About Assam

The history of Assam finds traces of the culture of Indo-Aryan, Austro-Asiatic, Tibeto-Burman Dravidian, Aryan, Malaysian and Chinese. In the Mahabharata, medieval texts like the Kalika Purana and Yogini Tantra mention of the state of Assam is found. In these scriptures Assam was known as Kamrupa. Pragjyotispura was the ancient name for the present day Guwahati. There have been many events taking place in the history of Assam.

• In 1811, Sudingphaa became the king of the Ahom king. He was crowned as king twice during his lifetime. During his reign in 1816, 1819 and 1821, the Burmese army attacked the Ahom kingdom.
  
  
• After him Purandar Singha became king of the Ahom monarch. He was the last king of the Ahom kingdom. He also was crowned as king twice. His first reign ended in 1819, during the second Burmese invasion of Assam. In1821, Jogeswar Singha was crowned the king of the Ahom kingdom by the Burmese. In1833 Purandar Singha was again crowned as the king of the Ahom kingdom.
  
  
• In 1833 the British formally annexed his kingdom, putting an end to 600 years reign of Ahom dynasty.

Lets see how well you know Assam:

Geography of Assam

The state of Assam is geographically located in the north-eastern part of India surrounded by states of Arunachal Pradesh in the North, Nagaland in the east, Mizoram and Tripura in the south and West Bengal in the west. The countries of Bhutan and Bangladesh form international boundaries with Assam.

Assam is surrounded by a ring of blue hills. It is an amalgamation of plains and river valleys. Its principal geographical regions are: Brahmaputra Valley in the north; the Barak Plain in the south; and the Mikir and Cachar Hills that divide the two regions. These two largest valleys in Assam are the main lands where a large mass of human population live. Geologically, Assam lies on the easternmost projection of the Indian plate.

Climate of Assam

Assam's climate is a 'tropical monsoon rainforest climate' type. The climate of Assam is  temperate and moderate. The state experiences heavy rainfall during monsoon. The region is, however, uncomfortably humid especially during rainy season. The plains of Assam have a tropical climate with high humidity while the hills have a sub-alpine type of climate. The climate of Assam is characterised by alternate cool and warm periods with a high humidity, especially from May to November.

Assam Forests

In Assam tea is grown both in the Brahmaputra and Barak plains. Tea gardens are mostly found in the districts of Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Tinsukia, Sibsagar, Nagaon, Golaghat and Sonitpur. The Assam tea bush grows in lowland region in the valley of the River Brahmaputra. There are many tea gardens located in Assam. Tea gardens sprawl across the districts of Golaghat, Jorhat, Bokakhat, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and other districts of Upper Assam. Famous tea gardens in Assam are  Gangabari Tea Estate, Rangagora Tea Estate, Udalguri Tea Estate, Kharjan Tea Estate, Chabua Tea Estate, Nalini Tea Estate, Dikom tea estate, Rajgarh tea estate, Khongea tea estate, Madhupur tea estate and Nokhry Tea Estate among others.

for Guwahati tea auction centre click here
O horu bhoniti, muga riha pindhili
lajuki khupate kopou ful gujili
dekhi morom lagi jaye..

(A famous Bihu song describing beautiful Assamese girls in mekhela chador)

Mekhla Chador - A cloth that defines the culture and tradition of Assam, an attire that has become synonymous with the state, something that is so gorgeous, beautiful and sophisticated. Yes that is Assam's very own Mekhela Chador. Mekhela chador is a part and parcel of Assamese life and culture. One cannot think of Assam without the mekhela chador. This two piece cloth is the symbol of Assamese beauty. So graceful and beautiful is the mekhela chador that one cannot get enough of it.  

Patterns and Designs

Mekhela chador comes in variations in patterns and designs. You can get Muga Silk, Pat silk, Eri silk, Kesa (Raw) silk and cotton mekhela chador. While muga mekhela chador comes in exclusive muga colour (golden colour), others like pat, eri and cotton come in variety of colours. You will also get different embroidery work sets with buta, japi, kolka, kingkhap, mayur and floral motif. Such is the popularity of the mekhela chador that finest mekhela chador designs were showcased at the London Fashion Week 2013.



