172 Pages
Useful for APSC and Assam Govt Exams
ASSAM 2018 YEARBOOK
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Disclaimer While all care has been taken in draing this material, no responsibility is accepted by the author for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This material is for informave purpose only. It is not intended to be relied upon or be a substute for legal or other professional advice. The author accepts no responsibility for any consequences that may result from reliance on any informaon provided in this material. Anything from this document can’t be used in any legal case.
Table of Contents 1. Introduction - State Profile of Assam
P2-11
2. Current Affairs - Assam & NE
P12 -62
3. Governance and Politics of Assam
P63-68
4. Geography of Assam
P69- 79
5. History of Assam
P80- 134
6. Economy of Assam
P135-146
7. Demography of Assam
P147-150
8. Culture of Assam
P151-153
9. State of Education in Assam
P154-155
10. State of Health in Assam
P156-157
11. Union Budget 2018-19
P158-165
12. Governance of India and its states & UTs
P166-171
Table of Contents 1. Introduction - State Profile of Assam
P2-11
2. Current Affairs - Assam & NE
P12 -62
3. Governance and Politics of Assam
P63-68
4. Geography of Assam
P69- 79
5. History of Assam
P80- 134
6. Economy of Assam
P135-146
7. Demography of Assam
P147-150
8. Culture of Assam
P151-153
9. State of Education in Assam
P154-155
10. State of Health in Assam
P156-157
11. Union Budget 2018-19
P158-165
12. Governance of India and its states & UTs
P166-171
1. Introduction - State Profile of Assam Assam, the gateway to the North East India, is the largest State in the North-East region of India – bordering seven States viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and West Bengal and two countries viz. Bangladesh and Bhutan. The geographical area of the State is 78,438 sq. km of which 98.4 percent area is rural. Assam shares about 2.4 percent of the country’s total geographical area and provides shelter to 2.6
percent population of the Country. The State is endowed with abundant fertile land and water resources with total geographical area of 78,438 sq.km. of which 98.4 % area is rural. It has two major river systems in the 30 districts of the Brahmaputra valley & 3 districts of the Barak valley, and three hill districts viz. Karbi-Along, West Karbi-Along & Dima Hasao. For administrative and revenue purposes, the state has 33 districts including includin g four districts Under the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) area viz. Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baska & Udalguri and 6 newly created districts viz., Biswanath, Charaideo, Hojai, South Salmara-Macachar , West Karbi-Anglong Karbi-Anglong and Majuli. Majuli. The State has been blessed bountiful by nature. The mighty Brahmaputra truncating the state, the Barak river in the south and their tributaries provide abundant water resource; the dense forest cover is home to a wide range of valuable timber, bamboo & medical plants; the state reserve of oil and natural gas; the fertile valleys & hills lopes nourish tea gardens and horticultural horticultural crops while the rich and fertile soil lend itself to raising vital food-grains. food -grains. Assam is administratively divided into 33 district with 80 sub-division, 219 Development Blocks and 2202 Gaon Panchayats, out of which 3 districts with 4 sub-divisions & 16 Development Blocks are under three hill districts of Karbi-Along, East Karbi-Along & Dima Hasao. Assam has heterogeneous population with socio-cultural & ethnic diversity. According to the Census of India, 2011 the population of Assam stands at 3.12 crore of which 1.59 crore are male and 1.53 crore are female. The decadal growth of the State’s population works out at
17.07 percent during the decade 2001-2011 as against 17.68 percent for the country as a
whole. Of the total population, 86 percent population live in rural areas & 14 percent population live in urban areas of the State. The density of the population of Assam has increased to 398 persons in 2011 from 340 persons in 2001 Census or on an average, 58 more people inhabit every square kilometer in the State as compared to a decade ago. Assam is known for Assam tea and Assam silk. Digboi of Assam is known as the Oil City of Assam where the first oil well in Asia was drilled. The first refinery was started here as early as 1901. Digboi also has the oldest oil well in operation. Assam is also known for its very rich bio-diversity; it has conserved the one-horned Indian rhinoceros from near extinction, along with the wild water buffalo, pygmy hog, tiger and various species of Asiatic birds. It provides one of the last wild habitats for the Asian elephant. The Assamese economy is aided by wildlife tourism, centred around Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park which are World Heritage Sites. The tropical monsoon climate facilate evergreen forests as a result of abundant rainfall. The state has Brahmaputra and Barak River along with their tributaries and oxbow lakes provide the region with a hydro-geomorphic, irrigational facility and aesthetic environment. The State is severely affected by floods during rainy seasons causing enormous damage to crops, livestock, land, property & bringing untold miseries to the people at large. Both the Brahmaputra and Barak Valley witness devastating floods every year, which not only washes away valuable life & crops, but also lead to bank erosion and drainage congestion, virtually destroy the economy, more particularly, the rural economy of the State.
ASSAM – IMPORTANT STATISTICS Geography
Latitude:
24 N° - 28 N°
Longitude:
90 E° - 96 E°
Geographical Area (Sq. Km.):
78,438 Sq Km
Average Rainfall (in mm):
2077.8
Districts [Year 2016]:
33
Sub-divisions [Year 2016]:
80
Blocks:
219
Revenue Circle:
184
Zilla Parishad:
20
Anchalik Panchayat:
189
Gaon Panchayat:
2202
Towns:
214
Villages:
26395
Household:
6406471
Total Population [Census 2011]:
31205576
Male Population [Census 2011]:
15939443
Female Population [Census 2011]:
15266133
Rural Population [Census 2011]:
26807034
Urban Population [Census 2011]:
4398542
Sex Ratio (female per 1000 male) [Census 2011]:
958
Population Density (per Sq. Km.) [Census 2011]:
398
Child Population (0-6 Years) [Census 2011]:
4638130
Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Years) [Census 2011]:
962
Literacy Rate (%) [Census 2011]:
72.19
Literacy Rate (%) (Rural) [Census 2011]:
69.34
Literacy Rate (%) (Urban) [Census 2011]:
88.47
Male Literacy Rate (%) [Census 2011]:
77.85
Male Literacy Rate (Rural) [Census 2011]:
75.4
Male Literacy Rate (Urban) [Census 2011]:
91.8
Female Literacy Rate (%) [Census 2011]:
66.27
Female Literacy Rate (Rural) [Census 2011]:
63.0
Female Literacy Rate (Urban) [Census 2011]:
84.9
Birth Rate (Per 1000) [2014]:
22.4
Death Rate (Per 1000) [2014]:
7.2
BPL Population [Tendulkar Methodology (2011-12)]
31.98
Per Capita NSDP at Current Price (in Rs.) [2015-16(Q)]:
60952
Per Capita GSDP at Current Price (in Rs.) [2015-16(Q)]:
67742
Revenue Receipts (Rs. in Lakh) [2016-17(BE)]:
6617988
Central Taxes:
1893828
State Taxes:
1563430
Non-tax Revenue (Collected by the State):
584652
Grants-in-aid:
2576078
Revenue Expenditure (Rs. in Lakh) [2016-17(BE)]:
6245904
General Services:
2011592
Social and Community Services:
2907793
Economic Services:
1257074
Grants-in-aid & Contribution:
69445
Land Utilisation, (in Hect.) [2014-15(P)]
Total Reported Area:
7843800
Forest Area:
1852676
Area under Non-agricultural Uses:
2460317
Net Area Sown:
2827324
Total Cropped Area:
4082594
Area under (‘000 Hect) *2015 -16(P)]
Rice:
2485
Wheat:
21
Maize:
28
Pulses:
142
Total Food Grains:
2683
Total Oil Seeds:
330
Production of (‘000 Tonne) *2015 -16(P)]
Rice:
5125
Wheat:
34
Maize:
87
Total Pulses:
108
Total Food Grains:
5359
Total Oil Seeds (Exc. Coconut):
215
Number of Operational Holding [2010-11]
Marginal (below 1 Hectare):
1831115
Small (1.0 to 2.0 Hectare):
496574
Semi Medium (2.0 to 4.0 Hectare):
303528
Medium (4.0 to 10.0 Hectare):
84869
Large (above 10.0 Hectare):
4137
Average size of Operational Holding (in Hectare):
1.10
Net Irrigated Area (in Hect.):
178651
Gross Irrigated Area (in Hect.):
219016
Production of [2015-16]
Milk (Million Litres):
888
Egg (Million Nos.):
474
Meat (‘000 Tonnes):
44.81
Veterinary Facilities
Hospitals:
22
Dispensaries & Block Dispensaries:
436
Key Village Centre:
30
Total Area under Fisheries (Hect.) [2015-16]:
286259
River Fisheries (Km.) [2015-16]:
4820
Production of Fish Seeds (Million Nos.) [2015-16]:
5678.39
Production of Fish (Tonne) [2015-16]:
294200
Area under Reserved Forest (Hect.) [2015-16]:
1397315.87
Number of National Parks:
5
Number of Wildlife Sanctuaries:
18
Installed Capacity of Generating Plant (in M.W.) [2015-16]:
379.7
Gross Unit Generation (M.U.) [2015-16]:
1851.10
Energy Requirement (M.U.) [2015-16]:
7857.00
Availability (M.U.) of Electricity [2015-16]:
7571
% of Villages Electrified:
88
% of Household having Electricity:
37
Industrial Production Petroleum (Crude) (‘000 Tonnes) *2015-16]:
4513
Coal (‘000 Tonnes):
397
Lime Stone ('000 Tonnes) [2015-16]:
442
Natural Gas (MCM) [2015-16]:
2903
Registered Factories [2015]:
5799
Workers in Regd. Factories:
219903
Sericulture Villages [2015-16]:
11281
Families Engaged in Sericulture [2015-16]:
496901
Production of Silk Yarn ('000 Kg) [2015-16]:
2712.8
Tea Gardens (Nos.) [2016]
Small Growers:
84577
Big Growers:
767
Area under Tea Cultivation (Hect.) [2016]
Small Growers:
78203
Big Growers:
226197
Production of Tea (‘000 Kg.) *2016+:
642180
Tea Sold in Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (Rs. per Kg.) [2015]:
138.96
Road Length (in Km.) [2016]
National Highway:
3862.54
State Highway:
2530
Total Road Length (including NH, Surfaced and Un-Surfaced):
48724.54
Railway Route Length (in Km.)
Broad gauge:
2400.85
Meter gauge:
41.72
Education - Drop out Rate
Lower Primary (%):
15.4
Upper Primary (%):
10.5
Health Parameter
Civil Hospitals [2015-16]:
25
Sub-divisional Civil Hospitals:
13
Primary Health Centres:
1014
Community Health Centres:
151
Infant Mortality Rate (Per ‘000):
49
Neo-Natal Mortality Rate (Per '000):
26
Under Five Mortality Rate (Per '000):
66
Karbi Anglong is the largest district with an area of 10434 km. The district is covered mostly by plateaus and hills.
The largest plains district is Sonitpur with an area of 5324km.
Hailakandi is the smallest district in Assam having an area of 1327km.
From the view point of population as per 2011 census, Nagaon is the most populous district (2,823,768) followed closely by Dhubri (1,949,258). Dima Hasao district is the least populous one with 214,102 souls.
Total Parliamentary constituency – 14 for Lok Sabha and 7 Seats in Rajya Sabha
Area - 78,438 km2 (17 th among all Indian states)
Population (2011 Census) - 31,205,576 (15th among all Indian states)
Density - 400/km2
Literacy – 79.18%
Official language(s) - Assamese, English, Bodo (BTC), Bengali (Barak Valley)
Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) - Rs 2,58,337 Crore
GDP Rank among Indian States – 19th
GDP Growth rate- 15% (2017-18 est)
Unemployment – 4% (2015-16)
State anthem - The song O Mur Apunar Desh
Assam in Development Indices
2. Current Affairs - Assam & NE
January 2017 Dibrugarh University ranked 268 in World University Rankings Dibrugarh University has added another laur el to it’s reputation, it has just been ranked 268
overall from a group of 516 competing universities from 74 countries around the world, at the GreenMetric World University rankings. Among all the Indian Universities, the Dibrugarh University has been ranked fourth. This ranking compares universities’ efforts towards campus sustainability, and environment-friendly university management. The rankings this year was announced by the Universitas Indonesia’s (UI) Rector, Prof Muhammad Anis, along with the chairperson of UI GreenMetric Prof Riri Fitri Sari at the Central Administration Building, in its Depok campus. The University of California, Davis, USA was ranked first, followed by the University of Nottingham, UK, and the Waganigen University and Research, Netherland secured the third position.
Sikkim became India’s First Fully Organic State In 2016
The year 2016 has been bountiful for Sikkim, as it has become India’s first fully organic State besides being also adjudged as the cleanest State, overall best in education and tourist destination while the famed Kanchenjunga National Park was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Sikkim was awarded the Cleanest State in India by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).
All four districts of the State figured among top 10 ranked districts of hill States of the country. Sikkim was also adjudged the cleanest tourist destination in the country by the Ministry of Tourism. Sikkim was once again conferred with the overall best State in education .
New govt formed in arunachal pradesh with Prema Khandu as CM 33 MLAs from the ruling People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA), led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu,
switch to BJP party after an emergency meeting, which make Arunachal Pradesh the second
State in the Northeast after Assam to have a full-fledged BJP government. Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok, who accepted their joining the party.
