Assam

Assam is a beautiful state in northeastern India, sitting south of the Eastern Himalayas between the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. It is the second largest state in northeastern India by area and the largest by population, with over 31 million people. Assam shares borders with Bhutan to the north, Bangladesh to the southwest, and several other Indian states, including West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Manipur.

The history of Assam is very old, with archaeological findings showing people lived there as far back as the second century BCE. Many different groups ruled the area over the centuries, including the Varmanas, Mlechchhas, Kamarupa-Palas, and the Ahom kingdom, which lasted from the 13th to the early 19th century. In the 1800s, the British began growing tea there, and Assam became a separate province in 1912.

Today, Assam is famous for its tea and silk, both of which have special recognition in India. The state also has important natural resources like oil, which was first found there in 1867. Assam is home to wonderful wildlife, including the famous one-horned Indian rhinoceros, and beautiful places like Kaziranga and Manas National Parks, which are World Heritage Sites. The many forests, grasslands, and wetlands make Assam a rich and diverse place to live.

Etymology

Main article: Etymology of Assam

The earliest known records mentioning the area now called Assam come from old writings from the 1st and 2nd centuries. These early texts refer to the region as Kirrhadia, likely named after the local Kirata people. Later, from around the time of ancient kingdoms until the 12th century, the land east of the Karatoya River — much of what is now Assam — was known as Kamarupa or Pragjyotisha. Over time, the area became commonly called Assam, especially under the rule of the Ahom kingdom and later the British. The name Assam is linked to the Ahom people, who were originally known as Shyam.

History

Main article: History of Assam

Pre-history

Further information: People of Assam

Assam and nearby areas show signs of human settlement from the Stone Age. Hills between 1,500 to 2,000 feet were favorite homes because they had tools made from a special rock. The Ambari site in Guwahati has old items from around the 1st century BCE, maybe 2,000 years old. Guwahati, once called Pragjyotishpur, is mentioned in old stories, but we don’t have much proof of its early history before the 7th century AD.

Legend

Further information: Danava dynasty, Bhauma dynasty, and Asura kingdom

An old story says the first ruler of Assam was Mahiranga Danava of the Danava dynasty. He was removed by Narakasura of Mithila, who started the Bhauma dynasty. The last of these rulers was also Narakasura, killed by Krishna. His son Bhagadatta became king and fought for the Kauravas in the battle of Kurukshetra with soldiers from kiratas, chinas, and people from the eastern coast. Around the same time, the Asura kingdom was ruled by another group of kings in central Assam.

Ancient era

Further information: Kamarupa

There is proof of civilization in Assam around the 2nd century BCE. A place called Sri Surya Pahar has old structures from 200 BCE, similar to ones in Maharashtra. Samudragupta’s inscription from the 4th century CE mentions Kamarupa and Davaka as parts of the Gupta Empire. Davaka was later taken over by Kamarupa, which grew into a big kingdom covering areas from the Karatoya River to near Sadiya, including the Brahmaputra Valley, North Bengal, parts of Bangladesh, and sometimes Purnea and West Bengal. The kingdom had three dynasties—the Varmanas, the Mlechchha dynasty, and the Kamarupa-Palas—all claiming to come from Narakasura. Chinese traveler Xuanzang visited during the Varman king Bhaskaravarman’s time. After the Kamarupa-Palas weakened, the kingdom lasted until around 1255 CE under later dynasties.

Medieval era

Further information: Kamata kingdom, Koch dynasty, Ahom kingdom, Chutia kingdom, Kachari kingdom, and Baro-Bhuyan

Medieval Assam history began with the Ahoms in the early 13th century and lasted 600 years until 1826. After a war, the Khen dynasty ended, and Alauddin Hussain Shah declared himself ruler of Kamarup and Kamata. This period is known for conflicts with Muslim powers, ending in Assamese victory, but later faced Burmese invasions leading to annexation.

Chutia kingdom

Chutia, from the Bodo-Kachari group, controlled areas on both sides of the Brahmaputra in Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It was taken over by the Ahoms in 1524. Rivalry between Chutias and Ahoms caused several conflicts from the early 16th century.

Kachari kingdom

Main article: Kachari kingdom

The Dimasa, a Bodo-Kachari dynasty ruling from the 13th century until 1854, controlled areas from the Dikhow River to central and southern Assam, with their capital at Dimapur. By the early 17th century, Ahom expansion took over Chutia areas, and by 1536, the Kacharis were limited to Cachar and North Cachar, becoming allies rather than rivals.

