Coordinates	28°36′36″N77°13′48″N
name	Assam
native name	অসম
native name lang	as
type	State
image seal	Seal of Assam.png
map caption	Location of Assam in India
image map1	Assam locator map.svg
map caption1	Map of Assam
coor pinpoint	Dispur
coordinates type	region:IN-AS_type:adm1st
coordinates display	inline,title
coordinates region	IN-AS
subdivision type	Country
subdivision name
established title	Established
established date
parts type	Districts
parts style	para
p1	27
seat type	Capital
seat	Dispur
seat1 type	Largest city
seat1	Guwahati
government footnotes
leader title	Governor
leader name	J B Patnaik
leader title1	Chief Minister
leader name1	Tarun Gogoi
leader title2	Legislature
leader name2	Unicameral (126 seats)
leader title3	Parliamentary constituency
leader name3	14
leader title4	High Court
leader name4	Gauhati High Court
unit pref	Metric
area total km2	78550
area rank	16th
population total	31169272
population as of	2011
population rank	14th
population density km2	auto
timezone1	IST
utc offset1	+05:30
iso code	IN-AS
blank name sec1	HDI
blank info sec1	0.534 (medium)
blank1 name sec1	HDI rank
blank1 info sec1	22nd (2005)
blank name sec2	Literacy
blank info sec2	76.3% (9th)
blank1 name sec2	Official languages
blank1 info sec2	Assamese; Bengali (in the Barak Valley); Bodo (in Bodoland)
website	assam.gov.in
footnotes	Assam has had a legislature since 1937 Assam is one of the original provinces of British India }}

Assam (Assamese: অসম) pronounced ) and ''also rarely, Assam Valley and formerly'' ''The Assam Province'' (British India) is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country. Assam though one of the original provinces of British ruled Indian sub-continent and present day India having its legislature that dates back to 1937, the present day Assam; had undergone numerous territory alignment changes with its state map being altered highest number of times when compared to any other provincial level changes that has happened in ''Independent India''. Known for exquisite natural resources, geography and its important role in India's freedom struggle; Assam has its capital as Dispur, an especialized city circuit region located on the outskirts of its largest metropolis, Guwahati. Located south of the eastern Himalayas, Assam comprises the Brahmaputra and the Barak river valleys along with the Karbi Anglong and the North Cachar Hills with an area of 30,285 square miles (78,438 km²). Assam is surrounded by six of the other ''Seven Sister States'': Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya. These states are connected to the rest of India via a narrow strip in West Bengal called the Siliguri Corridor or "Chicken's Neck". Assam also shares international borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh; and cultures, peoples and climate with South-East Asia – important elements in India’s Look East policy. Assam became a part of India after the British occupied the region following the First Anglo-Burmese War of 1824–1826.

''Known for Assam tea, large and old petroleum resources, Assam silk and for its rich biodiversity, Assam gets Royalty from the Government of India for its contribution to Tea and other resources.'' However, the Royalty contribution may not be in equal ratio with respect to production if compared against the recent price hikes in fuels and current market trends.

''When comes to wildlife, Assam too has successfully conserved the one-horned Indian rhinoceros from near extinction, along with the tiger and numerous species of birds, and it provides one of the last wild habitats for the Asian elephant. It is becoming an increasingly popular destination for wildlife tourism, and Kaziranga and Manas are both World Heritage Sites.''

''Assam was also known for its Sal tree forests and forest products, much depleted now. A land of high rainfall, Assam is endowed with lush greenery and the mighty river Brahmaputra, whose tributaries and oxbow lakes provide the region with a unique hydro-geomorphic and aesthetic environment.''

Etymology

Assam was known as Pragjyotisha in the Mahabharata; and Kamarupa in the 1st millennium. “While the Shan invaders called themselves Thai, they came to be referred to as ''Ā-som'', ''Āsam'' and sometimes as ''Acam'' by the indigenous people of the country. The modern Assamese word Assom' is derived from ''Āhom'' or ''Āsam''. The epithet applied to the Shan conquerors was subsequently transferred to the country over which they ruled and thus the name Kāmarūpa was replaced by Ahom/Ā-som,which ultimately took the Sanskritized form ''Asama'', meaning ‘unequalled, peerless or uneven’. The British province after 1838 and the Indian state after 1947 came to be known as ''Assam''.

On 27 February 2006, the Government of Assam started a process to change the name of the state to ''Asom'' or ''Axom'', a controversial move that has been opposed by the people and political organizations.

Physical geography

Geomorphic studies conclude that the Brahmaputra, the life-line of Assam is an antecedent river, older than the Himalayas. The river with steep gorges and rapids in Arunachal Pradesh entering Assam, becomes a braided river (at times 10 mi/16 km wide) and with tributaries, creates a flood plain (Brahmaputra Valley: 50–60 mi/80–100 km wide, 600 mi/1000 km long). The hills of Karbi Anglong, North Cachar and those in and close to Guwahati (also Khasi-Garo Hills) now eroded and dissected are originally parts of the South Indian Plateau system. In the south, the Barak originating in the Barail Range (Assam-Nagaland border), flows through the Cachar district with a 25–30 miles (40–50 km) wide valley and enters Bangladesh with the name Surma.

Assam is endowed with petroleum, natural gas, coal, limestone and other minor minerals such as magnetic quartzite, kaolin, sillimanites, clay and feldspar. A small quantity of iron ore is available in western districts. Discovered in 1889, all the major petroleum-gas reserves are in Upper parts. A recent USGS estimate shows of oil, of gas and of natural gas liquids in the Assam Geologic Province.

With the “Tropical Monsoon Rainforest Climate”, Assam is temperate (summer max. at 95–100 °F or 35–38 °C and winter min. at 43–46 °F or 6–8 °C) and experiences heavy rainfall and high humidity. The climate is characterized by heavy monsoon downpours reducing summer temperatures and affecting foggy nights and mornings in winters. Thunderstorms known as ''Bordoicila'' are frequent during the afternoons. Spring (Mar–Apr) and Autumn (Sept–Oct) are usually pleasant with moderate rainfall and temperature.

''Assam is one of the richest biodiversity zones in the world and consists of tropical rainforests'', deciduous forests, riverine grasslands, bamboo orchards and numerous wetland ecosystems; Many are now protected as national parks and reserved forests. The Kaziranga, home of the rare Indian Rhinoceros, and Manas are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Assam. The state is the last refuge for numerous other endangered species such as the Golden Langur (Presbetis geei), White-winged Wood Duck or ''Deohanh'' (Cairina scutulata), Bengal Florican, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Pygmy Hog, Greater Adjutant and so on. Some other endangered species with significant population in Assam are the tiger, elephant, Hoolock gibbon, Jerdon's Babbler and so on to name a few. For the State Bird, the White-winged Wood Duck, Assam is a globally important area. Assam is also known for orchids.The state has the largest population of the Wild Water Buffalo in the world. The state also has the highest diversity of birds in India with around 820 species. With subspecies the number is as high as 946. The mammal diversity in Assam is also high with around 190 species

The region is prone to natural disasters with annual floods and frequent mild earthquakes. Strong earthquakes are rare; three of which were recorded in 1869, 1897 (8.1 on the Richter scale); and in 1950 (8.6).

History

Pre-history

Assam and adjoining regions have evidences of human settlements from all the periods of the Stone ages. The hills at the height of 1500–2000 feet (460 to 615 m) were popular habitats probably due to availability of exposed doleritic basalt useful for tool-making.

According to the Kalika Purana (c.17th–18th AD), written in Assam, the earliest ruler of Assam was Mahiranga Danav followed by Hatak, Sambar, Ratna and Ghatak; Naraka removed this line of rulers and established his own Naraka dynasty. It mentions that the last of the Naraka-bhauma rulers, Narak, was slain by Krishna. Naraka's son Bhagadatta, mentioned in the Mahabharata, fought for the Kauravas in the battle of Kurukshetra with an army of ''kiratas'', ''chinas'' and ''dwellers of the eastern coast''. Later rulers of Kamarupa frequently drew their lineage from the Naraka rulers. However, there are lots of evidences to say that Mahayana Buddhism was prominent in ancient Assam. After Hi-uen Shang's visit Mahayana Buddhism came to Assam. Relics of Tezpur, Malini Than, Kamakhya and Madan Kam Dev Temple are the evidences of Mahayana Buddhism.

Ancient and medieval

Ancient Assam, known as Kamarupa, was ruled by powerful dynasties: the Varmanas (c. 350–650 AD), the Salstambhas (''Xalostombho'', c. 655–900 AD) and the Kamarupa-Palas (c. 900–1100 AD). In the reign of the Varman king, Bhaskaravarman (c. 600–650 AD), the Chinese traveler Xuan Zang visited the region and recorded his travels. Later, after weakening and disintegration (after the Kamarupa-Palas), the Kamarupa tradition was somewhat extended till c. 1255 AD by the Lunar I (c. 1120–1185 AD) and Lunar II (c. 1155–1255 AD) dynasties.

