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Karimganj district

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Karimganj district

Karimganj district, officially Sribhumi district, is one of the 35 districts of the Indian state of Assam. The district's administrative headquarters and largest town is Karimganj. Located in southern Assam, it shares borders with the Indian state of Tripura and the Sylhet Division of Bangladesh. Alongside Hailakandi and Cachar, it forms the Barak Valley region. Historically, the area was part of Sylhet District before the Partition of India in 1947. It was later designated as a separate district in 1983.

Rabindranath Tagore referred to the region as Sribhumi (শ্রীভূমি), and in November 2024, the district was officially renamed to reflect Tagore's vision. Previously known as Karimganj, the district derived its name from Muhammad Karim Chowdhury, a Bengali Muslim mirashdar who established a bazaar (market) near the confluence of the Natikhal and Kushiyara rivers.

In 1778, Karimganj was established as a subdivision of the undivided Sylhet district, comprising 40 parganas. The name "Karimganj" is derived from Muhammad Karim Chowdhury, a Bengali Muslim mirashdar who established a bazaar (market) south of the confluence of the Natikhal and Kushiyara River. However, due to the Natikhal drying up during autumn, the market was relocated in the 1870s to what is now the town of Karimganj.[better source needed]

During the partition of India in 1947, a plebiscite was held to determine whether the Sylhet region, including Karimganj, would remain in India or join East Pakistan. Abdul Matlib Mazumdar led a delegation advocating for the region to remain with India. However, due to demands from the Muslim League and support from Assam's political leaders at the time, the plebiscite resulted in Sylhet's transfer to Pakistan by a narrow margin. Allegations of electoral fraud and irregularities were raised, but the results stood.

Following the partition, Sylhet was incorporated into East Pakistan, while Karimganj was divided, with part of it remaining in India to ensure connectivity with Tripura. The Kushiyara River was established as the international border between India and Pakistan. Portions of Greater Karimganj, including Beani-Bazar, Barlekha, Shahpur, and Zakiganj, became part of Pakistan.

On 21 November 2024, Karimganj district was officially renamed Sribhumi to honour Rabindranath Tagore, who had described the region as the land of goddess Lakshmi.

The Assam government’s decision to rename Karimganj district as Sribhumi sparked widespread protests and objections from local residents, civil society groups, and opposition parties. Critics argued that the move lacked public consultation and undermined the district’s historical and cultural identity. Nearly 300,000 people signed a memorandum submitted to the Governor opposing the renaming, calling it politically motivated.

A 12-hour bandh was observed on 3 September 2025, backed by the Congress, Left parties, and several local organisations. Clashes broke out between protesters and police during demonstrations, resulting in injuries and detentions.

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