Image Source: Official anahita
About Assam Tea Museum
The Assam Tea Museum, located in Jorhat, is a unique cultural and industrial landmark that preserves the legacy of one of Assam’s most iconic contributions to the world – tea. Popularly known as the Tocklai Tea Research Association Museum, it serves as a living repository of Assam’s tea history, showcasing everything from colonial tea plantations to modern mechanized processing.
For travelers, researchers, and tea enthusiasts, the museum offers a rare glimpse into how the “tea capital of the world” shaped global beverage culture.
History
The museum was established under the Tocklai Tea Research Institute, one of the oldest and largest tea research centers in the world, founded in 1911. The need to preserve documents, machinery, and artifacts related to tea production led to the creation of this museum.
It chronicles Assam’s journey from when the British first discovered wild tea plants in the early 19th century to its transformation into the largest tea-growing region globally.
Architecture and Layout
The Assam Tea Museum is not a palace-like structure but rather a heritage-style building designed in line with research institutions. The layout is simple yet informative, with dedicated galleries for machinery, photographs, and cultural artifacts.
The walls are decorated with old documents, rare photographs of colonial tea gardens, and displays of tools once used in traditional tea cultivation. Separate sections have been designed for processing machinery, packaging methods, and lifestyle exhibits, giving a holistic experience of the tea industry.
Sections of the Museum
Historical Section
This part showcases rare documents, maps, and photographs that trace the history of tea discovery in Assam. Visitors can see how the Singpho and Khamti tribes first used tea leaves, followed by the British establishing plantations.
Machinery and Processing Section
One of the highlights is the display of antique tea-processing machines, including rollers, dryers, and sorters. These exhibits demonstrate how hand-plucked leaves were transformed into the aromatic beverage enjoyed worldwide.
Cultural Section
Beyond production, tea shaped Assam’s culture and economy. This section highlights the lives of tea garden workers, their traditions, songs, and festivals. It also showcases the impact of tea trade on Assam’s social fabric.
Research and Innovation Section
Since the museum is part of the Tocklai Institute, it also emphasizes scientific progress in tea cultivation. Models and charts explain experiments in hybrid tea plants, pest control, and sustainable plantation practices.
How to Reach Assam Tea Museum
The museum is located in Jorhat, also known as the “Tea Capital of Assam.”
By Air: The nearest airport is Jorhat Airport (Rowriah), around 7 km away, with flights from Guwahati, Kolkata, and other regional hubs.
By Rail: Jorhat Town Railway Station and Mariani Junction are the closest railheads, well-connected with Guwahati and Dibrugarh.
By Road: Jorhat lies on NH-37, and buses, taxis, and private vehicles connect it to Guwahati (approx. 300 km). Local auto-rickshaws and cabs make it easy to reach the museum within the city.