About the Authors

Er Mridul Yogi
B.Tech (CIT Kokrajhar)
M. Sc (Economics, GU)
Founder – Study insight
Presently working at PNRD Dept. Govt. of Assam

Priyanka Taid
APSC CDPO, Rank – 33
M. Sc Community Science, AAU (Jorhat)
UGC NET qualified

Dedicated the eBook to all dear aspirants

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First publication: August, 2022

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 CONTENTS

 ASSAM HISTORY (ANCIENT ASSAM)

 AHOM HISTORY (MEDIEVAL ASSAM)

 ASSAM HISTORY (MODERN ASSAM)

 RULE OF BRITISH

 ASSAM AFTER INDEPENDENCE

 ASSAM GEOGRAPHY

 ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF ASSAM

 IMPORTANT PLACES IN ASSAM

 LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

 POETS WITH THEIR PEN NAME

 RADIO

 AWARDS AND HONOUR

 ARCHITECTURE AND SCULPTURE IN ASSAM

 PAINTING

 SOME IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES OF ASSAM

ASSAM HISTORY (ANCIENT ASSAM)

 In the age of Mahabharata, the present Assam was known as Pragjyotisha.

 In ancient period, the city of present Guwahati was known as Pragjyotishpur ‘City of
Eastern Astrology’.
 The history of Assam can be divided into 4 Eras.
 The ancient era of Assam began in 4th century.
 Establishment of Kamrupa kingdom marks the beginning of ancient era of Assam
History.
 Narakasura founded a dynasty known as Bhauma dynasty.
 Narakasura the most powerful King from Asura dynasty was said to killed by Lord
Krishna of Dwarka.
 The first known traditional king of Assam was Mahiranga Danava.
 Bhagadutta the eldest son of Narakasura fought for the Kauravas in the battle of
Mahabharata.
 Pragjyotishpur became a centre of Astrological studies under Bajradutta, son of
Bhagadutta.
 The Dighali Pukhuri in Guwahati is associated with Bhagadatta.
 Two important kings of ancient period, contemporary to the Asura dynasty were
Bhismaka Raja of Bidharbha and Bana Raja of Sonitpur.
 Lord Krishna married Rukmini after kidnapping her and she was the daughter of king
Bhismaka.
 Tezpur, earlier known as Sonitpur was the capital of Bana Raja.
 Bana Raja’s daughter eloped and married with Aniruddha, the grandson of Lord Krishna.
 ‘Kumara Harana’ depicts about Lord Krishna who defeated Bana Raja of Tezpur at
Tezpur Bill and a poetical work narrating the story of Usha’s marriage to Airuddha by
Shankardeva.
 The first known king of the Varmana dynasty was Pushyavarman.
 Pushya Varman (355-380) was the founder of Varman dynasty was contemporary of
Samudragpta (350-375).
 The first important ruler of the Varman dnasty and the first ruler to perform horse
sacrifice (Aswamedha Yagya) was Mahendra Varman.
 Bhaskar Varman also known as ‘Kumar Raja’ because he was a Bachelor.
 Bhaskar Varman established friendship bond with Harshavardhana of Kanauj.
 Hieun Tsang, the Chinese pilgrim and writer of ‘Si-yu-ki’(memorable account on his visit
to Kamrupa) visited Assam at the request of Bhaskar Varman.
 The only gift accepted by Hiuen Tsang from Bhaskarvarman was a Cap.
 Pala dynasty in Assam was founded by Brahma Pala. (But the founder of Pala dynasty in
Bihar and Bengal was Gopala).
 The first Mohamedan invasion to Kamrupa (present Assam) took place in the year 1206
AD under general Bakhtiyar Khilji during the reign of king Prithu, who was killed in a
battle with Illtutmish in 1228 AD.

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 Lower Assam and the adjacent part of Bengal subsequently formed a kingdom called
Kamata.
 Durlabhnarayan, king of Kamata kingdom patronized several Kamrupi poets like - Hem
Saraswati, Kaviratna and Harihar Vipra.
 Raghudeva Narayana was the son of Chilarai.
 Famous Kamrupi poet Hema Saraswati flourished during the reign of Durlabhnarayan.
 The Kamakhya temple was rebuilt in bricks by Koch King Naranarayan in the year 1565,
under the supervision of his brother Chilarai.
 Chilarai was popularly known as Sukladhwaj.
 The capital of Koch kingdom was at Cooch-Bihar.
 The english traveller who visited the Koch kingdom during the reign of Naranarayan was
Ralph Fitche.
 King Naranarayan died in the year 1587.
 Koch coins were hexagonal and round and called as Narayani coins.
 Gohain Kamal Ali built by Koch prince Gohain Kamal which extended from Koch Bihar
to Narayanpur (Lakhimpur) covering a span of 250 miles was constructed during the
reign of Nara Narayan.
 The progenitor of Koch royal family was Haria Mandal.
 The first King of Koch dynasty was Bishwa Singha (son of Haria Mandal).
 Gunamala is a scripture written by Shankardeva within one night at the request of Koch
king Naranarayan in 1552. It is a very small handbook of Bhagavata Purana.
 The founder of Chutiya Kingdom was Birpal, established in the year 1187.
 The Chutiyas worshipped Goddess Kesaikhati, where human sacrifice was practiced (but
this ritual was abolished by Ahom king Gaurinath Singha).
 A Muslim mystic Khawaja Ghiasuddin Aulia built his Khankah at Hajo ,which is now
popular known as Poa Macca to the Muslim pilgrims.
 The last king of Chutiya kingdom is Nityapal.
 The capital of Chutiya kingdom was: Swarnagiri (1187-1248), Ratnapala(1225-1248),
Sadiya (1248-1524) (founded by Chutiya king Ratnadhwajpal)

AHOM HISTORY (MEDIEVAL ASSAM)

 The Ahom gave the name ‘Mungdungsunkham’ to Assam.