The BJP already had 12 MLAs and with the addition of 33 new lawmakers and two independents, the party’s tally went up to 47. Arunachal Pradesh becomes 10th BJP-ruled State and 14th with BJP alliances.
Arupa Patangia Kalita was chosen for the Assam Valley Literary Award
Renowned novelist and short-story writer Dr Arupa Patangia Kalita has been chosen for the 27th Assam Valley Literary Award for the year 2016. The award honours the eminent writer with a lifetime achievement award, which will be formally presented to Dr Arupa Patangia, a prolific writer and has an immense body of work to her credit including novels, short story collections and many of her novels and short stories have been translated into English, Hindi and Bengali. Famous novels and short story collections are Mriganabhi, Ayananta, Arunimar Swadesh (a collection of three novellas), Felani, Tokora Bahar Sonar Beji, Jalatarangar Sur, Moruyatra Aru Annanya, Morubhumit Menoka Aru Annanya, etc.
AFSPA extended for another 6 Months in Nagaland
The Union Home Ministry in a notification on December 30, extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958, in the entire area of Nagaland for another six months, a Nagaland Home Department official said. The Central govt was of the opinion that the area comprising the entire State of Nagaland was in such a "disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary". Rights groups, various civil societies and political parties, specially the tribalbased parties in Northeastern States described the law as "draconian" and have been demanding its withdrawal as the act gave huge powers to the Army and para-military forces to conduct operations anywhere in the disturb areas without any prior notice. Besides Nagaland, the AFSPA is also in force in Manipur (excluding the Imphal Municipal Council area), some parts of Assam and in several districts of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
Poetess CHHABI GUPTA passes away
Well-known poetess of Barak Valley Chhabi Gupta passed away at Kalyani Hospital while getting treatment for prolonged illness, at the age of 80. She has a good number of books on poetry and literature to her credit. She was born in Shillong in 1936, Gupta had studied at Shantiniken. She became reclusive but was fond of children. Chhabi Gupta was the person behind the successful running of literary magazine Ma Nishad for a period of 24 years. Barak Banga, Sammilita Sanskritik Mancha, Silchar Municipal Board and other organisations paid tributes and joined in her last journey as the poetess was cremated on Monday afternoon.
Central Go vt’s new move on Citizenship to Migrants
In a move that might have serious implications for infiltration-affected states like Assam, the Centre has delegated deputy commissioners (DCs) of several North and West Indian states, the authority to issue Indian citizenship to Pakistani Hindu migrants. As a result of these, now the fate of the pending Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 would be of little relevance. The states where the DCs have been empowered to grant citizenship to Hindu migrant Pakistanis include select districts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Delhi (West and South). In Rajasthan, the DCs of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer will be granted the authority.
Assam and Telangana to join Uday Scheme
Telangana and Assam are slated to join the UDAY scheme meant for revival of loss making discoms tomorrow, which will result in overall net benefits of Rs 6,116 crore and Rs 1,663 crore to them respectively, by way of savings in interest cost, reduction in AT&C and transmission losses, interventions in energy efficiency, coal reforms, among others, during the period of turnaround. Under the UDAY scheme, while Telangana would take over Rs 8,923 crore of the total Rs 11,897 crore of discom debt, Assam would take over Rs 928 crore out of total Rs 1,510 crore. The official said that this would amount to annual saving in interest cost of Rs 387 crore for Telangana and Rs 37 crore for Assam. Besides, the interest cost on future borrowings is also expected to reduce, providing a saving of around Rs 30-40 crore to the two states.
New body NETDC for Development of Tourism in NE Region Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the formation of North-Eastern Tourism Development Council (NETDC) on a public-private partnership (PPP) mode with the backing of the Union Ministry of DoNER.
Dr Singh claimed that this is for the first time that the Government of India has decided to set up a separate tourism development agency , devoted to a particular region of the country . The North-Eastern Tourism Development Council is yet another addition to several new initiatives undertaken with regard to the Northeast. The government earlier initiated setting up of ‘Venture Fund’ as initial capital assistance for any young entrepreneur or start-up, who wishes to launch an establishment or venture in the region and establishment of the ‘Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis ’ at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong. The ‘North-East Road Sector Development Scheme’ is also a region-based road development
programme in India that has proved to be a blessing for maintenance, construction and upgrade of such roads , which remain neglected.
STATE’S own E-WALLET ‘TOKAPOISA’ developed
The Assam Electronics Development Corporation Ltd has developed an ewallet ‘tokapoisa.in’ to push cashless transaction further in the state. It will be formally launched at the two- day DigiDhan Mela that begins at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetr. The e-wallet will be a virtual payment terminal and will also enable government-related transactions. It will have provisions for balance sheet records and accounting systems. To enable offline payment, local cards will be available for paying through tokapoisa.in. The Khetri gaon panchayat is being made fully digital and will be formally announced as the first digital GP of the State soon. Centenary Session of ASSAM SAHITYA SABHA to be organised in SIVASAGAR
The centenary celebrations of Asam Sahitya Sabha will be held at the Padmanath Gohain Baruah Kshetra of the historic Jerenga Pathar in Sivasagar district from February 8 to 12. The vice-president of the Asam Sahitya Sabha , Prahlad Tasa will assume charge as president-in charge.
Jonbeel Mela started in Jagiroad
The historic Jonbeel Mela, a congregation of hills and plains people from Assam and also from outside the State, got under way at the Jonbeel Pathar , four km from Jagiroad in Morigaon district. The Mela is organised annually under the auspices of the Gobha Tiwa Deoraja Junbeel Mela Samiti and at the direction of the Gobha Tiwa Deoraja, Deepsing. The ceremonial ‘king’ of the Gobha kingdom , along with his court members of Barbarua, Senapati, Deka-Doloi, Arandhara, Bordoloi, Khatoniar and others assembled this afternoon at the Mela ground to attend a community feast which was also joined by a host of personalities.
NRL exports wax to THAILAND, HONG KONG
After exporting to five countries, the Numaligarh Refinery Limited has now found new markets for its wax in two other countries, Thailand and Hong Kong. The first consignment of 20 MT of Fully Refined Paraffin Wax (FRPW) to Thailand and 80 MT to Hong Kong (China) was flagged off from the Refinery on Wednesday by the GM (Maintenance), Samiran Chakraborty. With this, the total export of paraffin wax from NRL’s Wax Plant stands at 1.9 thousand metric tonnes. CHIEF MINISTER Sarbananda Sonowal Launches Housing Scheme for Rural Assam
Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal formally launched the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) to provide an environmentally safe and secure pucca house to every rural household of the State by 2022. The PMAY-G proposes ‘Housing for All’ in rural areas of the State with a target to complete 1,64,245 pucca houses in its first phase during 2016-17. The unit cost for these houses has been significantly increased to Rs 1.3lakh and further through convergence of Swachh Bharat Mission and MGNREGA , a minimum support of nearly Rs 1.6 lakh to a household will be available under the scheme. Assam government sets a target to build around 10 lakh pucca houses in the State by 2022 . A
strong monitoring mechanism for implementation of the scheme has been developed.
AMAZON INDIA to Empower Naga Women Entrepreneurs
Amazon India partnered with the government of Nagaland and National Skill Development Corp (NSDC) to provide a global platform to sell their products at zero initial cost, to drive digital literacy among women entrepreneurs of the state. Amazon India will conduct training and skill development workshops to help the women entrepreneurs for the required operations. The programme may result in encouragement to cottage industries by helping them grow through online commerce. And also lead to the overall advancement of women eentrepreneurs from the state. Amazon has launched "Global Selling Programme" in India in May 2016 and has garnered over 18,000 sellers selling ‘Make in India' products on Amazon's nine global marketplaces.
KRISHAK SWAHID DIVAS to be celebrate as State Function
Assam State government to celebrate the ‘Krishak Swahid Divas’ commemorating the historic Pathorughat peasants’ uprising as an official government function with a two-day-long programme on January 27 and 28. In previous years it was celebrated only by the local people with some assistance from the local administration. The decision of the State government has brought about high hopes among the people here for taking the historic peasant uprising of Pathorughat in January 28, 1894 into the national level.
NE Investors’ Summit at SHILLONG
The first Investors’ Summit for the north-eastern States of India begins in Shillong, which aims to showcase the region as a global destination for investments. The two-day summit with the theme of ‘Exploring Opportunities in North East Region’ will explore the possibility of bringing in convergence of efforts of various Central ministries and States in the region to attract investments. Main focus is on manufacturing in textiles and allied sectors. The summit is attended by all north-eastern States, industries from the region and investors from across the country to unlock the huge potential of the north-eastern region in textile manufacturing.
Centre has allocated 55,000 more PMAY-G Houses to State
Considering the request of the Assam Government, the Government of India has allocated 55,000 additional houses to Assam under PMAY-G in addition to 1.64 lakh houses allotted earlier for this financial year. This requires an additional allotment is to the tune of Rs 715 crore.
Doyen of Mobile Theatre RATAN LAHKAR passes away
Doyen of mobile theatre Ratan Lahkar, who gave a new dimension to mobile theatre movement in the State, passed away at the age of 77 years. Ratan Lahkar is a name synonymous with the mobile theatre movement of the State, he was an eminent producer, director, playwright and actor, and devoted his life for promoting the mobile theatre in the State. It needs mention here that in 2010, Kohinoor Theatre performed in Delhi at the invitation of the National School of Drama. Kohinoor is the first mobile theatre group from Assam to perform outside the State .
3.56 Lakh people face Fluorosis Risk in Assam Excessive fluoride in the drinking water extracted from the ground has led to the misery of dental and skeletal fluorosis in thousands of people in numerous of habitations of the State.
The official survey found that around 3.56 lakh of the State’s people are at risk of being affected by fluorosis. The districts where excessive fluoride contents is present in groundwater are Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamrup, Udalguri, Nagaon, Golaghat, Jorhat, Karbi Anglong and Karimganj.
ME-DAM-ME-PHI celebrated in Assam
In a bid to spread the ideologies and contributions of Swargadeo Chaulung Siu Ka Pha among the new generation of the State, the Government of Assam will spend for first phase for preservation of historic Habung in Dhenaji district and develop it as a tourist destination. Habung manifests the rich Ahom legacy. Chaolung Siu Ka Pha set the tone for a harmonious Assam by unifying the ethos and values of
different communities living during his time. He faced many challenges in his pursuit for a
greater Assam, but adversities could never defeat him. Therefore, keeping his ideology alive will be the best tribute that we can offer to this great founder of Ahom dynasty . The Ahom community observed Me-Dam-Me-Phi, one of their most sacred rituals, across the State. Members of the community offered prayers in memory of their forefathers with traditional fanfare. Functions were held across the State to celebrate the occasion and people from other communities too participated in the celebrations with equal enthusiasm.
February 2017 Assam Government launches CHIEF MINISTER SAMAGRA GRAMYA UNNAYAN YOJANA
Assam Government has launched Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (CMSGUY) to bring about paradigm shift towards holistic development of villages in the state. The scheme is a mega mission aimed at bringing in revolutionary changes by doubling the farm income in the State. ABOUT SAMAGRA GRAMYA UNNAYAN YOJANA:
The scheme has financial outlay of Rs. 30,000 crore and will be implemented in all the villages in Assam in the next five years culminating in 2021-22. It will be implemented through ‘saturation model’ by covering each revenue village through focused interventions in direct economic activities, logistic support including market linkages, and community support. It will stimulate rural productivity by facilitating massive investments in rural areas for complete rural transformation in a period of 5 years. Under the scheme, five teams will be constituted in each block to work as a catalyst to implement different missions of the programme. These teams will prepare development plans to be implemented in each village. Under it, scheme village knowledge centre will be set up in each village and by bringing in synergy between it and MGNREGA, playground will be built in each village.
19 state districts hit by Arsenic: Centre
At least 19 districts of Assam are arsenic-affected and six others are fluoride-affected. The arsenic-hit districts include Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Hailakandi, Karimganj, Cachar, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, Dhubri, Nalbari, Nagaon, Morigaon, Kamrup, Darrang and Baksa.
The fluoride-affected districts are Goalpara, Kamrup, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, Golaghat and Karimganj, the iron-affected ones include Cachar, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Goalpara, Golaghat, Hailakandi, Jorhat, Kamrup, Karbi Anglong, Karimganj, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Morigaon, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sivasagar and Sonitpur, Minister of State for Water Resources Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan said in a Lok Sabha reply.
3 Districts brought under Double-cropping
In a bid to promote double-cropping across the State, the Agriculture Department has targeted rice (sali paddy) fallow areas for cultivation of pulses and oilseeds. In the first phase of the ambitious Centrally-sponsored programme, a combined area of 15,100 hectares in three districts of Nagaon, Golaghat and Sivasagar has already been brought under double-cropping.
