ANCIENT TIMES
In fact, the oldest extant treatise of the human race – the Vedas – mentions the region of the erstwhile undivided Assam as Pragjyotishpura which literally means the ‘city of eastern lights’.
It has also been stated in the Vedas that Pragjyotishpura was inhabited by the ‘Kiratas’ or the ‘asuras’ or those people who were not of the Aryan race. Most of the sons of the soil or tribes now inhabiting the entire North East are believed to be the descendents of the Kiratas.
These treatises further mention Kirata king Narakasura as the founder of Pragjyotishpura.
The Vedas also mention the geographical extent of Pragjyotishpura as extending from the northern Himalayan foothills to the southern Bay of Bengal.
MEDIEVAL TIMES
In the Middle Ages, Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang refers to this region as Kamrupa. Hiuen Tsang also mentions the name of the king of Kamrupa as Bhaskaravarman.
ADVENT OF THE AHOMS
It was in the 13th century that major incident took place in the political arena of the region ruled by many chieftains of various tribes. This was the advent of the Ahoms – a martial agrarian Shan race from China – in 1228.
The Ahoms are the longest reigning dynasty in Asia. This dynasty ruled the state for more than 600 years. The reason why this single dynasty had such a along innings is in itself a matter of research. Obviously, it speaks volumes about the political maturity of the Ahom administration.
This band of hardy warriors under the leadership of Tai Ahom leader Sukafa crossed the Patkai ranges and entered North East part of India.
According to one theory, the Tai Ahoms did not have any women with them. Sukafa adopted a two-pronged strategy to build relationships with the myriad of tribes in this region. The astute leader followed the path of war and marital relationship to build bridges.
Sukafa never dominated the defeated chieftains. Instead, he followed the path of reconciliation whereby the chieftain regained total control of his earlier domain. The chieftain gratefully offered his daughter or a female member of his royalty in marriage to the Sukafa or the general of the Ahom army. The chieftain even agreed to pay a monthly tax to the Ahom king. In this way, the base for a pragmatic economic administrative base was also laid during the Ahom regime.
This set the broader base for the Ahom kingdom. Another significant aspect of this political wisdom is that Sukafa obviated any possibility of the indigenous tribes raising the banner of revolt at any point of time.
Moreover, there was a amity among the tribes.
However as it happens with any long serving dynasty, it happened with the Ahom dynasty.
Internecine and sibling rivalry among the members of the royal family and certain amount of subdued discontent over religious, social and other aspects magnified.
The Burmese carried out deadly incursions into the Ahom kingdom taking advantage of this situation.
This further weakened the ruling regime to such an extent that a member of the Ahom royalty had to seek the help of the British regime then ruling in the major parts of India.
The British army defeated the Burmese and annexed Assam by subterfuge accor4ding to the treaty of Yandaboo signed only between the Burmese and the British administrations.
This was a deliberate attempt on the part of the British Government to reap the optimum benefits from the troubled political affairs in Assam. No Ahom royalty was taken into confidence while signing the agreement. Hence, the case history of undivided Assam becoming a part of the British empire is itself a subject of research.
Nonetheless, the British rule in Assam was both a boon and bane. During the British tenure, Assam witnessed many developments in the socio-economic and industrial spheres. There are, however, many negative aspects to these developments.
In fact, the oldest extant treatise of the human race – the Vedas – mentions the region of the erstwhile undivided Assam as Pragjyotishpura which literally means the ‘city of eastern lights’.
It has also been stated in the Vedas that Pragjyotishpura was inhabited by the ‘Kiratas’ or the ‘asuras’ or those people who were not of the Aryan race. Most of the sons of the soil or tribes now inhabiting the entire North East are believed to be the descendents of the Kiratas.
These treatises further mention Kirata king Narakasura as the founder of Pragjyotishpura.
The Vedas also mention the geographical extent of Pragjyotishpura as extending from the northern Himalayan foothills to the southern Bay of Bengal.
MEDIEVAL TIMES
In the Middle Ages, Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang refers to this region as Kamrupa. Hiuen Tsang also mentions the name of the king of Kamrupa as Bhaskaravarman.
ADVENT OF THE AHOMS
It was in the 13th century that major incident took place in the political arena of the region ruled by many chieftains of various tribes. This was the advent of the Ahoms – a martial agrarian Shan race from China – in 1228.
