Assam is often associated with the term “Seven Sisters”, which refers to the seven northeastern states of India: Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Assam itself. The phrase was popularized in 1972 by journalist Jyoti Prasad Saikia during the inauguration of a seminar in Shillong, when all the seven states were formally linked together after the creation of Meghalaya.
The name "Seven Sisters" highlights the geographical and cultural interdependence of these states. Assam is called the gateway to the Seven Sisters because it is the central and most accessible state, connecting the others to the rest of India through the narrow Siliguri Corridor.
Though each state has its own unique identity, history, and traditions, they share deep social, cultural, and economic ties with Assam as the hub. This interconnectedness is why Assam is closely tied to the “Seven Sisters” identity in both historical and cultural narratives.