Tezpur’s history is steeped in ancient Hindu mythology. Its name literally translates to "City of Blood" (*Teza* meaning blood, *Pura* meaning city). According to the *Mahabharata* and the *Vishnu Purana*, the city was the capital of the Asura king Banasura. A legendary battle, the *Hari-Hara Yuddha*, was fought here between the armies of Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva over the romance between Banasura’s daughter Usha and Krishna’s grandson Aniruddha. The bloodshed from this epic conflict is said to have given the city its name.
Historically, the region features ruins dating back to the 4th and 9th centuries, most notably at Da Parbatia, which showcases some of the finest examples of Gupta period art in the region. The area was later ruled by various indigenous dynasties, including the Salasthambha and the Ahoms.
The modern city of Tezpur was founded by the British colonial administration in 1835 when it was established as the headquarters of the Darrang district. It quickly developed as a major river port on the Brahmaputra, facilitating the export of tea from the surrounding estates that were being rapidly established by British planters.
A poignant moment in Tezpur's modern history occurred during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. As Chinese troops advanced towards the plains of Assam via Arunachal Pradesh, Tezpur was famously evacuated in panic. Government officials burned currency notes and files to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. Fortunately, a ceasefire was declared before the advancing forces reached the city, and the residents later returned to rebuild and continue the city's legacy.