The Ahoms are the longest reigning dynasty in Asia. This dynasty ruled the state for more than 600 years. The reason why this single dynasty had such a along innings is in itself a matter of research. Obviously, it speaks volumes about the political maturity of the Ahom administration.
This band of hardy warriors under the leadership of Tai Ahom leader Sukafa crossed the Patkai ranges and entered North East part of India.
According to one theory, the Tai Ahoms did not have any women with them. Sukafa adopted a two-pronged strategy to build relationships with the myriad of tribes in this region. The astute leader followed the path of war and marital relationship to build bridges.
Sukafa never dominated the defeated chieftains. Instead, he followed the path of reconciliation whereby the chieftain regained total control of his earlier domain. The chieftain gratefully offered his daughter or a female member of his royalty in marriage to the Sukafa or the general of the Ahom army. The chieftain even agreed to pay a monthly tax to the Ahom king. In this way, the base for a pragmatic economic administrative base was also laid during the Ahom regime.
This set the broader base for the Ahom kingdom. Another significant aspect of this political wisdom is that Sukafa obviated any possibility of the indigenous tribes raising the banner of revolt at any point of time.
Moreover, there was a amity among the tribes.
However as it happens with any long serving dynasty, it happened with the Ahom dynasty.
Internecine and sibling rivalry among the members of the royal family and certain amount of subdued discontent over religious, social and other aspects magnified.
The Burmese carried out deadly incursions into the Ahom kingdom taking advantage of this situation.
This further weakened the ruling regime to such an extent that a member of the Ahom royalty had to seek the help of the British regime then ruling in the major parts of India.
The British army defeated the Burmese and annexed Assam by subterfuge accor4ding to the treaty of Yandaboo signed only between the Burmese and the British administrations.
This was a deliberate attempt on the part of the British Government to reap the optimum benefits from the troubled political affairs in Assam. No Ahom royalty was taken into confidence while signing the agreement. Hence, the case history of undivided Assam becoming a part of the British empire is itself a subject of research.
Nonetheless, the British rule in Assam was both a boon and bane. During the British tenure, Assam witnessed many developments in the socio-economic and industrial spheres. There are, however, many negative aspects to these developments.
The state is divided into three broad geographic units:
- The lower and central Assam hills, known as the Shillong Plateau
- The Barail ranges and the low hilly terrains of Mizo hills
- The Alluvial valley of Brahmaputra, Dhansiri and the Barak river
The lower and central Assam range which includes, from west to east, the Garo, Khasi, Jaintia and the outlying Mikir hills are in reality a plateau or table-land. The general height of the plateau ranges between 3,000ft and 6,000ft. The Khasi and Jaintai hill portion of the plateau are comparatively higher and flatter than the Garo and Mikir hills on the west and northeast. The highest peak of the plateau is the Shillong peak (6450 ft).
The lofty Barail ranges, also known as the North Cachar hills, are separated from the Shillong plateau on the Northwest by a system of narrow valleys. Technically, the Barails form a south westerly extension of the mountain chain of Nagaland and western Burma. It is this chain of mountain that separates the valley of Irrawaddy and Chindwin of Burma from the valley of Brahmaputra and the Meghna. The Patkai, Naga and Manipur hills and the Mizo hills, form part of this great mountain system. The Mizo hills consist of a belt of North-South trending ridges with intricate valleys, with an average height of 3,000ft.
- The Barail ranges and the low hilly terrains of Mizo hills
- The Alluvial valley of Brahmaputra, Dhansiri and the Barak river
The lower and central Assam range which includes, from west to east, the Garo, Khasi, Jaintia and the outlying Mikir hills are in reality a plateau or table-land. The general height of the plateau ranges between 3,000ft and 6,000ft. The Khasi and Jaintai hill portion of the plateau are comparatively higher and flatter than the Garo and Mikir hills on the west and northeast. The highest peak of the plateau is the Shillong peak (6450 ft).
The lofty Barail ranges, also known as the North Cachar hills, are separated from the Shillong plateau on the Northwest by a system of narrow valleys. Technically, the Barails form a south westerly extension of the mountain chain of Nagaland and western Burma. It is this chain of mountain that separates the valley of Irrawaddy and Chindwin of Burma from the valley of Brahmaputra and the Meghna. The Patkai, Naga and Manipur hills and the Mizo hills, form part of this great mountain system. The Mizo hills consist of a belt of North-South trending ridges with intricate valleys, with an average height of 3,000ft.
