Sadiya
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Sadiya
Village m the Dibrugarh subdivision of Lakhimpur District, Eastern Bengal and Assam, situated m 27 48' N. and 95 39' E , on the right bank of the Brahmaputra river. Sadiya is the extreme north-east frontiei station of British India, and stands on a high grassy plain from which on a clear day a magnificent view is obtained of the hills which surround it on three sides. It is garrisoned by detachments of native infantry and military police In the neighbourhood are the ruins of extensive forts, which are said to have VOL. XXI. 2 been built by Hindu Rajas who preceded the Chutiyas in the sovereignty of the country. A little to the east aie the remains of the famous copper temple, at which human sacrifices used at one time to be offered by the Chutiyas, and which was a centre of worship for the tribes on the north-east frontier.
In 1839 the Khamtis rose in rebellion and killed the garrison and Colonel White, the officer in charge; and since that day Sadiya has been the base of a chain of outposts stretching towards the north and east. It is the head- quarters of an officer whose particular duty is to extend his influence over the hill tribes and to keep a watch upon their movements. There is a considerable bazar, at which the hillmen exchange rubber, wax, musk, ivory, and other hill produce for cotton cloth, salt, metal utensils, jewellery, and opium.
