Digboi Museum: A Comprehensive Guide About Assam’s Oldest Oil Museum

A view of models decked outside to show how oil refineries work and their equipment.

Digboi Museum, Assam, is a famous oil refinery. Digboi is the oldest oil field in India, the Britishers had found crude oil in this very place in the mid-19th century, which led to the first oil well in India being dug in 1866. By 1901, Digboi was a fully functional oil refinery. The museum now displays all the equipment and technology used to extract and refine oil. It is a go-to place for educational tours. The place has a rich history and interesting artifacts related to Oil Refinery.

Digboi Museum Location

The Digboi Museum is located in the serene Digboi Town that boasts rich history.

Photo: Subhashish Panigrahi / Wikimedia Commons

The Digboi Museum address is easy to navigate. Located in Digboi Town, a significant oil city in Assam’s Tinsukia District, lies the Digboi Centenary Museum. One of Assam’s 34 administrative districts, Tinsukia, is situated close to the Burmese border in the northeastern section of the state. Since the oil was discovered in Digboi town, this area has been significant industrially. Digboi’s museum is a major attraction in the area and a tribute to the town’s rich history. It provides tourists with an in-depth look into the town’s growth and its crucial position in the oil industry.

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How To Reach

A view of an airplane, one of the most convenient and hassle-free ways to reach Assam.

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By Road: Digboi is well connected with Tinsukia. It takes a 1-hour drive to reach Digboi from Tinsukia, which is 34 km away.
By Air: The nearest airport to Digboi is Mohanbari Airport, Dibrugarh (approx 78 kms). It is easily accessible from major airports of India as flights to Dibrugarh operate to and fro on a daily basis.
By Rail: You can get on a train to Tinsukia Junction, which is 35km away from Dibrugarh.

Things To Do At Digboi Museum

There are a number of interesting artifacts on display at this museum which you can explore for an amusing experience.

1. Explore The Digboi Oil Refinery

Models of Digboi Oil Refinery in Digboi Museum showing history of oil industries.

Photo: Subhashish Panigrahi / Wikimedia Commons

Digboi Oil Refinery is the oldest oil refinery in Asia. It started on 11th December 1901 by Assam Oil Company Limited. It is the oldest and the longest running oil refinery in Asia. The refinery is open to the public and you can visit it to take a look at the equipment, working procedures, and designs. The refinery offers the visitors a tour around the premise, explaining the inner workings and background operations that keep the refinery working. It is a perfect place to visit as a family with your kids and to take a school’s field trip.

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2. Pay Your Respect At The Digboi War Cemetery

A low-angle view of the cemetery in Assam in which bodies of dead soldiers were buried.

Photo: Subhashish Panigrahi / Wikimedia Common

During the Second World War, Assam was the operation ground for the Burma Campaign. Indians alongside the Allies force fought against the Japanese and Axis to free Burma. During this time, they used the land at Digboi for building a Military hospital. Also, they used the land nearby the hospital to bury and cremate the bodies of dead soldiers. Now the cemetery has turned into one of the most visited tourism spots in Assam. The Digboi Cemetery has 200 burials from the Second World War, 197 commonwealth and remaining 3 from Italy, United States and Belgium.

3. Marvel At The Tranquil Digboi Lake

A view of the azure waters of Digboi Lake, a tourist hotspot near Digboi Museum.

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Digboi Lake is a beautiful lake near the Centenary park. The lake is serene and calm. The lake is the perfect spot to spend leisure time away from the hub-bub of city life. You can relish the serenity of the lake and soak in breathtaking vistas. Digboi lake is the best place to picnic with your family, it is free, clean, and less crowded. But visitors must make sure not to litter around the lake.

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4. Stroll Through The Golf Course

A breathtaking view of the sprawling golf course in Assam dotted with tall trees.

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Digboi Golf Course is one of the oldest golf courses in India. It is also the only 18-hole golf course in Assam. The 6,400 yard long course was established in 1943. Many golf tournaments are held in this place and it is one of the most visited places in Assam. There are all the necessary amenities available at the golf course. Also, you can take your own golfing kit or rent one at the place. Apart from being a big golfing arena, it is also a picturesque picnic station.

5. Spot Wildlife At Dehing Patkai National Park

Dehing Patkai National Park is a popular tourist attraction near the Digboi Museum.

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Also known as the Amazon of the east, Dehing Patkai National Park is a magnificent rainforest blessed with rich biodiversity. Situated in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia, the national park is a must visit place in Assam. Due to its ecosystem, Dehing Patkai is a perfect place for the nonhuman primates such as pig-tailed macaques, Assamese macaques, and stumped tail macaques and birds. You can also find hoolock gibbon, capped langur, and Rhesus monkeys in the jungle.

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Where To Eat

Assam offers a variety of mouth-watering cuisines including Indo-Chinese food options.

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There are a number of eateries all around Digboi town and in Tinsukia District. From spicy Indian curries to classy continental cuisine, customers can taste all types of culinary innovations at the Digboi Club. Oil Field Guest House is famous for their Indo-chinese food and Hotel Highway on the side of the main highway is famous among tourists and locals for its Assamese Thali and North Indian food.

Where To Stay

From homestays to hotels, there are many accommodation options near Digboi Museum.

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There are many accommodation options near this museum. From hotels to homestays, the options are unlimited. If you want to experience Assam in its full glory you should rent an Assamese homestay. If you are looking for lavish rooms, full of modern amenities, you can choose from the ultra-luxurious hotels near Digboi.

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Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Assam is from October to March when the weather is pleasant.

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The best time to visit this museum is from October to March when the weather is soothing and conducive to exploring.

Other Factors To Consider

Before embarking on a trip you should consider some factors for a successful tour.

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  • The oil museum is open to the public but visitors are not allowed to click Digboi Museum photos, without permission. You might be charged extra for carrying cameras.
  • Digboi Museum ticket price is ₹10 for children and ₹20 for adults. The prices may change depending on a number of factors.
  • When visiting the museum you must take care of your belongings and try not to litter around the premise of the refinery.

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Digboi Museum is the oldest and one of the longest running oil refineries in India. It is believed that the place got its name from the British engineer, who encouraged his team shouting, dig boy, dig! It is a good place for educational tours. If you want to take a trip to the intriguing Oil Refinery in Digboi, book your tour with TripXL for an amusing experience.

Cover Photo: Subhashish Panigrahi / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

The highlight of this museum is it is known as the Oil City of Assam where the first oil well in Asia was drilled.
The discovery of oil in Digboi was an accident, the workers who were laying railroad in the area, dug a hole and found oil in Digboi, when the news reached the government, they built an oil well around the area, which soon became Digboi Oil Refinery.
Digboi’s culture is heavily influenced by the British. Residents of Digboi spend their time golfing, fishing and swimming and the languages spoken here are English, Assamese and Hindi.
Digboi Museum is located in the picturesque Digboi town, Tinsukia in Northeastern Assam.
Digboi Museum opens at 9 AM and closes around 4:15 PM in the evening. Also, the museum is closed on Mondays and other official holidays.

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