Ahom kingdom

Early period

Main article: Sukaphaa

The Ahoms, a Tai group, ruled Upper Assam for almost 600 years. In 1228, they came to the Brahmaputra Valley under Sukapha with 9,000 men from Mong Mao in Yunnan, China, establishing their kingdom in Upper Assam. In 1253, Sukapha founded his capital at Charaideo. For over two and a half centuries, Sukapha and his descendants focused on ruling while keeping control through their military.

Expansion

Main articles: Suhungmung and Dimasa kingdom

Suhungmung started the big expansion of the Ahom kingdom. They fought many battles with Bhuyans, Chutias, Kacharis, Turko-Afghans, and the Naras. In 1522–23, the Chutia kingdom was taken over. Suhungmung also expanded west to Marangi beyond the Dhansiri River. When the Kacharis tried to take back land, they were defeated, and their capital Dimapur was destroyed. A new king, Detsung, was placed but later revolted and was executed. A new dependent king, Nirbhaynarayan, was put on the Kachari throne.

Suhungmung’s time also saw the first attacks by Muslim forces, who were defeated and pushed back to the Karatoya River. The Sultan of Bengal made peace with Suhungmung. The rising Koch king Biswa Singha also agreed to pay tribute.

The successors of Suhungmung, Suklenmung and Sukhaamphaa, fought wars with the Koch. During Sukhaamphaa’s time, the Ahoms lost to Koch leader Chilarai but later took back the lost land.

Later Period

War with Mughals

Main articles: Ahom kingdom, Bengal Subah, Koch dynasty, and Ahom–Mughal conflicts

After Nara Narayan’s death, his kingdom split into Koch Hajo and Koch Bihar. In 1609, Cooch Behar’s king Laxmi Narayan accepted Mughal control, and Koch Hajo’s king Raghudev sought help from the Ahoms. In 1612, the Mughals attacked Koch Hajo, taking land up to the Barnadi River. This brought the Mughals into contact with the Ahoms. Later, Parikshit died on his way to his kingdom, and Balinarayan was made king of Darrang in 1615 by the Ahom king Pratap Singha. From 1616, many battles were fought with the Mughals. The treaty in 1639 set the border between the two.

Pratap Singha created new administration posts. Jayadhwaj Singha took advantage of a succession dispute to take imperial lands up to Dhaka. Aurangzeb sent Mir Jumla II to retake the land. After hard fighting and losses, the Ahoms lost their capital Garhgaon. Mir Jumla’s army suffered in the rainy season, and after no gains, peace was made in 1663. The Ahoms agreed to Mughal supremacy, giving up land and handing over hostages. After Mir Jumla left, Jayadhwaj Singha died, and Chakradhwaj Singha prepared to push back the Mughals. After many battles, the Mughals were forced to retreat at the Battle of Saraighat.

After 1671, there was instability from nobles wanting power. In 1679, Laluksola Borphukan gave up Guwahati without a fight, hoping to become king with Mughal help. But after Gadadhar Singha became king, the Mughals were defeated at the Battle of Itakhuli. The border was set at Manah on the north bank and Nagarbera hill on the south bank of the Brahmaputra until the East India Company took it in 1826.

18th century

See also: Rudra Singha, Siva Singha, and Moamoria rebellion

Rudra Singha succeeded Gadadhar Singha and is known for his military successes and cultural work. He fought Kachari and Jaintia kingdoms and prepared to invade Bengal but died suddenly in 1714.

After Rudra Singha, the Ahoms had no major military wins. From Siva Singha to Rajeswar Singha, the kingdom had peace and growth. The Ekasarana Dharma religion spread, and Vaisnavite monasteries gained power with royal support, building many Satras. The Ahom court was influenced by Sakta Brahman priests. Religious conflicts and pressure from the Paik system led to the Moamoria rebellion (1769–1805), weakening the Ahom kingdom. Political fights invited Burmese invasions, leading to annexation.

Colonial era

Religious tensions and actions by nobles caused the Moamoria rebellion (1769–1805), leading to many deaths and damage. The rebellion was stopped, but the kingdom was weak. Fights between Prime Minister Purnananda Burhagohain and Badan Chandra Borphukan brought in the Burmese, who invaded three times. King Chandrakanta Singha fought but was defeated, leading to Burmese rule.

