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Political History of Assam 1947- 1971 VOL – 1
Rajen Saikia, Editor
Published by Publication Board Assam
Why were so many dharnas, agitations and public movements required to build Assam and the North East? Find it out for yourself by reading the book. The voluminous text under the guise of Assam covers the political history of undivided Assam, more precisely the northeast. It covers the period between 1947 and 1971. I would fancy calling this treatise the Political History of the North East as it was only after the independence that Assam was divided into various smaller states in the decades to follow.
But let’s stop here for a moment to ponder if such narrations (Political History) are conducive and should be written. Well, they are useful, provided, they capture the untold story of the state from reliable sources. Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, deserves praise for approving this.
The uniqueness of the title is that it stems from the archives of the state and the central government, the public sector, libraries, newspapers, columns, books by citizens, and recorded statements of political and social heads who squarely construct the narrative. It is not a politically driven narrative but a neutral one based on facts. The archive records put the ruling dispensation of those times, especially the government of India, in poor light.
The title enumerates the linguistic and ethnic fissures of the North East after independence. It tells the gory story of the partition of India on the eastern border and the scheming role of the Muslim League in dividing her. The leaders of the Muslim League allowed Muslims from East Pakistan to enter India and live here only to build a sizeable Muslim population and dwarf the local population of Hindus, the effects of which are still visible. It also reveals the names of certain Indian Muslim leaders of that era who were close to Mohammed Ali Jinnah.
The editor appears dispassionate in his job because of which the narration enjoys that flush of impartiality. Eminent people from all walks of life have contributed munificently in bringing this spine to light. The book is divided into eight chapters, which are further divided into sub-chapters. This does not include the customary chapters. The catchy foreword is by the honourable Chief Minister of Assam.
A striking point that repeatedly comes up chapter after chapter is how the Congress government of Assam had to entreat the government of India for projects and issues relevant to the North East. To succinctly put it, Assam and the North East required many agitations, protests, and strikes to progress. No state, region or country is complete without the panorama of its history and mythology. The book does well to cover that. As a border region, the northeast had to face many invasions and wars described well in the pages one after another. The Tea industry has been the mainstay of Assam. The chapter is a real eye-opener when it comes to tea. The book is a comprehensive assortment of institutions, movements, local heroes and the all-time great personalities of India. It has some explosive chapters too. For example, did Nehru for the sake of the vote bank tamper with the ethnic and demographic tapestry of Assam and the northeast? The answer lies embedded in the pages of the title.
Why were things not as easy for the North East as they were for the western borders of India? So many dharnas and agitation were required to build Assam. Assam unlike Punjab (both border states) which was close to the capital had tough logistics and credibility issues while tackling the government of India. The central leadership was perhaps not aware of the complexities of the region. For every small project, Assam had to confront the government of India.
The book does well in capturing the ancient history of the land. The sources of data collection are extensive. Northeast is a complete potpourri of cultures. There was bitterness and mistrust between the plains (Assam), the hills and the government. Language was always a sensitive issue. The people of the northeast had to continuously fight for their identity. This spoke of the complexity of the land where they belonged to. The curse of partition and its shady manoeuvres haunts Assam and the northeast even today. Northeast was subject to linguistic dissensions. Assam is a politically sensitive border state. There was a time when people called it a Cinderella State.
The narrative is a brilliant effort by the Government of Assam. Congratulations to the education minister and the editor too. The idea should be embraced by all Indian states to understand their current position and trace their origins.
