Tinsukia

Tinsukia is a major town of Upper Assam whose modern growth is closely tied to the region’s tea, railways, and later oil–industry economy. The area’s older settlement is often noted as Bengmara/Bangmara, which became important during the Matak (Motok/Muttack) Kingdom period; local histories describe it as a capital centre associated with Sarbananda Singha in the late 18th century.

A turning point came in the early 19th century with the rise of the Assam tea industry. District records mention that in 1823 tea plants were identified in the wider region, and the first tea plantation in Assam was started at Chabua (near present-day Tinsukia), helping transform the economy and settlement pattern of Upper Assam.

Another major milestone was connectivity: official district notes highlight the Dibru–Sadiya Railway (built by the Assam Railway & Trading Company) as a catalyst for economic development, with rail activity centred around Tinsukia. The town’s name is also popularly linked with a local landmark “Tinikunia Pukhuri” (three-cornered pond area) near which a station developed, after which the place became known as Tinsukia.

Administratively, Tinsukia district was created on 1 October 1989 by splitting it from Dibrugarh, with Tinsukia town as the headquarters.