What Is Karbi Anglong?

Key Takeaways

• Karbi Anglong is a district in Assam, India
• It got its name from the Karbi people and the word “Anglong” meaning hills/mountains
• Karbis are the main indigenous group living there
• The district is in central Assam surrounded by other districts
• Karbis are a major ethnic group in Northeast India

Introduction

Karbi Anglong is an interesting place in the state of Assam in India. To understand what Karbi Anglong is, we first need to know some background.

This article will explain all about Karbi Anglong. It will cover where it is, how it got its name, who lives there, and more. Learning about different places in India helps us understand the country better.

Read on to find out lots of great facts about Karbi Anglong! You will learn about the geography, people, culture, and history of this unique district in Assam.

Where is Karbi Anglong Located?

Karbi Anglong is one of the 34 districts in the state of Assam. It is situated right in the central part of Assam. What surrounds Karbi Anglong?

To the east of Karbi Anglong is the state of Nagaland. The Golaghat district also borders Karbi Anglong on the east side.

On the west side of Karbi Anglong is the Hojai district. The Nagaon and Golaghat districts lie to the south of Karbi Anglong.

So Karbi Anglong is nestled in central Assam, surrounded by other districts and the state of Nagaland.

Now let’s look at how Karbi Anglong got its interesting name.

How Did Karbi Anglong Get Its Name?

The name “Karbi Anglong” comes from two words – “Karbi” and “Anglong.” Each word tells us something about the place.

Karbi is the name of an indigenous people group living in the area. They have lived in the hills and forests of this region for many, many years. The Karbi tribe calls themselves “Arleng,” which means “humans.” But they are known as Karbis to outsiders.

Anglong means “hills and mountains” in the Karbi language. As the name suggests, Karbi Anglong is a hilly region covered in dense forests and valleys.

So the Karbi people gave their name to the first part, and the second part refers to the hills and terrain. Combining them created the name “Karbi Anglong” – the land of Karbi hills!

Who Are the Karbi People?

As we learned, the Karbi people are the biggest indigenous group living in Karbi Anglong. They make up a large part of the population there. The Karbis have a long history and culture closely tied to the region.

In fact, Karbis live not only in Karbi Anglong but also in nearby areas. Many Karbis reside in the West Karbi Anglong district too. Overall, they are one of the main ethnic communities in all of Northeast India.

The Karbi language comes from the Sino-Tibetan family. Originally, the Karbis lived in the hills and practiced jhum agriculture. This is a form of farming that involves clearing land by fire.

Over time, many Karbis adopted Christianity as their main religion. But some still follow indigenous Animist beliefs too. They have rich traditions of dance, music, and crafts.

So the Karbi Anglong district gets its name from this thriving indigenous group!

What Is the Geography Like?

As we learned before, “Anglong” refers to the hills and mountains. This describes the geography well. Karbi Anglong contains hilly terrain covered in lush forests.

The district has many important rivers flowing through it. These include the Dhansiri River, Jamuna River, and Kopili River. The rivers cut through the hills and form the picturesque valleys and plains.

The major towns are mostly located in the valleys and low-lying areas between the hills. The town of Diphu serves as the headquarters of Karbi Anglong district. Other main towns include Hamren, Bokajan, and Donkamokam.

With its hills, rivers, forests, and valleys, Karbi Anglong has incredibly diverse natural scenery. The picturesque landscape is home to rare wildlife too. Let’s learn more about that next.

What Animals Live There?

The forests of Karbi Anglong provide the perfect habitat for some amazing wildlife species. Important animals found in the district include:

• Asian elephants
• Bengal tigers
• Clouded leopards
• Golden langurs
• Capped langurs
• Slow loris
• Assamese macaques
• Rhesus macaques
• Sambar deer
• Wild boars
• Bison

Some endangered species like the pygmy hog and hispid hare also live there. The rivers and forests support many types of birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles too.

That’s why parts of Karbi Anglong are protected as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and forest reserves. These conserved areas provide a safe home for rare animals.

What Is the History of Karbi Anglong?

Karbi Anglong has a long and fascinating history. The Karbi people have lived in this region since ancient times. Originally, they practiced animist religious beliefs.

In the 1850s, British missionaries came and converted many Karbis to Christianity. This changed their society in big ways.

During British rule, the area was part of the Mikir Hills district in Assam. After India’s independence, it was an autonomous district called Mikir Hills.

Finally in 1976, it was renamed Karbi Anglong to reflect the name of the Karbi people. Over the decades, other groups like Dimasa and Kuki also migrated there.

Today, the majority of people living in Karbi Anglong are from indigenous tribes. The Karbis make up the largest percentage at about 40-50%.

Conclusion

In summary, Karbi Anglong is an important district in the state of Assam, India. It got its name from the Karbi ethnic group and the hilly terrain or “Anglong.”

Karbi Anglong is centrally located in Assam, surrounded by other districts and Nagaland. The Karbis are the predominant indigenous community living there.

This scenic district has hills, forests, rivers, and wildlife. Learning about the geography, people, and history gives us a better understanding of Karbi Anglong

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