In total, the rice fallow area to be tapped for growing pulses and oilseeds under doublecropping extends to 10.40 lakh hectares – the break-up being 50 per cent medium land, 35 per cent low land and 15 per cent very low land. The total sali area in the State is 18.80 lakh hectares, which again is 67 per cent of the State’s net cropped area. The cost of the Targeting Rice Fallow Area (TRFA) in eastern India project is Rs 15 crore, with the Centre providing Rs 13.5 crore. The Centre has already released the first instalment of Rs 7.50 crore. The large number of small and marginal farmers that constitute 85.6 per cent of the State’s total farmer population , however, is a constraint, as they find it difficult to procure inputs at hundred per cent cost on their own in advance in order to avail the subsidy through direct bank transfer (DBT) later on.
March 2017 Sumitra Hazarika gets Nari Shakti Award
President Pranab Mukherjee has conferred the prestigious Nari Shakti Award on Sumitra Hazarika, an international medal winning athlete and President of Mission for Integration, Gender Equalization, Harmony and Fight against Threat (MIGHT ) at a function at Rashtrapati Bhawan on the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8 March.
Instituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 1999 to recognize women who have made a lasting contribution to women’s empowerment, Sumitra Hazarika is the only
awardee this year from Assam to have been chosen for the award.
Cotton Varsity Bill Passed in Assembly
The Assam Legislative Assembly today passed the Cotton University Bill, 2017. With this, once the Governor gives his assent to the Act, the existing property, land and buildings of Cotton College and Cotton College State University shall vest with the Cotton University.
This also means that the historic Cotton College has been merged with the existing Cotton College State University for establishing the new varsity . The Bill was adopted by the Assembly without any amendments. After the legislation comes into effect, all aspects of teaching and research will be discussed in and decided by the university, which will hold examinations and confer degrees and other academic distinctions on its own. The Cotton College State University Act, 2011 will stand repealed with the commencement of the Act.
Legal Measures to address Biodiversity crisis in Barak Stressed
Besides poor surface connectivity and infrastructural lacunas, Barak Valley over the years is facing an unacknowledged biodiversity crisis . Despite the judicial pronouncements, it is ironic that action by the civil society has lost momentum because of the dearth of proper awareness. The region has been experiencing the biodiversity crisis ranging from water of river Barak getting polluted because of the entry of toxic elements during immersion of idols, unabated use of plastic bags and tea cups together with blatant violation of the Wildlife Protection Act , courtesy trade and killing of turtles and tortoises, species of which are protected under the Act, etc. Realising the information gap in the society, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) of Cachar in collaboration with the Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Assam University Silchar recently organised an interactive session on the subject, ‘Save Nature: Save Earth’ to discuss the issues affecting the environment and also to find solutions from the perspective of law.
Biren Singh takes Oath as Manipur CM Nongthombam Biren Singh was sworn in as the Chief Minister of the BJP-led coalition government in Manipur. Governor Dr Najma A Heptulla administered the oath of office and
secrecy to Singh who switched over to the BJP in October last year along with Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh and seven other Cabinet ministers, at a ceremony at the Raj Bhavan.
Bid to make Majuli Carbon Neutral
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched initiatives to develop Majuli as India’s first carbon neutral district and as a biodiversity heritage site coinciding with the celebration of the International Day of Forest on 21 March . While also launching the ‘Forests are Lives’ campaign to celebrate the importance of Assam’s
rich forest and biodiversity, Sonowal stated that only till trees exist can humans live on this planet and he urged the people to take a pledge to conserve its biodiversity to make the State pollution-free.
MEGHALAYA taps only 10.49% of its 3,000 MW hydro potential
Power-starved Meghalaya can harness only 10.49 per cent of its 3,000 MW hydro potential , a report said. This has been blamed to the Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation Limited for the failure to prepare long-term plans incorporating projects to be implemented as per the Meghalaya Power Policy, 2007. Meghalaya has a hydroelectricity potential of 3,000 MW , which is about three per cent of the total hydel potential of the country . As in March 2016, the state had seven hydroelectric power stations in operation owned and operated by the corporation, the report said.
"The state could harness only 10.49 per cent of its hydro potential so far. As a result, Meghalaya has been a power-deficient state since 1990-91 and it has had to depend heavily on import of power from outside the state to meet its demand," the report revealed.
April 2017 President of India inaugurates NAMAMI BRAHMAPUTRA
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the five-day Namami Brahmaputra festival on the banks of the river at Kachamarighat. Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay , Assam Governor Banwarilal Purohit , Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and other dignitaries attended the inaugural function of the festival. Highlighting Assam’s immense potential, the President said Assam is emerging as an economic
hub of East India and Southeast Asia and is the gateway and most effective location to put into effect the Prime Minister’s Act East policy. The festival, which is being held at 27 venues in the 21 districts of the State through which the Brahmaputra flows, is an endeavour to showcase the rich potential and resource of the Brahmaputra.
Centre to Promote Heritage Circuit Tourism in State
In a major fillip to the tourism sector of the State, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has sanctioned an amount of Rs 98.35 crore for a Heritage Circuit for Assam. Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Dr Mahesh Sarma announced. This amount, which has been sanctioned for development of the Tezpur, Majuli and Sivasagar circuit under the scheme of Swadesh Darshan includes development of a composite tourist infrastructure in Majuli , comprising of an interpretation centre near Kamalabari ghat, log huts, watch towers, cafeteria, elevated walkway, solar illumination, landscaping etc. worth Rs 61.26 crore, development of Rangghar, Joysagar tank and Talatal Ghar in Sivasagar and development of Kanaklata Udyan and Bamuni Hills in Tezpur. The Tourism Ministry has also decided to work collectively to enlist Majuli in the coveted list of World Heritage Site . Already Tourism Ministry has engaged the Archaeological Survey of India to prepare the dossier for submitting it to UNESCO.
Centre to Dredge Brahmaputra River Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari announced that the Government of India will dredge the Brahmaputra river from Sadiya to Chittagong port for
which necessary formalities with the Bangladesh Government has also been completed.
A tripartite agreement for dredging of the Brahmaputra river was signed between the Assam government, Inland Waterways Authority of India and National Highway Authority of India . The agreement was signed at the closing ceremony of five-day-long Namami Brahmaputra festival here in the presence of Union Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and other dignitaries. Once the project is materialized, this will change the entire economic corridor of Assam as Brahmaputra National Waterway-II will have direct access to Chittagong port of Bangladesh, Haldia port of West Bengal . It will consequently boost trade with the Southeast Asian nations.
Nagaland Govt enhances Maternity Leave
Government of Nagaland has enhanced the existing ceiling of 90 days of maternity leave under Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 to 180 days for female State Government employees. The Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms in an office memorandum stated that the State Government is following the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 as amended from time to time.
State Govt unveils draft POPULATION POLICY
The State Government has published a draft State Population Policy with an objective to incentivise parents with two or less number of children and thus facilitating a higher standard of living. This was informed by State Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma . Hinting at some possible legislation changes, the Minister also opined that the policy also aims to disincentivise those with more than two children , which include rendering their participation in the government as State Government employees illegal, besides making them ineligible to contest in panchayat and municipal elections. The government, in its draft policy, also proposes to make education of every girl child completely free up to university level, which would even include free transportation and hostel accommodation. It is also being contemplated whether the minimum age limit for a girl to get married should be increased from the existing 18 years so that a girl is better placed to take a call on reproductive health issue,‛ the Minister said, adding that the idea of increasing the reservation of women in government sector is also being explored. ‚Disincentivising those who were married below
the minimum prescribed age (child marriage) is another proposal we are seeking public opinion on,‛ he said.
The idea is to transform the population control policy to a positive social reform from just a medical-led policy. Reducing Infant Mortality Rate and the Maternal Maternity Rate , reducing school dropouts , besides promoting informed choice and participation are some of the other goals we strive to achieve from the proposed population policy,‛ Sarma explained. The Minister, while informing that the State population is estimated to have increased by nearly one crore since 2001 , stated that the government will also set up a State Population Council along with a State Population Resource Centre to assess the emerging population pattern of the State.
Kaladan Transport Project behind Schedule
Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) admitted that the construction of the road component of Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport project is behind schedule. The work on road construction has already been awarded on March 17, and the construction period is 36 months, said Minister of State for External Affairs, M J Akbar in a Lok Sabha reply. Mentioning that Government of India is developing the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project in Myanmar, he said that the project includes a waterways component of 158 km on Kaladan river from Sittwe to Paletwa in Myanmar and a road component of 109 km from Paletwa to Zorinpui on India- Myanmar border in Mizoram, he said.
The waterways component comprises Sittwe Port, Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminals, backup facilities and navigational channe l, he added. Under waterways component, Port and Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminal at Sittwe and related back up facilities and the trans-shipment terminal and related facilities at Paletwa; navigational channel along Kaladan river from Sittwe to Paletwa and six self-propelled IWT vessels have been completed.
Genomic Boost to Protect Assam's Muga Silkworm
A "snapshot" of the muga silkworm genome decoded by Indian scientists offers vital clues for imparting disease-resistance to help conserve the economically important insect which spins the distinctive golden yellow fabric synonymous with Assam.
Bioengineering Research Laboratory (BERL) at IIT-Guwahati , in collaboration with the Central Silk Board (CSB) has, for the first time, dug inside the transcriptome-genetic blueprints that are
needed to translate the information stored in the DNA into functional gene products such as proteins. In the muga silkworm's case, components that shield it against diseases and provide immunity , were deciphered. Transcriptomes (collection of messenger RNA molecules in a tissue or cell) are indicative of
gene activity and can vary with external environmental conditions. So, analysing transcriptome provides an idea about how environmental factors drive gene activity and influence immunity in the silkworm. Around 60,000 families are engaged in the muga silk industry in Assam. A little amount of muga silk is also produced in Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland. Despite acquisition of a Geographical Indication tag , this silkworm and the associated industry remains vulnerable.
Small Growers bringing change in State Tea Sector
Around 500 organic small tea growers are silently working to bring about a revolution in the State's tea sector for the past about 11 years. About three years back, they formed the Organic Small Tea Growers’ Association, Assam (OSTGAA) with the aim at bringing about a far-reaching change in the small tea growers sector and around 125 of them are now engaged in manufacturing organic tea in their own factories. Significantly, they exported around 6,000 kilograms (kg) of green tea and around 2,000 kgs of black orthodox tea to Canada in 2016. Though Canada dominated the other countries in matters of buying teas from these producers, the United States (1,000 to 1,500 kg of green and black teas), the United Kingdom (around 2,000 kg, mostly black), Australia (around 1,500 kg, mostly black) and New Zealand (around 500 kg of black tea) are also in their importing countries list. Assam, by consuming around 30 per cent of the teas manufactured by these entrepreneurs, stands as the most promising inland market for these tea manufacturers. The tea consumed by the State’s consumers is mostly green tea .
After Assam, West Bengal is the second largest buyer of the tea manufactured by these entrepreneurs, who also sell their teas to the buyers of Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kerala.
Around 20,000 kg of organic tea were produced by the members of the Association last year and it is expected that this year they would be able to manufacture between 50,000 kg and 60,000 kg of organic tea . The teas manufactured by these entrepreneurs include green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea and dheki-made tea . Black tea manufactured by the members
of the Association included only orthodox tea.
World Bank-Funded IWT Infra Project under way
Processing of the first phase of the World Bank-funded $150 million (around Rs 1,000 crore) infrastructure development project of the Inland Water Transport (IWT) Directorate for the Brahmaputra river has started and it is expected that this phase of the project could be completed by 2022. The World Bank sanctioned the project in the 2017-18 financial year. This was disclosed by IWT Joint Director M Rahman in a presentation made at a function organised by the Rashtriya Gramin Vikash Nidhi (RGVN) in collaboration with the CUTS International on promoting navigational usage of inland waterways in Ganga and Brahmaputra basins. The project includes two broad components – a long-term strategic plan and institutional and capacity development, and improvement of the passenger ferry services. While the first component will cost $15 million , the second one is estimated to cost $135 million , said the IWT Joint Director.
Farmers give shape to Nagaon’s Dhing village as State’s First Ornamental Fish Village
Ornamental fish worth Rs 20 lakh is imported to Assam, mostly from Kolkata, the production of which in Assam is negligible despite the fact that some of the exotic species produced in the State are of better quality. And now a nondescript village in Nagaon’s Dhing is witnessing the dawn of a ‘rainbow revolution’ in Assam, as a group of farmers gives shape to the State’s first ‘ornamental fish village’.
From a humble beginning way back in 2012, as many as 52 farmers of Aathgaon village, about 23 km from Nagaon town, are now involved in breeding ornamental fish. Backed by technical support from institutions like Fishery College (Raha), Dhing College, KVK (Na gaon), State’s fisheries department and National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) , the farmers are now producing around 3.5 lakh ornamental fishes of eighteen varieties and supplying them in some six districts of the State.
They have built small ponds in their houses and are breeding the fish using traditional pisciculture techniques. Of the eighteen species we have, four are indigenous. The prices of the fish are in the range Rs 10 to Rs 300 per fish.
May 2017 Centre proposes ‘aerotropolis’ in State
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha proposed to build an aerotropolis – a metropolitan subregion where the layout, infrastructure, and economy are centred on an airport, which serves as a multimodal ‘airport city’ – in the State which would bring huge benefits to the region in terms of civil aviation and air connectivity. Referring to the government plan of dredging the Brahmaputra River from Sadiya to Dhubri, the Chief Minister said that increased depth of the river would enable plying of cargo ships on the river through Bangladesh to Chittagong port.
