 The ancient name of the Tinsukia district was Bangmara. As per the history of Tinsukia District this region was originally known as Changmai Pathar. Tinsukia was the capital of Muttack Kingdom. Bangmara city was built by King Sarbananda Singha with the help of his minister Gopinath Barbaruah. Bangmara city was built in the middle of the Tinsukia city. Historical evidences of Tinsukia District suggest that as per the direction of King Sarbananda Singha, Godha Baruah dug a triangular shaped pond in Bangmara city which is known as "Tinikunia Pukhari". In the year 1884 Dibru-Sadiya rail line was constructed and a station was setup near the "Tinikunia Pukhari" which was named as Tinsukia. Since then the city is popularly known as Tinsukia.
The Muttack Kingdom occupied a distinct place in the history of Tinsukia District. The Muttacks transformed the history of the Ahom Kingdom by leading the historic Moamareeya Rebellion. This event was described as the first socio-political movement in the history of Tinsukia District. According to the map prepared by Captain Hamilton Vetch in 1841, a large portion of present Dibrugarh District and Tinsukia District had been identified as "Bengmara Country of Moamareeya Tribe" with its capital at Bengmara (present Tinsukia). Further, in the history of Tinsukia District, Bengmara city was later popularly known as Muttack city of Soumar.
The First King of Muttack Kingdom was Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha. Sarbananada Singha established his capital at Rangagarah situated in the bank of Guijan River. Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha was considered as an able administrator. History of Tinsukia District specifically mentions his determination, spirit and love for freedom. In 1791 AD, he transferred his capital to Bengmara. Several tanks were dug in the days of Sarbananda Singha namely Chauldhuwa Pukhari, Kadamoni Pukhari, Da Dharua Pukhari, Mahdhuwa Pukhari, Bator Pukhari, Logoni Pukhari, Na-Pukhari, Devi Pukhari, Kumbhi Pukhari, Rupahi Pukhari, etc. Apart from these ponds there are many ancient roads constructed in different parts of the Muttack territory. Godha-Borbaruah road, Rangagarah road, Rajgor road and Hatiali road were main roads within the territory.
History of Tinsukia District During British Era
In the year 1823, British first discovered Tea Plant in Sadiya and the first Tea Plantation was started in Chabua near Tinsukia. The name Chabua comes from "Chah-Buwa" (Tea Plantation).
Other important events that took place under the British regime are following:
In the year 1876 Coal was found near Ledo and Margherita
In the year 1882 Crude Oil was struck in Digboi and country`s first oil well was built at Digboi in 1889 and the refinery which was later built at Digboi was the first refinery in Asia and third in the world.
History of Tinsukia District also recollects that the establishment of Railway and Trading Company in the region was a major turning point in its economic development.
Adarsha Prathamic Vidyalaya, first educational institute of Tinsukia, was established in the year 1897.
Tinsukia District was declared as the 23rd administrative district of Assam on 1st October, 1989 with three sub divisions - Margherita (Sadar), Tinsukia, and Sadiya.
| Places of Tourist Interest |
| Dehing Patkai festival has been organised with an aim to highlight the tourist potentialities of the catchment ares of the river Dehing and the Patkai foot-hills. The lush green vallys and scenic splendour of this area covering the geofraphical ares of Tinsukia-Dibrugarh districts and south eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, cast spell on visitors. |
Tinsukia Town |
 | Tinsukia is the ideal stopover for tourist visiting Dehing Patkai region. The commercial town of Assam is situated 500 Km away from Guwahati. The Shiv Dham and Marut Nandan Kanan Park are some of the added points of attraction for visitors. Tinsukia is well connected to the rest of the Country by rail and road. |
Dibru Saikhowa National Park |
| Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is a part of one of the prominent biodiversity hotspots of the World, located almost 13 KM away from Tinsukia. This Park is famous for the presence of Feral horses. It is partly wetland, partly grassland and dense forests.It is the home of the globally endangered White Winged Wood Duck, Slow Loris, Gangetic Dolphin, Water Buffalo, Hoolock Gibbon, Elephant etc. |  |
Bherjan-Borjan-Padumoni Wildlife Santuary |
| This Wildlife santuary is at a distance of about 6 Km from Tinsukia. It is famous for different species of primates including endangered Hoolock Gibbon. |
Bell Temple |
| This temple of Lord Shiva, symbolised by a huge Banyan (pipal) tree, is at a distance of 17 Km from Tinsukia. It is belived that one may get his/her wishes fulfilled by offering a bell to this temple. Belivers hang the bells to the branches of the pipal tree and this is how the temple got its unique name. |  |
Digboi |
