origin of name

What is Assam described as, in relation to India?

The North-Eastern sentinel of India’s frontiers; the second largest of the ‘Seven Sisters’ states after Arunachal Pradesh.

What is Assam’s total area?

78,438 sq km — 2.39% of India’s total land area.

What natural features define Assam’s landscape?

Red river and blue hills; situated in the Himalayan foothills.

What is Assam sometimes called, geographically?

The “land of red river and blue hills.”

How long are Assam’s international boundaries?

Nearly 3,200 km.

Which river flows through Assam and why is it important?

The Brahmaputra — it’s the lifeline for people settled on both its banks.

What Sanskrit word is ‘Assam’ derived from, and what does it mean?

Asoma, meaning “peerless” or “unequalled.”

What was Assam called in the epic age?

Pragjyotisa — the “place of eastern light/eastern astronomy,” also called Kamrupa.

Which ancient texts describe Pragjyotisa/Kamrupa’s geography?

The Kalika Purana (10th century) and Yogini Tantra (16th century).

According to historian Raj Mohan Nath, who settled the region and what name resulted?

The ancient race Chouthius settled there, becoming known as Pragjuthis → “Pragjyotishpura.”

What did Dr. Banikanta Kakoti say Pragjyotishpura meant in the Austric language?

A wide hilly terrain.

What does Kamrupa mean, per some historians?

The land where Kamdeva, the god of love, was re-born.

Where does the modern name ‘Assam’ connect to, per Birinchi Kumar Barua’s account?

The Ahoms, who entered the Brahmaputra valley in the early 13th century; the name was applied by native tribes in awe of the Ahom conquerors.

What is Dr. Banikanta Kakoti’s theory on the word ‘Asama’?

It may be a Sanskritized form of ‘Acham’ (Tai root cham = “to be vanquished”), giving ‘Asam’ the meaning “undefeated/victorious.”

What did Lord Baden Powell claim about the name’s Bodo origin?