When people mention Silchar, they often refer to it simply as the “Second Largest City of Assam.” But is that all it is? Shouldn’t we also be calling it one of the most beautiful, historic, and culturally rich cities of the region?
What often strikes a visitor is the dominant presence of Bengali-speaking people, especially those who speak Sylheti a language and identity carried through more than 140 years of settlement. However, the city seems to repeatedly find itself in the headlines for issues like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and NRC, rather than for its culture, resilience, or development.
Take a walk from Rangirkhari to Silchar Medical College, from Tarapur to Devdoot, from Itkhola to Malugram, Fatak Bazar and the question that frequently arises is:
Why does the second largest city in Assam look like one of the dirtiest cities in the state?
A City of Glorious History:
Silchar wasn’t built overnight:
It was founded in 1832 by Captain Thomas Fisher, who shifted the headquarters of Cachar district to Janiganj in Silchar. Just three years later, in 1835, a medical center was established here — later becoming a full-fledged hospital in 1864.
Silchar has also produced towering political leaders post-independence, including:
Jyotsna Chanda
Rashida Haque Choudhury
Nurul Huda
Santosh Mohan Deb
Kabindra Purkayastha
Sushmita Dev
Dr. Rajdeep Roy
Parimal Shuklabaidya
These names left a significant mark not only in Assam but in national politics.
A Lesser-Known Sports Capital:
Few people know that Assam’s first football club, India Club, was born in Silchar in 1900.
Modern polo also has its roots here — played first by exiled Manipuri princes in the 1850s in Silchar, watched and later adopted by British officers like Captain Robert Stewart. A plaque behind the District Library still commemorates this moment in sports history.
An Untapped Business Hub:
Silchar is strategically located — connected by rail, road, and air. It serves as a crucial hub linking Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, and parts of Meghalaya. Its economy thrives on tea, rice, and other agricultural products, and it has the potential to emerge as a major commercial center in Northeast India.
But the City Struggles Daily:
Despite its potential, Silchar faces serious challenges:
Traffic Congestion:
Silcharians deal with relentless traffic, especially during office hours. Poor planning, lack of traffic control, and no long-term solution have made this a daily frustration.
Waterlogging:
Every monsoon, parts of the city become unlivable. A lack of modern drainage infrastructure has led to chronic waterlogging that affects homes, roads, and businesses.
Public Transport Deficiency:
Unlike other major Eastern cities like Durgapur, Agartala, Shillong, or Siliguri, Silchar lacks a proper city bus system. Residents mostly rely on auto-rickshaws, which are insufficient and inconvenient for a city of this size.
So, What Does Silchar Need?:
Urban Planning and Cleanliness Drives
Efficient Public Transport
Modern Drainage and Infrastructure
Recognition for Its Historical and Cultural Significance
Silchar is more than just a city. It’s a symbol of resilience, a melting pot of history, politics, and sports — a place that has the potential to shine, but remains overlooked and underserved.
It’s high time we stop calling it only the “second largest,” and start calling it what it truly is “One of the most significant and yet forgotten gems of Assam”.