 The advent of the Ahoms was witnessed in the 13th century, with its first Ahom king
Sukapha.
 Sukapha , along with his band of followers entered the boundaries of Assam in 1228
AD, through the Naga kingdom and settled in Patkai mountains.
 The Ahoms formed their first heaquarter at Tipam.
 Sukapha founded the first Ahom capital at Charaideo in 1253 AD.
 His son Suseupha(1268-1281) succeeded and extended the boundaries of the Ahom
kingdom from the area adjoining Dikhow river to Namdang river.
 There was no ruler after the sixth Ahom king Sutupha, which resulted in Minister’s
rule twice from 1376 to 1380 and again from 1389 to 1397.

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 Sudangpha also known as Bamuni konwar (brought up in the house of a Brahmin)
was crowned in the year 1397-1407.
 Sudangpha’s accession marks the first stage in the growth of Brahminical influence
against the Ahoms and made his capital at Charguyan.
 A war between Tipams and Ahoms took place during Sudangpha’s reign but was
peacefully culminated with both the sides sacrificing chickens known as Patkai.
 Supimpha’s son Suhungmung(1497-1539) whose reign counted as one of the most
memorable in 600 years of Ahom rule.
 Suhungmung was the first Ahom king to assume the Hindu title ‘Swarganarayan’ and
was popularly known as ‘Dihingia Raja’
 Suhungmung shifted the capital to Bokota near Dihing river.
 Suhungmung annexed the Chutiya and the Kachari territories to the Ahom Domains.
 The first Ahom king to adopt Saka-Era was Suhungmung.
 Suhungmung created a 3rd category of Minister known as Borpatragohain to the
already existing Ministers: Borgohain and Burhagohain.
 Barbarua acted as Chief Executive during Ahom period.
 The first Barpatra Gohain was Kan Seng Barpatra Gohain.
 Suhungmung also created Sadiyakhowa gohain to administer the Sadiya region and
Marangi khowa gohain to administer the territories conquered from the Kacharis.
 The ‘Battle of Bharali’ took place in the year 1533AD, under the reign of
Suhungmung, where Mulagabhoru the widow of the great Ahom general
Phrasengmung died.
 The first ever census of population took place during the reign of Suhungmung in the
year 1510 AD.
 Srimanta Shankardeva got full impetus to preach his Vaishnava Dharma during the
rule o Swarganarayana (Suhungmung).
 The Mughals invaded Assam thrice (1527,1531 and 1532) during the reign of
Suhungmung.
 The Ahoms learned the use of gunpowder and fire arms during the reign of
Suhungmung.
 Major part of the Kachari kingdoms was occupied by the Ahoms during the reign of
Suhungmung.
 Suhungmung died in the year 1539 AD at the hands of Kachari servant.
 The son of Suhungmung known as Suklengmung (1539-1552 AD), shifted the capital
to Gargaon from Bokota and he was also called as ‘Gargainya Raja’.
 Sukhampha the son of Suklengmung (152-1603) succeeded him and was also known
as ‘Khora Raja’.
 Sukhampha’s son Susengpha ascended the throne in 1603 and took the name as
“Pratap Singha”. He created an important post known as ‘Borphukan’ and
‘Borbaruah’.
 Mumai Tamuli Borbaruah was the first Bobaruah official.
 The war between the Mughals and the Ahoms was at peak during the reign of Pratap
Singha.
 During the reign of Pratap Singha, Paik system was introduced.

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 Under the Paik system,officers like Hazarikas, Saikias, Borahs were appointed.
 Pratap Singha was also known as ‘Swargadeo Buddhi Swarganarayan’ and also
known as ‘Burha Raja’.
 Princess Mangaldoi, the daughter of Koch king Raghudev was offered to Pratap
Singha.
 Pratap Singha also assumed the title of ‘Gajapati’ meaning Lord of Elephants for his
love towards Elephants.
 Sutamla also known as ‘Bhagania Raja’ who assumed the Hindu name as ‘Jayadhwaj
Singha came to reign in 1648-1663.
 Mirzumla a powerful general of Mughal kingdom was sent by Aurangzeb in 1662
AD.
 Supungmung (1663-1670 AD) is also known as ‘Chakradhwaj Singha’
 The battle of Alaboi was fought in the year (1669-1670), August 14th during the reign
Chakradhwaj Singha .
 The famous ‘Battle of Saraighat’ took place in the year 1671 at Saraighat between the
Ahoms and Mughals, under the leadership of great General ‘Lachit Barphukan’
during the reign of Ahom king ‘Udayaditya Singha(Suniatpha, 1670-1673).
 In the battle of Saraighat of 1671, Mughal forces were led by Ram Singh.
 A fort was created at Saraighat bank of the river Brahmaputra known as Lachit Garh,
and it’s completion duty relied on Lachit’s maternal uncle, but due to his negligence
towards his duty, Lachit beheaded him.
 The youngest boy king known as ‘Lora Raja’ with the Hindu name ‘Ratnadhwaj
Singha’(1679-1681 AD) and Ahom name ‘Sulikpha’ at the advice of ‘Lalukhola
Barphukan’ was determined to kill all the decedents of the former Kings.
 In 1680, Bhotai Deka Saikia, Aghona Kachari and Madhan Tamuli assassinated
Lalukhula Barphukan.
 Godapani who was known as ‘Gadadhar Singha’(1681-1696) and with Ahom name as
‘Supatpha’ succeeded in escaping from the pursuers of Lora Raja.
 Godapani was the son of ‘Gobar Raja’ and husband of ‘Joymoti Konwari’ and he
belonged to Tungkhungia clan.
 Godapani was the first Monarch to have introduced the system of surveying the land.
 Gadadhar Singha waged a war against the Mughals, which was popularly known as
‘Battle of Itakhuli’ or ‘Itakhulir Rann’.
 The Umananda Devalaya at Guwahati was built by Gadadhar Singha.
 ‘Dhodar Ali’, a road near Golaghat was built by Gadadhar Singha.
 Gadadhar Singha founded his capital at Barkola.
 Sukrungpha (1699-1714 AD) also known as ‘Lai’ was the eldest son of Gadadhar
Singha, taking the Hindu name ‘Rudra Singha’ constructed the city of Rangpur.
 Joysagar tank and Joydol was built by Rudra Singha.
 Rudra Singha hoped to make the Ahom kingdom an important power in India.
 For the better administration of his Kingdom, he introduced five new ranks: Khel-
kataki, Kakati, Bairagi, Khaund and Doloi.
 Sanskrit language was used on Ahom coins from the reign of Suhungmung.