22 new ITIs to be set up in NE
The Union Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship has formulated a scheme titled “Enhancing skill development infrastructure in NE States and Sikkim” to set up 22 new ITIs in
Northeastern region. Out of the 22 new ITIs, five have been allocated to Assam. Arunachal Pradesh will have four, Tripura and Mizoram three each; Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya will have two each and Sikkim one.
Nagaon cleanest medium city: Swachh Survekshan 2017
Nagaon has been declared the cleanest Medium City, while Gangtok has emerged as the cleanest among the Big Cities. Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram, has been ranked as cleanest among the Fast Moving Big City. In the Swachh Survekshan 2017 category, four cities of Assam were surveyed and Guwahati was given the best rank, while Dibrugarh was given the lowest rank.At the national level, in the Small Cities category. Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, has emerged as the ‘Faster Mover’ in the Medium Cities category, while Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, moved the fastest by significantly improving its rank this year over that of 2014 Survey in the Small Cities category.Faridabad in
Haryana has emerged as the ‘Fastest Mover Big City’ at the national level in the Swachh
Survekshan -2017.
Traditional brew gets heritage tag
Alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain or fruits by using traditional starter cake have got the “heritage” tag in Assam. The brew, however, should not contain more than 12 per cent alcohol volume by volume.The objective is standardization of the traditional brew, in terms of quality control as well as to give it an identity. The move will help popularize it, a senior Excise official told The Assam Tribune.From now, the Excise department will give license to establish heritage alcoholic beverage manufactory, while the license to establish microbrewery or a retail shop will be given by the deputy commissioner with the previous sanction of the Excise Commissioner.
Oil industry will boost NE development: Pradhan
Union Minister of State (Independent), Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan today said the oil industry would be a leading force in transforming Assam and the entire Northeast into a developed region. Assam has not been getting what it deserves despite filling the nation’s exchequer since Independence, he said. “If Assam has filled the exchequer of the country for about 70 years, it is
time for the oil industry to think about Assam. The oil industry will play a leading role in generating employment, promoting economic activities, improving health and education scenario in the region. Decks cleared for Gogamukh agricultural institute
The Sarbananda Sonowal Government today got a shot in the arm when the Union Cabinet cleared the decks for setting up of the much-delayed Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) at Gogamukh in Dhemaji district at an estimated cost of around Rs 1,000 crore. Announcing the decision, Union Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal said the IARI will be the third such institute in the country and it would be a major boost to Assam’s agricultural sector.
The proposal was to set up three such institutes in the country, he added. Goyal disclosed that the Centre has immediately sanctioned Rs 155 crore for the project. The project sanctioned in 2014-2015 did not make much progress as the previous government did not give land for it. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal sanctioned 587 acres of land for the institute.The IARI will produce 67 MSc postgraduates every year and will have the provision of admitting 106 PhD students and produce 90 PhDs every year.
The setting up of the institute will not only help Assam, but also the seven neighbouring states of the Northeast. At least 85 per cent of the population of Assam is dependent on agriculture, Goyal said.The Power and Coal Minister further reiterated that the Modi Government has accorded top priority to development of the northeastern states and the second green revolution is expected to start from the region, he added.
World Banbk flood management project in State
The World Bank and the State Water Resources Department (WRD) are working on a Rs 1,500crore project for strengthening institutional capacity for water resources planning and management, and to build resilience to flood and erosion risks in selected areas of the Brahmaputra and Barak basins of the State within a period of six years from the next year.A task team of the World Bank recently visited the State and had a series of discussions with the WRD officials on the project. The project is to take up initially six tributaries of the Brahmaputra and two tributaries of the Barak for detailed study. Thereafter, one or two tributary basins would be taken up for structural intervention, said highly placed official sources. A World Bank technical team, including experts from all related disciplines, is likely to camp in the city for formulating the details of the project from the next month. The Bank team will study the river basins along with the WRD engineers.The Brahmaputra tributaries being taken up for the purpose are Beki, Jia Bharali, Jiadhal, Gai Nadi, Burhi Dihing and Bhogdoi, while the Barak tributaries are Singla and either of Jatinga or Madura.
State’s revenue collection up by 21 p er cent in one year: CM Sonowal Assam’s revenue collection increased by more than 21 per cent in the past one year, while
potential investors are also showing interest in investing in the State due to the improved scenario, said Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. However, he was non-committal on the issue of expansion of the ministry. The Chief Minister said that the revenue collection in the State increased by 21.6 per cent in the past one year, which is the highest among all the states of the country. He said that the State managed to achieve the growth because of several measures taken to boost the State’s
economy, which includes closing down of the illegal check gates, framing of new excise revenue collection rules and efforts to root out corruption from all levels of administration. He expressed the view that the financial health of the State would improve further after the GST comes into effect. The State is also receiving financial and other help from the Government of India and an additional amount of Rs 7,772 crore would be received by the State as oil royalty over a period of three years. Out of it, the State has already received an amount of Rs 2,400 crore.
Union Cabinet okays setting up of AIIMS in State
The government approved the setting up of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kamrup in Assam which would offer superspeciality health care to people in the region. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the project to be constructed at a total cost of Rs 1,123 crore. The medical institute, to be set up under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna’, is slated to be completed in 48 months from the date of approval.It will have a pre-construction phase of 15 months, a construction phase of 30 months and a stabilisation or commissioning phase of three months. The Kamrup AIIMS will consist of a hospital with a capacity of 750 beds, trauma centre facilities, a medical college which can accommodate 100 MBBS students per year, a nursing for 60 BSc (Nursing) students, residential complexes and allied facilities on the pattern of AIIMS in New Delhi. Such institutions have already been established in Bhubaneshwar, Bhopal, Raipur, Jodhpur, Rishikesh and Patna, while work on the Rae Bareli AIIMS is in progress.
Modi inaugurates India’s longest river bridge - Dhola-Sadiya Bridge
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country’s longest river bridge – the DholaSadiya bridge over the Brahmaputra river in Assam – and dedicated it to the people of the nation.The 9.15-km- long bridge between Dhola and Sadiya in Assam’s Tinsukia district will not only shorten the distance between the State and Arunachal Pradesh by 165 km but will also reduce the travel time between the two States by five hours. Besides giving a major boost to tourism, this over Rs 950-crore bridge also assumes strategic significance given its position vis-a-vis the Indo-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. The new bridge across the Lohit river that can withstand the weight of 60-tonne battle tanks, will provide easy access to the Indian Army to reach the country’s eastern borders.Modi
inaugurated the bridge by cutting a red ribbon and walking a few metres on it. He waved to the hundreds of people waiting there.
Tripura among top five States in asset creation
Contrary to the propaganda of misuse of MGNREGA outlay in the Marxist-ruled State, Tripura found place among the country’s five leading States in the field of asset creation and geo tagging.
The five leading States where asset creation and geo-tagging made good progress, include Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Tripura, according to the latest report released by Ministry of Rural Development. In November last year, the Ministry has asked all the State Governments to undertake geotagging of all assets created under MGNREGA during the past six years starting 2006.“Altogether 7.46 lakh assets have been created under the national flagship programme so far as the gove rnment is committed to maintain transparency in the MGNREGA works”, said
principal secretary GSG Ayyanger. He said, 2.20 lakh assets created under MGNRGEA have been geo-tagged in the State.
June 2017 Nagas press for autonomous council in 3 Arunachal districts The Arunachal Pradesh government can’t brush aside the need to establish an autonomous
district council in the Naga-dominated areas of Tirap, Changlang and Longding, said various bodies associated with the movement for a Patkai Autonomous Council for the three areas. They said a Patkai Autonomous Council for Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) is the only solution for the region, alleging it has been ignored by the state government and the Centre for decades in terms of its socio-economic development.The proposal to form an autonomous council to develop the Naga-inhabited areas was cleared by the Cabinet in 2013 and has been pending with the Home Ministry since 2014. Various bodies associated with the movement such as Patkai Autonomous Demand District Council and the TCL Students Federation has threatened to hold an indefinite bandh in the three districts if the Centre and the state continue to pay no heed to the matter.”
Tea productivity in NE stagnating
In Northeast India, yield of tea has reached a plateau, a book by a former tea scientist of Tocklai Tea Research Institute has said, calling for concerted efforts involving a systematic approach to improve the productivity.Under the best conditions of weather, plant and soil, tea yield in the region has reached a plateau at around 4,000 kg/ha. However, the average yield for the region as a whole is less than half of this quantity. Besides identifying the factors responsible, a comprehensive planning on every aspect of input utilisation, including manpower and financial resources is required to address the problem of the low productivity.
Around 45 per cent of the tea growing area is covered by plants which are above 40 years of age. These areas have high vacancies, poor bush frame and low plant population. Moreover, the rate of replantation – 0.52 per cent in Upper Assam and 0.45 per cent in North Bank, is very slow.
Rs 283-cr World Bank aid to State project
The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) approved a loan assistance of $44 million (Rs 283 crore) for the Assam State Public Finance Institutional Reforms (ASPIRe) Project. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed sincere gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting this ambitious project and facilitating the approval. This project aims to improve the predictability and transparency in budget execution and efficiency in tax administration in Assam. While all government departments and functionaries – especially finance, taxation and excise departments – will benefit immensely due to this project, the citizens of Assam will also see transformative benefits accruing to them through efficient processes, better service delivery such as electronic payments and collections for services, transparent public procurement and enhanced tax payer services. Reduction in the share of discretionary expenditure in the last quarter of financial year, public access to key budget execution reports and procurement contracts, and reduction in cost of collection of tax revenue in taxation and excise departments are the core objectives of this project.
July 2017 Assam Govt to roll out Operation Muskan-III
The Assam Government is all set to roll out the month-long (from July 1 to 31, 2017) Operation Muskan-III along with the rest of the country to rescue and recover missing children. This campaign is a follow-up of earlier campaigns like Operation Smile-II and Operation Muskan-II. Campaigns like Operation Smile-II and Operation Muskan-II were implemented throughout the country from January 1 to 31, 2016 and July 1 to 31, 2016 respectively. As an outcome of these campaigns, approximately 40,000 children were rescued and recovered. It may be noted that the Central Government has advised all States and Union Territories to extend all possible cooperation during inter-State rescue operation; to ensure proper provision
of availability of food, clothes, medical aid, professional translators, psychiatrists and shelter homes for rehabilitation/ reintegration well before the rescue operation; and to ensure that such operations are conducted in strict compliance of the existing legal provisions.
Brahmaputra Board gets Rs 233 cr for Majuli protection
In a positive development for the river island Majuli, the Brahmaputra Board, which is engaged in the work to provide physical protection to this river island , has now obtained a financial sanction worth around Rs 233 crore to undertake more projects for providing the island additional strength to withstand erosion. The Board has so far helped the island reclaim a landmass of around 23 square km. Out of the around Rs 233 crore, the Ministry of Development of the North East Region (DoNER) will provide a fund of Rs 207 crore . Prior to 2004, the trend in Majuli was negative so far as retaining its landmass was concerned. It was losing its landmass then at the rate of 2.56 square km annually. But after 2004, the island is gaining its area at the rate of around 1.84 square km per year. In 2004, the total area of Majuli was around 502 square km as per satellite imagery. In 2016, the area of the island got increased to around 525 square km .
Arunachal Pra desh celebrates ‘Dree festival’
The Dree Festival of Arunachal Pradesh is an agricultural festival celebrated by the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Every year, it is celebrated on 5th July with the pre-celebration rituals starting from the evening of 4th July. It is the biggest festival of the Apatanis and celebrated with zest marked by sacrificial offerings and prayers. The main and the biggest celebration of this festival happens at Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh. The festival is marked by grand ritual and community feasts served with delicious rice/millet beer.
Meghalaya CM Mukul Sangma launches LIFE programme
Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has launched the ambitious flagship programme titled ‚Livelihood Intervention and Facilitation of Entrepreneurship‛ (LIFE) at Songsak in East Garo Hills on 12th of July 2017. In 2017-18, the programme aims to reach out to additional 2144 villages. CM urged the people to form SHGs in their area and under LIFE different activities would be started to ensure that people are able to generate income and eradicate poverty. To bridge the economic disparity
and ensure progress, LIFE will be implemented across the state, so that there is inclusive development. The LIFE programme will focus on capacity building, under the programme every 10 SHGs will be motivated to act like a bank and help each other. It aims to bring all the poor and vulnerable women into the SHGs movement. The programme will be implemented in the line with National Rural Livelihoods Mission.
TR Zeliang sworn in as Nagaland CM
TR Zeliang was sworn in as the 19th Chief Minister of Nagaland. The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has expelled Zeliang for six years. Zeliang was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor PB Acharya at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Kohima. The Governor had asked Zeliang to prove his majority on the floor of the House on or before July 22. The ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) coalition has 47 NPF legislators, four BJP members, and eight Independents.