Two later dynasties, the Ahoms and the Koch left larger impacts. The Ahoms, a Tai group, ruled Assam for nearly 600 years (1228–1826 AD) and the Koch, a Tibeto-Burmese, established sovereignty in c. 1510 AD. The Koch kingdom in western Assam and present North Bengal was at its zenith in the early reign of Naranarayana (c. 1540–1587 AD). It split into two in c. 1581 AD, the western part as a Moghul vassal and the eastern as an Ahom satellite state. Since c. 13th AD, the nerve centre of Ahom polity was upper Assam; the kingdom was gradually extended till Karatoya River in the c. 17th–18th AD. It was at its zenith during the reign of Sukhrungpha or Sworgodeu Rudra Simha (c. 1696–1714 AD). Among other dynasties, the Chutiyas ruled north-eastern Assam and parts of present Arunachal Pradesh and the Kacharis ruled from Dikhow River to central and southern Assam. With expansion of Ahom kingdom, by c. 1520 AD the Chutiya areas were annexed and since c. 1536 AD Kacharis remained only in Cachar and North Cachar more as an Ahom ally then a competing force. Despite numerous invasions, mostly by the Muslim rulers, no western power ruled Assam until the arrival of the British. The most successful invader Mir Jumla, a governor of Aurangzeb, briefly occupied Garhgaon (c. 1662–63 AD), the then capital, but found it difficult to control people making guerrilla attacks on his forces, forcing them to leave. The decisive victory of the Assamese led by the great general Lachit Borphukan on the Mughals, then under command of Raja Ram Singha at Saraighat (1671) had almost ended Mughal ambitions in this region. Mughals were finally expelled in c. 1682 AD from lower Assam.

British Assam

Ahom palace intrigue and political turmoil due to the Moamoria rebellion aided the Burmese to invade Assam and install Chandra Kanta Singh as a puppet king in 1817. In 1821, Singh switched his allegiance to the British, leading the Burmese to invade again. The Burmese defeated the Assamese army in 1822, and made Assam a Burmese province under a military governor-general. With the Burmese having reached the East India Company’s borders, the First Anglo-Burmese War ensued in 1824. The war ended under the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826, with the Company taking control of Lower Assam and installing Purander Singh as king of Upper Assam in 1833. The arrangement lasted till 1838 and thereafter the British gradually annexed the entire region. Initially Assam was made a part of the Bengal Presidency, then in 1906 it was a part of Eastern Bengal and Assam province, and in 1912 it was reconstituted into a Chief Commissioners' province. In 1913, a Legislative Council and in 1937 the Assam Legislative Assembly was formed in Shillong, the erstwhile capital of the region. The British tea planters imported labour from central India adding to the demographic canvas. After few initial unsuccessful attempts to free Assam during the 1850s, the Assamese since early 20th century joined and actively supported the Indian National Congress against the British.

At the turn of the 20th century, British India consisted of eight provinces that were administered either by a Governor or a Lieutenant-Governor. ''The Assam Province'' was one amongst those major eight provinces of British India. The following table lists their areas and populations (but does not include those of the dependent Native States):

During the partition of Bengal (1905–1911), a new province, ''Assam and East Bengal'', was created as a Lieutenant-Governorship. In 1911, ''East Bengal'' was reunited with Bengal, and the new provinces in the east became: Assam, Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.

Table hereafter shows the major original provinces during British India that includes the Assam Province:

{| class=wikitable |- valign="bottom" ! Province of British India !! Area (in thousands of square miles)!! Population (in millions of inhabitants) !! Chief Administrative Officer |- | align="center" | Burma || align="center" | 170 || align="center" | 9 || align="center" | Lieutenant-Governor |- | align="center" | Bengal || align="center" | 151 || align="center" | 75 || align="center" | Lieutenant-Governor |- | align="center" | Madras || align="center" | 142 || align="center" | 38 || align="center" | Governor-in-Council |- | align="center" | Bombay || align="center" | 123 || align="center" | 19 || align="center" | Governor-in-Council |- | align="center" | United Provinces || align="center" | 107 || align="center" | 48 || align="center" | Lieutenant-Governor |- | align="center" | Central Provinces and Berar || align="center" | 104 || align="center" | 13 || align="center" | Chief Commissioner |- | align="center" | Punjab || align="center" | 97 || align="center" | 20 || align="center" | Lieutenant-Governor |- | align="center" | Assam || align="center" | 49 || align="center" | 6 || align="center" | Chief Commissioner |}

In 1947, Assam including the present Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya became a state of the Union of India (princely states, Manipur and Tripura became Group C provinces) and a district of Assam, Sylhet, chose to join Pakistan.

Post British

Since 1947, with increasing economic problems in the region, separatist groups began forming along ethnic lines, and demands for autonomy and sovereignty grew, resulting into fragmentation of Assam.

Since the mid-20th century, people from present Bangladesh have been migrating to Assam. In 1961, the Government of Assam passed a legislation making use of Assamese language compulsory. It had to be withdrawn later under pressure from Bengali speaking people in Cachar. In the 1980s the Brahmaputra valley saw a six-year Assam Agitation triggered by the discovery of a sudden rise in registered voters on electoral rolls. It tried to force the government to identify and deport foreigners illegally migrating from neighboring Bangladesh and changing the demographics. The agitation ended after an accord between its leaders and the Union Government, which remained unimplemented, causing simmering discontent.

The post 1970s experienced the growth of armed separatist groups like United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). In November 1990, the Government of India deployed the Indian army, after which low-intensity military conflicts and political homicides have been continuing for more than a decade. In recent times, ethnicity based militant groups (UPDS, HPDC etc.) have also mushroomed. Regional autonomy has been ensured for Bodos in Bodoland Territorial Council Areas (BTC) and for the Karbis in Karbi Anglong after agitation of the communities due to sluggish rate of development and aspirations for self-government.

Tea history

After discovery of Camellia sinensis (1834) in Assam followed by its tests in 1836–37 in London, the British allowed companies to rent land since 1839. Thereafter tea plantations mushroomed in Upper Assam, where the soil and the climate were most suitable. Problems with the imported laborers from China and hostilities of native Assamese resulted into migration of forced laborers from central-eastern parts of India. After initial trial and error with planting the Chinese and the Assamese-Chinese hybrid varieties, the planters later accepted the local Camellia assamica as the most suitable one for Assam. By 1850s, the industry started seeing some profits. Industry saw initial growth, when in 1861, investors were allowed to own land in Assam and it saw substantial progress with invention of new technologies and machinery for preparing processed tea during 1870s. The cost of Assam tea was lowered down many folds and became more competitive than its Chinese variant.

Despite the commercial success, tea laborers continued to be exploited, working and living under poor conditions. Fearful of greater government interference, the tea growers formed the Indian Tea Association in 1888 to lobby to retain the status quo. The organization was very successful in this, and even after India’s independence conditions of the laborers have improved very little.

Subdivisions

Assam is divided into 27 administrative districts. More than half of these districts were carved out during 80s and 90s from original 1. Lakhimpur, 2. Jorhat, 3. Karbi Anglong, 4. Darrang, 5. Nagaon, 6. Kamrup, 7. Goalpara, 8. North Cachar and 9. Cachar districts, delineated by the British. Earlier, during 70s, Dibrugarh was separated out from original Lakhimpur district.

These districts are further sub-divided into 49 “Sub-divisions” or ''Mohkuma''. Every district is administered from a district head quarter with the office of the District Collector, District Magistrate, Office of the District Panchayat and usually with a district court.

The districts are delineated on the basis of the features such as the rivers, hills, forests, etc. and majority of the newly constituted districts are sub-divisions of the earlier districts. For the present districts of Assam and their location, refer the attached map.

The local governance system is organised under the ''jila-parishad'' (District Panchayat) for a district, ''panchayat'' for group of or individual rural areas and under the urban local bodies for the towns and cities. Presently there are 2489 village panchayats covering 26247 villages in Assam. The 'town-committee' or ''nagar-xomiti'' for small towns, 'municipal board' or ''pouro-xobha'' for medium towns and municipal corporation or ''pouro-nigom'' for the cities consist of the urban local bodies.

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

Demographics

{{India census population | title = Population Growth | 1951 = 8029000 | 1961 = 10837000 | 1971 = 14625000 | 1981 = 18041000 | 1991 = 22414000 | 2001 = 26656000 | estimate = | estyear = | estref = | footnote = Source:Census of IndiaThe 1981 Census could not be held in Assam. Total population for 1981 has been worked out by Interpolation. }} Total population of Assam was 26.66 million with 4.91 million households in 2001. Higher population concentration was recorded in the districts of Kamrup, Nagaon, Sonitpur, Barpeta, Dhubri, Darang and Cachar. Assam's population was estimated at 28.67 million in 2006 and at 30.57 million by 2011, 34.18 million by 2021 and 35.60 million by 2026.

In 2001, the census recorded literacy in Assam at 63.3% with male literacy at 71.3% and female at 54.6%. Urbanisation rate was recorded at 12.9%.

Growth of population in Assam has experienced a very high trajectory since the mid-decades of the 20th century. Population grew steadily from 3.29 million in 1901 to 6.70 million in 1941, while it has increased unprecedentedly to 14.63 million in 1971 and 22.41 million in 1991 to reach the present level. The growth in the western and southern districts was of extreme high in nature mostly attributable to rapid influx of population from the then East Pakistan or Bangladesh.

Assam has many ethnic groups and the People of India project has studied 115 of these. Out of which 79 (69%) identify themselves regionally, 22 (19%) locally, and 3 trans-nationally. The earliest settlers were Austroasiatic, followed by Tibeto-Burman, Indo-Aryan speakers, and Kradai speakers. Forty-five languages are spoken by different communities, including three major language families: Austroasiatic (5), Sino-Tibetan (24) and Indo-European (12). Three of the spoken languages do not fall in these families. There is a high degree of bilingualism.