 | The first oil town of Asia, where oil well was drilled commercially in September 1889. A refinary was commissioned in December 1901, first of its kind in Asia and it was only refinary till India achieved independence and now it is the oldest operating oil refinery in the World. Digboi also has the distinction of establishing the first oil museum in India. The 18 hole Golf Course is an added attraction in Digboi close to Upper Dehing Reserve Forest. This golf course is known for its scenic beauty. A visit to the nearby War Cemetery and the Centenary park can offer a unique experience. |
Sadiya |
| About 75 Km east of Tinsukia Sadiya is a sub-divisional headquarter of Tinsukia District. In medieval times, there were trade routes leading from Sadiya into Tibet, China and Burma (Myanmar). Sadiya was the central market for all hill tribes inhabiting the extreme North-East. The place of the Chutias, Sadiya is famous for Tameswari temple. It is one of the important centers of Shakti worship in Assam. A visit to Sadiya can also be an experience to relish as one has to catch a ferry at Dhola Ghat to cross the mighty Brahmaputra to reach Sadiya. |
Parashuram Kunda |
 | Situated in the Lohit District of Arunachal Pradesh, Parashuram Kunda is abount 150 Km. from Tinsukia. It is one of the prominent centers of pilgrimage for the Hindus where thousands of devotees flock together to take a dip in it during Makar Sankranti(in mid January). The popular belief is that a holy dip in the 'Kund'(a small lake) washes away all the sins. |
Rukmini Island |
| A beach island covering an area of 3.25 Sq.Km. is situated in the midest of the river Brahmaputra. It is a safe heaven for many indigenous and migratory birds. The best attractions are the long sandy beaches, sand banks for sun baths and parasailing. The place is ideal for a holiday that brings you away from the madding crowd,hustle and bustle of the modern life. |
Margherita |
| One of the sub-divisional headquarters of Tinsukia district, the Coal Queen of Assam, Margherita is nature's own paradise. The splendour of the mystic Patkai ranges on one side and the river Burhi-Dehing flowing right across with a carpet of lush green tea gardens forming the natural landscape of the other, Margherita is a true gift of nature. It was the British who, exploring oil and coal, set up a company here, the first of its kind in the state called 'the Assam Railways and Trading company' as early as 1881. Margherita is famous for plywood products and the first plywood factory was established here in 1924, which happened to be the fifth in India. |  |
 | A ride through the beautiful tea gardens contouring the hillocks of Dirok, Namdang and Namtok section, touching the foothills of Patkai Ranges will be a treat for one's eyes. Watching the process of making tea and a visit to a plywood factory may also be a pleasant experience. |
| The picturesque Margherita Golf Course, a favourite destination for Golfers, has also added a feather to the crowning beauty of this tiny little town. |
War Cemetery |
| Down Memory-lane trips to world war-II cemeteries located in Digboi, Lekhapani and in Jairampur(A.P.) with epitaphs of hundreds of British and Chisese soldiers will be a touching experience. |   |
Miao Carpet Factory |
 | It is not simply a manufactory! It's not only a carpet producing unit!! But it is a centre of well organised effort to earn livelihood in a foreign land. It is the life line of the Tibetan Refugee Camp situted almost 5 Km. ahead of Miao Town. These Tibetan people have been here for generations and still they have a hope to get back their homeland. To sustain in a self suffecient way, they formed a socity which have a school upto VIII standard, a hospital, a creche, an old age home, a small market, a centre of religious activity(gonpa) and of course their bread and butter the carpet factory. The factory has a total of 38 skilled weavers who using raw materials brough from Ludhiana(Punjab) work as long as ten/twelve hours a day knitting their dreams on the carpet. The colourful hand woven carpets with their fine finishings, are of export quality. They are having emporiums in Arunachal Pradesh , Assam and Delhi etc. and have a retail outlet within the factory premise as well. The factory has a turn over of around 15/20 lacs per annum. The entire socity falls under the administration of Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh. |
Pangsau Pass |
| Pangsau Pass in the Patkai ranges is abount 130 Km. away from Tinsukia in the Indo-Myanmar border. The area is in Arunachal Pradesh and located at a distance of just 12 Km. from the beautiful town of Nampong. The journey to Pangsau Pass from Nampong through the abandoned stretch of Stilwell road with dense forest on one side and deep gorges on the other can offer a thrilling experience to the adventurists. A forthnightly market is also held at the border where people from both side take active part. Interestingly, the age old barter system is still prevalent amoung the natives in this market. One can have a spectacular view of the mystic 'Lake of No Return' from Pangsu Pass. |  |
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