The Burmese treated people harshly, causing many to flee. They reached the East India Company’s border, starting the First Anglo-Burmese War in 1824. The war ended with the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826, giving the Company control of Western Assam and installing Purandar Singha as king of Upper Assam in 1833. This lasted until 1838, after which the British took over the whole area. Bengali became the court and school language, which hurt Assamese unemployment and literature from 1836 to 1873.

Tea growing began in Assam in 1834, tested in 1836–37 in London. Companies could rent land from 1839. Tea farms grew in Eastern Assam. Problems with workers from China and local Assamese led to forced labor from central and eastern India. By the 1850s, tea became profitable. New technologies helped in the 1870s.

Tea workers faced bad conditions. The Indian Tea Association formed in 1888 to avoid government rules. Even after India’s independence, conditions didn’t improve much.

The Assam Postage Circle started in 1873.

Assam was first part of Bengal Presidency, then Eastern Bengal and Assam in 1906, and became a chief commissioners' province in 1912. Legislative councils and the Assam Legislative Assembly were formed in Shillong.

The Assam territory became separate from Bengal in 1874 as the North-East Frontier non-regulation province, known as Assam Chief-Commissionership. It was part of Eastern Bengal and Assam in 1905 and re-established in 1912 as Assam Province.

At the start of the 20th century, Assam was one of the eight provinces of British India.

After early attempts, Assamese people joined the Indian National Congress against the British from the early 1900s, with Gopinath Bordoloi as a main leader. His rival was Sir Saidullah from the Muslim League, backed by Maulana Bhasani.

After India’s partition in 1947, Assam became part of India. Sylhet District, except Karimganj subdivision, went to East Pakistan, which later became Bangladesh.

Modern history

See also: Undivided Assam and Assam separatist movements

Separatist groups formed along ethnic lines, leading to demands for autonomy and sovereignty, splitting Assam. In 1961, Assam made Assamese language compulsory but later withdrew it. India divided Assam into several states: Nagaland in 1963, Meghalaya in 1972, and Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram in 1972 (states in 1986). Since then, tensions and violence continued.

In the 1980s, the Brahmaputra Valley had a six-year movement against foreign migrants from Bangladesh, ending with the Assam Accord of 1985, which wasn’t fully carried out.

Since the 1970s, armed groups like the United Liberation Front of Asom and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland formed. In 1990, the Indian army was sent in, leading to ongoing conflicts. Ethnic-based militant groups have grown. The Panchayati Raj Act was applied after communities asked for better development.

Geography

Main article: Physical geography of Assam

See also: Tourism in North East India

Assam is a beautiful state in northeastern India. It is located between big rivers and hills. The Brahmaputra River flows through Assam, and it often floods the area. This river is very old and has shaped the land for many years.

Assam also has many hills and valleys. The Barak River flows through the south part of Assam. Big cities in Assam include Guwahati, which is growing very fast, and Silchar, an important business center.

Climate

With the tropical monsoon climate, Assam is temperate (summer max. at 95–100 °F or 35–38 °C and winter min. at 43–46 °F or 6–8 °C) and experiences heavy rainfall and high humidity. The climate is characterised by heavy monsoon downpours reducing summer temperatures and affecting foggy nights and mornings in winters, frequent during the afternoons. Spring (March–April) and autumn (September–October) are usually pleasant with moderate rainfall and temperature. Assam's agriculture usually depends on the south-west monsoon rains.

Fauna

See also: Biodiversity of Assam

Assam is home to many different animals and plants. It has special parks like Kaziranga National Park, where you can see rare Indian rhinos. The park also helps protect many other animals, including tigers, elephants, and many kinds of birds. Assam has many forests and wetlands that are important for wildlife.

Flora

Assam has many beautiful flowers, especially orchids. The Foxtail orchid is the state flower. There is a special park for orchids where you can see over 500 different kinds.

Geology

Assam has important natural resources like oil, natural gas, and coal. The land can sometimes shake a little from earthquakes, but these are usually not very strong. Big earthquakes happened long ago, but today they are rare.

Demographics

Population

The total population of Assam was 26.66 million with 4.91 million households in 2001. Higher population concentration was recorded in the districts of Kamrup, Nagaon, Sonitpur, Barpeta, Dhubri, Darrang, and Cachar. Assam's population was estimated at 28.67 million in 2006 and at 30.57 million in 2011 and is expected to reach 34.18 million by 2021 and 35.60 million by 2026.

