View source for Guwahati

{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Guwahati
| other_name         = Gauhati
| settlement_type    = [[Metropolis]]
| image_skyline      = 
{{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| total_width              = 270
| image_style =
| perrow = 1/2/2/2/1
| image1 = Guwahati_citysky.jpg
| caption1 = Guwahati Aerial View
| image2 = Guwahati Planetarium.jpg
| caption2 = [[Guwahati Planetarium]]
| image3 = Guwahati Ropeway car View.jpg
| caption3 = Guwahati Ropeway Car
| image4 = MG 2907-1 Guwahati Club.jpg 
| caption4 = Guwahati Club Area
| image5 = IIT Guwahati.jpg
| caption5 = [[IIT Guwahati]]
| image6 = Kamakhya Temple - DEV 8829.jpg
| caption6 = [[Kamakhya Temple]]

}}
| image_caption      = 
| image_seal         = 
| seal_alt           = 
| nicknames          = Gateway to Northeast India,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/sep/28/insider-guide-guwahati-gateway-india-northeast|title=An insider's guide to Guwahati: more than just a gateway to India's northeast|work=The Guardian|date=28 September 2015|access-date=5 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004215757/http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/sep/28/insider-guide-guwahati-gateway-india-northeast|archive-date=4 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> City of Temples, Light of the East<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kamrupmetro.nic.in/indexmain.asp |title=Kamrup Metro District |publisher=Kamrup(M) District Administration |access-date=5 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911190123/http://kamrupmetro.nic.in/indexmain.asp |archive-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>
| image_map          = 
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = India Assam#India#Asia
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_alt    = Kamrup
| pushpin_map_caption = Map of Assam
| coordinates        = {{coord|26|10|20|N|91|44|45|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{Flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Assam]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of regions of India|Region]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Lower Assam]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Kamrup Metropolitan district]]
| established_title  = <!-- Established -->
| established_date   = 
| founder            = 
| named_for          = 
| government_type    = [[Municipal Corporation]]
| governing_body     = [[Guwahati Municipal Corporation]]
| leader_title2      = Municipal Commissioner
| leader_name2       = Megha Nidhi Dahal, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]
| leader_title3      = Police Commissioner
| leader_name3       =  Partha Sarathi Mahanta, [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]
| area_footnotes     = <ref name='Guwahati City'>{{cite web|title=Guwahati City|url=https://gscl.assam.gov.in/information-services/guwahati-biodiversity}}</ref><ref name="The Telegraph">{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150101/jsp/northeast/story_6181.jsp#.VffzEfmqpBc |title=Magisterial powers for Guwahati top cop |work=The Telegraph|access-date=15 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930233628/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150101/jsp/northeast/story_6181.jsp#.VffzEfmqpBc |archive-date=30 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 216
| area_metro_km2     = 1528
| area_metro_footnotes = <ref name='GMDA'>{{cite web|title=GMDA|url=https://gmda.assam.gov.in/about-us/what-we-do-0}}</ref>
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 50-680 <!-- Google Earth elevation scale, from Pandu Ghat to Ahom Gaon near ISBT. Do not modify. Average elevation is a nonsensical measure for a hilly city; thus, altitude extremities carry valuable meaning. Similar is done with most hilly or mountainous cities on the planet. From Tehran to Los Angeles to Zurich to even Delhi. -->
| elevation_ft       = 164-2231
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/191-guwahati.html |title=Guwahati City Census |publisher=censusindia.gov.in |access-date=15 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923201746/http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/191-guwahati.html |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_total   = 957,352
| population_as_of   = 2011<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://populationstat.com/india/gauhati |title = Population of Guwahati 2020 (Demographic, Facts, Etc) – India Population 2020}}</ref>
| population_rank    = [[List of most populous cities in India|47th]]
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_metro_footnotes = 
| population_metro   = 
| population_demonym = Guwahatian
| timezone1          = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1        = +5:30
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code        = 781 0xx
| area_code_type     = Telephone code
| area_code          = +91 - (0) 361
| iso_code           = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|IN-AS]]
| registration_plate = AS-01 (Kamrup Metro) / AS-25 (Kamrup Rural and Dispur)
| blank5_name_sec1   = GDP {{nobold|(2020–21)}}
| blank5_info_sec1   = {{INRConvert|0.48|lc}}<ref name="Guwahati City Overview">{{cite web|url=https://metroverse.cid.harvard.edu/city/9915/overview|title=Guwahati City Overview|access-date=26 January 2022}}</ref>
| blank6_name_sec1   = GDP per capita {{nobold|(2020–21)}}
| blank6_info_sec1   = {{INRConvert|487572}}<ref name="Guwahati City Overview">{{cite web|url=https://metroverse.cid.harvard.edu/city/9915/overview|title=Guwahati City Overview|access-date=26 January 2022}}</ref>
| blank1_name_sec1   = [[Human Development Index|HDI]]
| blank1_info_sec1   = {{increase}} 0.703 {{color|green|high}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.okd.in/downloads/assam_hdr_30sep2016.pdf|title=Archived copy|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322195446/http://okd.in/downloads/assam_hdr_30sep2016.pdf|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
| blank2_name_sec1   = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]
| blank2_info_sec1   = 940 [[female|♀]]/ 1000 [[male|♂]]
| blank3_name_sec1   = City animal
| blank3_info_sec1   = [[South Asian river dolphin|Gangetic river Dolphin]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Gangetic-river-dolphin-to-be-city-animal-of-Guwahati/articleshow/52623206.cms|title=Gangetic river dolphin to be city animal of Guwahati|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=14 June 2017|date=6 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117094324/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Gangetic-river-dolphin-to-be-city-animal-of-Guwahati/articleshow/52623206.cms|archive-date=17 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
| blank1_name_sec2   = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank1_info_sec2   = [[Humid subtropical climate|Cwa]]
| blank2_name_sec2   = [[Precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]]
| blank2_info_sec2   = {{convert|2054|mm|in}}
| blank3_name_sec2   = {{nowrap|[[Official language]]}}
| blank3_info_sec2   = [[Assamese language|Assamese
]]
| blank4_name_sec2   = [[Literacy in India|Literacy]]
| blank4_info_sec2   = 91.47%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/191-guwahati.html |title=Guwahati City Census 2011 data |publisher=Census2011.co.in |access-date=2014-09-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923201746/http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/191-guwahati.html |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://gmc.assam.gov.in//}}
| official_name      = Guwahati City
| leader_title       = [[Guwahati Municipal Corporation|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Mrigen Sarania
| leader_party       = [[BJP]]
| leader_title1      = Deputy Mayor
| leader_name1       = Ibemcha Singha
}}

'''Guwahati''' ({{IPA|as|ɡua.ɦa.ti|lang}}) the largest city of the [[Indian state]] of [[Assam]], and also the largest [[metropolis]] in northeastern India. [[Dispur]], the capital of Assam, is in the circuit city region located within Guwahati and is the seat of the [[Government of Assam]]. The [[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport]] is the 12th [[List of the busiest airports in India|busiest in India]], and the busiest in the North-East of the country.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-12-28 |title=A Year Of Many Milestones For NE’s Busiest Airport |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/a-year-of-many-milestones-for-nes-busiest-airport/articleshow/116749721.cms |access-date=2025-03-28 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> A major riverine port city along with hills, and one of the fastest growing<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Choudhury|first=Rekha|date=2010-12-31|title=Floating population in Guwahati and its impact on the city's environment|url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/10603/67544|journal=University|language=English}}</ref> cities in [[India]], Guwahati is situated on the south bank of the [[Brahmaputra]].<ref name="Capital of Assam">{{cite web |url=https://online.assam.gov.in/web/guest/capitalofassam |title=Capital of Assam |publisher=Assam Online Portal |access-date=31 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807175846/http://online.assam.gov.in/web/guest/capitalofassam |archive-date=7 August 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The city is known as the "gateway to North East India".<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 27, 2011|title=Guwahati a gateway to the exotic North East|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/Guwahati-a-gateway-to-the-exotic-North-East/articleshow/16183684.cms|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Mumbai Mirror|language=en}}</ref>

The ancient cities of [[Pragjyotishpura]] and [[Durjaya]] ([[North Guwahati]]) were the capitals of the ancient state of [[Kamarupa]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://online.assam.gov.in/history | title=History | publisher=Government of Assam | access-date=14 June 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521185459/http://online.assam.gov.in/history | archive-date=21 May 2013 | url-status=dead}}</ref>
Many ancient Hindu temples like the [[Kamakhya Temple]], [[Ugratara Devalaya|Ugratara Temple]], [[Basistha Temple]], [[Doul Govinda Temple]], [[Umananda Temple]], [[Navagraha temples#Navagraha temple in Assam|Navagraha Temple]], [[Sukreswar Temple]], [[Rudreswar Temple]], [[Manikarneswar Devalaya]], Aswaklanta Temple, [[Dirgheshwari temple|Dirgheshwari Temple]], [[Lankeshwar Temple]], Bhubaneswari Temple, Shree Ganesh Mandir, Shree Panchayatana Temple, Noonmati, and the like, are situated in the city, giving it the title of "The City of Temples".<ref name=" About Guwahati">{{cite web|url=http://www.guwahationline.in/city-guide/About-Guwahati|title=About Guwahati|publisher=guwahationline.in|access-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016012942/http://www.guwahationline.in/city-guide/about-guwahati|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The noted [[Madan Kamdev]] is situated {{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=off}} from Guwahati.

