Kerala PSC - Indian States (Assam)

Assam is a state in northeastern India. Located south of the eastern Himalayas, Assam comprises the Brahmaputra Valley and the Barak Valley along with the Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts.
  • Year of formation : 1947, August 15
  • Capital : Dispur
  • Largest City : Gauhati
  • Region : Northeast India
  • Districts : 32
  • Area : 78,438 km2 (30,285 sq mi)
  • Area rank  in India : 17th

Government

  • Governor : Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya
  • Chief Minister  : Sarbananda Sonowal (BJP)
  • Legislature : Unicameral (126 seats)
  • Parliamentary constituency : 14
  • High Court : Gauhati High Court
  • Official language(s) : Assamese
  • Co-official languages : English, Bengali ,Bodo

State Symbols

  • Song : O Mor Aponar Desh
  • Dance : Bihu dance
  • Animal : One horned rhinoceros
  • Bird  : White-winged Wood Duck
  • Flower : Rhynchostylis retusa
  • Tree Dipterocarpus macrocarpus
  • River : Brahmaputra 

Important points about Assam

  • The old name of Assam was 'Kamarup'
  • Assam is the leading producer of tea and is popularly known as 'Tea garden of India'.
  • Assam is known as the gateway to the northeastern states of India.
  • Digboi the oldest oil refinery in India, is in Assam.
  • Brahmaputra is known as the 'Sorrow of Assam' and also known as 'Tsangpo'.
  • The state that shares borders with 7 states.
  • Ahom was the famous dynasty which ruled Assam about six centuries.
  • It is believed that the name Assam was derived from Ahom dynasty.
  • Bihu is the chief festival of Assam.
  • Kaziranga National Park is famous for one horned rhinos and elephants and Manas National Park is famous for tigers.
  • In 1963, Nagaland was carved out of Assam, in 1972 Meghalaya and in 1987 Mizoram as well.
  • Tinsukia National Park is located in Assam.
  • Smallest biosphere reserve in India is Dibru Saikhowa in Assam.
  • Assam is the only producer of Muga Silk in the World.
  • Biggest Riverine Island in the world Majuli island in the river Brahmaputra is the biggest riverine island in the world. It is the Jorhat district of Assam. The island has an area of 1500 sq kms.
  • Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh elected to Rajya Sabha from Assam (5 times).