As per the 2011 census, the total population of Assam was 31,169,272. The total population of the state has increased from 26,638,407 to 31,169,272 in the last ten years with a growth rate of 16.93%.

Of the 33 districts, Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Morigaon, Nagaon, and Hailakandi, recorded growth rates ranging from 20 per cent to 24 per cent during the last decade, whereas Sivasagar and Jorhat, registered around 9 per cent population growth. These districts do not have any international border.

In 2011, the literacy rate in the state was 73.18%. The male literacy rate was 78.81% and the female literacy rate was 67.27%. In 2001, the census had recorded literacy in Assam at 63.3% with male literacy at 71.3% and female at 54.6%. The urbanisation rate was recorded at 12.9%.

The growth of population in Assam has increased since the middle decades of the 20th century. The population grew from 3.29 million in 1901 to 6.70 million in 1941. It increased to 14.63 million in 1971 and 22.41 million in 1991. The growth in the Western districts and Southern districts was high primarily due to the influx of large number of people from East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.

The mistrust and tension between local Assamese people and Bengali people started as early as 1952, but is rooted in feelings of difference of the 1940s. At least 77 people died and 400,000 people were displaced in the 2012 Assam event between local Bodos and Bengali people.

The People of India project has studied 115 of the ethnic groups in Assam. 79 (69%) identify themselves regionally, 22 (19%) locally, and 3 trans-nationally. The earliest settlers were Austroasiatic, Dravidian followed by Tibeto-Burman, Indo-Aryan, and Tai–Kadai people. Forty-five languages are spoken by different communities, including three major language families: Austroasiatic (5), Sino-Tibetan (24) and Indo-European (12). Three of the spoken languages do not fall in these families. There is a high degree of bilingualism.^{[citation needed]}

According to the World Air Quality Report 2024 by IQAir, Byrnihat located along the Assam-Meghalaya border is the most polluted city in India.

Religions

See also: Hinduism in Assam, Islam in Assam, Christianity in Assam, and Ahom religion

Religions of Assam (2011)

1. Hinduism (61.5%)
2. Islam (34.2%)
3. Christianity (3.70%)
4. Buddhism (0.20%)
5. Jainism (0.01%)
6. Sikhism (0.01%)
7. Atheist (0.40%)

According to the 2011 census, 61.47% were Hindus, 34.22% were followers of Islam. Followers of Christianity (3.7%) are found among the Scheduled Tribe and Castes population.

The Scheduled Tribe population in Assam is around 13%, of which Bodos account for 40%. Other religious groups in Assam include Jainism (0.1%), Buddhism (0.2%), Sikhism (0.1%) and beliefs linked to nature (among Khamti, Phake, Aiton etc. communities).

The three popular paths of Hinduism, namely, Shaivisim, Shaktism, and Vaishnavism are prevalent here. Many Assamese Hindus are also followers of the Ekasarana Dharma path of Hinduism.^{[citation needed]}

Out of 32 districts of Assam, 9 are home to a majority of followers of Islam according to the 2011 census of India: Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Morigaon, Nagaon, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Darrang and Bongaigaon.

Languages

See also: Assamese language, Assamese literature, Bengali language, Bodo language, and Meitei language in Assam

Languages of Assam (2011)

1. Assamese (48.4%)
2. Bengali (28.9%)
3. Bodo (4.51%)
4. Hindi (3.21%)
5. Sadri (2.29%)
6. Mishing (1.98%)
7. Nepali (1.91%)
8. Karbi (1.64%)
9. Others (7.16%)

Assamese and Bodo are the official languages of the state, Meitei (Manipuri) is official in Hojai district and all the three districts of Barak Valley, while Bengali is official in the three districts of Barak Valley, where Sylheti is most commonly spoken.

According to the language census of 2011 in Assam, out of a total population of around 31 million, Assamese is spoken by more than 22 million total speakers, with more than 15 million people speaking it as their mother tongue and around 7 million as L2 speakers. Although the number of speakers is growing, the percentage of Assam's population who have it as a mother tongue has fallen slightly. Assamese serves as lingua franca of the region as it is spoken by over 71% of the population (including the one who have listed Assamese as their 2nd language, while 48.38% of them speak it as their mother tongue. According to the 24th Edition of Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Assamese is spoken by 15,327,990 persons as mother tongue across the world as of 2021. However, 2016 Assam Legislative Assembly election results, have found that 10 million people speaks Assamese as their mother tongue in Assam, which is significantly fewer than the census result of 2011. The Assamese speakers constituted 48% of the State population according to the 2011 Census.