Religions

According to the 2001 census, there are 17,296,455 Hindus, 8,240,611 Muslims, 986,589 Christians, 22,519 Sikhs, 51,029 Buddhists, 23,957 Jains and 22,999 belonging to other religious communities. The latter includes Animism (Khamti, Phake, Aiton etc. communities).

Hinduism

The Hindus of Assam perform several dances to practice their devotion to their Gods. One category of them is the Sattriya Dances.

Kamakhya, dedicated to Goddess Durga is the eastern-most pilgrimage of Hinduism.

Popular forms of God in Assam are Durga, Shiva, Krishna and Narayana, although several tribes practice devotion to local deities as well.

Well known saints and philosophers from Assam include Gurudev Kalicharan, Madhab, Mahadeb, and very likely Kumarila Bhatta.

Brahmo Samaj: Assam is the home of Kalicharan Mech, a Bodo Hindu who stopped the British Christian missionaries, spread ahimsa and vegetarianism. He was deeply influenced by the Brahmo Samaj. He later became known as "Gurudev Kalicharan Brahmachari" or "Guru Brahma". His principles were established as the Brahma Dharma. Perhaps his teachings can be summarized by his given phrase, "Chandrama Surya Narayans Jyoti", meaning, "''the light (jyoti) from the sun is capable from dispelling darkness and taking people to Brahma (Narayans).''"

From the teachings of Guru Brahma, the "Bodo-Brahmas" (the Bodos of this sect) have boycotted alcohol, heavy dowry as well as meat-eating.

This sect is written by scholars to be Vedic and Upanishadic. As per Vedic rituals, the priests perform Horn Yajna, which was begun by Guru Brahma to organize the Bodos.

While the Bodo Christians today are laying stress on adopting a Roman script for the Bodo community, the Bodo-Brahmas prefer the traditional Bengali-Ahomi script.

Out of the 3,308,570 Assamese tribals reported in the 2001 Census, 90.7% were Hindus and 8.8% were Christians. There were also 6,267 Muslims, 5,153 Budhists and 3,574 Animists.

Islam

Muslims constitute the second largest religious group in Assam with 8,240,611 persons, 31% of the Assam population. Amongst Indian provinces, Assam has the third largest proportion of Muslims – only the Unior Territory of Lakshaweep Islands and Jammu and Kashmir have a higher proportion.

The history of the indigenous Muslims of Assam is a long one, though many details are obscure, especially for the Assamese Muslims. A Brahmin priest from Kamrup (near the geographical middle of Assam) was reported to have embraced Islam around the 13th century.

Later in the 16th century, an Islamic saint Ajan Fakir Shah Miran and also known as Ghiyasuddin Auliya came from Baghdad to Assam to preach Islam in the area. The Masjid constructed by him is known as, The Pao Mecca mosque, Pao Mecca literally means one-fourth of Mecca. It is believed that the foundation of the mosque was laid upon a handful of earth brought from Mecca. The Pao-Mecca mosque was partially destroyed by a strong earthquake that occurred in 1897 and the dargah on the 750 ft. high Gaurachol hills is of Ghiyasuddin Auliya Ajan Fakir was buried on the hills of Gaurachol and hence the tomb on the hill is related to him, are considered sacrosanct not only by the Muslims but by people of other faiths as well.

Panchpeer Dargaha, Dhurbi District, Assam: It is Mazar Sharif of five Sufi Saints who accompanied Raja Ram Singh during his time of invassion to Assam. This Dargaha is the best example of religious harmony where all section of people irrespective of their religion pay visit with great respect.

Integration of the Assamese Muslims, India.

It is likely that the Assamese Muslims, who are found primarily in the northeastern parts of the state, are descended particularly from those who embraced Islam during this earlier period. The Assamese Muslims are well integrated with the rest of Assamese society. Proud of their language and culture, Assamese Muslims have often been in positions of influence within the society of Assam and even India.

Christianity

The Bible was translated into Assamese in the year of 1819. In 1827, an attempt was made to start a Baptist church in Guwahati, but it made no permanent converts in the area. Later the American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society was able to make some headway in Guwahati. Although these earliest Christian missionary endeavors which were focused in the north-east of India, were in Modern Assam, the great success of Protestant missionaries in North-East India which they achieved in late 19th and the 20th Centuries, was primarily in areas such as Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya which are not part of Assam anymore.

As of 1991 only Tripura of the seven eastern states of India had a lower percentage of Christians than Assam. There were more Christians in Assam than in Mizoram even though Mizoram was the second most Christian state in India at the time.

Besides the Protestants there are also Catholics. There is a Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Shillong.

According to the 2001 Census, there are a total of 986,589 Christians in Assam. Out of this, 291,000 (29.5%) are tribals.

Sikhism

The first Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak Dev had visited Kamrup (Assam) in the 1505 as recorded in the his first visit in Purantan Janam Sakhi (the historical papers related to the visits and daily recorded activities of the Guru). Guru Nanak had met Srimanta Shankardeva (the founder of the Mahapuruxiya Dharma) as the Guru travelled from Dhaka to Assam. But no sangat or historical shrine dedicated to him survives as to date.

Ninth Guru of Sikhs Guru Tegh Bahadur visited Assam in 1668. This place is also famous for the Sikh Gurdwara Thara Sahib or Gurdwara Damdama Sahib which was constructed in memory atop the hillock place of meditation of the Guru in Dhubri, Kamrup. The historical site and places of interest of the Gurdwara are many times referred to as Gurdwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib situated in Dhubri (Assam) by the banks of the Brahmaputra . The grateful Ahom King invited Guruji to the Kamakhya shrine, where he was honoured with great respect.

In the year 1820, few hundred Sikh soldiers went to Assam at the initiative of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to help Ahom rulers in a war. Their descendants are mostly concentrated in Lanka in Nagaon district of Assam. Sikhs have been living in Assam for approximately two hundred years.

Buddhism

The religion is practised by 51,029 persons in Assam. Among them are the Chakma and Boruas. The Chakmas of Assam are loacted mostly in Chachar and Karbi Anglong with very lesser presence in Nagaon district. Guwahati has lots of Buddhist temples, the most prominent being the Bamunimaidan Buddhist temple.

The Indigenous Tai tribes like Tai Phake, Tai Aiton, Khamyang, Turung, Singpho and Khampti are also buddhist by religion. They mainly inhabit Upper Assam and also Karbi Anglong.

There is also a small Bhutanese and Tibetan population in Assam.

Culture and its evolution

Assamese culture is traditionally a hybrid one developed due to assimilation of ethno-cultural groups in the past. Therefore, both local elements or the local elements in Sanskritised forms are distinctly found. The major milestones in evolution of Assamese culture are:

Assimilation in the Kamarupa Kingdom for almost 700 years (under the Varmans for 300 years, Salastambhas and Palas for each 200 years). Establishment of the Ahom dynasty in the 13th century AD and assimilation for next 600 years. Assimilation in the Koch Kingdom (15th–16th century AD) of western Assam and Kachari Kingdom (12th–18th century AD) of central and southern Assam.

Vaishnava Movement led by Srimanta Shankardeva (''Xonkordeu'') and its contribution and cultural changes.Vaishanav Movement, the 15th century religio-cultural movement under the leadership of great Srimanta Sankardeva (Xonkordeu) and his disciples have provided another dimension to Assamese culture. A renewed Hinduisation in local forms took place, which was initially greatly supported by the Koch and later by the Ahom Kingdoms. The resultant social institutions such as ''namghar'' and ''sattra'' (the Vaishnav Monasteries) have become part of Assamese way life. The movement contributed greatly towards language, literature and performing and fine arts. It is also noticed that many a times, Vaishnav Movement attempted to introduce alien cultural attributes and modify the way of life of common people. ''Brajavali'' a language specially created by introducing words from other Indian languages had failed as a language but left its traces on the Assamese language. Moreover, new alien rules were also introduced changing people's food habits and other aspects of cultural life. This had a greater impact on alienation of many local ethno-cultural and political groups in the later periods.

Historically, it is not difficult to understand that on one hand, during the strong politico-economic systems under stronger dynasties, greater cultural assimilations created common attributes of Assamese culture, while on the other during smaller politico-economic systems or during political disintegration, more localised attributes were created with spatial differentiation. Time-factor for such integrations and differentiations has also played extremely important role along with the position of individual events in the entire series of sequential events.

With rich traditions, the modern culture is greatly influenced by events in the British and the Post-British Era. The language was standardised by the American Baptist Missionaries such as Nathan Brown, Dr. Miles Bronson and local pundits such as Hemchandra Barua with the form available in the Sibsagar (''Sivasagar'') District (the ex-nerve centre of the Ahom Kingdom). A renewed Sanskritisation was increasingly adopted for developing Assamese language and grammar. A new wave of Western and northern Indian influence was apparent in the performing arts and literature.

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

Some of the common and unique cultural traits in the region are peoples' respect towards areca-nut and betel leaves, symbolic clothes (Gamosa, Arnai, etc.), traditional silk garments and towards forefathers and elderly. Moreover, great hospitality and Bamboo culture are common.

