The place used to be a trade centre where the people from Moran tribe used to visit in order to sell their products in the north of Dihing which was located in the Chutiya kingdom.

The place got its name from the market (hat in Assamese) set up by the people of Moran tribe in ancient times.

Finally, after the fall of Chutia kingdom, the region was occupied by the Ahoms whose king Suhungmung of the 16th-century built his capital in Bakata near the banks of the Dihing river.

Before that, the queen of Tyao Khamti also fled the Ahom kingdom by crossing the Dihing and reached Habung while further shows the geographical condition of that time.

Predominantly indigenous Assamese communities are present in the area, the town also comprises immigrant Muslims, Jains, Christians constitute the remaining population.

Immigrant Bengalis, Christians, Sikhs, Bhojpuris, and Tamilians—who mostly come here on teaching assignments at the convent schools—are some of the major communities residing in this town.

Moranhat is well-connected to all the major places of Assam through private and state government bus services.

[8] Assam's capital city of Dispur is over 300 km (8–9 hrs bus journey) from the town.

There is an array of food outlets in Moranhat on and off the National Highway and are hence thronged by travelers on their visits to places like Dibrugarh and Tinsukia (along the extreme east).