President inaugurates Bicentenary Celebration of Paika Rebellion
President Pranab Mukharjee inaugurated the bicentenary (200th) celebration of Paika Rebellion (1817) of Odisha organised by the Union Ministry of Culture in New Delhi. Paika rebellion predates the 1857 Revolt i.e. first war of independence. Many scholars, researchers and historians have opined that the Paika Rebellion of 1817 was India’s first organized armed rebellion against British Raj (then British East India Company rule).
Bhabesh Ch Goswami new VC of Cotton varsity
Assam Governor and Chancellor of Cotton University Banwarilal Purohit has appointed Prof Bhabesh Chandra Goswami as the Vice Chancellor of Cotton University with effect from the date of taking over charge. Presently, Prof Bhabesh Chandra Goswami is working as a Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Gauhati University and Director (in-charge), UGCHRDC, Gauhati University.
State to host Handloom Day function
For the first time, Assam will play host to the National Handloom Day celebrations on August 7, as the Central government looks to accord due recognition to the Northeast by showcasing its rich art and craft culture. The glittering ceremony will display handloom products crafted by artisans from the seven northeastern states through a fashion show and an exhibition. A film made by director Muzaffar Ali showing the distinct handloom products from the region bearing Geographical Indication status will also be screened at the event, in the presence of Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, among others.
No land survey carried out in State since 1964: Committee Report
No land survey and settlement operation was carried out in Assam as per the provisions of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886 since 1964 and this has caused immense hardship to the indigenous people of the State. This fact came to light in the interim report of the Committee for Protection of Land Rights of Indigenous People of Assam , headed by former Chief Election Commissioner of India HS Brahma. It has also stressed the need for expediting the process of digitization of the revenue records and recommended that the process should be completed by March 31, 2018.
India-Myanmar rail project yet to be sanctioned
The ambitious rail project to connect Imphal with neighbouring Myanmar has not been sanctioned yet, Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain has said. In a reply to a Rajya Sabha question by Assam Congress MP Ranee Narah, Gohain said the portion from Imphal to Moreh is in India and the portion from Tamu to Kalay is in Myanmar . The project is yet to be sanctioned, he added. A reconnaissance engineering-cum-traffic survey for a new broad gauge (BG) line from Imphal to Moreh covering a length of 111.25 km was completed in 2014-15. As per the survey , cost of the project was assessed to be Rs 5,428.46 crore . However, the estimated cost of MorehTamu-Kalay BG rail link will be available once the survey is done, he said. The Agartala-Akhaura new railway line project has a track length of 15.06 km of which 5.05 km falls in India and 10.01 km in Bangladesh . The Bangladesh portion is being funded by MEA, while the Indian portion is being funded by Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
August 2017 Modi announces Rs 2,000-cr flood package for NE
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a package of Rs 2,000 crore for immediate flood relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities of the damaged infrastructure in the northeastern region. This excludes Rs 250 crore announced for immediate flood relief operations in Assam, which comes in addition to a package of Rs 345 crore released in June this year. The high-power committee will study the course of the Brahmaputra river along with its multi-state and multi-nation ramifications.
Donate land for a government job: Meghalaya CM
The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide government jobs to people who donate land for various developmental projects, Chief Minister Mukula Sangma has announced. “We have approved a policy to ensure that ‘generous people’ who provide land to the government would be reciprocated with government jobs in Grade-III and Grade-I V posts,” he
told. In the case of individual land owners, Sangma said a member of their family would be absorbed in the government while in the case of community land, traditional institutions will select and recommend the names of people who deserve to be appointed. The Cabinet also approved a proposal of the State Personnel Department to increase the reservation in connection with the appointment of persons with disabilities in various government departments. It also approved the 2 per cent job reservation for sports persons who had represented the state and brought laurels by participating in various sporting events organised at regional and national levels. Meanwhile, a proposed legislation “Meghalaya Protection of Interests of Depositors Financial Establishment Bill, 2017 ” was also approved which would protect the interests of depositors in the State. “Besides banks, we have a number of non-banking financial institutions in the State where people are also depositing their money in such institutions,” he said.
Supreme Court forms panel on Bangla border fencing
In a significant development, the Supreme Court has constituted a three-member committee with former Home Secretary GK Pillai as chairman to oversee the border fencing works on the Indo-Bangladesh border.The other members of the committee are DK Pathak,
former Director General, Border Security Force and Prof Abdul Mannan, a retired professor of Gauhati University .
The appointment of a new committee was necessitated after former Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta expressed his reluctance to continue as chairman of the committee to oversee fencing works along the Indo-Bangladesh border.In the July 13 hearing, Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar informed the court that Gupta heading the committee constituted for strengthening border protection and addressing the vulnerability in fencing along the Indo-Pakistan border had cited personal reasons for his inability to be a part of the committee for border fencing along the Indo-Bangla border.
Kaliabor plans unique digital initiative
In a first-of-its-kind endeavour in the State, the Kaliabor sub-divisional administration is set to launch the Smart Kaliabor Projec t for facilitating digital empowerment of the masses and ensure transparent and hassle-free service delivery . The objectives of the project include increasing digital literacy, making government services and information easily available online , and bringing efficiency and transparency in governance using IT tools. SKP (Smart Kaliabor Project) will help disseminate information of various government schemes and programmes and enhance their awareness levels. They can also point out lapses or drawbacks in implementation and bridge the gap between government officials and public, creating a win-win situation for all the stakeholders.The implementation of Digital India Initiative and Digital Assam Initiatives would be shared with the young generations to get acquainted and to avail benefits by the rural folks.
DNA indexing of rhinos for probing poaching cases
Forest officials are developing a protocol and procuring kits for adopting RhODIS, a rhino DNA indexing system, which will help investigate and prosecute offenders in poaching cases. RhODIS is a rhino DNA profiling and database system developed by Pretoria’s Veterinary Genetics Lab (VGL) in collaboration with partners. The system is being s uccessfully used in African nations to investigate and prosecute offenders in rhino poaching cases . The RhODIS tool compiles each individual rhino’s unique DNA profile in a ready-to-reference
database that can be presented in a court of law, thereby proving that a seized horn was from a particular poached rhino.
India setting up energy cooperation network with neighbours’
India is setting up an energy cooperation network with neighbouring countries Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal and huge pipelines would be laid as part of the ambitious project, Minister of State (independent charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan said. “Through diplomatic channels, India already tied up to set up an energy cooperation network with Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal. All the countries have already agreed to this ambitious mission,” he added.
Through the proposed pipelines, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other petroleum products would be ferried. As the mountainous northeastern States are landslide prone and carrying of petroleum products in the region is a big problem, the proposed pipelines would be a great help for the area. As a part of the “Hydrocarbon Vision 2030” for the northeastern region , 6,900 km of pipelines would be laid connecting Sitwe (Myanmar), Chittagong (Bangladesh), most northeastern states and West Bengal’s Siliguri and Durgapur .
Currently, large quantities of gas is flared (burned) in the northeastern region because it can’t be piped to the consumers. Pradhan had launched the “North East Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 ” in February last year,
proposing to invest Rs 1,30,000 crore over 15 years to ramp up hydrocarbon production in northeast India .
Disturbed area tag on 3 NE States extended till August 31
Assam will continue to be disturbed area till month-end, with the Centre on Monday extending the disturbed area under the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for one more month, citing various violent activities by insurgent groups ULFA, NDFB, and others. “The Union Home Ministry also declared Meghalaya’s border areas adjoining Assam, and three districts in Arunachal Pradesh as “disturbed” under the AFSPA for two more months with effect
from August 3. In separate gazette notifications, the Home Ministry said entire Assam has been declared “disturbed” under the AFSPA with effect from August 3 till August 31. AFSPA has been continuing in Assam since November 1990. The AFSPA has been in force in the three Arunachal Pradesh districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding since January 2016.
Air pollution critical in 5 cities of Assam
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is concerned at the rising air pollution in eight towns and cities of the region, including five in Assam and has called for a coordinated approach from various stakeholders to control it.
Since 2011, at least 94 Indian cities have not met national air quality standards, including Guwahati, Nagaon, Nalbari, Silchar and Sivasagar, besides Byrnihat in Meghalaya and Kohima and Dimapur in Nagaland. These places have consistently recorded higher than acceptable particulate matter (PM10) levels and the CPCB has listed them as polluted cities in which the prescribed National Ambient Air Quality Standards are violated. The Pollution Control Board, Assam (PCBA) will start monitoring levels of other toxic substances – PM2.5 (smaller particulate matter), benzene, ammonia and carbon monoxide – from this year. Till now, the PCBA has been monitoring only PM10, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. The PCBA has also proposed to increase the number of monitoring stations in the State from 23 to over 30.
New welfare schemes for Assam govt staff
State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced two welfare schemes for the family members of the government employees, including a proposed law on parental care. In one of the decisions, the finance department will soon issue a notification wherein the family members of a government employee who dies in harness would be entitled to full pay till the deceased’s retirement age. This would include all kind of pay hikes and financial benefits. Once
the new policy comes into force, the provision of appointment to family members on compassionate ground would cease to exist. The finance department would soon place The Assam (Employees Parental Responsibility and Norms for Accountability and Monitoring) Bill, 2017, in the State Assembly, according to which every government employee would have to share 10 to 15 per cent of his salary with his parents and physically challenged siblings, if it is found that the government employee concerned is overlooking their care and protection needs.
Four new universities to come in Assam
Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced setting up of four new universities in the State. The universities include Bhattadev University at Bajali, Madhabdev University at Bihpuria, Rabindranath University at Hojai and Assam Cultural University at Majuli. The universities at Bajali, Bihpuria and Hojai will be upgraded from the existing college set-ups. The minister further announced that as many as 89 single-stream colleges with ready infrastructure will be added with another stream and the required posts will be sanctioned before October 15. Of these 89 single-stream colleges, the Bornagar College at Sarbhog has already been added with another stream.
Arunachal Pradesh adopts national policy for Tibetans in exile
Arunachal Pradesh has adopted a rehabilitation policy which deals with matters concerning land lease, extending Central and State benefits to Tibetans residing in the State. In a letter to Lobsang Sangay, the president of Central Tibetan administration (CTA) in Dharamshala, which is the global headquarters for the 1,50,000 Tibetans living across 40 countries of the world, the Chief Minsiter of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu expressed his happiness for making the decision. At the cabinet meeting convened by him on August 12, 2017, a decision was made to adopt and extend the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy 2014 in the State of Arunachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister had further mentioned that Arunachal Pradesh houses the fourth-largest number of Tibetans in India. It has four Tibetan settlements – Tezu, Miao, Tuting and Tenzingang.
Nungthaang Tampak- North East’s First 100% Computer Literate Village Manipur’s Nungthaang Tampak village has emerged as the ‘100 percent computer literate’ not
only in the state but in the entire North East. The computer course, which is affiliated to All India Society for Electronic and Computer Technology (AISECT), was organised by Mangal Rural, an NGO working for rural development as a part of the Digital India program. Nungthang Tampak has become India’s second 100 percent computer literate village in India . Kerala’s Chamravattom village is the country’s first 100 percent computer literate village .
September 2017 State Cabinet approves Population Bill, International Trade Centre and other initiatives
The State Cabinet approved the Assam State Population Bill. The Bill focuses more on women empowerment, said Industries Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary. The Cabinet has also approved the proposal for allotment of a plot of land measuring 32 bighas in Beltola area of the city for construction of an International Trade Centre comprising two towers with 65 storeys.
A proposal to set up the second unit of the Assam Petrochemicals Ltd with an outlay of Rs 1,337 crore has also been approved by the Cabinet in its meeting. In a major shift from the existing policy of providing appointment to eligible family members of the deceased State government employees, the Cabinet decided that instead of such appointments on compassionate ground, families of the deceased government employees will get the last pay of such employees till the time of their retirement. This policy would come into force with effect from April 1, 2017, the Cabinet stated in its decision. The Bill for setting up of the Majuli University of Culture was also approved by the Cabinet. It approved the proposal for formation of the Assam State Capital Region. In another decision, it said that all tols functioning under the Sanskrit Board would now come under the Kumar Bhaskar Barma Sanskrit University and the Sanskrit Board would be merged with the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA). The University will prepare the curriculum of the tols and conduct their examinations, said the Cabinet. The Bills for setting up three new universities – Bhattadev University, Madhabdev University and Rabindranath Tagore University – were also approved by the Cabinet. Besides, it approved the Assam Employees PRONAM Bill, 2017, Municipal Administration Reforms Bill and enhancement of the allowances in the Constr uction Workers’ Welfare Fund. The Cabinet decision to approve the Municipal Administrative Reforms Bill has paved the way for all the municipal bodies to draw officers from the administrative service, fire service and the engineering service.
Mizoram now a power-surplus state - 3rd in Northeast
Over two decades after it was conceptualised, the first unit of a 60 MW power plant in Mizoram began generating electricity, making it the third power-surplus state in northeastern India after Sikkim and Tripura. With a population of just 1.1 million, Mizoram's current demand of electricity is only 110 MW to 115 MW during peak hours and is being met by the State's few mini power projects and availability of its share of power from regional and central sector projects.
86,489 declared foreigners by Tribunals since 1985
Since the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985 till June 2017, a total of 86,489 persons have been declared as foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunals. Of these, 29,663 have been pushed back and 71 deported to Bangladesh. Another 41,033 have been absconding and 833 are being kept in detention camps. As of now, 1,87,985 cases are pending with the Foreigners Tribunals.
