KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA

JAIPUR No.3

Class- X
Subject – Social Science
INTRODUCTION

Assam is a state in northeastern India known for its wildlife, archeological sites
and tea plantations. In the west, Guwahati, Assam’s largest city, features silk
bazaars and the hilltop Kamakhya Temple. Umananda Temple sits on Peacock
Island in the Brahmaputra river. The state capital, Dispur, is a suburb of
Guwahati. The ancient pilgrimage site of Hajo and Madan Kamdev, the ruins of a
temple complex, lie nearby.
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
A significant geographical aspect of Assam is that it
contains three of six physiographic divisions of India
-The Northern Himalayas (Eastern Hills),The
Northern Plains (Brahmaputra plain) and Deccan
Plateau (Karbi Anglong). As the Brahmaputra flows
in Assam the climate here is cold and there is
rainfall most of the month. Geomorphic studies
conclude that the Brahmaputra, the life-line of
Assam is an antecedent river, older than the
Himalayas.
HISTORY OF ASSAM
Assam's history goes back to ancient times. The base of this history
can be found in Tantric literature, Buddhist literature, Assamese
folklore and Vedic literature. However, first mention of the state of
Assam is found in the epics and the religious legends.

The Aryans belonging to the priestly and warrior classes found their
way into Assam in very early times. Various places mentioned in the
epics, like Mahabharata etc. are now identified with sites in this
state.
 PROFILE OF ASSAM 
Capital Dispur
Area 78,438 Sq. Km.
Population 36,024,656
Principal Languages Assamese
Literacy Rate 85.9% (Percent)
No. of Districts 33
Cities.. Guwahati, Dispur , Dibrugarh, Jorhat
ASSAM
 India’s gateway to Northeast India.

 Formed on 26 January 1950.

 Assam covers an area of 78,440 km2.

 Total number of districts 33.

 Assamese, Bodo and Bengali is the official

languages.
 ARTS & CRAFTS

The Arts and Crafts of Assam are world famous for unique
traditional methods of production and for tribal art forms. The
people of Assam have traditionally been craftsmen. Assam is
mostly known for its exquisite silks and the bamboo and cane
products, several other crafts are also made here. The attractive
arts and crafts are a part of natural beauty of Assam. Every
such handicraft has been created with the effort of specific
tribal groups and this is the fact that Assam’s culture is largely
shaped by the tribes living in the state.
Bamboo and cane
 Bamboo and cane contribute a lot to the economy and lifestyle of Assam. This is mainly
because of the fact that the hills and forests of the region have vast expanses of bamboos and
canes and the natives, being excellent craftsmen that they are, have learnt to use them for a
wide range of purpose in their life.

 They happen to be the two most commonly-used items in daily life, ranging from household
implements to construction of dwelling houses to weaving accessories to musical instruments.

 Cane and bamboo furniture’s on the other hand have been very popular in the domestic as well
as the export market, while paati, the traditional mat has found its way into the world of
interior decoration.

 The main items are the cane baskets, music instruments and the weaving accessories.

 The most famous product colorful Assamese Japi (headgear) is additional sunshade, terracotta
of Gauripur and various decorative items bear witness to the craftsmanship of this land.
 Jewelry
 Assam has a rich collection of traditional jewelry, which is unique and attractive. Particularly of
gold jewelry is a tradition in Assam. Gold jewelry has always constituted the most-used metal for
jewellery in Assam, while the use of silver and other metals too have been there for centuries.

 Gold was locally available, flowing down several Himalayan rivers, of which Subansiri is the most
important. In fact, a particular tribe of people, the Sonowal Kacharis were engaged only for gold-
washing in these rivers.

 Jorhat, in Upper Assam is the second biggest city of Assam, is the main jewelry making centre of
the state.

 Assamese jewellery includes the doog-doogi, loka-paro, banagaam-kharu, gal-pata , jon-biri,

dhol-biri and keru, all of which have also encouraged the modern jewellers to producing similiar
designs mechanically.
 Woodcrafts
 Assam is a state, which excel in woodcraft and carpentry. The woodwork is an ancient Assamese craft. Assam
has always one of the most forest-covered states of the country, and the variety of wood and timber available
here have formed a part of the people’s culture and economy.