Symbolism

Symbolism is an ancient cultural practice in Assam and is still a very important part of Assamese way of life. Various elements are being used to represent beliefs, feelings, pride, identity, etc. ''Tamulpan'', ''Xorai'' and ''Gamosa'' are three important symbolic elements in Assamese culture. ''Tamulpan'' (the areca nut and betel leaves) or ''guapan'' (gua from ''kwa'') are considered along with the Gamosa (a typical woven cotton or silk cloth with embroidery) as the offers of devotion, respect and friendship. The Tamulpan-tradition is an ancient one and is being followed since time-immemorial with roots in the aboriginal Austro-Asiatic culture. ''Xorai'' is a traditionally manufactured bell-metal article of great respect and is used as a container-medium while performing respectful offers. Moreover, symbolically many ethno-cultural groups use specific clothes to portray respect and pride.

There were many other symbolic elements and designs, but are now only found in literature, art, sculpture, architecture, etc. or in use today for only religious purposes. The typical designs of ''assamese-lion'', ''dragon'', ''flying-lion'', etc. were used for symbolising various purposes and occasions. The archaeological sites such as the Madan Kamdev (c. 9th–10th AD) exhibits mass-scale use of lions, dragon-lions and many other figures of demons to show case power and prosperity. The Vaishnava monasteries and many other architectural sites of late medieval period also showcase use of lions and dragons for symbolic effects.

Languages

Assamese and Bodo are the major indigenous and official languages while Bengali holds official status in the three districts in the Barak Valley and is the second most widely spoken language of the state (27%).

Traditionally Assamese was the language of the commons (of mixed origin – Austroasiatic, Tibeto-Burman, Prakrit) in the ancient Kamarupa and in the medieval kingdoms of Kamatapur, Kachari, Chutiya, Borahi, Ahom and Koch. Traces of the language is found in many poems by Luipa, Sarahapa, etc. in Charyapada (c.7th–8th AD). Modern dialects Kamrupi, Goalpariya, etc. are the remnant of this language. Moreover, Assamese in its traditional form was used by the ethno-cultural groups in the region as lingua-franca, which spread during the stronger kingdoms and was required for needed economic integration. Localised forms of the language still exist in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh. The form used in the upper Assam was enriched by the advent of Tai-Shans in the 13th century.

Linguistically modern Assamese traces its roots to the version developed by the American Missionaries based on the local form in practice near Sibsagar (Xiwoxagor) district. Assamese (''Oxomeeya'') is a rich language due to its hybrid nature with its unique characteristics of pronunciation and softness. Assamese literature is one of the richest.

Bodo is an ancient language of Assam. Spatial distribution patterns of the ethno-cultural groups, cultural traits and the phenomenon of naming all the major rivers in the North East Region with Bodo-Kachari words (e.g. Dihing, Dibru, Dihong, D/Tista, Dikrai, etc.) reveal that it was the most important language in the ancient times. Bodo is presently spoken largely in the Lower Assam (Bodo Territorial Council area). After years of neglect, now Bodo language is getting attention and its literature is developing. Other native languages of Tibeto-Burman origin and related to Bodo-Kachari are DEORI Mishing, Karbi, Dimasa, Rabha, Tiwa, etc. Rajbongshi also known as Kamatapuri/Goalpariya is also widely spoken by the people of western Assam.

Nepali is also spoken in almost all parts of the state.There are approximately thirty lakhs of Nepali speakers spreading over the area of all the district of Assam. Assamese language being the main language, they are well versed in it. Assamese language is the main medium in educational institutions but Nepali language is also taught as a major Indian language. In Guwahati and Digboi, many Jr. basic School and Jr. high School are Nepali medium where all the teachers are Nepali. As a major Indian language, Nepali is included by Assam State Secondary Board, Assam Higher Secondary Council and Gauhati University in their HSCL, higher secondary and graduation level respectively, in some jr. basic and higher secondary schools and colleges, Nepali teachers and lecturers are also appointed. In these institutions, Nepali and literature are taught.

There are smaller groups of people speaking Tai-Phake, Tai-Aiton, Tai-Khamti, Tai-Khamyang etc., some of the Tai languages. The Tai-Ahom language (brought by Sukaphaa and his followers), which is no more a spoken language today is getting attentions for research after centuries long care and preservation by the Bailungs (traditional priests). There are also small groups of people speaking Manipuri, Khasi, Garo, Hmar, Kuki, Zeme Naga etc. in different parts.

Bengali is the official language in Barak Valley and the widely spoken language there is Sylheti, a dialect of Bengali. Bengali is also largely spoken in the western districts of Dhubri, Barpeta and Goalpara.

Santali or Santhali is also spoken widely by the tribal population in the tea garden districts of Assam. these people who were initially brought as tea estate labourers by the British to Assam have now made it their home state.

Bishnupriya Manipuri language is also spoken by a small minority of people in Barak Valley.

Festivals

There are several important traditional festivals in Assam. Bihu is the most important and common and celebrated all over Assam. Durga Puja is another festival celebrated with great enthusiasm. Muslims celebrate two Eids (Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha) with much eagerness all over Assam.

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

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

Performing arts

Assam has rich tradition of performing arts. ''Ankiya Nat'' (''Onkeeya Naat'') is a traditional Vaishnav dance-drama (''Bhaona'') form popular since 15th century AD It makes use of large masks of gods, goddesses, demons and animals and in between the plays a ''Sutradhar'' (''Xutrodhar'') keeps on telling the story. The Bihu dance and ''Hucory'' performed during the ''Bohag Bihu'', ''Kushan nritra'' of Rajbongshi's, ''Bagurumba'' and ''Bordoicikhla'' dance of Bodos, Mishing Bihu, ''Banjar Kekan'' performed during ''Chomangkan'' by Karbis are some of the major folk dances. Sattriya (''Xotriya'') dance related to Vaishnav tradition is a classical form of dance. Moreover, there are several other age-old dance-forms such as Barpeta’s ''Bhortal Nritya'', ''Deodhoni Nritya'', ''Oja Paali'', ''Beula Dance'', ''Ka Shad Inglong Kardom'', ''Nimso Kerung'', etc. The tradition of modern moving theatres is typical of Assam with immense popularity of many large theatre groups such as Kohinoor, Srimanta Sankardev, Abahan, Bhagyadevi, Hengul, Rajmahal, Itihas etc.

At the same time musical tradition is also rich. Folk songs and music related to Bihu and other festivals dates back to time-immemorial. ''Borgeet'', the popular Vaishnav songs are written and composed in 15th century. Assam has large numbers of traditional musical instruments including several types of drums, string instruments, flutes, cymbals, pipes, etc.

The indigenous folk music has substantially influenced the growth of a modern idiom, that finds expression in the music of such artists like Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Bishnuprasad Rabha, Parvati Prasad Baruwa, Bhupen Hazarika, Pratima Barua Pandey, Anima Choudhury, Luit Konwar Rudra Baruah, Jayanta Hazarika, Khagen Mahanta, Deepali Borthakur, "Ganashilpi" Dilip Sarma, Sudakshina Sarma among many others. Among the new generation, Zubeen Garg, Jitul Sonowal, Angaraag Mahanta and Joi Barua have a great fan following. There is an award given in the honour of Bishnuprasad Rabha for achievements in the cultural/music world of Assam by the State Government

Literature

Noted writers:

Dr. Mamoni Raisom Goswami

Bhabendra Nath Saikia

Lakshminath Bezbaruah

Hem Barua

Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya

Hiren Bhattacharyya

Nalinibala Devi

Rajanikanta Bordoloi

Dr. Nirmalprabha Bordoloi

Traditional crafts

Assam has a rich tradition of crafts; presently, Cane and bamboo craft, bell metal and brass craft, silk and cotton weaving, toy and mask making, pottery and terracotta work, wood craft, jewellery making, musical instruments making, etc. remained as major traditions. Historically, Assam also excelled in making boats, traditional guns and gunpowder, ivory crafts, colours and paints, articles of lac, agarwood products, traditional building materials, utilities from iron, etc.

Cane and bamboo craft provide the most commonly used utilities in daily life, ranging from household utilities, weaving accessories, fishing accessories, furniture, musical instruments, construction materials, etc. Utilities and symbolic articles such as ''Xorai'' and ''Bota'' made from bell metal and brass are found in every Assamese household. Hajo and Sarthebari (''Xorthebaary'') are the most important centres of traditional bell-metal and brass crafts. Assam is the home of several types of silks, the most prestigious are: Muga – the natural golden silk, Pat – a creamy-bright-silver coloured silk and Eri – a variety used for manufacturing warm clothes for winter. Apart from Sualkuchi (''Xualkuchi''), the centre for the traditional silk industry, in almost every parts of the Brahmaputra Valley, rural households produce silk and silk garments with excellent embroidery designs. Moreover, various ethno-cultural groups in Assam make different types of cotton garments with unique embroidery designs and wonderful colour combinations.

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

Fine arts

The archaic Mauryan Stupas discovered in and around Goalpara district are the earliest examples (c. 300 BC to c. 100 AD) of ancient art and architectural works. The remains discovered in Daparvatiya (''Doporboteeya'') archaeological site with a beautiful doorframe in Tezpur are identified as the best examples of art works in ancient Assam with influence of Sarnath School of Art of the late Gupta period. Many other sites also exhibit development of local art forms with local motifs and sometimes with similarities with those in the Southeast Asia. There are currently more than forty discovered ancient archaeological sites across Assam with numerous sculptural and architectural remains. Moreover, there are examples of several Late-Middle Age art and architectural works including hundreds of sculptures and motifs along with many remaining temples, palaces and other buildings. The motifs available on the walls of the buildings such as Rang Ghar, Joydoul, etc. are remarkable examples of art works.