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 The stone bridge over Namdang river was built by Rudra Singha also built the
Kharikatia Ali, Meteka Ali.
 Rudra Singha was succeeded by his eldest son Shiva Singha (first son of Rudra
Singha)
 Shiva Singha was a weak person and installed his queen, Phuleshwari as Bor Raja or
Chief king.
 Hasti Vidyanava was composed during the reign of Shiva Singha (An Assamese
Treatise on Elephants),composed by Sukumar Barkaith in the year 1734 AD.
 Shiva Singha married Phuleshwari’s sister Drupadi after the death of Phuleshwari.
 She was the next Bor Raja, with the name Ambika and She built Shiva Dol.
 Shiva Singha’s brother Pramatta Singha (Second son of Rudra Singha) built the
Singaduar (main gate) and gave the present shape of Ranghar.
 Ranghar was built with woods and Bamboos by Rudra Singha (But present shape by
Pramatta Singha)
 Posa system with the hill tribes was introduced by Pratap Singha, it was an imposition
of tax on the tribal.
 Rajeswar Singha (1751-1769AD, third son of Rudra Singha) left the state at the hands
of the Bar Baruah Kirtichandra Gandhela, known as ‘Jalam Bota’for his jealousy
character.
 Rajeshwar Singha was offered the hands of Kuranganarayani, daughter of Jai Singha,
the king of Manipur.
 The temple of Navagrah situated at the Chitrachal Hills was built by Rajeshwar
Singha.
 The ‘Treaty of Ghilazarighat’ between Jayadhwaj Singha and Mirjumla was signed on
22nd January,1663.
 Talatal ghar and Karenghar, Basistha Ashram, Navagraha Mandir, Monikarneshwar
Mandir, Chitrachal Mandir, Har-Gauri Devalaya at Guwahati, Neghereting Mandir at
Dergaon was built by Rajeshwar Singha – a royal palace at Garhgaon during the
reign of Rudra Singha.
 The first Maomaria rebellion took place in 1769AD during the reign of Lakshmi
Singha.
 The second Maomaria rebellion broke out during the reign of Gaurinath Singha.
 In 1786AD, the third Maomaria rebellion took place.
 During the Maomaria rebellion, Gaurinath Singha shifted the capital from Ranghar to
Jorhat in 1794.
 Opium cultivation was introduced for the very first time by Captain Welsh during the
reign of Gaurinath Singha.
 Badan Chandra was appointed as the Barphukan by Chandrakanta Singha (1810-
1818AD), and this proved disastrous by choice, which led to invasion of Burmese in
series.
 Badan Chandra Barphukan invited the Burmese to Assam.
 The first Burmese invasion to Assam took place in the year 1817, second Burmese
invasion took place in the year 1819 during the reign of Purandar Singha and third
Burmese invasion took place in the 1821 AD.

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 Purandar Singha was installed as king in the year (1818-1819), under the patronage of
Ruchinath Burhagohain.
 The Mughal first attacked Ahom kingdom in 1615.
 The First Anglo-Burmese war took place in 5th March in 1824.
 The second Anglo-Burmese war took place in 1826 AD, the Burmese had to leave
Assam in the hands of British, after signing the ‘The Treaty of Yandaboo’ in 24th
February,1826.
 Ahom coronation hall was called as Singari-Ghar utha, constructed of Singari tree
woods.
 The Rikkhvan ceremony was performed by Ahoms.
 The last Ahom King was Purandar Singha.
 The last Ahom capital was Jorhat.
 Joymoti was mother of Ahom king Rudra Singha.
 Mingi Maha Bandula was a Burmese general who came to Assam
 The Brahmaputra was surveyed during the Ahom rule by Ensign Wood.
 Coins in Persian language were issued by two Ahom monarchs .One was Rajeshwar
Singha and the other was Siva Singha.
 During the Ahom rule, weaving was introduced by Momai Tamuli Borbaruah.
 The Ahoms introduced Buranji writings in Assam.
 Buranjis were compiled in Ahom language earlier.
 The first emissary to Tripura was sent by Rudra Singha.
 The temple of Umananda is associated with Shiva.
 The Marangi khowa Gohain was the governor of Marangi province.
 The paragana system prevailed in Kamrup.
 Barphukan was the governor of Kamrup.
 Mula Gabhoru died in the Battle of Bharali fighting with Turbak, in the Battle of
Bharali in the year 1533 AD.
 The last battle between the Ahom and the Mughals was the Battle of Itakhuli fought
in the year 1682.
 The title ‘Pratap-Ballabh’was conferred on Kalia Bhomora Barphukan for suppressing
the rebellion of Haradutta and Viradutta by Kamaleshwar Singha.
 The Ahom coins were octagonal in shape.
 The first Barphukan of Ahom was Langi Panisingia.
 Azamtara offered a sum of four lakhs for handing over of Guwahati to Lalukhola
Barphukan.
 The Kacharis were perhaps the earliest known inhabitants of the Brahmaputra valley.
 The Kachari kingdom was occupied by the Ahoms during the reign of Suhungmung.
 The usual shape of the Kachari coins were round.
 The capital of Kachari kingdom was Dimapur or Hidimbapur.
 The last Kachari king was Govindachandra who died in 1830 AD.
 Dimapur was situated on the bank of river Dhansiri.
 The last capital of Kacharis was Khaspur.
 The Jaintia kingdom was described as “Women’s Kingdom” in the epic
‘Mahabharatta’

Page 6
  The Jaintia hills and Khasi hills was annexed into the British empire in 1835AD.