The alluvial plains of Assam consist of two distinct parts i.e.the valley of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries and the Barak valley. These are separated from each other by the water shed of the Shillong plateau and the Barail ranges.
The Brahmaputra valley separates the sub-Himalayan foothills from the Shillong plateau and the Patkai-Naga hill ranges. The Mizo hills and the Barail ranges die out towards the west and south west into the plains of Cachar, which is a part of Surma-Kusiyara valley.
The color of the Brahmaputra River is red in color whereas the color of the hills surrounding the state of Assam is blue.
Assam in particular and the north-eastern region in general falls on the foothills of the Himalayan ranges fall in the tropical region.
Assam is known as the land of the red river (the Brahmaputra) and the blue hills.
The color of the Brahmaputra River is red in color whereas the color of the hills surrounding the state of Assam is blue.
The topographical extant of Assam includes two expansive river valleys, undulating plains, and the hills.
Incidentally, there are two topographical divisions of Assam, viz., the Cachar hills and the Karbi Anglong hills besides the plain river valley areas of the Barak and the Brahmaputra rivers.
Mother Nature has gifted Assam with bounties. For example, you will find rich human, natural and mineral resources.
There are three main rivers besides their numerous tributaries. The three rivers are the Brahmaputra, the Barak and the Kushiyara.
The majority of the Assamese people reside in the two river valleys of the state.
The longest and the largest river of the state is the Brahmaputra. This river has a drainage area of approximately 935,500 sq km.
The rivers systems crisscrossing the area along with the monsoon rains have determined that the occupation of the majority of the Assamese people is agriculture.
The Brahmaputra valley separates the sub-Himalayan foothills from the Shillong plateau and the Patkai-Naga hill ranges. The Mizo hills and the Barail ranges die out towards the west and south west into the plains of Cachar, which is a part of Surma-Kusiyara valley.
The color of the Brahmaputra River is red in color whereas the color of the hills surrounding the state of Assam is blue.
Assam in particular and the north-eastern region in general falls on the foothills of the Himalayan ranges fall in the tropical region.
Assam is known as the land of the red river (the Brahmaputra) and the blue hills.
The color of the Brahmaputra River is red in color whereas the color of the hills surrounding the state of Assam is blue.
The topographical extant of Assam includes two expansive river valleys, undulating plains, and the hills.
Incidentally, there are two topographical divisions of Assam, viz., the Cachar hills and the Karbi Anglong hills besides the plain river valley areas of the Barak and the Brahmaputra rivers.
Mother Nature has gifted Assam with bounties. For example, you will find rich human, natural and mineral resources.
There are three main rivers besides their numerous tributaries. The three rivers are the Brahmaputra, the Barak and the Kushiyara.
The majority of the Assamese people reside in the two river valleys of the state.
The longest and the largest river of the state is the Brahmaputra. This river has a drainage area of approximately 935,500 sq km.
The rivers systems crisscrossing the area along with the monsoon rains have determined that the occupation of the majority of the Assamese people is agriculture.
History
Assam was known as 'Kamarupa' or 'Pragjyotish' in the period of the Epics. Human inhabitation of this area dates backs to about 2000 BC. The population of Assam comprises of the migrants from Burma and China. They came into Assam after the mongoloid migration. They came from Punjab through Bihar and North Bengal. Thus Assam presents a fusion of Mongol-Aryan culture. The early history of Assam is believed to be of the Varman dynasty. The reign of this dynasty extended from 400 AD to 13th century. The visit of Huien Tsang is said to have taken place during the 7th century at the time of Kumar Bhaskar Varman. The Ahoms ventured into Assam in about 1228 AD. By 15th century the kingdoms of Ahom and Koch were established. This period witnessed a change in all walks of life in Assam. In the later part of the 18th century the Ahom Kingdom was weakened due to internal strife. The Burmese ran over the political authority in Assam thus invoking British intervention to subdue the Burmese. After a conflict between the Burmese and the English, peace was restored by the treaty of Yandaboo in 1826. The British then set out to organize the administration, transport and communication. Besides the various changes, the construction of railways; introduction of tea plantation, discovery of coal and oil etc. proved fruitful to the British during the World War II. After Independence of India, Assam witnessed several separation of territories. In 1948, NEFA (Arunachal Pradesh) was separated. In 1963 Nagaland was separated. In 1972 Meghalaya and in 1987 Mizoram.