The various Bengali dialects and closely related languages are spoken by around 9 million people in Assam, and the portion of the population that speaks these languages has grown slightly as per the census. However, the number of Bengali speakers is estimated to be more than the expected census results, as 30% of the 35% of people in Assam as per 2011 are thought to speak different dialects of Bengali as their native language but during census enumeration, they have reported their mother tongue as Assamese. In the Brahmaputra Valley, the main Bengali dialect is that of Mymensingh (now in Bangladesh), while in the Barak Valley and Hojai district, Sylheti is the main language which is also considered to be a dialect of Bengali in census. Bodo is the third most-spoken language followed by Hindi which comes under fourth position.

See also: Brahmaputra valley

Languages spoken in Brahmaputra valley (2011)

1. Assamese (Official) (55.6%)
2. Bengali (22.1%)
3. Hindi (7.60%)
4. Bodo (5.13%)
5. Others (9.52%)

The population of the Brahmaputra Valley is 27,580,977 according to the 2011 census report. Assamese is the official language of the Brahmaputra Valley and is spoken by 15 million people comprising 55.65% of the valley population. Bengali is spoken by 6.09 million people representing 22.1% of the valley, Hindi is spoken by 2.1 million comprising 7.61% of the region, Bodo is spoken by 1.41 million comprising 5.13% of the valley's population and 2.98 million people speak various indigenous tribal languages of Assam, such as Karbi, Tiwa (Lalung), Hmar, Deori, Rabha, Mishing, Koch, Rajbangshi, Garo, Dimasa, Gorkha, Halam, Ao and Motak.

See also: Barak valley

Languages spoken in Barak Valley (2011)

1. Bengali (80.8%)
2. Hindi (10.0%)
3. Manipuri (3.49%)
4. Bishnupriya Manipuri (1.38%)
5. Dimasa (0.60%)
6. Tripuri (0.59%)
7. Khasi (0.59%)
8. Odia (0.53%)
9. Nepali (0.14%)
10. Others (1.84%)

The population of the Barak Valley is 3,624,599 according to the 2011 census report. Bengali is the official as well as the most spoken language of the region with approximately 2,930,378 native speakers. Although Bengali is reported as the most spoken in the census, the most common spoken language is Sylheti, a language that is generally grouped with Bengali as a dialect. Meitei (also called Manipuri) is the associate official language of the region with 126,498 speakers. Hindi, Bishnupriya and Dimasa are the other most widely spoken languages with 362,459, 50,019 and 21,747 native speakers, respectively. Tripuri, Khasi, Odia, Nepali and Marwari are also spoken by a considerable minority, while 1.84% of the total population speaks other tribal languages.

Traditionally, Assamese was the language of the common people in the ancient Kamarupa kingdom and in the medieval kingdoms of Dimasa Kachari, Chutiya Kachari, Borahi Kachari, Ahom and Kamata kingdoms. Traces of the language are found in many poems by Luipa, Sarahapa, and others, in Charyapada (c. 7th–8th century CE). Modern dialects such as Kamrupi and Goalpariya are remnants of this language, which blend into the Rajbanshi and Rangpuri lects spoken in North Bengal which have the same origin. Moreover, Assamese in its traditional form was used by the ethno-cultural groups in the region as lingua-franca, which spread during the stronger kingdoms and was required for economic integration. Localised forms of the language still exist in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Linguistically modern Assamese traces its roots to the version developed by the American Missionaries based on the local form used near Sivasagar (Xiwôxagôr) district. Assamese (Ôxômiya) is a rich language due to its hybrid nature and unique characteristics of pronunciation and softness. The presence of Voiceless velar fricative in Assamese makes it a unique among other similar Indo-Aryan languages.

