Dibrugarh Municipality was established in 1873. Before  that, Dibrugarh city had been under numerous rulers. Beginning with the Chutias in the 12th Century, it was conquered by the Ahoms in about 1233 A.D. During the insurrection of Moamoria, Dibrugarh came under the Matak rule, before it finally came under the British in the 19^thcentury.

            The city since then has become the nerve center of all political, administrative, cultural and commercial activities of the Upper Assam region. Dibrugarh is located along 27' 28' N latitude and 94' 35' E longitude. The British established Dibrugarh town with the construction of a large fort on the banks of the Dibru River, which was later, eroded away in a massive flood- a common phenomenon in Assam. This fort acted as a trading site for traders coming by boats, thus leading to the establishment of a market known as the Purana bazaar. After its erosion by the mighty river, the new market was established in 1907. The British established a railway line in 1882. The population of the town has increased 11,227 in 1901 to 1, 37,879 in 2001. With further development of the trade and commerce in the city along with the transport and communication system, this town emerged as an important commercial center in the Upper Assam region. At present, Dibrugarh is well connected with other parts of the country through a broad gauge railway line as well as by air. The airport is located at Mohanbari, 12kms from the town. The present Dibrugarh Municipal Board has a jurisdiction over 15.50 sq. Km of area, which is divided into 22 wards.

            It is possible to conjecture that in ancient days Dibrugarh was probably under the Chutia kingdom and in about 1233 A. D., it was brought under the Ahoms who vanquished the Chutias. The Ahom built a fort (Garh) on the bank of the Dibru. Again during the insurrection of the Moamorias, Dibrugarh came under the control of the Muttacks from whom it was passed over to the British.            They had established the Dibrugarh town with the construction of a large fort. To the site of the fort area merchants came by boats for trading purposes and a market sprang up which is known as Purana Bazar (old market). The new market was established in 1907 after the Purana Bazar was eroded by the river. The town was connected by railways in 1882. A Municipality was constituted in 1878 at Dibrugarh under Bengal Act V of 1876 and Bengal Act III of 1884 was subsequently introduced in 1887. The population of the town has increased from 11227 in 1901 to 139565 in 2011.

            In addition to its importance as administrative headquarter of the Dibrugarh District; Dibrugarh was originally a Tea exporting town. Dibrugarh is connected by NH-37 with Tinsukia, which is a major commercial center in Upper Assam. This highway further connects to important towns like Sivsagar, Jorhat and Guwahati, the commercial and economic hub of the North -East. In addition to that, after completion of the mega mighty Brahmaputra bridge project, more gateways will be open connecting to neighboring Arunachal Pradesh and northern bank of River Brahmputra. Discovery of Oil in Digboi-Duliajan and Coal in Ledo raised the importance of this premier and oldest town of Assam. This importance will be further strengthened on completion of Gas cracker project.

            It needless to emphasize that Dibrugarh Town is rapidly growing from all angles and it is known to all that there are Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh University, other various educational Institutions, viz. schools, colleges, Nursing Homes, Commercial  and Industrial establishments including Brahmaputra Gas Cracker project etc, Banking and Financial Institutions and so many establishments including railway communication viz. Banipur Railway Station and Town Railway Station. After opening the Bogibeel Bridge over river Brahmaputra the people of North Bank of river Brahmaputra including Arunachal Pradesh are concentrated in this town for various purposes including medical purpose resulting increase of vehicular traffic as well as the number of Buses and floating population..The peoples are migrating to this town for earning their livelihood and some are settled hereon.