History Of Assam Research Articles

The Leadership Quality Exhibited by Bir Lachit Borphukan, the Great Ahom General of Medieval Assam against Islamic Forces: A Critical Analysis.

Assam, the North Eastern province of India had to face Islamic invasion since 13th century onwards. But this province has never surrendered to the invading Islamic forces. The history of Assam is loaded with stories of various mighty heroes. Bir Lachit Borphukan is among them who defeated the Mughals with his acute military strategy and leadership qualities. He is a living legend and his bravery and tales of patriotism are no longer confined to Assam only, it has become a national saga. His military acumen and war strategy have become an inspiring lesson for the nation’s millions of youths. He was the Commander-in-Chief of Ahom army who brought the Ahom army to the highest possible level of efficiency through his acute military strategy, dedication, leadership qualities and patriotism.

Exploring Assamese Culture and Identity in Bhabendra Nath Saikia’s “The Hour Before Dawn” and S.K Bhuyan’s “Studies in the History of Assam”

Exploring Assamese Culture and Identity in Bhabendra Nath Saikia’s “The Hour Before Dawn” and S.K Bhuyan’s “Studies in the History of Assam”

The violence and the left: a study in the context of the Assam Movement (1979–85)

ABSTRACT The Assam Movement (1979–85) was one of the most significant political developments in the history of Assam. It demanded the detection and deportation of illegal immigrants from Assam. The movement passed through several phases, many of which involved violence. It includes the clashes between the agitators and the left-leaning political parties and organizations, which resulted in severe violence and even several fatalities. Certain works related to the violence and the Assam Movement provide information on the nature and timelines of those violence. However, there is a gap in the analysis of the reasons behind this development. Therefore, this paper attempts to understand the said gap historically. The primary sources for the study are archived files and documents. The study argues that the violence broke out as a result of the development of left politics, the emergence of regional political parties, and the left’s involvement in the Assam Movement.

Bir Lachit Borphukan, the Unsung Hero of Medieval Bharat: A Critical Study

Abstract: Lachit Borphokan is the pride and example of patriotism of Bharat who give the greatest example of sacrifices for country by which he inspires and motivates every person of Assam for the supreme sacrifice for our nation if it need. He was born on 24 November 1622 to Momai Tamuli Boabarua and Kunti Moran at Charaideo to a Ahom family. After completing his study in humanities and military strategies, he was appointed as the Saladhara Barua (as Private Secretary) of Ahom King. He was also appointed to other important positions like the superintendent of stable Royal Horses and superintendent of house guards. King Chakradwaj Singha was impressed by his duty, honesty and discipline and made him the commander in chief of Ahom army i.e Borphukan. As a warrior he holds a special place in history. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb sent Mughals under the leadership of Ram Singha to seize Assam in I671 and Lachit Borphukan defeated them at the battle of Saraighat. Assam was nearly captured by Mughal, but his Captainship prevented them to do so. His patriotism, bravery, dutifulness, and determination are enshrined in the history of Assam also motivate and inspire every person of Assam. Such a great hero of Ma Bharati should be remembered by each and every person of the country. His life and works can be a source of inspiration to all.

Chilārāi and the Contemporary Literary World of Assam - A Study

The Koch Dynasty occupies an important place in the history of Assam. There were many great warriors of history who were associated with this dynasty. Viśva Siṁha was the first king of the Koch Dynasty. Viśva Siṁha had eighteen sons and Chilārāi was the third son. After Viśva Siṁha, the Koch Dynasty was ruled by King Naranārāyaṇa. Chilārāi was appointed as the commander-in-chief during the reign of Naranārāyaṇa. Being a commander-in-chief, Chilārāi brought various states under the control of the Kamata-Koch power. Chilārāi was very popular for his military exploits during the reign of Naranārāyaṇa. The name of Chilārāi during his birth was Śukladhvaja. But later on, the name chilārāi was given to him due to his traits. It was said that Śukladhvaja got the name chilārāi because of the swift mobility of his army and sudden and surprising attack. There was another tradition regarding the name chilārāi. History said that when Śukladhvaja crosses the Bhoroli River in one jump, it appears like a hawk is pouncing on its prey. Thus he got the name chilārāi. In the history, Chilārāi was always remembered for his prowess. But people hardly know about the connection and contribution of Chilārāi in the field of literature. Thus the present seminar paper tries to bring out the connection of Chilārāi with the contemporary literary world of Assam. Keywords: Koch Dynasty, Chilārāi, military exploits, contribution in literary field