Mekhela Chador has with time gained immense popularity with its demand being increased outside Assam. That is because mekhala Chador has been given a contemporary look. Designers have experimented and come up with the latest designs in mekhla chador. You will get mekhela chador in zari work, embroidery, stone embellished and the contrast set (chador and mekhela in contrast colours). Though a traditional mekhela chador is always respected and liked but at the same time having a contemporary set can make you stand apart form the crowd. So, you can try contrast sets in mekhela chador.. they are very trendy and attractive sets..

The Elegant Ones

Amongst all, the muga mekhela chador is the most elegant one. Worn in wedding, parties and Bihu, they are the most beautiful of all and the same time durable. Pat mekhela chador too is no less beautiful than muga ones. They come in variety of colours and are vibrant and scintillating. Cotton mekhela chador and eri mekhela chador are also equally beautiful.

Draping a Mekhla Chador

Dont worry for draping a mekhela chador. It is very simple to drape the two piece cloth around the body. First wear the mekhela the way you wear a skirt and make pleats (normally three pleats are made) and tuck it the way you tuck a saree in petticoat. Remember that the pleats or folds are to be to the right side as opposed to the left side pleats in saree.

Next comes the draping of the chador. First make fine pleats from the chador. Now drape it around your body and later tuck it into the upper portion of the Mekhela. Pin the chador at the shoulder so that it remains firm. You can also go for a riha (a garment worn with mekhala chador. It is a piece of cloth which looks like a chador but is length and breadth is smaller than that of a chador). These days a riha is worn like a chador also. Riha forms an essential part in Assamese wedding. It is worn beneath the chador. Riha is worn in such a way that it gets covered under the chador. You normally don't get to see the riha as it is completely in pleat which is tied around the body. Riha comes in "uka" (without any design). You can get pator and muga riha. Later you can accessorize the mekhela chadr look with Asomiya gohona (Assamese jewellery) that are  easily available in markets in Guwahati.

Hub of Mekhela Chador

You can also visit Sualkuchi, the main hub of Mekhela Chadors. Situated just 35 kilometers from Guwahati, Sualkuchi will give you one of the best experiences of mekhela chador shopping. Majority of mekhela chador is manufactured in Sualkuchi. Also known as the Manchester of Assam, Sualkuchi supplies the largest number of mekhela chador. You can select mekhela chador from the vast variety and directly order one. It takes around 1 week to 10 days to produce a mekhela chador in the handloom.

Price of Mekhela Chador

Worried about the rates of mekhela chador? Well, this splendid attire comes in different ranges. Muga mekhela chador is the costliest of all. Muga mekhela chador will cost you Rs 15000-20000 while pat muga mekhela chador costs Rs 15000-20000. Pat guna mekhela chador starts from Rs 7000 onwards and pat huta mekhela chador costs Rs 4000-6000. Kesa pat mekhela chador ranges from Rs 4000-5000 and cotton buwa mekhela chador will cost you Rs 500 onwards.

Culture of Assam

Assam is a state of varied culture. The culture of Assam is defined in terms of the food habit, art and craft, dance and music of the state which is beautiful and unique in its own way.

Assamese Art and Craft

Food of Assam

Assamese society is also very enthusiastic about festivals. Bihu is the most important cultural festival of Assam. During the Bihu festivities the whole of the Assamese society sing and dance in harmony. Bihu is celebrated all over Assam with much joy and festivity. Bihus are of three types which are celebrated at different months in the year. The three Bihus are Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu, which is celebrated in the month of April, Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu, which is celebrated in middle of October and Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu, which is celebrated in the month of January. Other than Bihu, people also celebrate Me-dum-me-phi, Dehing Patkai festival, Majuli festival, Tea festival, Diwali, Holi, Durga Puja, Eid, Christmas with equal fanfare and gaiety.


Assam is a land of different ethnic tribal population residing together. These tribes have their own separate and unique identity, be it their festivals, costume, dance forms, dialect or their way of living. Tribes like Bodo, Kachari, Mising, Karbi, Deori, Rabha dwell in Assam. Some of the major tribes of Assam are:

Bodo

The Bodo is an ethnic group of Assam. They are believed as the early settlers of Assam. This tribe belongs to Indo-Mongoloid family and form a very influential part of Bodo Kacheri ethnicity. According to 2011 India census, about 2 million Bodos live in Assam. The Bodos has 18 ethnic sub-groups. They practice Hinduism, Christianity and Bathouism and speaks Bodo language. Rice is their staple food. The Bodo women weaves shawls and their traditional dress Dokhna.

