Assamese literature defines the wholesome and complete corpus of poetry, novels, short assimilates writings such as popular ballads in the oldest forms of the language, during its metamorphosis into the present form. The rich literary heritage of the Assamese language can be traced back to 6th century with their Charyapada (a compilation of 8th-12th century Vajrayana Buddhist caryagiti, or spiritual poems of tantric tradition in eastern India), where the earliest priceless constituents of the language can be picked out. History of Assamese literature can largely be classified into three periods, including: Early Assamese period (6th to 15th century A.D.), Middle Assamese period (17th to 19th Century A.D.) and, Modern Assamese (late 19th century onwards).

Assamese literature, just like the umpteen other Indian literatures of every region, possesses its own distinct way of differences in every genre. For instance, early Assamese literature was yet to flower from its aboriginal influence of ancient Indian languages. The early centuries of the Christian era had witnessed the gradual rising of poetry in its various form of being small, or long. However, inscriptions were the ones that had been lent foremost importance. Then again, Middle Assamese literature began to egress forth the slow betterment of literature in its umpteen genres, also including domains of education and subjects of scientific knowledge.

Assamese literature had been incredibly fortunate to constant patronage and backing of the ruling kings and dynasties of the erstwhile Assam state. Each reigning sovereign were forever eager to take interest in literature in every kind, beginning from prose and perhaps ending in other forms of writing. The excavated evidences of such etchings still bear gloriousness to modern Assamese literature. However, administrational policies during the colonial rule under the domineering Britishers, had rested its profound influence, for once creating an almost vacuum in the literary scenario. In this context, the Middle Assamese literature had likewise, been swayed by the legendary Bhakti Movement, and its consequent overflow of Vaishnavism. Assamese literature also had significantly borrowed from Bengali language, believed to a separate faction of one and the same language structure.