Guwahati lies between the banks of the [[Brahmaputra River]] and the foothills of the [[Shillong]] plateau, with [[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport|LGB International Airport]] to the west and the town of [[Narengi]] to the east. The [[North Guwahati]] area, to the northern bank of the Brahmaputra, is being gradually incorporated into the city limits. The [[Guwahati Municipal Corporation]], the city's local government, administers an area of {{convert|216|km2}}.<ref name="Guwahati City" /> At the same time, the [[Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority]] (GMDA) is the planning and development body of Greater Guwahati Metropolitan Area.<ref name="GMDA" /> Guwahati is the largest city in [[Northeast India]].<ref name="The Telegraph"/>

The Guwahati region hosts diverse wildlife including rare animals such as [[Asian elephant|Asian elephants]], [[Pythonidae|pythons]], [[Tiger|tigers]], [[rhinoceros]], [[gaur]]s, primate species, and endangered birds.<ref>Choudhury, A.U. (2002). Big cats, elephant, rhino and gaur in Guwahati. ''The Rhino Found. NE India Newsletter'' 4:16-19.</ref><ref>Choudhury, A.U. (2003). Guwahati: the city of Adjutants and other endangered birds. ''The Rhino Found. NE India Newsletter'' 5:14-17.</ref>

== Etymology ==
Guwahati derives its name from the Assamese word "Guwa" ({{langx|as|গুৱা|links=no}}) derived from the [[Sanskrit]] word Guvaka, meaning [[areca nut]] and its plant and "Hati" ({{langx|as|হাটী|links=no}}) meaning rows, the rows of [[areca nut]] trees.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sharma|first=Mukunda Madhava|title=Inscriptions of Ancient Assam|publisher=Department of Publication, Gauhati University|year=1978|pages=137|quote=It is also significant that the capital city of Pragjyotisa has derived its modern name Gauhati (As. Guva&#773;ha&#773;ti) from rows of ta&#773;mbu&#773;la tree. Guva&#773; ( = skt. guva&#773;ka= ta&#773;mbu&#773;la)+ha&#773;ti&#773; ( = rows).}}</ref>

==History==

===Ancient history===
The 10th-12th century [[Kalika Purana]] mention that [[Kamrup region|Kamrup]] was inhabited by strong, cruel [[Kirata]] people.<ref>{{harvcol|Shin|2019|p=320}} According to the Kalika Puranaa, 'that country [Kamarupa], inhabited by the strong, cruel and foolish Kirata people, was kept concealed by Siva in the past for using as his own province' (Shastri 1992: chapter 38, 101)</ref> As per the legends constructed in the [[Yogini Tantra]], the tank [[Dighalipukhuri]] located in the heart of the city was dug by [[Bhagadatta|King Bhagadatta]] of [[Kamarupa|Kamrup]] on the occasion of the wedding of his daughter Bhanumati with [[Duryodhana|Duryodhan]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Karmakar |first=Rahul |date=2018-07-24 |title=At Duryodhana's pond |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/at-duryodhanas-pond/article24505360.ece |access-date=2022-06-11 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Located within Guwahati is the Shakti temple of Goddess [[Kamakhya Temple|Kamakhya]] in Nilachal hill (an important seat of [[tantra|Tantric]] and [[Vajrayana]] [[Buddhism]]), the ancient and unique astrological temple Navagraha in Chitrachal Hill, and archaeological remains in [[Basistha]] and other archaeological locations of mythological importance.<ref name="Guwahati">{{cite web|url=http://www.guwahatitimes.com/guwahati/guwahati.html|title=Guwahati|publisher=guwahatitimes.com|access-date=9 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208185823/http://www.guwahatitimes.com/guwahati/guwahati.html|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Kamakhya Temple - DEV 8829.jpg|left|thumb|A view of [[Kamakhya Temple]]]]

The [[Ambari]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jan2316/at055|title=Civilisation existed in Guwahati between 2nd, 1st century BC|date=22 January 2016|work=The Assam Tribune|access-date=27 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127024137/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jan2316%2Fat055|archive-date=27 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> excavations trace the period of the city of Guwahati between the 2nd century BCE and the 1st century CE, in the [[Shunga Empire|Shunga]]-[[Kushan Empire|Kushana]] period of [[History of India|Indian history]]. Descriptions by [[Xuanzang]] (Hiuen Tsang) reveal that during the reign of the Varman king [[Bhaskaravarman]] (7th century CE), the city stretched for about 30 ''li'' ({{cvt|15|km|disp=or}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://enajori.com/assam-in-the-eyes-of-hiuen-tsiang-avinibesh-sharma|title=Assam in the eyes of Hiuen Tsang|publisher=enajori.com|access-date=18 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812032520/http://enajori.com/assam-in-the-eyes-of-hiuen-tsiang-avinibesh-sharma/|archive-date=12 August 2015}}</ref> Archaeological evidence by excavations in Ambari, and excavated brick walls and houses discovered during construction of the present [[Cotton College, Guwahati|Cotton College]]'s auditorium suggest the city was of economic and strategic importance until the 9th–11th century CE.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://online.assam.gov.in/web/guest/history|title=History|publisher=Assam Online Portal|access-date=18 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002154140/https://online.assam.gov.in/web/guest/history|archive-date=2 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Medieval history===
{{Main article|Ahom–Mughal conflicts}}

[[Koch Hajo|Koch]] King Parikshit had his capital at Pragjyotishpur near the Aswatirtha during the conflicts with [[Mughals]]. It came under Mughal occupation between (1633–59, 1662–69, 1679–81), their vestige was completely removed after the [[Battle of Itakhuli]].

Guwahati was the headquarters of the [[Borphukan]], Ahom governor of [[Lower Assam division|Lower Assam]] till 1824.The Borphukan's residence was in the present [[Fancy Bazaar]] area and his council-hall, called ''Dopdar'', was about 300 yards (270 m) to the west of the [[Bharalu River|Bharalu]] stream.The Majindar Baruah, the personal secretary of the Borphukan, had his residence in the present-day deputy commissioner's residence.<ref name="Guwahati2">{{cite web|title=Guwahati|url=http://www.guwahatitimes.com/guwahati/guwahati.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208185823/http://www.guwahatitimes.com/guwahati/guwahati.html|archive-date=8 December 2015|access-date=9 November 2015|publisher=guwahatitimes.com}}</ref> During [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom]] period Guwahati was fortified strongly and connected with the country with a number of roads.<ref>{{cite news|author=Reporter, Staff|date=11 May 2009|title=Ambari excavation site reveals the age of Guwahati|work=The Assam Tribune|location=Guwahati|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=may1109/City8|url-status=dead|access-date=12 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213217/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=may1109%2FCity8|archive-date=4 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Saikh Md Sabah Al-Ahmed|title=The Tales of Ponds|work=The Assam Tribune|location=Guwahati|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/may3009/horizon.html|url-status=dead|access-date=12 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119053923/http://www.assamtribune.com/may3009/horizon.html|archive-date=19 January 2012}}</ref> The [[Dighalipukhuri]] was used as a boatyard during this period.<ref name="Guwahati22">{{cite web |title=Guwahati |url=http://www.guwahatitimes.com/guwahati/guwahati.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208185823/http://www.guwahatitimes.com/guwahati/guwahati.html |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=9 November 2015 |publisher=guwahatitimes.com}}</ref> During the time of splendor, since the reign of [[Gadadhar Singha]], the Ahom rulers paid  their attention to building several temples in various religious sites at Guwahati.<ref>{{cite news |author=Reporter, Staff |date=11 May 2009 |title=Ambari excavation site reveals the age of Guwahati |work=The Assam Tribune |location=Guwahati |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=may1109/City8 |url-status=dead |access-date=12 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213217/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=may1109%2FCity8 |archive-date=4 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Saikh Md Sabah Al-Ahmed |title=The Tales of Ponds |work=The Assam Tribune |location=Guwahati |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/may3009/horizon.html |url-status=dead |access-date=12 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119053923/http://www.assamtribune.com/may3009/horizon.html |archive-date=19 January 2012}}</ref>

===Colonial history===
{{Main article|Colonial Assam}}
On the [[British annexation of Assam|cession of Assam to the British]] in 1826, it was made the seat of the British administration of Assam, and so continued until 1874, when the headquarters were removed to [[Shillong]] in the [[Khasi hills]].<ref>{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Gauhati|volume=11|page=532}}</ref>