State Govt sets terms for withdrawal of AFSPA
The Assam Government is likely to consider withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) provided the Centre agrees to deploy additional central paramilitary forces or allow the State to raise additional India Reserve Battalions to fill up the void to be created following the withdrawal of the Army from counter-insurgency operations. Though the Centre did not extend the term of the AFSPA when it expired on August 31, the State Government decided to extend it for a period of six months with effect from September 1 as there was apprehension that the militant groups of the North East, under the influence of Chinese agencies, would try to step up the level of violence.
Assam Govt signs MoU with Google to increase digital literacy across 26,000 villages
Assam Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Google India, to provide Internet connection to 26,000 villages and 1,500 tea garden areas in Assam to increase digital literacy. Information Technology Secretary Nitin Khare and Google India Country Head (Policy) Chetan Krishnaswami signed the Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
House passes Industrial Disputes Bill
In a major development with regard to labour laws, the Assam Legislative Assembly today passed by majority decision The Industrial Disputes (Assam Amendment) Bill, 2017, which authorises the employers to retrench up to 300 employees ‘without seeking prior approval of the government.’The Bill was passed amid vocal opposition from Congress MLA Sherman Ali
Ahmed, who staged a walkout after his demand for a division on the Bill was rejected by the Speaker.
The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the legislation states that “The salient feature of the
Act is to amend the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, raising the threshold on number of employees from 100 to 300 to allow retrenchment of employees without seeking prior approval of the government”.
Centre launches ‘North East Venture Fund’ The Centre launched the ‘North East Venture Fund’, the first dedicated venture fund for the
region with a corpus of Rs 100 crore.A joint initiative of the Ministry of DoNER and North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd, the fund’s objective is to promote
entrepreneurship and start-ups in the northeastern region. The DoNER also launched the North East Tourism Development Council with an objective to promote sustainable tourism in the Northeast. The venture fund was launched at the North East Calling Festival, which was inaugurated by Minister of State for DoNER Dr Jitendra Singh at the India Gate. He also inaugurated a business to business meet, where three MoUs were signed.
China denies sharing Brahmaputra data
Post Doklam incident, China said it cannot share with India the hydrological data of the Brahmaputra river due to upgradation of data collection station in Tibet but expressed readiness for talks to reopen the Nathu La pass in Sikkim for the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra. China is expected to share hydrological data on the Sutlej and Brahmaputra rivers with India during the flood season of May 15 to June 15 under a bilateral expert-level mechanism established in 2006.
Chakmas, Hajongs to get limited citizenship
The Centre has decided to grant limited citizenship to nearly one lakh Chakma and Hajong refugees living in Arunachal Pradesh. The Chakma-Hajong refugee issue was discussed at a highlevel meeting convened by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was attended by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, among others.
Assembly passes Bill on State capital region
The State Assembly passed a Bill for establishment of a regional development authority for preparation of a regional plan for the development of the Assam State Capital Region which will include areas under five districts – Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup, Nalbari, Darrang and Morigaon. The Assam State Capital Region Development Authority, to be headed by the Chief Minister, will prepare a regional plan for the area and coordinate the preparation of functional plans, regional plans, development schemes and project plans by the authority itself as well as by the municipal corporations, local bodies, panchayats and different government departments. It will also arrange and oversee the financing of selected development projects in the State Capital Region through government fund and other sources of revenue.
House adopts population policy as govt resolution
Asserting that the limited resources cannot afford the rapid population growth and raising an alarm over the fast changing demography of the State, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma outlined the State’s new ‘Population and Women Empowerment Policy,’ which was adopted by
the Assembly as a government resolution. As part of the policy, besides focusing on education and awareness, the Government will consider a system of incentives and disincentives “with utmost caution” to achieve the goals.
Candidates having two or less children will only be eligible for government jobs, while government servants will have to strictly follow the norms of a two-children family. Persons, both male and female, who violate the legal age of marriage will not be eligible for any employment or employment generation scheme under the Government.
Bill to protect govt employees’ dependents passed
Assam became the first State in the country to enact a law which provides for accountability of employees of the State in taking care of their parents and divyang siblings. According to the Assam Employees’ Paren t Responsibility and Norms for Accountability and Monitoring (Assam Employees’ PRANAM in short) Bill, which was passed in the Assembly. If the
designated authority finds that an employee is not looking after his or her parents or divyang siblings, it may issue directions to the drawing and disbursing officer concerned to pay up to 15 per cent of the person’s salary directly to the dependent every month.
According to the Act, any deprived dependent parent or divyang sibling can write to the designated authority seeking financial support from the employee. Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma indicated it might be extended to employees of other PSUs, private organisations and elected representatives at a later stage. Tripura is the First State to set up Family Welfare Committees
Tripura becomes the first state in the country to set up family welfare district committees to examine the complaints of women against their husbands and in-laws and find an amicable solution. Tripura High Court is the first high court among 24 high courts of the country that has constituted the family welfare district committees. The new system would be valid for the next six months and after that National Legal Services Authority (NLSA) would submit a report of its performance to the apex court, on the basis of which a new course of action would be decided.
Singapore to set up skill centre in Guwahati
The Singapore government will set up a skill centre in Guwahati which will cater to the entire northeastern region, Minister of DoNER Dr Jitendra Singh said. An MoU has already been formalised between Singapore and the Government of Assam to set up the skill centre in Guwahati. The skill centre is proposed to be set up by 2019 and the Ministry of DoNER will coordinate in the initiative. The Singapore delegation also expressed its preference to engage with India in the area of space technology for collaboration in “peaceful use of outer space”.
States told to double farmers’ income
Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh urged the States to chalk out their own strategy to achieve the target of doubling farmers’ income by 2022. The Centre has already come out with a four- volume report suggesting ways to boost farmers’ income, which States will have to
study and see how best it can be implemented in each State, he said. Not only productivity of various crops needs to be raised, but also focus on allied farm activities like timber cultivation and honeybee cultivation is required.
Only Sikkim has been declared a fully organic State till n ow. The Centre’s target is to see entire the North-east grow fully organic. Funds are in place but States have to show more interest. The Government has launched several schemes like Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Soil Health Card scheme, neem-coated urea and electronic national agriculture market (e- NAM) to achieve the target of doubling farmers’ income.
Govt must protect land from illegal migrants: H S Brahma
If the Government cannot protect its own house, outsiders will definitely try to intrude into it to create trouble, observed former Chief Election Commissioner HS Brahma, who is heading the Committee for Protection of Land Rights of Indigenous People of Assam. The failure of the Government to protect the reserve forests and other Government land from encroachment is very unfortunate and suspected illegal migrants have taken advantage of the situation. He said that the Government should immediately protect land from encroachment and land pattas should be given to landless indigenous people so that outsiders and suspected illegal immigrants cannot encroach upon it.
Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu becomes first woman minister in Mizoram in 30 years
The 38-year-old Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu became the first woman minister in Mizoram in 30 years, since the 1987 state assembly elections. In Mizoram’s political history, Chawngthu became the fourth woman legislator. Lalhlimpui
Hmar was the first woman to hold a ministerial post in Mizoram, in 1987.
October 2017 Prof Jagdish Mukhi appointed new Assam Governor
Prof Jagdish Mukhi has been appointed as the Governor of Assam in place of Banwarilal Purohit who has been sent to Tamil Nadu as its Governor. Banwarilal Purohit has been sent to Tamil Nadu due to the prevailing political scenario in that State in the wake of the two AIADMK factions locking horns with the rival faction led by TTV Dhinakaran and the jailed Sasikala. Purohit was appointed as the Governor of Assam in August 2016.
Assam, on the other hand, is considered a politically stable State and hence, Purohit’s service
was decided to be used in Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, Prof Jagdish Mukhi, who was the Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has been promoted as Governor and sent to Assam. Better known as the BJP’s Delhi strongman,
Prof Mukhi had been involved in Delhi State politics for long.
Mizoram’s Tuirial costliest po wer project in India
The 60 MW Tuirial hydroelectric project in northern Mizoram, expected to be commissioned this month, will be the costliest power project in India. When the project approved in 1988, is finally completed after 19 years, the cost of power per unit will be Rs 8.44, the highest in India. While the State currently purchases power at the rate of Rs 4.25 per unit from outside the State, purchasing the same at Rs 8.44 per unit, that too from State’s own hydel project, is not
feasible for an economically backward State like Mizoram. The high cost of power is caused by the high cost of the project resulted by delays. The original estimated cost of the project was Rs 368.72 crore. The project had been delayed and when the power project was finally revived, the estimated cost went up to Rs 1381.71 crore, which has caused the high cost of power. However, 12 per cent of power produced by Tuirial will go to Mizoram as royalty.
Himanta Sarma heads GoM on GST
A group of ministers (GoM) has been set up under Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to make the composition scheme more attractive and also revisit GST rates on restaurants. The GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and consisting of his state counterparts, had constituted the GoM, which will submit its report within two weeks. The other members of the GoM are Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu, Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal and Chhattisgarh Minister of Commercial Taxes Amar Agrawal, according to an office memorandum. With only 15.50 lakh businesses out of the total 98 lakh registered under the goods and services tax (GST) regime opting for the composition scheme, the GST Council has decided to set up the GoM to examine measures to make it more attractive.
Centre committed to granting ST status to 6 communities: Athawale
The Centre is committed to ensure that six communities demanding scheduled tribe status in Assam are granted the same, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said.Assam government has sent the proposal to include the OBC communities Koch-Rajbongshi, Tai-Ahom, Chutiya, Moran, Muttock and the Adivasi tea-tribes in the ST category and we support this. Besides these communities, the government would also like to provide reservation to economically backward people of certain general caste communities like the Kalita and Brahmins in Assam, Athawale said.“There are many people in these general castes who are economically backward and are in need of reservations in both jobs and education,” he added.
There is, however, a deterrent in this matter as the Supreme Court has fixed the maximum level of reservation at 50 per cent but “if a law is passed increasing the level to 75 per cent, then social justice can be ens ured,” he said.
Panel formed to fix minimum wage for tea workers
The State government has formed a Minimum Wages Advisory Board, setting in motion the process for fixation of minimum wages of tea workers.The board will be headed by the Labour Welfare Minister and comprise the secretaries of labour welfare, finance, industry & commerce and food & civil supplies departments besides five representatives from the tea companies and four from the workers’ unions.
The tea workers are getting Rs 137 as the cash component of their wages, besides the fringe benefits as on date. Traditionally, the wages of the workers are fixed through negotiations between the companies and workers’ representatives.
The Consultative Committee of Planters Association (CCPA) and Assam Chah Majdoor Sangha (ACMS) had on February, 2015 inked a bilateral agreement, effecting a hike in the wages of daily labourers in tea gardens from the previous Rs 94. According to the three-year agreement, the wages with effect from January 1 that year was Rs 115. As per the agreement, it was raised to Rs 126 from January 1, 2016 and then to Rs 137 in the third year. The process of negotiation for a fresh agreement is also likely to begin soon.
CM launches public finance reform initiative
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal called for transparency and efficiency in government service and reiterated the State government’s commitment to bring about reform in public
finance management system to ensure good governance.
The Chief Minister said this while launching the World Bank aided Assam State Public Finance Institutional Reforms (ASPIRe) Project, which is among the biggest public finance reforms initiative in the country, at Assam Administrative Staff College. The Government of Assam has set a target to implement the ASPIRe project with an amount of Rs 283 crore over a period of five years. The project focuses on public participation, effectiveness and efficiency, transparency, accountability and responsiveness in establishing good governance. The IT-enabled services through ASPIRe will help us in bringing reformative change in government service.
70 pc of NE’s LPG requirement imported
Only about 30 per cent of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) requirement in the North East is produced by the refineries in the region and North East has to depend mainly on the bulk LPG imported from other countries. The transportation bottleneck is one of the main reasons for the shortage faced by the region and the situation further aggravates whenever the roads leading to the region are blocked due to natural calamities or other reasons. The region is facing shortage of LPG at this moment because of the fact that floods in North Bengal cut off the road and rail communications to the region for quite some time in August and it would take two to three weeks for the situation to become normal. At least 50 per cent of the demand of the country is met through imports. The situation in the North East is even worse as the dependence on imports is much higher. The total demand of LPG in the North East is around 500 thousand metric tones per year and the refineries of the region can produce only around 30 per cent of it and the balance requirement is met with imports.
Shillong to hold first India International Cherry Blossom Festival
Shillong to holds the first India International Cherry Blossom Festival from November 8 to 11.The festival is being organised by the Meghalaya government in collaboration with the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), a national institute under the Department of Biotechnology, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). The cherry blossom tree, when it flowers, just for a short period in a year – the pink and white glory it exudes is a sight to behold. It was in Japan that the tradition of planting cherry blossoms (called sakura in Japanese) started. The Sakura Festival started way back in the third century and continues to be a huge
tourist attraction. Thus, to convey the message of peace, the Japanese have been planting cherry blossoms across different countries of the world. Currently 27 countries across the world, including the US, New Zealand, Holland and South Korea, hold cherry blossom festivals. Next month, India will become the 28th. Though the cherry blossom actually originated in the Himalayas, it, however, did not get popularised in the Himalayan nations like India, Nepal and Bhutan.