Painting is an ancient tradition of Assam. Xuanzang (7th century AD) mentions that among the Kamarupa king Bhaskaravarma's gifts to Harshavardhana there were paintings and painted objects, some of which were on Assamese silk. Many of the manuscripts such as Hastividyarnava (A Treatise on Elephants), the ''Chitra Bhagawata'' and in the Gita Govinda from the Middle Ages bear excellent examples of traditional paintings. The medieval Assamese literature also refers to chitrakars and patuas.

There are several renowned contemporary artists in Assam. ''The Guwahati Art College'' is a government institution for tertiary education. Moreover, there are several art-societies and non-government initiatives across the state and the Guwahati Artists Guild is a front-runner organisation based in Guwahati.

Economy

thumb|22em|In the 1950s, per capita income in Assam was little higher than that in India. In 2000–01, in Assam it was [[Indian rupee|INR 6,157 at constant prices (1993–94) and INR 10,198 at current prices; almost 40% lower than that in India. According to the recent estimates, per capita income in Assam has reached INR 6756 (1993–94 constant prices) in 2004–05, which is still much lower than India's.]]

Macro-economy

Economy of Assam today represents a unique juxtaposition of backwardness amidst plenty. Despite its rich natural resources, and supplying of up to 25% of India's petroleum needs, growth rate of Assam’s income has not kept pace with that of India’s; differences increased rapidly since 1970s. Indian economy grew at 6% per annum over the period of 1981 to 2000, the same of Assam was only 3.3%. In the Sixth Plan period Assam experienced a negative growth rate of 3.78% when India's was positive at 6%. In the post-liberalised era (after 1991), the differences widened further.

According to recent analysis, Assam’s economy is showing signs of improvement. In 2001–02, the economy grew (at 1993–94 constant prices) at 4.5%, to fall to 3.4% in the next financial year. During 2003–04 and 2004–05, the economy grew (at 1993–94 constant prices) more satisfactorily at 5.5% and 5.3% respectively. The advanced estimates placed the growth rate for 2005–06 at above 6%. Assam's GDP in 2004 is estimated at $13 billion in current prices. Sectoral analysis again exhibits a dismal picture. The average annual growth rate of agriculture, which was only 2.6% per annum over 1980s has unfortunately fallen to 1.6% in the 1990s. Manufacturing sector has shown some improvement in the 1990s with a growth rate of 3.4% per annum than 2.4% in the 1980s. Since past five decades, the tertiary sector has registered the highest growth rates than the other sectors, which even has slowed down in the 1990s than in 1980s.

Agriculture

Accounts for more than a third of Assam’s income and employs 69% of workforce. Assam's biggest contribution to the world is tea. It produces some of the finest and expensive teas and has its own variety ''Camellia assamica''. Assam also accounts for fair share of India’s production of rice, rapeseed, mustard seed, jute, potato, sweet potato, banana, papaya, areca nut and turmeric. It is also a home of large varieties of citrus fruits, leaf vegetables, vegetables, useful grasses, herbs, spices, etc.

Assam’s agriculture is yet to experience modernisation in real sense. With implications to food security, per capita food grain production has declined in past five decades. Productivity has increased marginally; but still lower comparing to highly productive regions. For instance, yield of rice (staple food of Assam) was just 1531 kg per hectare against India’s 1927 kg per hectare in 2000–01 (which itself is much lower than Egypt’s 9283, US’s 7279, South Korea’s 6838, Japan’s 6635 and China’s 6131 kg per hectare in 2001). On the other hand, after having strong domestic demand, 1.5 million hectares of inland water bodies, numerous rivers and 165 varieties of fishes, fishing is still in its traditional form and production is not self-sufficient.

The Assam Agriculture University is located at Jorhat, Assam. It is the only agricultural university for the Seven Sisters.

Industry

Apart from tea and petroleum refineries, Assam has few industries of significance. Industrial development is inhibited by its physical and political isolation from neighbouring countries such as Burma, China and Bangladesh and from other growing Southeast Asian economies; ultimately leading to neglect by the federal government in regards to development – a key motivation for separatist groups. The region is landlocked, situated in the eastern periphery of India and is linked to the mainland by a flood and cyclone prone narrow corridor, known as the Siliguri Corridor or Chicken's Neck, with weak transport infrastructure that have remained undeveloped since independence. The international airport in Guwahati is yet to find airlines providing direct international flights. The Brahmaputra suitable for navigation does not possess sufficient infrastructure for international trade and success of such a navigable trade route will be dependent on proper channel maintenance and diplomatic and trade relationships with Bangladesh. Assam is a major producer of crude oil and it accounts for about 15% of India's crude output, exploited by the Assam Oil Company Ltd., and natural gas in India and is the second place in the world (after Titusville in the United States) where petroleum was discovered. Asia’s first successful mechanically drilled oil well was drilled in Makum (Assam) way back in 1867. Most of the oilfields are located in the Upper Assam region. Assam has four oil refineries located in Guwahati, Digboi, Golaghat (Numaligarh) and Bongaigaon with a total capacity of 7 Million metric tonnes (7.7 million short tons) per annum. It is worth mentioning here that Asia's first refinery was setup at Digboi and discoverer of Digboi oilfield was the Assam Railways & Trading Company Limited (AR&T; Co. Ltd.), a registered company of London in 1881. Despite its richness in natural resources, the benefits have yet to improve the lives of the people of Assam.

Although having a poor overall industrial performance, several other industries have nevertheless been started, including a chemical fertiliser plan at Namrup, petrochemical industries at Namrup and Bongaigaon, paper mills at Jagiroad, Panchgram and Jogighopa, sugar mills at Barua Bamun Gaon, Chargola, Kampur, cement plant at Bokajan & Badarpur, cosmetics plant (HLL) at Doom Dooma, etc. Moreover, there are other industries such as jute mill, textile and yarn mills, silk mill, etc. Unfortunately many of these industries are facing loss and closure due to lack of infrastructure and improper management practices.

Education

Assam boasts of the most wide-ranging networks of higher educational institutions in the whole of North-Eastern region of India. Assam has developed into a top educational destination at the state as well as at the national level. To enhance the status of Assam education, the state government has introduced many innovative education polices. It’s capital city; Guwahati is a key destination for higher education for students of the whole of north-eastern region. One of India's best boarding schools The Assam Valley School is located at Balipara in the Sonitpur(Tezpur) District of Assam. It is a co-educational residential school. It is an ICSE school. This article offers an understanding of Assam Education system.Assam has several institutions for tertiary education and research. The major institutions are:

Universities

Gauhati University

Dibrugarh University

Tezpur University

Assam University, Silchar

Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat

Don Bosco University, (Private)

Assam Down Town University, (Private)

Medical Colleges

Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh

Gauhati Medical College and Hospital,Guwahati

Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Silchar

Jorhat Medical College, Jorhat

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College, Barpeta

Dr. J.K. Saikia Homeopathic Medical College,Jorhat

Assam Govt. Ayurvedic College, Guwahati

Government Technology and Engineering College

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Assam Engineering College, Guwahati

Jorhat Engineering College, Jorhat

National Institute of Technology, Silchar

Law Academy

National Law School and Judicial Academy,Guwahati

The National Law School & Judicial Academy, Assam (NLSJAA) promises to be an exciting new development in the field of legal education in North Eastern India. The institution is in the process of setting up its premises at Amingaon near Guwahati – a city dating back to over a thousand years, and also boasting a rich legal heritage – not only is the Gauhati High Court situated here, but also some of the finest lawyers and judges of the country trace their roots back to this city. Nevertheless, the functions of the institute have already started from its temporary office at Ujan Bazar, Guwahati, and all the necessary arrangements are being made for commencement of its first academic session from August 2011.

The National Law School and Judicial Academy, Assam has been established as a torchbearer in the field of education in the country. The institution has been established by “The National Law School & Judicial Academy, Assam Act”, that is Assam Act XXV of 2009. The Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court is the President (Chancellor) of the Law School.

The National Law School and Judiciary Academy, Assam is located in the capital city of Assam, Guwahati, with its permanent hitech campus coming up at Agiyathuri, on the Northern bank of the Brahmaputra. Nestled in the midst of greenery with a campus area covering 21 acres, the Academy will offer the right atmosphere for educational pursuits and excellence. The area is likely to increase to 47 acres in the near future.

Recent times have seen an upsurge in the choice of law as a career and consequently enrollment to law courses. The National Law School and Judicial Academy, Assam has been established at an opportune time and is poised to make great strides in legal education in the state of Assam in particular and the country as a whole.

The Academy will initially constitute a Faculty of Law, Faculty of Social Sciences and Language. With a strict admission and evaluation process, highly evolved curriculum and the best in the field to impart knowledge, the Academy will ensure that it delivers only the best legal talent to the system.

CAMPUS

The permanent campus is being constructed at Agiyathuri, on the Northern bank of the mighty Brahmaputra. It is located in close proximity to the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, the Gauhati University and the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. The campus will be fully equipped to create a vibrant learning environment. At present the institution is functioning from a temporary office at Uzan Bazar, Guwahati with a handful of staff during the initial phase of establishment. Classes in graduation level are expected to commence from September 2011. For this purpuse, a temporary campus is being set up at NEJOTI (North East Judicial Officers' Training Institute) Campus in Ulubari area of Guwahati which can easily accommodate 60 students in class as well as in hostels. Necessary facilities like Library, Computer Centre, Video Conferencing Hall, Faculty Common Room etc. are being set up in the same campus.

