Alterations in the liver histology of Labeo rohita were examined after exposure to different concentrations of carbofuran (0.06 and 0.15 mg L⁻¹) and cypermethrin (0.16 and 0.40 μl L⁻¹) for 28 days. Histological recovery was also studied by maintaining the intoxicated fish in a freshwater system for an additional 28 days. Major damages caused by carbofuran toxicity were diffuse necrosis, cordal disarrangement, individualization of hepatocytes, etc.; significant changes induced by cypermethrin were hyperplasia, disintegration of hepatic mass, focal coagulative necrosis, etc. In both cases, damages were dose‐dependent, with cypermethrin exhibiting more sensitivity than carbofuran. In all cases, recovery was prominent and rate of recovery was faster with carbofuran than when using cypermethrin.