Guwahati (Guwāhāti ) — formerly known as Pragjyotishpura (Sanskrit:प्राग्ज्योतिषपुर) and Durjoya (Sanskrit:दुर्जय) in ancient Assam, and Gauhati in the modern era — is an ancient urban area, the largest city of Assam, the largest metropolitan area in north-eastern India, one of the fastest developing cities in India and often referred as "gateway" of the North East Region.