Pasighat
—  city  —
Pasighat Location of Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh and India
Coordinates	28°04′N 95°20′E / 28.07°N 95.33°E / 28.07; 95.33Coordinates: 28°04′N 95°20′E / 28.07°N 95.33°E / 28.07; 95.33
Country	India
State	Arunachal Pradesh
District(s)	East Siang
Population • Density	21,972 (2001[update]) • 1,504.9 /km2 (3,898 /sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	14.60 square kilometres (5.64 sq mi) • 153 metres (502 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 791102 • Telephone • +0368 • Vehicle • AR-09
Website	www.pasighat.com

Pasighat is the headquarters of East Siang district in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Situated at 155 meters, with its scenic splendours Pasighat is Arunachal's oldest town^[1] and also the district headquarters of East Siang.

History [link]

Pasighat was founded in 1911 A.D. by the British as a gateway to administrative convenience of the greater Abor Hills and area north. Primarily it was a settlements of Pasi and Minyong communities who are still living in the villages in and around Pasighat. Year 2011 (January) marked 100 years of its existence and this occasion was celebrated in the DSA ground Pasighat (in February last week) after having extended the function more than half a dozen times, thereby creating a mass public irritation. (Supplement: DARUNG KALING).

Cognizance of Pasighat emerged due to the Anglo-Abor War that was fought in 1912. This necessitated the first ever administrative Head Quarter being established here at Pasighat with an Assistant Political Officer posted. In the post-Independent Era, Pasighat is credited with the first Airfield (near Paglek, P.I Line) established in 1946. The 1st Agricultural Institute in Arunachal Pradesh was also established at Pasighat in 1950. Other forms of later infrastructural development includes the famous (1) General Hospital (estb.1954, although some claim it as old as the town itself), (2) Co-operative society Ltd (1957), (3) Nurse Training Centre (affiliated to General Hospital), (4) The first ever College in Arunachal Pradesh Jawaharlal Nehru College (established: 4th July 1964) and also (5) the first ever All India Radio Station in the State in 1966.

The early proponents for the shifting of capital from Shillong (the then NEFA), underlined Pasighat as the obvious choice under the new preference. One of the strong reasons given by the officials was the above leading relative infrastructural development in the whole of the State. However, because of the then over-crafty chumps and the self crowned top dogs, the privilege was lost with a serious distaste to the present capital Itanagar. Since that catastrophe of 1974, Pasighat has failed to yield its lost tempo of modernization; nevertheless it has embarked as the new intellectual hub of the whole State. (Supplement: DARUNG KALING)

The only renown development in Pasighat that came after the 1974 catastrophe was in the form of the College of Horticulture and Forestry Central Agriculture University established on 7th March, 2001. (Supplement: DARUNG KALING)

Geography [link]

Pasighat is located at 28°04′N 95°20′E / 28.07°N 95.33°E / 28.07; 95.33.^[2] It has an average elevation of 153 metres (501 ft). The area experience tropical humid climate during summer and dry mild winter. The place is known for receiving highest rainfall in a single year. In fact Pasighat and area around it receive heavy rainfall every year during monsoon season starting from May till September. The unique trough like features surrounded by high hills on all three sides make this place ideal for attracting rain bearing cloud which comes in from Assam plain. The rain bearing wind gets obstructed by the hills and brings heavy downpour. Winter is marked by cold dry local seasonal wind which blows throughout the winter. This factor contributes in making this place fog free even in winter. Bhramaputra emerges from the foothills under the name of Dihang or Siang. It enters India as Dihang west of Sadiya town in Arunachal Pradesh.Flowing southwest, it receives its main left bank tributaries, viz., Dibang and Lohit; thereafter, it is known as the Brahmaputra. Then it races across the Pasighat [north of Assam] heading for the Assam plains as the mighty Brahmaputra.

Economy [link]

Agriculture is the main occupation of local people. Rice is the main foodcrop produced in the area. There are several large tea gardens in the vicinity of the town which attracts workers from all over the region. Lumbering was a big sustaining industry till the Supreme Court clamped down on the industry during nineties. There is also a bit of tourism in Pasighat, being the oldest town in Arunachal Pradesh. Agriculture, Horticulture, and tourism continues to be the main source of economy for the town.

Demography [link]

The Vivekananda Kendriya Vidyalaya school in Pasighat

As of 2001 India census,^[3] Pasighat had a population of 21,972. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Pasighat has an average literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 71%, and female literacy is 56%. In Pasighat, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Pasighat is predominantly inhabited by the Adi people who are known for their colourful Ponung dance and war dance called Taapu. Pasighat is also ideal for adventure sports activities. The Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary is 13 km away and is worth visiting. The archaeological site of Malinithan (100 km) is linked to the legend of Lord Krishna and his wife Rukmini. The dismembered head of Sati (Parvati) is said to have fallen at Akashiganga (100 km according to ancient Hindu myths. This is a highly sacred place for Vaishnavites. Around 12km there is a waterfall which is a tourist attraction among teenage.A 700m bridge is along the siang river,where you can see the view of the mountains never before.

See also [link]

• Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities

References [link]

1. ^ Pasighat: Oldest town of Arunachal Pradesh. All India Radio.
2. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Pasighat
3. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/https://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 

External links [link]

• Town website