A Historical Survey of the Town of Bishan Guracha from Its Foundation to the Present

ABSTRACT This study deals with a historical survey of the Bishan Guracha Town from its foundation to presents. It explores social, economic, political, military, and administrative and interaction of Arsi Oromo and its neighbour people, it also attempted to show the interrelationship between the themes. Thus, the main themes are social, political, economic and cultural changes during the period under discussion. In dealing with this topic, the researchers have attempted to utilize the available archival materials. Published and unpublished work as well as informants the main sources. In this work the researcher has documented the process extensively and accounts for the growth of major towns in Ethiopia. After brief background of chapters, it deals with three important themes such as social evolution, economic activities, cultural, political and municipal formation and structure. Socially Bishan Guracha was evolved from early beginning town to relatively homogeneous society and culture and place of residence for the diverse population. Even though, the town showed development during imperial regime, due to significant contribution in growth and development of the town was followed by the development of road construction, establishment of different infrastructural in the town. The land grant and taxation reform of imperial regime and villagization of military regime contributed in changing social and economic life of the Bishan Guracha town. Finally, the study argues that in spites of its age growth, the development of Bishan Guracha town was limited due to the fact that lack of concern by last regimes. Despites current attempts by Oromia regional state and Bishan Guracha town administration to attract various investors to the town for the development of the town. The study assesses the town counted long year without using its potential as possible.