ASSAM INTRODUCTION

Assam History

Assam is the eastern most sentinel of India endowed with enchanting and picturesque
natural beauty. The State is adorned with beautiful lush covers of greenery, a chain
of hills and rivers mainly the Brahmaputra and the Barak. It has been the living place
of various races, tribes and ethnic groups since time immemorial. The dynamics of
synthesis and assimilation of the races make Assam glorified and rich.

There are several opinions to the origin of the name “Assam”. In the ancient Sanskrit
literature both the names ‘Pragjyotisha’ and ‘Kamrupa’ were used as designation for
ancient Assam. Its antiquity can be established from the fact that it has been
mentioned in the two great epics- The Mahabharata and the Ramayana and also in
the Puranas. Regarding the name ‘Prajyotisha’ or ‘Pragjyotishpura’, Gait (1992,
reprint) writes that Prag means ‘former’ or ‘eastern’ and Jyotisha ‘a star’, astrology,
shining. Pragjyotishpur may, therefore, be taken to mean the ‘City of Eastern
Astrology’.

References of Kamarupa are found in literature as well as in many epigraphs. The

mythology regarding the origin of the name Kamarupa tells us the story of Sati who
died due to the discourtesy shown to her husband by her father Daksha. Overcame
by grief, Shiva carried her dead body and wandered throughout the world. In order to
put a stop to this, Vishnu used his discus to cut the body into pieces, which then
fell into different places. One such piece fell down on Nilachal hills near Gauhati and
the place was henceforth held sacred as Kamakhya. But Shiva’s penance did not
stop, so the Gods sent Kamdev, the cupid to break his penance by making him fall
in love. Kamdev succeeded in his mission, but Siva enraged at this result, burnt
Kamdev to ashes. Kamdev eventually regained his original form here and from then
onward the country came to be known as Kamarupa (Where Kama regained his
Rupa or form).

The name ‘Aham’ or ‘Asom’ was probably given by the Ahoms who came to Assam
in 1228 A.D. Even though the origin is ambiguous but it is believed that the modern
name Assam is itself an anglicization.

The Ahom’s entered Assam fully assimilated and ruled Assam for nearly six hundred
years. The period of Ahom rule is a glorious chapter in the history of Assam. The
Ahom dynasty was established by Sukaphaa, a Shan prince of Mong Mao who came
to Assam after crossing the Patkai Mountains. It is between 13 th and 19th century that
several tribal communities also came into the historical forefront of Assam. Kacharis,
Chutias and Koch were the prominent tribal groups that were found in the medieval
times of Assam. The rule of this dynasty ended with the Burmese invasion of Assam
and the subsequent annexation by the British East India Company following the Treaty
of Yandaboo in 1826. The British emperor took charge of the state and thus begun
the colonial era of Assam.
Assam lost much of its territory to new states that emerged from within its borders.
The British annexed Cachar in 1832 and Jaintia Hills in 1835. In 1874, Assam
became a separate province with Shillong as its capital. Sylhet was merged with East
Bengal on partition of India. With the partition and independence of India in 1947, the
district of Sylhet (excluding the Karimganj subdivision) was ceded to Pakistan (the
eastern portion of which later became Bangladesh).

However, like all other states of India, Assam was also involved in various freedom
movements. With the enthusiastic participation of many courageous activists Assam,
Assam became a constituent state of India in 1950. It saw further reduction of its
area when Dewangiri in North Kamrupa was ceded to Bhutan in 1951. The capital of
Assam was formerly Shillong (now the capital of Meghalaya), and later shifted to
Dispur, a suburb of Guwahati, in 1972. The States of Meghalaya, Nagaland,
Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram got their own separate states.

The history of Assam has passed several stages of development to reach to Its
present state. The history of Assam can be divided into four eras. The ancient era
began in the 4th century with the mention of Kamarupa in Samudragupta’s inscriptions
on the Allahabad pillar and the establishment of the Kamarupa kingdom. The medieval
era began with the attacks from the Bengal Sultanate, the first of which took place in
1206 by Bakhtiyar Khilji as mentioned in the Kanai-boroxiboa rock inscription, after the
breakup of the ancient kingdom and the sprouting of medieval kingdoms and chieftain-
ships in its place. The colonial era began with the establishment of British control
after the Treaty of Yandaboo in 1826, and the post-colonial era began in 1947 after
the Independence of India.

The first Governor of Independent Assam was Sir Muhammad Saleh Akbar Hydari and
Chief Minister was Gopinath Bordoloi who witnessed the foundations laid of Gauhati
University (1948), Gauhati High Court (1948) and Guwahati station of All India
Radio (AIR). When Gopinath Bordoloi passed away in 1950, Bishnu Ram Medhi took
over as the next Chief Minister of Assam. During his tenure from 1950 to 1957, the
First Five-Year Plan was started, Panchayat system of governance was introduced and
the agricultural sector got more importance.

Bimla Prasad Chaliha was the third chief minister from 1957 to 1970. In 1958 th the
66th session of Congress was held at Jalukbari, Guwahati. The Saraighat Bridge was
constructed over the Brahmaputra river (1965), an Oil refinery was established at
Noonmati, Guwahati in 1962 during his time. In 1959-60 the famous language revolt
took place in Assam, and as a result Assamese became the official language of the
State and Bengali also enjoyed the same status in the Cachar District of Barak
Valley.

Mohendra Mohan Choudhury assumed the mantle of chief minister in 1970. The
foundation of Bongaigaon Petro-Chemicals, Paper Mill at Jogighopa and Jute factory at
Silghat in Nagaon were laid in his tenure. In 1972 Sarat Chandra Sinha came to
power after Congress secured absolute majority. In 1974 the capital was finally shifted
to Dispur in Guwahati.