===Modern history===
{{Expand section|with=late colonial history and transition to independence|date=December 2022}}
The [[Gauhati High Court]] (formerly known as the [[Gauhati High Court|High Court of Assam)]] was promulgated on 1 March 1948 by the then Governor General of India, [[Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma|Lord Mountbatten]], in accordance with the [[Government of India Act 1935]]. It became effective on 5 April 1948 and was initially established for the Province of Assam. [[R.F. Lodge]] was the inaugural Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, taking office on 5 April 1948.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History – THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT |url=https://ghconline.gov.in/index.php/history/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=ghconline.gov.in}}</ref>

The [[Saraighat Bridge]], notable for its role in connecting [[Northeast India]] with the rest of the country, was constructed between 1959 and 1962 by the [[Hindustan Construction Company]] at a cost of approximately {{INR}} 106 million at the time. It was completed in September 1962, and the first engine crossed it on 23 September 1962.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Kangkan Kalita|date=Nov 7, 2012 |title=50 years of Saraighat bridge   |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/50-years-of-saraighat-bridge/articleshow/17121361.cms |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

In 1972, due to [[States and union territories of India|separation of Meghalaya from Assam]], the capital of Assam was moved to [[Dispur]], a neighbourhood in Guwahati from the erstwhile capital of Shillong.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Assam History {{!}} Assam State Portal |url=https://assam.gov.in/about-us/394 |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=assam.gov.in}}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Peacock Island , Photo by Vikramjit Kakati 2012.jpg|left|thumb|The smallest inhabited riverine island in the world, Peacock Island, on the Brahmaputra river]]

The [[Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra river]] flows to the north of the metropolis. The city is bordered on the south by the foothills of the Shillong plateau and to the east by the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary. The [[Bharalu River]], a tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows right through the heart of the city. To the south-west of the city lies [[Dipor Bil]], a permanent freshwater lake with no prominent inflows apart from monsoon run-off from the hills to the south of the lake. The lake drains into the Brahmaputra, {{cvt|5|km}} to the north, and acts as a natural stormwater reservoir for the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guwahationline.in/city-guide/geography-of-guwahati|title=Geography of Guwahati|publisher=Guwahati Online Portal|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017113955/http://www.guwahationline.in/city-guide/geography-of-guwahati|archive-date=17 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.maharashtraweb.com/Assam/Cities/Guwahati/geographyofguwahati.asp| title=Geographical Profile of Guwahati| publisher=Maharashtra Web Portal| access-date=15 September 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070118000337/http://www.maharashtraweb.com/Assam/Cities/Guwahati/geographyofguwahati.asp| archive-date=18 January 2007| url-status=live}}</ref> There are also multiple hills within the city limits.

=== Urban morphology ===
[[File:Guwahati urban morphology.svg|thumb|Guwahati's urban morphology|alt=]]

Guwahati's 'urban form' radiates from a central core with growth corridors radiating and extending towards the south, east, and west. In the past few decades, southern Guwahati areas such as Ganeshguri, Beltola, Hatigaon, Six Mile, and Panjabari began forming a southern sub-center surrounding the capital complex at Dispur. The core area<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/jul1109/horizon.html |title=Assam Tribune online |publisher=Assamtribune.com |author=TI Trade |access-date=12 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222213058/http://www.assamtribune.com/jul1109/horizon.html |archive-date=22 February 2011 }}</ref> consists of the old city with [[Pan Bazaar]], [[Paltan Bazaar]], [[Fancy Bazaar]] and [[Uzan Bazaar]], with each area facilitating unique urban activities.<ref name="Capital of Assam" /><ref name="Guwahati's Urban Morphology">{{cite web|url=https://online.assam.gov.in/web/guest/urban|title=Guwahati's Urban Morphology|publisher=Assam Online Portal|access-date=31 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001020943/https://online.assam.gov.in/web/guest/urban|archive-date=1 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Among the city corridors, the most important is the corridor formed along the Guwahati-Shillong (GS) Road towards the south (almost {{cvt|15|km|disp=sqbr}} from the city-center). The GS Road corridor is an important commercial area with retail, wholesale and commercial offices developed along the main road; it is also a densely built residential area in the inner parts. The capital complex of Assam at [[Dispur]] is situated in this corridor. This corridor has facilitated the growth of a southern city sub-center at Ganeshguri, along with other residential areas to the south developed during the past few decades.<ref name="Capital of Assam" /><ref name="Guwahati's Urban Morphology" />

The corridor extending towards the west (around {{cvt|30|km|disp=sqbr}} from the city center) contains a rail-road linking not only Guwahati but also other parts of the northeastern region east of Guwahati to western Assam and the rest of India. The corridor links residential and historically important areas such as Nilachal Hill (Kamakhya), Pandu, and Maligaon (headquarters of Northeast Frontier Railways) before it separates into two – one towards North Guwahati via the [[Saraighat]] Bridge and the other continuing west towards LGB International Airport via [[Gauhati University]] (Jalukbari). There are also many river ports/jetties along this corridor.<ref name="Capital of Assam" /><ref name="Guwahati's Urban Morphology" />

The third major corridor extends towards the east (around {{convert|15|km|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}} from the city-center) linking Noonmati ([[Guwahati Refinery]]) and Narengi, and has facilitated residential growth along with it. Highway NH-37, which encircles the city's southern parts and links the southern corridor in Noumile to the western corridor in Jalukbari is currently supporting rapid development. Similarly, the VIP Road linking Zoo Road with the eastern corridor and recently completed Hengerabari-Narengi Road are also supporting massive residential development to the east.<ref name="Capital of Assam" /><ref name="Guwahati's Urban Morphology" />

Guwahati is one among 98 Indian cities proposed to become [[Smart city|Smart Cities]] under a project embarked on by [[Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs|Ministry of Urban Development]], Government of India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=aug2815/at051|title=Guwahati among 7 NE Smart Cities|date=28 August 2015|publisher=The Assam Tribune|access-date=29 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831003453/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=aug2815%2Fat051|archive-date=31 August 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/article/economy/smart-cities-list-check-which-cities-have-been-selected-in-pm-modis-smart-city-mission/126368/|title=Smart City full list|date=28 August 2015|publisher=The Financial Express|access-date=29 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829023006/http://www.financialexpress.com/article/economy/smart-cities-list-check-which-cities-have-been-selected-in-pm-modis-smart-city-mission/126368/|archive-date=29 August 2015}}</ref>

===Climate===
Guwahati has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cwa''), falling just short of a [[tropical savanna climate]] (Köppen climate classification ''Aw'').<ref name="Peel">{{cite journal | last1=Peel |first1= M. C. |last2= Finlayson |first2= B. L. |last3=McMahon |first3=T. A. | year=2007 | title=Updated world map of the Köppen–Geiger climate classification | journal=Hydrology and Earth System Sciences | volume=11 | issue=5 | pages=1633–1644 | doi=10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007 |bibcode= 2007HESS...11.1633P | url=http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf | issn=1027-5606 | access-date=16 September 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203170339/http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf | archive-date=3 February 2012 | url-status=live| doi-access=free }}</ref>

Highest recorded temperature: {{Convert|40.6|C|F|abbr=on}} on 24 April 2014.<ref name="NCEI">{{cite web |title=WMO Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Guwahati |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/India/XLS/GUWAHATI_42410.xlsx |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=[[NOAA]] |access-date=22 March 2024 |format=XLSX |quote=WMO number: 42410}}</ref>

Lowest recorded temperature: {{Convert|3.0|C|F|abbr=on}} on 30 January 1964.<ref name="NCEI"/>

