includes an air-conditioned auditorium, a tourist lodge, boating facility, an amusement park and restaurants.[115] and is named afterSati Sadhani, the last queen of theSutiya dynasty. The centre supports and encourages the creative expression of the indigenous cultures of Assam, enabling the Assamese society to promote presentations on drama, music, dance, and arts and crafts, many of which having origins in Assam.
Designed and developed byGovernment of Assam, the cultural complex is set up with the specific mission to create, preserve, promote and educate about the passion and dedication ofSati Sadhani.[116]
Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary is a 6.05-square-kilometre (2.34 sq mi) wildlife sanctuary which is 25 km (16 mi) away from Golaghat. It is one of the oldest sanctuaries containing hot-water spring and waterfall, and surrounded is by Nambor Sanctuary having 51 rare species of orchid.
Kazirônga National Park is aWorld Heritage Site that hosts two-thirds of the world's great one-horned rhinoceroses. It has the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world and was declared a tiger reserve in 2006. The park is home to large breeding populations ofelephants, wildwater buffalo, andswamp deer. Kaziranga is recognized as an important birds' area byBirdLife International for the conservation of avi-faunal species. Located on the edge of theEastern Himalaya biodiversity hot-spot, the park combines high species diversity and visibility. It is a vast expanse of tall elephant grass, marshland, and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests, criss-crossed by four major rivers, including theBrahmaputra, and the park includes numerous small bodies of water. The park celebrated its centennial in 2005 after its establishment in 1905 as a reserve forest.
Nambor – Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary, spreading across 97 square kilometres (37 sq mi) in 3 blocks, it is located inMorangi, Golaghat, and a popular spot forhot water spring andwildlifeviewpoints for spottingRhinos and other animals.
A walk down theDhansiri bridge towards the river offers a very beautiful sight. It is a popular picnic spot for the citizens of Golaghat and others alike.
A public boating park within the city with slow-boating facility for the citizens and tourists. It also has a jogging track with swings and dedicated playing area for children.
A reserved area adjacent to the boating park for the conservation of flora and fauna plantations. It is not open for public boating and has a recorded history of rich and exotic species of biological plant and animal species.
The lake is about 30 minutes drive from central Golaghat and is a scenic spot with lush tea gardens lining the borders of the vast expanses of water. Visited by many migratory birds, it is also home to various all-seasons birds.
Melamora Eco Tea Tourism is located about 15 km from Golaghat Town. Melamora tea tourism centre is covered by green surroundings and is covered by hundred bighas of land. It has a children park with various recreational activities and is a place for various migratory birds. Melamora beel has boating facility and is being managed by women of the locality.[117]
Golaghat has hosted many national and regional sports events including major tennis tournaments,[118][119] and is the only place in Assam to have Sports Authority of India – Sports Training Centre (STC) afterGuwahati.
Golaghat District Sports Association (GDSA) is the highest sport governing body in the city and the greater district for promoting, mentoring, monitoring, regulating and organising all sporting events. It has many affiliated sub-associations and clubs.
The politics of Golaghat forms the major part of the wider politics of Assam. Golaghat was, and still is, an area of political and geographical importance and continues to provide the resources and the environment with the dignity and the political self-consciousness appropriate to a state capital.
Golaghat is the birthplace ofAssamese Political Renaissance, where the historicGolaghat Convention[124][125] led to the formation of Assam's first major political party –AGP (Assam Gana Parishad).[126][127]
AGP was a result of six-year'sAssam Movement against illegal infiltration of foreigners fromBangladesh into Assam, led byAll Assam Students Union (AASU). The long agitation ended with the signing of theAssam Accord on theindependence day in 1985. The leaders of the Assam Agitation formed theAGP on 14 October 1985, in Golaghat[128] and the party later that year overthrew theIndian National Congress led by lateHiteswar Saikia.[129]
Golaghat is a part ofKaliabor (Lok Sabha constituency).[130]BJP'sAjanta Neog is the currentMLA ofGolaghat (Vidhan Sabha constituency).
| Image | Name | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Aideu Handique | Assamese movie actress. | [131] |
 | Ajanta Neog | Politician. | [132] |
 | Atul Bora | Politician. | [133] |
 | Chandradhar Barua | Writer, poet. | [134] |
| Debo Prasad Barooah | Academician,historian, ex-vicechancellorGauhati University. | [135] | |
 | Gunaram Khanikar | Herbal medicines expert. | [136] |
 | Hemchandra Goswami | Writer, poet,historian,teacher andlinguist. | [137] |
| Hiren Gohain | Literary critic,social scientist. | [138] | |
 | Kushal Konwar | Indian independence activist. | [139] |
 | Lovlina Borgohain | Boxer, Olympic Bronze medalist. | [140] |
| Munin Barua | Assamese film director. | [141] | |
 | Nagen Saikia | Writer. | [142] |
| Nilmani Phookan | Writer, poet. | [143] | |
| Robin Banerjee | Padma Shri awardee,wildlife expert,environmentalist,painter,photographer anddocumentaryfilmmaker. | [144] | |
| Syed Abdul Malik | Writer. | [145] | |
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Places adjacent to Golaghat | |
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