Mising

The Mising also called as Miri, are the second largest tribe in Assam. This tribe is mostly found in the Northern region of the River Brahmaputra. A few Mising peoples also live in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.  In nineteenth century the Misings migrated to Assam. They belong to greater Tani group in Arunachal Pradesh. They practice the Hinduism and Donyi-Polo religion. The Ali-Aye Ligang is the main festival among the tribe. Rice is the staple food of the Misings. Pork and Foul are popular meat of the tribe.

Karbi

The Karbi or Arleng is the third largest tribe in Assam. They are listed as Mikir in the Indian Constitutional order. A huge number of this tribe is inhabited in the Karbi Anglong district. Apart from Karbi Anglong district, Karbis also resides in North Kachar Hills, Kamrup, Morigaon, Sonitpur and Nagaon regions. The tribe have its origin in the Tibeto-Burman group. The Karbis are divided into five major clans and Rongker, Chohun Puja, Chokkeroi, Chomagkan are some important festivals celebrated by the Karbis. Most of the Karbis practice animism. Their language derived from the Tibetan-Burmese group. The Karbi women’s are good weaver.

Dimasa

The Dimasas are a tribal group in Assam. They belong to the greater Kachari group. According to Dimasa mythology, they are the children of Bangle Raja and the great divine bird Arikhidima. Most of the Dimasa people reside in the Jatinga and North Cachar hills of Assam. A large number of Dimasa people are influenced by Hinduism and believe in rebirth. Bishu is the important festival among the Dimasa group. They also celebrate festivals like Bishu Jidap, Suren Baino, Hangseu Manaoba.  Brai-Sibrai or Lord Shiva is the supreme God in Dimasa society. The Dimasa has own tradition and traditional attire.

Deori:

The Deori are a major tribe in Assam. They are originally priests. According to the Siva Purana, Arunachal Pradesh was the homeland of the Deoris. Dibongiya, Tenaponya, Bogeenya and Patorganya are the four major groups of Deoris. The Deoris follow the animism culture and sacrifice animals. Baliya Baba is the supreme God of the tribe. They speak Deori language which belongs to the Chutaan Kingdom. History says that from 1794 AD the Deoris faced a serious crisis because of the Moamoria rebellion. They are rich in culture. Like Assamese people, the Deoris also celebrates Bihu and sing Husari.

Rabha

The Rabha are a Scheduled Tribe group in Assam. They mostly inhabit the Goalpara and Kamrup districts of Assam. This group belongs to the Indo-Mongoloid group. Rabhas are divided into 11 sub-groups. Most of the Rabha people speak Rabha language. Rabhas mainly depends in cultivation. Rabha women are also expert in weaving. They are the follower of Hinduism.

Tiwas

The Tiwas are scheduled tribe group in Assam. They also reside in Meghalaya state. In past times they were called as Lalungs. There are to sub divisions of Tiwas- Hill Tiwas and Plain tiwas. Some of them claim that they came from Tibet. Cultivation is the main occupation of Tiwas.

Khamti

Khamti also known as Tai Khamti is an ethnic tribe in Assam. In addition to Assam, they also reside in northwestern Burma and Arunachal Pradesh. They are followers of Theravada Buddhism and speak Khamti language. This tribe is expert in craftwork and agriculture. Sangken is the main festival celebrated by the Khamtis.

Hajong

The Hajong is an ethnic group in Assam. They are mostly found in Meghalaya. They practice animism. Now-a-days they have converted to Hinduism. Hajong language is spoken by the Hajong people which is an Eastern Indo-Aryan language. Durga Puja is the mostly celebrated festival of the tribe.

Sonowal Kachari

The Sonowal Kacharis are a tribe of Assam. They can be found in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts of Assam. It is a branch of great Kackaris. The people of Sonowal Kacharis wear colorful dresses. The womenfolk are expert in weaving. The tribe believes in animism. Bihu is the main festival among the tribe.

Mech

The Mech tribe is scheduled tribe of Assam. This tribe belongs to the great Kachari group. They speak Bodo language mainly. Mech peoples are belongs to the Patokai hills between India and Burma. They are dependent on agriculture and are also good weavers.