{{Weather box
| location = Guwahati ([[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport]]) (1991–2020, extremes 1951–present)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 29.8
| Feb record high C = 35.7
| Mar record high C = 38.6
| Apr record high C = 40.6
| May record high C = 40.3
| Jun record high C = 39.0
| Jul record high C = 38.4
| Aug record high C = 39.2
| Sep record high C = 38.0
| Oct record high C = 37.0
| Nov record high C = 33.4
| Dec record high C = 30.9
| year record high C = 40.6
| Jan high C = 23.9
| Feb high C = 27.0
| Mar high C = 30.5
| Apr high C = 31.2
| May high C = 31.8
| Jun high C = 32.6
| Jul high C = 32.8
| Aug high C = 33.2
| Sep high C = 32.5
| Oct high C = 31.3
| Nov high C = 28.5
| Dec high C = 25.4
| year high C = 30.0
| Jan mean C = 17.4
| Feb mean C = 20.0
| Mar mean C = 23.5
| Apr mean C = 25.7
| May mean C = 27.3
| Jun mean C = 28.7
| Jul mean C = 29.3
| Aug mean C = 29.5
| Sep mean C = 28.6
| Oct mean C = 26.7
| Nov mean C = 22.8
| Dec mean C = 19.0
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C = 10.8
| Feb low C = 13.0
| Mar low C = 16.5
| Apr low C = 20.3
| May low C = 22.9
| Jun low C = 25.2
| Jul low C = 25.9
| Aug low C = 25.8
| Sep low C = 24.9
| Oct low C = 22.3
| Nov low C = 17.2
| Dec low C = 12.6
| year low C = 19.7
| Jan record low C = 3.0
| Feb record low C = 5.3
| Mar record low C = 8.5
| Apr record low C = 10.3
| May record low C = 16.4
| Jun record low C = 20.4
| Jul record low C = 20.6
| Aug record low C = 20.8
| Sep record low C = 19.9
| Oct record low C = 13.8
| Nov record low C = 10.0
| Dec record low C = 4.9
| year record low C = 3.0
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 11.5
| Feb rain mm = 18.0
| Mar rain mm = 52.5
| Apr rain mm = 182.1
| May rain mm = 253.0
| Jun rain mm = 314.0
| Jul rain mm = 283.4
| Aug rain mm = 264.3
| Sep rain mm = 184.5
| Oct rain mm = 117.9
| Nov rain mm = 9.6
| Dec rain mm = 4.6
| year rain mm = 1695.3
| unit precipitation days =  0.3 mm
| Jan precipitation days  =2.1
| Feb precipitation days  =3.2
| Mar precipitation days  =5.7
| Apr precipitation days  =15.2
| May precipitation days  =18.7
| Jun precipitation days  =20
| Jul precipitation days  =21.2
| Aug precipitation days  =18.2
| Sep precipitation days  =14.4
| Oct precipitation days  =7.4
| Nov precipitation days  =1.8
| Dec precipitation days  =1.2
| year precipitation days =
| Jan rain days = 1.1
| Feb rain days = 1.9
| Mar rain days = 4.4
| Apr rain days = 10.6
| May rain days = 14.2
| Jun rain days = 14.6
| Jul rain days = 15.2
| Aug rain days = 12.3
| Sep rain days = 9.7
| Oct rain days = 4.8
| Nov rain days = 0.7
| Dec rain days = 0.5
| year rain days = 90.0
| Jan humidity = 72
| Feb humidity = 59
| Mar humidity = 51
| Apr humidity = 62
| May humidity = 71
| Jun humidity = 78
| Jul humidity = 80
| Aug humidity = 81
| Sep humidity = 82
| Oct humidity = 79
| Nov humidity = 77
| Dec humidity = 76
| year humidity = 72
| Jan sun = 225.5
| Feb sun = 213.8
| Mar sun = 220.1
| Apr sun = 200.6
| May sun = 191.1
| Jun sun = 133.1
| Jul sun = 123.7
| Aug sun = 161.6
| Sep sun = 139.0
| Oct sun = 205.8
| Nov sun = 230.9
| Dec sun = 231.7
| year sun = 2276.9
| source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]] (1991-2020)<ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web
| url = https://cdsp.imdpune.gov.in/extremes_1991_2020/?stn=42410
| title = Station: Gauhati (A) (Bhorjar) Climatological Table 1991–2020
| work = Climatological Normals 1991–2020
| publisher = National Data Centre, India Meteorological Department, Pune
| date = August 2022
| pages = NIL
| access-date = 29 August 2022}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[NOAA]] (sun 1971–1990,<ref name= NOAA>{{Cite FTP | url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_II/IN/42410.TXT
| server = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| title = Guwahati Climate Normals 1971–1990
| access-date = 20 April 2015}}</ref> precipitation days<ref name="NCEI"/>) Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1991–2020)<ref name=TCC>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200229205021/https://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/tcc/tcc/products/climate/normal/parts/NrmMonth_e.php?stn=42410
| archive-date = 29 February 2020
| url = https://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/tcc/tcc/products/climate/normal/parts/NrmMonth_e.php?stn=42410
| title = Normals Data: Guwahati - India Latitude: 26.10°N Longitude: 91.58°E Height: 54 (m)
| publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency
| access-date = 20 October 2024}}</ref>
| source = 
}}Guwahati has been ranked 36th best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 2 3-10L Population cities) in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 September 2024 |title=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 |url=https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/ncapServices/robust/fetchFilesFromDrive/Swachh_Vayu_Survekshan_2024_Result.pdf |website=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
[[File:Sarania-hills-brahmaputra.jpg|right|thumb|City view from Sarania Hill]]
The city has a comparatively high quality of life. A 2006 survey ranked Guwahati 17th among all the large and medium-sized Indian cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookmoney.com/article.aspx?93579|title=Urban Matrix: India's Top 50 Cities Ranked on Quality of Life|publisher=Outlook Money|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924062644/http://www.outlookmoney.com/article.aspx?93579|archive-date=24 September 2015|access-date=15 September 2015}}</ref> The city provides competitive residential and working environments with beautiful landscapes, pleasant climate, modern shopping areas, modern apartments, and bungalows, and considerably developed social infrastructure. A centrally funded four-lane, ambitious East-West Corridor will pass through Guwahati and connect all the state capitals of [[Northeast India]]. Completion of the project will boost the vital upliftment of the whole region.<ref name="Capital of Assam" />

[[File:CIty Center Mall Guwahati.jpg|thumb|City Center Mall, GS Road, Guwahati]]

The city still needs attention to improve its infrastructure. Funding from the [[Asian Development Bank]] is providing assistance to improve Guwahati's transportation infrastructure along with a substantial amount from [[Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission]] (JNNURM) for its development.<ref name="Capital of Assam" />

==Administration and governance==
[[File:View of Guwahati city from atop Nilachal hill.jpg|thumb|Guwahati city]]
Dispur, the capital of Assam, lies in Guwahati. The passing of the Northeastern (Reorganization Areas) Act in 1971 by the [[Indian Parliament]] accorded [[Meghalaya]] the status of a full-fledged state. After the creation of Meghalaya as a separate state, Shillong continued to be the joint capital of both Assam and Meghalaya. However, in 1972, the Government of Assam decided to shift the capital to Dispur. Accordingly, the first sitting of the Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly was held at Dispur on 16 March 1973.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://assamassembly.gov.in/history.html| title=Assam Legislative Assembly - History| publisher=assamassembly.gov.in| access-date=10 November 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919195931/http://www.assamassembly.gov.in/history.html| archive-date=19 September 2015| url-status=live}}</ref> Dispur houses the Secretariat of Assam Government, the Assam Assembly House, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Regional Office, the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) House and the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/assam/dispur-city-map.html |title=Dispur Map |publisher=Maps of India |access-date=16 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912054518/http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/assam/dispur-city-map.html |archive-date=12 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Guwahati Municipal Corporation]] is the local body responsible for governing, developing and managing the city. It is divided into 60 municipal wards.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Guwahati Municipal Corporation|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=13 April 2013 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/New-Guwahati-Municipal-Corporation-structure-gets-govt-approval/articleshow/19519161.cms|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831160412/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/New-Guwahati-Municipal-Corporation-structure-gets-govt-approval/articleshow/19519161.cms|archive-date=31 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority|Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA)]] is an agency responsible for planning and development of the greater Guwahati Metropolitan Area and for revising the Guwahati Master Plan and Building Bylaws to cover an area of {{convert|3214|km2}} by 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=GMDA Master Plan |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/GMDA-to-revise-master-plan-for-expanding-city-area/articleshow/22566530.cms |work=The Times of India|date=14 September 2013 |access-date=15 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102040054/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/GMDA-to-revise-master-plan-for-expanding-city-area/articleshow/22566530.cms |archive-date=2 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Guwahati consists of four assembly constituencies: Jalukbari, Dispur, Gauhati East and Gauhati West,<ref>{{cite web|title=Map of Assembly constituencies, Assam|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/assemblypolls/assam/|publisher=Maps of India|access-date=2 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322181937/http://www.mapsofindia.com/assemblypolls/assam/|archive-date=22 March 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> all of which are part of [[Gauhati (Lok Sabha constituency)]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S03/AS_ACPC.pdf
 |title=List of Parliamentary & Assembly Constituencies
 |access-date=5 October 2008
 |work=Assam
 |publisher=Election Commission of India
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060504181808/http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S03/AS_ACPC.pdf
 |archive-date=4 May 2006
}}</ref>

===Police===
Guwahati is the headquarters of [[Assam Police]].

