Ancient history of Assam suggests that civilization was present in Assam around the 2nd century BCE, a rock-cut stupa at Sri Surya Pahar has been dated to 200 BCE contemporary with the rock-cut Karle and Bhaja caves of Maharashtra.
The early 16th century saw a chain of conflicts between Chutias and Ahoms for the leadership of eastern Assam.
Another ruler was The Dimasa, a Bodo-Kachari ruled from the Dikhow River to Central and Southern Assam.
The Ahoms took the leadership of Upper Assam and increased their kingdom throughout the state. This weakened the Chutia and Dimasa kingdoms.
There were several western invasions over Assam but no western power was able to rule over Assam.
Modern history suggests that Assam was separated from Bengal in 1874 as the ‘North-East Frontier’ non-regular province, which is also known as Assam Chief-Commissionership.
After the partition of Bengal in 1905, Eastern Bengal and Assam were incorporated into two new provinces.
It was re-established as Province in 1912.
* TOURIST PLACES-
WATERFALLS
Akashiganga Waterfall(Hojai)
Kakochang Waterfalls(Golaghat)
Chandubi Waterfalls(Kamrup)
Sivakunda Waterfall(Morigaon)
MUSEUMS
Assam State Museum (Guwahati)
Brahmaputra River Heritage Centre (Guwahati)
Thengal Cultural Centre & Museum(Balijan Gaon)
Regional Science Centre(Guwahati)
HILL STATIONS
Haflong(Dima Hasao)
Dima Hasao
Goalpara
Diphu(Anglong)
GARDENS
Tea Garden(Alisinga)
AMUSEMENT PARK-
Accoland(Guwahati)
Dreamland Amusement Park(Guwahati)
CAVES
Bongaigaon Rock Cut Cave(Jogighopa)
Golpara Buddhist Rock Cut Cave(Dubapara)
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary (Dhubri)
Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary
Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary (Nagaon)
RELIGIOUS PLACES
Kamakhya Temple(Guwahati)
Purva Tirupati Shri Balaji temple(Guwahati)
Hajo(Guwahati)
NATIONAL PARKS
Kaziranga National Park(Golaghat District and partly in Nagaon District)
Manas National Park(Himalayan foothills)
Orang National Park(Darrang and Sonitpur)
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park(Dibrugarh and Tinsukia)
VALLEYS
Brahmaputra Valley(between hill ranges of the eastern and northeastern Himalayan range)
1) The Dhoti and Gamosa are said to be the native dress of the men of Assam. The Dhoti is used to cover the lower half of the body and is a well-known piece of clothing in other Indian traditions too. Wearing a Dhoti properly is not so easy and carrying it is also one tricky job. The Gamosa is a rectangular piece of cloth that is an important and significant part of the Assam culture. Gamosa means 'A cloth to wipe one's body' and is a white cloth with a beautiful red border on three sides and woven motifs on the remaining one.
Dhoti and Gamosa
2) The Mekhela Chador is the traditional dress for the women of Assam. It is worn by women of all ages except children. This two piece garment has a long piece of cloth that is draped from the waist downwards and is then folded into pleats and tucked in. This piece is called the Mekhela. The upper part of the dress is the Chador that is also a long piece of cloth whose one end is tucked into the Mekhela, and then the rest is wrapped around the body. This Chador is worn with triangular folds the art of which can be mastered only by sheer practice.
Mekhela Chador
* CUISINE-
Doi-Chira
Baanhgajor Lagot Kukura
Ouu Khatta
Pani Hamuk
Duck Meat Curry
* FAMOUS FESTIVAL-
Baishagu
This festival is celebrated in Assam with much pomp and enthusiasm. This festival is commonly celebrated by the tribe of 'Boro Kacharis' of Assam and it is the famous festival of the Boros. Famous for its myriad colours and merriment, 'Baishagu' is generally celebrated by the Bodo Kacharis during mid April.
It is the most cherished festival of the Bodo tribe. The Bodos also celebrate it as a springtime festival at the advent of the new year. In this festival of Baishagu many traditional musical instruments are used. Such music instruments are: Khawbang, Jotha, Gogona, Siphung, Kham etc. At the end of this Baishagu Festival of Assam the Assamese people gather together in a specified place for a community prayer which is called as "Garjasali" in Assamese language.
Baishagu
* TRADITIONAL SPORT-
Dhopkhel
Dhopkhel also transliterated dhop khel and dhoop khel (Assamese), is a traditional ball game played in the Indian state of Assam. The game is played between two teams of 11 on a 125 m × 80 m field bounded by four flags. The players take turns throwing the ball at the opponent to knock them out of the game, while seeking to catch the ball and avoid being tagged by other players. It is a test of speed, stamina, and acrobatic skills.
Matches of the game were traditionally made to observe the spring and New Year festival of Bihu. The game was once played to amuse Ahom royalty as a spectator sport. It is no longer widely played in Assam, though efforts are being made to revive it.
Dhopkhel
* FOLK DANCE-
Bihu
Bihu holds great importance to everyone living in Assam. It is beyond just a festival. It is an emotion. The celebration is huge. Bihu dance is performed on TV, on big stages, and even locally. The colors are bright and beautiful, and the sound of the traditional "Dhul", "Pepah", "Gogona", echoes in all directions during April-May.
