Assam History and Beliefs

The ancient name of Assam was Pragjyotispura - the city of eastern light which latter changed to Kamrup- the land where Kamdeva, the God of love was re-born. The present name of Assam or "Asom" an obvious reference to her undulating and uneven landscape is relatively new. She traces her history back to at least 2500 years B.C., when high civilization flourished in the land. During Mahabharata era this land was ruled by non-Aryans.

Assam, is an ancient land and figured prominently in international trade even before the the birth of Jesus. Chang Kien, a Chinese explorer, traced his country's trade links with Assam as far back as in 100 B.C. Himalayan Malabathrum and Chinese silk from Assam according to the Periplus of the Erythrean sea had reached Egypt and Rome in pre-Christian times. Assam also figured naturally in Ptolemy's Geography.

Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang briefly lights up the corridors of history in the seventh century, when King Bhaskaravarman enhanced the power and prestige of Kamarupa to an extent never dreamt before. The Naraka line was subsequently snapped by aboriginal onslaughts and a long spell of uncertainties followed. The Kingdom at times stretched to the seas and shrank at other times into fragmented principalities.