State Tourism Policy unveiled “Once you visit Assam, it stays with you forever” – with internationally acclaimed actor Priyanka
Chopra inviting people to visit Assam through this promo catch line, the much-awaited Awesome Assam promotional campaign was launched by State Tourism Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, along with an incentive-laden Tourism Policy of Assam 2017, inviting investors to the State. The government plans to market the brand Assam in a big way in India and abroad, with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal leading from the front. Sonowal would be conducting road shows in all major cities of the country, while his Cabinet colleagues would promote Assam on foreign turf, said Tourism Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Approved by the State Cabinet, the policy will become operational from January 1, 2018, and would continue till December 31, 2022. Generous incentives are on offer for the filmmakers shooting in Assam for Hindi, English or any other foreign language film. The perks would further compound if the story of the film is based in Assam – a strategy to give tourism a huge boost in the State.
Centre to invest Rs 1.45 lakh cr in NE road infra
To upgrade infrastructure in the Northeast, the government is planning to undertake highway projects worth about Rs 1.45 lakh crore in next two to three years, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said. The government has already taken up many road improvement projects under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for Northeast for better connectivity in the region, besides setting up National Highways &Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd to augment capacity of the agencies involved in development and maintenance of highways in the region. “The government is planning to invest about Rs 1.45 lakh crore in the Northeast for development of national highways,” told Road Transport, Highways, Shipping and Water
Resources Minister Gadkari.
Of the proposed Rs 1.45 lakh crore investment, the government plans to invest about Rs 48,000 crore in Assam, Rs 22,000 crore in Manipur and Rs 20,000 crore in Nagaland for building roads. Projects worth Rs 17,000 crore are planned in Sikkim, Rs 12,000 crore in Mizoram, Rs 10,000 crore in Arunachal Pradesh and Rs 8,000 crore each in Meghalaya and Tripura, he said.
Formation of national park in Karbi Anglong proposed
The State is set to get its sixth national park and the first in the two hills districts, with the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) formally proposing the formation of a larger protected area by merging the North Karbi Anglong and East Karbi Anglong wildlife sanctuaries into a national park. Although the conjoined districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao account for much of the State’s green cover, particularly dense forest cover, they are yet to have a national park. Dima
Hasao does not even have a wildlife sanctuary. The objective behind the move is to bring more forest area under security cover and boost protection along the contiguous belts that link the Karbi Anglong forests with Kaziranga National Park. “The proposal is in the best interests of Karbi Anglong forests as well as Kaziranga. The two hill
districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao do not have a single national park despite having vast stretches of pristine forests. The KAAC authorities are submitting the proposal for the national park to the State government,” Abhijit Rabha, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF),
KAAC, told. The combined area of the North and East Karbi Anglong wildlife sanctuaries comes to around 318 sq km, with the former covering 96 sq km and the latter 221.81 sq km – both being contiguous forests.
Rs 544-cr Tata Trust funding for cancer care in Assam
The Tata Trust has announced a package of Rs 544 crore for cancer care treatment in Assam, the biggest ever funding for a particular disease in the history of State’s health sector.
The Tata Trust had announced a total package of Rs 1,000 crore for five states – Assam, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand, of which Assam’s share is highest (Rs
544 crore). State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed media persons that the funds will be utilised as per the joint initiative for creating quality care infrastructure in the State and all the existing medical colleges will have a cancer care hospital.
The initiative will be under the aegis of the South East Asia Cancer Society, a collaborative programme by the State government and Tata Trust on cancer care. As per the project, besides cancer care facilities in all the civil hospitals and medical colleges, a state-level cancer hospital will also be set up along with a research institute billed as the South Asia Cancer Research Institute.
HC declares anti-tobacco Act ultra vires
The Gauhati High Court declared the existing anti-tobacco law in the State as ultra vires. The Court of Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Paran Phukan struck down the Assam Health (prohibition of manufacturing, advertisement, trade, storage, distribution, sale and consumption of zarda, gutkha, pan masala, etc, containing tobacco) Act, 2014, as ultra vires in response to a petitions filed by five tobacco manufacturing companies in the year of enactment. The State government had tabled the Bill which became a law with an idea to improve public health and prevent incidence of cancer and other health hazards and addiction among the people of the State. Point2Remember – Assam was the first State in the country to have an anti-tobacco Act, a
move aimed at discouraging consumption of tobacco.
Centre-World Bank pact to boost Assam agriculture and rural sectors
In a significant development, the Government of India and the World Bank signed a USD 200 million loan agreement for the Assam Agri-business and Rural Transformation Project. The project will support the Government of Assam to facilitate agri-business investments, increase agriculture productivity and market access, and enable small farm holders produce crops that are resilient to recurrent floods or droughts in the State. The agreement for the project was signed by Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Sameer Kumar Khare, Principal Secretary, Finance, Government of Assam, Ravi Kota, and Operations Manager, World Bank India, Hisham Abdo.
November 2017 Assam Signs MoUs with Singapore for Skilling State’s Youth
Assam government has MoUs and Terms of Reference (ToR) with Singapore for skilling youth of the state. The MoU and ToR for North East Skills Centre (NESC) were signed between Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department, of Assam government and ITE Education Service, Singapore. An MoU for Guwahati City Greening was inked between the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority and Singapore Corporation Enterprise.
Swiss agency to review Manipur Climate Change Plan
The Indian Himalayans Climate Adaptation Programme (IHCAP) team has reiterated that they will help Manipur in making a comprehensive policy on climate change issues. IHCAP, which is a project under the global programme climate change and environment of the Swiss Agency for Development and Corporation (SDC), aims to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities in the Himalayas and enhancing the capacities of research institutions and decision makers and it being implemented in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
Assam University signs MoU with Shizouka University of Japan
In collaborative research, School of Life Sciences, Assam University, Silchar recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on academic cooperation with the Faculty of Agriculture, Shizouka University of Japan. The MoU was signed by Vice Chancellor of Assam University, Silchar, Prof Dilip Chandra Nath and President of Shizouka University, Prof Kiyoshi Ishii.
World’s first in situ wild muga sanctuary coming up at Golaghat The government planning to set up the world’s first in situ wild muga sanctuary in Golaghat.
Around 41 species of wild silk moths have been identified in the Northeast. The largest share (above 90 per cent) of eri silk production of India is contributed from Northeast India and it shares 77 per cent of the total non-mulberry raw silk produced in the country.
The Directorate of Sericulture and Central Silk Board are learnt to have got the clearance from the forest department for the unique project, aimed at future conservation of the threatened wild silk moths and muga as well as helping research.
Mary Kom named Women's Youth World Championships Ambassador
Five-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist MC Mary Kom has been named as the ambassador of the upcoming AIBA Women's Youth World Championships. The event, which is being hosted in Guwahati, Assam is scheduled to be held from November 19 to 26. “It is an honour to have been chosen as Ambassador for the 2017 Women’s Youth World
Championships and be a part of the prestigious competition with it held in India for the first time,” the 34-year-old Manipuri, who is currently in Vietnam for the Asian Championships, was quoted as saying by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
647 Schemes rolled out for Development of Majuli
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal rolled out 647 schemes entailing an investment of Rs 24.57 crore for development of the world's largest river island Majuli. Out of these, 448 schemes under MGNREGA involved Rs 21.90 crore and 199 schemes under 14th Finance Commission have an outlay of Rs 2.67 crore, it added.
India, Bangladesh Joint Military Combat Exercise 'Sampriti' Begins
Army personnel of India and Bangladesh are going to take part in a joint training exercise 'Sampriti-7' in Meghalaya and Mizoram. This is the 7th edition of the joint training exercise. The 13-day exercise will be conducted at India's Jungle Warfare School at Vairengte in Mizoram and at the Joint Training Node at Umroi in Meghalaya.
NIT Agartala to set up rubber, bamboo research centres
The National Institute of Technology, Agartala, (NITA) has initiated to set up rubber and bamboo research centres to boost industries and employment in the north-eastern region. Tripura is the second-largest rubber producer in India, after Kerala, a viable rubber research centre can be set up in the NITA to boost the rubber cultivation, industries and employment.
With over 75,000 hectares of land under plantation, Tripura produces over 60,000 tonne of rubber annually. The market value of the rubber produced in the state is over Rs 650 crore, of which 90 per cent is sent outside the state earning about Rs 620 crore. Bamboo is also known as “green gold” in the north-eastern region.
North East to get India’s first ever Air Dispensary Northeast is set to get India’s first -ever “Air Dispensary” based in a helicopter and the Union
Ministry of Development of Northeast (DONER) already contributed Rs. 25 crores as part of the initial funding. As per the plan, the helicopter will be based at two locations, namely Imphal in Manipur and Meghalaya in Shillong. From these two locations, specialist doctors, paramedical staff, and necessary equipment would move into the helicopter and hold a dispensary in different locations across the eight States of North Eastern Region.
Nagaland is the first NE State to Launch POS for Paying Electricity Bills
Nagaland scripted history when it became the first State in the Northeast to launch Point of Sale (POS) facility for electricity bill payment, where the mode of payment will be cashless. The POS facility was launched at Kohima. The POS facility would now enable the consumers to pay their electricity bills as cashless transactions have been made available to them.
Mizoram gets Rs 102.02 cr from Centre for medical college
Mizoram has received Rs 102.02 crore from Centre for setting up its first medical college. The college, which is to be named as Mizoram Institute of Medical Education and Research (MIMER), would have 100 seats and the classes would begin after approval by Medical Council of India.
Women's Youth World Boxing Championship begins at Guwahati
Women's Youth World Boxing Championship begins in Guwahati, Assam. Three young boxers will lock horn in the preliminaries. In 54 kilogram category, Shashi Chopra will play in 60 kg category. Mascot - one-horned rhino 'Guppy'
President Ram Nath Kovind to inaugurate Manipur Sangai Festival
President Ram Nath Kovind reached Imphal to inaugurate the Manipur Sangai Festival, 2017 this afternoon. He was accorded a warm welcome at the Imphal Airport by State Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh and his cabinet colleagues. The 10-day state festival will be opened today at the Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre at Palace Compound in Imphal. He will open a two-day North-East Development Summit at the City Convention Centre in Imphal. Around 20 memorandums of understanding (MoU) will be signed with investor companies during the Summit to attract investment in the State to generate employment avenues for the unemployed educated youths of the State.
Northeast development summit held in Manipur
Manipur hosted the first- ever North East Development Summit (NEDS) 2017 in Imphal on21st and 22nd November 2017. NEDS 2017 was jointly organized by Manipur State Government in collaboration with Union Commerce Ministry and India Foundation. The main objective of this summit was to showcase the economic potential and to attract investments in food processing, bamboo industry, real estate and other businesses within the state. During the course of this Summit, around 20 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed between various Departments of Manipur State Government and National and International Companies/Investors.
SAUBHAGYA Scheme Launched in Manipur
The Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA) was launched in Manipur, by Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh and N. Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur. A total of approximately 1.75 lakh households (1.62 lakh rural households and 0.13 lakh urban households) of Manipur are proposed to be included under the scheme.
December 2017 International Tourism Mart in Guwahati from Dec 5
To boost tourism in the region, Ministry of Tourism in association with the North Eastern states is organising the ‘International Tourism Mart’ (ITM) in Guwahati from December 5 to 7.
The Sixth International Tourism Mart, will put the spotlight on India’s “Act East Policy”. Besides
deliberations on promotion of tourism in the North East region in general, keeping the objectives of the ''Act East Policy” in view, the panel discussions will also focus on promoting cultural ties, people-to-people contact with countries in the ASEAN region providing enhanced connectivity to the states of North Eastern region with other countries in the neighbourhood, thereby developing inter-regional tourism between the ASEAN and North East region. International buyers and media delegates from countries around the world and from different regions of the country are participating in the Mart. They will be engaging in business-tobusiness meetings with sellers from the North Eastern region.
Human trafficking cases in State has reduced
Denotes a marked improvement in detection and prevention of human trafficking cases compared to previous years, Assam has been ranked 10th in terms of reported cases of human trafficking in the country in 2016 by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data which was released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). In 2015, Assam had second highest reported cases of human trafficking in the country. West Bengal topped the rank with 3,579 human trafficking cases followed by Rajasthan
and Gujarat with 1,422 and 548 cases respectively.
Siu-Ka-Pha Award conferred on Bimal Borpatra Gohain
The Assam government conferred the Siu-Ka-Pha Award on eminent Tai scholar Bimal Borpatra Gohain at Tipam village, on the occasion of Asom Divas (Siu-Ka-Pha Divas) celebration. Tipam is a place of historic importance between Naharkatia and Namrup because Chaolung SiuKa-Pha, the first Ahom king had a stopover in the village during his journey into Assam. The village also has a moidam of the Ahoms. The Siu-Ka-Pha Award that carries Rs 2 lakh along with a citation and a sorai, is given away annually to a prominent personality of the State who has made considerable contribution to the society in any field. The Assam government has been observing December 2 as the Asom Divas or Siu-Ka-Pha Divas in commemoration of the first Ahom king.
