Assam History Timeline: From Kamarupa to Today (Key Dates for Exams)
39 milestones across four eras — illustrated, with exam-focused notes
Assam's history appears in almost every state exam, and most questions are about when something happened and who was involved. This timeline puts the essential dates in order across four eras, from the kingdoms of ancient Kamarupa through six centuries of Ahom rule, the British period and the freedom struggle, to the making of modern Assam. Click an era to jump to it.
Dates for early periods (marked "c.") are approximate, as historians date them from inscriptions and records. All other dates are standard ones used in textbooks and exams.
📋 At a Glance
| Eras covered | Ancient Kamarupa · Ahom & medieval · British period · Independent India |
| Milestones | 39 key dates |
| Most-asked dates | 1228 (Ahom kingdom) · 1671 (Saraighat) · 1826 (Yandabo) · 1985 (Assam Accord) |
| Practise | Assam GK Daily Quiz · Assam GK notes |
🏰 The Four Eras at a Glance
Tap an era to jump to its events.
📜 Timeline of Key Events
Ancient Kamarupa c. 350 – 1228
- c. 350Varman dynasty founded
Pushyavarman establishes the Varman dynasty of Kamarupa, the first historical ruling house of the region.
- c. 640Hiuen Tsang visits Kamarupa
The Chinese pilgrim visits the court of King Bhaskaravarman, a contemporary and ally of Harshavardhana.
- c. 655Mlechchha (Salastambha) dynasty
A new dynasty rules Kamarupa after the Varmans.
- c. 900Pala dynasty of Kamarupa
Brahmapala founds the Pala line that rules into the 12th century.
- 1206Bakhtiyar Khalji's expedition defeated
An invading army passing through Kamarupa towards Tibet is destroyed; the Kanai Barasi Bowa rock inscription near Guwahati records it.
Ahom & Medieval Era 1228 – 1826
- 1228Ahom kingdom founded
Chaolung Sukaphaa crosses the Patkai hills and founds the Ahom kingdom.
- 1253Capital at Charaideo
Sukaphaa makes Charaideo his capital; it remains the royal burial ground (moidams).
- 1449Birth of Srimanta Sankardev
The saint-reformer (1449–1568) founds Ek Sarana Nama Dharma and shapes Assamese literature, music, drama and Sattriya dance.
- c. 1515Koch kingdom rises
Biswa Singha founds the Koch kingdom in western Assam; under Naranarayan and his general Chilarai it becomes a major power.
- 1662Mir Jumla occupies Garhgaon
The Mughal general captures the Ahom capital; the Treaty of Ghilajharighat follows in 1663.
- 1671Battle of Saraighat
Lachit Borphukan's Ahom navy defeats the Mughal army under Ram Singh on the Brahmaputra near Guwahati.
- 1682Battle of Itakhuli
Under Gadadhar Singha the Ahoms drive the Mughals out of Guwahati for good.
- 1696Rudra Singha's reign begins
One of the most powerful Ahom kings (ruled 1696–1714), remembered for his administration and patronage.
- 1746Rang Ghar built
The two-storey royal pavilion for watching games is built at Sivasagar under Pramatta Singha.
- 1769Moamoria rebellion
A long uprising against the Ahom monarchy that seriously weakens the kingdom.
- 1817Burmese invasions begin
Repeated Burmese invasions devastate Assam until 1826.
British Period 1826 – 1947
- 1826Treaty of Yandabo
The First Anglo-Burmese War ends; Assam passes to the British.
- 1838Upper Assam annexed
The British take direct control of Upper Assam, ending Ahom rule.
- 1839Assam Company formed
Commercial tea cultivation begins; tea becomes Assam's best-known industry.
- 1846Orunodoi published
The first Assamese periodical is published from Sibsagar by American Baptist missionaries.
- 1858Maniram Dewan executed
The first Indian tea planter of Assam is hanged for his role in the uprising of 1857.
- 1861Phulaguri Dhewa
Peasants of Phulaguri (Nagaon) rise against new British taxes.
- 1874Assam becomes a separate province
Assam is separated from Bengal as a Chief Commissioner's province.
- 1894Patharughat uprising
Peasants in Darrang protest against higher land revenue; many are killed in firing.
- 1901Digboi refinery and Cotton College
Asia's oldest operating oil refinery starts at Digboi; Cotton College opens in Guwahati.
- 1905Eastern Bengal and Assam
After the partition of Bengal, Assam is joined to a new province until 1912.
- 1942Quit India Movement
Kanaklata Barua is shot at Gohpur while leading a procession to hoist the flag.
Independent India 1947 – today
- 1947Independence and the Sylhet referendum
India becomes independent; after a referendum most of Sylhet district goes to East Pakistan.
- 1948Gauhati University and Gauhati High Court
Assam's first university and its High Court are established.
- 1950The great Assam earthquake
One of the strongest earthquakes on record strikes on 15 August 1950.
- 1960Assam Official Language Act
Assamese is adopted as the official language of the state.
- 1963Nagaland becomes a state
The first of several states carved out of the old Assam.
- 1972Meghalaya becomes a full state
Meghalaya separates from Assam.
- 1973Capital moves to Dispur
Dispur in Guwahati becomes the capital of Assam.
- 1985Assam Accord; Kaziranga & Manas on the World Heritage list
The Accord ends the six-year Assam Movement; both national parks are inscribed by UNESCO.
- 2003Bodoland Territorial Council
An autonomous council is created under the Sixth Schedule.
- 2016Majuli becomes a district
India's first river island district.
- 2017–18Dhola–Sadiya and Bogibeel bridges
The Bhupen Hazarika Setu (2017) and India's longest rail-cum-road bridge at Bogibeel (2018) open.
- 2024Charaideo Moidams on the World Heritage list
The Ahom royal burial mounds become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
🏯 Capitals of the Ahom Kingdom
The Ahom capital moved several times over six centuries:
Charaideo remained the sacred burial ground of the Ahom royals (the moidams) even after the capital moved.
🎓 Exam Tips for History
- Learn in pairs: date + person (1671 – Lachit Borphukan; 1682 – Gadadhar Singha; 1826 – Yandabo).
- Know the "firsts": first Assamese periodical (Orunodoi, 1846), first university (Gauhati University, 1948), first river island district (Majuli, 2016).
- Connect history to places: Saraighat (Guwahati), Rang Ghar and Talatal Ghar (Sivasagar), moidams (Charaideo), Gohpur (Kanaklata Barua).
- Revise with questions: the daily quiz covers many of these events.
📚 Recommended Books
Standard books most toppers use. Buy a recent edition; for Assam GK and current affairs, the newer the better.
Links open Amazon search results for each title.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Ahom kingdom founded?
In 1228, when Chaolung Sukaphaa crossed the Patkai hills into the Brahmaputra valley. Ahom rule lasted until 1826.
When was the Battle of Saraighat fought?
In 1671, on the Brahmaputra near Guwahati. The Ahom forces under Lachit Borphukan defeated the Mughal army led by Ram Singh.
How did Assam come under British rule?
Through the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826, which ended the First Anglo-Burmese War. The British annexed Upper Assam in 1838.
When was the Assam Accord signed?
On 15 August 1985. It ended the Assam Movement that began in 1979.