The Assam Movement (1979-1985) was a popular movement against illegal

immigrants in Assam. The movement, led by All Assam Students Union (AASU) and
the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP), developed a program of protests
and demonstration to compel the Indian government to identify and expel illegal,
(mostly Bangladeshisi), immigrants and protect and provide constitutional, legislative
and administrative safeguards to the indigenous Assamese people. The agitation
programs were largely non-violent, but the Nellie massacre was a case of extreme
violence. The agitation program ended in August 1985 following the Assam Accord,
which was signed by leaders of AASU-AAGSP and the Government of India.

The Assam Accord (1985) was a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed

between representatives of the Government of India and the leaders of the Assam
Movement in New Delhi on 15 August 1985. A six-year agitation demanding
identification and deportation of illegal immigrants was launched by the All Assam
Students’ Union (AASU) in 1979. It culminated with the signing of the Assam
Accord.

Today Assam has an area of 78,438 square kilometers. It consists of thirty three
districts and is credited to be the most populous state in the entire Northeast India.

About Assam

Assam is situated in the North-East of India and is the largest northeastern state in
terms of population while second in terms of area. Assam covers an area of 78,438
km2 (30,285 sq miles). The state is bordered by Bhutan and the state of
Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to the
east; Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and Bangladesh to the south; and West Bengal to
the west. 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).

LANGUAGE
Languages in Assam

In this article, we will read about Assam and the languages spoken by the people of Assam.

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Assam is one of the eight northeastern states in the south Asian country of India. Assam is
the largest state amongst the northeast Indian states and also harbours the highest
number of people in the region. The capital of Assam is Dispur, a suburb of Guwahati and
has people coming in from all over the country. The state’s official language is an Indo-
Aryan language; although there are several other languages spoken in Assam if we consider
every community present in it.
The languages in Assam are varied, ranging from Assamese to the Bodo language, which is
one of its native indigenous tribes. Guwahati, the biggest city in Assam and the entire
region of Northeast India, is a fast-growing city. It is called the gateway to Northeast India.
Ahomiya is widely spoken in the city of Guwahati and is predominant. However, since it is
the fastest-growing city in the region, it attracts people from different communities that
each speak a different language.

Assamese Language

More than 23 million people speak the Assamese language. It is an Indo-Aryan language
known to have evolved before the 7th century A.D from the Magadhi Prakrit language and is
written using the Assamese alphabets. The exact origin of the Assamese language has not
been pinpointed, but it is believed to have been derived from the Kamrupi dialect of the
Prakrit language. Linguists believe that the Indo-Aryan was most likely spoken in the urban
centres of Kamarupa, which was surrounded by Tibeto-Burman and Austroasiatic
communities and is believed to have a substrate of the Austroasiatic.

Ahomiya

The Ahomiya language is mostly spoken alongside other few dialects, like Nagamese and
Bodo-Kachari, in upper Assam, as referred to by the people of Assam. The upper Assam
region consists of Guwahati, Dispur, Jorhat, and Dibrugarh. In the lower Assam region, a
mixture of Sylheti Bangla and Karbi among few other languages and dialects is mostly
prevalent.

The Assamese language has been heavily influenced by several languages like the Ahom
language mostly and other languages such as the Sylheti Bangla, Bishnupriya Manipuri,
Rajbangsi, Maithili, and the Rohingya that shaped the language of Assamese we know
today.

Bodo-Kachari

The Assamese language is the native language spoken by the Ahom tribe of Assam.
Assamese scripture is used at present, which is closely related to the Maithili language and
the Bengali script. The early times had a strong literary tradition, examples of which can be
seen in edicts and land grants found from the mediaeval era. Not all languages in Assam
have a manuscript, which is why it is difficult to trace the exact origins of all the languages
and dialects spoken in the state of Assam.

However, the other languages of Assam, including the Bodo language, have been
influenced by the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language and are spoken by
the Bodo community people and the native tribes of Tripura known as Kokborok. The Bodo
language is related to Dimasa, Tripuri, and Lalunga languages written with the help of other
scripts like Bengali and Devanagiri.

The majority of Bodo-Kacharis in the past lived around the Brahmaputra valley. They
seemed to have reached there via Tibet and settled near the end of the Himalayan-
mountain range that is located in the Northeastern region of India. The Bodo language was
recognized as an eighth schedule Indian language in 2004 and was majorly spoken by the
non-native speakers that shifted to that region.

Dispur was declared as the capital of Assam in 1973 when Shillong was carved out of
Assam to become a part of the newly formed state of Meghalaya in 1972. Before becoming
the capital of Meghalaya, Shillong was an autonomous state within Assam, but there were
clashes with the government of Assam for the difference in language and culture. Contrary
to what most people might believe, Dispur is the capital of Assam in official terms and not
Guwahati. It houses the Assam Secretariat and the Assam Legislative Assembly House,
MLA Hostels, and the State Emergency Operations Centre at its centre.

Being a part of Guwahati, Dispur also houses cultural centres like the Basistha Ashram,
Shankardev Kalakshetra, and Jatia township located next to Dispur. It is the cultural and
political hub of Assam and is an important centre for serving various purposes. The
language predominantly spoken in Dispur is the Assamese language, also known as
Axomiya, pronounced as “Ahomiya,” which was adopted by the natives and evolved
throughout the centuries.

Conclusion

The Assamese language has been spoken for the past few centuries by the Ahom
community, who are the native and indigenous tribes of Assam. The Ahom language was
the court language of the Ahom Kingdom, ruled the region for about 600 years, and
successfully resisted the Mughal entry into the region. The Assamese language has been
heavily influenced by its surrounding languages and, thus, can be called an assimilation of
languages. Assam is famous for its tea valleys and wildlife sanctuaries that harbour the
one-horn Rhino, unique in India and the world, with 90 percent of its population present in
the Kaziranga National Park. Assam is considered the most diverse state in the northeast
region as it attracts people from all over the country and its neighbouring states who either
settle for work or tourism and exploration.

TRADITIONAL DRESS
The best thing about traditional dresses is that most of them are hand woven. People plant

household looms and produce delicate dresses in Assam. In addition, Assam is home to
various tribes, each having a flair of its own traditional dress.

