The Dihing Patkai National Park, located in Assam, India, is often called the "Amazon of the East" due to its lush biodiversity and rich rainforest ecosystem. The jungle is home to a diverse array of endangered species and migratory birds. The forest hosts the largest stretch of lowland rainforest in India, and houses a myriad of native communities.

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Back in the early 19th century, Assam caught attention of the British owing to its potential for tea cultivation. Annexing Assam in 1826 following the Treaty of Yandaboo, the British conducted detailed surveys in the region to identify resources and other potentials. This marked the beginning of Assam's industrial complex, reshaping its ancient cultural landscape to a global resource hub.

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The Assam Railways and Trading Company Limited (AR&T), established in 1881, played a pivotal role in the development of Assam's economy during British rule. Initially formed to facilitate the transport of tea from Assam, the company soon expanded into coal, timber and oil after discovering resource rich forest areas.

Under AR&T's interventions, a village in the Dihing-Patkai region emerged as a significantextraction centre during the British regime. The transformation of this serene hamlet was catalyzed by the establishment of robust colliery infrastructure and  railway-lines under the supervision of Italian engineer Chevalier Roberto Paganini. Renamed in honour of Queen Margherita of Italy, the indigenous hamlet of Ma-kum became Margherita.