Jorhat

Jorhat (also spelled Jorehaut) is one of Upper Assam’s most historically important towns and is often called the last capital of the Ahom Kingdom. Its name is commonly explained from “jor” (twin) and “hat/haat” (market)—referring to two old markets, Macharhat (Masorhaat) and Chowkihat (Sowkihat), which developed on opposite banks of the Bhogdoi river in the 18th century.

A major turning point came in 1794, when Ahom king Gaurinath Singha began shifting the royal capital from Rangpur (near Sivasagar) to Jorhat, giving the town political weight and planned urban growth. In the early 19th century, Assam faced a turbulent phase of conflicts and invasions, and Jorhat’s fortunes changed again when British power expanded into the region (early 1820s), after which colonial administration and new economic systems reshaped the town.

Under British rule, Jorhat emerged as a key centre for the tea economy. The opening of the Jorehaut Provincial Railway (1885) supported tea production and trade, accelerating the region’s commercial development. Over time, Jorhat also became a major cultural and educational hub of Assam, linking the Ahom legacy with modern Assamese public life.