The institution is expected to move to its permanent location at Amingaon (Agiathuri) in about two years' time.

Places

Cities and towns

History of urban development goes back to almost two thousand years in the region. Existence of ancient urban areas such as Pragjyotishapura (Guwahati), Hatapesvara (Tezpur), Durjaya, etc. and medieval towns such as Charaideu, Garhgaon, Rongpur, Jorhat, Khaspur, Guwahati, etc. are well recorded.

Guwahati is the largest urban centre and a million plus city in Assam. The city has experienced multifold growth during past three decades to grow as the primate city in the region; the city's population was approximately 900,000 (considering GMDA area) during the census of 2001. One of the oldest and culturally richest city of Assam is Jorhat, which is considered to be a good place for modern education. North of the city the river Brahmaputra forms the largest riverine island of the world Majuli.Jorhat City was the last capital of the Ahom Kingdom.In The Barak Valley of Assam Silchar is the economic gateway to the state of Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura. The town of Silchar has tremendous commercial importance. It consequently, witnesses the settlement of a sizeable population of traders from distant parts of India. The other important urban areas are Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Tinsukia (Tinicukiya), Sibsagar (Sivasagar), Tezpur, Nagaon, North Lakhimpur, Bongaigaon, etc. Nalbari, Rangia, Mangaldoi, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Barpeta, Kokrajhar, Goalpara, Diphu, Dhubri (Dhubury), Haflong etc. are other towns and district head quarters. On the other hand Duliajan, Digboi, Namrup, Moran, Bongaigaon, Numaligarh, Jogighopa, Rangia, etc. are major industrial towns. Currently, there are around 125 total urban centres in the state.

Tourism

Assam is the central state in the North-East Region of India and serves as the gateway to the rest of the Seven Sister States. For the purposes of tourism there are wildlife preserves like the Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park etc. The climate is sub-tropical. Assam experiences the Indian monsoon and has one of the highest forest densities in India. The winter months are the best time to visit.

It has a rich cultural heritage going back to the Ahom Dynasty which governed the region for many centuries before the British occupation.

Main destinations

Brahmaputra: The only male river in India, this is both a source of sorrow and sustenance for the people of Assam. There is cruise facility to enjoy the beauty of the river.

Guwahati: One of the key urban centres of Assam and the biggest city in North-East India, this serves as the major gateway to the whole region. The notable tourist spots of the city are Kamakhya Temple, Assam State Museum, Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden, Shankardev Kalakshetra, Shilpagram, Umananda Temple etc.

Jorhat: Jorhat was established as the new capital in the closing years of the 18th century by the decaying and declining Tunkhungia Ahom Dynasty. Jorhat is also a major tourist spot in Assam. It has a numerous tourist spots and temples like Tokolai Tea Research center, Hatigar Dewal, Burigosani Than or Dewal, Garakhiadol Temple (Shiva Temple), Borbheti Than (Originally moneastery), Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar, NEIST, Gymkhana Club, Lachit Borphukan's Maidam, Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, The Chandrakanta Handique Bhavan of Asom Sahitya Sabha etc.,

Majuli: The largest river island in the world on the Brahmaputra River.

Golaghat (Kaziranga National Park)''': This is one of the few places covered as a World Heritage Site and the main habitat of the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros.. Also check out Orang National Park and Nameri National Park.

Jatinga: The mystery of the bird suicides in Jatinga in the North Cachar Hills.

Tezpur: Small town steeped in history and culture. Check out Usha Pahar, Agnigarh, Mahabhairav Temple, etc...

Sivasagar: Seat of the Ahom Kingdom. Check out Rang Ghar, Talatal Ghar, Sivadol, Kareng Ghar of Garhgaon etc...

Hajo: Hajo is a small township situated to the northwest of Guwahati across the river Brahmaputra. Hajo is a remarkable example of communal harmony. This is an ancient pilgrimage centre for three religions Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism.

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park: Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is a beautiful National Park situated in Tinsukia district. There are few Eco lodges situated here to enjoy the beauty of this park.

Goalpara: Goalpara is also a major tourist spot in Assam. It has a numerous tourist spots and temples like Sri Surya Pahar, Tekreshwari Pahar, Paglartek in Pancharatna, Pir Babas Mazar in Joleshwar, Naranarayan Setu (Bridge) connecting northern Assam districts like Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Dhubri etc. to Goalpara, Guwahati and major part of Meghalaya.

Karbi Anglong: Assam's largest district which also has the largest forest cover in the state. It is home of several rare wild life and has five wildlife sanctuaries and two elephant reserves .

Attractive destinations

Assam has several attractive destinations; majority of these are National Parks, Wildlife and Bird Sanctuaries, areas with archaeological interests and areas with unique cultural heritage. Moreover, as a whole, the region is covered by beautiful natural landscapes.

Kaziranga National Park

Manas National Park

Nameri National Park

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

Orang National Park

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary

Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary

Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary

Burasapori Wildlife Sanctuary

Bornodi Wildlife Sanctuary

Sonai-rupai Wildlife Sanctuary

Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary

Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary

Bherjan Borajan Podumani Wildlife Sanctuary

Pani-Dihing Bird Sanctuary

Deepor Beel Sanctuary

Majuli

Barpeta

Sualkuchi

Sarthebari

Jorhat Gymkhana Club

Bogamati

Digboi oil town

Ledo and Stilwell Road

Haflong, Maibong and Jatinga

Bongaigaon

Umrangshu hotwater spring

Guwahati

Hajo archaeological region

Madan Kamdev archaeological region

Jorhat

Sibsagar archaeological region

Charaideo

Surya Pahar Goalpara archaeological region

Tezpur archaeological region

Kapili Valley archaeological region

Dhansiri/Dhonxiri Valley archaeological region

Karbi Anglong

Mayong

Bordua

Chapanalla Waterfall

See also

List of Assam state symbols

1897 Assam earthquake

1950 Assam earthquake

Ahom Dynasty

Ahom Kingdom

Assam agitation

Assamese people

Assamese Brahmins

Assam Rifles

Assamese cinema

Assamese cuisine

Assamese language

Axom Xahitya Xabha

Baruah

Bihu

Biodiversity of Assam

Bodo language

Bodo people

Charyapada

Culture of Assam

Districts of Assam

Etymology of Assam

Fine Arts of Assam

Greater Assam

History of Assam

Kalitas of Assam

Kamarupa

Kamrupi

Karbi

Lower Assam

Mishing

Mishing language

Music of Assam

People of Assam

Physical Geography of Assam

Political parties in Assam

State Anthem of Assam

Tourism in Assam

Traditional crafts of Assam

Textiles and dresses of Assam

WikiProject Assam

Notes and references

Singh, K. S (ed) (2003) ''People of India: Assam Vol XV Parts I and II'', Anthropological Survey of India, Seagull Books, Calcutta

| place = | publisher = Government of Assam | year = 2004 }}

Further reading

; Online Books and material

A statistical account of Assam (1879) by WW Hunter

Assam Attitude to Federalism (1984)by Girin Phukon

A Glimpse of Assam (1884) by Susan Ward

A history of Assam (1906) by Edward Gait

Physical and political geography of the province of Assam (1896) by Assam Secretariat Printing Office

Outline Grammar of the Kachári (Bārā) Language as Spoken in District Darrang, Assam (1884) by Sidney Endle

An outline grammar of the Deori Chutiya language spoken in upper Assam (1895) by William Barclay Brown

Travels and adventures in the province of Assam, during a residence of fourteen years (1855) by John Butler

; Language and literature

; History

; Tradition and Culture

External links

Government of Assam

Assam Tourism

Investment potentialities in Assam

Assam News Headlines

Category:States and territories of India Category:Seven Sister States Category:Northeast India Category:States and territories established in 1947

ace:Assam ar:أسام an:Asam as:অসম bn:আসাম zh-min-nan:Assam be:Асам be-x-old:Асам bh:आसाम bo:ཨཱསཱམ། br:Asam bg:Асам ca:Assam cv:Асам cs:Ásám da:Assam de:Assam dv:އާސާމު et:Assam el:Ασσάμ es:Assam eo:Asamo eu:Assam fa:آسام hif:Assam fr:Assam gl:Assam gu:આસામ ko:아삼 주 hi:असम hsb:Asam hr:Assam bpy:অসম id:Assam it:Assam he:אסאם pam:Assam ka:ასამი (შტატი) sw:Assam la:Assam lv:Asama lt:Asamas hu:Asszám mk:Асам ml:ആസാം mr:आसाम ms:Assam nl:Assam ne:आसाम ja:アッサム州 no:Assam nn:Assam or:ଆସାମ pa:ਅਸਾਮ pnb:آسام pl:Asam pt:Assam ro:Assam ru:Ассам sa:असम simple:Assam sk:Ásam szl:Assam sr:Асам sh:Assam fi:Assam sv:Assam ta:அசாம் te:అసోం th:รัฐอัสสัม tg:Ассам tr:Assam uk:Ассам ur:آسام vi:Assam war:Assam yo:Assam zh:阿萨姆邦

The people of Assam inhabit a multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multi-religious society. They speak languages that belong to three main language groups: Indo-Aryan, Austro-Asiatic, and Tibeto-Burman. The large number of ethnic and linguistic groups, the population composition and the peopling process in the state has led to it being called an "India in miniature".

