Karimganj is a district located in the southernmost part of Assam, a state in the north-eastern corner of India. The total area occupied by this district is 1809 sq km, 30% of which is covered by forests.
The district is sandwiched between three hill ranges, namely Chhatachura, Adamail and Duhalia. Besides plains, forests and hillocks, three major rivers flow through the district – Kushiara, Longai and Shingla.
Karimganj is one of the three districts constituting the Barak Valley zone in Southern Assam, the other two being Cachar and Hailakandi. Cachar bounds the district from the north, while Hailakandi borders it from the east. Karimganj is further bounded by Mizoram in the south and Tripura in the south and west. The district also shares its borders with Bangladesh towards the north and west. 92 km long, this international border of Karimganj is marked either by River Kushiara or by the Adamail range.
Evidences reveal that Karimganj was a part of the Kamrupa Kingdom for about 100 years, since the 6th century. In the 7th century, the region had passed on to the Samatata Kingdom of Eastern Bengal.
King Srichandra of the Chandra Dynasty incorporated the entire region within his Vanga Kingdom in the 10th century. By the 12th century, Karimganj District became a part of the Srihatta Rajya. In 1328, Srihatta along with Karimganj District was passed on to the Bengal Sultanate.
During Akbar’s reign, the region was incorporated in the Mughal kingdom in 1576. In 1765, the region passed on to the British. The sub-division of Karimganj was created under the Sylhet District in 1878, with Karimganj town as its headquarters. Post partition, this sub-division was incorporated in the Cachar District of Assam. The sub-division was upgraded to a new district on 1 July, 1983.
The total population of the district largely comprises the Scheduled Caste community like Kaibarta and Namashudra castes. Scheduled Tribes like Dimasas, Khasis, Barmans, Tripuras and Halams also constitute a major part of the population.
The major religions followed in Karimganj are Hinduism and Islam. Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism are the less prevalent ones. Bengali, or specifically the Sylheti dialect, is the predominant language of the district.
Karimganj is well-connected to different parts of India via road. However, those travelling by air can take a flight to Kumbhirgram Airport near Silchar, which is located at a distance of 85 km from the town. Tourists travelling by train can get down at the Badarpur Junction (32 km), which is the main railway hub for the Barak Valley and southern Assam.
The best time to visit Karimganj is during the winter season that extends from October through January.