These tribes gain expertise in weaving and promoting the Assam dressing style. They have
talented artisans who learn these skills from their elders. It’s like a revelation that is being
transferred to generations.

The Cultural Significance of Assam Traditional Dress

Elegant Mekhela Chadors and ornate Xorai turbans are only two examples of the wide
variety of Assam’s traditional dresses and accessories that make up the vibrant cultural
tapestry of Assam. There is a whole ocean waiting to unfold for you.

Traditional attire is a potent expression of pride and identity for the people of Assam. It
helps maintain the state’s cultural legacy. Designs like these frequently feature significant
symbols.
Without much further ado, let’s look at 11 famous Assam traditional dresses that women
and girls prefer to wear on special occasions and daily.

Number 1: Mekhela Chador – Famous Traditional Assam Dressing Style

The most popular Assam traditional dress among women and girls of Assam is Mekhela
Chador. The Mekhela is the lower draping component, and the Chador is the shawl-like
upper section of this two-piece garment. The Mekhela is wrapped around the wearer’s
waist, and the Chador is slung over one shoulder in this Assam traditional dress.

FOOD
(xaak) taking centre stage. Made with herbs and vegetables, the dish is generally seasoned
with ginger, garlic, cinnamon, onions and sometimes, lemon. A stir-fry version of xaak aru
bhaji can also be prepared with potato added into the mix.

Luchi

Luchi is a staple of Bengali, Assamese and Oriya cuisine. Prepared with wheat flour, it is a
common dish served in Assam. Deep-fried and puffed up, these go well with flavourful
curries and pickles.

Ou Khatta

A chutney of sorts, Ou Khatta is made with elephant apple and jaggery. Elephant apple,
which is used in quite a few Assamese dishes, is boiled and lightly mashed before being
sauteed in mustard oil. Finally, jaggery is added to it. The pungent flavour of the mustard
and elephant apple is a nice contrast with the sweet jagggery, giving you a melange of
tastes. If you prefer it slightly spicy, you can add some chill powder or ginger-garlic paste as
per your preference.

Silkworm
Before you scrunch up your nose, ask an Assamese and they will tell you about how tasty
this actually is. Silkworms are deep-fried with a few spices to add flavour to it. Crunch on
the outside and juicy inside, its taste is often similar to a mix of chicken and pork. However,
it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, we must say.

Baanhgajor Lagor Kukura

An authentic food of Assam, this dish uses chicken, bamboo shoots and lentils in its
preparation. The chicken and bamboo shoots are boiled separately and then cooked
together. Keeping with Assamese cooking style, the preparation uses minimal spices. The
taste of bamboo shoots might take some time to get used to, but it leaves behind a
delicious taste which is generally complementary to meat dishes.

Pitha

Pitha is a snack prepared during the festival of Magh Bihu in Assam. It is also prepared as a
regular household snack and savoured with tea. While there are different versions of it,
Assamese pithas are often made from bora saul, a special kind of glutinous rice, or xaali
saul, or sun-dried rice. The stuffing in these commonly includes coconut and jaggery.
Pithas can be sweet or sour, even steamed, fried or barbequed inside a hollow bamboo
stem. Other kinds of pithas include til pitha, hutuli pitha and bhaapot diya pitha.

Next time you head to the northeastern state, make sure to try all these dishes of Assam.
FASTIVAL
Austerities celebrated with ‘Tantric rites’.During Ambubashi the doors of the temple remain
closed for three days. It is believed that the earth becomes impure for three days. During
this time no farming work is undertaken. Ambubachi mela is held at the Kamakhya temple,
after being closed for the afore-mentioned three days. On the fourth day only the devotees
are allowed to enter inside the temple for worship. Thousands of devotees from all over the
country and abroad visit this mela.

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.

Ambubachi Mela

Is the most important festival of Kamakhya temple of Guwahati and is held every year
during monsoon (mid-June). It is a ritual of austerities celebrated with ‘Tantric rites’.During
Ambubashi the doors of the temple remain closed for three days. It is believed that the
earth becomes impure for three days. During this time no farming work is undertaken.
Ambubachi mela is held at the Kamakhya temple, after being closed for the afore-
mentioned three days. On the fourth day only the devotees are allowed to enter inside the
temple for worship. Thousands of devotees from all over the country and abroad visit this
mela.

Assam is a land of fairs and festivals. Most of the festivals celebrated in Assam
characterize the spirit of accommodation and togetherness in the diverse faith and belief of
her inhabitants. This perfect fusion of heritage of her numerous races has made Assam the
home of the most colorful festivals reflecting the true spirit, tradition and lifestlye of the
people of Assam.

The major festivals celebrated in Assam are Bihu, Baishagu, Ali-Ai-Ligang, Baikho, Rongker,
Rajini Gabra Harni Gabra, Bohaggiyo Bishu, Ambubashi Mela and Jonbill Mela and so on.
The people of Assam also celebrate Holi, Durga Puja, Diwali, Swaraswati Puja, Lakshmi
Puja, Kali Puja, Idd, Muharram, Me-Dam-Me-Phi, the birth and death anniversaries of
Vaishnava Saints Srimanta Sankardev and Madhabdev. The tribals of Assam have their own
colourful festivals like the Kherai Puja of the Bodos, the Baikhu and Pharkantis of the
Rabhas, Ali-ai-ligang and Parag of the Mishing tribe, the Sagra-misawa wansawa and
laghun of the Tiwas.

Bihu

Bihu is the most important festival of Assam. It is celebrated with joy and abundance by all
Assamese people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith and belief.
Three Bihus are celebrated in a year: Bohag Bihu which augurs the wish for a good harvest
because this is the time when farmers start sowing, Kaati Bihu which is observed to mark
the cutting and binding of grains and Magh Bihu which marks the season of harvesting of
grains.