The city is under the Police Commissionerate of Guwahati headed by the Commissioner of Police, Guwahati. It is divided into three districts: East Police District, Central Police District, and West Police District, each headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police. Each police district consists of officers, not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, functioning as executive magistrates within a said metropolitan area.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Guwahati-joins-big-cities-gets-police-commissioner/articleshow/45717894.cms| title=Guwahati gets police commissioner| work=The Times of India| date=January 2015| access-date=16 September 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606132707/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Guwahati-joins-big-cities-gets-police-commissioner/articleshow/45717894.cms| archive-date=6 June 2015| url-status=live}}</ref>

===Judiciary===
[[File:Vikramjit-Kakati-HC.jpg|thumb|The [[Gauhati High Court]]]]
Guwahati is the principal seat of the [[Gauhati High Court]]. It acts as the High Court of Assam and also of [[Nagaland]], [[Mizoram]] and [[Arunachal Pradesh]] with their outlying benches of [[Kohima]], [[Aizawl]] and [[Itanagar]], respectively. Gauhati High Court came in effect from 5 April 1948. It initially had its sittings at Shillong but was shifted to Gauhati from 14 August 1948.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://ghconline.gov.in| title=Gauhati High Court| publisher=Gauhati High Court| access-date=16 September 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913082403/http://www.ghconline.gov.in/| archive-date=13 September 2015| url-status=live}}</ref>

Guwahati also houses the Court of the District and Sessions Judge, Kamrup established in 1920. It is a lower court of the district judiciary having territorial jurisdiction over the greater Guwahati area only.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kamrup Metro District Judiciary |url=http://kamrupjudiciary.gov.in |publisher=Kamrup Metro District Judiciary |access-date=16 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208114205/http://kamrupjudiciary.gov.in/ |archive-date=8 December 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Problems===
==== Increase in population ====
In recent years, Guwahati has experienced rapid population growth due to migration for education and employment opportunities. This population increase has led to undesirable expansion of the city and has resulted in various collateral problems, such as the rise in the number of slums.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Kangkan Kalita|date=Feb 13, 2018 |title=Forced migration causing an increase in Guwahati slums   |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/forced-migration-causing-increase-in-guwahati-slums/articleshow/62897203.cms |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Problems of Guwahati">{{cite web|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=dec2610/city07|title=Problems of Guwahati|publisher=assamtribune.com|date=6 March 2015|access-date=2 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203041245/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=dec2610%2Fcity07|archive-date=3 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> It is projected that the population of Guwahati will reach 1.5 million by 2035, up from an estimated 1.1 million in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://populationstat.com/india/gauhati|title = Gauhati, India Population (2021) - Population Stat}}</ref>

==== Inflation ====
One of the economic problems that the citizens of Guwahati have to put up with is the hike in prices of many essentials, chiefly vegetables, poultry, and fish. The prices of these commodities keep escalating at an inordinate rate, so that consumers find it difficult to buy these items. Vegetables are transported into Assam from [[West Bengal]], [[Bihar]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Delhi]], [[Maharashtra]] and [[Meghalaya]] and the truckers en route have to pay substantial fees as tax at various check posts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=apr2814/city05 |title=Increasing prices of potato causing concern |publisher=The Assam Tribune |date=28 April 2014 |access-date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923175632/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=apr2814%2Fcity05 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/mdetails.asp?id=may0613/city06 |title=Govt yet to initiate action to check price rise |publisher=The Assam Tribune |date=6 May 2013 |access-date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200247/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/mdetails.asp?id=may0613%2Fcity06 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> It is one of the causes of rise in prices of vegetables in the markets of Guwahati. The prices of locally available vegetables and fruits undergo large [[Markup (business)|markup]] because of transportation expenses grounds, besides intra-State check posts taxes. In addition to these, the wholesale dealers, as well as the retail sellers, augment the prices of the commodities according to their own desires.

The price of poultry, mainly chicken, that reaches the city markets from places like [[Chaygaon]] and [[Barpeta district|Barpeta]] have been soaring rapidly because of similar factors. There has been steep rise in the price of fish as well, the prominent varieties of which being Rohu ("Rou"), Catla ("Bahu"), Walking catfish ("Magur") and Monopterus ("Kuchia") among many others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun3013/city05 |title=Abnormal rise in prices of foodstuff hits citizens |publisher=The Assam Tribune |date=30 June 2013 |access-date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923200125/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun3013%2Fcity05 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Rise-in-chicken-fish-prices-affects-locals/articleshow/20852487.cms|title=Rise in chicken, fish prices affects locals |work=The Times of India|date=1 July 2013 |access-date=21 August 2015}}</ref>

The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated inflation, causing food prices to rise.<ref>{{Cite web |agency=TNN|date=Oct 24, 2021 |title=Skyrocketing prices add fuel to Cov fire   |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/skyrocketing-prices-add-fuel-to-cov-fire/articleshow/87236853.cms |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

==== Flooding ====
According to experts, urban flooding in Guwahati in the near future is expected to worsen to the point where residents of certain areas may be forced to relocate. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the alteration of drainage channels and wetlands due to rapid urbanization has exacerbated the problem of flooding.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author=Mukut Das|date=Apr 10, 2021 |title='Guwahati floods will worsen, force people to abandon city'   |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/guwahati-floods-will-worsen-force-people-to-abandon-city/articleshow/82003356.cms |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

Professor Abani Kumar Bhagawati of Gauhati University stated that since before there were sufficient wetlands to absorb rainwater and channels to carry excess water to the Brahmaputra, the city did not experience floods. However, human interference has disrupted the natural topography, leading to the current situation where "just half an hour of rain" can cause flooding in the city. Encroachment and concretization, which reduce open areas for natural water absorption, are the primary causes of floods according to Bhagawati.<ref name=":0" />

==== Pollution ====
Guwahati was ranked the second most polluted city in the world in a 2023 report published by IQAir, behind [[Begusarai]] and ahead of [[Delhi]], reflecting India's status as the country with the third highest level of pollution after Bangladesh and Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-03-20 |title=‘Guwahati 2nd most polluted city in world last yr’ |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/guwahati-pollution-report-2nd-most-polluted-city-in-the-world-last-year/articleshow/108631089.cms |access-date=2024-10-17 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title       = Historical Guwahati city population
|type        = 
|footnote    =
|align       = center
|width       =
|state       =
|shading     =
|pop_name    =
|percentages =
|source      = Guwahati city historical demography<ref name="macrotrends.net">{{Cite web|url=https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/21261/gauhati/population|title = Gauhati, India Metro Area Population 1950-2021}}</ref>
|1951 | 45,000
|1961 | 138,000
|1971 | 203,000
|1981 | 348,000
|1991 | 591,000
|2001 | 818,809
|2011 | 962,334
|2021 | 1,135,000
}}
{{bar box
|title=Religions in Guwahati (2011)<ref name="Religion">{{cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-01 Population By Religion: Assam |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11365/download/14478/DDW18C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=census.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in Assam|Hinduism]]|darkorange|84.74}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in Assam|Islam]]|green|12.45}}
{{bar percent|[[Jainism in Assam|Jainism]]|pink|0.96}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity in Assam|Christianity]]|dodgerblue|0.93}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.92}}
}}

===Population===


Guwahati is one of the fastest-growing cities in India.<ref name="Capital of Assam"/> 
Guwahati has a population of 962,334 as per the 2011 census. Population of Guwahati in 2021 is estimated to be 11 lakhs (approx).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.findeasy.in/population-of-guwahati/ |title = Population of Guwahati 2021 {{!}} Guwahati City Population| date=21 July 2020 }}</ref><ref name="macrotrends.net">{{Cite web|url=https://www.macrotrends.net/cities/21261/gauhati/population|title = Gauhati, India Metro Area Population 1950-2021}}</ref> It is estimated that Guwahati metro will house 2.8&nbsp;million residents by 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmda.co.in/maps/part2.pdf|title=Masterplan for Guwahati|publisher=GMDA|access-date=15 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630012955/http://gmda.co.in/maps/part2.pdf|archive-date=30 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2016}}

===Literacy and sex ratio===
The percentage of the child population (0-14) in Guwahati was 9.40% in 2011. The average literacy rate was stated to be 91.47% with male literacy at 94.24% and female literacy at 88.50%. The sex ratio was recorded to be 933 females per 1000 males and child sex ratio to be 940 girls per 1000 boys.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/191-guwahati.html|title= Guwahati city population census 2011|publisher= census 2011|access-date= 24 October 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150923201746/http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/191-guwahati.html|archive-date= 23 September 2015|url-status= live}}</ref>

=== Languages ===

{{Pie chart 
|thumb = left
|caption = Languages spoken in Guwahati (2011)<ref name="languages"/>
|label1 = [[Assamese language|Assamese]] |value1 = 57.80 |color1 = purple
|label2 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]] |value2 = 20.40 |color2 = orchid
|label3 = [[Hindi]] |value3 = 12.29 |color3 = orange
|label4 = [[Nepali language|Nepali]] |value4 = 1.92 |color4 = pink
|label5 = [[Boro language (India)|Boro]] |value5 = 1.69 |color5 = royalblue
|label6 = [[Meitei language|Manipuri]] |value6 = 0.91 |color6 = lightsteelblue
|label7 = [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]] |value7 = 0.90 |color7 = gold
|label8 = Others |value8 = 4.09 |color8 = grey
}}
According to the 2011 census, there were around 962,334 people living in Guwahati city, of which around 57.80% spoke [[Assamese language|Assamese]], 20.40% [[Bengali language|Bengali]], 12.29% [[Hindi]], 1.92% [[Nepali language|Nepali]], 1.69% [[Boro language (India)|Boro]], 0.91% [[Meitei language|Manipuri]] and 0.90% [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]] as their first language.<ref name="languages">{{cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-16 Population By Mother Tongue: Assam |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10244/download/13356/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

== Education ==
{{Further|List of educational institutions in Guwahati}}
[[File:Cotton College , Guwahati , Assam, India.jpg|thumb|right|[[Cotton University]]]]
[[File:Vikramjit Kakati 2011.jpg|thumb|right|[[IIT Guwahati]]]]
Guwahati is the central educational hub of Northeast India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://online.assam.gov.in/web/guest/education|title=Education|publisher=assam.gov.in|access-date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729003231/http://online.assam.gov.in/web/guest/education|archive-date=29 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Among the esteemed institutions is the [[Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati]] (IIT), an autonomous institute dedicated in the field of technical studies in India. [[Cotton University]], erstwhile [[Cotton College, Guwahati|Cotton College]] is yet another century-old institution in the fields of Science and Arts.

