Sadiya

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Sadiya is a historic town in the Indian state of Assam, in the Tinsukia district. It sits on the right bank of the Lohit River, at about 123 meters above sea level, near the Mishmi hills.

History in brief:
- Sadiya was the capital of the old Chutia kingdom. After the kingdom fell in 1524, it became a governed area under the Ahom rulers.
- It has long been a key trade and travel route to Tibet, with routes through the Dihang, Dibang, or Lohit valleys.
- Over time, control changed among local rulers, Burmese influence, and the British, who annexed the Sadiya tract in 1839.

Landmarks and archaeology:
- Tamreswari temple ruins, connected to the goddess Kechaikhaiti.
- Bhismaknagar Fort near Roing, a major Chutia-era site with many artifacts.
- Other ruins include the Bura-Buri temple and various brick structures. Excavations show the influence of Bhismaknagar culture in nearby areas, such as Mud Fort near Tezu.
- The ruins reflect medieval Chutia architecture and art.

Nature:
- The area is home to the Mishmi Hills hoolock gibbon subspecies H. h. mishmiensis.

Administration and population:
- Sadiya lies in the Lakhimpur Lok Sabha constituency and the 126-Sadiya assembly constituency; Chapakhowa is the main town in this assembly area.
- As of the 2011 census, SC residents numbered 2,974 and ST residents 25,167 in Sadiya. Chapakhowa town had about 10,305 people.
- The official language is Assamese. The postal code is 786157.

World War II note:
- In 1943–44, a United States Army Air Force field operated at Sadiya.