TOURIST PLACES
Beautiful landscape and enchanting scenic beauty makes a place worth visiting and Assam
is blessed with this attribute. Assam, the gateway to the seven sister states, is a land of
exceptional natural beauty. With its hills, rivers and wildlife Assam is truly a nature’s
paradise. The beauty of Assam lies in its very beautiful landscape, sanctuaries, ancient
buildings, monuments, temples and flora and fauna. Assam, stretched along the mighty
Brahmaputra, is a tourist hotspot for people who want to escape amidst nature. Things that
make Assam the best place to visit (needless to say ones you won’t find anywhere in India)
are the Kamakhya temple, the Brahmaputra river, Assam tea and the world famous one
horned rhinoceros. So, come let us make a tour of the real nature’s paradise—Assam.

The state of Assam Is geographically located in the northeastern part of India surrounded
by the states of Nagaland in east, West Bengal in west, Arunachal Pradesh in north and
Mizoram and Tripura in south. The countries of Bangladesh and Bhutan form international
boundaries with the state.
Assam is a very ancient state in India as the mention of the state is found in ancient texts
like the Mahabharata, Kalika Purana and Yogini Tantra. In these scriptures Assam was
known as Kamrupa. In the beginning of ancient Assam many dynasties were formed. The
Ahom dynasty later emerged as the most influencing and important dynasty in Assam. On
August 15, 1947, Assam was established as a state and Dispur was made its capital.

Assam is a land of myriad races, caste and language. The culture of Assam is a mix of
tradition, lifestyle, faith and belief of different communities living here. The culture of the
state dates back to thousand of years back which influences the festivals, food habit,
dance and music and art of Assam. Amongst the festivals Bihu is the most important one
celebrated here. The culture of Assam is also interesting in respect of the food culture here.
The art and craft of Assam is also a rich aspect of the culture of Assam

FOREST AND ANIMAL

The word Assam has its origin in the Sanskrit word Asom meaning Unparalleled or Peerless.
In the mythological text this land is described as Pragjyotishpura or the “City of eastern
lights”; the site where Lord Brahma first created the stars. This land which the Ahom Rulers
described as “Nung Dun Chun Kham” or the “Country of Golden Gardens”, is endowed with
natural bounty rarely found elsewhere.

The State of Assam; criss-crossed by mountains, valleys and an intricate river system; is
located in the eastern most part of India between 24°.07’ N to 28°00’ N Latitude and 89°.42’
E to 96°. 02’ E Longitude and extends over geographical area of 78,438 sq. km. which
constitute 2.39% of the country’s total area. In his book Red Rivers and Blue Hills, the
eminent scholar Hem Barua wrote, “To many outsiders Assam is no more than a land of
mountains and malaria, earthquakes and floods and the Kamakhya Temple. To others it is a
green woodland where slothful serpents, insidious tigers, wild elephants and stealthy
leopards peep and peer with virulent eyes and claws. Assam to most of the people is
mentally a distant horizon like Bolivia or Peru – less known and more fancied”.

The state Is famous for its tea gardens and one horned Rhinoceros. Topographically the
state can be divided in to three parts viz the Brahmaputra valley, the Surma valley and the
mountainous Assam Ranges. The state has subtropical climate with temperature ranging
from 5°C to 32°C and mean annual rainfall varying from 1,500 mm to 3,750 mm.
The population of the state is 31.17 million (Census 2011). The rural and urban population
accounts for 85.92% and 14.08% respectively. The population density is 397 persons per
sq km. The livestock population of the state is 17.23 million (Livestock Census 2007)

Recorded Forest Area

The recorded forest area of Assam is 26,832 sq km accounting for 34.21% of its
geographical area. According to their legal status, Reserved Forests constitute 66.58% and
nclassed Forests 33.42% of the total forest area.

Protected Areas

The protected area network of Assam includes 5 National Parks and 18 wildlife sanctuaries
covering an area of 0.40 million ha constituting 4.98% of the geographical area. The state
has three Tiger Reserves, namely Kaziranga, Manas and Nameri. Kaziranga National Park
and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary are in the list of World Heritage sites.

Forest Cover in Different Forest Types

Forest type mapping using satellite data has been undertaken by the Forest Survey of India
with reference to Champion and Seth Classification. As per this assessment, the state has
18 forest types belonging to five forest type groups viz Tropical Wet Evergreen, Tropical
Semi Evergreen, Tropical Moist Deciduous, Tropical Dry Deciduous and Sub Tropical Pine
Forests.

Forest and Tree Cover

The estimated tree cover in the state is 1,564 sq km which is1.99% of geographical area of
the state. Forest cover in the state is 27,673 sq km that is 35.28% of the geographical area
of the state. Thus the Forest and tree cover in the state is 29,237 sq km which is 37.27% of
the geographical area. Source: India State of Forest Report 2011, Forest Survey of India.

Biodiversity Bounty

Assam is endowed with wide ranging flora and fauna. It is one of the best destinations
where tourist can encounter a great variety of wildlife. The State of Assam is famous
worldwide as the home of great one horned Rhinoceros which is largely concentrated in the
Kaziranga National Park. Other notable faunal species found here are Hoolock Gibbon,
Stump Tailed Macaque, Capped Langur and Golden Langur, Pigmy Hog, Clouded Leopard,
Golden Cat and White Winged Wood Duck. Elephants are found in all parts in Assam.