Guwahati has numerous educational institutes and colleges such as:
* [[Gauhati University]],
* [[Cotton University]],
* [[Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences]],
* [[Assam Science and Technology University]],
* [[S. B. Deorah College]]
* [[Dakshin Kamrup College]],
* [[Dakshin Kamrup Girls' College]],
* [[Gauhati Commerce College]],
* [[Arya Vidyapeeth College|Arya Vidyapeeth College (Autonomous)]],
* [[K.C. Das Commerce College]]
* [[Handique Girls College]],
* [[Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati]],
* [[Indian Institute of Information Technology, Guwahati]],
* [[B. Borooah College]],
* [[Dispur College]],
* [[Regional Dental College, Guwahati]], look
* [[National Law University and Judicial Academy]],
* [[Gauhati Medical College and Hospital]],
* [[Government Ayurvedic College, Guwahati]],
* [[Assam Engineering College]],
* [[Assam Institute of Management]],
* [[Assam Don Bosco University]],
* [[Royal Global University]],
* [[Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education]] N. E. Regional Centre,
* [[Tata Institute of Social Sciences]], Guwahati Campus,
* [[Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University]],
* [[National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati]] and
* [[Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology]].

There are various private schools too like:
* [[Don Bosco High School, Guwahati|Don Bosco School]],
* [[Delhi Public School Society|Delhi Public School]],
* [[Sanskriti The Gurukul|Sanskriti the Gurukul]],
* [[Holy Child School Guwahati|Holy Child School]],
* [[St. Mary's English High School, Guwahati|St. Mary's English High School]],
* [[YWCA|YWCA English High School]] and
* [[Faculty Higher Secondary School, Amingaon|Faculty Higher Secondary School]].

==Economy==
[[Pandu, Guwahati|Pandu]], located on the banks of the Brahmaputra at the western part of the city, is an ancient urban area that acted as the chief military base for the Ahoms against external invasions. Due to extensive fortification ('Gorh') surrounding Pandu, it acts as a natural river harbor and is formally called Gar-Pandu. [[Pandu Port|Pandu port]] falls under Dhubri-Sadiya National Waterway-2 and is an important terminal and transit point for goods and cargo as well as passenger and tourist vessels. Construction of both low-level and high-level jetty of fixed terminal, capable of handling container vessels, has been completed and has further enhanced revenue generation for the city.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=National_Waterways-2| title=National Waterway-2| publisher=India-WRIS| access-date=7 November 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117021153/http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=National_Waterways-2| archive-date=17 November 2015| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guwahati.com/content/pandu-river-port|title=Pandu-the river port|publisher=guwahati.com|date=7 November 2015|access-date=7 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117063340/http://www.guwahati.com/content/pandu-river-port|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:ASTC multi level parking at Paltanbazar, Guwahati.jpg|thumb|Multi Level Car Parking Facility operated by Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) situated at Paltanbazar, Guwahati]]
The manufacturing sector in Guwahati contributes a substantial share to the economy of the city. Petroleum manufacturing is an important economic activity in the city. The [[Guwahati Refinery]] is the most important manufacturing industry in the city. Located at Noonmati, the refinery was set up by the [[Indian Oil Corporation]] Limited as the first public sector refinery of India as well as the refinery of Indian Oil since 1962. It was built with an initial crude processing capacity of 0.75&nbsp;million [[tonne]]s per year at the time of its commission which was gradually increased to 1.0&nbsp;million tonnes per year. It produces various products and supplies them to the other northeast states and also beyond to Siliguri through the Guwahati-Siliguri pipeline. The various products produced by the refinery include Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Kerosene Oil, Turbine Fuel (aviation use), Motor Spirit, High-Speed Motor Diesel, Light Diesel Oil, and Raw Petroleum Coke. There is also an LPG bottling plant in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guwahationline.in/city-guide/guwahati-refinery|title=Guwahati Refinery|publisher=guwahationline.in|date=6 November 2015|access-date=6 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208141900/http://www.guwahationline.in/city-guide/guwahati-refinery|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iocl.com/maps/office/Indane/AOD/IB_NORTH-GUWAHATI.html|title=Indian Oil|website=www.iocl.com|access-date=2019-09-21|archive-date=21 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921115446/https://www.iocl.com/maps/office/Indane/AOD/IB_NORTH-GUWAHATI.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Tea manufacturing and processing is another important activity of Guwahati. Assam is one of the highest tea-producing areas in the world, contributing 80% of India's export and 55% of the country's total tea production. So high is the production of tea in Assam that it is the biggest industry in the state. The headquarters of the [[Indian Tea Association|Assam Branch Indian Tea Association (ABITA)]] is located at Guwahati. The [[Guwahati Tea Auction Centre]] (GTAC), located adjacent to the capital complex at Dispur, is the world's largest CTC tea auction center and the second largest in terms of total tea auctioned. The inaugural sale took place on 25 September 1970 and the first lot of tea was auctioned at the price of {{INR}} 42.50 which, during those days, was a significant achievement. In the month of August 2019, a kilogram of Maijan Orthodox Golden tea sold for a record-setting price of {{INR}} 70,501 at the [[Guwahati Tea Auction Centre]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/assams-maijan-tea-fetches-rs-70000-for-a-kilo-breaks-record/articleshow/70479878.cms|title=Assam's Maijan tea fetches {{INR}} 70,000 for a kilo, breaks record |date=1 August 2019|first=Prabin |last=Kalita|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref>

Many centralised, private and international banks have set up their branches in the city with the [[Reserve Bank of India]] having one of its own at Pan Bazaar.<ref name="Business and Economy of Guwahati">{{cite web |url=http://www.guwahationline.in/city-guiduwahatie/business-and-economy-of-g |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902220645/http://www.guwahationline.in/city-guiduwahatie/business-and-economy-of-g |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 September 2018 |title=Business and Economy of Guwahati |publisher=GuwahatiOnline |access-date=31 August 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://online.assam.gov.in/web/guest/capitalofassam|title=Economy|publisher=Assam Online Portal|date=6 November 2015|access-date=6 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001010659/https://online.assam.gov.in/web/guest/capitalofassam|archive-date=1 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rbi.org.in/regionalbranch/guwahati/Profile.aspx|title=Reserve Bank of India, Guwahati Profile|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008231359/https://rbi.org.in/regionalbranch/guwahati/Profile.aspx|archive-date=8 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Guwahati Airport Entrance.jpg|thumb|[[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport]]]]

===Air===
Guwahati is served by the [[Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport]], in [[Borjhar]], about {{convert|20|km}} west from the heart of the city. With all major domestic and international airlines flying into Guwahati, it is the [[List of busiest airports in India|tenth busiest airport in India]] in total passenger traffic. Daily and weekly flights are available to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Kochi, Bangkok, Paro, Kathmandu etc. A new airport terminal is under construction which is expected to be completed by 2025.

===Rail===
[[File:Guwahati Railway Station at Night.jpg|thumb|left|{{center|Guwahati Railway Station}}]]

The city of Guwahati and the northeastern region falls under the [[Northeast Frontier Railway]] (NFR) Zone of the Indian Railways, the headquarters of which is in Maligaon, near Nilachal Hills, in the northwest of the city. The [[Guwahati railway station]], located in [[Paltan Bazaar]] area of Guwahati, is the busiest railway station in the city. It lies along the [[Barauni-Guwahati Line]] and [[Guwahati–Lumding section]], categorised as an A-1 railway station under [[Lumding railway division]].