T-shaped, the state consists of the northern Brahmaputra valley, the middle Karbi and Cachar hills and the southern Barak Valley. It experiences heavy rainfall between March and September, with very high humidity in the summer months. The temperatures are generally mild, never extreme during any season. Summer is from March to June and monsoon from July to August. November to February is winter. Best season to visit Assam is February to May.
Population
The 1991 Census puts the population of Assam at 2,24,14,322 with a sex ratio of 896 females per 1,000 males and a growth rate of +53.26 per cent in the two decades from 1971 to 1991. There are 16 Scheduled Castes and 23 Scheduled Tribes constituting 7.40 and 12.82 per cent respectively of the State's population. What we call the Assamese people of today is in fact the result of assimilation and integration of people of different racial stocks who migrated to Assam down the ages. The Assamese population can be divided into two broad groups: the non-tribal people who constitute the majority and the tribals.
Languages
Assam is a multiethnic society. Forty five different languages are spoken by different communities in Assam. The state is the meeting place of 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.
Assamese and Bodo are the official languages of the state. Linguistically modern Assamese traces its roots to eastern Magadhan Prakrit, with strong influences from the Tibeto-Burman and Mon-Khmer languages which are spoken by indegenous ethnic groups in the region. Bodo is a Tibeto-Burman language. Bengali is the second most spoken language in the state, and the predominant language in the Barak Valley, the largest city of which is Silchar.
Culture
Assamese culture is a rich conglomerate of ethnic practices and assimilated beliefs. When the Tai Ahoms entered the region in 1228, they had their own cultural features. Over the six centuries of their rule, they adopted the local language, religion and cultural customs, and embellished it with their own to such an extent that it puts them apart from medieval rulers of India. This is one reason why Assamese culture is so rich in heritage and values.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the main occupation of the people and along with the allied occupations it accounts for 63 percent of the states work force. Rice is the staple diet of the people and cultivation of rice is the main occupation of those engaged in agriculture. Different pulses, jute, tea and fruit cultivation are the other agricultural crops. Sugarcane, potatoes, cotton, oil seeds, coconut and arecanut cultivation is also practiced on a substantial scale apart from the horticulture. But 67 percent of the gross cropped area is taken up by rice cultivation, of this about 67 percent again is taken up for the cultivation of Sali paddy on about 16-17 lakh hectares of land. Both the centre and the state are engaged in giving agriculture a big thrust and a second green revolution is to be brought about in the north east. Jhum cultivation or shifting cultivation, under which the tribal farmers burn selected areas of forest land and use it for cultivation in a cyclic period, is a problem in Assam. Confined to its two hill districts which are inhabited by tribal people, efforts are being constantly made to wean the people away from this rather expensive form of cultivation.
Among fruit crops, Assam has oranges and other citrus fruit, bananas, guavas, pineapples and mangoes. There are extensive plans to expand the cultivation of these fruit products and market them to bring greater benefits to the farmers. The gross cropped area in the state is about 35 lakh hectares out of which rice cultivation alone accounts for 26 lakhs. Forests are an important part of Assam's economy. Timber is a major product of the states extensive forests and bamboo is another product, bringing Assam substantial revenue and adding to its wealth. Assam is rightly known for its excellent tea which is one of the major cash crops . About 15 percent of the world's total output of tea comes from the tea gardens of Assam, which provide employment to more than a million people. More than half of that in direct form in the tea gardens and factories turning green leaves into dry tea for home and hotel consumption. Tea cultivation occupies a little less than a tenth of the cultivated area of Assam and 75 percent of the tea gardens are located in the Brahmaputra districts of Darrang, Sibsagar and Lakhimpur. Cachar district accounts for 20 percent of the balance and the remaining 5 percent being accounted by the lower Brahmaputra valley. Guwahati centre in Assam has become the biggest centre of auction of CTC tea in the world.
Industry
Assam is an important producer of silk of different kinds and known for weaving of silk products into saris and fabrics. Production of tusser and other silks and weaving of fabrics is an important occupation for a number of people. Other types of industries are food products, wood and wood products, chemicals and chemical products, non-metallic mineral products. Tea and oil are of prime importance to Assam's economy and also plays a significant role in the economy and life of the state. At Digboy on the border with Burma, Assam has the oldest Indian oil venture and one of the oldest in the world.
