IOR/V/10/83-118

In 1826, Burma ceded the settled parts of Assam to the British. The territory was administered by the Government of Bengal until 1874 when, following substantial changes to the Bengal administration, Assam was placed under the charge of a Chief Commissioner reporting directly to the Government of India. The territory by this time comprised eleven districts: the six districts of the Brahmaputra Valley (Goalpara, Kamrup, Nowgong, Darrang, Sibsagar and Lakhimpur); the two districts of the Surma Valley (Sylhet and Cachar); and the three hill districts (the Garo Hills, the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, and the Naga Hills). The seat of government was Shillong, in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills.

In October 1905, the Bengal administration was divided in two. The western part retained the name of Bengal and the existing headquarters at Calcutta; the eastern part was augmented by the addition of Assam. Each part was administered by a Lieutenant-Governor. The eastern part was named Eastern Bengal and Assam, and Dacca became the administrative capital, although a secretariat remained at Shillong. This state of affairs lasted only until 1912, when Assam was restored to a separate administration under a Chief Commissioner. In 1921, following the constitutional reforms introduced by the Government of India Act of 1919, Assam acquired the status of a separate province, with its own governor and an enlarged council.