Assam

{{See also|Assam separatist movements}}

File:Assam in 1950s.png

The government of India, which has the unilateral powers to change the borders of a state, divided Assam into several states beginning in 1970 within the borders of what was then Assam. In 1963, the Naga Hills district became the 16th state of India under the name of Nagaland. Part of Tuensang was added to Nagaland. In 1970, in response to the demands of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people of the Meghalaya Plateau, the districts containing the Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, and Garo Hills were formed into an autonomous state within Assam; in 1972 this became a separate state under the name of Meghalaya. In 1972, Arunachal Pradesh (the North East Frontier Agency) and Mizoram (from the Mizo Hills in the south) were separated from Assam as union territories; both became states in 1986.{{cite book |author=Bhubaneswar Bhattacharyya |title=The troubled border: some facts about boundary disputes between Assam-Nagaland, Assam-Arunachal Pradesh, Assam-Meghalaya, and Assam-Mizoram |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sktuAAAAMAAJ |year=1995 |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |isbn=9788173310997}}

Since the restructuring of Assam after independence, communal tensions and violence remain. Separatist groups began forming along ethnic lines, and demands for autonomy and sovereignty grew, resulting in the fragmentation of Assam. In 1961, the government of Assam passed legislation making use of the Assamese language compulsory. It was withdrawn later under pressure from Bengali speaking people in Cachar. In the 1980s the Brahmaputra valley saw a six-year Assam Agitation{{Citation |first=Sanjoy |last=Hazarika |title=Strangers of the Mist |publisher=Penguin Books Australia Ltd. |year=2003 |isbn=0-14-024052-7}} triggered by the discovery of a sudden rise in registered voters on electoral rolls. It tried to force the government to identify and deport foreigners illegally migrating from neighbouring Bangladesh and to provide constitutional, legislative, administrative and cultural safeguards for the indigenous Assamese majority, which they felt was under threat due to the increase of migration from Bangladesh. The agitation ended after an accord (Assam Accord 1985) between its leaders and the Union Government, which remained unimplemented, causing simmering discontent.{{cite web |author=Governor of Assam |title=Report on Illegal Migration into Assam |date=8 November 1998 |url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/assam/documents/papers/illegal_migration_in_assam.htm| access-date =26 May 2007 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070609170339/http://satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/assam/documents/papers/illegal_migration_in_assam.htm| archive-date= 9 June 2007 | url-status=live}}

The post 1970s experienced the growth of armed separatist groups such as the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). In November 1990, the Government of India deployed the Indian army, after which low-intensity military conflicts and political homicides have been continuing for more than a decade. In recent times, ethnically based militant groups have grown. The Panchayati Raj Act has been applied in Assam, after agitation of the communities due to the sluggish rate of development and general apathy of successive state governments towards Indigenous Assamese communities.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}}

Deadly floods hit the state in 2020 and 2022.{{Cite news |date=24 May 2022 |title=Floods kill 25 in India's Assam, displace thousands |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/floods-kill-25-indias-assam-displace-thousands-2022-05-24/ |access-date=3 June 2022 |archive-date=3 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603053816/https://www.reuters.com/world/india/floods-kill-25-indias-assam-displace-thousands-2022-05-24/ |url-status=live }}

File:Assam Valley.JPG

{{Main|Physical geography of Assam}}

{{See also|Tourism in North East India}}

A significant geographical aspect of Assam is that it contains three of six physiographic divisions of India – The Northern Himalayas (Eastern Hills), The Northern Plains (Brahmaputra plain) and Deccan Plateau (Karbi Anglong). As the Brahmaputra flows in Assam the climate here is cold and there is rainfall most of the month. Geomorphic studies conclude that the Brahmaputra, the life-line of Assam, is an antecedent river older than the Himalayas, which has entrenched itself since they started rising. The river with steep gorges and rapids in Arunachal Pradesh entering Assam, becomes a braided river (at times 10 mi/16 km wide) and with tributaries, creates a flood plain (Brahmaputra Valley: 50–60 mi/80–100 km wide, 600 mi/1000 km long).{{Citation |first=R. L. |last=Singh |title=India, A Regional Geography |place=Varanasi, India |publisher=National Geographical Society of India |year=1993}} The hills of Karbi Anglong, North Cachar and those in and close to Guwahati (also Khasi-Garo Hills) now eroded and dissected are originally parts of the South Indian Plateau system. In the south, the Barak originating in the Barail Range (Assam-Nagaland border) flows through the Cachar district with a 25–30 miles (40–50 km) wide valley and enters Bangladesh with the name Surma River.

Urban centres include Guwahati, one of the 100 fastest growing cities in the world.{{cite news |title=Guwahati's landscape to change with satellite towns, BRT systems |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun1610/at036|access-date=4 August 2013 |newspaper=The Assam Tribune|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103180934/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun1610%2Fat036|archive-date=3 November 2013}} Guwahati is also referred to as the "Gateway to the North-East India". Silchar, (in the Barak valley) is the second most populous city in Assam and an important centre of business. Other large cities include Dibrugarh, an oil and natural gas industry centre,{{cite web |title=Dibrugarh – Roing – Mayudia – Anini Tourist Circuit |url=http://www.arunachaltourism.com/top5.php |publisher=Arunachal Tourism |access-date=4 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406132625/http://www.arunachaltourism.com/top5.php |archive-date=6 April 2013}}

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.{{cite web |last=Purdue University |title=The Köppen Classification of Climates |url=http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/tropical/lecture_04/lec_04.html |access-date = 25 May 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070605020325/http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/tropical/lecture_04/lec_04.html |archive-date = 5 June 2007|url-status = dead }} 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.

{{See also|Brahmaputra floods}}

Every year, rivers like the Brahmaputra and Barak overflow due to heavy rainfall, causing widespread flooding across Assam. The rising water levels submerge nearby areas, washing away houses, livestock, and damaging infrastructure such as bridges, railway tracks, and roads, leading to communication breakdowns in many regions. This natural disaster also results in numerous fatalities throughout the state.{{cite web |url=http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-flood-toll-rises-to-13-chief-minister-gogoi-undertakes-aerial-visit-1210178 |title=Assam Flood Toll Rises to 13 |publisher=NDTV |date=23 August 2015 |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824155525/http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-flood-toll-rises-to-13-chief-minister-gogoi-undertakes-aerial-visit-1210178 |archive-date=24 August 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/top-headlines/assam-flood-situation-worsens/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121174112/https://www.sentinelassam.com/top-headlines/assam-flood-situation-worsens/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 January 2022 |title=Flood situation in Assam worsens |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=23 August 2015 |access-date=25 August 2015}}

{{See also|Biodiversity of Assam}}

{{multiple image

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| image1 = Rhinoceros unicornis, Kaziranga (2006).jpg

| width1 = 185

| caption1 = An Indian rhino at Kaziranga National Park

| alt1 = Rhinoceros unicornis

| image2 = Golden Langur.jpg

| width2 = 185

| caption2 =An endangered golden langur

| alt2 = Golden langur

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Assam is one of the richest biodiversity zones in the world and consists of tropical rainforests,{{Citation |last=Borthakur |first=Ahir Bhairab |title=Call of the wild |url=http://www.downtoearth.org.in/full6.asp?foldername=20020115&filename=gra&sec_id=11&sid=1 |journal=Down to Earth |date=15 January 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928003319/http://www.downtoearth.org.in/full6.asp?foldername=20020115&filename=gra&sec_id=11&sid=1 |archive-date=28 September 2007}} deciduous forests, riverine grasslands,{{cite web |last1=Birdlife International, UK |url=http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/asia_strategy/pdf_downloads/grasslandsGO2.pdf |title=Indo-Gangetic Grasslands | access-date = 31 May 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070615001747/http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/asia_strategy/pdf_downloads/grasslandsGO2.pdf | archive-date = 15 June 2007 | url-status=live }} bambooNational Mission on Bamboo Applications 2004 orchards and numerous wetland{{Citation |last=Sharma |first=Pradip |title=An Overview on Wetlands in Assam |url=http://www.envisassam.org/VOL2_2.pdf |journal=ENVIS Assam, Assam Science Technology and Environment Council |volume=2 |page=7 |date=April–June 2003 |postscript=. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060520204718/http://www.envisassam.org/VOL2_2.pdf |archive-date=20 May 2006}} ecosystems; Many are now protected as national parks and reserved forests.

Assam has wildlife sanctuaries, the most prominent of which are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites{{cite web |last=World Heritage Centre |first=UNESCO |title=World Heritage List |url=https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31 | access-date = 30 May 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070606091740/https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31 | archive-date = 6 June 2007 | url-status=live }}-the Kaziranga National Park, on the bank of the Brahmaputra River, and the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, near the border with Bhutan. The Kaziranga is a refuge for the fast-disappearing Indian one-horned rhinoceros. The state is the last refuge for numerous other endangered and threatened species including the white-winged wood duck or deohanh, Bengal florican, black-breasted parrotbill, red-headed vulture, white-rumped vulture, greater adjutant, Jerdon's babbler, rufous-necked hornbill, Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, pygmy hog, gaur, wild water buffalo, Indian hog deer, hoolock gibbon, golden langur, capped langur, barasingha, Ganges river dolphin, Barca snakehead, Ganges shark, Burmese python, brahminy river turtle, black pond turtle, Asian forest tortoise, and Assam roofed turtle. Threatened species that are extinct in Assam include the gharial, a critically endangered fish-eating crocodilian, and the pink-headed duck (which may be extinct worldwide). For the state bird, the white-winged wood duck, Assam is a globally important area.{{clarify|reason=why? Is it threatened or something? What does "globally important" signify?|date=August 2014}}Choudhury, A.U.(1996) Survey of the white-winged wood duck and the Bengal florican in Tinsukia district & adjacent areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The Rhino Foundation for Nature in North East India, Guwahati, India. 82pp+ In addition to the above, there are three other National Parks in Assam namely Dibru Saikhowa National Park, Nameri National Park and the Orang National Park.

Assam has conserved the one-horned Indian rhinoceros from near extinction, along with the pygmy hog, tiger and numerous species of birds, and it provides one of the last wild habitats for the Asian elephant. Kaziranga and Manas are both World Heritage Sites. The state contains Sal tree forests and forest products, much depleted from earlier times. A land of high rainfall, Assam displays greenery. The Brahmaputra River tributaries and oxbow lakes provide the region with hydro-geomorphic environment.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}

The state has the largest population of the wild water buffalo in the world.Choudhury, A.U. (2010)The vanishing herds : the wild water buffalo. Gibbon Books, Rhino Foundation, CEPF & COA, Taiwan, Guwahati, India

The state has the highest diversity of birds in India with around 820 species.Choudhury, A.U. (2000)The birds of Assam. Gibbon Books & WWF-India, Guwahati, India With subspecies the number is as high as 946.Choudhury, A.U. (1990). Checklist of the birds of Assam. Sofia Press & Publishers Pvt. Ltd., Guwahati, India. 72 pp+

The mammal diversity in the state is around 190 species.Choudhury, A.U. (1997)The check list of the mammals of Assam. Gibbon Books & ASTEC, Guwahati, India

File:Kopou Orchid Assam India.jpg marks the beginning of the festive season of Bihu in Assam.]]

Assam is remarkably rich in Orchid species and the Foxtail orchid is the state flower of Assam.{{Cite journal |last=ENVIS Assam |title=Endemic Orchids of Assam |url=http://www.envisassam.org/VOL2_2.pdf |journal=ENVIS Assam, Assam Science Technology and Environment Council |volume=2 |page=8 |date=April–June 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060520204718/http://www.envisassam.org/VOL2_2.pdf|archive-date=20 May 2006}} The recently established Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park boasts more than 500 of the estimated 1,314 orchid species found in India.

Assam has petroleum, natural gas, coal, limestone and other minor minerals such as magnetic quartzite, kaolin, sillimanites, clay and feldspar.{{cite web |last=NEDFi & NIC-Assam |title=North East India Databank |url=http://nerdatabank.nic.in/as_minerals.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418204719/http://www.nerdatabank.nic.in/as_minerals.htm |archive-date=18 April 2007}} A small quantity of iron ore is available in western districts. Discovered in 1889, all the major petroleum-gas reserves are in Upper parts. A recent USGS estimate shows {{convert|399|Moilbbl|m3}} of oil, {{convert|1178|Gcuft|m3}} of gas and {{convert|67|Moilbbl|m3}} of natural gas liquids in the Assam Geologic Province.Wandrey 2004, p. 17{{citation needed|reason=USGS is stated as source, but secondary source given here, which is "okay" but should probably be enhanced with primary one as well|date=August 2014}}

The region is prone to natural disasters like annual floods and frequent mild earthquakes. Strong earthquakes were recorded in 1869, 1897, and 1950.

{{Main|Demography of Assam|Assamese people|Assamese Manipuri people|People of Assam}}

{{Historical population

| source = Census of India{{cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html |title=A - 2 DECADAL VARIATION IN POPULATION SINCE 1901 |publisher= Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=12 January 2020 |archive-date=8 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808131957/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html |url-status=live }}

| 1901 | 3289680

| 1911 | 3848617

| 1921 | 4636980

| 1931 | 5560371

| 1941 | 6694790

| 1951 | 8028856

| 1961 | 10837329

| 1971 | 14625152

| 1981 | 18041248

| 1991 | 22414322

| 2001 | 26655528

| 2011 | 31205576

}}

File:Ambubachi Mela at Kamakhya Temple by Vikramjit Kakati.jpg for the Ambubachi Mela]]

The total population of Assam was 26.66 million with 4.91 million households in 2001.{{cite web |title=Statistics of Assam 2002-03 |url=http://www.assamgov.org/generalinformation/assamstatistics.html |access-date = 3 June 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070607170354/http://assamgov.org/generalinformation/assamstatistics.html |archive-date = 7 June 2007|url-status = usurped }} 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.{{cite web |author=National Commission on Population, Census of India |title=Population Projections for India and States 2001–2026 |year=2006 |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in| access-date =15 May 2007 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070514045222/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/| archive-date= 14 May 2007 | url-status=live}}

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%.{{cite web |title=Government of Assam Census 2011 |website=onlineassam |url=http://online.assam.gov.in/web/population-census/| access-date = 6 June 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120621011519/http://online.assam.gov.in/web/population-census| archive-date = 21 June 2012| url-status=dead }}

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.{{cite web |last=cdpsindia |title=centre for development and peace studies |url=http://cdpsindia.org/point-of-view60.asp| access-date = 6 June 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021210551/http://cdpsindia.org/point-of-view60.asp| archive-date = 21 October 2012| url-status=usurped }}

File:Assam Demography 1.png

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%.Director of Census Operations, Census of India 2001

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 illegal immigrants from East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.

The mistrust and clashes between indigenous Assamese people and Bengali Muslims started as early as 1952,{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Muslim-Bodo-mistrust-exists-for-many-decades/articleshow/15115081.cms?referral=PM |title=Muslim-Bodo mistrust exists for many decades |work=The Times of India |date=24 July 2012 |access-date=11 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017031311/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Muslim-Bodo-mistrust-exists-for-many-decades/articleshow/15115081.cms?referral=PM |archive-date=17 October 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Assam-govt-mulls-arming-Muslims-in-Bodo-areas/articleshow/34650259.cms |title=Assam govt mulls arming Muslims in Bodo areas |work=The Times of India |date=5 May 2014 |access-date=11 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505021416/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Assam-govt-mulls-arming-Muslims-in-Bodo-areas/articleshow/34650259.cms |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=live}} but is rooted in anti Bengali sentiments of the 1940s.{{cite news |last1=Andre |first1=Aletta |last2=Kumar |first2=Abhimanyu |title=Protest poetry: Assam's Bengali Muslims take a stand |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/12/protest-poetry-assam-bengali-muslims-stand-161219094434005.html|access-date=26 January 2017 |agency=Aljazeera |publisher=Aljazeera |date=23 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202060836/http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/12/protest-poetry-assam-bengali-muslims-stand-161219094434005.html|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=live}} At least 77 people died{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/assam-violence-four-more-bodies-found-toll-rises-to-77/1038364.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126114936/http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/assam-violence-four-more-bodies-found-toll-rises-to-77/1038364.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 January 2013 |title=Assam violence: Four more bodies found, toll rises to 77 |date=8 August 2012 |work=IBN |access-date=2 November 2013}} and 400,000 people were displaced in the 2012 Assam violence between indigenous Bodos and Bengali Muslims.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/world/asia/after-tensions-in-indias-east-turn-deadly-claims-officials-turned-a-blind-eye.html?_r=1 |title=As Tensions in India Turn Deadly, Some Say Officials Ignored Warning Signs |newspaper=The New York Times |date=28 July 2012 |first=Gardiner |last=Harris | access-date=26 February 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301183316/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/world/asia/after-tensions-in-indias-east-turn-deadly-claims-officials-turned-a-blind-eye.html?_r=1 | archive-date=1 March 2017 | url-status=live }}

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.Taher, Mohammad (1993) The Peopling of Assam and contemporary social structure in Ahmad, Aijazuddin (ed) Social Structure and Regional Development, Rawat Publications, New Delhi 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|reason="high" is essentially a meaningless word. 90%? 15%?|date=November 2015}}

According to the World Air Quality Report 2024 by IQAir, Byrnihat located in Assam is the most polluted city in India.{{Cite news |title=Delhi is most polluted city globally; 13 of world’s 20 most polluted cities in India: report |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/13-of-worlds-20-most-polluted-cities-in-india-delhi-most-polluted-capital/article69316060.ece|work=The Hindu |agency=PTI |issn=0971-751X|date=11 March 2025 |access-date=16 March 2025 }}

{{See also|Hinduism in Assam|Islam in Assam|Christianity in Assam|Ahom religion}}

File:Kamakhya Guwahati.JPG]]

File:Rangamati Mosque.jpg, Dhubri]]

{{Pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption = Religions of Assam (2011){{cite web |title=Population by religion community – 2011 |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=Census of India, 2012 |publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|archive-date=25 August 2015}}

| label1 = Hinduism|value1 = 61.47 |color1 =darkorange

| label2 = Islam|value2 = 34.22|color2 = green

| label3 = Christianity|value3 = 3.7|color3 = blue

| label4 = Buddhism|value4 = 0.2|color4 = yellow

| label5 = Jainism|value5 = 0.01|color5 = Pink

| label6 = Sikhism|value6 = 0.01|color6 = DarkKhaki

| label7 = Atheist|value7 = 0.16|color7 = red

}}

File:Basistha mandir.JPG in Guwahati.]]