Minerals
Assam is endowed with vast mineral resources. The major minerals like coal, oil and gas, limestone, dolomite, sillimanite and corundum, iron ore, felspar, glass-sand, refractory and fire clays, kaolin, beryl, gypsum, pyrite, vermiculite, salt, copper, gold etc. have been reported to occur in the state. The most important minerals being exploited so far in Assam are coal, oil and gas, limestone and sillimanite.
Coal
In Assam, coal occurs in Garo hills, Khasi and Jaintai hills, Mikir hills, Jaipur and Makum. The tertiary coals of Assam are remarkably low in ash but high in sulphur. Assam coal is being consumed at present by the railways, iron and brass foundries, brick kilns, inland water steamer services, tea gardens and other industries in addition to household consumption. Apart from its general uses, Assam coal is eminently suitable for the manufacture of coal distillation products.
Oil and Natural Gas
The oil producing areas of Assam lie in the upper Assam valley and are geologically confined to the Tertiary Strata - mainly Oligocene. Assam is first state in the country where oil was struck in 1889 at Digboy. At present oil is being tapped at two areas - the Digboy and the Naharkotiya and Moran fields. Two more refineries of considerable size have come up in the public sector at Gauhati and Barauni and the third with a petrochemical complex is under way. A new refinery, Numaligarh refinery (3m. tones capacity) was commissioned on July 9, 1999. The availability of associated natural gas is dependent on the extraction of crude oil. Vast quantities of natural gas are being produced along with the production of crude oil. Only two projects under the "utilization of natural gas scheme" have so far come up in the state. These are the thermal power plant and the fertilizer factory at Namrup.
Limestone
The high-grade fossil limestone or 'nummulitic' limestone deposits of Assam are geologically known as 'Syket limestone' as these belong to that groups of rocks. The limestone deposits are confined in areas of Garo hills, united Khasi and Jaintia hills, Cachar hills and Mikir hills. One of the largest outcrops of limestone is at the foot of the Khasi hills. Vast deposits of high-grade limestone are best observed in the Jowai area. Lime stones of the Khasi and Jaintia hills can be used for manufacture of cement and for lime-burning purposes. It can be used in chemical industries and for metallurgical purposes. The limestone deposits of the state offer vast scope for developing innumerable industries where limestone is required.
Sillimanite
The sillimanite deposits of the Nongstoin state in the Khasi hills are world famous from the point of view of quantity and purity of the mineral. Assam is the major producer of this mineral in India and contributes more than 90% of the total production. Corundum is found to occur in association with the sillimanite deposits. Low-grade 'quartz-sillimanite schists' also occur in the same area.
Clay
Assam is endowed with fairly large reserves of sedimentary white clays as well as Kaolin or 'China clay', which forms an important basic raw material for ceramic or refractory industries. These Clays are found to occur at many places in the Garo hills, Khasi and Jaintia hills and the Mikir hills. This clay is quite suitable for the manufacture of medium to low-grade white wares and other ceramic products like stoneware pipes, sanitary ware, glazed tiles and bricks. The Kaolin deposit near Mawphlang is found to be as good as the Kaolin of corn wall.
Glass Sands
Deposits of fine-grained, white friable sandstones has been located in the coalfields of the Laitryngew and Cherapunji areas. The friable quartzite of the Shilllong series around shillong and the Tura sandstones of the Garo hills are suitable for manufacture of sheet glass and fruit glass after washing.
MINERAL RESOURCES
Assam has lots of mineral resources. The Assam valley has large deposits of natural gas and crude oil besides limestone and coal.
For instance, the oldest oil refinery in the subcontinent – Digboi – is in Assam. Then, there is a rich natural resource of black diamond – coal – at Lido in upper Assam.
FOREST RESOURCES
The state of north-eastern state of Assam has a verdant tropical forest cover. In fact, the forest resources cover a third of the total geographical area of the state.
The forests are habitats of exotic flora and fauna. There are many sanctuaries that have seasonal avian tourists from foreign countries.
Among the forest produces of Assam are firewood fuel – a considerable portion of the household within the state – lac (the primary raw material for shellac), bamboo, timber, and jute besides many types of plants that serve as medicinal raw materials.
Notably, two-thirds of the 74 species of bamboo serve as cash crops.
