History
Ancient history and settlement.
Legend is that the state is the place where Goddess Sati’s Shakti peetha was found. As a result, the renowned Kamakhya Temple. Apart from this, there are numerous other legends associated with the place.
History has that the Ahom dynasty was established by Sukaphaa – a prince from Mong Mao. He reached Assam through the Patkai Mountain region.
Much before that – the place was called Kamarupa and was ruled by several dynasties. This was in early 350 CE. In the 7th century, the place became host to the great traveler – Huen Tsang. Other accounts of this great place are also available.
Then between the 13 to 19 century, tribal movement in Assam became huge. As a result, the place became dominated by aboriginals and fragmentation happened. Some places were also known for their occult practices and human sacrifice.
Then, Mughals tried their luck over the place however were not successful. The idea of the Mughals was to bring the place to Koch Kingdom. During this period, the trade with Tibet reached new heights and the state prospered. At a similar time, Burma started to have its own preparation of getting control over the state and its abundant natural resources. To avoid the familial conflicts, the treaty of Yandabo was made in Myanmar in 1826. Then, British empire led their rule into the state. As a result, the state remained a part of Bengal till 1912.
Assam further played an important part in Indian independence. A large number of the seven sister states of the North East India are formed from the original Assam that was liberated in 1947.
Geography
Assam is shaped in the form of a T. The place has Karbi and Cachar hills in its middle. The place leaves you mesmerised with its abundance of natural resources. It is rightly called as the land of blue hills and red rivers. Geographically, the state is located between 22°19′ to 28°16′ on North Latitude. On the East Latitude – it covers the land between 89°42′ to 96°30′. The location is in the foothills of the great Eastern Himalayas.
Spread over an area of 78523 square kilometres, Assam resembles the area of Ireland and Austria.
The place is located at the gateway of Northeast India. The same is divided into three units – the Brahmaputra Valley, the Barak Valley and the Assam’s own two hill cities – Karbi and Cachar. It derives its name from ‘Asama’ which according to the local (extinct) language means – the Pearless.
Assam has a unique landscape dotted with sprawling tea estates. All this is combined with groves of yummy coconuts, banana trees and areca nuts. This unique landscape produces its own special variant of Tea called ad Camellia Assamica. Grown at the elevations near sea level – the same have malt sweetness along with earthy aroma.
The state has a stunning grandeur of dense tropical forest. One can easily find these interspersed with emerald quilts of paddy and tea gardens.
The place opened itself to embrace its wildlife in Kaziranga National park – launched in 1985 on the banks of Brahmaputra and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary launched in 1992. These sites are home to the one horned rhinos. Both of these are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Map
Assam Tours
