Guwahati, Metropolitan center in Kamrup district, India
Guwahati is a large city on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River in Kamrup Metropolitan district, India. The settlement spreads across several hills and flat riverfront zones, with temples on raised ground and commercial areas along main roads.
The settlement began in the 2nd century BCE as Pragjyotishpura and grew into a trading hub under the Kamarupa kingdom. Later, the Ahom rulers controlled the area and expanded it with fortifications and water infrastructure.
Pilgrims visit the temple on the hill for rituals and offerings, while locals gather at riverfront ghats for daily ceremonies. In older neighborhoods, vendors sell Muga silk and Assam tea, products tied to generations of craft and trade.
The airport southwest of the center connects the city with major Indian hubs, while ferries cross the Brahmaputra at several points. Most temples and markets are accessible on foot or by rickshaw, with hilltop sites best visited in the morning.
The city holds several old water reservoirs called pukhuris, once used for defense and storage purposes. One of these served as a dock for river vessels during Ahom rule and is now surrounded by public parks.
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