Introduction of Urbanization in Silchar

Abstract

Urbanization has become a common feature of Indian society and as well as in northeast India. Urbanization denotes a diffusion of the influence of urban centers to rural hinterland. Urbanization can also be defined as a process of concentration population in a particular region. It is also a process of becoming urban, moving to cities, changing from agriculture to other pursuits common to cities. The process of urbanization in Silchar is unknown to many people. It was the Colonial powers who took initiative for the urbanization of Silchar. It is said that introduction of urbanization in Silchar started after the shifting of British headquarter from Duthpatil to Janiganj and the spread of urbanization is started after the municipality election in 1913. From 1882 to 1913 the selected government officers and some civilian operates the municipality matter but the real election process of municipality was started in 23rd May 1913. In 1912 AD when partition of Bengal was annulled, Assam was constituted a separate province. Accordingly, Cachar and Sylhet as its districts and it was decided to make municipality more democratic. So, with the election of non-official Chairman a new era started in the history of Silchar municipality. Kamini Kumar Chanda was elected as chairman. The election of non-official Chairman was a remarkable incident because due to the election Silchar Municipality was to a great extent freed from British government interference. In my study I, would like to highlight introduction of urbanization in Silchar in the colonial period.