Bongaigaon district is an administrative district in the western part of the Indian state of Assam. Its headquarters is located in the town of Bongaigaon, which serves as a commercial and industrial centre for Lower Assam. The district lies on the north bank of the Brahmaputra and forms part of the larger Bodoland region of cultural influence, although it is administered as a regular district outside the Bodoland Territorial Region for most of its area.
| State | Assam |
|---|---|
| Region | Lower Assam |
| Headquarters | Bongaigaon |
| Country | India |
| Type | District |
Bongaigaon district was carved out of the erstwhile Goalpara district as part of the reorganisation of districts in Assam during the 1980s. It was later reconfigured when Chirang district was created in 2004 as part of the Bodoland Territorial Council areas, with portions of the original Bongaigaon district transferred to the new district. The present district therefore covers a smaller geographical area than its original form.
The town of Bongaigaon historically gained importance with the establishment of the Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (BRPL), which is now part of the Indian Oil Corporation. The refinery and the associated railway junction have shaped the district's modern economy.
The district is bounded by Barpeta and Chirang districts to the east, Kokrajhar district to the west, the kingdom of Bhutan through Chirang to the north, and the Brahmaputra and Goalpara district to the south. The terrain is largely alluvial plains interspersed with small hillocks. The Aie and Champamati are among the rivers traversing the district before joining the Brahmaputra.
The district is divided into civil sub-divisions and revenue circles, with Bongaigaon and North Salmara typically functioning as sub-divisional units. Administration is headed by a Deputy Commissioner. The district falls under the jurisdiction of the Government of Assam and elects representatives to the Assam Legislative Assembly and to the Lok Sabha through constituencies in Lower Assam.
Agriculture remains the principal occupation, with paddy as the dominant crop, supplemented by jute, mustard and seasonal vegetables. Industrial activity is concentrated around the Bongaigaon refinery complex and ancillary units. The town of Bongaigaon is also a significant railway junction on the route between Guwahati and northern West Bengal, served by the Northeast Frontier Railway.
The district has a mixed population including Assamese-speaking communities, Bodos, Rajbongshis, Bengali-speaking groups and Muslim communities of varying origins. Festivals such as Bihu, Durga Puja, Eid and Bwisagu are widely observed. Traditional weaving, particularly of the eri and muga silks, is practised in several villages.