Assam was known as 'Kamarupa' or 'Pragjyotish' in the period of the Epics. Human inhabitation of this area dates backs to about 2000 BC. The population of Assam comprises of the migrants from Burma and China. They came into Assam after the mongoloid migration. They came from Punjab through Bihar and North Bengal. Thus Assam presents a fusion of Mongol-Aryan culture. The early history of Assam is believed to be of the Varman dynasty. The reign of this dynasty extended from 400 AD to 13th century. The visit of Huien Tsang is said to have taken place during the 7th century at the time of Kumar Bhaskar Varman. The Ahoms ventured into Assam in about 1228 AD. By 15th century the kingdoms of Ahom and Koch were established. This period witnessed a change in all walks of life in Assam. In the later part of the 18th century the Ahom Kingdom was weakened due to internal strife. The Burmese ran over the political authority in Assam thus invoking British intervention to subdue the Burmese. After a conflict between the Burmese and the English, peace was restored by the treaty of Yandaboo in 1826. The British then set out to organize the administration, transport and communication. Besides the various changes, the construction of railways; introduction of tea plantation, discovery of coal and oil etc. proved fruitful to the British during the World War II. After Independence of India, Assam witnessed several separation of territories. In 1948, NEFA (Arunachal Pradesh) was separated. In 1963 Nagaland was separated. In 1972 Meghalaya and in 1987 Mizoram.
T-shaped, the state consists of the northern Brahmaputra valley, the middle Karbi and Cachar hills and the southern Barak Valley. It experiences heavy rainfall between March and September, with very high humidity in the summer months. The temperatures are generally mild, never extreme during any season. Summer is from March to June and monsoon from July to August. November to February is winter. Best season to visit Assam is February to May.
Population
The 1991 Census puts the population of Assam at 2,24,14,322 with a sex ratio of 896 females per 1,000 males and a growth rate of +53.26 per cent in the two decades from 1971 to 1991. There are 16 Scheduled Castes and 23 Scheduled Tribes constituting 7.40 and 12.82 per cent respectively of the State's population. What we call the Assamese people of today is in fact the result of assimilation and integration of people of different racial stocks who migrated to Assam down the ages. The Assamese population can be divided into two broad groups: the non-tribal people who constitute the majority and the tribals.
Languages
Assam is a multiethnic society. Forty five different languages are spoken by different communities in Assam. The state is the meeting place of 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.
Assamese and Bodo are the official languages of the state. Linguistically modern Assamese traces its roots to eastern Magadhan Prakrit, with strong influences from the Tibeto-Burman and Mon-Khmer languages which are spoken by indegenous ethnic groups in the region. Bodo is a Tibeto-Burman language. Bengali is the second most spoken language in the state, and the predominant language in the Barak Valley, the largest city of which is Silchar.
Culture
Assamese culture is a rich conglomerate of ethnic practices and assimilated beliefs. When the Tai Ahoms entered the region in 1228, they had their own cultural features. Over the six centuries of their rule, they adopted the local language, religion and cultural customs, and embellished it with their own to such an extent that it puts them apart from medieval rulers of India. This is one reason why Assamese culture is so rich in heritage and values.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the main occupation of the people and along with the allied occupations it accounts for 63 percent of the states work force. Rice is the staple diet of the people and cultivation of rice is the main occupation of those engaged in agriculture. Different pulses, jute, tea and fruit cultivation are the other agricultural crops. Sugarcane, potatoes, cotton, oil seeds, coconut and arecanut cultivation is also practiced on a substantial scale apart from the horticulture. But 67 percent of the gross cropped area is taken up by rice cultivation, of this about 67 percent again is taken up for the cultivation of Sali paddy on about 16-17 lakh hectares of land. Both the centre and the state are engaged in giving agriculture a big thrust and a second green revolution is to be brought about in the north east. Jhum cultivation or shifting cultivation, under which the tribal farmers burn selected areas of forest land and use it for cultivation in a cyclic period, is a problem in Assam. Confined to its two hill districts which are inhabited by tribal people, efforts are being constantly made to wean the people away from this rather expensive form of cultivation.