There are four more railway stations in the city – the [[Kamakhya Junction]] for passenger and freight services, the [[New Guwahati railway station]] (near Noonmati) for only freight services, [[Narangi railway station]] and [[Azara railway station]]. There are regular trains connecting Guwahati to and from other major cities of the country. [[Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express|Rajdhani Express]], [[Poorvottar Sampark Kranti Express]], [[Brahmaputra Mail]], [[Kamrup Express]], [[North East Express|Northeast Express]], [[Saraighat Express]] and [[Vande Bharat Express|Vande Bharat]] are some significant trains running to and from Guwahati. The train with the longest route in India, [[Vivek Express]], which runs from [[Dibrugarh]] in Upper Assam to [[Kanyakumari]] in the southern tip of India passes through Guwahati.<ref name="Public Transport in Guwahati">{{cite web|url=http://www.guwahationline.in/city-guide/Transport-in-Guwahati|title=Public Transport in Guwahati|publisher=guwahationline.in|date=17 October 2015|access-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017055210/http://www.guwahationline.in/city-guide/transport-in-guwahati|archive-date=17 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Road===
[[File:ISBT Guwahati.jpg|thumb|Buses standing at Rupnath Brahma Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), Guwahati]]
[[File:জালুকবাৰী.jpg|thumb|left|Roads in Jalukbari, Guwahati]]
[[File:Guwahati Ropeway car View.jpg|thumb|Guwahati Ropeway]]
[[File:Guwahati, Longest Flyover, Inaugurated, Panoramic View, Maligaon Area.jpg|thumb|Nilachal Flyover, located in the Maligaon area of Guwahati is one of the longest flyover of Assam]]

The length of surfaced roads within the city is {{cvt|218|km}}. [[National Highway 27 (India)|National Highway 27]] connects Guwahati with the states [[West Bengal]], [[Bihar]] and rest of [[India]]. This highway connects Guwahati with [[Silchar]] in [[Barak Valley]] [[Assam]] and further connecting the city to the states of [[Meghalaya]], [[Manipur]], [[Mizoram]] and [[Tripura]]. [[National Highway 17 (India)|National Highway 17]] from [[Sevoke]] in West Bengal terminates in [[Jalukbari]] and connects Guwahati with the major cities of [[Dhubri]] and [[Cooch Behar]]. [[National Highway 15 (India)|National Highway 15]] and its several secondary roads runs through both the banks of River [[Brahmaputra]] and connects the Guwahati with the cities of [[Tezpur]], [[Jorhat]], [[Dibrugarh]] in [[Upper Assam]] and the states of [[Arunachal Pradesh]] and [[Nagaland]].<ref name="How To Reach Guwahati">{{cite web|url=http://www.guwahatitimes.com/guwahati/howtoreach.html|title=How To Reach Guwahati|publisher=guwahatitimes.com|date=9 November 2015|access-date=9 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208191715/http://www.guwahatitimes.com/guwahati/howtoreach.html|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>

Public transportation is well developed in the city. Buses are the major means of public transport in Guwahati. The state-owned Assam State Urban Transport Corporation, a subsidiary of [[Assam State Transport Corporation]] (ASTC) and private operators provide the city bus services within the city. ASTC also operates the [[Volvo]] [[air-conditioned]] bus services within the city as well as to the LGBI airport. The [[Rupnath Brahma Inter State Bus Terminus]] (ISBT), located at [[Betkuchi]] on NH-37, is the most significant terminal cum transit point with regular day and night bus services from state owned ASTC and private operators plying between Guwahati and other destinations in Assam and Northeast India. The areas of Adabari and Paltan Bazaar also act as nodal points in providing bus services to towns and cities in Assam and adjoining states.<ref name="Public Transport in Guwahati"/><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.assamtimes.org/node/13327| title=Guwahati to have AC city buses| work=Assam Times| date=17 October 2015| access-date=17 October 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208152012/http://www.assamtimes.org/node/13327| archive-date=8 December 2015| url-status=live}}</ref>

A [[Guwahati Metro|metro rail]] project has also been planned to relieve the hectic traffic conditions on the streets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/guwahati-to-get-metro-rail-and-feeder-bus-rapid-transit-system/articleshow/17984521.cms?intenttarget=no |title=Guwahati to get metro rail and feeder Bus Rapid Transit System - The Economic Times |publisher=Economictimes.indiatimes.com |date=11 January 2013 |access-date=12 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510151622/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/railways/guwahati-to-get-metro-rail-and-feeder-bus-rapid-transit-system/articleshow/17984521.cms?intenttarget=no |archive-date=10 May 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Marc |url=http://www.rail.co/2013/01/22/assam-government-discusses-guwahati-metro-proposal/ |title=Assam Government discusses Guwahati metro proposal - Rail News from |publisher=rail.co |date=22 January 2013 |access-date=12 February 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219214501/http://www.rail.co/2013/01/22/assam-government-discusses-guwahati-metro-proposal/ |archive-date=19 February 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Guwahati has also seen a rise in the usage of cycling as a mode of transport and as per some unofficial estimates, there was almost a 50% increase in the number of people who took up cycling in the wake of COVID-19.<ref>{{Cite web|agency=TNN|date=Aug 20, 2020|title=Online drive in city for cycling to stay fit and break chain of virus  |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/online-drive-in-city-for-cycling-to-stay-fit-and-break-chain-of-virus/articleshow/77652991.cms|access-date=2020-10-06|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> The city has an active cycling community and is amongst the few Indian cities that has a Bicycle Mayor and a Junior Bicycle Mayor.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Das|first=Amlan Jyoti|title=Guwahati among 95 cities to register for 'India Cycles 4 Change Challenge'|url=https://www.eastmojo.com/assam/2020/08/25/guwahati-among-95-cities-to-register-for-india-cycles-4-change-challenge|access-date=2020-10-06|website=EastMojo|date=25 August 2020|language=en}}</ref>

Guwahati-Panchgram Expressway, the first expressway of [[Northeast India]] is a greenfield expressway from Guwahati to [[Umiam Lake]] (Barapani) in Meghalaya and then direct to old paper mill in [[Panchgram]], which will cut the Guwahati to Punchgram by 5 hours. It was announced in February 2025.<ref name=expp1>[https://barakbulletin.com/en_US/north-easts-first-expressway-to-shorten-panchgram-guwahati-travel-to-5-hours-key-advantages-to-barak/ Northeast's first expressway t cut travel time from Guwahati to Panchgram by 5 hours], barakbulletin.com, 26 Feb 2025.</ref>

===Water===
The Inland Water Transport Department is headquartered at [[Pandu Port]] in Guwahati, the largest river port in Assam. The waterways transportation services in Guwahati are used for transporting bulk goods and cargo, and for movement of passenger and tourist vessels. Ferry services are available for transportation of people from different ports along the Brahmaputra to Pandu port.<ref name="Public Transport in Guwahati" />

==Sports==
[[File:Rongmon Statue at Sorusajai Stadium.jpg|right|thumb|upright|''One-Horned Rhino'' Statue at Sarusajai Sports Complex]]
[[File:Barsapara Cricket Stadium match under floodlights.jpg|thumb|left|ACA Stadium, Barsapara]]
[[File:Sarusajai2.jpg|thumb|left|[[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]]|alt=]]
[[File:Nehru Stadium Guwahati.jpg|right|thumb|Nehru Stadium, Guwahati]]

Guwahati features the multi-purpose [[Nehru Stadium, Guwahati|Nehru Stadium]] which hosts mostly [[Association football|football]] and [[cricket]] located in the R.G. Baruah Sports Complex, one of the oldest in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://online.assam.gov.in/web/guest/sports |title=Sports |publisher=assam.gov.in |access-date=28 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729012249/http://online.assam.gov.in/web/guest/sports |archive-date=29 July 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It comprises the Kanaklata Indoor Stadium (for [[badminton]]),  swimming pool and tennis courts. The [[North-East Frontier Railway Stadium]] of [[Maligaon]], the [[Sports Authority of India]] (SAI) complex of Paltan Bazaar and the [[Judges Field]] are other prominent sporting venues of the city.

The sporting infrastructures especially constructed for the [[2007 National Games of India|33rd National Games]] in 2007 include [[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]] —the main stadium at Sarusajai Sports Complex, Dr. Zakir Hussain Aquatic Complex, and the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi A.C. Indoor Stadium.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.assam.gov.in/portlets/sports-infrastructure|title=Sports Infrastructure|publisher=sports.assam.gov.in |access-date=15 May 2023}}</ref> Other new sports venues include [[Maulana Md. Tayabullah Hockey Stadium]] at [[Bhetapara]], Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phookan Indoor Stadium at Ulubari, Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium at [[Amingaon]], Chachal Tennis Complex and the Tepesia Sports Complex.<ref name="33rd National Games Guwahati 2007- India's Biggest Extravaganza">{{cite web |url=http://www.batchmates.com/bmtimes/content.aspx?contentId=983 |title=33rd National Games Guwahati 2007- India's Biggest Extravaganza |publisher=batchmates.com |access-date=2 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923153114/http://www.batchmates.com/bmtimes/content.aspx?contentId=983 |archive-date=23 September 2016}}</ref> The renovated sports complexes include Ganesh Mandir Indoor Stadium at Khanapara, Rudra Singha Sports Complex at Dispur and Gauhati University Sports Stadium. The [[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]] was also the main venue of the [[2016 South Asian Games]] and the Himalayan Region Games in 2017.

Guwahati is home to the professional [[Association football|football]] club of [[Indian Super League]] (ISL), [[NorthEast United FC]].<ref name="Indian Super League-Northeast United FC">{{cite web |url=http://www.indiansuperleague.com/northeast-united-fc |title=Indian Super League-Northeast United FC |publisher=indiansuperleague.com |access-date=15 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912232452/http://www.indiansuperleague.com/northeast-united-fc |archive-date=12 September 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> They play their home matches at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. It presents one of the finest football atmospheres in India. The stadium also hosted matches of the [[2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup|FIFA U-17 World Cup]] in 2017.