Population Literacy rate Neighbor

country and
state
As per details from Census
Assam is situated in the 2011, Assam has
North-East of India and is population of 3.12 Crores, There are eight (8) nos. of
an increase from figure of Districts along the Inter-
the largest northeastern
2.67 Crore in 2001 census. national boundary with
state in terms of population
Total population of Assam Bangladesh and Bhutan.
while second in terms of as per lastest census data District wise length of
area. Assam covers an area is 31,205,576 of which male International Boundary
of 78,438 km2 (30,285 sq and female are 15,939,443 Assam was created as a
miles). The state is and 15,266,133 separate state on
bordered by Bhutan and the respectively. In 2001, total November 1, 1956. Assam
state of Arunachal Pradesh population was 26,655,528 neighbours various
to the north; Nagaland, in which males were northeastern states such as
13,777,037 while females Meghalaya, Tripura,
Arunachal Pradesh and
were 12,878,491. The total Nagaland, Manipur,
Manipur to the east; population growth in this Mizoram, etc. Assam shares
Meghalaya, Tripura, decade was 17.07 percent its international borders
Mizoram, and Bangladesh while in previous decade it with Bangladesh and
to the south; and West was 18.85 percent. The Bhutan.
Bengal to the west. A population of Assam forms
significant geographical 2.58 percent of India in
aspect of Assam is that it 2011. In 2001, the figure
was 2.59 percent.Literacy
contains three of six
rate in Assam has seen
physiographic divisions of
upward trend and is 72.19
India – The Northern percent as per latest
Himalayas (Eastern Hills). population census. Of that,
male literacy stands at
. 77.85 percent while female
literacy is at 66.27 percent.

.
RAJASTHAN
It is on India’s northwestern side, where it comprises most of the wide and inhospitable
Thar Desert (also known as the Great Indian Desert) and shares a border with the Pakistani
provinces of Punjab to the northwest and Sindh to the west, along the Sutlej-Indus River
valley. It is bordered by five other Indian states: Punjab to the north; Haryana and Uttar
Pradesh to the northeast; Madhya Pradesh to the southeast; and Gujarat to the southwest.
Its geographical location is 23°.3’ to 30°.12’ North latitude and 69°.30’ to 78°.17’ East
longitude, with the Tropic of Cancer passing through its southernmost tip.

Food
The most delicious and extravagant cuisine comes from the land of scintillating sand and
culturally rich and ancient heritage- “The Rajasthani Food”. The extremes of the palate with
some of the spiciest dishes on one spectrum and sweetest desserts on the other,
Rajasthani food has it all. The cuisine is rich in spices having a strong flavor and rich
texture.

The land of Royals has seen the most elaborate menus and the biggest kitchens of all
times. Royal feasts of earlier times have taken shape of Rajasthani Thali known as “The
Chappan Bhog”. A thali containing 56 food items to be consumed in a single meal is
beyond imagination. That is how our Royals feasted once, but now Chappan Bhog is
affectionately made and offered to Lord Krishna on Janmashtami as Prasad. The thali has
food items that are spicy, sweet, savory, fruits, and nuts.

RAJASTHAN TREDITIONAL COOKING

Rajasthani people have traditional means to prepare exotic dishes that impart a unique
taste and aroma. Some of the most popular and loved snacks consumed all over the nation
have their roots in the land of the Royals. Items like Kachori, khasta, matri, ghevar, dal-
batti, gatte ki sabzi, kadi, boondi ka raita, gujiya, etc., have become household names in
other states of North India.

A dry and arid land thriving with hard crops like jowar, bajra, millet, barley, maize, ragi, etc
which are nutritious and can easily survive the harsh weather conditions. Rajasthani
cuisine is high on red chili and gram flour is an important ingredient. Most of the Rajasthani
snacks are deep-fried. Being a water-scarce area you will find less of green vegetables in
their diet and water is replaced by curd or milk which enhances the taste.

Rajasthan is famous for its tandoori roti also known as missi roti which is quite popular for
its taste, nutrition, and traditional cooking style. A tandoor is a mud oven filled with coal or
wood as fuel. The roti is cooked directly without any utensil inside the tandoor by sticking it
to its wall. The grilled effect gives the roti an interesting texture and taste.
Let us scroll down at some of the most loved and exotic Rajasthani dishes that can leave
you tempted by the time you finish reading!

DAL BAATI CHURMA

This dish is so popular and a staple to the people of the state that it is almost synonymous
with the princely state of Rajasthan. Dal Baati Churma is the most esteemed dish of every
household in the state and is quite popular in other North Indian states as well.

On a plate, you get regular dal (lentil) with a Tadka of Kashmiri chili and mustard seeds in
desi ghee, baati is made of wheat and is stuffed with spiced semolina and you have churma
which is a sweet crushed ladoo made of semolina, bajra or gram flour. So you have a
combination of spicy, savory, and sweet consumed togethers.

GHEVER
Disc-shaped desi cake which is specially made around certain festivals or special
occasions. Ghevar originally from Rajasthan is a very popular sweet dish in the central part
of Northern India.
Ghevar has a crunchy base and a creamy topping which is quite rich and flavourful. Ghevar
is a dessert that is specifically made during auspicious occasions of Teej and Raksha
Bandhan and is often presented as Sargi one night prior to Karva Chauth fasting.

FASTIVAL

Rajasthan is a cheerful state that celebrates its vibrant culture through an array of fairs and
festivals running all year round, adding numerous colors to the arid land of the state. These
glaring fairs and festivals come with a chance for the travellers to delve into the art, culture,
traditions that are very nicely interwoven with the state’s royal history. Rajasthan is a
unique place that believes in celebrating life. And to savour the true flavours of this
amazing land, visit during this festivity and become a part of it.

These varieties of fairs and festivals infuse life into the barren land of Rajasthan and fill the
colors of joy all around. Out of all of such festivities, some of the major ones are Ashwa
Poojan, Navratri, Guru Purnima, Mt. Abu: Summer and Winter Festival, Pushkar Fair,
Gangaur Festival, Nagaur Festival, Kite Festival, Kumbhalgarh Festival, Teej, Marwar
Festival, Summer Festival, Baneshwar Fair, Sheetla Mata Fair, Elephant Festival, Camel
Festival, Desert Festival, Pushkar Fair and Urs Fair, that are celebrated in different parts of
Rajasthan. Also, Hindus one of the biggest festival Dussehra and Diwali are also celebrated
with much grandeur and the display of fireworks.