File:Hajarat Ajan Pir Dargaah,Horaguri Chapori,Sivasagar.jpg dargah at Saraguri Chapari near Sibsagar town.]]

According to the 2011 census, 61.47% were Hindus, 34.22% were Muslims.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/census-2011-religion-data-rekindles-demographic-invasion-fear-in-assam/article1-1384347.aspx |title=Census 2011 data rekindles 'demographic invasion' fear in Assam|access-date=26 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905104547/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/census-2011-religion-data-rekindles-demographic-invasion-fear-in-assam/article1-1384347.aspx|archive-date=5 September 2015|url-status=dead |date=26 August 2015}} Christian minorities (3.7%) are found among the Scheduled Tribe and Castes population.{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/religious-communities-census-2011-what-the-numbers-say/article7582284.ece |title=India's religions by numbers |date=26 August 2015|access-date=5 August 2016 |newspaper=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110201326/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/religious-communities-census-2011-what-the-numbers-say/article7582284.ece|archive-date=10 January 2016|url-status=live}}

The Scheduled Tribe population in Assam is around 13%, of which Bodos account for 40%.{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/bodo-hopes-and-minority-rights/article5998693.ece |title=Bodos and their rights|access-date=29 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201092705/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/bodo-hopes-and-minority-rights/article5998693.ece|archive-date=1 December 2016|url-status=live |newspaper=The Hindu |date=12 May 2014 |last1=Deka |first1=Kaustubh}} Other religious groups in Assam include Jainism (0.1%), Buddhism (0.2%), Sikhism (0.1%) and Animism (among Khamti, Phake, Aiton etc. communities).

The three popular sects of Hinduism, namely, Shaivisim, Shaktism, and Vaishnavism are prevalent here. Many Assamese Hindus are also followers of the Ekasarana Dharma sect of Hinduism.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

Out of 32 districts of Assam, 9 are Muslim majority according to the 2011 census of India: Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Morigaon, Nagaon, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Darrang and Bongaigaon.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslim-majority-districts-in-Assam-up/articleshow/48682463.cms |title=Muslim majority districts in Assam up |website=The Times of India|date=26 August 2015 |access-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104231940/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslim-majority-districts-in-Assam-up/articleshow/48682463.cms|archive-date=4 January 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/assam-muslim-growth-is-higher-in-districts-away-from-border/ |title=Assam Muslim growth is higher in districts away from border|access-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223192413/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/assam-muslim-growth-is-higher-in-districts-away-from-border/|archive-date=23 December 2015|url-status=live |date=31 August 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/census-2011-data-rekindles-demographic-invasion-fear-in-assam/story-oZUhBaXPNupGBmGQirjV0I.html |title=Census 2011 data rekindles 'demographic invasion' fear in Assam|access-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104231940/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/census-2011-data-rekindles-demographic-invasion-fear-in-assam/story-oZUhBaXPNupGBmGQirjV0I.html|archive-date=4 January 2016|url-status=live |date=26 August 2015}}

[[File:Language Map of Assam (2011 Census).svg|left|200px|thumb|Languages spoken by district

Assamese

{{legend|#f2ffb3|30–40%}}

{{legend|#eaff80|40–50%}}

{{legend|#d9ff1a|50–60%}}

{{legend|#c8f000|60–70%}}

{{legend|#b0d100|70-80%}}

{{legend|#8fb200|80-90%}}

{{legend|#768f00|90–100%}}

Bengali

{{legend|#009e75|70–80%}}

{{legend|#006b4f|80–90%}}

Boro

{{legend|#96b2f3|20–30%}}

{{legend|#759af0|30–40%}}

Karbi

{{legend|#5e3dff|40–50%}}

Dimasa

{{legend|#c7eae8ff|30–40%}}

]]

{{See also|Assamese language|Assamese literature|Bengali language|Bodo language|Meitei language in Assam}}

File:Charyapada.jpg

{{Pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption = Languages of Assam (2011){{cite web |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language-2011/Part-A.pdf |title=Distribution of the 22 scheduled languages-India/States/Union Territories - 2011 census |access-date=23 August 2021 |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India |archive-date=11 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011091053/https://censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language-2011/Part-A.pdf |url-status=live }}

| label1 = Assamese | value1 = 48.38 | color1 = purple

| label2 = Bengali | value2 = 28.92 | color2 = orchid

| label3 = Bodo | value3 = 4.51 | color3 = royalblue

| label4 = Hindi | value4 = 3.21 | color4 = orange

| label5 = Sadri | value5 = 2.29 | color5 = burlywood

| label6 = Mishing | value6 = 1.98 | color6 = lightskyblue

| label7 = Nepali | value7 = 1.91 | color7 = lightcoral

| label8 = Karbi | value8 = 1.64 | color8 = darkblue

| label9 = Others | value9 = 7.16 | color9 = Grey

}}

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,{{cite news |last1=PTI |title=Assam Assembly Accords Associate Official Language Status To Bodo |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-assembly-accords-associate-official-language-status-to-bodo-2345750 |access-date=21 February 2022 |work=NDTV |date=30 December 2020 |archive-date=21 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221093623/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-assembly-accords-associate-official-language-status-to-bodo-2345750 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/govt-withdraws-assamese-as-official-language-from-barak-valley-114090901180_1.html |title=Govt withdraws Assamese as official language from Barak valley |agency=Press Trust of India |date=9 September 2014 |work=Business Standard India |access-date=29 January 2018 |archive-date=29 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129195116/http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/govt-withdraws-assamese-as-official-language-from-barak-valley-114090901180_1.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Purkayastha |first=Biswa Kalyan |date=24 February 2024 |title=Assam recognises Manipuri as associate official language in four districts |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/assam-recognises-manipuri-as-associate-official-language-in-four-districts-101708770769105.html |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=26 February 2024 |archive-date=25 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225153123/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/assam-recognises-manipuri-as-associate-official-language-in-four-districts-101708770769105.html |url-status=live }} where Sylheti is most commonly spoken.{{cite web |url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/syl |title=Sylheti |publisher=Ethnologue|access-date=12 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313092352/https://www.ethnologue.com/language/syl|archive-date=13 March 2018|url-status=live}}

File:Assam manuscript painting.jpg

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-17.html |title=C-17 POPULATION BY BILINGUALISM AND TRILINGUALISM |first=Ministry of Home Affairs |last=Government of India |access-date=23 August 2021 |archive-date=13 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113211224/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-17.html |url-status=live }} 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"Axomiya is the major language spoken in Assam, and serves almost as a lingua franca among the different speech communities in the whole area." {{harvcol|Goswami|2003|pp=394}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language-2011/Statement-1.pdf |title=Scheduled Languages in descending order of speaker's strength - 2011 |access-date=23 August 2021 |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India |archive-date=14 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114073426/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language-2011/Statement-1.pdf |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/asm |title=Assamese |access-date=22 August 2021 |archive-date=24 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224190334/https://www.ethnologue.com/language/asm |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.india.com/news/india/assam-assembly-elections-2016-assamese-are-minority-muslims-are-largest-electoral-group-in-this-poll-battle-1093774/ |title=Assam Assembly Elections 2016: Assamese are minority, Muslims are largest electoral group in this poll battle! |date=8 April 2016 |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-date=27 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627233152/https://www.india.com/news/india/assam-assembly-elections-2016-assamese-are-minority-muslims-are-largest-electoral-group-in-this-poll-battle-1093774/ |url-status=live }} The Assamese speakers constituted 48% of the State population according to the 2011 Census.{{cite web |url=https://assamtribune.com/assamese-speakers-in-assam-an-insecure-future/ |title=Assamese speakers in Assam: An insecure future? |date=10 April 2021 |access-date=20 July 2021 |archive-date=29 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629010339/https://assamtribune.com/assamese-speakers-in-assam-an-insecure-future/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/asam-sahitya-sabha-gives-government-two-month-ultimatum-on-use-of-assamese/articleshow/65115339.cms |title=Assamese language: Asam Sahitya Sabha gives government two-month ultimatum on use of Assamese | Guwahati News |website=The Times of India |date=24 July 2018 |access-date=20 July 2021 |archive-date=20 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720160642/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/asam-sahitya-sabha-gives-government-two-month-ultimatum-on-use-of-assamese/articleshow/65115339.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/asam-sahitya-sabha-ajmal-foundation-prod-on-assamese/cid/1739350 |title=Sabha, Ajmal prod on Assamese |access-date=20 July 2021 |archive-date=20 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720160642/https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/asam-sahitya-sabha-ajmal-foundation-prod-on-assamese/cid/1739350 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/take-action-against-chalo-paltai-propagators-sabha-tells-government/articleshow/69672729.cms |title=Take action against 'Chalo Paltai' propagators, Sabha tells government | Guwahati News |website=The Times of India |date=6 June 2019 |access-date=20 July 2021 |archive-date=20 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720160645/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/take-action-against-chalo-paltai-propagators-sabha-tells-government/articleshow/69672729.cms |url-status=live }}

File:Tai Script of Ahom Kingdom.jpg)]]

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 of 35% Muslim population 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indigenous-muslims-agreed-on-checking-population-assam-chief-minister-2479078 |title="Indigenous Muslims Agreed on Checking Population": Assam Chief Minister |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719141439/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indigenous-muslims-agreed-on-checking-population-assam-chief-minister-2479078 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/declare-assamese-our-mother-tongue/articleshow/7438577.cms |title=Declare Assamese our mother tongue | Guwahati News |website=The Times of India |date=6 February 2011 |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201230329/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/declare-assamese-our-mother-tongue/articleshow/7438577.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Saikia |first=Arunabh |title=A new generation of 'Miya' Muslims in Assam may vote for Congress-AIUDF – but only out of compulsion |url=https://scroll.in/article/991174/a-new-generation-of-miya-muslims-in-assam-may-vote-for-congress-aiudf-but-only-out-of-compulsion |access-date=16 July 2021 |website=Scroll.in |date=2 April 2021 |language=en-US |archive-date=11 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611061950/https://scroll.in/article/991174/a-new-generation-of-miya-muslims-in-assam-may-vote-for-congress-aiudf-but-only-out-of-compulsion |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=X |first=Samrat |title=National Register of Citizens: Identity issue haunts Assam, again |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2018/01/08/national-register-of-citizens-identity-assam-immigrants |access-date=16 July 2021 |website=Newslaundry |date=8 January 2018 |archive-date=11 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611061948/https://www.newslaundry.com/2018/01/08/national-register-of-citizens-identity-assam-immigrants |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.alterinter.org/?The-Economic-Basis-of-Assam-s-Linguistic-Politics-and-Anti-Immigrant-Movements |title=The Economic Basis of Assam's Linguistic Politics and Anti-Immigrant Movements |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-date=22 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622203258/https://www.alterinter.org/?The-Economic-Basis-of-Assam-s-Linguistic-Politics-and-Anti-Immigrant-Movements |url-status=live }} In the Brahmaputra Valley, the main Bengali dialect is that of Mymensingh (now in Bangladesh),{{Cite journal |last=Choudhury |first=Sumedha |date=September 2022 |title=Denationalisation and discrimination in postcolonial India |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13582291221113517 |journal=International Journal of Discrimination and the Law |language=en |volume=22 |issue=3 |pages=326–342 |doi=10.1177/13582291221113517 |s2cid=250544870 |issn=1358-2291}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Chakrabarti |first=Angana |date=27 September 2022 |title=Sylhetis were separated by Partition. Now, Indo-Bangladesh festival aims to bring them together |url=https://theprint.in/india/sylhetis-were-separated-by-partition-now-indo-bangladesh-festival-aims-to-bring-them-together/1143683/ |work=ThePrint |access-date=5 January 2024}} Bodo is the third most-spoken language followed by Hindi which comes under fourth position.

{{See also|Brahmaputra valley}}

File:Brahmaputra Valley map.png region of Assam]]

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Languages spoken in Brahmaputra valley (2011){{cite web |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/opinion/news-battleground-assam-a-tale-of-two-valleys-and-the-caa-quandary-assam-bengal-polls-2021-685761 |title=Battleground Assam a tale of two valleys and the CAA quandary Assam bengal polls 2021 | Opinion News – India TV |date=18 February 2021 |access-date=17 October 2021 |archive-date=17 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017095308/https://www.indiatvnews.com/amp/opinion/news-battleground-assam-a-tale-of-two-valleys-and-the-caa-quandary-assam-bengal-polls-2021-685761 |url-status=live }}

|label1 = Assamese (Official)

|value1 = 55.65

|color1 = yellow

|label2 = Bengali

|value2 = 22.1

|color2 = brown

|label3 = Hindi

|value3 = 7.6

|color3 = Orange

|label4 = Bodo

|value4 = 5.13

|color4 = pink

|label5 = Others

|value5 = 9.52

|color5 = red

}}

The population of the Brahmaputra Valley is 27,580,977 according to the 2011 census report by the Assam government. 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.

Traditionally, Assamese was the language of the common folk 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.{{Cite journal |last1=Das |first1=Ankur |last2=Deka |first2=Tusmita |title=The Allophonic Variation of the Assamese voiceless velar fricative /x/ |journal=13th Annual Conference of South Asian Languages (ICOSAL13) |url=https://www.academia.edu/35777293 |access-date=21 July 2019 |archive-date=16 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416085609/https://www.academia.edu/35777293 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.languagesgulper.com/eng/Assamese.html |title=Assamese |website=www.languagesgulper.com |access-date=21 July 2019 |archive-date=6 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206071325/http://www.languagesgulper.com/eng/Assamese.html |url-status=live }}

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|date=July 2015}}

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.Morey, Stephen. 2005. The Tai languages of Assam: a grammar and texts. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics.

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

{{Main|Government of Assam|Politics of Assam}}

Assam has Governor Lakshman Acharya as the head of the state, the unicameral Assam Legislative Assembly of 126 members, and a government led by the Chief Minister of Assam. The state is divided into five regional divisions.

On 19 May 2016, BJP under the leadership of Sarbananda Sonowal won the Assembly elections, thus forming the first BJP-led government in Assam.{{cite web |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bjp-win-assam-sarbananda-sonowal-elections-2016-results-2812854/ |title=North by Northeast: What explains BJP's stunning win in Assam? |date=22 May 2016|access-date=5 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808224823/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bjp-win-assam-sarbananda-sonowal-elections-2016-results-2812854/|archive-date=8 August 2016|url-status=live}}

File:Assam Districts.png 2. Dibrugarh 3. Dhemaji 4. Charaideo 5. Sivasagar 6.Lakhimpur 7. Majuli 8. Jorhat 9. Biswanath(merged with Sonitpur district) 10. Golaghat 11. Karbi Anglong 12. Sonitpur 13. Nagaon 14. Hojai(merged with Nagaon district)15. Karbi Anglong West 16. Dima Hasao 17. Cachar 18. Hailakandi 19. Karimganj 20. Morigaon 21. Udalguri 22. Darrang 23. Kamrup Metro 24. Baksa 25. Nalbari 26. Kamrup 27. Barpeta 28. Chirang 29. Bongaigaon 30. Goalpara 31. Kokrajhar 32. Dhubri 33. South Salmara Mankachar 34. Bajali(merged with Barpeta district)]]

{{Main|List of districts of Assam}}

The 31 administrative districts of Assam are delineated based on geographic features such as rivers, hills, and forests.

On 15 August 2015, five new districts were formed:{{cite news |title=Govt announces 5 new districts |url=http://www.assamtimes.org/node/14546|access-date=16 August 2015 |work=Assam Times |date=15 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817202614/http://www.assamtimes.org/node/14546|archive-date=17 August 2015|url-status=live}}Revenue Department, Government of Assam

• Part of Sonitpur became the Biswanath district (9 in the nearby map)
• Part of Sivasagar became the Charaideo district (4)
• Part of Nagaon became the Hojai district (14)
• Part of Dhubri became the South Salmara-Mankachar district (33)
• The Karbi Anglong district was divided into East (11) and West (15) districts

On 27 June 2016, an island in the Brahmaputra River was bifurcated from the Jorhat district and declared the Majuli district, India's first district that is a river island.{{cite news |url=http://hindustantimes.com/indianews/assam-majuli-to-become-india-s-first-river-island-district/story-hzFoxSUxh3IpRpSeIqrhtM.html |title=Assam: Majuli becomes 1st river island district of India |work=Hindustan Times |date=27 June 2016| access-date=28 June 2016 |location=Guwahati| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829023254/http://www.hindustantimes.com/indianews/assam-majuli-to-become-india-s-first-river-island-district/story-hzFoxSUxh3IpRpSeIqrhtM.html| archive-date=29 August 2016| url-status=live }}

On 12 January 2021, Bajali was carved out from Barpeta district and formally declared as a district. With the announcement made by Governor Jagdish Mukhi, it has become the 34th district of Assam.{{cite web |department=Sentinel Digital Desk |date=13 January 2021 |title='Bajali' Becomes the 34th Full-Fledged District of Assam |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/bajali-becomes-the-34th-full-fledged-district-of-assam-520780 |access-date=16 January 2021 |website=www.sentinelassam.com |language=en |archive-date=13 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113121804/https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/bajali-becomes-the-34th-full-fledged-district-of-assam-520780 |url-status=live }}

On 31 December 2022, existing four districts Bajali (with Barpeta), Tamulpur(with Udalguri), Biswanath (with Sonitpur) and Hojai(with Nagaon) and number of district came down to 31.