Populating Assam and social formations

Geographically Assam contains fertile river valleys surrounded and interspersed by mountains and hills. It is accessible from Tibet in the north (via Bum La, Tse La, Tunga), across the Patkai in the Southeast (via Diphu, Kumjawng, Hpungan, Chaukam, Pangsau, More-Tamu) and from Burma across the Arakan Yoma (via An, Taungup). In the west both the Brahmaputra valley and the Barak valley open widely to the Gangetic plains. Assam has been populated via all these accessible points in the past. It has been estimated that there were eleven major waves and streams of ethnolinguistic migrations across these points over time.

Pre-historic

The earliest settlers were the Mon–Khmer speakers (currently identified with Khasi, Synteng groups) (1) with their origin in Southeast Asia. These people settled in the foothills but were pushed up into the hills (Khasi/Garo Hills, Karbi Anglong, North Cachar Hills) by the second group of people that spoke Tibeto-Burmese (2) of the Eastern Himalayan, North Assam, Bodo and Naga groups of languages. These people are today identified as Monpas and Sherdukpens of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh; Mishings and Deuris of Upper Assam; the Bodo-Kachari groups scattered all over Assam and the karbis of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills.

Proto-historic and ancient

The third major ingress into Assam are attributed to the Hindu Indo-Aryans (3) from North India into the Brahmaputra valley after 500 BC, and around the same time, from the Gangetic Delta of Bengal into the Barak Valley. This signaled the dawn of the proto-Historic period and the immigration continued into the Ancient period, at the end of which the first Muslims (4), captive soldiers of the defeated Bakhtiar Khilji (in 1205), settled in the Hajo area.

Medieval

In the medieval times, the first Muslims (4), captive soldiers of the defeated Bakhtiar Khilji (in 1205), settled in the Hajo area. This was followed by the Ahoms (5) when Sukaphaa lead his group into Assam via the Pangsau pass in the Patkai from South China. The Ahoms were followed by the same ethnic people, but who were Buddhists (6), a stream that continued well into the colonial period. They are today the Khamti, Khamyang, Aiton, Phake and Turung peoples settled in Upper Assam. At the end of the Medieval period a small contingent of Sikhs gave rise to a minuscule but prominent group.

Colonial and post-independence

In the beginning of the colonial period in Assam after the First Anglo-Burmese War and the Treaty of Yandaboo (1826), the political instability led to the immigration of Kachin and Kuki-Chin people (7) into the region across the Patkai and Arakan Yoma. They constitute the Singphos in Upper Assam, and the Kuki-Chin tribes in Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills. The beginning of tea plantations in Assam (1835) by the British led to settlements of Mundari speaking people (8) (Munda, Santal, Savara, Oraon, Gond etc. tribes). The beginning of British administration also led to a large influx of service holders and professionals from Bengal, Rajasthan, Nepal, etc. (9). To increase land productivity, the British encouraged Muslim peasants (10) from Mymensingh district of present-day Bangladesh to settle in Assam that began in 1901. The last major group to immigrate are the Bengali Hindu refugees (11) especially from the Sylhet district of Bangladesh following the Partition of India.

Inputs from these and other smaller groups have gone towards the building of a unique multi-ethnic socio-cultural situation.

+ A temporal model of Peopling of Assam based on ethnolinguistic groups
!	Austro-Asiatic languages>Austro-Asiatic	! colspan="2"	Indo-Aryan languages>Indo-Aryan
! Period	!	Tibeto-Burman languages>Tibeto-Burman	! Siamese-Chinese	!
Pre-historic		(2) Tibeto-Burman - Eastern Himalayan - North Assam - Bodo-Kachari - karbi
Proto-Historic				(3) Hindus
Ancient
Medieval				(4) Muslims
Colonial			(7) Kuki-Chin, Kachin	(9) Hindus - Bengali people
Post Independence				(11) Bengali Hindu Refugees

Social formations

The process of social formation in Assam has been marked by simultaneous [[sanskritization and tribalization (de-sanskritization) of the different groups of people that have settled in Assam at different times, and this process of social formation is best studied in three periods: (1) Pre-colonial, (2) Colonial and (3) Post-colonial periods.

Ethnic groups

Tai-Ahoms were historically the dominant group of Assam and were the ethnic group associated with the term "Assamese". More recently, the Assamese language speaking ethnic group has been associated with the term "Assamese". Bengalis are another major group of Assam and are a majority in the Barak Valley.

Bodos are the dominant group in Bodoland. They mostly speak the Tibeto-Burman Bodo language and live in Bodoland. Many Bodos want to politically separate from assam and want the creation of a separate state.

Notes

References

Bhagawati, A C (2002) "Ethnic Identities in North-East India", N K Bose Memorial Lectures. Vihangama, IGNCA Newsletter, Vol II, March–April 2002

Taher, Mohammad (1993) ''The Peopling of Assam and contemporary social structure'' in Ahmad, Aijazuddin (ed) Social Structure and Regional Development, Rawat Publications, New Delhi

Guha, Amalendu (1984) ''Pre-Ahom Roots and the Medieval State in Assam: A Reply'', Social Scientist, Vol 12, No. 6, pp70–77

Category:Assam Category:Social groups of Assam

Coordinates	28°36′36″N77°13′48″N
name	Zubeen Garg
background	solo_singer
birth name	Jiban Borthakur
alias	Goldie
born	November 18, 1972Jorhat, Assam
instrument	Vocalist, guitar,tabla
genre	Playback singing, Bihu, Indian pop, rock
occupation	Singer, composer, actor
years active	1992–present
label	Various
spouse	Garima Saikia Garg
website	http://www.zubeen.com }}

Zubeen Garg (, born 18 November 1972) is a singer and composer from Assam, India, in the Bollywood and Assamese music scene. He plays dhols, guitar, dotora, mandolin, keyboard and various percussion instruments.

Background

Zubeen Garg hails from Jorhat, a city in upper Assam. His birth name is zubeen Borthakur. He was named after the great composer Zubin Mehta and used their gotra Garg as his surname. Zubeen was born to Mr. Mohini. Mohan Borthakur, a famous lyricist, poet and a magistrate (who uses the pseudo name Kapil Thakur), and late Mrs. Ily Borthakur.

The Borthakur family had its roots in Janji, Sivasagar. Mr. Borthakur was a magistrate and moved often during his early years along with little Zubeen. Zubeen's mother was a good dancer, an actress and a singer. However, she never turned these talents into a professional career. Instead, she decided to teach them to little Zubeen at home. Zubeen considers his mother to be his first guru and mentor. Zubeen's younger sister Jonkie Borthakur was a well known singer and actress who died in a car accident in 2002. Zubeen's other sister Palme, is a good bharat natyam dancer, presently living in Guwahati, operating a dance academy.

Feeling indebted to his loyal fans from Assam, Zubeen became involved in various charitable organizations dealing with AIDS and[ cancer].zubeen is also working as the president for societies like destination(autistic children),all assam cultural organisation,& vande.

Zubeen lives with his wife Garima, a fashion designer, in his flat, which is a part of his music studio called Sound & Silence, located at 165/1, Sher-E-Punjab. Andheri East. Mumbai, India.zubeen is also a prominent actor in assamese films.his films like mon jai,dinabandhu got national awards.currently zubeen is working for some assamese films n started his own production house in guahati.zubeen is working many bengali films also.his new assamese/bengali film YOU ARE NOT MY JULIE is all set to be released in october 2011.

Entering the music scene

Zubeen started learning tabla from Guru Robin Banarjee, and then continued learning Assamese folk music form Guru Romoni Rai. He attended Jagannath Barooah College in Jorhat, and then moved to B. Barooah College, where he was pursuing Bachelor of Science after his family moved permanently to Guwahati. But he did not complete his graduation as he jumped in to the music scene. Zubeen's life had a turning point when he received the gold medal for his western solo performance in the youth festival held in 1992. This is where he got his first taste of success and confidence as vocalist. Apart from playing dhols, dotara, mandolin, percussions, Zubeen is an accomplished keyboard player. He broke into professional music scene in 1992, releasing his first album - ''Anamika''. This unusual album, became an instant hit in entire northeast India and re-defined Assamese musical landscape for the coming 21st century. After that, there was no looking back for Zubeen. With about 200 albums to his name, Zubeen continues his musical career directing music to over 24 Assamese movies including a few Hindi and bangla movies as well. He received the best Music Award in 2005, for the Bangla movie Shudhu Tumi. Zubeen considers himself to be a musician having sung more than 9000 songs in various languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Oriya, Bengali, Marathi, Nepali, English, Bodo and many others. The song ''Ya Ali'' from the movie ''Gangster'' became a superhit in mainland India, the Middle East, and across South Asia. Following the success an Album titled 'Ya Ali Remix Blast' containing remix by DJ Suketu & Aks were released.Till date zubeen has sung in more than 50 hindi films.

In 2000, Zubeen wrote, directed and acted (also watched) in his own Assamese film ''Tumi Mor Matho Mor''. He acted, co-produced and scored music in another Assamese film ''Dinabandhu'', for which received a national award in 2005. Zubeen had done music for ''Strings - Bound By Faith'', a Hindi film, directed by Sanjay Jha was released in 2006.his last assamese album was BAHIN. Zubeen came up with his own Hindi album 'Zindagi'in 2007, which received good appreciation.in 2007 zubeen acted in another assamese movie mon jai which got another national award.zubeen also won rajat kamal national award 2007 for best music in short film catagory.