Among fruit crops, Assam has oranges and other citrus fruit, bananas, guavas, pineapples and mangoes. There are extensive plans to expand the cultivation of these fruit products and market them to bring greater benefits to the farmers. The gross cropped area in the state is about 35 lakh hectares out of which rice cultivation alone accounts for 26 lakhs. Forests are an important part of Assam's economy. Timber is a major product of the states extensive forests and bamboo is another product, bringing Assam substantial revenue and adding to its wealth. Assam is rightly known for its excellent tea which is one of the major cash crops . About 15 percent of the world's total output of tea comes from the tea gardens of Assam, which provide employment to more than a million people. More than half of that in direct form in the tea gardens and factories turning green leaves into dry tea for home and hotel consumption. Tea cultivation occupies a little less than a tenth of the cultivated area of Assam and 75 percent of the tea gardens are located in the Brahmaputra districts of Darrang, Sibsagar and Lakhimpur. Cachar district accounts for 20 percent of the balance and the remaining 5 percent being accounted by the lower Brahmaputra valley. Guwahati centre in Assam has become the biggest centre of auction of CTC tea in the world.
Industry
Assam is an important producer of silk of different kinds and known for weaving of silk products into saris and fabrics. Production of tusser and other silks and weaving of fabrics is an important occupation for a number of people. Other types of industries are food products, wood and wood products, chemicals and chemical products, non-metallic mineral products. Tea and oil are of prime importance to Assam's economy and also plays a significant role in the economy and life of the state. At Digboy on the border with Burma, Assam has the oldest Indian oil venture and one of the oldest in the world.
Minerals
Assam is endowed with vast mineral resources. The major minerals like coal, oil and gas, limestone, dolomite, sillimanite and corundum, iron ore, felspar, glass-sand, refractory and fire clays, kaolin, beryl, gypsum, pyrite, vermiculite, salt, copper, gold etc. have been reported to occur in the state. The most important minerals being exploited so far in Assam are coal, oil and gas, limestone and sillimanite.
Coal
In Assam, coal occurs in Garo hills, Khasi and Jaintai hills, Mikir hills, Jaipur and Makum. The tertiary coals of Assam are remarkably low in ash but high in sulphur. Assam coal is being consumed at present by the railways, iron and brass foundries, brick kilns, inland water steamer services, tea gardens and other industries in addition to household consumption. Apart from its general uses, Assam coal is eminently suitable for the manufacture of coal distillation products.
Oil and Natural Gas
The oil producing areas of Assam lie in the upper Assam valley and are geologically confined to the Tertiary Strata - mainly Oligocene. Assam is first state in the country where oil was struck in 1889 at Digboy. At present oil is being tapped at two areas - the Digboy and the Naharkotiya and Moran fields. Two more refineries of considerable size have come up in the public sector at Gauhati and Barauni and the third with a petrochemical complex is under way. A new refinery, Numaligarh refinery (3m. tones capacity) was commissioned on July 9, 1999. The availability of associated natural gas is dependent on the extraction of crude oil. Vast quantities of natural gas are being produced along with the production of crude oil. Only two projects under the "utilization of natural gas scheme" have so far come up in the state. These are the thermal power plant and the fertilizer factory at Namrup.
Limestone
The high-grade fossil limestone or 'nummulitic' limestone deposits of Assam are geologically known as 'Syket limestone' as these belong to that groups of rocks. The limestone deposits are confined in areas of Garo hills, united Khasi and Jaintia hills, Cachar hills and Mikir hills. One of the largest outcrops of limestone is at the foot of the Khasi hills. Vast deposits of high-grade limestone are best observed in the Jowai area. Lime stones of the Khasi and Jaintia hills can be used for manufacture of cement and for lime-burning purposes. It can be used in chemical industries and for metallurgical purposes. The limestone deposits of the state offer vast scope for developing innumerable industries where limestone is required.
Sillimanite
The sillimanite deposits of the Nongstoin state in the Khasi hills are world famous from the point of view of quantity and purity of the mineral. Assam is the major producer of this mineral in India and contributes more than 90% of the total production. Corundum is found to occur in association with the sillimanite deposits. Low-grade 'quartz-sillimanite schists' also occur in the same area.
Clay
Assam is endowed with fairly large reserves of sedimentary white clays as well as Kaolin or 'China clay', which forms an important basic raw material for ceramic or refractory industries. These Clays are found to occur at many places in the Garo hills, Khasi and Jaintia hills and the Mikir hills. This clay is quite suitable for the manufacture of medium to low-grade white wares and other ceramic products like stoneware pipes, sanitary ware, glazed tiles and bricks. The Kaolin deposit near Mawphlang is found to be as good as the Kaolin of corn wall.
