Many of our readers might have heard about the State of Assam in India and some might have even visited to sight the pride of Assam at Kaziranga – the ‘One Horned Rhinoceros of Assam’. It is no doubt that people would carry back one memoir from Assam that this is indeed a beautiful State! It is our quest to bring forth to the World that Assam’s beauty is not only limited to Kaziranga and the spectacular drive from Guwahati to it. Our State has many a story to narrate to showcase its rich culture and history. From the legends of the Kamakhya Temple to the Architectural Marvels of the Ahom Dynasty at Sivasagar. From the finest Tea Estates in the World to the its history in playing a pivotal role in the victory of the Allied Forces in World War II at the Stilwell Road. From the Grandeur of its five (5) exotic National Parks to the Rich Cultural Heritage of the World’s Largest Inhabited River Island at Majuli. From the Silk Town (Manchester of the East) of the World at Suwalkuchi to the World’s smallest river Island at Umananda. From Asia’s Oldest Refinery and Plywood Factory at Digboi to India’s largest Road Bridge and Road cum Railway Bridge at Sadiya and Dibrugarh. From the always welcoming Tribes of Assam to the perfect Ecotourism Getaways and Tribal Cottages, the journey across this State will indeed leave any visitor mesmerized and not to forget, we at Jungleideas will ensure to adopt all possible measures for your visit here to be the most memorable experience of your lifetime!
During your journey across Assam one must halt is at the Commercial Capital of Assam – the busy town of Tinsukia. Although a quick glance would seem it to be just like a normal modern day city; this place has been an important landmark in the history of Assam. Tinsukia was the capital of the one of the mighty empires of Assam after the Ahoms – the Muttack Kingdom founded by Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha. During his rule Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha instructed his Minister Gopinath Barbaruah to dig a triangular pond which later came to be known as Tinikunia (meaning Triangular) Pukhuri (meaning Pond). In the year 1884, a Railway station was constructed near this pond, when the historic Dibru-Sadiya Rail line was laid by the Assam Railways and Trading Company (AR&T) Limited during the British Raj. This Station was named as Tinsukia and since then this has been known as Tinsukia. The railway junction at the Tinsukia Station is the largest in North East India. Tinsukia proves to be an important connecting point on your journey to Digboi (Oil town of Assam), Sadya (India’s Longest Bridge), Margherita (the Coal Queen of Assam), Stilwell Road and the State of Arunachal Pradesh (the Namdapha National Park and the Pangsau Pass).
Places of interest in and around Tinsukia and its onward journeys are:
- Railway Heritage Park and Museum – Highlights the history of the Dibru Sadiya Railway and displays the Steam Engines that built the World’s Second Largest Rail Network operated under a single management – the Indian Railways
- The Dhola Sadiya Bridge – At a length of 9.15 kilometers the Dhola-Sadiya Bridge at Sadiya Ghat is the Longest Bridge in India!
- The National Park of Dibru-Saikhowa – known for its population of White winged wood duck in its natural habitat and also for its bright colored wild horses known as Feral Horses. The only National Park of Assam that offers a River Cruise to view its Grandeur.
- Borajan Wildlife Sanctuary – Some rare and endangered animals of this sanctuary are Hoolock Gibbon, Capped Langur, Slow Loris, Water Buffaloes, Gangetic river dolphin, etc.
- Wathai Heritage Tea Bungalow – An imperial Bungalow of the British Era built around the majestic Tea Gardens of Assam
- The Tilinga Mandir or the Bell Temple at Bordubi
- The Nao Pukhuri dug during the rule of King Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha in 1791
- Legendary Oil Town of Digboi – Home to Asia’s Oldest Refinery and the World’s Oldest Operational Oil Well. The World War II cemetery built and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Mission is also at Digboi. Digboi also one of the best golf courses in India and many colonial Bungalows of the British Era.
- Coal Queen of Assam ‘Margherita’ – Margherita has some of the oldest coal mines in the World. India’s only Coal Museum and Asia’s oldest Plywood Factory is located here. Margherita is home to some of the Oldest and Legendary Tribes of North East India. The Singpho Eco Lodge here is one of the best destinations in North East India to experience Ecotourism with the Singpho Tribes. The Ketetong Village here is home to many other principal tribes of North East India. An important trade center of the British Era this place has many Heritage British Bungalows at the nearby Tea gardens and Coal India Limited. Some of the Oldest Operational Steam Locomotives in the World of the likes of David, 796, John etc. are stationed at the Tipong Colliery. Remains of one of the best American Military Hospitals i.e. the 20th General Hospital is located at Margherita
- Namdapha National Park – Located at Deban in Arunachal Pradesh, the Namdapha National Park is the third (3rd) largest National Park in India and is home to the Big Four Cat Species of the likes of Snow leopards, Clouded leopards, Common leopards and Tigers
- Digboi Golf Course – One of the finest in India
- Ledo Club – the Office of the First Governor General of India Lord Mountbatten and the place where the Notorious Dictator of Uganda Idi Amin served as a butler during the Burma Campaign of World War II
- The 20th General Hospital at Magherita – One of the Finest of the American Army
- The Historic Stilwell Road built by the American Army during World War II
- The Lake of No Return and the Pangsau Pass aka the Hell’s Pass
Jungleideas welcomes you to India’s North East to visit the Capital of the Muttack Kingdom and the present Commercial Capital of Assam – Tinsukia, the State of Assam, Incredible India!