Bodo is spoken largely in Western Assam. It is official language of the Bodoland territorial region and co-official language of the state of Assam. It is also one of twenty-two languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Spatial distribution patterns of the ethno-cultural groups, cultural traits and the phenomenon of naming all the major rivers in the North East Region with Bodo-Kachari words (e.g. Dihing, Dibru, Dihong, D/Tista, and Dikrai) reveal that it was more widely-spoken in ancient times. Other languages of Tibeto-Burman origin and related to Bodo-Kachari are Deori, Mising, Karbi, Rabha, and Tiwa.^{[citation needed]}

There are approximately 590,000 Nepali speakers spread all over the state forming about 1.98% of Assam's total population according to 2011 census.

There are speakers of Tai languages in Assam. A total of six Tai languages were spoken in Assam. Two are now extinct.

• Tai Phake
• Tai Aiton
• Khamti
• Khamyang (critically endangered)
• Ahom (extinct)
• Turung (extinct)

There are also speakers of Dravidian Kurukh and Austroasiatic Khasi speakers scattered across Assam.

Government and politics

Main articles: Government of Assam and Politics of Assam

Dispur, located in the Guwahati area, is the capital of Assam. Dibrugarh will become the second capital in 2027. Assam has one legislative house with 126 members. The government is officially led by the governor and actually led by the Chief Minister of Assam.

The state has five main regions, which are divided into 35 districts based on geography.

In 2015, five new districts were created from parts of existing ones. In 2016, an island in the Brahmaputra River became Majuli district, India’s first river island district. In 2021, Bajali became a district, but later the number of districts was adjusted again.

Assam has three autonomous councils recognized by the Indian Constitution, including the Bodoland Autonomous Territorial Council, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, and Dima Hasao Autonomous Council. There are also several other councils for different communities.

Since 1950, Assam was mainly governed by the Indian National Congress until 2016. In 2016, the Bharatiya Janata Party won elections and formed the government, with Sarbananda Sonowal as chief minister. The BJP was re-elected in 2021 under Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Disputes and social issues

Inter-state dispute

Assam has border disputes with four states: Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. These disputes happen because the borders were not clearly marked a long time ago, and the states have different ideas about where they should be.

Assam-Mizoram dispute

Mizoram used to be a part of Assam called the Lushai hills. Later, it became a separate state in 1987. Because of this history, the borders between Mizoram and Assam’s districts like Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj are disputed. Mizoram wants the border to follow an old rule from 1875, while Assam wants to use newer district lines.

Assam-Meghalaya dispute

Meghalaya has identified about a dozen areas where it disagrees with Assam about the borders. The leaders of both states have met to discuss these disputes and are assessing the claims. They plan to meet again soon to continue talking.

Assam-Nagaland dispute

The dispute between Assam and Nagaland started when Nagaland became a state in 1963. Both states claim the small village of Merapani near Assam’s Golaghat district. There have been reports of clashes in this area since the 1960s.

Assam-Arunachal Pradesh dispute

Assam shares a long border with Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh claims some lands that Assam says belong to it. A committee suggested moving some areas from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh, but the two states are still fighting this in court. There have been some local troubles along the border because of this.

Separate statehood demand within Assam

Ahomland

Groups in Upper Assam have been asking for a separate state called Ahomland since 1967. They want it to include parts of today’s Upper Assam and North Assam areas.

Barak state

Main article: Barak state movement

People in the Barak Valley, which includes districts like Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi, have been asking for their own state called Barak state. They feel this area is left behind in development compared to other parts of Assam. Silchar would be the capital of this new state.

Bodoland

Main article: Bodoland

After talks with the Indian Government and Assam, an agreement was made in 2003 to create the Bodoland Territorial Council. This council governs four districts with many Bodo Kachari people. The council holds elections, and its leader is chosen to manage these areas.

Dimaraji

Main article: Dimaraji

The Dimasa people want a separate state called Dimaraji or “Dimaland.” This would include areas where they live, such as Dima Hasao district, parts of Cachar district, and parts of other nearby districts in Assam and Nagaland.

Karbiland

See also: Karbi Anglong

Karbi Anglong is a district in Assam. The Karbi people there have been asking for their own state for many years. They first asked in 1940, and the demand grew stronger over time. In 2013, protests turned violent, and leaders asked the Prime Minister of India for a separate state.

Migration from Bangladesh

Assam has seen many people moving in from what is now Bangladesh since the 1940s. These people came because of big changes in the area, like when India and Pakistan were divided. Many settled in Assam and made it their home.

There is also a lot of movement between Assam and nearby parts of Bangladesh because the border is easy to cross. This movement causes problems for Assam’s economy and safety. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, groups in Assam asked the government to stop more people from coming in and to send those who had already settled back. They agreed to some rules in 1985.

