The Kamrup Anusandhan Samiti (Assam Research Society, established in 1912) established the Assam Provincial Museum in 1940 later renamed Assam State Museum and inaugurated by the then Governor Sir Robert Neil Reid. At present there are 10 other district museums along with the parent museum, the Assam State Museum. The Museum was set up to pursue collection, conservation, documentation and presentation of cultural heritage of Assam and neighbouring states in a scientific manner.

About the collection: Manuscripts, copper plates, metal and stone sculpture, arms and ammunitions swords, dresses, wooden crafts, ethnographic items, paintings, photographs, coins, natural history collection, terracotta of Indus Valley civilization, Neolithic items, etc. Some special collections are coins of Ahom era, illustrated manuscripts, jewellery of different ethnic groups of Northeast India, textile objects, etc.