Lakhipur
Lakhipur | |
|---|---|
Town | |
Lakhipur Location in Assam, India Lakhipur Lakhipur (India) | |
| Coordinates: 24°48′N 93°01′E / 24.8°N 93.02°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Assam |
| District | Cachar |
| Named after | Kachari King Lakshmi Narayana Hasnusa |
| Government | |
| • Body | Lakhipur Municipal Board |
| Elevation | 22 m (72 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 10,277 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Bengali, Meitei (Manipuri) |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 788103 |
| Telephone code | (0091) 03843 |
| ISO 3166 code | IN-AS |
| Vehicle registration | AS |
Lakhipur (Bengali pronunciation: [lokkʰipur]), is a town and a municipal board in Cachar district in the Indian state of Assam. It serves as the administrative headquarters of the Lakhipur Sub-Division, one of the three sub-divisions of Cachar. Situated in the scenic Barak Valley, Lakhipur lies close to the border of Manipur, making it an important trade and transit point between the two states. The region is known for its tea gardens, diverse communities, and a mix of Bengali, Manipuri, and Dimasa cultural influences.
Etymology
One tradition holds that the name Lakhipur derives from the Hindu goddess Lakshmi (symbol of wealth and prosperity). Another theory attributes the name to notable Dimasa Kachari King Laxminarayan, who ruled this part of the country in ancient times.[1]
Geography
The town is located at approximately 24°48′N 93°01′E / 24.8°N 93.02°E at an average elevation of 22 metres (72 feet) above sea level.[2] Lakhipur lies on the plains of the Barak River basin, surrounded by low hills on the eastern and northern fringes. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate, with heavy monsoon rainfall between May and October and mild winters.[3] The fertile alluvial soil supports rice, areca nut, and tea cultivation.
Demographics
According to the 2011 Census of India, Lakhipur Town had a population of 10,277, comprising 5,168 males and 5,109 females. The town recorded an average literacy rate of 90.97 % higher than state average of 72.19 %, with Male literacy is around 94.62 % while female literacy rate is 87.29 %.[4]
The population includes communities such as Bengali Hindus and Muslims, Manipuri Meiteis, Dimasa, and Tea-Tribe groups. Bengali and Meitei (Manipuri) are the principal languages, while Assamese and Hindi are also widely understood.[5][6]
Religious practices in Lakhipur reflect the area’s plural identity, with major Hindu temples, mosques, and Meitei religious sites coexisting in close proximity.
Administration
Lakhipur functions as a Municipal Board under the Urban Development Department of Assam and is divided into 10 municipal wards.[7] It serves as the administrative headquarters of the Lakhipur Sub-Division, one of the three sub-divisions of Cachar district.
Key government offices located in Lakhipur include those of the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Police, Education, Public Works, Agriculture, and Health departments. The Lakhipur Police Station oversees law and order across the sub-division.
Economy
The economy of Lakhipur and its surrounding region is primarily agrarian. Major agricultural products include rice, betel nut, tea, and vegetables. Several tea estates—such as Jatinga Valley, Rajnagar, Binnakandi, and Sonai—play an important role in local employment and exports.
Small-scale industries include handloom weaving, bamboo craft, and food processing. Due to its border location, Lakhipur also acts as a commercial link between Cachar and Manipur, with growing retail, transport, and warehousing sectors.
Transport
Lakhipur is well connected by road and rail. The town lies about 30 km east of Silchar, the district headquarters. The Silchar–Jiribam railway line, now upgraded to broad gauge, passes through Lakhipur Sub-Division, enhancing passenger and freight connectivity with Manipur and Mizoram. Regular bus and shared taxi services connect Lakhipur with Silchar, Jiribam, and Imphal.
The nearest airport is Silchar Airport (IXS), approximately 45 km away, offering flights to Guwahati, Kolkata, and other Indian cities.
Lakhipur Sub-Division
Lakhipur is sub-district in Cachar district. The Lakhipur Civil Sub-Division is bounded by in the East Manipur State, West – Silchar Sadar Sub-Division, North – Dima Hasao Autonomous District Border and South – Sonai Circle. The total population of the Sub-Division is estimated at 2,52,642 (approx). The Sub-Division has maintained a unique unity in diversity although it has a population belonging to different castes, languages, religions and culture.
The Lakhipur sub-division comprises six community development blocks — Lakhipur, Binnakandi Banskandi, Rajabazar, Sonai and Udharbond — and coordinates governance, development, and public service delivery across a mix of urban and rural areas.[8]
Lakhipur Assembly constituency is one of the 126 state legislative assembly constituencies in Assam, and current MLA is Kaushik Rai of BJP. Lakhipur is part of Silchar (Lok Sabha constituency).[9]
Notable People
- Kaushik Rai - MLA of Lakhipur
- Rajdeep Goala - Former MLA of Lakhipur
- Dinesh Prasad Goala - Former MLA of Lakhipur
See also
References
- ^ "About Lakhipur".
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Lakhipur
- ^ "Lakhipur Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Assam, India) - Weather Spark". weatherspark.com. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ "Lakhipur Municipal Board City Population Census 2011-2025 | Assam". www.census2011.co.in. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ "Govt withdraws Assamese as official language from Barak valley". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 9 September 2014. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
- ^ Purkayastha, Biswa Kalyan (24 February 2024). "Assam recognises Manipuri as associate official language in four districts". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "About us LAKHIPUR MUNICIPAL BOARD, CACHAR - UDD Website". Lakhipur MB(Cachar). Retrieved 22 October 2025.
- ^ "Full list of blocks of Lakhipur sub-district". www.viewvillage.in. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
- ^ "List of Parliamentary & Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Assam. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 May 2006. Retrieved 5 October 2008.