ASSAM HISTORY (MODERN ASSAM)

 The East India Company took political control of Assam after signing of the Treaty of
Yandaboo in 1826AD.
 The first Assamese who fought against British was Gomdhar Konwar in 1828.
 The wild indigenous tea plant was discovered in upper Brahmaputra valley of Assam
in the year 1823 by Robert Bruce.
 ‘Danveer’ title was given to Maniram Dewan, also he was the first tea planter in India
and Assam.
 In 1829, the famous Khasi rebellion broke under the leadership of Tirot Singh.
 In 1835,Tirot Singh surrendered and the administration of Khasi hills passed into the
hands of the British.
 The Duars of Bhutan was also annexed in 1864.
 In 1833, Purandar Singha was reinstated by the British, but with no power.
 The famous revolt of 1857, found an echo in Assam too under the leadership of
Maniram Dewan and Piyoli Barua, started in Guwahati and Dibrugarh.
 Maniram Dewan and Piyoli Barua were hanged in 1858 (26th February).
 The another name of Maniram Dewan was Maniram Dutta Baruah and he was at the
post of Dewan in the Assam Tea Company at Nazira in the year 1839.
 The two tea gardens of Maniram Dewan were: Chinamara at Jorhat district and
Singlou at Sivasagar district.
 The first British Commissioner of Assam was David Scott.
 Piyoli Phukan and Jeuram Dualia Baruah were hanged to death in 1830.
 Phulaguri Dhawa , the first peasant uprising against British rule took place in 1861.

RULE OF BRITISH

 The first notable revolt against the British was led by Dhananjoy Borgohain and
Gumadhar Konwar in 1828.
 Piyoli Borphukan, Jeuram Dulia Baruah were hanged to death in 1830 and the vest
were expelled from the country.
 The famous revolt of 1857, found an also in Assam under the leadership of Maniram
Dewan and Piyoli Barua, who were consequently hanged in 1858.
 Assam was put under a Commissioner in 1859.
 Agrarian revolts took place at Phulaguri, 1861, Patharughat, Rangia in 1894.
 The British sought to damp the linguistic freedom of the natives by introducing
Bengali as the medium of instruction in 1837.

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 Jagannath Barooah formed the first political organization named it Sarbajanik Sabha
at Jorhat in 1884 at Jorhat.

ASSAM AFTER INDEPENDENCE

 The first Governor of independent Assam was Sir Akbar Hydari.

 The first chief minister of Assam was Gopinath Bordoloi
 The second chief minister of Assam was Bishnuram Medhi, first five year plan was
started in his time.
 The capital was shifted from Shillong to Guwahati in the year 1973
 Presidents rule in Assam was introduced for the first time in 1979
 A mass agitation against illegal foreign national staying in Assam started to take roots
under the leadership of the All Assam Student’s Union (AASU)
 At last an accord known as ‘Assam Accord’ was signed between PM Rajiv Gandhi
and AASU , in the early morning of 15th August , 1985.
 Assam Association was formed by Manik Chandra Baruah in 1903, later came to be
known as Assam branch of Indian National Congress in 1919.
 Assam Chatra Sanmillan was formed in 1916.
 Gandhiji visted to Assam in the year 1921.
 The 41st session of Indian National Congress took place in Pandu at Guwahati in
1926. It was presided over by Srinivas Iyengar
 North-Eastern Council (NEC) was formed in 1972
 The first sitting of the Budget session of the Assam Legislative Assembly was held at
the temporary capital at Dispur on the 16th March 1973.
 Present number of seats in Assam Legislative Assembly till date is 126 seats
 The number of members from Assam elected in Lok Sabha is 14 nos.
 The number of members from Assam in Rajya Sabha is 7 nos.

ASSAM GEOGRAPHY

 Assam is the second largest state in terms of area after Arunachal Pradesh, among the
North-eastern states.
 The total area occupied by Assam is 78,438sq km.
 Assam looks like ‘T’ shaped, and lies between the foothills of eastern Himalayas and
Patkai mountains.
 Assam is connected with rest of the Indian Union by a narrow corridor called
‘Chicken’s neck’ or ‘Bottle neck’ or “Siliguri Corridor” in West Bengal that runs for
56 km having a width of 20-22 km.
 The percentage of total area of Assam is under forest is 34%.
 Sal tree is predominant in the forests of Assam.
 Oak Tasar a wild silkworm is found in Dima Hasao district.
 The state tree of Assam is Hollong (Dipterocarpus macrocarpus)
 The state flower of Assam is Foxtail orchid known as Kopou phul.

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 The state amimal of Assam is One-horned Rhinoceros.
 The state bird of Assam is White-winged wood duck, known as Deo Hah.
 The official state drink of Assam is Tea.
 Dibrugarh is known as the ‘Tea city of India’ and the with the district with highest
number of Tea gardens in Assam.
 The state Aquatic animal is Gangetic River Dolphin.
 GI tags products of Assam are : Hand woven Gamosa with red border and floral
motifs (2007),Chokuwa rice or Komal chaaul , Muga ailk in 2014, Joha rice variety in
2017,Tezpur litchi in 2015,Boka chawul in 2018, Assam tea (agricultural orthodox) in
2008, Assam Karbi-Anglong ginger in 2014 and latest is Kaji Nemu in 2020.
 In India, the Brahmaputra river is almost 900 Km long.
 The Brahmaputra takes a ‘U’ turn at the time of entering into India at ‘Namcha
Barwa’, a mountain peak in Tibetian Himalayas.
 Tripura shares the shortest boundary with Assam whereas Meghalaya is the longest.
 The Kaziranga National park is located in Indo-Malayan ecozones.
 Bordoichila, which is associated with pre-monsoon season, is known as ‘Kal Baisakh’
in Bengal, usually the geographical term is ‘Norwester’ also called as ‘Tea shower’.
 The average height of Assam from sea level is 79.5 metre.
 Assam share international border with only two countries: Bhutan and Bangladesh.
 Assam has a common boundary with seven Indian states: Arunachal Pradesh,
Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya and West Bengal.
 34.21%of land of Assam has been occupied by forests.
 Assam is divided into three physical regions: Brahmaputra valley, Barak or Surama
valley and Hilly areas of Karbi-Anglong.
 The Karbi hills and the North Cachar hills (Dima Hasao) are located in the south of
the Brahmaputra valley.
 Singhasan the highest peak of Karbi hill.
 Barail range is the highest hill range in Assam.
 Laike peak to the east of Haflong is the highest peak of Assam.
 Lowest rainfall is received by Lanka-Lumding area, due to its location on the lee-
ward side of the Meghalaya plateau and Karbi hills.
 The main rivers of Assam are: Barak and Brahmaputra.
 The Tipaimukh Dam is constructed on Barak River.
 The Gai, a tributary to the Brahmaputra is situated between Dihang and Subansiri.
 The largest south bank tributary of Brahmaputra is Kapili.
 The largest north bank tributary of Brahmaputra is Subansiri.
 The source of Brahmaputra river lies towards the east of Manas Sarovar lake in the
Himalayas in an ice glacier called ‘Tamchuk Khambab’.
 The total length of the river from its source to the sea 2,880 km.
 There are six Bridges over the Brahmaputra: Saraighat Bridge, Kalia-Bhomora
Bridge, Naranarayan Setu, New Saraighat Bridge, Dhola-Sadia Bridge and Bogibeel
Bridge.
 The first longest bridge in India and Assam till now is Dhola-Sadiya, 9.15km Bridge
(The Dhubri-Phulbari 19km,will be the longest if once completed)