However, after the delimitation exercise was carried out in Assam, the Assam Cabinet reconstituted the 4 new districts (Bajali, Tamulpur, Biswanath and Hojai), taking the number of districts to 35 again.

The administrative districts are further subdivided into 54 "Subdivisions" or Mahakuma. Every district is administered from a district headquarters with the office of the Deputy Commissioner, District Magistrate, Office of the District Panchayat and usually with a district court.

The local governance system is organised under the jila-parishad (District Panchayat) for a district, panchayat for group of or individual rural areas and under the urban local bodies for the towns and cities. There are now 2489 village panchayats covering 26247 villages in Assam.{{cite web |last=Directorate of Information and Public Relations |first=Government of Assam |title=Area of the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Assam, 2002 |url=http://janasanyogassam.nic.in/assamataglance.htm |access-date=29 May 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006161204/http://janasanyogassam.nic.in/assamataglance.htm |archive-date=6 October 2007}} The 'town-committee' or nagar-somiti for small towns, 'municipal board' or pouro-sobha for medium towns and municipal corporation or pouro-nigom for the cities consist of the urban local bodies.

For revenue purposes, the districts are divided into revenue circles and mouzas; for the development projects, the districts are divided into 219 'development-blocks' and for law and order these are divided into 206 police stations or thana.

Guwahati is the largest metropolitan area and urban conglomeration administered under the highest form of urban local body – Guwahati Municipal Corporation in Assam. The Corporation administers an area of {{cvt|216.79|km2}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.gmcportal.in/gmc-web/ |title=GMC Portal|access-date=5 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805090715/http://www.gmcportal.in/gmc-web/|archive-date=5 August 2016|url-status=live}} Apart from Guwahati Municipal Corporation and Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation All other urban centres are managed under Municipal Boards.

A list of 9 oldest, classified and prominent, and constantly inhabited, recognised urban centres based on the earliest years of formation of the civic bodies, before the Indian independence of 1947 is tabulated below:

The state has three autonomous councils under the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution.

• Bodoland Autonomous Territorial Council
• Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.
• Dima Hasao Autonomous Council.

The state has further statutory autonomous councils constituted under State Act-

• Tiwa Autonomous Council for ethnic Tiwa people (Lalung)
• Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council
• Mising Autonomous Council for Mising people
• Deori Autonomous Council
• Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council for Sonowal Kachari people
• Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council
• Moran Autonomous Council for Moran people
• Dudhnoi for ethnic Rabha Kachari
• Mising Autonomous Council for Mising people
• Matak Autonomous Council for Matak people
• Kamatapur Autonomous Council for Rajbongshi people
• Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council for Bodo-Kachari people living outside the Bodoland Territorial Region

In March 2024, the Assam cabinet had given green signal for 'Kiran Sheikh' development council for the 'Kiran Sheikh' community in Barak Valley.{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Bikash |date=11 March 2024 |title=Assam Cabinet greenlights 'Kiran Sheikh' development council |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/assam-cabinet-greenlights-kiran-sheikh-development-council/articleshow/108387064.cms |work=The Economic Times |access-date=20 March 2024 |archive-date=20 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320113618/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/assam-cabinet-greenlights-kiran-sheikh-development-council/articleshow/108387064.cms |url-status=live }}

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According to Assam Government, Assam has border dispute with four states namely Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/total-seven-inter-state-border-disputes-in-country-assam-has-dispute-with-four-states-govt/articleshow/84865195.cms |title=Total seven inter-state border disputes in country; Assam has dispute with four states: Govt |website=The Times of India |date=29 July 2021 |access-date=14 August 2021 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201230334/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/total-seven-inter-state-border-disputes-in-country-assam-has-dispute-with-four-states-govt/articleshow/84865195.cms |url-status=live }}

Assam-Mizoram dispute

Mizoram used to be a district of Assam as Lushai hills before being carved out as a separate union territory and later, becoming another state in 1987. Because of the history, the district's borders did not really matter for locals for a long time. Mizoram shares a border with the districts Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj which comes under Barak valley region of Assam.

Over time, the two states started having different perceptions about where the demarcation should be. While Mizoram wants it to be along an Inner Line Permit notified in 1875 to protect tribals from outside influence, which Mizos feel is part of their historical homeland, Assam wants it to be demarcated according to district boundaries drawn up much later.{{cite news |last1=Deb |first1=Debraj |title=Explained: Why did a 150-year-old Assam-Mizoram dispute get violent now? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-assam-mizoram-dispute-violence-policemen-dead-7425600/ |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=5 August 2021 |language=en |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403085429/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-assam-mizoram-dispute-violence-policemen-dead-7425600/ |url-status=live }}

Assam-Meghalaya dispute

Meghalaya has identified close to a dozen areas on which it has a dispute with Assam about the state's borders. The chief ministers of the two states, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Megahalya's Conrad Sangma, recently held the first-ever meeting on inter-state border dispute. Both the states have agreed to individually assess the claims for all 12 areas flagged by Meghalaya in the past. A second round of discussion between the two state CMs will be held next month of August.

On the question of the role the Union Government is playing in redressing the inter-State border dispute in the country, minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai said, "The approach of the Central Government has consistently been that inter-state disputes can be resolved only with the cooperation of the State Governments concerned and that the Central Government acts only as a facilitator for amicable settlement of the dispute in the spirit of mutual understanding."

Assam-Nagaland dispute

The border dispute between the two states has been going on since the formation of Nagaland in 1963. The two states lay claim to Merapani, a small village next to the plains of Assam's Golaghat district. There have been reports of violent clashes in the region since the 1960s.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/border-dispute-assam-signs-agreement-with-nagaland-to-diffuse-stand-off-on-eastern-front/articleshow/84925132.cms |title=Assam Nagaland border dispute: Assam signs agreement with Nagaland to diffuse stand-off on eastern front |website=The Times of India |date=August 2021 |access-date=14 August 2021 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201230330/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/border-dispute-assam-signs-agreement-with-nagaland-to-diffuse-stand-off-on-eastern-front/articleshow/84925132.cms |url-status=live }}

Assam-Arunachal Pradesh dispute

Assam shares an 804.10 km inter-state boundary with Arunachal Pradesh. The state of Arunachal Pradesh, created in 1987, claims some land that traditionally belonged to its residents has been given to Assam. A tripartite committee had recommended that certain territories be transferred from Assam to Arunachal. The two states have since been battling it out in the Supreme court of India over the issue. Some incidents of local violence have been reported from the borders.{{cite news |title=Border dispute with Arunachal at 1,200 places: Himanta Biswa Sarma |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/border-dispute-with-arunachal-at-1200-places-himanta-biswa-sarma/article61430562.ece |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=13 August 2021 |language=en-IN |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525120742/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/border-dispute-with-arunachal-at-1200-places-himanta-biswa-sarma/article61430562.ece |url-status=live }}

Ahomland

File:Proposed Ahomland Map.jpg

Upper Assam's various Tai-Ahom organisations like "Ahom Tai Mangoliya Rajya Parishad" (ATMRP), has been demanding a separate Ahomland state since 1967, comprising erstwhile Un-divided Sivasagar and Lakhimpur districts (today's Upper Assam and North Assam divisions) respectively.{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Rittick |title=Assam: Ahomland movement revives over delimitation draft |url=https://www.eastmojo.com/assam/2023/07/20/assam-ahomland-movement-revives-over-delimitation-draft/ |access-date=23 September 2023 |work=EastMojo |date=20 July 2023 |archive-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929061044/https://www.eastmojo.com/assam/2023/07/20/assam-ahomland-movement-revives-over-delimitation-draft/ |url-status=live }} On 2023, "TAI Ahom Yuba Parishad, Assam" (TAYPA) have organised a protest at Chachal and have demanded separate Ahomland state.{{cite news |title=TAYPA organized protest in Guwahati; demand ST status and an Ahom land - Sentinelassam |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/guwahati-city/taypa-organized-protest-in-guwahati-demand-st-status-and-an-ahom-land-643890 |access-date=23 September 2023 |work=The Sentinel |date=4 April 2023 |archive-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929061043/https://www.sentinelassam.com/guwahati-city/taypa-organized-protest-in-guwahati-demand-st-status-and-an-ahom-land-643890 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=TAYPA Demands Separate Ahom Land, ST Status For Community - The Hills Times |url=https://thehillstimes.in/assam/taypa-demands-separate-ahom-land-st-status-for-community |access-date=23 September 2023 |work=The Hills Time |date=20 July 2023 |archive-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929082607/https://thehillstimes.in/assam/taypa-demands-separate-ahom-land-st-status-for-community |url-status=live }}

Barak state

{{Main article|Barak state movement}}

File:Map of Barak Valley.jpg

The Barak Valley of Assam comprising the present districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi is contiguous to Sylhet (Bengal plains), where the Bengalis, according to historian J.B. Bhattacharjee, had settled well before the colonial period, influencing the culture of Dimasa Kacaharis.{{cite web |url=https://karimganj.gov.in/ |title=Home {{!}} Karimganj District {{!}} Government Of Assam, India |access-date=14 August 2021 |archive-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723165055/https://karimganj.gov.in/ |url-status=live }}{{cite book |last1=Baruah |first1=Professor of Political Studies Sanjib |last2=Baruah |first2=Sanjib |title=India Against Itself: Assam and the Politics of Nationality |date=29 June 1999 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |isbn=978-0-8122-3491-6 |page=103 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8k-irMMTnywC&dq=bengalis+in+cachar&pg=PA103 |language=en |access-date=14 August 2021 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201230333/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/India_Against_Itself/8k-irMMTnywC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=bengalis+in+cachar&pg=PA103&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }} Bhattacharjee describes that the Dimasa kings spoke Bengali, the inscriptions and coins were written in Bengali script and the official language of the court was also Bengali. Migrations to Cachar increased after the British annexation of the region.

The native Bengali people of Southern Assam demanded separate state for themselves within the Bengali majority areas of Assam particularly Bengali majority Barak valley comprising three districts: Cachar, Hailakandi, Karimganj along with Dima Hasao and parts of Hojai was also demanded to meet the criteria for creating a separate state for themselves by carving out from Assam's Assamese majority Brahmaputra Valley post NRC.{{cite news |title=Assam NRC LIVE: Not Hindus or Muslims, But Bengalis Being Targeted, Says Mamata |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/assam-nrc-live-not-hindus-or-muslims-but-bengalis-being-targeted-says-mamata-1827521.html |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=News18 |date=30 July 2018 |language=en |archive-date=12 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712175627/https://www.news18.com/news/india/assam-nrc-live-not-hindus-or-muslims-but-bengalis-being-targeted-says-mamata-1827521.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |agency=PTI |title=Exclusion of Hindu Bengalis from Assam NRC changing political |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/exclusion-of-hindu-bengalis-from-assam-nrc-changing-political-119092200259_1.html |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=Business Standard |date=22 September 2019 |archive-date=30 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430005842/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/exclusion-of-hindu-bengalis-from-assam-nrc-changing-political-119092200259_1.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=What the NRC reveals about the challenges of being Bengali in Assam |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-the-nrc-reveals-about-the-challenges-of-being-bengali-in-assam/story-WWTy7KEf4YQpTCZwoT9fEI.html |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=7 September 2018 |language=en |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403221845/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-the-nrc-reveals-about-the-challenges-of-being-bengali-in-assam/story-WWTy7KEf4YQpTCZwoT9fEI.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Daniyal |first1=Shoaib |title='An expel Bengalis campaign': Opposing NRC in Assam, Mamata makes her strongest identity pitch yet |url=https://scroll.in/article/888680/an-expel-bengalis-campaign-opposing-assams-nrc-mamata-makes-her-strongest-identity-pitch-yet |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=Scroll.in |date=31 July 2018 |archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407101406/https://scroll.in/article/888680/an-expel-bengalis-campaign-opposing-assams-nrc-mamata-makes-her-strongest-identity-pitch-yet |url-status=live }} Silchar is the proposed capital of Barak state.{{cite web |url=https://www.east-himalaya.com/silchar.php |title=Silchar |access-date=14 August 2021 |archive-date=28 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928101652/http://www.east-himalaya.com/silchar.php |url-status=live }} Barak valley is the most neglected part of Assam in terms of its infrastructure development, tourism sector, educational institutions, hospitals, IT industries, G.D.P, H.D.I etc. which is still lagging behind in comparison to the Assam's mainland Brahmaputra valley which have access to all of those facilities mentioned above.{{cite news |last1=Mazumder |first1=Prasanta |title=Statehood demand grows louder in Assam's Barak Valley |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jul/12/statehood-demand-grows-louder-in-assams-barak-valley-1842315.html |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=New Indian Express |date=12 July 2018 |archive-date=4 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404185447/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jul/12/statehood-demand-grows-louder-in-assams-barak-valley-1842315.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Barak organization demands creation of separate state - Sentinelassam |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/news/barak-organization-demands-creation-of-separate-state/ |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=The Sentinel |date=27 December 2016 |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518053144/https://www.sentinelassam.com/news/barak-organization-demands-creation-of-separate-state/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Give up separate Barak state demand: Sonowal to Dutta Roy |url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/give-up-separate-barak-state-demand.html |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=Northeast Now |date=26 July 2018 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331110016/https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/give-up-separate-barak-state-demand.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Saikia |first1=Arunabh |title=A tale of two valleys: What's behind the demand for a separate Union Territory in southern Assam? |url=https://scroll.in/article/863011/a-tale-of-two-valleys-whats-behind-the-demand-for-a-separate-union-territory-in-southern-assam |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=Scroll.in |date=29 December 2017 |archive-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628051038/https://scroll.in/article/863011/a-tale-of-two-valleys-whats-behind-the-demand-for-a-separate-union-territory-in-southern-assam |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Statehood sought for Assam's Barak Valley |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/statehood-sought-for-assams-barak-valley/article25373875.ece |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=30 October 2018 |language=en-IN |archive-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412040549/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/statehood-sought-for-assams-barak-valley/article25373875.ece |url-status=live }} In fact, the Assam's Southern part have an overall indigenous Bengali majority population, particularly Hojai have overall (54%) Bengali-speaking population,{{cite news |last1=Saha |first1=Abhishek |last2=Agarwala |first2=Tora |title=Deadline approaching: What it is to be a name on NRC list — or off it |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/assam/assam-nrc-national-register-of-citizens-dhubri-hojai-5934188/ |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=25 August 2019 |language=en |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201230334/https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/assam/assam-nrc-national-register-of-citizens-dhubri-hojai-5934188/ |url-status=live }} Barak Valley region have an overwhelming Bengali majority of about 80.3%, while Dima Hasao have approximately 30.2% significant Bengali plurality on certain pockets specially in the urban areas of the district.

Bodoland

{{Main article|Bodoland}}

File:Bodoland Territorial Area Districts.svg

The agitation for the creation of a separate Bodoland state resulted in an agreement between the Indian Government, the Assam state government and the Bodo Liberation Tigers Force. According to the agreement made on 10 February 2003, the Bodoland Territorial Council, an entity subordinate to the government of Assam, was created to govern four districts covering 3082 Bodo Kachari-majority villages in Assam.{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/02/26/stories/2003022600041000.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905180331/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/02/26/stories/2003022600041000.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 September 2012 |title=The Hindu : Assam: accord and discord |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |access-date=4 March 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/assam/documents/papers/memorandum_feb02.htm |title=Memorandum of Settlement on Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) |publisher=Satp.org |date=10 February 2003 |access-date=4 March 2012 |archive-date=8 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108080405/http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/assam/documents/papers/memorandum_feb02.htm |url-status=live }} Elections to the council were held on 13 May 2003, and Hagrama Mohilary was sworn in as the chief of the 46-member council on 4 June.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/04/stories/2005060401511300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050615084032/http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/04/stories/2005060401511300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=15 June 2005 |location=Chennai, India |work=The Hindu |title=Mahillary sworn in Bodoland council chief |date=4 June 2005}} Demographic wise, the Indigenous Bodo tribe constitutes half of the region's population, along with the region have also significant large number of other ethnic minorities which includes: Assamese, Koch Rajbangshi, Garo, Rabha tribe, Adivasis, Nepalis, Tea tribes, Bengalis, Biharis, Marwaris and Muslims.{{cite web |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |title=Reference at censusindia.gov.in |access-date=11 October 2020 |archive-date=20 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020113828/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |url-status=live }}

Dimaraji

{{Main article|Dimaraji}}

File:Dimaraji map.jpeg

The Dimasa people of northeast India have been demanding a separate state called Dimaraji or "Dimaland" for several decades. It would comprise the Dimasa-Kachari inhabited areas, namely Dima Hasao district, Cachar district, parts of Barak Valley, Nagaon district, Hojai district and Karbi Anglong district in Assam together with part of Dimapur district in Nagaland.

Karbiland

{{See also|Karbi Anglong}}

File:Dima_Hasao_und_Karbi_Anglong_Distrikte.svg

Karbi Anglong is one of the 35 districts of Assam. Karbi Anglong was previously known as Mikir Hills. It was part of the Excluded Areas and Partially Excluded Areas (the present North East India) in British India. The British Indian government had never included this area under their government's jurisdiction. Thereby, no government development work or activity were done, nor any tax levied from the hills including Karbi Anglong. The first memorandum for a Karbi homeland was presented to Governor Reid on 28 October 1940 by Semsonsing Ingti and Khorsing Terang at Mohongdijua.Dharamsing Teron, "Opium Curse – A Forgotten Chapter", unpublished. The Karbi leaders were then, a part of the All Party Hill Leaders' Conference (APHLC) which was formed on 6 July 1960.J. I. Kathar (IAS Retd), "1971 Aningkan Kilik Kehai Un:e....", Thekar (5 February 2013); available from {{cite web |url=http://thekararnivang.com/2013/02/05/1971-aningkan-kilik-kehai-un-e-karbi-asongja-atum-karbi-atum-aphan-autonomous-state-kapelong-aphurkimo-2/ |title=Reference at thekararnivang.com| access-date = 14 August 2021| archive-date = 16 May 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180516104826/http://thekararnivang.com/2013/02/05/1971-aningkan-kilik-kehai-un-e-karbi-asongja-atum-karbi-atum-aphan-autonomous-state-kapelong-aphurkimo-2/| url-status = dead}} The movement again gained momentum when the Karbi Anglong District Council passed a resolution demanding a Separate State in 1981. Then again from 1986 through the leadership of Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC), demanded Autonomous statehood of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao under Article 244(A). In 2002, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council passed another resolution to press for the demand of statehood. Several other memoranda were submitted at different times by several organisations. The demand for a separate state turned violent on 31 July 2013 when student demonstrators set government buildings on fire. Following the incident, the elected leaders of Karbi Anglong jointly submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India demanding a separate State. Demographic wise, more than half of the Karbi Anglong population is made up of Indigenous Karbi tribe with significant migrants from other parts of India.

