Explore the Assam district map showing the 34 districts, district headquarters and capital of Assam state of India.
Districts of Assam
S.N.
District Name
Headquarter Name
1
Bajali
Pathsala
2
Baksa
Mushalpur
3
Barpeta
Barpeta
4
Biswanath
Biswanath Chariali
5
Bongaigaon
Bongaigaon
6
Cachar
Silchar
7
Charaideo
Sonari
8
Chirang
Kajalgaon
9
Darrang
Mangaldai
10
Dhemaji
Dhemaji
11
Dhubri
Dhubri
12
Dibrugarh
Dibrugarh
13
Dima Hasao
Haflong
14
Goalpara
Goalpara
15
Golaghat
Golaghat
16
Hailakandi
Hailakandi
17
Hojai
Sankardev Nagar
18
Jorhat
Jorhat
19
Kamrup
Rangia
20
Kamrup Metropolitan
Guwahati
21
Karbi Anglong
Diphu
22
Kokrajhar
Kokrajhar
23
Lakhimpur
North Lakhimpur
24
Majuli
Garamur
25
Morigaon
Morigaon
26
Nagaon
Nagaon
27
Nalbari
Nalbari
28
Sivasagar
Sivasagar
29
Sonitpur
Tezpur
30
South Salmara-Mankachar
Hatsingimari
31
Sribhumi
Karimganj
32
Tamulpur
Tamulpur
33
Tinsukia
Tinsukia
34
Udalguri
Udalguri
35
West Karbi Anglong
Hamren
About Assam
Assam is a northeastern state of India, well known for its diverse geography, rich culture and economic importance. It is located on approximately 78,438 square miles and has international borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh. On the north it is bounded by Arunachal Pradesh, on the east by Nagaland and Manipur, on the south by Meghalaya and Tripura, and on the west by West Bengal. Assam is a gateway to India's northeastern region and has important role in trade and connectivity. In the 2011 Census, the state population was over 31 million, making it the most populous state in India's northeastern region. Its climate, agriculture and economy are dominated by the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers and the layout of the landscape.
Geography and Climate
Assam is further divided into regions containing river valleys, hills and forests. The central part of the state is dominated by the Brahmaputra Valley, while the southern region is a part of the Barak Valley. The geographical diversity of the state is also enhanced by the Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao hills. Assam has a subtropical monsoon climate with high humidity and most of the rainfall. In the summer period, from March to June, temperatures are 25 to 35 °C (77 to 95 °F); the climate is warm and humid with a monsoon season from June to September when the precipitation is high, more than 2,500 mm annually. The winter, November to February, is relatively cool with temperatures of 10 to 25 °C (50 to 77 °F).
Rivers and Water Resources
The biggest river in Assam is the Brahmaputra River which originates in Tibet and runs through the state before discharging into Bangladesh. It is one of the world's largest rivers and is used for irrigation, transportation and producing hydroelectric power. The other important water course is the Barak River in the southern part of the state which supports the farming activities in the Barak Valley. The state has many wetlands, oxbow lakes and beels which add to the biodiversity of the state and also support employment. However, the state experiences regular floods because the Brahmaputra shifts its course and the heavy rains during the monsoon season, which displace people and affect agriculture.
Flora and Fauna
Assam is one of the most biologically diverse states of India, and has about 35% of the total area under forest cover. It is famous for one horned rhinoceros and is home to Kaziranga National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The other major wildlife sanctuaries are Manas National Park, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Nameri National Park. The parks are home to elephants, tigers, leopards, swamp deer and several birds. The forests of the state are tropical rain forests, moist deciduous forests and the bamboo forests which support a rich plant life. Assam’s wetlands and flood plains are very important stopping over for migratory birds and hence form an important area for avian conservation.
Economy and Agriculture
Assam is an agrarian economy and has a large population below the farming sector. Tea: Assam is the largest producer of tea in India and contributes more than 50% of the total tea production of the country. Jute, rice, sugarcane, mustard and pulses are the other major crops. The oil and natural gas is another major sector where Assam has significant presence and there are major refineries at Digboi, Numaligarh and Bongaigaon. The first oil refinery of India, Digboi refinery was commissioned in 1901. The economy of the state is also depends on small scale industries like silk production and Assam is famous for Muga silk, Eri silk and Assam silk. Handloom and Handicraft including bamboo and cane craft also add to the economy.
Infrastructure and Connectivity
In northeastern India, Assam is a transportation hub with good road, rail, and air connectivity. There are more than 2,500 kilometers of national highways in the state which run between Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Silchar. A crucial link by road and rail, the Saraighat Bridge is over the Brahmaputra River. The domestic airports in Dibrugarh, Silchar and Jorhat are also there to serve the state along with the biggest airport, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati. Cargo and passenger transport with neighboring regions are enhanced through inland waterways of Assam especially the Brahmaputra River.
Education and Research
Assam has made significant progress in education and has institutions providing education in almost all fields. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, Assam Agricultural University and Tezpur University are some of the premium higher educational institutions of the state. In addition, there are several universities in Assam, including Gauhati University, Dibrugarh University and Assam University, which offer courses in science, arts, commerce and engineering. The Regional Research Laboratory and the North East Institute of Science and Technology are research institutions that are engaged in scientific advancements in agriculture, biotechnology and environmental studies.
