Between the time period of 1982 to 1933, a railway line was built which extended till Rangapara, starting from Tangla and continuing through Udalguri. From 1935 onwards, passenger trains began to be operated in this Indian district. During 1933 to 1934, violent floods of River Golondi submerged Nalbari and Kathalguri villages. Ever since that time, numerable inhabitants of these villages shifted to safer regions namely Badagaon, Sapkhaiti, Kapurpura, Bolondihabi and others. Even the police station which was based at Puronithana was moved to a rented place which was near the northern portion of the railway station of Udalguri in the year 1913. Many Bihari coolies who had migrated to this place, decided to settle here till they met their ends. One of the coolies named Babulal sold 'ganja' and opium. It is also believed that his shop was present near the railway station of Udalguri, towards its southern end. Bodos started appearing in Udalguri, who came from the western districts like Kamrup and Goalpara. Some Bodos like Sombaru Basumatari and Buja Moshahari came in the year 1930, Asina Basumatari in 1936, Daso Boro and Dayarani Brahma in 1935 and Magho Basumatari in 1939 were amongst them. It is believed that a certain Ramchandra Petal had started his own grocery store in the year 1935 at the village of Thana Udalguri. Most of the Assamese people started migrating here from Barpeta and Nalbari immediately after the passenger trains began running. Several Muslims and Biharis who were occupying the empty spaces adjoining the railway stations began to create their 'Namghar' in 1935 to 1936. Their main occupation was the collection of paddy from the local villages with the aide of bullock carts. A few Hindu refugees starting migrating to Udalguri from the year 1947 onwards. Dr. Ramcharan De and Dr. Profulla Bose were a few Hindus who contributed greatly to the arena of science and medicine, especially during the era when Udalguri lacked decent medical facilities. Some of the Bengali people who settled here later became famous business tycoons. The Independent Movement which occurred in the year 1942 had a profound impact on Udalguri district. About 100 congressmen arrived at Udalguri on 8th October to preside over a meeting which discussed about the goals of the independent movement. The community project office, also known as the Block Development Office was set up in the year 1952, while a health centre was founded in 1954. The Udalguri Town L.P. School was constructed on 1st October, 1950 and Udalguri M.E. School in 1953. Before the creation of these schools, there was a faint idea of education in Udalguri district. Much before that, in the year 1865, other L.P. Schools were built. In 1925, the Middle English School was established though it was later shifted to Harishinga in the year 1930. There were 150 schools in Darrang in March 1868 which was connected to the Church Mission societies of the region of Tezpur. In 1948, Golma L.P. School was set up, followed by Gema Bogoribari in 1948, Bahinigaon M.V. School in 1949, Udalguri High School was in 1956 and so on. 'Yatragan' was the singular form of entertainment for the inhabitants of Udalguri, particularly during the seasons of pujas. All the local residents participated in the rituals of these festivities, irrespective of age, caste or creed and were spectators to the Yatragan for the entire night. Makeshift pandals were constructed with the help of banana leaves in order to arrange Yatragan performances. Sometimes, female artists were also hired by residents of Udalguri, like Bina Das for performing various types of theatrical acts. In 1950, Hemchandra Talukdar and Haragobinda Das organised a theatre termed as 'Sech Pataka', which was composed by Uma Sarma. Bhairabkunda was the route of the gate which led to the countries of China and Tibet. From 1962, Udalguri became a crucial region from the time of the beginning of Chinese aggression. Innumerable Bhutia refugees who arrived from the state of Arunachal Pradesh used to reach here through the Kariapara Duar. Those refugees occupied every nook and corner of Udalguri, including the paddy fields of this district. Defense road started to be constructed from Tamulpur to the place called Bhairabkunda. |