Assam has been a major site of migration since the Partition of the subcontinent, with the first wave being composed largely of Bengali Hindu refugees arriving during and shortly after the establishment of India and Pakistan (current day Bangladesh was originally part of Pakistan, known as East Pakistan) in 1947–1951. Between the period of first patches (1946–1951), around 274,455 Bengali Hindu refugees have arrived from what is now called Bangladesh (former East Pakistan) in various locations of Assam as permanent settlers and again in second patches between (1952–1958) of the same decade, around 212,545 Bengali Hindus from Bangladesh took shelter in various parts of the state permanently.India (1951). "Annual Arrival of Refugees in Assam in 1946–1951". Census of India. XII, Part I (I-A): 353 – via web.archive.org.{{cite web |url=http://iussp2005.princeton.edu/ |title=iussp2005 |access-date=12 July 2021 |archive-date=29 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629180038/https://iussp2005.princeton.edu/ |url-status=live }} › ...PDF

The Brahmaputra valley of India can be compared only with the Indus ... After the 1964 East Pakistan riots many Bengali Hindus have poured into Assam as refugees and the number of Hindu migrants in the state rose to 1,068,455 in 1968 (sharply after 4 years of the riot).{{cite web |title=iussp2005 |url=https://iussp2005.princeton.edu/ |access-date=22 April 2021 |website=iussp2005.princeton.edu |archive-date=22 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422052125/https://iussp2005.princeton.edu/ |url-status=live }} The fourth patches numbering around 347,555 have just arrived after Bangladesh liberation war of 1971 as refugees and most of them being Bengali speaking Hindus have decided to stay back in Assam permanently afterwards.{{cite web |title=Adelaide Research & Scholarship: Home |url=https://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/ |access-date=22 April 2021 |website=digital.library.adelaide.edu.au |archive-date=19 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419004649/https://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/ |url-status=live }} Though the governments of India and Bangladesh made agreements for the repatriation of certain groups of refugees after the second and third waves, a large presence of refugees and other migrants and their descendants remained in the state. Nevertheless, still people of Bangladesh have been immigrating to Assam on regular basis. As per reports, about 635 of Bangladeshi people mostly Hindus, use to immigrate to Assam daily.{{cite web |url=https://www.pratidintime.com/bangladeshi-people-come-to-assam-regularly-national-hindu-mahasabha/amp/ |title=Bangladeshi people come to Assam regularly: National Hindu Mahasabha - Pratidin Time |access-date=25 May 2022 |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719121641/https://www.pratidintime.com/bangladeshi-people-come-to-assam-regularly-national-hindu-mahasabha/amp/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |agency=PTI |title=No Hindus will be left in Bangladesh after 30 years: professor |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/No-Hindus-will-be-left-in-Bangladesh-after-30-years-professor/article16675228.ece |access-date=25 May 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=22 November 2016 |language=en-IN |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331110048/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/No-Hindus-will-be-left-in-Bangladesh-after-30-years-professor/article16675228.ece |url-status=live }}

Besides migration caused by displacement, there is also a large and continual unregulated movement between Assam and neighbouring regions of Bangladesh with an exceptionally porous border. The situation is called a risk to Assam's as well as India's security.{{cite magazine |date=4 June 2014 |title=Illegal immigration from Bangladesh a national problem |url=http://m.indiatoday.in/story/illegal-immigration-from-bangladesh-a-national-problem-kiran-ririju/1/365190.html |magazine=India Today |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925135012/http://m.indiatoday.in/story/illegal-immigration-from-bangladesh-a-national-problem-kiran-ririju/1/365190.html |url-status=live }} The continual illegal entry of people into Assam, mostly from Bangladesh, has caused economic upheaval and social and political unrest.{{cite web |url=http://hindustantimes.com/india-news/soon-blueprint-to-detect-deport-illegal-bangladeshis-in-assam/article1-1294954.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210114855/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/soon-blueprint-to-detect-deport-illegal-bangladeshis-in-assam/article1-1294954.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 December 2014 |title=Soon blueprint to deport illegal Bangladeshis in Assam |work=Hindustan Times |date=10 December 2014 |access-date=25 August 2015}}{{cite web |url=https://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/assam/documents/papers/illegal_migration_in_assam.htm#MIGRATION%20INTO%20ASSAM |title=Illegal Migration into Assam |website=www.satp.org |access-date=9 September 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207071852/http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/assam/documents/papers/illegal_migration_in_assam.htm#MIGRATION%20INTO%20ASSAM |url-status=live }} During the Assam Movement (1979–1985), the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and others demanded that government stop the influx of immigrants and deport those who had already settled.{{cite web |url=https://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/assam/documents/papers/illegal_migration_in_assam.htm |title=Illegal Migration into Assam |website=www.satp.org |access-date=18 August 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207071852/http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/assam/documents/papers/illegal_migration_in_assam.htm |url-status=live }} During this period, 855 people (the AASU says 860) died in various conflicts with migrants and police.{{cite web|url=https://assamaccord.assam.gov.in/information-services/martyrs-of-assam-agitation|title=Martyrs of Assam Agitation {{!}} Implementation of Assam Accord {{!}} Government of Assam, India|website=assamaccord.assam.gov.in|access-date=18 August 2019|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125104516/https://assamaccord.assam.gov.in/information-services/martyrs-of-assam-agitation|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/assam-prafulla-mahanta-not-to-campaign-for-agp-to-protest-alliance-with-bjp/cid/1686834 |title=Assam: Prafulla Mahanta not to campaign for AGP to protest alliance with BJP |website=www.telegraphindia.com |access-date=18 August 2019 |archive-date=5 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705144401/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/assam-prafulla-mahanta-not-to-campaign-for-agp-to-protest-alliance-with-bjp/cid/1686834 |url-status=live }} The 1983 Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act, applied only to Assam, decreed that any person who entered the Assam after Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan in 1971 and without authorisation or travel documents is to be considered a foreigner, with the decision on foreigner status to be carried out by designated tribunals. In 1985, the Indian Government and leaders of the agitation signed the Assam accord to settle the conflict.

The 1991 census made the changing demographics of border districts more visible.{{cite web |url=http://voi.org/books/tfst/appii1.htm |title=1. Population Explosion in West Bengal: A Survey |date=20 March 2012|access-date=18 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320024437/http://voi.org/books/tfst/appii1.htm|archive-date=20 March 2012}} Since 2010, the Indian Government has undertaken the updating of the National Register of Citizens for Assam, and in 2018 the 32.2 million residents of Assam were subject to a review of their citizenship.{{cite web |date=10 August 2020 |title=The National Register of Citizens and India's commitment deficit to international law |url=https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/humanrights/2020/08/10/the-national-register-of-citizens-and-indias-commitment-deficit-to-international-law/ |access-date=4 December 2020 |website=LSE Human Rights |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114005200/https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/humanrights/2020/08/10/the-national-register-of-citizens-and-indias-commitment-deficit-to-international-law/ |url-status=live }} In August 2019, India released the names of the 2 million residents of Assam that had been determined to be non-citizens and whose names had therefore been struck off the Register of Citizens, depriving them of rights and making them subject to action, and potentially leaving some of them stateless, and the government has begun deporting non-citizens, while detaining 1,000 others that same year.{{cite news |date=2 June 2014 |title=Leave in 15 days, BJP MPs tell illegal immigrants in Assam |work=Firstpost |url=http://m.firstpost.com/politics/leave-in-15-days-bjp-mps-tell-illegal-immigrants-in-assam-1553405.html |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925103455/http://m.firstpost.com/politics/leave-in-15-days-bjp-mps-tell-illegal-immigrants-in-assam-1553405.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=31 August 2019 |title=Assam NRC: What next for 1.9 million 'stateless' Indians? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-49520593 |access-date=4 December 2020 |archive-date=15 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115123645/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-49520593 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-politics-citizenship-idUSKCN1VL04W |title=India leaves nearly two million people off citizens' list, fate... |date=31 August 2019 |work=Reuters |access-date=2 September 2019 |archive-date=1 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901193524/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-politics-citizenship-idUSKCN1VL04W |url-status=live }}

In January 2019, the Assam's peasant organisation Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) claimed that there are around 20 lakh Hindu Bangladeshis in Assam who would become Indian citizens if the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is passed. BJP, however claimed that only eight lakh Hindu Bangladeshis will get citizenship.{{cite news |title=20 lakh Bangladeshi Hindus to become Indians if Citizenship Bill is passed: Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/20-lakh-bangladeshi-hindus-to-become-indians-if-citizenship-bill-is-passed-krishak-mukti-sangram-samiti/articleshow/67574226.cms |access-date=3 November 2020 |work=The Economic Times |date=17 January 2019 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112021109/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/20-lakh-bangladeshi-hindus-to-become-indians-if-citizenship-bill-is-passed-krishak-mukti-sangram-samiti/articleshow/67574226.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Saikia |first1=Arunabh |title=Bengali Hindus in this Assam village live the anxious life of 'NRC rejects' |url=https://scroll.in/article/971038/residents-of-this-bengali-speaking-hindu-village-in-assam-live-the-anxious-life-of-nrc-rejects |access-date=3 November 2020 |work=Scroll.in |date=30 August 2020 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027145241/https://scroll.in/article/971038/residents-of-this-bengali-speaking-hindu-village-in-assam-live-the-anxious-life-of-nrc-rejects |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Tewari |first1=Ruhi |title=Bengali Hindus in Assam look at Citizenship Bill to get out of NRC mess |url=https://theprint.in/india/bengali-hindus-in-assam-look-at-citizenship-bill-to-get-out-of-nrc-mess/287076/ |access-date=3 November 2020 |work=ThePrint |date=5 September 2019 |archive-date=25 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025230949/https://theprint.in/india/bengali-hindus-in-assam-look-at-citizenship-bill-to-get-out-of-nrc-mess/287076/ |url-status=live }} According to various sources, the total number of illegal Hindu Bangladeshis is hard to ascertain.{{cite news |title=Confusion, hope run high among Assam's Hindu Bengalis |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/confusion-hope-run-high-among-assams-hindu-bengalis-786418.html |access-date=3 November 2020 |work=Deccan Herald |date=17 December 2019 |language=en |archive-date=25 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025160713/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/confusion-hope-run-high-among-assams-hindu-bengalis-786418.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Citizenship Amendment Act: BJP chasing ghosts in Assam; Census data shows number of Hindu immigrants may have been exaggerated |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/citizenship-amendment-bill-bjp-chasing-ghosts-in-assam-as-census-data-shows-number-of-hindu-immigrants-couldve-been-exaggerated-5640511.html |access-date=3 November 2020 |work=Firstpost |date=18 December 2019 |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725082148/https://www.firstpost.com/india/citizenship-amendment-bill-bjp-chasing-ghosts-in-assam-as-census-data-shows-number-of-hindu-immigrants-couldve-been-exaggerated-5640511.html |url-status=live }} According to the census data, the number of Hindu immigrants have been largely exaggerated.

In February 2020, the Assam Minority Development Board announced plans to segregate illegal Bangladeshi Muslim immigrants from the indigenous Muslims of the state, though some have expressed problems in identifying an indigenous Muslim person. According to the board, there are 1.4 crore Muslims in the state, of which 1 crore are of Bangladeshi origin.{{cite news |title=BJP wants to segregate Assamese Muslims from Bangladeshi Muslims, but some ask how |url=https://theprint.in/india/bjp-wants-to-segregate-assamese-muslims-from-bangladeshi-muslims-but-some-ask-how/363736/?amp |first=Mytithili |last=Hazarika |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=The Print |date=12 February 2020 |language=en-IN |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227034321/https://theprint.in/india/bjp-wants-to-segregate-assamese-muslims-from-bangladeshi-muslims-but-some-ask-how/363736/?amp |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Assam plans survey to identify indigenous Muslim population |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assam-plans-survey-to-identify-indigenous-muslim-population/article30780667.ece |last=PTI |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=10 February 2020 |language=en-IN |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416195642/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/assam-plans-survey-to-identify-indigenous-muslim-population/article30780667.ece |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/online-census-of-assamese-muslims-launched/article34325747.ece |title=Online census of Assamese Muslims launched |newspaper=The Hindu |date=15 April 2021 |access-date=17 July 2021 |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516152722/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/online-census-of-assamese-muslims-launched/article34325747.ece |url-status=live }} A report reveals that out of total 33 districts in Assam, Bangladeshis dominate almost 15 districts of Assam.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiablooms.com/news-details/N/34467/hari-shankar-brahma-report-reveals-illegal-bangladeshis-dominates-15-out-of-33-assam-districts-massive-threats-to-indigenous-people.html |title=Hari Shankar Brahma report reveals illegal Bangladeshis dominates 15 out of 33 Assam districts, massive threats to indigenous people | Indiablooms - First Portal on Digital News Management |access-date=17 July 2021 |archive-date=24 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524123719/https://www.indiablooms.com/news-details/N/34467/hari-shankar-brahma-report-reveals-illegal-bangladeshis-dominates-15-out-of-33-assam-districts-massive-threats-to-indigenous-people.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/muslim-majority-districts-in-assam-up/articleshow/48682463.cms |title=Muslim majority districts in Assam up | India News |website=The Times of India |date=26 August 2015 |access-date=17 July 2021 |archive-date=2 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902032515/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/muslim-majority-districts-in-assam-up/articleshow/48682463.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/politics/assam-elections-2021-how-muslims-of-the-state-one-third-of-electorate-voted-in-2016-and-2019-6714131.html |title=Assam Elections 2021 | How Muslims of the State, One-third of Electorate, Voted in 2016 and 2019 |date=31 March 2021 |access-date=17 July 2021 |archive-date=24 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524123716/https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/politics/assam-elections-2021-how-muslims-of-the-state-one-third-of-electorate-voted-in-2016-and-2019-6714131.html |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Brahmaputra floods}}

In the rainy season every year, the Brahmaputra and other rivers overflow their banks and flood adjacent land. Flood waters wash away property including houses and livestock. Damage to crops and fields harms the agricultural sector. Bridges, railway tracks, and roads are also damaged, harming transportation and communication, and in some years requiring food to be air-dropped to isolated towns. Some deaths are attributed to the floods.{{cite web |url=http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-flood-toll-rises-to-13-chief-minister-gogoi-undertakes-aerial-visit-1210178 |title=Assam Flood Toll Rises to 13 |publisher=NDTV |date=23 August 2015 |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-date=24 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824155525/http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-flood-toll-rises-to-13-chief-minister-gogoi-undertakes-aerial-visit-1210178 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://m.hindustantimes.com/india-news/flood-situation-in-assam-worsens-7-dead-over-650-000-displaced/article1-1383226.aspx |title=Flood situation in Assam worsens |work=Hindustan Times |date=23 August 2015 |access-date=25 August 2015}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Unemployment is a chronic problem in Assam. It is variously blamed on poor infrastructure, limited connectivity, and government policy;{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/Poor-infrastructure-stringent-policies-bottleneck-for-Assams-growth-Assocham/articleshow/48003338.cms |title=Poor infrastructure, stringent policies bottleneck for Assam's growth |work=The Economic Times |date=9 July 2015 |access-date=17 November 2019 |archive-date=26 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826135157/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/poor-infrastructure-stringent-policies-bottleneck-for-assams-growth-assocham/articleshow/48003338.cms |url-status=live }} on a "poor work culture";{{cite web |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/assam/panel-for-study-of-unemployment-problem-in-assam_807697.html |title=Panel for study of unemployment problem in Assam |publisher=Zee News |date=26 October 2012 |access-date=17 November 2019 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925135649/http://zeenews.india.com/news/assam/panel-for-study-of-unemployment-problem-in-assam_807697.html |url-status=live }} on failure to advertise vacancies;{{cite web |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/mdetails.asp?id=oct1713/at098 |title=Govt inaction deprives local aspirants |first=Shivasish |last=Thakur |publisher=The Assam Tribune |date=17 October 2013 |access-date=17 November 2019 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200248/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/mdetails.asp?id=oct1713%2Fat098 |url-status=dead}} and on government hiring candidates from outside Assam.{{cite web |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/mdetails.asp?id=jan2114/city07 |title=80% of Central jobs occupied by outsiders |publisher=The Assam Tribune |date=21 January 2014 |access-date=17 November 2019 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200246/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/mdetails.asp?id=jan2114%2Fcity07 |url-status=dead}}

In 2020 a series of violent lynchings occurred in the region.

