Beltola

Beltola is a prime residential area in the southern part of Guwahati, Assam. Mythical sources claimed that the word Beltola comes from the word Bilvapatra, which means leaves of Bael tree, used in religious ceremonies. It was said that in olden day's large quantities of Bael tree leaves were sent to Kamakhya Temple to be used in rituals. It was from that time the place is called as Beltola.[1]

Beltola
Suburb
Beltola
Map of Suburb
Coordinates: 26.1241°N 91.7994°E / 26.1241; 91.7994
CountryIndia
StateAssam
RegionWestern Assam
DistrictKamrup Metropolitan
Founded byBeltola Rani
Named forQueen of Beltola, Koch Kingdom
Dimensions
 • Width1.90 km (1.18 mi)
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Area code(s)781028
Vehicle registrationAS - 01
Websitehttps://gmc.assam.gov.in/

It is an adjoining area of the Dispur Capital Complex, the capital of Assam. The area has seen rapid growth since the 1980s and its southern periphery is today extended up to the National Highway-27 (NH-27) in the extreme south of the city. It covers area of about 2.53 km² or 27,221,804.44 ft².

Beltola Bazar in the central part of Beltola is a traditional bi-weekly fruits and vegetables market with historic importance. The market has been continuing since historic past and is an important traditional trading point between the people from the Khasi hills (Meghalaya) and the local people. It is a rich market with various types of local food products.

Previously, Beltola was also the seat for a small protectorate of Ahom Kingdom, principally assisting administration of the Borphukan and in maintaining relations with the communities of Khasi Hills. The Rani or the Queen of Beltola is a popular historic figure in the locality.

Beltola was in the news when on 24 November 2007 an Adivasi rally turned violent leading to arson and clashes.[1][2] This led to further trouble in the rest of state. Situation leading to the violence in Beltola are unclear and may be manipulated. Third party involvement also cannot be denied.

History

During the Ahom reign, the kingdom of Beltola extends from the borders of the kingdom of Rani in the west, while in the east it extends to the borders of the kingdom of Mayong and Dimorua. The places named as Rajgarh and Hatigarh in present-day Guwahati city, were the borders between Ahom ruled Guwahati city and the kingdom of Beltola. After the fall of Ahom kingdom and the British occupation of Assam, Beltola lost its status as a kingdom and converted into a Mouza or revenue circle. Under British rule, the size of the Beltola Mouza was much reduced. Presently Beltola Mouza consists of several places of Modern day Guwahati city. Centrally located from Beltola haat or Beltola Bazaar, the Mouza or estate covers the area of Narengi, Birkuchi, Hengrabari, Panjabari, Hatigaon, Bhetapara, Maidam gaon, Rukminigaon, Khanapara, Kahilipara, Ganeshguri and Basistha Mandir. It was said that the Royal residence of the Beltola royal family was in Rukminigaon, while the place where the royal elephants were kept and trained was Hatigaon, literally meaning village of elephants (in Assamese Hati means elephant; gaon means village). Maidam gaon was said to be the place of cremation of the royal family members. The old name of Khanapara was Kainapara. Kaina is a Khasi word, which means elephant, while Para in Khasi language means human settlements or colony. It was said that the ruler of Beltola used to capture elephants and was indulge in the profitable business of selling elephants. It can be assumed that the Khasi people living in that region were indulged in the capturing elephants for the rulers of Beltola, due to which the name Kainapara or later Khanapara came into existence. Birkuchi name comes from the combination of two words, Bir means heroes and Kuchi means camp. It was said that the Koch army of Chilarai use to camp there for some time and thus the place got its name.

Over time, Beltola[3] has expanded as a residential area come commercial and educational hub with Beltola College as the institute offering graduate courses in Arts and Science. A sub-centre of the All Assam Students Union known as Beltola Students Union and is active in various activities.

Landmark

The Upcoming Project in Beltola is going to be not only icon of this locality but of whole Northeast India, the Twin Tower World Trade Center of 280 meters(918.635 feet) height with 65 floors including a cinema hall, a shopping mall, World Class Convention Centre (in association with World Trade Center site, Newyork ), a State of the art Auditorium, Seminar halls and meeting rooms, food courts, open-air amphitheatre, Museum, Commercial Offices, Residential Apartments, Service Apartment, Sky Park at 200m height of 2acre area a Swimming Pool.[4]

Sky Park will have a public observatory, Restaurant for panoramic view of City, river Brahmaputra and Hills surrounding the city. This project is under National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd (NBCC) and will cost 2500 crore Rupees( approx).[5]

Place of Interest
  • THE CRIMSON VALLEY Restaurant
  • Beltola Bazar
  • Rani Bagan
  • MATRIX MALL
  • CARNIVAL CINEMAS
  • Reliance Market
  • JDDS Supermarket
  • AG Office
  • Bongaon Playground
  • Bongaon Shiv Temple
  • Megha Mart
  • Lakhi Mandir
  • Vishnu Mandir

Notes

The Beltola market opens two times a week from the morning till late in the evening.

Beltola has a long history. It was, until about half a century ago, the hub of a small kingdom, the kingdom of Beltola. Close to the site of the famous "Beltola-haat", where small local vendors sell their agricultural produce and other goods of small-scale manufacturing twice a week, lived the royal family of the Beltola kings. Within living memory, there was a royal mansion/palace with the royal gardens. The Beltola-haat has been almost monumental for the inhabitants of greater Guwahati in that it has always been known to everyone here that the items that cannot be found in any other market in Guwahati, are likely to be sold here. Being located at a point convenient of access for vendors who came on foot and animal-transport from far-off places like present-day Meghalaya, this market retained its distinctive, indigenous character till about a decade ago before the high-rise apartment complexes were built. Even today this character is not entirely lost.

Beltola Bazaar

Today, Beltola Bazaar has become a daily market selling everything from clothes to vegetables. But, starting from Wednesday night to Thursday night and Saturday night to Sunday night from Vegetables to fruits, clothing, fast foods, home items, foot wear, women's apparel, toys, pastries all are available in Market ( Haat ).

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References
  1. "Commission's report on Beltola violence submitted". Outlook India. PTI. 26 February 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  2. The Assam Tribune Largescale violence in city, curfew in Beltola, 25 November 2007.
  3. "Pincode / Post Office Locator Tool". Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  4. "Guwahati to get a Twin Tower Trade Centre". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  5. "Sonowal's cabinet approves construction of twin towers in Guwahati". NORTHEAST NOW. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
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