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 The Dhola-Sadiya Bridge is known as the Bhupen Hazaarika Setu spans over Lohit
river (A major tributary of the Brahmaputra river), from the village of Dhola to
Sadiya.
 The Bogibeel 4.94 km is the longest rail-cum road river bridge in India. Also, it
connects Assam to Arunachal Pradesh.
 The Brahmaputra has two river islands: The largest being the Majuli (352 sqkm) and
the smallest is Umananda (13 Bighas, 3Kathas) in Guwahati.
 Majuli is the first river island district in India.
 Jia Bharali is known as Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh.
 Meghalaya shares the longest inter-state boundary with Assam (884.9 km)
 Area wise, Assam ranks 17th among the Indian states.
 Population wise, Assam ranks 15th among the Indian states.
 Assam falls in Monsoon climate.
 The Chandubi lake was formed due to earthquake in the year 12th June 1897
 The great Himalayas protect Assam from cold polar winds in winter.
 The river Brahmaputra forms Braided drainage pattern during winter.
 The total area of Barak Valley is 6962 sq km.
 Kaziranga National Park declared as a National Park on 11th February 1974.
 Manas National park was set up as a National Park in 1990.
 Manas National Park sitauted in Chirang and Baksa district.
 The great Indian one-horned Rhinoceros is presently being reintroduced in Manas
through the ‘Indian Rhino Vision’-2020.
 Dibru-saikhowa National park is the only forest reserve of the world, where wild
horse known as Feral horses are found.
 Golden Langur is found in Chakrasila wildlife sanctuary and in Raimona National
Park in western Assam.
 At present there are seven National Parks : Kaziranga, Manas, Dibru-Saikhuwa,
Nameri, Orang, Raimona and Dihing-Patkai National park and 18 wildlife sanctuaries
(including Behali WS) in Assam.
 Altogether 9 out 15 Indian primate species are found in Assam. The Hoolock Gibbon
is the only ape found in India.
 Largest coalfield in Assam is found in Makum.
 The Tocklai Tea Research Institute was established in 1911 at Jorhat.
 Dihing-Patkai is notified as the 7th National park in Assam in June, 2021.
 The smallest National park in Assam is Orang National Park also known as mini
Kaziranga.
 Kaziranga National Park in Assam is one of the last strongholds for the wild water
buffalo.
 Kaziranga is the oldest National Park in Assam and the newest National Park is
Raimona National Park 422 sqkm located in Kokrajhar district of Bodoland
Territorial Region (BTR) and Dihing-Patkai National park 234 sq km located in
Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts of upper Assam.
 Balphakram National park is located near the Garo hills in the north-eastern state of
Meghalaya.

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 The Dihing-Patkai wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Joypur Rainforest located in the
districts of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia is the only tropical rainforest in Assam.
 Mandarin duck was spotted in the Maguri wetland in the Tinsukia district as a
migratory bird.
 Dihing-Patkai wildlife sanctuary is known as the ‘Amazon of the East.’
 Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kamrup-Metro.
 The largest wetland of Assam is Sonbeel situated in Karimganj but Deepor beel is the
only Ramsar site in Assam.
 UNESCO World Heritage sites of Assam are:
1. Manas National Park (1985) and
2. Kaziranga National Park (1985)

 Biosphere Reserves of Assam are:

1. Manas National Park (14th March 1989) and
2. Dibru-Saikhuwa National park (28th July 1991)

 Project Tiger of Assam are :

There are 4 Tiger Reserve in Assam till 2022

1. Manas TR (1973)
Dist- Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri
2. Nameri TR (1999/2000)
Dist- Sonitpur
3. Kaziranga TR (2006/2007)
Dist Nagaon, Golaghat
4. Orang TR (2016)
Dist- Udalguri and Sonitpur

 Elephant reserves of Assam are:

 There are 5 Elephant reserves in Assam till 2022

1. Chirang-Ripu ER (06-03-2003) - Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri

2. Sonitpur ER (07-03-03) – Sonitpur
3. Dehing Patkai ER (07-04-03)- Dibrugarh & Tinsukia
4. Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong ER (17-04-03) - Sonitpur, Nagoan, Golaghat, & Karbi
Anglong
5. Dhansiri-Lungding ER (19-04-03) - Karbi Anglong, Nagoan & N.C.Hills

 The Molai forest is single-handedly planted by Jadav Payeng known as ‘Forest Man
of India.’
 Jatinga, famous for mass suicide of migratory birds is located in Dima Hasao.
 The total number of administrative districts in Assam is 35.
 Bajali and Tamulpur are the newest districts of Assam.
 Nagaon is the largest district, in terms of population with 9.07% people followed by
Dhubri (second).