To add more fun to these celebrations there are various activities and competitions that are
organised like turban tying competition, puppet shows, camel races, Mr. and Miss. Desert
competition, folk music and dance performances, cock and bull fighting, camels and
cattles trading. These occasions serve as an exceptional platform to showcase state’s
traditional artifacts and handicrafts where the shopaholics and art lovers can gather a lot of
fun.

Rajasthan boasts of its rich heritage, culture, and scenic splendours. And the same is
reflected in sparkling lakes & dessert, vibrant markets, and mesmerising palaces & forts of
Rajasthan. Undeniably, equally popular are the numerous colorful and traditional festivals
of Rajasthan. Some reflect ethnicity, some heritage, and some are purely cultural events.
These festivals are for sure a celebration of life, heritage and culture in true Rajasthani
style. It provides an opportunity to the tourists to see the different colours of the state.

GANGAUR

Held after two weeks of Holi, this festival is of immense importance to the women of
Rajasthan. Both married and unmarried women enthusiastically participate in the festival
in devotion to Goddess Gauri, who is a symbol of unconditional and pure love.

The festival extends over 18 days, where women dress traditionally, apply henna on their
hands & feet, and collect cash, sweets, ghee, oil, and jaggery in earthen pots. On the last
day, they break these pots and take the remains to a well or a tank.
TEEJ

As an important monsoon festival in Rajasthan, Teej is celebrated on the third day of the
waxing moon in the month of Shravan (Hindu calendar), and on the third day of the waning
and waxing moons in the Hindu month of Bhadrapad. However, Rajasthan is not the only
state Teej is celebrated in, many other states in the north and west India observe this
monsoon festival held in August and September. Although, it is fair to say that Teej is
celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm in the desert state of Rajasthan. Ideally, there
are three Teej festivals, namely, Haryali (Green) Teej, Kajari/Kajli Teej and Hartalika Teej.

According to Hindu mythology, after the self-immolation of Sati, Lord Shiva became grief-
stricken and went into a meditative state. It is believed, it took Sati 108 subsequent births
to bring Lord Shiva out of his meditative state. Her 108 th birth was in the form of Parvati.
Thus, married women seek the blessings of Goddess Parvati on Teej Festival.

LANGUAGE
The Rajasthani languages are a branch of Western Indo-Aryan languages. They are spoken
primarily in Rajasthan and Malwa, and adjacent areas of Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya
Pradesh in India. They have also reached different corners of India, especially eastern and
southern parts of India, due to the migrations of people of the Marwari community who use
them for internal communication. There are also speakers in the Pakistani provinces of
Punjab and Sindh. Rajasthani languages are also spoken to a lesser extent in Nepal, where
they are spoken by 25,394 people according to the 2011 Census of Nepal
MARWARI
The prehistoric name of Marwari language is Maru. Marwari language is spoken by the
people of Bikaner, Churu, Ajmer, Nagaur, Pali, se, Jodhpur, Barmer and Jaisalmer districts
of Rajasthan. Marwari literature includes the forte of Apbransh, Prakrit and Sanskrit

TOURIST PLACES

Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, stands as a jewel in the crown of the Golden Triangle,
alongside Delhi and Agra. This enchanting city, often referred to as the “Pink City,” owes its
nickname to the terracotta-pink hue that adorns many of its buildings. The Pink City is a
testament to the roya Udaipur, the “City of Lakes,” stands as a jewel in the crown of
Rajasthan, India. Nestled amidst the Aravalli Range, this city captivates visitors with its
regal charm, historic grandeur, and scenic landscapes. Located around stunning water
lakes and enveloped by the Aravalli Hills in all direc The only hill station of Rajasthan,
Mount Abu is located in the Aravali range. The most important attraction, however, are
undoubtedly the Dilwara temples, which is one of the most stunning pieces of architecture
in the country. Travellers can enjoy calm and relaxed boating Jodhpur, fondly known as the
“Blue City” due to the indigo hues of its houses, is a historic city located in the heart of
Rajasthan, India. Situated on the eastern edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is renowned for
its majestic Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest forts in India, offering panoramic
Kumbhalgarh is a fortress located in the Aravalli Range of Rajasmand district in Rajasthan.
A Merwar Fortress, Kumbhalgarh is one of the World Heritage Sites and is the second-
largest fort in India after Chittorgarh Fort. Covering around 12 square kms, the walls of the
fort stretch over an area of a Jaisalmer, a mesmerizing destination nestled in the heart of
the Thar Desert, is a jewel in the crown of Rajasthan. Often referred to as the “Golden City,”
Jaisalmer captivates visitors with its sandstone architecture, picturesque landscapes, and
rich cultural heritage.

FOREST AND ANIMAL

Wildlife of Rajasthan

Wildlife often refers to wild animal groups, but this also encompasses any plants or
creatures that thrive or exist freely in a region unspoiled by humans.

Table of Content
An overview of the wildlife of Rajasthan

Bird Sanctuary of Bharatpur

Ranthambore National Park Ranthambore

Rajasthan has been recognised for being a dusty and dry place and the location of the
famous Thar Desert. Nonetheless, this one is India’s biggest state, and it is equipped with a
diverse range of vegetation and a multitude of animals plus bird kinds. In addition,
Rajasthan has been one of the best places throughout India to see tigers and birds.

The state contains semi-green woods, hilly terrains, arid grasslands, dry evergreen thorn
woodland, and even swamps for biologically diverse species to grow.

An overview of the wildlife of Rajasthan

Throughout Rajasthan, there are around 480 plant plus tree varieties. It also has a variety of
nature reserves, animal sanctuaries, and bird sanctuaries, making it one of India’s leading
wildlife tourism destinations.

For tiger sightings, Rajasthan provides Ranthambore Nature Reserve and Sariska Nature
Reserve. At the same time, for birding, the state’s greatest attractions are UNESCO
International Heritage Area Keoladeo Nature Reserve, Tal Chhapar, Van Vihar, and Jorbeed.
In addition, the severely endangered Greater Indian Bustard may be found throughout the
Desert Nature Reserve. Aside from all of them, leopards, blackbuck, rare great Indian
spotting eagle, plus marsh crocodiles may be found in Rajasthan.

Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary has been one of the greatest spots in the world to attempt
to spot some of the rare Bengal tigers. There are only around sixty of them throughout the
area, so you can’t expect to spot one; they’re rare wonders, those Tigers, but that does
happen. Partnering with skilled rangers who know how to respect jungle monarchy is
among the greatest ways to visit with ethical tour organisers who specialise in tiger
spotting.

Yet, there are plenty of beautiful cats to drool over throughout Rajasthan. This Kumbhalgarh
Nature Reserve is regarded as one of the greatest spots in the world to watch leopards

Throughout Sariska Nature Reserve, you could see a leopard, jungle cat, hyena, and
caracal, an exquisite feline with sandy fur that blends in along with desert settings.

Keoladeo Nature Reserve, Bharatpur, previously called Bharatpur Bird Reserve, is that
fishing cat’s preferred habitat.
The chinkara had been Rajasthan’s state creature until the camel gained central position;
however, that Indian gazelle was still stunning. It has a shiny golden hue with horns so big
as 40cm and therefore can survive for extended periods without freshwater; therefore, it is
not unexpected that it, like this blackbuck antelope and Indian wild ass, lives throughout
the big Thar Desert.

Bird Sanctuary of Bharatpu

This Bharatpur Bird Reserve seems to be one of the best globally, home to hundreds of rare
bird species. That man-made refuge and wetland have been located within Rajasthan’s
Bharatpur area. The sanctuary, officially called Keoladeo Ghana Nature Reserve, provides a
natural home for around 230 bird types, including a diverse range of aquatic plus land birds

This park’s history stretches back to the 18 th century when it was used as a royal hunting
place by the Royals of Bharatpur. This bird reserve is another of Rajasthan’s greatest
prominent attractions, having been designated as the UNESCO Global Heritage Site in
recent years

It is recommended that visitors of Bharatpur Bird Reserve arrive from October through
February to see the nicest of this flock. Throughout these months, migrating birds such as
the endangered Siberian Crane-fly across the Bharatpur reserve

These sanctuary administrators have developed excellent cottages within the natural
setting for the benefit of travellers. One such choice is the ITDC Bharatpur Jungle Lodge,
located within the sanctuary.

Ranthambore National Park (Ranthambore)

Ranthambore Nature Reserve, Rajasthan’s biggest desert national park, is mainly a famous
destination throughout North India. During the previous era, these were the hunting fields
for royals.

Ranthambore Nature Reserve, together with its surrounding reserves (Mansingh and Kaila
Devi), has 392 square kilometres. It is well-known for its extensive tiger habitat. The park is
located on the verge of the rocky plateau and therefore is bordered by two major rivers
(Banas and Chambal). In 1973, the Indian government designated the region as a Mission
Tiger Reserve; in 1980, it was designated a protected area.

Within the park stands the well-known Ranthambore Fortress. Here’s where Hindu
maharajas unwind after a day of hunting throughout the jungle. UNESCO has designated
the tower as a Global Heritage Property. There are ancient temples, mosques, hunting
pavilions, and crocodile pools all around this fort. The park remains open from October
through June and is regarded as the greatest venue in Rajasthan to see tigers. Tigers,
leopards, nilgai, sloth bears, sambal, and a variety of other wild creatures and birds make
the area home. Around 300 different bird species may be observed tweeting and resting on
the trees.

National Park of Sariska

Sariska Tiger Sanctuary, located in the Aravali Hills, encompasses 800 square kilometres of
grassland, dry deciduous woods, and rocky terrain. Sariska Nature Reserve has all you
need for a fantastic and exciting trip, from camel rides to seeing ancient buildings and
animal viewing.

Previously, Sariska Nature Reserve served as one hunting reserve for Rajasthan’s royal
dynasties. However, King Jai Singh’s tireless efforts in 1958 resulted in establishing a nature
reserve.

Sariska Nature Reserve has now become a natural home for threatened animals. In 1971,
Operation Tiger was initiated, and the nature reserve was designated as a protected Tiger
Reserve

Conclusion

India’s biggest state, Rajasthan, is exceptionally rich in fauna and protected in national
reserves and natural sanctuaries. Rajasthan is home to a diverse range of animal and bird
species, many of which are becoming uncommon and threatened. The survival of human
existence is entirely dependent on the survival of wildlife. Therefore, animal tourism
became a popular tourist attraction in Rajasthan, attracting people from all over the world
interested in birds and wildlife. Visitors may interact with Rajasthan’s species by taking an
enjoyable Wildlife trip, where they will be able to see some unique flora and

ECONOMY
Rajasthan has the eighth largest economy with a Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) of
over US$ 11.5 billion. Over the last ten years from 1994 to 2003, the state of Rajasthan
underwent growth at a Compounded Average Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6% increasing from
US$ 6.4 billion to US$ 11.5 billion. The main economy of Rajasthan is agrarian based.

Industry : The industrial sector accounts for about 32.5 per cent of the total share of the
state’s economy. The enterprise of the Rajasthani’s is evident in the large number of small
scale industrial units which have sprung up all over the state. There are large deposits of
zinc and copper and these are being exploited for the development of industries dependant
on these metals. It has large deposits of gypsum and lignite and mica. It has a large
production of cotton and the textile industries has been coming up up in several places in
Rajasthan. Among the other private sector industries are cement, ball bearings, sugar,
caustic soda and other chemicals.

The main industries of Rajasthan include textile, rugs, woolen goods, vegetable oil and
dyes. Heavy industries consist of copper and zinc smelting and the manufacture of railway
rolling stock. The other industries related to Private Sector include steel, cement, ceramics
and glass wares, electronic, leather and footwear, stone and other chemical industries.
Rajasthan is also known for its textile industry and the state is the fourth largest producer of
spun yarn in India. Rajasthan is also the major producer of cement contributing to 15 per
cent of the national cement production. Rajasthan is the third major salt producing state of
the country and accounts for one-tenth of the national salt production.

