MEGHALAYA | KNOW YOUR TOWN: Origin of the name – Baghmara

FACTS | Sept 03, 2020:

Name of the places around the globe tends to be more easily traceable to their origins, such a town simply named after its founder or an important politician of the time. But few of the names are such that it tends to make your brain think of how a name came to be known and why?

There are several places in Northeast India with interesting names yet encrypted with a hidden mystery.

Here's one such place from the state of Meghalaya called Baghmara:

Baghmara is the headquarters of South Garo Hills district in the state of Meghalaya, which is bordered by Bangladesh. This town is known for many things including the Simsang river, Siju cave, Balphakram with an additional treasure of flora and fauna.

BAGH – TIGER AND MARA – DIED

Interestingly, the name 'Baghmara' has been derived from the fight that took place between Bong Lasker and a wild Bengal tiger where he killed the tiger by crushing the jaws. Hence, the name Baghmara, where, bagh means "tiger" and mara means "died".

A tomb was also built in the heart of the town in remembrance of the brave man – Bong Lasker.

BAROKAR

However, this place was previously known as "Barokar", where 'Baro' means twelve and Kar meaning stream. It may have been named as such as the Simsang river located in this place has many tributaries.

This place is famous for its tasty fish species and has a historical water-trading connection with Bangladesh.

NATIVE PLACE OF MEGHALAYA'S FIRST CM

Baghmara is also a native place of the first Chief Minister of Meghalaya Captain Williamson Sangma, who represented Baghmara constituency.