Assam Assam, derived from the Sanskrit word 'asoma' meaning peerless, has something rare and special to offer at each turn. A land of natural beauty, cultural richness, home to diverse races (Austric, Mongoloid, Aryan and Dravidian) Assam offers a peculiar composite culture, of myriad hues. The capital, Guwahati, of north-eastern India's largest state, lies on the banks of the mighty and often turbulent Brahmaputra. Amidst Assam's verdant lushness are two important game sanctuaries, Manas and Kaziranga, best known for their population of one horned Indian rhinoceros. Much of the rest of the state is devoted to tea plantation which yield the strong Assam leaf popular all over the world.