In 2019, the government checked who belonged in Assam and found that two million people did not have the right papers. Some of these people were sent away, and others were held until their situation could be figured out.

Floods

Main article: Brahmaputra floods

Every rainy season, rivers like the Brahmaputra overflow and flood nearby land. This washes away homes, animals, and crops. It also damages bridges, roads, and railways, making it hard to move around. Sometimes, food has to be flown in to reach towns that are cut off.

Unemployment

Unemployment is a big problem in Assam. People say it is because of poor roads and buildings, not enough connection to other places, and government choices. Some also say it is because of how people work and because jobs are not well advertised.

Education

Main article: Education in Assam

See also: List of colleges affiliated to Gauhati University

See also: List of colleges affiliated to Assam University

See also: List of educational institutions in Assam

Assam has many schools, universities, and colleges. Some important universities include Assam University, Gauhati University, and Indian Institute of Technology in Guwahati. There are also medical colleges like Assam Medical College and Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.

The state also has engineering colleges such as Indian Institute of Technology and National Institute of Technology, Silchar. Many places in Assam offer chances to learn and grow through education.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Assam

Assam's economy is mostly based on farming and oil. The state makes more than half of India's tea. It also has a lot of oil, with about a quarter of the country's oil reserves and about 12% of its total petroleum.

Unemployment is a big problem in Assam. Many students finish school but can't find jobs because there aren't enough positions available. This is made harder by many people moving into the state from nearby countries, competing for the same jobs.

Farming is very important in Assam, providing more than a third of the state's income and employing most of the workers. The state grows many crops, including rice, tea, and vegetables. However, farming can be difficult because floods from the rivers often damage crops and fields.

Assam has some industries, like making tea, oil, and handicrafts. The state also has good connections for trade with nearby countries. Cities like Guwahati are important for transportation and business.

Macro-economy

Between 1951 and 1979, Assam grew at an average level compared to the rest of India. But after 1979, growth slowed down because of problems. Since the 2000s, growth has improved.

Tea plantations

Employment

Unemployment is a major issue in Assam. Many young people finish school but can't find jobs. Some employers hire people who aren't fully qualified, which makes it harder for qualified locals to get work. The number of technical schools is also growing, adding to the problem.

Illegal immigration from Bangladesh has made unemployment worse. These immigrants take jobs in construction, domestic work, and other areas, often for lower wages. The government is trying to identify and send these immigrants away, but it's a big challenge.

Agriculture

Assam’s economy relies heavily on farming, which provides more than a third of the state’s income and employs most people. The state is famous for its tea, with a special type called Camellia sinensis var. assamica. Other crops include rice, rapeseed, mustard seed, jute, potatoes, sweet potatoes, bananas, papaya, areca nut, sugarcane, and turmeric.

Farming in Assam hasn’t modernized much, and food production per person has gone down over the past fifty years. Even though there are many fish in the rivers and lakes, fishing is still done in traditional ways, and there isn’t enough fish for everyone.

Floods are a big problem for farmers in Assam. Every year, rivers overflow and flood the land, washing away crops, houses, and even people. This causes a lot of damage and makes it hard for farmers to grow food.

See also: 2016 Assam floods

Infrastructure

On 30 August 2023, Maligaon Flyover was inaugurated. It is Assam’s longest flyover, stretching 2.63 kilometres and connecting Maligaon Chariali to Kamakhya Gate in Guwahati.

Industry

Traditional industries like handloom weaving and handicrafts are still important, especially for women in rural areas.

Assam’s location near countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan helps its trade. Important border crossings for trade with Bangladesh include Sutarkandi, Dhubri, Mankachar, and Golokanj. Plans are in place to build more trade centers, including one connecting to China and another to Bhutan.

The government of India has focused on several areas for industrial growth in Assam, such as oil and natural gas industries, farming-based industries, food processing, and technology industries. Better transportation by rail, road, and air is helping to boost industry. Guwahati and Dibrugarh are key cities for trade and travel.

Assam produces crude oil, making up about 15% of India’s total output. Oil was first found in Makum in 1867, and the first refinery in Asia was built in Digboi. Today, Assam has four refineries with a total capacity of 7 million metric tonnes per year.