Glass Sands
Deposits of fine-grained, white friable sandstones has been located in the coalfields of the Laitryngew and Cherapunji areas. The friable quartzite of the Shilllong series around shillong and the Tura sandstones of the Garo hills are suitable for manufacture of sheet glass and fruit glass after washing.
MINERAL RESOURCES
Assam has lots of mineral resources. The Assam valley has large deposits of natural gas and crude oil besides limestone and coal.
For instance, the oldest oil refinery in the subcontinent – Digboi – is in Assam. Then, there is a rich natural resource of black diamond – coal – at Lido in upper Assam.
FOREST RESOURCES
The state of north-eastern state of Assam has a verdant tropical forest cover. In fact, the forest resources cover a third of the total geographical area of the state.
The forests are habitats of exotic flora and fauna. There are many sanctuaries that have seasonal avian tourists from foreign countries.
Among the forest produces of Assam are firewood fuel – a considerable portion of the household within the state – lac (the primary raw material for shellac), bamboo, timber, and jute besides many types of plants that serve as medicinal raw materials.
Notably, two-thirds of the 74 species of bamboo serve as cash crops.
How to reach
No permit is required by domestic as well as foreign tourists to visit Assam. However, foreign tourists must have an Indian Visa.
By Road
No permit is required by domestic as well as foreign tourists to visit Assam. However, foreign tourists must have an Indian Visa.
By Road
A network of National Highways and other roads connect all important places of Assam. All the towns of Assam are well connected by the Assam State Transport Corporation and other tourist bus services run by private operators. These buses also ply to the capitals of the neighbouring states. Besides, the Department of Tourism has a fleet of luxury buses and jeeps for hire at affordable prices.
By Air
The Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport of Guwahati is well connected by air to most of the metros in the country. Air India also operates an international weekly flight between Bangkok and Guwahati. The Indian Airlines, Sahara Airlines, Jet Airways and Deccan Air operate regular flights to Guwahati. The other towns to which Indian Airlines operate flights are Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Tezpur, North Lakhimpur and Silchar. The Indian Airlines also connects Guwahati to the capitals of most of the other North Eastern states.
By Train
Assam is well connected by train with the rest of the country. There are train services from Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin and Trivandrum. B.G. line connection is upto Dibrugarh and M.G. line with Haflong and Silchar. Major towns within the state are also connected by the railway network.
By Air
The Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport of Guwahati is well connected by air to most of the metros in the country. Air India also operates an international weekly flight between Bangkok and Guwahati. The Indian Airlines, Sahara Airlines, Jet Airways and Deccan Air operate regular flights to Guwahati. The other towns to which Indian Airlines operate flights are Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Tezpur, North Lakhimpur and Silchar. The Indian Airlines also connects Guwahati to the capitals of most of the other North Eastern states.
By Train
Assam is well connected by train with the rest of the country. There are train services from Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin and Trivandrum. B.G. line connection is upto Dibrugarh and M.G. line with Haflong and Silchar. Major towns within the state are also connected by the railway network.
Guwahati
Situated on the banks of the mighty river Brahmaputra, Guwahati is Assam's sleepy capital. It was once known as "Pragiyotishpura" or Light of the East. The name Guwahati is a combination of two words: Guwa meaning areca nut and Hat meaning market. Guwahati or Gurahati is the gateway to one of the most exotic and fascinating regions of India - the north east. Today, Guwahati is the business hub of the region and also Assam's largest city. It is the service centre for the oil industry and tea plantations; the world's largest tea auctions are held here. There are many ancient Hindu temples in and around Guwahati. Notable among them is the Umananda temple on Peacock Island dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Situated on the banks of the mighty river Brahmaputra, Guwahati is Assam's sleepy capital. It was once known as "Pragiyotishpura" or Light of the East. The name Guwahati is a combination of two words: Guwa meaning areca nut and Hat meaning market. Guwahati or Gurahati is the gateway to one of the most exotic and fascinating regions of India - the north east. Today, Guwahati is the business hub of the region and also Assam's largest city. It is the service centre for the oil industry and tea plantations; the world's largest tea auctions are held here. There are many ancient Hindu temples in and around Guwahati. Notable among them is the Umananda temple on Peacock Island dedicated to Lord Shiva.
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