Digboi: The birthplace of the Indian Oil Industry

Digboi is situated in upper Assam in Tinsukia district which is known as the “oil city of Assam”. There are folklores that while the British were here, they used to command the labourers as “dig-boy-dig” to dig underneath for crude oil and hence the name Digboi. Tucked amid blue hills, lush green tea plantations, Digboi is also the birthplace of the oil industry in the country that dates back to the late 19th century. It is Asia’s first refinery and one of the oldest still in operation.

The history of Digboi dates back to 1867 when a few officers of the Assam Railways and Trading Company who were laying rail tracks in the deep jungles noticed that the elephants fetching logs from the forest were soaked in black mud. It appeared to be a viscous liquid with an oily odour leading to further exploration. And the rest is history.