 An Assamese can identify the timber by touching it even in darkness, and can produce a series of items from
it. This has greatly facilitated the growth of Assamese woodcraft industry.

 While decorative panels in the royal Ahom palaces of the past and the 600-years old satras or Vaishnative
monasteries are intricately carved on wood, a special class of people who excelled in wood carving came to be
known as Khanikar.

 The painted woodwork of Golaghat is a folk art in Assam. In Assam, wood is used to make a wide range of
products. A number of items for daily domestic use are carved out of wood.

 This includes doors, stools, chairs, tables, dolah or palki, walking stick, and kharams (wooden sandals),
which might be engraved with the images of animals, birds and fishes.
Handloom
 Handloom of Assam is famous for its several types of silks, the most prominent and
prestigious being muga, Muga apart, there is paat, as also eri, the latter being used in
manufacture of warm clothes for winter. Of a naturally rich golden colour, muga is the finest
of India’s wild silks.

 The designs used in Assam are mostly stylised symbols of animals, human figures, creepers,
flowers, birds, channels, cross borders and the galaxy, Assamese weavers produce beautiful
designs on the borders of traditional garments such as the mekhela-chaddar and riha and
on the gamosa (towel) Or the tribals make beautiful shawls also.

 The Laichangphi, produced traditionally by the weavers of Cachar district, is a popular quilt
sought after because of its warmth and softness.

 Each ethnic group of the State has its own distinctive design and style. Sualkuchi is the
biggest centre of silk production produced only in Assam and also has the largest
number of weavers is a way in this state.
 Metal crafts
 Metal crafts Metal craft of Assam are also popular for their beauty and strength of form and utility. It also
comprises of one of the oldest cottage industries of Assam. These products are famous all over India and
can be found in almost every Assamese household.

 Famed for their unique artistic skills, the local artists and craftsmen of the state are mainly involved in
designing brass and bell metal utensils. Brass and Bell Metal products of Assam are also apart from these
two metals, gold, silver and copper can also be used to make different handicrafts in Assam.

 Gold, silver and copper too have formed part of traditional metal craft in Assam, and the State Museum in
Guwahati has a rich collection of items made of these metals.

 Brass and bell metal crafts are mainly produced in Hajo and Sarthebari in Kamrup districts of Assam.

 The main products created here are Kalah (water pot), Sarai, Kahi (dish) Bati (bowl) lota and tal
(cymbals). A sarai is a shallow bowl on a stand with a dome-like cover and it is used in Assamese rituals.
The Kalah is a designed pitcher which has attractive motifs engraved on them.
 Masks
 Masks form an integral part of the Assamese culture and
tradition, adding to the color and vibrancy of the state. A mask
is also known as mukhas. They are worn mostly during theatres
and bhaonas, which revolve around the Assamese tribal myths
and folktales.

 Since ages, these masks have been the centre of each and every
cultural event in the state. Being used by the tribes of Assam
during bhaonas and theatres, these masks of Assam are mainly
made up of wood and bamboo. From the tribal arena, the
masks are seen today in almost every home of Assam as a
decorative showpiece.
 Pottery
 Assam Pottery is a unique representation of the oldest craftsmanship of the state. Pottery is the
ceramic ware made by potters. Major types of pottery include earthenware, stoneware, and
porcelain.

 The places where such wares are made are called potteries. Pottery is one of the oldest human
technologies and art-forms, and remains a major industry of Assam.

 This industry produces many household utensils. Pottery includes several daily-use as well as
fancy wares that are made up of mud and clay.

 The Kumars and Hiras are two traditional potter communities of Assam and while the Kumars
use the wheel to produce his pots.

 Mud pots or pitchers, earthen holders of incense sticks, plates, clay glasses and many other daily-
use articles were the early symbols of the flourishing pottery of Assam. Ceramic art covers the art
of pottery, whether in items made for use or purely for decoration.
 Paintings
 Assamese paintings are known all over the world for their unique style
and versatile nature. The traditional paintings of Assam are based
primarily on the folklores, myths and religious customs that were once an
integral part of the Assamese people.

 Ahom palaces and satras and naam-ghar etc still abound in brightly-
coloured paintings depicting various stories and events from history and
mythology. Most famous Hastividyarnava (A treatise on Elephants),
chitra bhagavata and gita Gobinda painting are excellent.