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 Kamrup Metro has the highest population density, followed by Dhubri.
 Dima Hasao is the most sparsely populated area of the state with 44 persons per sqkm.
 Among the districts, Baksa has the highest sex-ratio of 974 per 1000 male and Dima
Hasao accounted for the lowest member of female per thousand male with 932.
 According to 2011 census, the literacy rate of Assam is approximately 72%.
 Kamrup (88.71%) comes first with a highest literacy rate in Assam followed by Jorhat
(82.15%).
 Dhubri has the lowest literacy rate in Assam.
 The headstreams of Brahmaputra are: Lohit, Dihang and Dibang.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF ASSAM

 The heritage architecture of Assam has both the Indo-Aryan and Islamic style.
 The Rang-ghar is built in Islamic style for the members of the then royal family as a
‘House of Entertainment’ at Rupahi Pothar, where games like buffalo fights and Bihu
dance were performed on the occasion of Bihu especially.
 The state festival of Assam is Bihu and Bihu nach is the folk dance of Assam and the
classical dance of Assam is Satriya (Recognised by Sangeet Natak Academy in 2000)
 Some popular folk dances in Assam: Bihu, Jhumur, Bagrumba etc.
 The Ahom architectures were built up of baked bricks and paste of Bora rice and
Duck egg as a mortar.
 Ahoms are the descendents of Tai.
 ‘Bukuni-Patani’ is a traditional costume of Koch-Rajbanshi.
 ‘Peng Karkli’is a traditional festival celebrated by Karbi.
 ‘Rongkhar’ is an spring festival observed by the Karbi people of Assam.
 Jonbili Anthon is an extraordinary woodcraft of Karbi-Anglong.
 ‘Lo Ho La Hai’ and ‘Lali Hilali Lai’ are the two types of traditional songs of Tiwa
(Lalungs)
 ‘Tora Chira’ is a traditional festival of Thengal-Kachari.
 ‘Bah Gossain Puja’ is the most important festival of Sarania Kacharis.
 The headman of Dimasa tribes of Assam is called as ‘Khunang’
 ‘Porag’ also called as’ Narasingha Bihu’ is a five days long post-harvest festival
observed by the Mishing of Assam.
 Haidang’ are the traditional folk songs of Sonowal Kacharis.
 ‘Far-Kanthi’ is celebrated by Rabha.
 ‘Bohuwa’ dance is performed by Sonowals.
 Cheraw is the Bamboo dance of Mizoram.
 Wangala is a festival also known as festival of ‘The Hundred Drums’, a harvest
festival celebrated by the Garo tribe of Meghalaya.
 ‘Suwaguritula’ is a ritual in Assamese marriage.
 ‘Choklong’ is the marriage of Ahom community.
 ‘Baikhu’ festival is celebrated by the Rabha tribes.
 ‘Kherai puja’ is celebrated by the Bodo tribes.
 ‘Daini puja’ is celebrated by the Barman tribes.

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  Bagrumba is the folk dance of Bodo tribes.
 ‘Dokhona’is the traditional attire adorn by the women of Bodo tribes.
 ‘Ali-Aye-Ligang’ is an agricultural festival of Mishing community of Assam.
 The largest tribe of Assam is the Bodo tribe.
 The second largest tribe of Assam is the Mishing tribe.
 ‘Bathow Puja’is an important religious festival of Bodo-Kachari tribes.
 ‘Chamangkan’ festival is celebrated by the Karbi tribes.
 ‘Satsana Phi’ and ‘Me-Dum-Me-Phi’ are celebrated by the Tai Ahom community.
 Joonbeel mela is a Bartar system fair celebrated for Three days near the banks of
Joonbeel at Jagiroad by the Tiwa community.
 ‘Ambubchi mela’is celebrated in Guwahati in the month of June.
 ‘Bushu Dima’ is a celebration of the consumption of newly harvested autumn rice by
the Dimasa tribes.
 ‘Tusu puja’ is celebrated by the Tea tribes of Assam in the month of Puh and Magh.
 ‘Karam puja’ is the most important festival of tea tribes of Assam.
 ‘Borot utsav’ is celebrated by the Tiwas.
 ‘Deodhani dance’ is performed by the Deuri community.

IMPORTANT PLACES IN ASSAM

 Badarpur is the biggest railway junction under North-East Frontier Railways.

 Raha was an important Chowki or watch station during the Ahom period.
 Da-Parbatia is the oldest relics until now discovered, 5km west of Tezpur.
 Fakiragram is the biggest timber depot situated between Sapatgram and Kokrajhar in
Assam
 Gandhi Mandap is situated on top of the Sarania hills, Guwahati.
 Haflong is known as the ‘Scotland of Assam’.
 Madan-Kamdev is situated near Baihata Chariali is referred to as mini Khajoraho of
Assam.
 Sadiya was known as Kundilnagar in the epic era.
 Trimurti Udyan of Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwal, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha
and Natasurya Phani Sarma is situated at Tezpur.
 Kamakhya temple is situated on the Nilachal hills.
 Basistha temple is situated on the Sandhyachal hills.
 Hayagriva Madhava Temple is situated on the Monikut hill.
 Umananda Devaloi is a Shiva temple located on the Bhasmachala Hill of Umananda
Island
 Basistha Temple is located in Beltola, is situated on the Sandhyachal hill.

LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

 The American Baptist Missionaries arrived in Sivsagar with Religious motives in

1836.