Sex, sahibs and bodies: women workers in the tea plantations of colonial Assam

ABSTRACT The recent developments in the evolution of ‘labor history’ as an academic field have injected new direction into theories of Gender, Sex and Bodies. Incidents of sexual violence and gender oppression have long been a brutal part of human history. In contemporary times, plantation societies are finally receiving critical attention as historians embark on gendered reappraisals of history, especially in countries like India. This article sets out to retrieve several accounts of sexual violence in the tea plantations of Assam during the colonial period. It also shows how the colonial masters (Sahibs) of the tea gardens have oppressed/sexualized the bodies of men/women workers in the tea gardens of Assam. An attempt is also made to reconstruct the forgotten stories of two tea-garden working-class women, Mangri Orang alias Malati Mem and Durgi Bhumij alias Durgi Mem, who were sexually abused by the European tea planters. From their objectification as sexualized bodies, the duo later showed their abilities of agency when they joined India’s freedom struggle and transformed into freedom fighters. The paper analyzes the connections between oppressed/sexualized bodies of women tea plantation workers and the colonial capitalist patriarchy in the history of Assam.

Technology in historical study: Iron culture and History of Assam

Technology in historical study: Iron culture and History of Assam

Colonising Elephant Hunting in Assam (1826–1947)

Elephant has always played an important role in the history of Assam. Because of its strategic importance, elephant has always been preserved while other wild animals such as rhinoceros, tigers, leopards, bears, wolves, hyenas, wild boars, wild pigs, hogs, wild dogs, deer and bear were hunted for games, and attempts were made at the total annihilation of these animals during the colonial rule. Though the cases of elephant hunting for ivory were not uncommon, it was mostly preferred to be captured for its usefulness. Elephant was not only used for transportation, hauling and administrative purposes, but it was also a very good hunting friend. Because of the strategic importance of the animal, elephant hunting became a monopoly of the British government during colonial rule in Assam. Process of elephant catching and its management was also controlled by the British as it was also one of the important sources of revenue for the British government. The wildlife protection policy in India started with the elephant’s preservation policy of 1879. Thus, elephant plays an important role in the wildlife preservation of India. This article deals with the process of colonisation of elephant hunting, and an attempt has been made to study the management of elephants under kheddah department as well as private lease system, methods of elephant catching, elephant protection policies, conflicts over the access of the animal and revenue from elephants.

At the frontier of imperial history: revisiting Edward Gait’s A History of Assam

Edward Gait’s A History of Assam was first published in 1906, later revised in 1926. The book has remained one of the most popular ‘textbooks’ in Assam, especially as the first modern historiography on the subject. This article looks at two broad issues in this regard. First, it looks at the contradictions that Gait was faced with in terms of his imperial ideology and interpreting the historical sources of an imperial frontier. Second, it tries to situate the relevance of the above point vis-à-vis some of the contemporary attempts at re-framing the region as an international borderland. In conclusion, the article looks at the reception of Gait and his appropriation into different discourses within Assam. A point explored is whether despite its contradictions, was Gait’s A History of Assam part of a wider, dynamic context of early twentieth century Assam, which made the book an important academic and political intervention of its times.

Forests and Ecological History of Assam, 1826–2000. By Arupjyoti Saikia. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2011. xviii + 388 pp. Illustrations, maps, tables, notes, bibliography, and index. Cloth $80.00.

<i>Forests and Ecological History of Assam, 1826–2000</i>. By Arupjyoti Saikia. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2011. xviii + 388 pp. Illustrations, maps, tables, notes, bibliography, and index. Cloth $80.00.

Book Reviews : Arun Chandra Bhuyan and Sibopada De, eds. Political History of Assam, Volume Two, 1920-1939. Gauhati: Government of Assam, Department for the Preparation of Political History of Assam, 1978. Pp.xxii+394. Price Rs 30.00

Book Reviews : Arun Chandra Bhuyan and Sibopada De, eds. Political History of Assam, Volume Two, 1920-1939. Gauhati: Government of Assam, Department for the Preparation of Political History of Assam, 1978. Pp.xxii+394. Price Rs 30.00

Reviews

Reviews

A History of Assam

A History of Assam

“The History of Upper Assam, Upper Burmah, and North-Eastern Frontier.”

I HAVE had the opportunity of looking through this recent publication, which was reviewed in NATURE, vol. cxiv., p. 481, December 31, 1914. It is most interesting reading to anyone, but particularly to those like myself who spent many years on the Eastern Frontier among the tribes mentioned. This book covers so large an area, goes back so far into the past history of Assam since the East India Company were brought into relation with that country, and further back into a lost history of its ancient greatness, that 256 pages cannot do the subject justice. Very much which has been written of Assam, particularly in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal and other publications, is not referred to at all, while certain parts are very sketchy, even inaccurate. At the same time, very much that Colonel Shakespear has written is extremely interesting, and his knowledge and experience are very considerable, from having served so long in the country, and his conclusions sound. On p. 108, treating of events in the Dafla country in 1874, when Colonel Stafford commanded a force which entered the country, we find”