List of Zubeen's albums

Assamese albums

{| |- | valign="top" |

Anamika

Sopunor Sokhi

Meghor Boron

Zubeenor Gaan

Mukti(added by saranga)

Hiya mon

Zubeenor Gaan

Shapoon

Xabda (Sobdo)

Paakhi(2000)

Snigdha Jonak

Shishu(2002)

Maya

Chinaki Mon

Akou Hiya mon

Niribili Godhuli

Lajuki mon

Jantra(2004)

Raang

Rangdhali

Mor Priyo Geet(remake)

Chinaki Sur(Remake)

Rongmaanguunu

Mukha(2006)

Rumal(2008)

Abujan Mon(2010)

Bahi(2010)

Junaki mon

Uroniya mon

Unmona mon

Ringa ringa mon

BAHI

GAAN

List of Hindi album

Chandini Raat

Yuhi Kabhi

Sparsh

Shradhanjali(vol-i, ii & iii)

Nupur

Chanda

Zindagi

Music director in Assamese films

Barud

Bidhata

Daag

Dinobondhu

Rong

Hiya Diya Niya

Jeevan Nadir Duti Paar

Jumon Sumon

Jown Jwole Kopalot

Prem aaru Prem

Priya Milan

Kanyadaan

Mon Jai

Nayak

Tumi Mor Matho Mor

Ekhan nedekha nodir Sipare

Ramdhenu

Awards

Global Indian Film Awards (GIFA) (2006)- Best playback singer (Male) for the song "Ya Ali".

Max Stardust Awards (2007)- New Musical Sensation (Male) for the song "Ya Ali".

Nominated for Film Fare Awards (2007)- Best Play Back Singer.

National Award (Rajat Kamal) (2009) for Best music director (non-feature film category) for his work on film 'Echoes of Silence'(English-Khasi)

Music Direction in Hindi movies & albums

''Strings - bound by faith'' (14 July 2006)

''Dhanyabad-Prashant Tamang'' 2007 (Indian idol 3)

''As The River Flows'' 2011 (upcoming)

! Year	! Songs	! Films	! Language
		As the River Flows (Upcoming)	Hindi
Akela Hoon Mein (Upcoming)	Umang	Hindi
jaana hai	Dum Maaro Dum	Hindi
	Waqt Bada Baimaan O Rabba	Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha	Musaa	Hindi
Ab Mujhko Jeena	Aashayein	Hindi
Wazood Ki Talash	Kuchh Kariye	Hindi
Maula Mere Maula Mere	Aakhri Descision	Hindi
Maula	Mission 11 July	Hindi
	Shola Shola	London Dreams	Hindi
Bansuri	Yeh Mera India	Hindi
Dil main junoon hai	Fastforward	Hindi
	Rab Ka Banda	Hello	Hindi
Yar Mere Dildara	Mission Istanbul	Hindi
Mera Halaat Ye & Tu Jaan Se Pyara (RMX Also)	Deshdrohi	Hindi
Almadad Chere Khuda Mera Yaar	Hastey Hastey	Hindi
Kee Kasoor	Kaise Kahein featuring Neha Jhulka	Hindi
	Teri TamannaTeri Tamanna (Club Mix by Akbar Sami)TeriTamanna (Euro Mix Goldeyy)	The Train	Hindi
Dheere DheereDheere Dheere Remix	Bombay to Bangkok	Hindi
Dard E Dil	Good Boy, Bad Boy	Hindi
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (JBJ)	Jhoom Barabar Jhoom	Hindi
Woh Bheege Pal	Manorama Six Feet Under	Hindi
Dilruba Dilruba (Remix)	Namastey London	Hindi
Shael Sutha Ke Ankhon	My Friend Ganesha	Hindi
Tum Ho	Raqeeb	Hindi
Jag Laal Laal Laal Laal (Part 2)Jag Laal Laal Laal Laal (Part 3)		Hindi
Jeena Kya Tere BinaJeena Kya Tere Bina (Remix)	Kya Love Story Hai	Hindi
Hum Khushi Ki Chah MeinHum Khushi Ki Chah Mein (Rock Mix)	Life Mein Kabhie Kabhiee	Hindi
Ek Din Teri (Remix)	Naqaab	Hindi
Hoga Hoga Khuda Gawah	Nehlle Pe Dehlla	Hindi
Zindagi Aa Gayi	Victoria No. 203	Hindi
Let's Enjoy	Bombay to Goa	Hindi
Ommomme Heego	Hudugaata	Kannada
Yele YeleleYele Yelele	Takkari	Telugu
	Ya Ali		Hindi
Subah Subah		Hindi
Payal Ki Chham Chham	Brides Wanted	Hindi
IshqMantra (om)Piya Milan Ko JaanaRamoRamoRimjhim	Strings - Bound By Faith	Hindi
RabbiRabbi (Remix)	Zindaggi Rocks	Hindi
Janne Kya Janeman	Pyaar Ke Side Effects	Hindi
	Jugnu Ki Payal	Aan: Men at Work	Hindi
Ishq Ishq MeinRabba	Agnipankh	Hindi
Ek Hasina Thi (Remix)	Ek Hasina Thi	Hindi
Rama Re (The Boys Are Back Mix)	Musafir	Hindi
Aane Wala PalAane Wala Pal - 2nd Version	Plan	Hindi
	Dildara	Chupke Se	Hindi
Sapne Saare	Mudda - The Issue	Hindi
	Rama ReSocha Nahin Tha	Kaante	Hindi
Rumal	Maya Namara	Nepali
Sandhya	Sandhya	Hindi
2000	Mere Watan	Fiza	Hindi
1995	Beta Apni Maa Se	Gaddar	Hindi

Zubeen Garg's songs

Zubeen Garg - Life, Music, Movies

Notes

Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:Assamese playback singers Category:Bollywood playback singers Category:Bollywood Category:Indian film singers Category:Indian pop singers Category:Indian male singers Category:Musicians of Assam Category:People from Jorhat Category:Playback singers

as:জুবিন গাৰ্গ ml:സുബിൻ ഗാർഗ്

Keshavdas () (Hindi:केशवदास) (1555–1617) was a Sanskrit scholar and Hindi poet, best known for his ''Rasik Priya,'' a pioneering work of the ''riti kaal'' (procedure period) of Hindi literature.

Life

He was born in Orchha in a Sanadhya Brahmin family. His father Kashinath and the elder brother Balabhadra Mishra were both Sanskrit scholars. Initially he was in the court of Indrajit Singh, the brother of the Bundela ruler Ram Singh. In 1608, when Vir Singh Dev Bundela came to power, Keshav Das joined his court. He was granted a jaageer of 21 villages.

Major works

His first work is ''Ratan Bavani'' (ca. 1581). Three anthology of poems are attributed to him, ''Rasikpriya'' (1591), ''Ramchandrika'' (1600), and ''Kavipriya'' (1601). The ''Ramchandrika'' is an abridged translation of the Ramayana in 30 sections. His other works include ''Rakhshikh'' (1600), ''Chhandamala'' (1602), ''Virsinghdev Charit'' (1607), ''Vijnangita'' (1610) and ''Jahangirjas Chandrika'' (1612). He wrote in Brij Bhasha, though with a heavy mixture of Bundelkhandi dialect.

Rasikpriya

He praised the Betwa and Orchha as the most beautiful things on earth. More so because it was he, Keshav Das, who had made them famous. Greyed by years he rued the day when pretty girls he eyed on the Betwa addressed him as Baba—old man.

:केशव केशन अस करी जस अरिहूं न कराहिं, :चंद्रवदन मृगलोचनी ‘बाबा’कहि-कहि जाहिं.

:Keshav Kesni asi karee, Asi Ari hu na karay :Chandra Badan, mriglochani, Baba kahi rahi jaaye

:(O Keshav, what havoc these grey hair have brought to thee May such fate not befall your worst enemy? Girls with moon-beam bodies and gazelle eyes Call me Baba and go their ways.)

Khushwant Singh describes one of his verses thus:

:Instead I read a long note prepared by Pukhraj Maroo, erudite Commissioner of Sagar, on poet Keshav Das (b. 1546 A.D.) who immortalised the Betwa. His father was tutor (Rajguru) of the rulers of Orchha. In his turn Keshav Das became the Rajguru among his students was the courtesan dancer Rai Praveen.

He used the Bundelkhandi dialect in his poetry. He excelled in Shringara Rasa:

:'केसव' चौंकति सी चितवै, छिति पाँ धरके तरकै तकि छाँहि। :बूझिये और कहै मुख और, सु और की और भई छिन माहिं॥ :डीठी लगी किधौं बाई लगी, मन भूलि पर्यो कै कर्यो कछु काहीं। :घूँघट की, घट की, पट की, हरि आजु कछु सुधि राधिकै नाहीं॥ Some of the manuscripts of ''Rasika Priya'' are famous for their illustrations.

Virsinghdev Charit

''Virsinghdev Charit'' was a biography of the Bundela king, Vir Singh Dev Bundela.

Gallery

Notes

References

Bahadur, K.P. (tr.) (1972). ''The Rasikapriya of Keshavadasa'', Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.

External links

Keshavdas at Kavita Kosh (Hindi)

Category:Hindi poets Category:Hindi-language writers Category:Indian poets Category:People from Tikamgarh Category:People from Jhansi Category:1555 births Category:1617 deaths

hi:केशव