 These are also prominent mythology on the basis of which several

traditional forms of paintings were created by the veteran painters of
Assam. So, the traditional paintings have become a central point of
attraction in the artistic contours of Assam.
Food of Assam

Assam  is a place of food lovers and food enthusiasts who love to experience new food and new restaurants. People of
Assam love to eat and are great connoisseurs of food. There are many restaurants in Assam ranging from family to
buffet to Chinese to multi cuisine. Restaurants in Assam offer food varying from authentic Assamese cuisines to North
Indian to Continental to Oriental. So, a visit to restaurants in Assam would be a satisfying experience for tourists. Here
is a list of top restaurants in Assam.

Food is a very important part of the culture of any state. A state is known by the food consumed by people. Assam, one
of the important states of northeast India, is also known by its unique food. Assamese cuisine is one of the notable
cuisines of India. The food cooked here is simple yet unique in its own sense. The style of cooking of Assamese food is
simple with much use of vegetables or meat and lesser use of oil and spices. The food of Assam would comprise both
vegetarian and non vegetarian and is mostly boiled in nature. And as such, it is one of the healthy forms of food and is
widely sought over by many Assamese and non-Assamese people alike.
 DRESSINGSTYLE

Men Wear: Dhoti Gamosa

Women Wear: Mekhela Chadar

 TEA

 Assam is one of the only place after the china which has native
plants.

 Assam tea is famous for brewing black tea.

 Assam tea’s flavour is stronger than other tea.

MAJULI

 Largest river island by Guiness Book of World Records.

 Biggest fresh water island in the World.

 1st island district of the country.

OIL REFINERY

 The 1st oil refinery of Asia.

 The 2nd oil refinery of world.

 Drilled in Digboi, Assam in 1901.

BHOOT JOLOKIA

 Has worn the crown of being The

Hottest chilly on the Earth since 2007.

 Rated at more than 1 million Scoville

heat units (SHU)
BIHU DHOL

 The bihu Dhol has its name registered in Guinese Book of world record.

 Which needs no Amplifier to amplify its bass.

HOGWARTS OF ASSAM

 MAYONG known as the land of black magic also called

Hogwarts of Assam.

 Magic tricks leads to curing an illness.

THE JONBEEL MELA

 This is one of the most unique festivals of

Assam, where The Barter System alive.

 The 3 day long held in January-February at

Dayang Belguri in Morigaon.
KAMAKHYA TEMPLE

 The temple situated top of the Nilachal

hills in Guwahati.

 The temple is one of the 108

shaktipeeths.

 The temple does not have an idol of

Kamakhya Devi.
WORLD HERITAGE SITES
 The Manas Wildlife Senctuary and Kaziranga
National Park both, UNESCO world heritage
sites.

 Manas Wildlife sanctuary known for different

species of Tigers.

 Kaziranga National Park known for One horned

Rhino
DRY FISH MARKET

 Asia’s largest dry fish market.

 Held in Jagiroad for three days in

a week.
JORHAT GYMKHANA CLUB

 First ever gym built in asia.

 Third oldest gym in the world.

ONE HORNED RHINO

 Only found in this part of the world.

 His horn is typically 20-61 cm long, and

weighs up to three kg.

 Rhino makes 12 different

communication sounds.
BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER

 The only male river in India.

 It is the 5th strongest river in the World.

 Saraighat, was the 1st bridge to be built on the Brahmaputra.

HOUSES

 The house in assam are worth

dekko.

 The houses in assam are unique

and can only be found here.
AMAZING
WELCOME
RITUAL

 Be prepared for the most unusual kind of welcome by the beautiful

people here.

 They will drap you in the traditional assamese gamosa.

BHUPEN
HAZARIKA SETU

 The bridge is the 1st permanent connection between northern Assam and
eastern Arunachal Pradesh.

 Longest bridge in India, in length 9.15km.

 Designed to handle the weight of 60 tonne tanks for Indian Army.

SILK : THE PRIDE OF ASSAM

 Assam produced 3 types of silk, Muga, Eri and Pat silk.

 Muga known as the Golden silk.

 Weaving silk is one of the most important aspects of the cultural life of
Assam.
 THE END
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