{{Main|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}}

File:Lakhiganj HSS.jpg|School girls in the classroom, Lakhiganj High School, Assam

File:Assam Cotton College.jpg|Cotton University, Guwahati

File:IITG acad complex.jpg|Academic complex of IIT Guwahati

File:NIT_Silchar_Guest_House.jpg|National Institute of Technology, Silchar

File:Dibrugarh_university_Entrance.jpg|Entrance of Dibrugarh University

File:Jec frontview.jpg|Jorhat Engineering College of Assam Science and Technology University

Assam schools are run by the Indian government, government of Assam or by private organisations. Medium of instruction is mainly in Assamese, English or Bengali. Most of the schools follow the state's examination board which is called the Secondary Education Board of Assam. All schools under Government of Assam are assessed by Gunoutsav Assam .Almost all private schools follow the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and Indian School Certificate (ISC) syllabuses.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

Assamese language is the main medium in educational institutions but Bengali language is also taught as a major Indian language. In Guwahati and Digboi, many Jr. basic schools and Jr. high schools are Nepali linguistic and all the teachers are Nepali. Nepali is included by Assam State Secondary Board, Assam Higher Secondary Education Council and Gauhati University in their HSLC, higher secondary and graduation level respectively. In some junior basic and higher secondary schools and colleges, Nepali teachers and lecturers are appointed.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

The capital, Dispur, contains institutions of higher education for students of the north-eastern region. Cotton College, Guwahati, dates back to the 19th century. Assam has several institutions for tertiary education and research.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

Universities, colleges and institutions include:

• Assam University
• Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat
• Assam Don Bosco University,{{cite web |url=http://www.dbuniversity.ac.in/index.php |title=Don Bosco University – Azara – Guwahati – Welcome to Don Bosco University |publisher=Dbuniversity.ac.in |access-date=22 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807103907/http://www.dbuniversity.ac.in/index.php |archive-date=7 August 2011 |url-status=live}}
• Assam down town University,{{cite web |url=http://www.adtu.in/ |publisher=adtu.in |title=Assam Down Town University|access-date=22 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913010242/http://www.adtu.in/|archive-date=13 September 2011|url-status=live}}
• Assam Rajiv Gandhi University of Cooperative Management, (ARGUCOM), Sivasagar
• Assam Science and Technology University,{{cite web |url=https://astu.ac.in/astu/ |title=Assam Science and Technology University - Home |access-date=23 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423170740/https://astu.ac.in/astu/ |archive-date=23 April 2018 |url-status=dead}} Guwahati
• Assam Women's University,{{cite web |url=http://awu.ac.in |title=Assam Women's University |publisher=Assam Women's University | access-date=7 August 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220050933/http://www.awu.ac.in/ | archive-date=20 December 2015 | url-status=live }} Jorhat
• Bodoland University,{{cite web |url=http://www.bodolanduniversity.org.in/ |publisher=bodolanduniversity.org.in |title=Bodoland University website|access-date=22 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419202453/http://bodolanduniversity.org.in/|archive-date=19 April 2012|url-status=dead}} Kokrajhar
• Cotton University, Guwahati
• Dibrugarh University,{{cite web |url=http://www.dibru.ac.in |title=Dibrugarh University |publisher=Dibrugarh University | access-date=7 August 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810104814/http://www.dibru.ac.in/ | archive-date=10 August 2015 | url-status=live }} Dibrugarh
• Gauhati University,{{cite web |url=http://www.gauhati.ac.in |title=Gauhati University |publisher=Gauhati University | access-date=7 August 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810042834/http://www.gauhati.ac.in/ | archive-date=10 August 2015 | url-status=live }} Guwahati
• Kaziranga University,{{cite web |url=http://www.kazirangauniversity.in/ |publisher=kazirangauniversity.in |title=Kaziranga University|access-date=22 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103005719/http://kazirangauniversity.in/|archive-date=3 January 2014|url-status=live}} Jorhat
• Krishnaguru Adhyatmik Vishvavidyalaya
• Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University
• Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University
• Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva Viswavidyalaya
• National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam{{cite web |url=http://nluassam.ac.in/ |title=National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam |publisher=National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam |access-date=11 May 2019 |archive-date=11 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511082316/http://nluassam.ac.in/ |url-status=live }}
• Royal Global University
• Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences
• Tezpur University,{{cite web |url=http://www.tezu.ernet.in |title=Tezpur University |publisher=Tezpur University | access-date=7 August 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810115112/http://www.tezu.ernet.in/ | archive-date=10 August 2015 | url-status=live }} Tezpur

• AIIMS, Guwahati
• Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh
• Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati
• Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, Jorhat
• Diphu Medical College and Hospital, Diphu
• Lakhimpur Medical college and Hospital, Lakhimpur
• Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Silchar
• Tezpur Medical College & Hospital, Tezpur
• Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College, Barpeta
• Nagaon Medical College and Hospital, Nagaon
• Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospital, Kokrajhar
• Dhubri Medical College and Hospital, Dhubri
• Regional Dental College, Guwahati
• Government Dental College, Silchar

Assam has 12 medical colleges at present with 4 more scheduled to be completed by 2026–27.

• Indian Institute of Technology in Guwahati{{cite web |url=https://iitg.ac.in/ |title=Indian Institute of Technology |access-date=20 October 2021 |archive-date=20 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020151140/https://iitg.ac.in/ |url-status=live }}
• Indian Institute of Information Technology, Guwahati
• National Institute of Technology, Silchar,{{cite web |url=http://www.nits.ac.in/ |title=National Institute of Technology, Silchar |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821141331/http://www.nits.ac.in/ |archive-date=21 August 2015 |url-status=live}}
• Assam Engineering College, Guwahati{{cite web |url=https://aec.ac.in/ |title=Assam Engineering College |access-date=20 October 2021 |archive-date=20 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020151148/https://aec.ac.in/ |url-status=live }}
• Assam Science and Technology University
• Bineswar Brahma Engineering College, Kokrajhar
• Central Institute of Technology, Kokrajhar{{cite web |url=https://cit.ac.in/ |title=Central Institute of Technology |access-date=20 October 2021 |archive-date=20 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020151142/https://cit.ac.in/ |url-status=live }}
• Institute of Engineering and Technology, Dibrugarh University
• Institute of Science and Technology, Guwahati University
• Jorhat Engineering College, Jorhat{{cite web |url=https://jecassam.ac.in// |title=Jorhat Engineering College |access-date=20 October 2021 |archive-date=20 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020151142/https://jecassam.ac.in// |url-status=live }}
• Jorhat Institute of Science & Technology, Jorhat
• NETES Institute of Technology & Science Mirza, {{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
• Barak Valley Engineering College Nirala Karimganj
• Golaghat Engineering College, Golaghat

Research institutes present in the state include National Research Centre on Pig, (ICAR) in Guwahati,{{cite web |url=http://www.nrcp.in/ |title=National Research Centre on Pig, (ICAR) in Guwahati|access-date=16 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019122751/http://www.nrcp.in/|archive-date=19 October 2014|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Economy of Assam}}

File:Assam historical pci.png

Assam's economy is based on agriculture and oil. Assam produces more than half of India's tea.{{cite web |author=Indian Tea Association |title=Tea Scenario |url=http://www.indiatea.org/tea_sencor.php| access-date = 19 April 2015| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150301002205/http://www.indiatea.org/tea_sencor.php| archive-date = 1 March 2015 }} The Assam-Arakan basin holds about a quarter of the country's oil reserves, and produces about 12% of its total petroleum.{{cite web |author=U.S. Energy Information Administration |title=India – Analysis |url=http://www.eia.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=in| access-date = 19 April 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150412003452/http://www.eia.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=IN| archive-date = 12 April 2015| url-status=live }} According to the recent estimates,{{cite web |author=Government of Assam |title=Economic Survey of Assam 2005–2006 in NEDFi, Assam Profile, NER Databank |url=http://databank.nedfi.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=4| access-date =6 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231164030/http://databank.nedfi.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=4|archive-date=31 December 2008}} Assam's per capita GDP is ₹6,157 at constant prices (1993–94) and ₹10,198 at current prices; almost 40% lower than that in India.{{cite book |author=Government of Assam |title=Economic Survey of Assam 2001–2002 in Assam Human Development Report, 2003 |page=25 |chapter-url=http://planassam.org/reports/hdr_2003/HRD.htm |chapter=2, Income, Employment and Poverty |chapter-format=PDF |access-date=6 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220213032/http://planassam.org/reports/hdr_2003/HRD.htm |archive-date=20 February 2007}} According to the recent estimates, per capita income in Assam has reached ₹6756 (1993–94 constant prices) in 2004–05, which is still much lower than India's.

File:Rice Field..JPG

File:TeaGardenOfAssam.jpg, Taiwanese) teas

{{Main|Assam tea}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| image1 =

| width1 = 185

| caption1 = Woman tea worker plucking tea leaves in a tea garden, Assam produces a significant portion of the world's tea

| alt1 = Assam Tea

| image2 = Assam.jpg

| width2 = 185

| caption2 =This 1850 engraving shows the different stages in the process of making tea in Assam

| alt2 = Process of making tea in Assam

}}

The economy of Assam today represents a unique juxtaposition of backwardness amidst plenty.National Commission for Women 2004{{full citation needed|date=May 2022}} Despite its rich natural resources, and supplying of up to 25% of India's petroleum needs, Assam's growth rate has not kept pace with that of India; the difference has increased rapidly since the 1970s.UNDP 2004, pp. 22–23 The Indian economy grew at 6% per annum over the period of 1981 to 2000; the growth rate of Assam was only 3.3%.UNDP 2004, p. 22 In the Sixth Plan period, Assam experienced a negative growth rate of 3.78% when India's was positive at 6%. In the post-liberalised era (after 1991), the difference widened further.

According to recent analysis, Assam's economy is showing signs of improvement. In 2001–02, the economy grew (at 1993–94 constant prices) at 4.5%, falling to 3.4% in the next financial year.{{cite web |author=Government of Assam |title=Economic Survey of Assam 2004–2005 in NEDFi, Assam Profile, NER Databank |year=2006 |url=http://databank.nedfi.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=4| access-date = 6 June 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081231164030/http://databank.nedfi.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=4| archive-date = 31 December 2008| url-status=live }} During 2003–04 and 2004–05, the economy grew (at 1993–94 constant prices) at 5.5% and 5.3% respectively. The advanced estimates placed the growth rate for 2005–06 at above 6%. Assam's GDP in 2004 is estimated at $13 billion in current prices. Sectoral analysis again exhibits a dismal picture. The average annual growth rate of agriculture, which was 2.6% per annum over the 1980s, has fallen to 1.6% in the 1990s.UNDP 2004, pp. 24–25 The manufacturing sector showed some improvement in the 1990s with a growth rate of 3.4% per annum than 2.4% in the 1980s. For the past five decades, the tertiary sector has registered the highest growth rates of the other sectors, which even has slowed down in the 1990s than in the 1980s.

Unemployment is one of the major problems in Assam. This problem can be attributed to overpopulation and a faulty education system. Every year, large numbers of students obtain higher academic degrees but because of non-availability of proportional vacancies, most of these students remain unemployed.{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/Poor-infrastructure-stringent-policies-bottleneck-for-Assams-growth-Assocham/articleshow/48003338.cms |title=Poor infrastructure, stringent policies bottleneck for Assam's growth |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=9 July 2015 |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826135157/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/poor-infrastructure-stringent-policies-bottleneck-for-assams-growth-assocham/articleshow/48003338.cms |archive-date=26 August 2016 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/assam/panel-for-study-of-unemployment-problem-in-assam_807697.html |title=Panel for study of unemployment problem in Assam |publisher=Zee News |date=26 October 2012 |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925135649/http://zeenews.india.com/news/assam/panel-for-study-of-unemployment-problem-in-assam_807697.html |archive-date=25 September 2015 |url-status=live}} A number of employers hire over-qualified or efficient, but under-certified, candidates, or candidates with narrowly defined qualifications. The problem is exacerbated by the growth in the number of technical institutes in Assam which increases the unemployed community of the State. The reluctance on the part of the departments concerned to advertise vacancies in vernacular language has also made matters worse for local unemployed youths particularly for the job-seekers of Grade C and D vacancies.{{cite web |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/mdetails.asp?id=oct1713/at098 |title=The Assam Tribune |publisher=The Assam Tribune |date=17 October 2013 |access-date=25 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200248/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/mdetails.asp?id=oct1713%2Fat098 |archive-date=23 September 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/mdetails.asp?id=jan2114/city07 |title=The Assam Tribune |publisher=The Assam Tribune |date=21 January 2014 |access-date=25 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200246/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/mdetails.asp?id=jan2114%2Fcity07 |archive-date=23 September 2015}}

Reduction of the unemployed has been threatened by illegal immigration from Bangladesh. This has increased the workforce without a commensurate increase in jobs. Immigrants compete with local workers for jobs at lower wages, particularly in construction, domestics, Rickshaw-pullers, and vegetable sellers.{{cite news |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-08-05/news/65244059_1_foreigners-tribunals-illegal-migrants-assam |title=Centre taking steps to check illegal immigration into Assam |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=5 August 2015 |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925123930/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-08-05/news/65244059_1_foreigners-tribunals-illegal-migrants-assam |archive-date=25 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://m.hindustantimes.com/india-news/soon-blueprint-to-detect-deport-illegal-bangladeshis-in-assam/article1-1294954.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20151216080510/http://m.hindustantimes.com/india-news/soon-blueprint-to-detect-deport-illegal-bangladeshis-in-assam/article1-1294954.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 December 2015 |title=Soon blueprint to deport illegal Bangladeshis in Assam |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=10 December 2014 |access-date=25 August 2015}} The government has been identifying (via NRC) and deporting illegal immigrants. Continued immigration is exceeding deportation.{{cite magazine |url=http://m.indiatoday.in/story/illegal-immigration-from-bangladesh-a-national-problem-kiran-ririju/1/365190.html |title=Illegal immigration from Bangladesh a national problem |magazine=India Today |date=4 June 2014 |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925135012/http://m.indiatoday.in/story/illegal-immigration-from-bangladesh-a-national-problem-kiran-ririju/1/365190.html |archive-date=25 September 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://m.firstpost.com/politics/leave-in-15-days-bjp-mps-tell-illegal-immigrants-in-assam-1553405.html |title=Leave in 15 days, BJP MPs tell illegal immigrants in Assam |work=Firstpost |date=2 June 2014 |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925103455/http://m.firstpost.com/politics/leave-in-15-days-bjp-mps-tell-illegal-immigrants-in-assam-1553405.html |archive-date=25 September 2015 |url-status=live}}

File:Paddy cultivation in Nagaon.jpg

In Assam among all the productive sectors, agriculture makes the highest contribution to its domestic sectors, accounting for more than a third of Assam's income and employs 69% of workforce.{{cite web |author=Government of Assam |title=Economic Survey of Assam 2001–2002 in Assam Human Development Report, 2003 |page=32 |url=http://planassam.org/reports/hdr_2003/HRD.htm |access-date=6 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220213032/http://planassam.org/reports/hdr_2003/HRD.htm |archive-date=20 February 2007}} Assam's biggest contribution to the world is Assam tea. It has its own variety, Camellia sinensis var. assamica. The state produces rice, rapeseed, mustard seed, jute, potato, sweet potato, banana, papaya, areca nut, sugarcane and turmeric.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

Assam's agriculture is yet to experience modernisation in a real sense. With implications for food security, per capita food grain production has declined in the past five decades.UNDP 2004, p. 33 Productivity has increased marginally, but is still low compared to highly productive regions. For instance, the yield of rice (a staple food of Assam) was just 1531 kg per hectare against India's 1927 kg per hectare in 2000–01 (which itself is much lower than Egypt's 9283, US's 7279, South Korea's 6838, Japan's 6635 and China's 6131 kg per hectare in 2001{{cite web |date=2007 |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations|website=faostat |title=core production data|url=http://faostat.fao.org/site/340/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=340| access-date =5 June 2006| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070211180852/http://faostat.fao.org/site/340/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=340| archive-date=11 February 2007}}). On the other hand, after having strong domestic demand, and with 1.5 million hectares of inland water bodies, numerous rivers and 165 varieties of fishes,{{cite web |website=Assam Small Farmers' Agri-business Consortium |title=Fish Species of Assam |url=http://www.assamagribusiness.nic.in/2ndoct/fishspeciesofAssam.pdf |access-date = 5 June 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060514212850/http://assamagribusiness.nic.in/2ndoct/fishspeciesofAssam.pdf |archive-date = 14 May 2006|url-status = dead }} fishing is still in its traditional form and production is not self-sufficient.UNDP 2004, p. 37

Floods in Assam greatly affect the farmers and the families dependent on agriculture because of large-scale damage of agricultural fields and crops by flood water. Every year, flooding from the Brahmaputra and other rivers deluges places in Assam. The water levels of the rivers rise because of rainfall resulting in the rivers overflowing their banks and engulfing nearby areas. Apart from houses and livestock being washed away by flood water, bridges, railway tracks and roads are also damaged by the calamity, which causes communication breakdown in many places. Fatalities are also caused by the natural disaster in many places of the state.{{cite web |url=http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-flood-toll-rises-to-13-chief-minister-gogoi-undertakes-aerial-visit-1210178 |title=Assam Flood Toll Rises to 13 |date=23 August 2015 |publisher=NDTV|access-date=25 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824155525/http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-flood-toll-rises-to-13-chief-minister-gogoi-undertakes-aerial-visit-1210178|archive-date=24 August 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://m.hindustantimes.com/india-news/flood-situation-in-assam-worsens-7-dead-over-650-000-displaced/article1-1383226.aspx |title=Flood situation in Assam worsens |date=23 August 2015 |newspaper=Hindustan Times|access-date=25 August 2015}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{See also|2016 Assam floods}}

On 30 August 2023, Nilachal Flyover was inaugurated. The flyover is Assam's longest flyover, spanning 2.63 kilometres and connecting Maligaon Chariali to Kamakhya Gate in Guwahati.{{Cite news |title=Assam To Build 1,000 New Bridges By 2026: Himanta Biswa Sarma |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-to-build-1-000-new-bridges-by-2026-himanta-biswa-sarma-4343162 |work=NDTV |agency=PTI |date=30 August 2023 |access-date=4 September 2023 |archive-date=4 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904182127/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-to-build-1-000-new-bridges-by-2026-himanta-biswa-sarma-4343162 |url-status=live }}

