Panbazar Book Lane, history of the book haven of Guwahati.

Panbazar was among the most densely populated areas of Guwahati before the 1940s.

Panbazar, once primarily a business center, evolved into a vibrant literary hub in the 1940s and 50s with the establishment of several Calcutta publication houses

This transformation gave rise to notable bookstores such as Lawyer’s Book Stall, Kitap Ghar, and Trio Book Store.

Mahamaya restaurant, Madhumita restaurant and Radio Phoenix became popular venues for informal discussions, or "addas".

The area's proximity to educational institutions like Cotton College, Handique Girls College, and Panbazar High School significantly boosted local publication houses.

Additionally, the nearby Guwahati port facilitated easy access to books imported from Kolkata.

In 1973, when Assam's capital shifted from Shillong to Guwahati, many bookstores from Shillong moved to Panbazar.