ASEEM, ASSAM, or ACHAM, a country of Asia to the north of Ava, but which is very little known to Europeans. It is said to be very fertile, and to contain mines of gold, silver, iron, and lead, all which belong to the king, who, in consequence of enjoying the produce, requires no taxes from his people. They have also great quantities of gum lac, and coarse silk. It is also thought that the inhabitants of Azem were long ago the inventors of cannon and gunpowder; and that from them the invention passed to the inhabitants of Pegu, and from thence to the Chinese.