The international cricket venue [[Assam Cricket Association Stadium, Guwahati|Assam Cricket Association Stadium]] at Barsapara, is the home of [[Assam cricket team]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thenewsmill.com/2023/04/barsapara-stadium-gears-up-to-host-first-ever-ipl-match/?amp |title=Barsapara stadium gears up to host first-ever IPL match  |date=4 April 2023 |publisher=thenewsmill.com |access-date=15 May 2023}}</ref> It is the largest cricket stadium in Northeast India with seating capacity of 40,000 and 2nd largest in East India. It hosted an [[Indian cricket team|India]] vs [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] T20I match in 2017 in its international debut. The first ODI in the stadium was held in 2018 between India and [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]].

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|+Professional sports clubs based in the city
|-
! Club !! Sport !! League !! Stadium !! Established
|-
|[[NorthEast United FC]]
|[[Association football|Football]]
|[[Indian Super League]]
|[[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]]
|2014
|-
|[[Northeastern Warriors]]
|[[Badminton]]
|[[Premier Badminton League]]
|Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium
|2017
|-
|[[Assam Titans Futsal Club]]
|[[Futsal]]
|[[North East Futsal League]]
| Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium
|N.A.
|}

==Media & telecommunications==
[[File:Assam tribune picture by Vikramjit Kakati.jpg|thumb|The Dainik Asom building at Chandmari]]

Assamese daily newspapers published from the city are ''[[Dainik Agradoot]]'', ''[[Asomiya Pratidin]]'', {{Lang|as-latn|[[Asomiya Khabar]]}}, {{Lang|as-latn|[[Amar Asom]]}}, {{Lang|as-latn|[[Dainik Janambhumi]]}}, ''[[Janasadharan]]'', ''[[Niyomiya Barta]]'', ''[[Dainik Asam]]'', ''Dainandin Barta'' and ''[[Gana Adhikar]]''. English dailies are ''[[The Assam Tribune]]'', ''[[The Sentinel (Guwahati)|The Sentinel]]'',  ''[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]]'', ''[[The Times of India]]'' and ''Eastern Chronicle''. ''Eclectic Northeast''<ref name="eclecticnortheast.in">{{cite web|url=http://www.eclecticnortheast.in|title=Eclectic NorthEast |access-date=23 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407075622/https://eclecticnortheast.in/|archive-date=7 April 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> is a leading Guwahati-based monthly Northeast magazine with an online version. ''G Plus'' is the only English weekly tabloid published from Guwahati.<ref name="A">{{cite news|last1=Gupta|first1=Devesh|title=Weekly tabloid G Plus launched in Guwahati|url=http://www.afaqs.com/news/story/39578_Weekly-tabloid-G-Plus-launched-in-Guwahati|publisher=afaqs.com|date=3 January 2014|access-date=28 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228163213/http://www.afaqs.com/news/story/39578_Weekly-tabloid-G-Plus-launched-in-Guwahati|archive-date=28 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The state-owned television broadcaster [[DD Assam]] provides free-to-air satellite television services. Guwahati-based 24-hour regional satellite news channels include [[News Live (Indian TV channel)|News Live]], [[DY 365]], [[Pratidin Time]], [[Prag News]], [[Assam Talks]] and [[News18 Assam North East]].

The Guwahati Radio Station of state-owned [[All India Radio]] was inaugurated on 1 July 1948 as Shillong-Guwahati Station.<ref name="airguwahati.gov.in">{{cite web|url=http://airguwahati.gov.in/history-of-air-guwahati.asp|title=Brief History of All India Radio, Guwahati|access-date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810142729/http://airguwahati.gov.in/history-of-air-guwahati.asp|archive-date=10 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The Headquarter of the Shillong-Guwahati Station was shifted from Shillong to Guwahati in 1953.<ref name="airguwahati.gov.in"/> It is a full-fledged Regional broadcasting station with three channels; the Guwahati A & B Channels are AM Channels, and the CBS Channel is an FM Channel. The other FM stations include [[BIG FM 92.7|92.7 BIG FM]], Radio Gup-Shup 94.3 FM, [[Red FM 93.5]] and [[Radio Mirchi]]. Telecom services are [[BSNL]], [[Bharti Airtel|Airtel]], [[Vodafone Idea]] and [[Jio]].

== Notable places of worship ==
<gallery widths="120" caption="Temples in Guwahati">
File:Basistha Temple, Guwahati.jpg|[[Basistha Temple]], re-constructed by Ahom King [[Rajeswar Singha]] in CE 1764.
File:Doul Govinda Temple.jpg|[[Doul Govinda Temple]].
File:Umananda Temple-Guwahati-Assam-DSC0001.jpg|[[Umananda Temple]], constructed by King [[Gadadhar Singha]] in CE 1694 on the [[Umananda Island|world's smallest river island]].
File:Kamakhya Guwahati.JPG|[[Kamakhya Temple]], the oldest among the [[Shakti Pitha|Shakti pethas]], situated on the top of Nilachal hills.
</gallery>
*[[Kamakhya Temple]]
*[[Rudreswar Temple]]
*[[Doul Govinda Temple]]
*[[Ugratara Devalaya]]
*[[Basistha Temple]]
*[[Sukreswar Temple]]
*[[Lankeshwar Temple]]
*[[Dirgheshwari temple]]
*[[Umananda Temple]]
*[[Navagraha temples]]

==Notable people==
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* [[Nabakanta Barua]], poet and academician
*[[Dipankar Bhattacharjee]], Indian badminton player and Olympian
*[[Barsha Rani Bishaya]], Assamese film actor
*[[Gaurav Bora]]. footballer
*[[Ashmita Chaliha]], Indian badminton player
*[[Utpal Das]], Assamese film actor
*[[Somdev Devvarman]], tennis player
*[[Zubeen Garg]], singer, songwriter, lyricist and actor
*[[Shrinjan Rajkumar Gohain]], Indian chess player
*[[Arnab Goswami]], journalist
*[[Mamoni Raisom Goswami]], novelist and academician
*[[Bhupen Hazarika]], singer
*[[Reema Kagti]], director and screenwriter
*[[Durgabar Kayastha]], medieval littérateur
*[[Abu Nechim]], cricketer
*[[Nayyara Noor]], singer
*[[Papon (singer)|Papon]], singer and composer
*[[Riyan Parag]], cricketer
*[[Subam Rabha]], football coach
*[[Bhabendra Nath Saikia]], novelist, short story writer and film director
*[[Himanta Biswa Sarma]], current Chief Minister of Assam
*[[Jayanta Talukdar]], Indian archer and Olympian
*[[Shiva Thapa]], boxer and Olympian
<!-- ♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> 
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==See also==
* [[Assam State Museum]]
* [[Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival]]
* [[History of Beltola]]
* [[List of colleges affiliated to Gauhati University]]
* [[List of people from Western Assam ]]
* [[Saraighat Bridge]]
* [[Varman dynasty]]
* [[Silchar]]
* [[Jorhat]]
* [[Tezpur]]
* [[Nagaon]]
* [[Dibrugarh]]
* [[Bongaigaon]]
* [[Rangiya|Rangia]]
* [[Nalbari]]
==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Citation| last = Shin| first = Jae-Eun| contribution = Region Formed and Imagined: Reconsidering temporal, spatial and social context of Kamarupa| year = 2018| title = Modern Practices in North East India: History, Culture, Representation| editor-last = Dzüvichü| editor-first = Lipokmar |editor2-last=Baruah |editor2-first=Manjeet |pages = 23–55| place = London & New York| publisher = Routledge}}
* {{cite book|first=Rai Bahadur Kanak Lal|last=Barua|title=Early History of Kāmarupa: From the Earliest Times to the End of the Sixteenth Century|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.14887|year=1933|publisher=The Author}}
* {{cite book|first1=Swarna Lata|last1=Baruah|title=Last Days of Ahom Monarchy: A History of Assam from 1769 to 1826|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cFFuAAAAMAAJ|year=1993|publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Limited|isbn=978-81-215-0462-1}}
* {{cite book|first1=Sir Edward Albert|last1=Gait|title=A History of Assam|url=https://archive.org/details/ahistoryassam02gaitgoog|author-link1=Edward Albert Gait|year=1906|publisher=Thacker, Spink & Company}}
* {{Cite journal|first=Jae-Eun|last=Shin|title=Redefining Divine Presence: A Study of Hidden Lingas in the Mid-Brahmaputra Valley|journal=Osmund Bopearachchi and Suchandra Ghosh (Eds), Early Indian History and Beyond: Essays in Honour of Professor B. D. Chattopadhyaya, Delhi: Primus Books, Pp. 313-34 |url=https://www.academia.edu/39112095|year=2019|publisher=Primus Books|pages=313–334}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wikivoyage|Guwahati}}
* {{url|https://assam.gov.in/|The Government of Assam}}
* {{url|https://kamrupmetro.assam.gov.in/|The District of Kamrup Metropolitan}}

{{Assam}}
{{North East India}}
{{State and Union Territory capitals of India|state=Assam}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Guwahati| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Kamrup Metropolitan district]]
[[Category:Former capital cities in India]]
[[Category:River ports]]
[[Category:Smart cities in India]]