Jorhat is also referred to as 'The Cultural Capital of Assam'. It was originally formed on the eastern and western banks of the river Bhogdoi by the two markets or hats (Chowkihat and Macharhat). The city Jorhat was the last capital of the Ahom Dynasty as earlier dynasty capital was situated at Sibsagar. Jorhat acts as a gateway to upper Assam and to the state of Nagaland. However in the year 1794, the then reigning king of the Ahom Kingdom, Gaurinath, shifted the capital to Jorhat. The city was severely destroyed by the numerous Burmese invasions that took place in the year 1817. However later on the arrival of British rule, they contributed to the reemergence of this historic town.