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 Assamese is the official language of the State under the provisions of the Official
Language Act 1960.
 The ‘Official Language Year’ to make sure the full implementation of the Act in the
States official and other circles was observed in the year 1979.
 Lokageets in Assamese are generally called Naam.
 Naams and Geet are synonymous.
 Oral literature : Pravachan and Phakara Jojana (Sayings and Proverbs)
 The Phakaras are shythmic and full of meaning jojanas are in couplets, where one line
is added to another to make the line complete.
 The basic concept of the phakara-Jojona is the wisdom of many and the unit of one.
 Charjyapadas are meant to be sung and they are sung according to various raag and
raaginis.
 The language of neo-Vaishnava lyrics – Brajabuli or Brajawali
 Madhav Kandali (Pre – Vaishnavaite Saint) translated Valmiki’s Ramayana into
Assamese.
 The literature from the 15th century to the 17th century comprises the Vaishnavaite
Literature.
 Sankardev was the Vaishnavite poet who initiated the literature of 15th -17th Century.
 Sankardev’s biggest contribution was the writing of Kirtan and Dasham.
 The poetical work of Sankardeva was Cihnayatra.
 Cihnayatra was the first Assamese play.
 The songs composed by Sankardeva are known as Borgeet and Bhatima.
 These songs were originally 250 in number, but with the passage of time, only about
35 are remaining.
 Srimanta Sankardeva’s works include – Ram Vijaya, Parijat Haran, Patni Prasad,
Kaaliya Daman, Keligopal, Rukmini Haran.
 Madhavdev’s Work : Naam Ghosha, Ratnawali, Bhojan Behar, Chor Dora, Pimpora
Guchua, Bhumi Letewa etc.
 Bhattadev was the first to use Assamese written pose as a medium of expression.
 Charit Puthi was a special class of literature whose time drama was from end of 16th
Century to the early years of the 18th Century.
 Banshawalis are the genealogical details about the various royal families and Gossain-
Mahantas.
 Charit Puthi comprised of the biographies of srimanta Sankardeva, Srimanta
Madhabdeva and other Vaishnavite poet-saints.
 Charit Sahitya (biography)
 Sakta Sahitya (Book on goddess workship)
 Purani Assomar Buranji is the oldest Buranji.
 The British introduced Bengali in the schools and court of the state in 1836.
Introduced Bengali as a medium of instruction in 1837.
 Assamese was reinstated in the state in 1873.
 Pandit Atmaram Sarmah had translated the Bible in Assamese.
 The Bible (Dharmapustak) printed at Srirampur, was the first private book in
Assamese.

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 In 1807, Miles Bronson compiled the first dictionary in Assamese, incorporating
14,000 words. His “Asomiya – Engraji Abhidhan” was the only available Assamese
dictionary till 1900.
 Dark phase for Assamese literature – 1836-1873.
 The first modern play (Social drama in Assamese) Ram Navami was written in
support of widow marriage – Gunabhiram Baruah.
 It was published in Orunodoi in serialized form in 1857-58.
 Anandaram Dhekial Phukanar Jiban-Charitra, published in 1880, is the first modern
biography in Assamese.
 Jonaki was first published in 1889 with Chandra Kumar Agarwala was it’s editor.
 Priyatomar Chithi is the first Assamese Sonnet written by Hemchandra Goswami.
 Anandachandra Agarwala, known as Bhangani Konwar.
 Hemkosh which was recognized as the best dictionary of Assamese languages, was
published in 1900 after the death of its compiler Hemchandra Barua (1835-1890)
 Hemkosh consisted of 22,346 words.
 The novel made its entry into Assamese literature at the twilight of the 19th Century.
 Bhanumati (1891- Padmanath Gohain Barua)
 Lahori (1892 – Padmanath Gohain Barua)
 Miri Jiyori (1894, Rajanikanta Bordoloi)
 Rajanikanta Bordoloi was known as ‘Upanyas Samrat’. Bordoloi wrote a number of
historical novels like –
o Manomati – 1900, Rangili, 1925, Nirmal Bhakat – 1926, Rahdoi Ligir – 1930,
Tamreswarir mandir, Dandduwadrah-1929
 Beena Barua’s – Jibonor Batat (1945) is regarded as the best Assamese novel of the
Post war era.
 Surujmukhir Swapna is his first best novel – Syed Abdul Malik.
 Dhanya Nara Tanu Bhaal is based on the life of Mahapurash Shankardeva.
 Kanchar Dore Heerar Dore, the first Assamese trilogy, written by Gobinda Prasad
Sarma.
 ‘O Mur Apunar Desh’ was first published in Bahi in 1909.
 The first Assamese Children’s novel Pataalpuri was written by – Hargobinda Sharma.
 The first Assamese Children magazine is – Lora Bandhu

POETS WITH THEIR PEN NAME

 Antyaja – Dr. Maheswar Neog.
 Jayanti – Published in 1936, edited by Raghunath Choudhary.
 Bidrohi Kabi – Prasannalal Choudhury
 Bihogi Kabi – Raghunath Choudhary

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 Biplobi Kavi – Prasannalal Choudhury
 Bonphoolar Kavi – Jatindranath Duarah
 Dhulani Kavi – Bimala Chandra Baruah
 Geeti Kavi – Parbati Prasad Baruah
 Nirajor Kavi – Sailadhar Rajkhowa
 Paporir Kavi – Ganesh Chandra Gogoi
 Prem aru Rodalir Kavi – Hiren Bhattacharya
 Sewali Kavi – Ratnakanta Borkakati
 Agni Kavi – Kamalakanta Bhattacharya
 Bakulbonor Kavi – Ananda Chandra Baruah
 Lakshminath Bezbaruah was known as Rasharaj and Sahityarathi.

RADIO

 Before the All India Radio Centre started in Assam, Kolkata radio used to broadcast
Assamese Programmes for half an hour regularly during World War II.
 The first Assamese song was broadcasted on 7th July, 1943.
 The songs were ‘Tip Tip Barasun Pore’ and ‘Uti ja rupali Naon’ (Bishnu Rabha)
performed by Bela Mukharjee.
 The Shillong – Guwahati Station was shifted from shilling to Guwahati in 1953.
 Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University, the only State open University of the
entire North – East. The University has launched the first community radio Jhan
Taranga of the North – East on 28th of January, 2009.
 The second community radio of the region. ‘Radio Luit’ (90.8 MH3) of Gauhati
University was formally launched on 1st March, 2011.
 On March, 2000 the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) launched an
educational FM Radio channel (Gyan Vani).
 Television broadcasting in Assam started with the establishment of Doordarshan
Kendra in Guwahati on 19th Nov, 1982.
 Assamese News network was launched on 15th March 1991. The first private satellite
channel of North – East India was NE TV, which was launched in the year 2004.
 The first Assamese Play to be broadcast over all India Radio- Been Baragi (broadcast
in the year 1935).
 The first mobile theater group of Assam was – Nataraj Theater

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  The first modern Assamese theater hall Baan Theater established (in 1906) at Tezpur.

