Establishment Year (State of India) | 1950 (It became a constituent state of India on January 26, 1950, though its history as a separate province goes back to 1874 under British rule). |
| Capital | Dispur (a suburb of Guwahati) since 1972. |
| Borders | International: Bhutan (North), Bangladesh (West).
Indian States: Arunachal Pradesh (North/East), Nagaland (East), Manipur (East), Mizoram (South), Tripura (South), Meghalaya (South/West), West Bengal (West - via a narrow corridor). |
| Population (2011 Census) | 31,205,576 (Estimated population in 2025 is around 3.73 Crores or 37.3 million). |
| Languages Spoken (2011 Census) | Official/Principal Language: Assamese.
Major Languages: Assamese (approx. 48.37%), Bengali (approx. 22.1%), Hindi (approx. 7.6%), Bodo (approx. 5.13%). Many tribal languages are also spoken. |
| Religion (2011 Census) | Hinduism (approx. 61.47%) is the majority religion, followed by Islam (approx. 34.22%). Christianity (approx. 3.74%) is also significant, especially among Scheduled Tribes and Castes. |
Chief Ministers of Assam (Post-Independence)
Here is a list of Chief Ministers of Assam since 1950, with their joining and leaving dates:
| Name of CM | Party | Join Date | Leave Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gopinath Bordoloi | INC | 26 Jan 1950 | 6 Aug 1950 |
| Bishnuram Medhi | INC | 9 Aug 1950 | 27 Dec 1957 |
| Bimala Prasad Chaliha | INC | 28 Dec 1957 | 6 Nov 1970 |
| Mahendra Mohan Choudhury | INC | 11 Nov 1970 | 30 Jan 1972 |
| Sarat Chandra Sinha | INC | 31 Jan 1972 | 12 Mar 1978 |
| Golap Borbora | Janata Party | 12 Mar 1978 | 4 Sep 1979 |
| Jogendra Nath Hazarika | Janata Party | 9 Sep 1979 | 11 Dec 1979 |
| (President's Rule - 1st) | N/A | 12 Dec 1979 | 5 Dec 1980 |
| Syeda Anwara Taimur | INC | 6 Dec 1980 | 30 Jun 1981 |
| (President's Rule - 2nd) | N/A | 30 Jun 1981 | 13 Jan 1982 |
| Kesab Chandra Gogoi | INC | 13 Jan 1982 | 19 Mar 1982 |
| (President's Rule - 3rd) | N/A | 19 Mar 1982 | 27 Feb 1983 |
| Hiteswar Saikia | INC | 27 Feb 1983 | 23 Dec 1985 |
| Prafulla Kumar Mahanta | AGP | 24 Dec 1985 | 28 Nov 1990 |
| (President's Rule - 4th) | N/A | 28 Nov 1990 | 30 Jun 1991 |
| Hiteswar Saikia | INC | 30 Jun 1991 | 22 Apr 1996 |
| Bhumidhar Barman | INC | 22 Apr 1996 | 14 May 1996 |
| Prafulla Kumar Mahanta | AGP | 15 May 1996 | 17 May 2001 |
| Tarun Gogoi | INC | 18 May 2001 | 24 May 2016 |
| Sarbananda Sonowal | BJP | 24 May 2016 | 10 May 2021 |
| Himanta Biswa Sarma | BJP | 10 May 2021 | Present |
INC: Indian National Congress; AGP: Asom Gana Parishad; BJP: Bharatiya Janata Party
President's Rule in Assam
President's Rule has been imposed in Assam four times since it became a state:
* December 12, 1979, to December 5, 1980
* June 30, 1981, to January 13, 1982
* March 19, 1982, to February 27, 1983
* November 28, 1990, to June 30, 1991
The rule was generally imposed due to political instability, loss of majority, or breakdown of law and order, particularly during the period of the "Assam Agitation" concerning illegal immigration.
Famous Places and Products of Assam
Famous Places
Assam is known for its diverse ecology and ancient temples:
* Kaziranga National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous globally for the protection of the world's largest population of the endangered one-horned Indian rhinoceros.
* Manas National Park: Another UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Project Tiger Reserve, known for its rich biodiversity, including the rare Golden Langur.
* Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati: One of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas, a significant pilgrimage site for Tantric worship.
* Majuli: The world's largest riverine island, known for its unique culture, Vaishnavite Monasteries (Sattras), and natural beauty.
* Sivasagar: A historical city that served as the capital of the powerful Ahom Kingdom for centuries, featuring monuments like the Rang Ghar (an ancient amphitheater) and Sivasagar Sivasagar (Shiva Temple).
Famous Products
Assam's products are renowned both in India and worldwide:
* Assam Tea (Global): Assam is one of the largest tea-producing regions in the world, particularly famous for its strong, malty Black Tea.
* Assam Silk (Muga, Eri, Pat): Assam is the only place in the world where the natural golden-hued Muga Silk is produced. Along with Eri (non-violent silk) and Pat (white silk), it is a unique and prized product. Sualkuchi is a major silk-weaving center, often called the "Manchester of Assam."
* Gamocha: A white rectangular cotton cloth with a red border, considered a sacred cultural symbol, used for felicitating guests, religious purposes, and daily wear.
* Petroleum and Natural Gas (India): Assam was the site of the first oil drilling in Asia at Digboi (1889), and it remains a major contributor to India's petroleum and natural gas output.
* Handicrafts and Bamboo Products: The state is known for exquisite handcrafted items made from cane and bamboo, including furniture, musical instruments, and decorative items.
