In and around Tinsukia

Tinsukia is one of the twenty three administrative districts in the state of Assam in India. The district headquarters are located at Tinsukia. The district occupies an area of 3790 km² and has a population of 1,150,146 (as of 2001).

The ancient name of Tinsukia was Bangmara. It was the capital of Muttack Kingdom. Sarbananada Singha established his capital at Rangagarah situated in the bank of river Guijan. In 1791 A.D. he transferred his capital to Bengmara. The Bangmara city was built by King Sarbananda Singha with the help of his Minister Gopinath Barbaruah alies Godha. The city was built in the middle of the present Tinsukia City.It was declared as the 23rd district of Assam on 1st October 1989 with three sub divisions-Tinsukia, Magherita (Sadar), and Sadiya.

Several tanks were dug in the days of Sarbananda Singha viz., Chauldhuwa Pukhuri, Kadamoni pukhuri, Da Dharua Pukhuri, Mahdhuwa Pukhuri, Bator pukhuri, Logoni Pukhuri, Na-Pukhuri, Devi Pukhuri, Kumbhi Pukhuri, Rupahi Pukhuri etc.

Apart from the these ponds there are many ancient roads constructed in different parts of the Muttack territory. Godha-Borbaruah road, Rangagarah road, Rajgor road and Hatiali road were main roads within the territory.

In 1823, the British first discovered Tea Plant in Sadiya and the first Tea Plantation was started in Chabua near Tinsukia. The name Chabua comes from "Chah-Buwa" (Tea Plantation).

In 1876, coal was found near Ledo and Margherita. The oil city of Digboi is in the Tinsukia district. In 1882 Crude Oil was found in Digboi and the first Oil well of india was built. In 1901, an oil refinery was setup in Digboi. It was the first refinery of Asia and the third in world.

In 1882 the "Dibru-Sadiya Railwayline" was inaugurated through Tinsukia, which was the turning point in the Economical History of North-east India.