History : Assamese, as a vernacular language subject at college level was first recognized by Calcutta University in 1907 as per the recommendation of the then Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ashutosh Mukherjee. From the year 1909 onwards, Assamese has been taught in the Degree level. During those initial years, Assamese was attached to Sanskrit Department of the college and the teaching of Assamese was entrusted to a graduate teacher of the Collegiate School, Guwahati who took it up in addition to his own duties. In 1913, Prof. Satyanath Borah was appointed as a part-time teacher to teach Assamese. He was succeeded by Prof. Uma Kanta Goswami in 1924. A full-time teacher post in Assamese was created in 1927 and Prof. Goswami was appointed in this post. Assamese as a second language subject at degree level was introduced in 1939. In 1943, the Department of Assamese was established as an independent Department and Prof. Dibakar Goswami was appointed as the first Head of the Department. In 1979, PG course in Assamese was introduced in this Department under Gauhati University.

Courses offered : HS Course Three year Degree Course (B.A.) Two year (four Semester) Post-Graduate Course (M.A.) One year Diploma in Cultural Studies (Self-financing)   6 months long Certificate Course in Montessori Teachers Training (Self-financing)

Office Staff Members
Sri Madhu Sarma

Former Faculty Members :

Facilities :
The Department has one Seminar Library with 465 books & journals, a Language Laboratory and is equipped with modern audio-visual teaching aids like OHP etc. It has got 2 computers having round the clock internet connectivity. Assamese Department is a part of the multimedia Language Laboratory established in the college with a fund provided by the University Grants Commission under CPE Scheme to facilitate the learning of Assamese language besides some other languages so that the students can develop effective communication skills in these languages.

Activities :
Assamese Department has the credit of already publishing as many as eight books on variable subjects. It has been organizing a series of Memorial Lectures annually since 2005 in memory of Dr. Hemanta Kumar Sharma, a former Professor of the Department. From the next academic year, the Department will felicitate the students of Cotton College who secure highest marks in Assamese in HS, B.A. and M.A. Examinations with Dr. Hemanta Kumar Sharma Memorial Award. Under the banner of 'Asomiya Alochana Chakra', the Department organizes seminars, lectures and other literary programmes time to time. Assamese Department is the pioneer member of the 'Cotton College Language Laboratory', which was established in 2007. Academic and cultural tours are also arranged occasionally especially for the PG students. Assamese Department annually brings out its wall magazine entitled "Writue-Writue".

Recognized Ph. D. Guides of the Department :