Tourism and Cultural Heritage
Assam is famous for its cultural heritage that has its origin from the indigenous tribes of Assam, Assamese Hindus and other ethnic groups. The Bihu festival is celebrated in the state to mark the agricultural cycle and is celebrated with music, dance and feasting. The Ambubachi Mela at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati is one of the biggest and most important religious festivals in North East India. The tourism sector in Assam is supported by its wildlife sanctuaries, picturesque landscapes and pilgrimage destinations. The world's biggest river island, Majuli, is a cultural and spiritual hotspot for the Vaishnavite faith. The Assam’s historical heritage includes the Ahom-era monuments in Sivasagar, including the Rang Ghar and Kareng Ghar. Tourists interested in Assam's tea gardens and industry can visit Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.
Government and Administration
Assam is governed under a parliamentary system of government and has one house, known as the Legislative Assembly, with 126 members. The state has 35 districts and Dispur, which is a part of Guwahati, is the capital. The chief minister is the head of the state government while the governor is the ceremonial head and the real constitutional authority. Some government initiatives include the Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART), Mukhyamantri Krishi Sa-Sajuli Yojana, and Asom Mala, which are interventions meant to improve on agricultural productivity, infrastructure development and rural welfare.
Challenges and Development Initiatives
Assam has some problems, flood, ethnic conflict and economic disparity. Flooding by the Brahmaputra River displaces thousands of people and destroys livelihoods every year. Recent peace agreements however have brought stability as the state also experiences insurgency related problems. The government has undertaken flood control projects, rural development schemes and industrial growth policies to address these challenges. Education, healthcare and infrastructure are receiving increasing investments towards raising the living standard and the creation of economic opportunities for the people of Assam.
History of Assam
Ancient History
The land of Assam has its roots back to the prehistoric era; the hills and river valleys of the region bear evidence of early human settlement. Ancient texts had mentioned it as Pragjyotisha and was also called Kamarupa. The earliest historical references are found in the Mahabharata and the Puranas, where Pragjyotisha was a significant kingdom. The earliest known ruler was Mahiranga Danava, Narakasura, and his son, Bhagadatta, who is said to have fought in the Kurukshetra war.
In the fourth century CE Assam was under the rule of the Varman dynasty which expanded its territory and established Kamarupa as a powerful kingdom. King Bhaskaravarman of Kamarupa maintained diplomatic relations with the Indian emperor Harsha when the Chinese traveler Xuanzang visited Kamarupa in the 7th century. The Salastambha and Pala dynasties followed in Kamarupa, whose rulers supported Hinduism and Buddhism and operated a robust administrative structure.
Medieval Period and Ahom Rule
The medieval period is a landmark in the annals of Assam’s history with the arrival of the Ahoms in early 13th century. The Ahoms, of Myanmar origin, set up their kingdom in 1228 AD by Sukaphaa. The Ahoms ruled Assam for nearly 600 years and did not suffer a single defeat in the hands of Mughals. The Battle of Saraighat in 1671 A.D. was a turning point in Assam's history when the Ahoms under the command of Lachit Borphukan defeated the Mughals lead by Ram Singh I. The Ahom administration was also very much organized, they had a strong army and a very effective revenue system. The kingdom also encouraged the culture, language and religion of Assamese especially the Vaishnavism which was followed by Srimanta Sankardeva.
Colonial Rule and British Annexation
The decline of the Ahom kingdom began in the late 18th century with internal conflicts and external invasions by the Burmese. Assam was ruled by the Burmese from 1817 to 1826, and the land was left virtually desolate. The British East India Company intervened and defeated the Burmese in the First Anglo-Burmese War. The Treaty of Yandabo was signed in 1826, and Assam became a part of British India. Assam was first incorporated into the Bengal Presidency and then made a separate province in 1874.
During the British rule Assam had significant administrative and economic changes. Assam is one of the major producers of tea worldwide, tea plantations were established in the mid 19th century. But their policies made socio economic disparities, they also introduced modern infrastructure like railways and roads. Indentured labor from other parts of India was brought in which altered the demographic structure of Assam and these tensions did exist in later years.
Freedom Movement and Post-Independence Period
Assam has been a very part in India’s struggle for freedom, involving herself in movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Quit India Movement. Gopinath Bordoloi and Tarun Ram Phukan were two very important leaders in Assam who played a very important role in inducing people to come out and protest against the British rule. Assam became a constituent state of the Indian Union after India’s independence in 1947. But the partition of India resulted in changing the geographical map of Assam as some regions of Assam were annexed by Pakistan (present Bangladesh).
The post independence period of Assam is also marked by several political and social movements. The 60s and 70s were also for demand of autonomy and recognition of Assamese identity. The Assam movement of 1979-1985, which was headed by AASU, demanded implementation of the provisions regarding detection and deportation of illegal migrants and political rights. The Assam Accord, signed in 1985, provided for detection and deportation of illegal immigrants and granted Assam a special status in India.
Modern Assam and Contemporary Developments
Assam has continued to evolve as a key state in India’s North East. The state has witnessed economic development in agriculture, industry and tourism. However, it has also faced challenges from ethnic conflicts, insurgency and environmental concerns. Priority has been given in recent years to efforts to improve connectivity, trade and governance, with initiatives like the Act East Policy serving to increase Assam’s role as a gateway to Southeast Asia. With ongoing infrastructure projects, industrial growth and cultural preservation efforts, Assam continues to be an essential part of India’s historical and economic landscape.
