Sivasagar, formerly known as Sibsagar, literally translates to Lord Shiva's ocean. The district headquarters of the same name, Sivasagar, is 360 kilometres from Guwahati, the state capital. It is a historically significant town since it served as the capital of the Ahom kingdom for approximately 100 years. The town is built around a 129-acre artificial tank known as the Sivasagar Tank. The town's pride is the presence of historical monuments dating back to the Ahom era. Sivasagar has evolved from a historical town surrounded by oil and tea gardens to a tourist destination in upper Assam with plenty to see and do.