Rajasthan is the second largest mineral producing state in India and houses about 90% of
the total mineral reserves of the country. It shares 24% of the aggregate national
production of non-metallic minerals. Thus the Mining sector is a very important revenue
earner for the state. From this sector Rajasthan earns as mineral royalty an annual income
of more than US$ 100 Million.

Agriculture : Agriculture is the leading economy of the state accounting for 22.5 per cent.
The total cultivated area of the state encompasses about 20 million hectares and out of
this only 20% of the land is irrigated. The principal crops Barley, Wheat, Gram, Pulses, Oil
Seeds, Bajra, Pulses, Jowar, Maize Ground Nuts, fruits and vegetables and spices. Next to
the agricultural sector, the Industry of Rajasthan plays a major role in the economy.

There are mainly two crop seasons. The major crops sown during the months of June-July
and harvested in Sep-Oct are bajra, Jowar, Pulses, maize and ground nut. Main Rabi crops
for which sowing operations start during Oct-Nov and harvested in March-April include
wheat, barley, pulses, gram and oil seeds. Among oil seeds, rape and mustard is the most
important. Fruits and vegetables are also sown throughout the state where soil especially
suits this type of cultivation. Fruit trees grown include orange, lemon, pomegranate, guava
and mango. The main source of irrigation is wells and tanks.

Tourism : Another most important revenue contributor of the state is Tourism and accounts
for about 15% of the economy of Rajasthan. Rajasthan contributes about 11.2 per cent and
3.3 per cent share in India’s foreign and domestic tourist arrivals respectively. The
Rajasthan government has brought down the luxury tax from 10% to 8% to boost the
tourism industry of Rajasthan.

The services sector accounts for 45 per cent of the GDP of the state. Other sources of
economy for the state are Infrastructure, Transportation, Energy, Power,
Telecommunications, and Banking & Financial Institutions.
Population Literacy rate Neighbor
country and
state
Out of total population of Literacy rate Is on India’s northwestern
Rajasthan, 24.87% people Rajasthan has a total side, where it comprises
live in urban regions. The population of 68,548,437 most of the wide and
urban population of people, according to the inhospitable Thar Desert
Rajasthan increased by 2011 Indian Census. The (also known as the Great
29.01 percent during 2001- population increased by Indian Desert) and shares a
2011 period and is 21.2 percent from 56.5 border with the Pakistani
expected to rise further. million in 2001. Males provinces of Punjab to the
Sex Ratio in urban regions outnumbered females in northwest and Sindh to the
of Rajasthan was 914 2011, with a gender ratio of west, along the Sutlej-Indus
females per 1000 males. 0.928 females for every one River valley. It is bordered by
Average Literacy rate in male. In Rajasthan in 2011, five other Indian states:
Rajasthan for Urban 45.57 percent of workers Punjab to the north;
regions was 79.68 percent. were cultivators, 17.53 Haryana and Uttar Pradesh
percent were farm to the northeast; Madhya
labourers, and 2.41 percent Pradesh to the southeast;
worked in the household and Gujarat to the
Rajasthan Rural industry. In terms of southwest. Its geographical
Population religion, Hindus account for location is 23°.3’ to 30°.12’
88.49 percent of the North latitude and 69°.30’
Of the total population of population in Rajasthan. to 78°.17’ East longitude,
Rajasthan state, around Muslims make up 9.07 with the Tropic of Cancer
75.13 percent live in the percent of the population, passing through its
villages of rural areas. The Sikhs 1.27 percent, and southernmost tip.
population growth rate in Jains 0.91 percent.
Rajasthan for rural Rajasthan’s literacy rate
populatation recorded for was 67.06 percent (80.51
this decade (2001-2011) percent male and 52.66
was 18.96%. In rural percent female). While
regions of Rajasthan state, Rajasthan’s literacy rate is
female sex ratio per 1000 lower than the national
males was 933. Average average of 74.04 percent,
literacy rate in Rajasthan and its female literacy rate
for rural areas was 61.44 is the lowest in the world,
percent Rajasthan the state has been lauded
has a total population of for its efforts and
68,548,437 people, accomplishments in
according to the 2011 increasing literacy rates.
Indian Census. The The literacy rate in
population increased by Rajasthan’s rural areas is
21.2 percent from 56.5 76.16 percent for males and
million in 2001. Males 45.8 percent for females.
outnumbered females in
2011, with a gender ratio
of 0.928 females for every
one male. In Rajasthan in
2011, 45.57 percent of
workers were cultivators,
17.53 percent were farm
labourers, and 2.41
percent worked in the
household industry. In
terms of religion, Hindus
account for 88.49 percent
of the population in
Rajasthan. Muslims make
up 9.07 percent of the
population, Sikhs 1.27
percent, and Jains 0.91
percent. Rajasthan’s
literacy rate was 67.06
percent (80.51 percent
male and 52.66 percent
female). While
Rajasthan’s literacy rate is
lower than the national
average of 74.04 percent,
and its female literacy rate
is the lowest in the world,
the state has been lauded
for its efforts and
accomplishments in
increasing literacy rates.
The literacy rate in
Rajasthan’s rural areas is
76.16 percent for males
and 45.8 percent for
females. Is on India’s
northwestern side, where
it comprises most of the
wide and inhospitable
Thar Desert (also known
as the Great Indian
Desert) and shares a
border with the Pakistani
provinces of Punjab to the
northwest and Sindh to
the west, along the Sutlej-
Indus River valley. It is
bordered by five other
Indian states: Punjab to
the north; Haryana and
Uttar Pradesh to the
northeast; Madhya
Pradesh to the southeast;
and Gujarat to the
southwest. Its
geographical location is
23°.3’ to 30°.12’ North
latitude and 69°.30’ to
78°.17’ East longitude,
with the Tropic of Cancer
passing through its
southernmost tip.