Assam Renames Karimganj District to Sribhumi, Honoring Tagore’s Legacy

The Assam government has officially renamed Karimganj district in Barak Valley as Sribhumi, along with renaming its district headquarters to Sribhumi town.

This significant decision was announced through an official notification and is effective immediately.

Official Notification of Renaming

The renaming of Karimganj district was formalized through a notification issued by General Administration Department Principal Secretary Mukesh Chandra Sahu.

“The Governor of Assam is pleased to rename the Karimganj district as Sribhumi district and Karimganj town as Sribhumi town,” stated the notification. This change was approved following a cabinet decision earlier this week.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed that the renaming is a fulfillment of a long-standing demand by the people of the district. “Over 100 years ago, Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore had described modern-day Karimganj district in Assam as Sribhumi – the land of Maa Lakshmi. Today, the Assam cabinet has fulfilled this long-standing demand of our people,” said Sarma after the cabinet meeting.

Historical Significance of the Name Sribhumi

The term Sribhumi holds historical and cultural significance, as it was first used by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore to describe the region over a century ago. The renaming is seen as a tribute to the cultural identity of the area and an attempt to align with its historical roots.

Karimganj, now Sribhumi, is located in southern Assam and shares borders with Tripura and Bangladesh. It is one of the three districts forming the Barak Valley region and was historically part of the Sylhet district before India’s partition.

According to historical accounts, the name Karimganj originated from a bazaar established by a local mirashdar, Muhammad Karim Chowdhury, near the confluence of the Natikhal and Kushiyara rivers. The market eventually lent its name to the district.

Broader Renaming Initiative in Assam

The renaming of Karimganj is part of a broader effort by the Assam government to change place names that lack historical or linguistic significance.

During a press conference, CM Sarma emphasized the state’s ongoing process of renaming such places to reflect Assam’s cultural heritage.

“We are gradually changing the names of places that lack historical mentions or dictionary meanings. For example, ‘Kalapahar’ doesn’t have a historical reference, nor does ‘Karimganj.’ Such names need to align with linguistic or cultural roots,” Sarma explained.

Sarma further highlighted the renaming of Kala Pahar in Guwahati to Nilachal Nagar as part of this initiative. He mentioned that several villages, towns, and districts would undergo similar changes to ensure the names hold historical relevance and reflect the aspirations of local communities.

Reflecting People’s Aspirations

The decision to rename Karimganj as Sribhumi is seen as a reflection of the expectations and aspirations of its people.

CM Sarma noted that the renaming process aims to restore pride in Assam’s rich cultural heritage. “This is not just a change of name; it signifies the cultural and historical identity of the region,” he said.

Local media also reported Sarma’s plans to continue renaming places with communal or irrelevant connotations. “This is a continuous process. Names that do not have historical evidence or cultural relevance will be revisited,” Sarma affirmed.

Other Cabinet Decisions

In addition to the renaming of Karimganj, the Assam cabinet made decisions on several other matters, including preparations for the upcoming panchayat elections.

The voter list for the elections is scheduled to be published by December, ensuring the polls are completed by February 10 next year.

The cabinet also approved a major initiative to host an investment and infrastructure summit in Assam on February 24, 2025.

This global event aims to attract investments and strengthen the state’s infrastructure development. CM Sarma revealed plans to organize roadshows across India and internationally to promote the summit.

“We have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has accepted our request to attend the event,” Sarma announced. He emphasized that the summit would position Assam as a key destination for investors and contribute to the state’s overall development.