Handlooms and handicrafts are traditional industries that continue to survive, especially among rural women, in the state.{{Cite web |date=7 August 2022 |title=National Handloom Day 2022: How self-help groups sustain Indian handicrafts and handlooms |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/national-handloom-day-2022-how-self-help-groups-sustain-indian-handicrafts-handlooms-har-ghar-tiranga-8074511/ |access-date=27 December 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=27 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227210549/https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/national-handloom-day-2022-how-self-help-groups-sustain-indian-handicrafts-handlooms-har-ghar-tiranga-8074511/ |url-status=live }}

Assam's proximity to some neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, benefits its trade. The major Border checkpoints through which border trade flows to Bangladesh from Assam are : Sutarkandi (Karimganj), Dhubri, Mankachar (Dhubri) and Golokanj. To facilitate border trade with Bangladesh, Border Trade Centres have been developed at Sutarkandi and Mankachar. It has been proposed in the 11th five-year plan{{clarify|WHOSE five-year plan?|date=January 2015}} to set up two more Border Trade Center, one at Ledo connecting China and other at Darrang connecting Bhutan. There are several Land Custom Stations (LCS) in the state bordering Bangladesh and Bhutan to facilitate border trade.{{cite web |title=Indian state: Assam |url=http://indiainbusiness.nic.in/know-india/states/assam.htm |publisher=Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India|access-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124172800/http://indiainbusiness.nic.in/know-india/states/assam.htm|archive-date=24 January 2013|url-status=dead}}

The government of India has identified some thrust areas for industrial development of Assam:{{cite web |title=Indian state: Assam, Thrust Areas |url=http://indiainbusiness.nic.in/know-india/states/assam2.htm#t1 |publisher=Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India|access-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407180123/http://indiainbusiness.nic.in/know-india/states/assam2.htm#t1|archive-date=7 April 2013|url-status=dead}}

{{div col|content=

• Petroleum and natural gas-based industries
• Industries based on locally available minerals
• Processing of plantation crops
• Food processing industries
• Agri-Horticulture products
• Herbal products
• Biotech products
• Pharmaceuticals
• Chemical and plastic-based industries
• Export oriented industries
• Electronic and IT base industries including services sector
• Paper making industries
• Textiles and sericulture
• Engineering industries
• Cane and bamboo-based industries
• Other handicrafts industry

}}

Although, the region in the eastern periphery of India is landlocked and is linked to the mainland by the narrow Siliguri Corridor (or the Chicken's Neck) improved transport infrastructure in all the three modes – rail, road and air – and developing urban infrastructure in the cities and towns of Assam are giving a boost to the entire industrial scene. The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Guwahati, with international flights to Bangkok and Singapore offered by Druk Air of Bhutan, was the 12th busiest airport of India in 2012.List of busiest airports in India by passenger traffic The cities of Guwahati{{cite web |title=GMC |url=http://gmcportal.in:8080/GMCPortal/ |publisher=Guwahati Municipal Corporation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104033938/http://gmcportal.in:8080/GMCPortal/ |archive-date=4 November 2013}}{{cite web |title=Guwahati |url=http://www.indiaunveiled.in/location/Guwahati |publisher=IndiaUnveiled|access-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104044832/http://www.indiaunveiled.in/location/Guwahati|archive-date=4 November 2013|url-status=live}} in the west and Dibrugarh{{cite web |title=Dibrugarh Municipality |url=http://dibrugarhmunicipality.org/about%20us.html |publisher=Dibrugarh Municipal Board |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901185847/http://dibrugarhmunicipality.org/About%20Us.html |archive-date=1 September 2014}}{{cite web |title=Dibrugarh |url=http://www.indiaunveiled.in/location/dibrugarh |publisher=IndiaUnveiled|access-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104045146/http://www.indiaunveiled.in/location/dibrugarh|archive-date=4 November 2013|url-status=live}} in the east with good rail,{{cite web |title=New Delhi Dibrugarh Trains |url=http://indiarailinfo.com/search/dibrugarh-town-dbrt-to-new-delhi-ndls/680/664 |publisher=Indiarailinfo|access-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522230505/http://indiarailinfo.com/search/dibrugarh-town-dbrt-to-new-delhi-ndls/680/664|archive-date=22 May 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Trains from Dibrugarh |url=http://indiarailinfo.com/departures/dibrugarh-dbrg/7288 |publisher=Indiarailinfo|access-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005002950/http://indiarailinfo.com/departures/dibrugarh-dbrg/7288|archive-date=5 October 2013|url-status=live}} road and air connectivity are the two important nerve centres of Assam, to be selected by Asian Development Bank for providing $200 million for improvement of urban infrastructure.{{cite web |title=ADB $200 Million Loan to Upgrade Services in Key Cities of India's Assam State |url=http://www.adb.org/news/adb-200-million-loan-upgrade-services-key-cities-indias-assam-state |publisher=Asian Development Bank|access-date=2 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122800/http://www.adb.org/news/adb-200-million-loan-upgrade-services-key-cities-indias-assam-state|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=live |date=3 October 2011}}{{cite news |title=$81-million ADB loan for State urban infrastructure |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=mar1012/at092|access-date=1 August 2013 |newspaper=The Assam Tribune|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103180502/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=mar1012%2Fat092|archive-date=3 November 2013}}

Assam is a producer of crude oil and it accounts for about 15% of India's crude output,{{cite web |author=Government of Assam |url=http://assamgovt.nic.in/business/resources.asp |title=Available Resources in Assam |publisher=Government of Assam |date=18 February 2007 |access-date=18 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716031122/http://assamgovt.nic.in/business/resources.asp |archive-date=16 July 2011}} exploited by the Assam Oil Company Ltd.,{{cite web |url=http://www.assamco.com/ |publisher=assamco.com |title=Assamco|access-date=22 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903083354/http://www.assamco.com/|archive-date=3 September 2011|url-status=live}} and natural gas in India and is the second place in the world (after Titusville in the United States) where petroleum was discovered. Asia's first successful mechanically drilled oil well was drilled in Makum way back in 1867. Most of the oilfields are located in the Eastern Assam region. Assam has four oil refineries in Digboi (Asia's first and world's second refinery), Guwahati, Bongaigaon and Numaligarh and with a total capacity of 7 million metric tonnes (7.7 million short tons) per annum. Asia's first refinery was set up at Digboi and discoverer of Digboi oilfield was the Assam Railways & Trading Company Limited (AR&T Co. Ltd.), a registered company of London in 1881.{{cite web |url=http://investinassam.com/overview.html |title=Government of Assam | Department of Industries and Commerce |publisher=Investinassam.com|access-date=22 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316145633/http://investinassam.com/overview.html |archive-date=16 March 2012}} One of the biggest public sector oil company of the country Oil India Ltd. has its plant and headquarters at Duliajan.

There are several other industries, including a chemical fertiliser plant at Namrup, petrochemical industries in Namrup and Bongaigaon, paper mills at Jagiroad, Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd. Township Area Panchgram and Jogighopa, sugar mills in Barua Bamun Gaon, Chargola, Kampur, cement plants in Bokajan and Badarpur, and a cosmetics plant of Hindustan Unilever (HUL) at Doom Dooma. Moreover, there are other industries such as jute mill, textile and yarn mills, Assam silk, and silk mills. Many of these industries are facing losses and closure due to lack of infrastructure and improper management practices.{{cite web |url=http://www.iloveindia.com/states/assam/economy.html |title=Assam Economy – Economy of Assam, Business & Economy of Assam India |publisher=iloveindia.com|access-date=18 July 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100710050533/http://www.iloveindia.com/states/assam/economy.html| archive-date= 10 July 2010 | url-status=live}}

{{Main|Tourism in Assam}}

{{See also|Tourism in North East India}}

Wildlife, cultural, and historical destinations have attracted visitors.

{{Main|Culture of Assam }}

{{See also|Assamese cinema}}

File:Moran Bihu Dance.jpg in the traditional attire of the Moran people on the occasion of Bohag Bihu]]

Assamese Culture is described as a hybrid and syncretic in nature developed due to the assimilation of numerous ethnic groups and cultural practices of Austroasiatic, Tibeto-Burman, Indo-aryan and Tai inhabitants. Therefore, both local elements or the local elements in Sanskritised forms are distinctly found.{{Citation |first=Banikanta |last=Kakati |title=Assamese, Its Formation and Development, 2nd edition |place=Guwahati, India |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |year=1962}} The major milestones in the evolution of Assamese culture are:

File:Dakhinpat Temple.jpg}}]]

• Assimilation in the Kamarupa kingdom for almost 800 years (Varman dynasty for 300 years, Mlechchha dynasty for 250 years and the Pala dynasty for 200 years.
• Establishment of the Chutia kingdom in the 12th century in eastern Assam and assimilation for next 400 years.
• Establishment of the Ahom kingdom in the 13th century CE and assimilation for next 600 years.
• Assimilation in the Koch kingdom (15th–16th century CE) of western Assam and Kachari kingdom (12th–18th century CE) of central and southern Assam.
• Neo-Vaishanavite (Ekasarana Dharma) Movement led by Srimanta Shankardeva (Xongkordeu) made an enormous impact on the socio-cultural and religious sphere of Assam. This 15th century religio-cultural movement under the leadership of Srimanta Sankardeva (Xonkordeu) and his disciples have provided another dimension to Assamese culture. A renewed Hinduisation in local forms took place, which was initially greatly supported by the Koch and later by the Ahom kingdoms. The resultant social institutions such as namghar and sattra (the Vaishnav Monasteries) have become an integral part of the Assamese way of life. The movement contributed greatly towards language, literature, and performing and fine arts.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}. It was also an egalitarian reform movement as it broke away with the old caste barriers of Brahmanical Hinduism and converted into its fold people of all castes, ethnicity and religions (including Islam).

File:Celebrations 1.jpg in Majuli, the Neo-Vaishnavite cultural heritage of Assam}}]]

The modern culture has been influenced by events in the British and the post-British era. Assamese language was standardised by American Baptist Missionaries such as Nathan Brown, Dr. Miles Bronson and local pundits such as Hemchandra Barua with the dialect spoken in undivided Sibsagar district (the centre of the Ahom kingdom) forming the standardised dialect. {{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

Increasing efforts of standardisation in the 20th century alienated the localised forms present in different areas and with the less-assimilated ethno-cultural groups (many source-cultures). However, Assamese culture in its hybrid form and nature is one of the richest, still developing and in true sense is a 'cultural system' with sub-systems. Many source-cultures of the Assamese cultural-system are still surviving either as sub-systems or as sister entities, e.g. the; Bodo or Karbi or Mishing. It is important to keep the broader system closer to its roots and at the same time focus on development of the sub-systems.

Some of the common and unique cultural traits in the region are peoples' respect towards areca-nut and betel leaves, symbolic (gamosa, arnai, etc.), traditional silk garments (e.g. mekhela chador, traditional dress of Assamese women) and towards forefathers and elderly. Moreover, great hospitality and bamboo culture are common.

{{See also|List of Assam state symbols|Jaapi}}

File:Missing tribal woman weaving Mekhela sador at Majuli.jpg woman using a handloom to weave a traditional Mekhela chador dress.}}]]

File:Jaapi with Gamosa.jpg laid over a Gamosa}}]]

Symbolism is an ancient cultural practice in Assam and is still a very important part of the Assamese way of life. Various elements are used to represent beliefs, feelings, pride, identity, etc.

Tamulpan (areca nut and betel leaves),

Xorai and Gamosa are three important symbolic elements in Assamese culture. Tamulpan or guapan (gua from kwa) are considered along with the Gamosa (a typical woven cotton or silk cloth with embroidery) as the offers of devotion, respect and friendship. The Tamulpan-tradition is an ancient one and is being followed since time-immemorial with roots in the aboriginal Austric culture. Xorai is a traditionally manufactured bell-metal article of great respect and is used as a container-medium while performing respectful offers. Moreover, symbolically many ethno-cultural groups use specific clothes to portray respect and pride.

File:Monikutdhekiakhowa.JPG]]

There were many other symbolic elements and designs, but are now only found in literature, art, sculpture, architecture, etc. or in use today for only religious purposes. The typical designs of Assamese-lion, dragon (ngi-ngao-kham), and flying-lion (Naam-singho) are used for symbolising various purposes and occasions. The archaeological sites such as the Madan Kamdev (c. 9th–10th centuries CE) exhibits mass-scale use of lions, dragon-lions and many other figures of demons to show case power and prosperity.File:Jhumura.jpg The Vaishnavite monasteries (Sattras) and many other architectural sites of the late medieval period display the use of lions and dragons for symbolic effects.

{{Main|List of festivals in Assam}}

{{See also|Domahi|Bohag Bihu|Magh Bihu|Bwisagu}}

File:Bihu dancer with a horn.jpg dancer blowing a pepa (horn)}}]]

File:Jaapi,Dhemaji.jpgs from Dhemaji]]

File:Meji burning in Kamrup, Assam.jpg]]

There are diversified important traditional festivals in Assam. Bihu is the most important festival of Assam and is celebrated all over the state.The Assamese new year (Ek Bohag) is celebrated in April of the Gregorian calendar.

File:Husori in Bihu.jpg

Bihu is described as the soul and life of Assam. It is a series of three prominent festivals each associated with a certain stage during the cultivation of paddy. Primarily a secular festival celebrated to mark the seasons and the significant points of a cultivator's life over yearly cycle. Three Bihus, rongali (in the month of bohag), celebrated with the coming of spring and the beginning of the sowing season; kongali or kati, the barren bihu when the fields are lush but the barns are empty and bhogali (in the month of magh), the thanksgiving when the crops have been harvested and the granaries are full. Bihu songs and Bihu dance are associated with rongali and bhogali bihu. The day before the each bihu is known as the day of Uruka. The first day of 'Rongali bihu' is called 'Goru bihu' (the bihu of the cows), when the cows are taken to the nearby rivers or ponds to be bathed with special care. In recent times the form and nature of celebration has changed with the growth of urban centres.

File:Bwisagu Dance.jpg

Bwisagu is one of the most popular seasonal festivals of the Bodos. Baisagu is a Boro word which originated from the word "Baisa" which means year or age, and "Agu" meaning starting or beginning. Bwisagu marks the beginning of the new year. It is celebrated at the beginning of the first month of the Boro year, around mid-April in the Gregorian Calendar. It has remarkable similarities to the festival of Rongali Bihu, also celebrated at the same time in Assam. The worship of Bathow is done on the second day of the festival.

File:Mising girls dancing During Ali-Aye-Ligang.jpg dancing during Ali Ai Ligang (Spring Festival) to the tunes of Oi:Nitom]]

Ali-Aye-Ligang or Ali-Ai-Ligang is a spring festivital associated with agriculture celebrated by the indigenous Mising of Assam and other Northeast Indian states. It marks the beginning of the Ahu paddy cultivation in the farms. The term "Ali" denotes legumes, "Aye" means seed and "Ligang" is 'to sow'. The festival is celebrated on a Wednesday of the month of Fagun of the Assamese calendar and in the month of February in English calendar. The gumrag dance is associated with this festival.

File:Barman Dimasa Girl.jpg performing Baidima, the traditional dance of the Dimasa people.]]

Bushu Dima or simply Bushu is a major harvest festival of the Dimasa people. This festival is celebrated during the end of January. Officially 27 January has been declared as the day of Bushu Dima festival. The Dimasa people celebrate by playing musical instruments- khram (a type of drum), muri (a kind of huge long flute). The people dance to the different tunes of "murithai" and each dance has its own unique name, the most prominent being the "Baidima" There are three types of Bushu celebrated by the Dimasas- Jidap, Surem and Hangsou.

Me-Dam-Me-Phi is the day of the veneration of the dead ancestors for the Tai-Ahom community. It bears striking similarity in the concept of ancestor worship that the Tai-Ahoms share with other peoples originating from the Tai stock. The word ‘Me’ means offerings, ‘Dam’ means ancestors and ‘Phi’ means gods. According to the Buranjis, Lengdon (God of thunder), the king of Mong Phi (The heavenly kingdom), sent two of his grandsons Khunlung and Khunlai to Mong Ri Mong Ram (present day Xishuangbanna, China) and at that moment Ye-Cheng-Pha, the God of knowledge, advised them to perform Umpha, Phuralong, Mae Dam Mae Phi and Rik-khwan rituals in different months of the year on different occasions to pay respect to the Phi-Dam (Ancestral Spirit) and Khwan elements. Since that day till now Mae Dam Mae Phi has been observed by the Tai-Ahoms. It is celebrated on 31 January every year according to the Gregorian calendar.

Rongker also called Dehal is an annual winter festival of merriment celebrated by the Karbi people of Assam. It is observed in order to appease the local deities associated with the welfare of the village and the harvest of crops and also to get rid of all evil spirits. Although the festival does have a specific time it is usually observed at the beginning of the Karbi New year (Thang thang) which falls on February of the Gregorian calendar.

File:Holi at Barpeta22.jpg]]

Doul Mohutsav, also called Fakuwa or Doul Utsav is a festival of colours and happiness popular in Lower Assam and especially in Barpeta. It is synonymous with the festival of Holi celebrated in Northern India. Holigeets of Barpeta are sung which is incredibly popular and enthralls the heart of every Assamese. These holigeets are the exquisite compositions in praise of Lord Krishna. People from different parts of the state visit Barpeta Satra to experience this colourful and joyful festival.

Chavang Kut is a post harvesting festival of the Kuki people. The festival is celebrated on the first day of November every year. Hence, this particular day has been officially declared as a Restricted Holiday by the Assam government. In the past, the celebration was primarily important in the religio-cultural sense. The rhythmic movements of the dances in the festival were inspired by animals, agricultural techniques and showed their relationship with ecology. Today, the celebration witnesses the shifting of stages and is revamped to suit new contexts and interpretations. The traditional dances which form the core of the festival is now performed in out-of-village settings and are staged in a secular public sphere. In Assam, the Kukis mainly reside in the two autonomous districts of Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong.

