Nazira

Nazira (IPA: nəˈzɪərə) is a town and a municipal board in Sivasagar district in the Indian state of Assam.

Nazira is a historical town on the bank of River Dikhow in Sivasagar district in Assam. It is around 18 km from Sivasagar city, 3 km from Simaluguri Jn. and 78 km from Jorhat Airport. It is Sub-divisional Head Office of Nazira Sub-division. The HQ of ONGC, Assam Asset, a Maharatna E&P company is situated in Nazira. Nazira is surrounded by huge tea estates like Mackeypore, Geleky, Santok, Bihubor, Lakwa, Ligiripukhuri, Mezenga, Bamunpukhuri and Maduri Tea estate.Once Mezenga was related with Scottish Assam Tea Company;This company was formed in 1865 to purchase,extend and cultivate Heelekah, Mazenga and Karsoolie Estates in Assam.

History

Nazira was an important place during the regime of Ahom Kingdom. Nearby Gargaon was the capital of Ahom Kingdom over a long period. According to legends Nazira got its name from 'Now-Jeera', which in Assamese literally means resting place of boats. The historian Sarbananda Rajkumar states that 'Nazira' is a Tai(Ahom) word: Na means Land,Zi-Inclined & Ra-Much. So, Nazira means a much inclined land. He also writes that once the important places of Nazira were Ganak Village and Nazirahat.