Assam, northeast India along the Brahmaputra

Assam, in India’s northeast, has a rich history shaped by powerful kingdoms, diverse peoples, and the fertile Brahmaputra Valley. Ancient texts like the Mahabharata mention Pragjyotishpura, present-day Guwahati, as the capital of the legendary king Narakasura. From the 13th century, the Ahom dynasty rose in Upper Assam, establishing its capital at Sivasagar, which became the centre of a powerful kingdom that ruled for nearly six centuries. The Ahoms built grand monuments, including the Rang Ghar amphitheatre and Talatal Ghar palace, and successfully resisted Mughal invasions.

The island of Majuli, formed by the Brahmaputra River, became the spiritual heart of Assam in the 15th–16th centuries when the saint Srimanta Sankardeva founded Neo-Vaishnavism. Majuli’s monasteries (satras) remain vital centres of art, dance, and devotion.

In the 19th century, after the fall of the Ahoms, Assam was annexed by the British East India Company, becoming part of British India. The tea industry and oil fields transformed its economy. Post-independence, Guwahati grew into the region’s commercial and cultural hub. Today, Assam is celebrated for its tea, silk, music, and festivals like Bihu, while Guwahati, Majuli, and Sivasagar together reflect its blend of history, faith, and resilience.