Beshoma is a festival of Deshi people (one of the indigenous Muslim groups of Assam).{{cite web |url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/bihu-myriad-colours.html |title=Bihu – Its Myriad Colours |website=NORTHEAST NOW |date=20 April 2018 |language=en-US |access-date=8 September 2019 |archive-date=21 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921143102/https://nenow.in/north-east-news/bihu-myriad-colours.html |url-status=live }} It is a celebration of sowing crop. The Beshoma starts on the last day of Chaitra and goes on until the sixth of Baisakh. With varying locations it is also called Bishma or Chait-Boishne.{{cite web|url=http://www.thethumbprintmag.com/beshoma-the-rongali-bihu-of-deshi-muslims/|title=Beshoma: The 'Rongali Bihu' of Deshi Muslims {{!}} The Thumb Print - A magazine from the East|language=en-US|access-date=8 September 2019|archive-date=8 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908113448/http://www.thethumbprintmag.com/beshoma-the-rongali-bihu-of-deshi-muslims/|url-status=live}}

Moreover, there are other important traditional festivals being celebrated every year on different occasions at different places. Many of these are celebrated by different ethno-cultural groups (sub and sister cultures). Some of these are:

{{div col|content=

• Wanshuwa Festival (by the Tiwas)
• Kherai (by the Bodos)
• Garja
• Bisu (Deori)
• Awnkham Gwrlwi Janai
• Chojun/Swarak
• Deusi Bhailo ( Traditional Nepalese songs that are sung during the festival of light "Dipavali" and also called "Tihar" )
• Sokk-erroi
• Hacha-kekan
• Hapsa Hatarnai
• Porag
• Bathow
• Wangala
• Bohuwa nrityo

}}

File:Durga puja pandel.jpg.]]

Christmas is observed with great merriment by Christians of various denominations, including Catholics, Protestants and Baptists, throughout Assam.

Durga Puja is widely celebrated across the state. Muslims celebrate two Eids (Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha) with much eagerness all over Assam.

Other few yearly celebrations are Brahmaputra Beach Festival, Guwahati, Kaziranga Elephant Festival, Kaziranga and Dehing Patkai Festival, Lekhapani, Karbi Youth Festival of Diphu and International Jatinga Festival, Jatinga can not be forgotten. Few yearly Mela's like Jonbeel Mela, started in the 15th century by the Ahom Kings, Ambubachi Mela, Guwahati etc.

Asom Divas or Sukapha Divas (2 December) is celebrated to commemorate the advent of the first king of the Ahom kingdom in Assam after his journey over the Patkai Hills.

Lachit Divas (24 November) is celebrated on the birth anniversary of the great Ahom general Lachit Borphukan. Sarbananda Sonowal, the chief minister of Assam took part in the Lachit Divas celebration at the statue of Lachit Borphukan at Brahmaputra riverfront on 24 November 2017.

He said, the first countrywide celebration of 'Lachit Divas' would take place in New Delhi followed by state capitals such as Hyderabad, Bangalore and Kolkata in a phased manner.

{{See also|Music of Assam|Folk dances of Assam|Mobile theatre in Assam}}

File:Krishnakahi Kashyap performing Sattriya Dance.jpg|Sattriya Dance (An Indian classical dance form)

File:Bodo dance.jpg|Bodo dance Bagurumba

File:Tea Tribe Dance of Assam.jpg|Jhumair dance in Tea garden

File:Lukobadya nagara.jpg|Nagara drums

File:Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Assam, India.jpg|Bhupen Hazarika (Music maestro of Assam)

File:Bihu dance of Assam.jpg|Assamese youth performing Bihu Dance

File:Statue of Kalaguru, Rupkonwar and Natasurjya at Guwahati (Side view).JPG|Statue of Bishnu Prasad Rabha, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Phani Sarma at District Library, Guwahati.

File:Vauna't Laxmi Narayan.jpg|Bhaona performance

File:Mask of Samaguri Satra 5.jpg|Mask making in Majuli

File:Assamese mythological play "Surjya Mandirot Surjyasta".jpg

Performing arts include: Ankia Naat (Onkeeya Naat), a traditional Vaishnav dance-drama (Bhaona) popular since the 15th century CE.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}} It makes use of large masks of gods, goddesses, demons and animals and in between the plays a Sutradhar (Xutrodhar) continues to narrate the story.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}

Besides Bihu dance and Husori performed during the Bohag Bihu, dance forms of tribal minorities such as; Kushan nritra of Rajbongshi's, Bagurumba and Bordoicikhla dance of Bodos, Mishing Bihu, Banjar Kekan performed during Chomangkan by Karbis, Jhumair of Tea-garden community are some of the major folk dances.{{cite web |url=http://www.bharatonline.com/assam/dance/index.html |title=Dances of Assam – Folk Dances of Assam, Traditional Dances of Assam |website=www.bharatonline.com|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620153050/http://www.bharatonline.com/assam/dance/index.html|archive-date=20 June 2018|url-status=live}} Sattriya (Sotriya) dance related to Vaishnav tradition is a classical form of dance. Moreover, there are several other age-old dance-forms such as Barpeta's Bhortal Nritya, Deodhani Nritya, Ojapali, Beula Dance, Ka Shad Inglong Kardom, Nimso Kerung, etc. The tradition of modern moving theatres is typical of Assam with immense popularity of many Mobile theatre groups such as Kohinoor, Brindabon, etc.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}

The indigenous folk music has influenced the growth of a modern idiom, that finds expression in the music of artists like Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Bishnuprasad Rabha, Parvati Prasad Baruwa, Bhupen Hazarika, Pratima Barua Pandey, Anima Choudhury, Luit Konwar Rudra Baruah, Jayanta Hazarika, Khagen Mahanta, Dipali Barthakur, among many others. Among the new generation, Zubeen Garg, Angaraag Mahanta and Joi Barua.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}

There is an award given in the honour of Bishnu Prasad Rabha for achievements in the cultural/music world of Assam by the state government.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}

{{Main|Assamese cuisine}}

File:Assamese Thali.jpg

Typically, an Assamese meal consists of many things such as bhat (rice) with dayl/ daly (lentils), masor jool (fish stew), mangxô (meat stew) and stir fried greens or herbs and vegetables.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

File:Bhut-Jolokia-pc.jpg (ghost pepper) is used in preparation of traditional meat stews]]

The two main characteristics of a traditional meal in Assam are khar (an Alkali, named after its main ingredient) and tenga (Preparations bearing a characteristically rich and tangy flavour). Khorika is the smoked or fire grilled meat eaten with meals. Pitika (mash) is another delicacy of Assam. It includes alu pitika (mashed potatoes), bilahi (tomatoes), bengena (brinjals) or even masor pitika (fish). Commonly consumed varieties of meat include Mutton, fowl, duck/goose, fish, pigeon, pork and beef (among Muslim and Christian indigenous Assamese ethnic groups). Grasshoppers, locusts, silkworms, snails, eels, bat wild fowl, squab and other birds, venison are also eaten, albeit in moderation.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

File:Pork s.jpg girl roasting fish and pork in bamboo tubes (bahor sungha) in an ethnic festival]]

Khorisa (fermented bamboo shoots) are used at times to flavour curries while they can also be preserved and made into pickles. Koldil (banana flower) and squash are also used in popular culinary preparations.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/khorisa-turns-natural-preservative/cid/383338 |title=khorisa turns natural preservative|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411174159/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/khorisa-turns-natural-preservative/cid/383338|archive-date=11 April 2019|url-status=live}}

File:Rice beer.jpg is consumed on festivals by the various indigenous ethnic communities of Assam]]

A variety of different rice cultivars are grown and consumed in different ways, viz., roasted, ground, boiled or just soaked.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

Fish curries made of free range wild fish as well as Bôralí, rôu, illish, or sitôl are the most popular. {{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

Another favourite combination is luchi (fried flatbread), a curry which can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

Many indigenous Assamese communities households still continue to brew their traditional alcoholic beverages; examples include: Laupani, Xaaj, Paniyo, Jou, Joumai, Hor, Apong, Sujen etc. Such beverages are served during traditional festivities. Declining them is considered socially offensive.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

Assamese food is generally served in traditional bell metal dishes and platters like Kanhi, Maihang and so on.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

File:Patot dia maas - Homemade - Assam DSC 012.jpg|Fish cooked in banana leaves

File:Narikol Pitha From Assam - Sweets Table - Wikiconference India 2023 - Hyderabad 2023-04-28 7673.jpg|Narikol Pitha is a very popular dish especially during Bihu

File:GHOST CHILLY CHICKEN.jpg

File:Laksminath Bezbaruah.jpg, one of the foremost figures of Assamese literature]]

{{Main|Assamese literature}}

File:Sankaradeva.jpg by Bishnu Prasad Rabha{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/portrait-of-a-poet-as-an-artist-bishnu-rabha-s-family-compiles-coffee-table-book-on-his-paintings/cid/797447 |title=Portrait of a poet as an artist |date=13 October 2003 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=26 June 2019 |archive-date=26 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626125652/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/portrait-of-a-poet-as-an-artist-bishnu-rabha-s-family-compiles-coffee-table-book-on-his-paintings/cid/797447 |url-status=live }}|alt=]]

Assamese literature dates back to the composition of Charyapada, and later on works like Saptakanda Ramayana by Madhava Kandali, which is the first translation of the Ramayana into an Indo-Aryan language, contributed to Assamese literature.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KYLpvaKJIMEC&pg=PA3 |title=Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections |last=Paniker |first=K. Ayyappa |date=1997 |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |isbn=9788126003655 |access-date=1 October 2020 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201230336/https://books.google.com/books?id=KYLpvaKJIMEC&pg=PA3 |url-status=live }}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7LFzfbhmJcMC&pg=PA74 |title=The History of Medieval Vaishnavism in Orissa |last=Mukherjee |first=Prabhat |date=1981 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=9788120602298 |access-date=3 May 2020 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201230336/https://books.google.com/books?id=7LFzfbhmJcMC&pg=PA74 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.vedamsbooks.in/no17118/madhava-kandali-ramayana-composed-assamese-by-sage-great-son-soil-fourteenth-century-ad-2-volumes-translated-into-english-shanti-lal-nagar |title=Madhava Kandali Ramayana : Composed in Assamese by Sage Madhava Kandali, the great son of the soil in the Fourteenth Century CE/Translated into English by Shanti Lal Nagar Translated into English by Shanti Lal Nagar Vedams Books 9788121509350 |website=www.vedamsbooks.in |access-date=3 September 2019 |archive-date=3 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903103038/http://www.vedamsbooks.in/no17118/madhava-kandali-ramayana-composed-assamese-by-sage-great-son-soil-fourteenth-century-ad-2-volumes-translated-into-english-shanti-lal-nagar |url-status=live }} Sankardeva's Borgeet, Ankia Naat, Bhaona and Satra tradition backed the 15th-16th century Assamese literature.{{cite web|url=http://www.bordowathan.com/about-bordowa-than/|title=Bordowa Than – Bordowa Than|access-date=3 September 2019|archive-date=3 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903103034/http://www.bordowathan.com/about-bordowa-than/|url-status=live}}{{Cite book |title=Early history of the Vaiṣṇava faith and movement in Assam : Śaṅkaradeva and his times |last=Neog |first=Maheswar |date=1980 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=8120800079 |oclc=15304755}}{{Cite journal |last1=Stewart |first1=Tony K. |last2=Neog |first2=Maheswar |date=April 1988 |title=Early History of the Vaiṣṇava Faith and Movement in Assam: Śaṅkaradeva and His Times |journal=Journal of the American Oriental Society |volume=108 |issue=2 |page=334 |doi=10.2307/603683 |issn=0003-0279 |jstor=603683}}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HkR4Fv37URkC&pg=PA189 |title=North East India: A Sociological Study |last1=Sociology |first1=Dibrugarh University Department of |last2=Region |first2=Dibrugarh University Centre for Sociological Study of Frontier |last3=Association |first3=North East India Sociological |date=1978 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |access-date=3 May 2020 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201230338/https://books.google.com/books?id=HkR4Fv37URkC&pg=PA189 |url-status=live }} Written during the Reign of Ahoms, the Buranjis are notable literary works which are prominently historical manuscripts.{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.97610 |title=Aspects of Early Assamese Literature |last=Kakati |first=Banikanta Ed |date=1953}} Most literary works are written in Assamese although other local language such as Bodo and Dimasa are also represented.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} In the 19th and 20th century, Assamese and other literature was modernised by authors including Lakshminath Bezbaroa, Birinchi Kumar Barua, Hem Barua, Dr. Mamoni Raisom Goswami, Bhabendra Nath Saikia, Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya, Hiren Bhattacharyya, Homen Borgohain, Bhabananda Deka, Rebati Mohan Dutta Choudhury, Mahim Bora, Lil Bahadur Chettri, Syed Abdul Malik, Surendranath Medhi, Hiren Gohain etc.

{{Main|Painting of Assam}}

The archaic Mauryan Stupas discovered in and around Goalpara district are the earliest examples (c. 300 BCE to c. 100 CE) of ancient art and architectural works. The remains discovered in Daparvatiya (Doporboteeya) archaeological site with a beautiful doorframe in Tezpur are identified as the best examples of artwork in ancient Assam with influence of Sarnath School of Art of the late Gupta period.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

Painting is an ancient tradition of Assam. Xuanzang (7th century CE) mentions that among the Kamarupa king Bhaskaravarma's gifts to Harshavardhana there were paintings and painted objects, some of which were on Assamese silk. Many of the manuscripts such as Hastividyarnava (A Treatise on Elephants), the Chitra Bhagawata and in the Gita Govinda from the Middle Ages bear excellent examples of traditional paintings.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

{{Main|Traditional crafts of Assam|Bell and brass metal crafts of Assam}}

{{See also|Assam silk}}

Assam has a rich tradition of crafts, Cane and bamboo craft, bell metal and brass craft, silk and cotton weaving, toy and mask making, pottery and terracotta work, wood craft, jewellery making, and musical instruments making have remained as major traditions.{{cite web |website=Assam Tourism|date=2002 |publisher=Government of Assam |title=Arts and Crafts of Assam in About Assam |url=http://www.assamtourism.org/arts.htm| access-date =3 June 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070407040421/http://www.assamtourism.org/arts.htm| archive-date = 7 April 2007}}

Cane and bamboo craft provide the most commonly used utilities in daily life, ranging from household utilities, weaving accessories, fishing accessories, furniture, musical instruments, construction materials, etc. Utilities and symbolic articles such as Sorai and Bota made from bell metal and brass are found in every Assamese household.{{Citation |last1=Ranjan |first1=M.P. |last2=Iyer |first2=Nilam |last3=Pandya |first3=Ghanshyam |title=Bamboo and Cane Crafts of Northeast India |publisher=National Institute of Design}}{{Citation |first=T.K. |last=Nath |title=Bamboo Cane and Assam |place=Guwahati, India |publisher=Industrial Development Bank of India, Small Industries Development Bank of India}} Hajo and Sarthebari (Sorthebaary) are the most important centres of traditional bell-metal and brass crafts. Assam is the home of several types of silks, the most prestigious are: Muga – the natural golden silk, Pat – a creamy-bright-silver coloured silk and Eri – a variety used for manufacturing warm clothes for winter. Apart from Sualkuchi (Xualkuchi), the centre for the traditional silk industry, in almost every parts of the Brahmaputra Valley, rural households produce silk and silk garments with excellent embroidery designs. Moreover, various ethno-cultural groups in Assam make different types of cotton garments with unique embroidery designs and wonderful colour combinations.

Moreover, Assam possesses unique crafts of toy and mask making mostly concentrated in the Vaishnav Monasteries, pottery and terracotta work in western Assam districts and wood craft, iron craft, jewellery, etc. in many places across the region.

File:Citra Bhagavata illustration 2.jpg|{{center|A page of manuscript painting from Assam; The medieval painters used locally manufactured painting materials such as the colours of hangool and haital and papers manufactured from aloewood bark}}

File:Assam Xorai.png|Bell metal made sorai and sophura are important parts of culture

File:Assam Knahor Knahi.jpg|Assam Kahor (Bell metal) Kahi

File:Brihat Ushaharan, an medieval-century manuscript painting of Assam from Budhbari Satra.jpg|Brihat Ushaharan, an 18th-century manuscript illustration of Garhgoan school of painting

File:Mayurpokhyi Kehl-Nao (Pleasure boat) of Kamalabari Satra.jpg|Mayurpokhyi Khel-Nao (Pleasure boat) of medieval Assam, used by Badula Ata of Kamalabari Satra

File:Mahisamardini, 18th century Devi bronze metal sculpture from Tinsukia.jpg|18th century Mahisamardini bronze metal sculpture

File:Hastividyarnava Illustration.png|A painting from the folio of Hastividyarnava

File:Mask in the Indian Museum, Kolkata 15.jpg|Mask art of Assam

File:Vrindavani Vastra.jpg|Vrindavani Vastra was woven in the 16th century under the guidance of Mahapurush Shrimanta Shankardev. The large drape illustrates the childhood activities of Lord Krishna in Vrindavan.

Print media include Assamese dailies Amar Asom, Asomiya Khabar, Asomiya Pratidin, Dainik Agradoot, Dainik Janambhumi, Dainik Asam, Gana Adhikar, Janasadharan and Niyomiya Barta. Asom Bani, Sadin and Janambhumi are Assamese weekly newspapers. The English dailies of Assam include The Assam Tribune, The Sentinel, The Telegraph, The Times of India, The North East Times, Eastern Chronicle and The Hills Times. Thekar, in the Karbi language has the largest circulation of any daily from Karbi Anglong district. Bodosa has the highest circulation of any Bodo daily from BTR. Dainik Jugasankha is a Bengali daily with editions from Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Silchar and Kolkata. Dainik Samayik Prasanga, Dainik Prantojyoti, Dainik Janakantha and Nababarta Prasanga are other prominent Bengali dailies published in the Barak Valley towns of Karimganj and Silchar. Hindi dailies include Purvanchal Prahari, Pratah Khabar and Dainik Purvoday.