NGOs in Assam

A non-government organization (NGO) is a non profit organization and operates independently from any form of government. These groups tend not to get money from governments. Their money comes from voluntary and private sources. They are often more effective in getting aid directly to the people who need it most. NGOs aim to achieve their goals in four ways through empowering people, service delivery, lobbying and capacity building. There are several NGOs in the state of Assam. Listed below are the NGOs of Assam.

NGOs in Guwahati

Assam Falah Society- Guwahati
Aim: running educational institutions, orphanage and works for the poor.
Phone: 0361-260487

Assam Institute of Management Guwahati
Aim: to become a centre of excellence by carrying out teaching, training, research, consultancy and networking in the field of management.
Phone: 0361-2663181, 2660945

Aaranyak Nature Club -Guwahati
Aim: Conversation of biodiversity in north east India.
Phone: 0361-2566087

Early Birds- Guwahati
Aim: wild life protection through free veterinary services
Phone: 0361-2546353, 2550158

Farmer- Guwahati
Aim: major objectives of farmers
Phone: 0361-2461593

Also Read: NGOs in Guwahati

NGOs in Jorhat

Impact N. E.
Aim: think for nature and work for society
Phone: 03775-273290

Colours
Aim: to provide help to neglected villagers especially awareness
Phone: 0376-2300049

Also Read: NGOs in Jorhat

NGOs in Tinsukia

Assam Unnayan Mancha
Aim: to uplift the people in this region in the field of education, health and environment
Phone: 94350 38799

Centre for Human and Natural Resource Development
Aim: to serve unserved and undeserved people, to work for the conservation and development of human and natural resources.
Phone: 9435119275

Also Read: NGOs in Tinsukia

NGOs in Silchar

Chira Sabuj
Aim: it aims at the overall development of the society
Phone: 03842-220797

Also Read: NGOs in Silchar

NGOs in Golaghat

Assam Cancer Society
Aim: cancer screening and prevention programmes.
Phone: 03776-268377

Arunudoi
Aim: to upgrade the rural scenario of Assam and promote environmental protection
Phone: 0376-2911274

NGOs in Nalbari

Arohee
Aim: to work establish and promote the social services to the rural poor.
Phone: 9864212180

Dreestee
Aim: to establish a network with various govt. and non-govt agencies for organizing more useful programmes to assist, secure, and help the proper and neglected community.
Phone:9865496688

Janakalyan Mission
Aim: social service in Assam
Phone: 9854224507

NGOs in Sonitpur

Centre for Development Action & Appropriate Technology
Aim: promote, encourage and assist development action in the implementation of projects for enhancement of rural prosperity.
Phone: 03715-222668

Chariduar Prakriti and Janakalyan Samiti
Aim: to protect the natural environment
Phone: 9854448511

Balipara Tract and Frontier Foundation   
Aim: the organization has been instituted with the mandate of facilitating and driving community level involvement and employment.
Phone: 99548 30436

NGOs in Tezpur

Centre for Disaster Management
Aim: the centre undertakes programmes addressing various issues related to disaster management in the areas of Assam which are most vulnerable to the natural calamities.
Phone: 03712-20516, 21539

NGOs in Sivasagar

Dr. Anath Bandhu Child welfare Association
Aim: to protect health, educational right and economical development
Phone: 03772-242079

NGOs in Bongaigaon

Appropriate Technology Mission Assam
Aim: to educate, create awareness among the people about the appropriate science and technology.
Phone: 0366-4237209
 
Aranya Surakshya Samiti
Aim: it focuses on awareness generation among the villagers on environment conservation and protection of bio-diversity of the region
Phone: 03664-220998

NGOs in Morigaon

Association for Development of Health and Agriculture of Rural Area
Aim: to serve rural people in the field of health, agriculture and education.
Phone: 9401020384

Guide
Aim: to provide humanitarian & nature conversation service
Phone: 03678-243056

NGOs in  Dhubri

Education & Social Welfare Society
Aim: to help poor & uneducated persons of the society
Phone: 9954765734

Dhubri District Mahila Samity
Aim: to develop the economic, social and educational programmes for women.
Phone: 03662-220783

NGOs in Udalguri

Bodo Youths Welfare Association

Aim: community development, socio-economic development of society, environment, forest, education, eradication of hunger and poverty, relief, rehabilitation, medicare, peace building etc.
Phone: 9854401905

Having such a vivid culture with its vibrant dance and music, delicious food, unique art and craft and colourful festival; with its rich history and geography, Assam possesses a profile unique in its own sense.