By Kamlesh Tripathi
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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com
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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety in content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause? The bank details are given below:
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Kamlesh Tripathi’s Publications
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AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES
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REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD
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BHAVANS JOURNAL
Short stories, Book reviews and Articles published in Bhavan’s Journal: 1. Reality and Perception, 15.10.19; 2. Sending the Wrong Message, 31.5.20; 3. Eagle versus Scholars June, 15 & 20, 2020; 4. Indica, 15.8.20; 5. The Story of King Chitraketu, August 31 2020; 6. Breaking Through the Chakravyuh, September 30 2020. 7. The Questioning Spouse, October 31, 2020; 8. Happy Days, November 15, 2020; 9. The Karma Cycle of Paddy and Wheat, December 15, 2020; 10. Power Vs Influence, January 31, 2021; 11. Three Refugees, March 15, 2021; 12. Rise and Fall of Ajatashatru, March 31, 2021; 13. Reformed Ruler, May 15, 2021; 14. A Lasting Name, May 31, 2021; 15. Are Animals Better Teachers? June 16, 2021; 16. Book Review: The Gram Swaraj, 1.7.21; 17. Right Age for Achievements, 15.7.21; 18. Big Things Have Small Beginnings, 15.8.21; 19. Where is Gangaridai?, 15.9.21; 20. Confront the Donkey Within You 30.9.21; 21. Know Your Strengths 15.10.21; 22. Poverty 15.11.21; 23. Top View 30.11.21; 24. The Bansuriwala 15.1.22; 25. Sale of Alaska 15.2.22; 26. The Dimasa Kingdom 28.2.22;27. Buried Treasure 15.4.22; 28. The Kingdom of Pragjyotisha 30.4.22; 29. Who is more useful? 15.5.22; 30. The White Swan from Lake Mansarovar 30.6.22; 31. Bhool Bhulayya 15.9.22; 32. Good Karma 30.9.22; 33. Good Name vs Bad Name 15.10.22; 34. Uttarapath—The Grand Trunk Road 1.12.22; 35. When Gods Get Angry 1.1.23; 36. Holinshed’s Chronicles 15.1.23; 37. Theogony 15.2.23; 38. Poem: Mother 14.5.23; 39. The Nag Mandir 30.6.23; 40. The Story of Garuda 30.7.23; 41. Janmabhoomi vs Karmabhoomi 31.8.23; 42. The Ghost Town of Kuldhara 15.9.23; 43. The Tale of Genji 15.10.23; 44. The Soul Connection 1.12.23; 45.Book review: Jungle Nama … a story of the Sundarban 16.3.24; 46. Book review: A Forgotten Chapter 16.5.24;
THE SHILLONG TIMES
ARTICLES & POEMS: 1. POEM: HAPPY NEW YEAR 8.1.23; 2. POEM: SPRING 12.3.23; 3. POEM: RIGHT AND WRONG 20.3.23; 4. THE GUSH OF EMOTION—WRITING, 26.3.23; 5. THE NAG MANDIR, 7.5.23; 6. POEM: MOTHER 7.5.23; 7. POEM: RAIN RAIN 9.7.23; 8. POEM: YOU COME ALONE YOU GO ALONE 6.8.23; 9. RAIN RAIN (SECOND TIME) 10.8.23; 10. POEM: GURU TEACHER 1.10.23; 11. POEM: AUTUMN … THE INTERIM HEAVEN 15.10.23; 12. POEM: HAPPY DIWALI 12.11.23; 13. OVERCOMING BLINDNESS: LEARN IT THE JOHN MILTON WAY 10.12.23; 14. THE HAPPY PRINCE AND THE HAPPY MAN’S SHIRT 31.12.23; 15. ANNUS MIRABILIS 2024 7.1.24; 16. GANDHI TO MAHATMA GANDHI- Incidents that Shaped Gandhi in South Africa 28.1.24; 17. POEM: TOGETHER BUT NOT MADE FOR EACH OTHER, 11.2.24; 18. THE BIRDS BEES AND THE SPIDERS OF NICHOLAS GUILDFORD AND JONATHAN SWIFT 25.2.24; 19. THE OVERCOATS OF NIKOLAI GOGOL AND RUSKIN BOND 10.3.24; 20. THE ETHNIC COLOURS OF HOLI 24.3.24; 21. A LESSON FROM DALAI LAMA, 21.4.24; 22. POEM: MORNING WALK 28.4.24; 23. TRIP TO RHINE FALLS, SWITZERLAND, 19.5.24; 24. POEM: HURT 2.6.24; 25. POEM: YOUR CONSCIENCE WAS MY SIGN ON 16.6.24; 26. THE EERIE WAYS OF TIME 7.7.24;
THE ASSAM TRIBUNE
ARTICLE: 1. THE MAGIC OF READING 11.12.23; 2. GANDHI TO MAHATMA 29.1.24; 3. GEOGRAPHY OF SOLITUDE 8.4.24; 4. A LESSON FROM DALAI LAMA, 22.4.24; 5. A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION, 29.4.24; 6. THE FOUR-LEGGED LIBRARY, 12.5.24; 7. AGE AND ACHIEVEMENT, 10.6.24; 8. READ … TO RISE ABOVE MEDIOCRITY, 1.7.24;
THE ARUNACHAL TIMES
POEM: 1. HOPE—IN THE ARC OF TWIGHT 2. SPRING 3.3.24; 3. POEM: THE MORNING WALK 10.3.24;
BANDRA TIMES, MUMBAI
ARTICLES & POEMS: 1. POEM: SPRING, 1.4.23; 2. POEM: MOTHER, 1.6.23; 3. POEM: RAIN RAIN, 1.8.23; 4. A LESSON FROM DALAI LAMA 1.6.24;
ARTICLES IN THE DIGITAL MAGAZINE ESAMSKRITI
29.12.2020: INDICA BY MEGASTHENES; 14.3.22: ABOUT THE DIMASA KINGDOM ASSAM; 10.12.22: GRAND TRUNK ROAD-UTTARAPATH; 5.10.23: THE GHOST TOWN OF KULDHARA NEAR JAISALMER;
(ALL THE ABOVE BOOK TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)
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