Broadcasting stations of All India Radio have been established in 22 cities across the state. Local news and music are the main priority for those stations. Assam has three public service broadcasting service stations of state-owned Doordarshan at Dibrugarh, Guwahati and Silchar. The Guwahati-based satellite news channels include Assam Talks, DY 365, News Live, News18 Assam North East, North East Live, Prag News and Pratidin Time.

Boka Chaul was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry, under the Union Government of India, on 30 July 2018 and is valid until 24 July 2026.{{cite web |title=Boka Chaul |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/558 |website=Intellectual Property India |access-date=12 December 2024}}{{cite book |last1=Borthakur |first1=Anwesha |last2=Singh |first2=Pardeep |title=Addressing the Climate Crisis in the Indian Himalayas: Can Traditional Ecological Knowledge Help? |date=2024 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-3-031-50097-8 |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Addressing_the_Climate_Crisis_in_the_Ind/_2D8EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=boka+chaul&pg=PA85&printsec=frontcover |access-date=11 December 2024 |language=en}}

Lotus Progressive Centre (LPC) and Centre for Environment Education (CEE) from Guwahati, proposed the GI registration of Boka Chaul.{{cite news |title=Geographical Indication tag sought for Boka Chaul |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/geographical-indication-tag-sought-for-boka-chaul/articleshow/54399008.cms |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=19 September 2016}} After filing the application in July 2018, the rice was granted the GI tag in 2023 by the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, making the name "Boka Chaul" exclusive to the rice grown in the region. It thus became the second rice variety from Assam after Joha rice and the 7th type of goods from Assam to earn the GI tag.{{cite web |title=APEDA launches gluten-free millet products for all age groups at affordable prices |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1821647®=3&lang=1 |website=Press Information Bureau |access-date=11 December 2024}}

The GI tag protects the rice from illegal selling and marketing, and gives it legal protection and a unique identity.

• {{Portal-inline|size=tiny|India}}

• Outline of Assam – comprehensive topic guide listing articles about Assam.
• List of people from Assam
• 2022 Silchar Floods
• Emblem of Assam

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{citation |first=S L |last=Baruah |title=A Comprehensive History of Assam |year=1986 |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal}}
• {{cite book |last1=Gogoi |first1=Khagen |title=Ahom warfare evolution nature and strategy |date=2017 |location=Gauhati University}}
• {{Cite journal |last=Lahiri |first=Nayanjot |date=1984 |title=The Pre-Ahom Roots of Medieval Assam |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3517004 |journal=Social Scientist |volume=12 |issue=6 |pages=60–69 |doi=10.2307/3517004 |jstor=3517004 |issn=0970-0293 |access-date=1 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709232228/https://www.jstor.org/stable/3517004 |url-status=live }}
• {{cite book |last1=Saikia |first1=Yasmin |title=Fragmented Memories: Struggling to be Tai-Ahom in India |date=2004 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=082238616X |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WfSmsuO6QugC |language=en |access-date=30 May 2020 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201230337/https://books.google.com/books?id=WfSmsuO6QugC |url-status=live }}
• {{Citation |last=Shin |first=Jae-Eun |contribution=Region Formed and Imagined: Reconsidering temporal, spatial and social context of Kamarupa |year=2018 |title=Modern Practices in North East India: History, Culture, Representation| editor-last = Dzüvichü| editor-first = Lipokmar |editor2-last=Baruah |editor2-first=Manjeet |place=London & New York |publisher=Routledge}}
• {{citation |last=Directorate of Information and Public Relations |first=Government of Assam |title=Assam at a Glance |url=http://janasanyogassam.nic.in/assamataglance.htm |access-date=25 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006161204/http://janasanyogassam.nic.in/assamataglance.htm |archive-date=6 October 2007 }}
• {{Cite book |last1=Goswami |first1=G. C. |last2=Tamuli |first2=Jyotiprakash |editor-last=Cardona |editor-first=George |editor2-last=Jain |editor2-first=Dhanesh |contribution=Asamiya |title=The Indo-Aryan Languages |year=2003 |pages=391–443 |publisher=Routledge |ref={{harvid|Goswami|2003}}}}
• {{citation |author=National Commission for Women |title=Situational Analysis of Women in Assam |year=2004 |url=http://www.ncw.nic.in/pdfreports/Gender%20Profile-Assam.pdf |access-date=5 July 2006 |postscript=. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615001750/http://www.ncw.nic.in/pdfreports/Gender%20Profile-Assam.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2007 }}
• {{Citation |last=Masica |first=Colin P. |author-link=Colin Masica |year=1993 |title=Indo-Aryan Languages |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J3RSHWePhXwC |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521299442 |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201230338/https://books.google.com/books?id=J3RSHWePhXwC |url-status=live }}
• {{citation |last=National Mission on Bamboo Applications |title=Assam, State Profile |url=http://www.bambootech.org/subsubTOP.asp?subsubid=101&subid=37&sname=STATE |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929160940/http://www.bambootech.org/subsubTOP.asp?subsubid=101&subid=37&sname=STATE |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 September 2007 }}
• {{citation |last=Revenue Department |first=Government of Assam |title=Revenue Administration – Districts and Subdivisions |url=http://revenueassam.nic.in/ |access-date=25 May 2007 |archive-date=24 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070724043102/http://revenueassam.nic.in/ |url-status=live }}
• Singh, K. S (ed) (2003) People of India: Assam Vol XV Parts I and II, Anthropological Survey of India, Seagull Books, Calcutta
• {{cite journal |last1=Das |first1=Paromita |year=2005 |title=The Naraka Legends, Aryanisation and the "varnasramadharma" in the Brahmaputra Valley |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=66 |pages=224–230 |publisher=Indian History Congress |jstor=44145840}}
• {{citation |last=UNDP |author-link=UNDP |url=http://planassam.org/reports/hdr_2003/HRD.htm |title=Chapter 2, Income, Employment and Poverty in Assam Human Development Report, 2003 |publisher=Government of Assam |year=2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220213032/http://planassam.org/reports/hdr_2003/HRD.htm |archive-date=20 February 2007 }}
• {{citation |last=Wandrey |first=C. J. |title=Sylhet-Kopili/Barail-Tipam Composite Total Petroleum System, Assam Geologic Province, India |url=http://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/2208/D/b2208-d.pdf |journal=US Geological Survey Bulletin |volume=2208-D |year=2004 |page=5 |doi=10.3133/b2208D |bibcode=2004usgs.rept....5W |access-date=30 May 2007 |archive-date=5 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070605131756/http://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/2208/D/b2208-d.pdf |url-status=live }}
• {{cite book |last=Casson |first=Lionel |author-link=Lionel Casson |title=The Periplus Maris Erythraei: Text With Introduction, Translation, and Commentary |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qQWYkSs51rEC |year=1989 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-04060-8 |access-date=27 September 2020 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201230338/https://books.google.com/books?id=qQWYkSs51rEC |url-status=live }}

{{Refend}}

{{refbegin|40em}}

• Online books and material
• [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.125418 An account of Assam] (1800) by J.P. Wade
• [https://books.google.com/books?id=OOBAAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA444 An account of the kingdom of Heerumba] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201230337/https://books.google.co.in/books?id=OOBAAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA444 |date=1 February 2023 }} (1819) by Friend of India
• [https://archive.org/stream/astatisticalacc32huntgoog A statistical account of Assam] (1879) by WW Hunter
• [https://archive.org/details/assamattitudetof034931mbp Assam Attitude to Federalism] (1984)by Girin Phukon
• [https://archive.org/stream/aglimpseassam00wardgoog A Glimpse of Assam] (1884) by Susan Ward
• [https://archive.org/stream/ahistoryassam00gaitgoog A history of Assam] (1906) by Edward Gait
• [https://archive.org/details/physicalpolitica00assa Physical and political geography of the province of Assam] (1896) by Assam Secretariat Printing Office
• [https://archive.org/stream/outlinegrammark00endlgoog Outline Grammar of the Kachári (Bārā) Language as Spoken in District Darrang, Assam](1884) by Sidney Endle
• [https://archive.org/stream/anoutlinegramma00browgoog An outline grammar of the Deori Chutiya language spoken in upper Assam](1895) by William Barclay Brown
• [https://archive.org/stream/travelsandadven00butlgoog Travels and adventures in the province of Assam, during a residence of fourteen years] (1855) by John Butler
• Language and literature
• {{citation |first=Mahendra |last=Bara |title=The Evolution of the Assamese Script |place=Jorhat, Assam |publisher=Asam Sahitya Sabha |year=1981}}
• {{citation |last=Barpujari |first=H. K. |title=Amerikan Michanerisakal aru Unabimsa Satikar Asam |place=Jorhat, Assam |publisher=Asam Sahitya Sabha |year=1983}}
• {{citation |last=Barua |first=Birinchi Kumar |title=History of Assamese Literature |place=Guwahati |publisher=East-West Centre Press |year=1965}}
• {{citation |last=Barua |first=Hem |title=Assamese Literature |place=New Delhi |publisher=National Book Trust |year=1965}}
• {{citation |last=Brown |first=William Barclay |title=An Outline Grammar of the Deori Chutiya Language Spoken in Upper Assam with an Introduction, Illustrative Sentences, and Short Vocabulary |place=Shillong |publisher=The Assam Secretariat Printing Office |year=1895}}
• {{citation |last=Deka |first=Bhabananda |title=Industrialisation of Assam |place=Guwahati |publisher=Gopal Das |year=1961}}
• {{citation |last=Dhekial Phukan |first=Anandaram 1829–1859 |title=Anandaram Dhekiyal Phukanar Racana Samgrah |place=Guwahati |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |year=1977}}
• {{citation |last=Endle |first=Sidney |title=Outline of the Kachari (Baro) Language as Spoken in District Darrang, Assam |place=Shillong |publisher=Assam Secretariat Press |year=1884}}
• {{citation |last=Gogoi |first=Lila |title=Sahitya-Samskriti-Buranji |place=Dibrugarh |publisher=New Book Stall |year=1972}}
• {{citation |last=Gogoi |first=Lila |title=The Buranjis, Historical Literature of Assam |place=New Delhi |publisher=Omsons Publications |year=1986}}
• {{citation |last=Goswami |first=Praphulladatta |title=Folk-Literature of Assam |place=Guwahati |publisher=Department of Historical and Antiquarian Studies in Assam |year=1954}}
• {{citation |last=Gurdon |first=Philip Richard Thornhagh |title=Some Assamese Proverbs |place=Shillong |publisher=The Assam Secretariat Printing Office |year=1896 |isbn=1-104-30633-6}}
• {{citation |last=Kakati |first=Banikanta |title=Aspects of Early Assamese Literature |place=Guwahati |publisher=Gauhati University |year=1959}}
• {{citation |last=Kay |first=S. P. |title=An English-Mikir Vocabulary |place=Shillong |publisher=The Assam Secretariat Printing Office |year=1904}}
• {{citation |last=Medhi |first=Kaliram |title=Assamese Grammar and Origin of the Assamese Language |place=Guwahati |publisher=Assam Publication Board |year=1988}}
• {{citation |last=Miles |first=Bronson |title=A Dictionary in Assamese and English |place=Sibsagar, Assam |publisher=American Baptist Mission Press |year=1867}}
• {{citation |last=Morey |first=Stephen |title=The Tai languages of Assam : a grammar and texts |place=Canberra |publisher=Pacific Linguistics |year=2005 |isbn=0-85883-549-5}}
• History
• {{citation |last=Antrobus |first=H. |title=A History of the Assam Company |place=Edinburgh |publisher=Private Printing by T. and A. Constable |year=1957}}
• {{citation |last=Barabaruwa |first=Hiteswara|title=Ahomar Din |place=Guwahati |publisher=Assam Publication Board |year=1981}}
• {{citation |last=Barooah |first=Nirode K. |title=David Scott in North-East India, 1802–1831 |place=New Delhi |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers |year=1970}}
• {{citation |last=Barua |first=Harakanta 1813–1900 |title=Asama Buranji |place=Guwahati |publisher=Department of Historical and Antiquarian Studies, Assam |year=1962}}
• {{citation |last=Barpujari |first=H. K. |title=Assam in the Days of the Company, 1826–1858 |place=Guwahati |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |year=1963}}
• {{citation |last=Barpujari |first=H. K. |title=Political History of Assam. Department for the Preparation of Political History of Assam |place=Guwahati |publisher=Government of Assam |year=1977}}
• {{citation |last=Barua |first=Kanak Lal |title=An Early History of Kamarupa, From the Earliest Time to the Sixteenth Century |place=Guwahati |publisher=Lawyers Book Stall}}
• {{citation |last=Barua |first=Kanak Lal |title=Studies in the Early History of Assam |place=Jorhat, Assam |publisher=Asam Sahitya Sabha}}
• {{citation |last=Baruah |first=Swarna Lata |title=Last days of Ahom monarchy : a history of Assam from 1769 to 1826 |place=New Delhi |publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers |year=1993}}
• {{citation |last=Bhuyan |first=Suryya Kumar |title=Anglo-Assamese Relations, 1771–1826 |place=Guwahati |publisher=Department of Historical and Antiquarian Studies in Assam |year=1949}}
• {{citation |last=Bhuyan |first=Suryya Kumar |title=Annals of the Delhi Badshahate |place=Guwahati |publisher=Department of Historical and Antiquarian Studies, Government of Assam |year=1947}}
• {{citation |last=Bhuyan |first=Suryya Kumar |title=Atan Buragohain and His Times |place=Guwahati |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |year=1957}}
• {{citation |last=Bhuyan |first=Suryya Kumar |title=Deodhai Asam Buranji |place=Guwahati |publisher=Department of Historical and Antiquarian Studies |year=1962}}
• {{citation |last=Bhuyan |first=Suryya Kumar |title=Early British Relations with Assam |place=Shillong |publisher=Assam Secretariat Press |year=1928}}
• {{citation |last=Bhuyan |first=Suryya Kumar |title=Lachit Barphukan and His Times |place=Guwahati |publisher=Department of Historical and Antiquarian Studies, Government of Assam |year=1947}}
• {{citation |last=Bhuyan |first=Suryya Kumar |title=Satasari Asama Buranji |place=Guwahati |publisher=Gauhati University |year=1964}}
• {{citation |last=Bhuyan |first=Suryya Kumar |title=Swargadew Rajeswarasimha |place=Guwahati |publisher=Assam Publication Board |year=1975}}
• {{citation |last=Buchanan |first=Francis Hamilton 1762–1829 |title=An Account of Assam |place=Guwahati |publisher=Department of Historical and Antiquarian Studies |year=1963}}
• {{citation |last=Duara Barbarua |first=Srinath |title=Tungkhungia Buranji |place=Bombay |publisher=H. Milford, Oxford University Press |year=1933}}
• {{citation |last=Gait |first=Edward Albert 1863–1950 |title=A History of Assam |place=Calcutta |publisher=Thacker, Spink & Co. |year=1926}}
• {{citation |last=Gogoi |first=Padmeswar |title=The Tai and the Tai Kingdoms |place=Guwahati |publisher=Gauhati University |year=1968}}
• {{citation |last=Guha |first=Amalendu |title=The Ahom Political System |place=Calcutta |publisher=Centre for Studies in Social Sciences |year=1983}}
• {{citation |first=William Wilson 1840–1900 |last=Hunter |title=A Statistical Account of Assam |place=London |publisher=Trubner & Co. |year=1879}}
• Tradition and Culture
• {{citation |last=Barkath |first=Sukumar |title=Hastibidyarnnara Sarasamgraha (English & Assamese), 18th Century |place=Guwahati |publisher=Assam Publication Board |year=1976}}
• {{citation |last=Barua |first=Birinchi Kumar |title=A Cultural History of Assam |place=Guwahati |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |year=1969}}
• {{citation |last=Barua |first=Birinchi Kumar |title=Sankardeva |place=Guwahati |publisher=Assam Academy for Cultural Relations |year=1960}}
• {{citation |last=Gandhiya |first=Jayakanta |title=Huncari, Mukali Bihu, aru Bihunac |place=Dibrugarh |year=1988}}
• {{citation |last=Goswami |first=Praphulladatta |title=Ballads and Tales of Assam |place=Guwahati |publisher=Gauhati University |year=1960}}
• {{citation |last=Goswami |first=Praphulladatta |title=Bohag Bihu of Assam and Bihu Songs |place=Guwahati |publisher=Assam Publication Board |year=1988}}
• {{citation |last=Mahanta |first=Pona |title=Western Influence on Modern Assamese Drama |place=Delhi |publisher=Mittal Publications |year=1985}}
• {{citation |last=Medhi |first=Kaliram |title=Studies in the Vaisnava Literature and Culture of Assam |place=Jorhat, Assam |publisher=Asam Sahitya Sabha |year=1978}}

{{refend}}

{{Sister project links|voy=Bihar|s=The New International Encyclopædia/Assam}}

• Government
• [http://www.assam.gov.in/ Official site] of the Government of Assam
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150915011554/http://assamtourism.gov.in/ Official Tourism site of Assam]
• General information
• {{osmrelation-inline|2025886}}

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Assam

|North = Samdrup Jongkhar District, {{flag|Bhutan}}

|Northeast = Arunachal Pradesh

|East = Nagaland

|Southeast = Manipur

|South = Mizoram

|Southwest = Meghalaya and Tripura
Sylhet Division, {{flag|Bangladesh}}

|West = West Bengal
Rangpur Division, {{flag|Bangladesh}}

|Northwest = Sarpang District, {{flag|Bhutan}}

}}

{{Assam}}

{{States and territories of India}}

{{Fairs and Festivals in Assam}}

{{North East India|state=collapsed}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Northeast India

Category:States and union territories of India

Category:States and territories established in 1947

Category:Tourism in Northeast India

Category:English-speaking countries and territories