Other industries include chemical plants, paper mills, sugar mills, cement plants, and cosmetics. However, many of these industries struggle because of poor infrastructure and management.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Assam

See also: Tourism in North East India

Assam attracts visitors with its wildlife, culture, and history.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Assam

See also: Assamese cinema

Assamese Culture is a mix of many traditions from different groups of people. It includes ideas and customs from Austroasiatic, Tibeto-Burman, Indo-aryan and Tai people. This mix has created a unique local culture.

Important moments in Assam's culture include:

• The time when many kingdoms ruled the land, like the Kamarupa, Chutia, Ahom, Koch and Kachari kingdoms.
• The Neo-Vaishanavite Movement led by Srimanta Shankardeva in the 15th century. This movement helped shape Assam's religious and cultural life. It introduced new social groups and created important places like namghar and sattra.

Modern Assamese culture was also shaped by British rule and later independence. The Assamese language was made standard by missionaries and local scholars. Today, Assam's culture is rich and still growing, with many different groups keeping their traditions alive.

Symbols

See also: List of Assam state symbols and Jaapi

Symbolism is very important in Assamese culture. Items like Tamulpan (areca nut and betel leaves), Xorai (a special bell) and Gamosa (a woven cloth) show respect and friendship. These symbols come from ancient traditions and are still used today.

Other symbols like the Assamese-lion, dragon and flying-lion are used in art and architecture to show power and pride.

Festivals and traditions

Main article: List of festivals in Assam

See also: Domahi, Bohag Bihu, Magh Bihu, and Bwisagu

Assam has many colorful festivals. The most important is Bihu, celebrated in three forms:

• Rongali Bihu in spring, marking the start of the farming season.
• Kongali Bihu when fields are green but stores are low.
• Bhogali Bihu in winter, giving thanks for the harvest.

Bihu includes special songs and dances. Another big festival is Bwisagu, celebrated by the Bodos to welcome the new year. Other festivals include Ali-Aye-Ligang of the Mising people, Bushu Dima of the Dimasa, and Me-Dam-Me-Phi for the Tai-Ahom community, honoring ancestors.

Music, dance, and drama

See also: Music of Assam, Folk dances of Assam, and Mobile theatre in Assam

Assam has many traditional dances and music forms. Some include:

• Sattriya Dance, a classical dance form.
• Bodo dance Bagurumba.
• Jhumair dance in tea gardens.
• Bihu dance and Husori during Bohag Bihu.

Famous musicians from Assam include Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg. Mobile theatre groups are also very popular.

Cuisine

A typical Assamese meal includes rice, lentils, fish stew, meat stew, and stir-fried greens or vegetables. Special flavors come from khar (an alkali) and tenga (tangy preparations). Common meats are mutton, fowl, duck, fish, pigeon, pork, and beef. Traditional drinks like Laupani and Apong are enjoyed during festivals.

Literature

Assamese literature has deep roots, with early works like Charyapada and Saptakanda Ramayana. Important writers include Sankardeva, whose works helped shape Assamese literature. In the 19th and 20th centuries, many authors modernised the literature.

Fine arts

Main article: Painting of Assam

Assam has a long history of art. Ancient stupas and manuscripts show early artistic traditions. Painting is also an old tradition, with examples from manuscripts like Hastividyarnava.

Traditional crafts

Main articles: Traditional crafts of Assam and Bell and brass metal crafts of Assam

See also: Assam silk

Assam is known for its crafts, including cane and bamboo work, bell metal and brass items, silk and cotton weaving, toy and mask making, pottery, and wood craft. Traditional silk types like Muga and Pat are famous. Many rural households still produce beautiful silk and cotton garments with unique embroidery.

Media

Assam has many newspapers, including Assamese dailies like Amar Asom, Asomiya Khabar, and Asomiya Pratidin. There are also English dailies such as The Assam Tribune and The Sentinel.

The state has broadcasting stations run by All India Radio in 22 cities, focusing on local news and music. There are also public service channels from Doordarshan in Dibrugarh, Guwahati, and Silchar. Several satellite news channels are based in Guwahati, including Assam Talks and DY 365.

Geographical indications

Boka Chaul

Boka Chaul received a special label called Geographical Indication (GI) status on 30 July 2018. This label helps protect the rice and makes sure only rice grown in its special area can use the name "Boka Chaul." This rice is now the second type of rice from Assam to have this label. The label gives the rice legal protection and a unique identity.