AWARDS AND HONOUR

 Asom Sahitya Sabha Awards: - two important titles conferred by the ‘Sahitya Sabha’
are Sadasya Mohian and Sahityacharya.
 Asom Sahitya Sabha also crowned Sharmeswari Devi Baruani as Kabya Bharati title
and Lakhsminath Bezbarua was crowned Rasaraj title.
 The highest literary award of the Assamese literature is ‘Assam Valley Literary
Award’.
 The First recipient of Assam Valley Literary Award is Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia
(1990)
 Sananta Tanti, Yeshe Dorje Thongchi, Rita Choudhury are recepients of Assam
Valley Literary Award in the year (2017)
 The first Publication Board Award /Prakashan Parishad Bota was conferred to
Bhabendra Nath Saikia (Sendur, 1973)
 In 2017, Atulandanda Goswami awarded the Publication Board Award.
 Prabina Saikia Award: Instituted in 1999 by Asom Lekhika Sanstha, with the co-
operation of Chandraprasad Saikia, husband of late Prabina Saikia, the award is given
to a woman Assamese writer, for outstanding contributions to creative writing.
Recipients of Prabina Saikia Award are: Nilima Dutta – 1999, Nirupama Borgohain –
2000
 The first Asom Ratna award was conferred to Bhupen Hazarika (2009)
 The first female PadmaShri award winner from Assam was Nalini Bala Devi
 The first Assamese to receive Sahitya Akademi Award was Jatindranath Duarah for
his book Bonphool in 1955.
 Also, Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya received Sahitya Akademi award in the year
1961 for his notable novel ‘Yaruingam’.
 Recipients of Sahitya Akademi Tradition Awards was Narendranath Sarma for
the Autobigraphy of Jawaharlal Nehru (Atmajivan Charit)
 In 2017, Sahitya Akademi Tradition Award was conferred to the work: Eti Koli Duti
Paat /Two Leaves and a Bud (English Novel) by Babul Tamuly
 Recipients of Sahitya Akademi Awards (Bodo Language) was:– Jiuni Mwthang in the
year 2015 and in the year 2017 – Thwisam (Novel) by Dr. Rita Boro

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  Recipents of Bharat Ratna from Assam : 1999 – Gopinath Bordoloi (Posthumously)
and Dr. Bhupen Hazarika on in 2019.
 Bharatiya Jnanpith Award from Assam : Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya, for his novel
Mrityunjai in the year 1979, Mamoni Raisom Goswami in 2000 ( for her lifetime
contribution to Assamese Literature)
 The first Assamese to receive Arjuna award was Bhogeshwar Baruah in the year 1966
and Assam Dhing Express Hima Das is the 5th Arjuna Awardee in 2018 after
Bhogeshwar Baruah.
 Recipient of Tagore Literature Award from Assam in 2010 – Debabrata Das - only
once from Assam till now.
 Ratan Tata has been awarded the highest civilian Award of Assam i.e., Assam
Bhaibhav Award.
 Eminent poet Nilamani Phookan is conferred with the Jyanpith Award 2020.

ARCHITECTURE AND SCULPTURE IN ASSAM

 The stone gate of Da-parbotia at Sonitpur – Early Gupta era architecture.

 Umachal Silalipi discovered on Nilachal hills at Guwahati is the oldest inscription
found till date.
 The influence of South Indian architecture is seen in Siddheswari temple at Kamrup
district.
 Best example of Koch Architecture: Hayagriba Madhav temple of Hajo (build by
Raghudeva Narayana) and Kamakhya Temple (build by Naranarayana, 1540-1587)
 Madan Kamdev similar with Khajoraho temple of Madhya Pradesh was created
during the reign of Pala dynasty. The main temple is the Madan Kamdev temple,
which displayed a sculpture of Lord Shiva or Mahesh war with his consort Parvati or
Uma.
 The style and forms of sculptures formed at Madan Kamdeva have similarities with
the Nagar style of North India. The entire region had been built in five sections or
“Panoharath”. Thus, it is popularly known as the mini Khajuraho.
 Stone curved mementoes of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism are found on Surya
Pahar located at Goalpara.
 Kamalabari Satra (Upper door) – Example of Ahom era Sculpture. The mark of
difference is distinct among the image of ten incarnations (Dasha Avatar) curved on
the door.

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PAINTING

 Bhaskar Varman sent “Paat aaru Tulika” (Leaf and Brush) with other equipments of
painting to his friendly peer Harsavardhan.
 The practice of painting in ancient Assam is mentioned in ‘Harshacharit’ by
Banabhatta and in the account of Hiuen Tsang.
 The golden era of paint in Assam was initiated by Sankardeva.
 Sankardeva illustrated the vision of seven heaven (Saat Baikuntha) on papers mode of
cotton (Tulapaat)
 Shankardeva’s “Dasham skandha Bhagawat” which was found at Balisatra in Nagaon
district is on excellent example of vividly illustrated religious book.
 Hasthividyarnava was drawn by – Dilbor and Doshai.
 Old Assamese books and pictures were written or drawn on Sanchi Paat or Tulapaat.
 The Khanikar puthi is a combination of Kirtan Ghosa written by Sankardeva and
Naamghosa written by Madhavdeva and is available only in the Khanikar village of
Golaghat district.

SOME IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES OF ASSAM

 17th January is observed as Silpi Divas(Assam)

 21st February is observed as Chilarai Divas in Assam.
 28th March is observed as Jaya Smriti Divas in Assam
 21st April is celebrated as Sati Sadhani Divas in Assam.
 20th June is celebrated as Bishnu Rabha Divas in Assam.
 24th November is celebrated as Lachit Divas in Assam.
 2nd December is celebrated as Sukapha’s Divas or Assam Divas .
 10th December is observed as Swahid Divas in Assam
 22nd September is observed as World Rhino day.

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