Guwahati, Gauhati Tourism - Assam

The Gateway to Northeastern India, Guwahati is Assam's largest commercial and industrial city and an important link for tourists to halt before they head out to the North Eastern states. The original name for Guwahati was Pragjyotishpur meaning the City of Eastern Light, on account of it being an important kingdom during the Mahabharata era. It owes its present name to the Assamese words, guwa meaning areca nut, and haat meaning market. Archeological excavations at Ambari, trace the city back to the 6^th century, when it was known as Pragjyotishpura and then Durjoya, under different reigning dynasties of Varman and Pala of the Kingdom of Kamarupa. It was also said to be the naval base for the Varman rulers in the 7^th century. With each dynasty the city had a new name but retained its status as a Capital, and did so till the 11^th century. Between the 12^th to the 15^th century, when it came under the Mughal rule, it lost some of its importance and glory. It is said that Assam was attacked 17 times by the Mughals. The most famous battle was the Battle of Saraighat, where the Mughals were actually defeated sometime in the late 16^th century. The city also has an ancient tradition of tantric worship. There are several famous temples that attract pilgrims from all over India both in the city and on its outskirts.