India wins first ever South Asian Regional Badminton Championship
India has won the first ever South Asian Regional Badminton Team Championship by defeating Nepal in Guwahati. India defeated its neighbouring country by 3-0. The Indian team, which came into the Final without losing a single match, continued their good run with Aryaman Tandon drawing first blood in the boys’ singles competition. He defeated Dipesh Dhami 21-9, 21-15.
18th Hornbill Festival concludes
The 18th edition of the 10-day Hornbill Festival culminated at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama near Kohima. Gracing the programme, Nagaland Governor PB Acharya said Hornbill Festival gives an opportunity to the Naga tribes to converge at one location to showcase the best of their tribal costumes, songs and dances. Chief Minister TR Zeliang said the festival has gained popularity despite remoteness and lack of proper infrastructure. With regard to the much debated issue of reducing the festival to seven days from next year, he said, after seeing the response of the people, the tourists and the success of the festival, he prefers the festival to continue for 10 days. The State Government will take a call on the issue in due course of time, he added. Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism C Apok Jamir expressed hope that the 10-day celebration of the Hornbill Festival has given the opportunity for the tourists to peep into the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the 16 Naga tribes.
ASTC signs agreement with Mercedes Benz
Bus commuters in Assam are in for an all new experience soon. The Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) signed an agreement with Mercedes Benz for operating around 175 buses manufactured by the German company in the State under a PPP model. The buses will be operated under a 90:10 profit model to be shared between the company and ASTC.
Assam’s Birendra Prasad Baishya elected as IOA president
International Hockey Federation (FIH) chief Narinder Batra was elected as president of the Indian Olympic Association for a four-year term by an overwhelming majority in the polls held at its Annual General Meeting here. The 60-year-old Batra secured 142 votes while his rival Anil Khanna got 13 in the two-way contest.
Cabinet approves North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme
With an aim to develop infrastructure in North East, the Union Cabinet has approved North East Special Infrastructure Development Schemefrom 2017-18. It will be entirely funded by the Central Government to create infrastructure in specified sectors till 2020. The scheme will focus upon the Physical infrastructure that includes water supply, power and tourism and Social infrastructure including health and education.
Meghalaya launches India’s first social audit law
The Government of Meghal aya has launched ‘The Meghalaya Community Participation and Public Services Social Audit Act, 2017. With this, Meghalaya has become the first state in the country to do so. The law will make the social audit of Government programmes and schemes a part of government practice.
Prime Minister inaugurates 60 MW Tuirial Hydro Power Project in Aizwal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the 60 MW Tuirial hydropower project in Aizwal, Mizoram. It is the Central Government’s first large hydropower project to be commissioned in Mizoram. With this, Mizoram has become the third power surplus state in North-East after Sikkim and Tripura.
Nitin Gadkari lays foundation of Majuli anti-erosion project
Union Road Transport, Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari laid the foundation stones of several big projects in Majuli, among which the Rs 237-crore project named ‘Protection of Majuli Island from Flood and Erosion’ to be implemented by the Brahmaputra Board, is the largest in terms of money and area. The other projects are the ‘Brahmaputra Board Office Complex,’ to be constructed at Bongaon,
Majuli at a cost of Rs 40 crore, and the Rs 61-crore project to repair Brahmaputra embankments by the State Water Resources Department. Gadkari also flagged off the Inland Waterways Authority of India cargo vessel service between Pandu (Guwahati) and Hatisingmari (Dhubri) from Majuli.
8 river terminals in State to be developed with Rs 1,100 crore
Flood-erosion control and skill development will be the main areas of emphasis in the State and the Brahmaputra Board has been initiating measures to address these issues, stated Union Minister for Road Transport, Shipping and Water Resources NitinGadkari. The Brahmaputra dredging work would be started from January while the dredging work in the Barak river would be completed by July next. Gadkari informed that the Brahmaputra Board had been asked to initiate measures to carry out massive plantation drives on both sides of the Brahmaputra to check erosion. First list of draft NRC to be published on midnight of 31 st December
The first list of the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) is set for publication at midnight of Dec. 31, 2017. However, the first draft will only contain names of those whose document verification process has been completed and it will not contain photos of Indian citizens living in the State. The complete draft, to be published after the completion of the verification process of all those who had applied for inclusion of their names in the NRC, will contain names of all genuine Indian citizens living in Assam along with their photographs. The issue of updating the NRC of 1951 had first come to the limelight when the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) submitted a memorandu m to the Government of India on January 18, 1980, at the initial stage of the Assam Movement, and then again, the issue was mentioned in a memorandum submitted during a discussion with the then Prime Minister in February in the same year. After the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985, the AASU submitted a draft of the modalities for updating the NRC in 1990. But the matter did not get priority from successive governments. However, the process of updating the NRC gained momentum only after the Supreme Court started monitoring the progress and the first draft will be published on 31st December midnight as per the directive of the court.
Cristiano Ronaldo wins Globe Soccer Award
Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Globe Soccer best player of the year award by defeating Barcelona’s Messi. The Portuguese forward was named winner ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar. Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, helped Madrid win a Primera Liga and Uefa Champions League double. He then capped off the year with the Spanish giants clinching the Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.
He is the first player in history to win four European Golden Shoes. He has won 25 trophies in his career, including five league titles, four UEFA Champions League titles and one UEFA European Championship. A prolific goalscorer, Ronaldo holds the records for most official goals scored in the top five European leagues (373), the UEFA Champions League (114), the UEFA European Championship (29) and the FIFA Club World Cup (7), as well as most goals scored in a UEFA Champions League season (17). He has scored more than 600 senior career goals for club and country.
3. Governance and Politics of Assam The Government of Assam consists of the Governor as the head of the state, nominated by the Government of India and the head of government is the Chief Minister, who commands a majority in the 126-membered unicameral Assam Legislative Assembly. In 2016, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won a majority of seats in the legislature, with 86 seats, followed by Congress with 26 seats and AIUDF with 13. Assam Legislative Assembly
As per the Government of India Act 1935, a bicameral legislature of Assam province came into existence in 1937. The first sitting of the Assam Legislative Assembly took place on 7 April 1937 in the Assembly Chamber at Shillong, the then capital of the composite State of Assam. After Indian independence in 1947, the Assam Legislative Council was abolished and the Assam Legislative Assembly became unicameral. The strength of members has been gradually increased and now it has a strength of 126 members.
Chief Minister 1
Sri Sarbananda Sonowal Home, Political, Personnel, GAD, SAD, Administrative Reform &
Training, Election, I&PR, Border Area Development, Revenue and DM, Social Welfare, Judicial Legislative Law, Welfare and Minorities Development, Hill Areas Development, Printing and Stationary, Power, Implementation of Assam Accord and any other department not allotted to the other Minister.
Cabinet Ministers 2
3 4 5 6
Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma Finance, Planning and Development, Health & Family Welfare,
Education (Higher, Secondary & Elementary), Tourism, Handloom and Textile (only Khadi and Village Industry), GDD, Cooperation, Pension and Public Grievances. Sri Atul Bora Agriculture, Horticulture and Food Processing, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, UDD and Town & Country Planning. Smt Pramila Rani Brahma Environment and Forests, Soil Conservation, Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Class,Mines and Minerals Sri Parimal Suklabaidya PWD (Roads and Buildings, NH), Fisheries and Excise Sri Chandra Mohan Patowary
Commerce and Industry , Transport , Parliamentary Affairs.
7
Sri Keshab Mahanta
Water Resources Department,Science Information Technology
and
Technology,
8
Sri Rihon Daimari
Public Health Engineering, Food and Civil Supply and Consumer.
9
Sri Ranjit Dutta
IIrrigation, Handloom and Textile and Sericulture (excluding Khadi and Village Industry).
Ministers of State (Independent Charge) 10
Sri Naba Kumar Doley
Panchayat and Rural Development, Sports & Youth Welfare, Cultural Affairs (As independent charges) Social Welfare (MoS to assist CM)
11
Sri Pallab Lochan Das
Labour and Employment, Tea Tribes Welfare (as independent charges), Revenue & DM (MoS to assist CM), Power.
Governor of Assam Prof Jagdish Mukhi is the 30th Governor of Assam and he assumed his office on 10th October
2017. Prior to his appointment as the Governor of Assam, Shri Mukhi was the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Jagdish Mukhi earlier held the portfolios of finance, planning, excise & taxation and higher education in Delhi Government. He is credited with working extensively for the welfare of the people of Delhi. Some of the notable achievements credited to Jagdish Mukhi's name were banning of lottery trade etc in Delhi in 1994, when he was the minister of finance. He also worked towards persuading people to abstain from consuming alcohol. As minister of excise, he declared record number of dry days in a year. He was also instrumental in establishing Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University a professional university which was self funded, as a minister of higher education. He was also honoured as the best finance minister of the nation and also received best MLA award in Delhi Vidhan Sabha for two times. He represented Janak Puri constituency continuously from 1980 and won seven times from the same constituency. Jagdish Mukhi was born to Late J.R Mukhi and Late Laxi Devi Mukhi on 1st December 1942.
Legislature Assembly Speaker 1 Legislature Assembly Speaker. Ranjit Kumar Das 2 Legislature Assembly Deputy Speaker Dilip Kumar Paul
List of Districts in Assam Sr.No
District
District HQ
Population (2011)
Growth
Sex Ratio
Literacy
Area 2 (km )
Density 2 (/km )
1
Baksa
Mushalpur
950075
10.74%
974
69.25
2008
475
2
Barpeta
Barpeta
1693622
21.43%
953
63.81
3245
632
3
Bongaigaon
Bongaigaon
738804
20.59%
966
69.74
1724
425
4
Cachar
Silchar
1736617
20.19%
959
79.34
3786
459
5
Chirang
Kajalgaon
482162
11.34%
969
63.55
1975
244
6
Darrang
Mangaldoi
928500
22.19%
954
63.08
1849
491
7
Dhemaji
Dhemaji
686133
19.97%
953
72.7
3237
213
8
Dhubri
Dhubri
1949258
24.44%
953
58.34
2838
1171
9
Dibrugarh
Dibrugarh
1326335
11.92%
961
76.05
3381
393
10
Dima Hasao
Haflong
214102
13.84%
932
77.54
4888
44
11
Goalpara
Goalpara
1008183
22.64%
964
67.37
1824
553
12
Golaghat
Golaghat
1066888
12.75%
964
77.43
3502
302
13
Hailakandi
Hailakandi
659296
21.45%
951
74.33
1327
497
14
Jorhat
Jorhat
1092256
9.31%
962
82.15
2851
383
15
Kamrup
Goroimari
1517542
15.69%
949
75.55
3480
436
16
Kamrup Metropolitan
Guwahati
1253938
18.34%
936
88.71
627
2010
17
Karbi Anglong
Diphu
956313
17.58%
951
69.25
10434
93
18
Karimganj
Karimganj
1228686
21.90%
963
78.22
1809
673
19
Kokrajhar
Kokrajhar
887142
5.21%
959
65.22
3129
280
20
Lakhimpur
North Lakhimpur
1042137
17.22%
968
77.2
2277
457
21
Morigaon
Marigaon
957423
23.34%
967
68.03
1704
618
22
Nagaon
Nagaon
2823768
22.00%
962
72.37
3831
711
23
Nalbari
Nalbari
771639
11.99%
949
78.63
1009
763
24
Sivasagar
Sibsagar
1151050
9.44%
954
80.41
2668
431
25
Sonitpur
Tezpur
1924110
15.55%
956
67.34
5324
365
26
Tinsukia
Tinsukia
1327929
15.47%
952
69.66
3790
347
27
Udalguri
Udalguri
831668
9.61%
973
65.41
1676
497
28
Biswanath
Biswanath Chariali
240,000
-
-
-
1,100
220
29
Charaideo
Sonari
-
-
-
-
-
30
Hojai
Sankardev Nagar
931,218
-
-
-
-
-
31
Majuli
Garamur
167,304
-
-
-
1,250
300
32
South SalamaraMankachar
Hatsingimari
555,114
-
-
-
568
980
33
West Karbi Anglong
Hamren
-
-
-
-
-
-
3.1 Five new districts of Assam
Biswanath District Headquarters - Biswanath Chariali Area - Total 1,100 km2 (400 sq mi) Population (2011) - 240,000 Density - 220/km2 (570/sq mi) Languages – (Official) Assamese Biswanath is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. It is one of newly created district in the year by 2015, declared by Assam Chief Minister on 15 August 2015. The district is created amalgamating Gohpur and most part of Biswanath Sub division on earlier Sonitpur district. The district is bounded by Arunachal Pradesh district on north, Golaghat, Brahmaputra on the south, Lakhimpur district on the east and Sonitpur district on the west.
Charaideo District Headquarters Sonari Languages – (Official) Assamese
Charaideo district is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. It was formally declared a new district of the state on 15 August 2015 by the then Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi. It curve out of carved out of Sivasagar district and Sonari became its headquarters. It comes under Upper Assam divisions. The site of Charaideo which was the first capital of the Ahom kingdom established by the first Ahom king Chao Lung Siu-Ka-Pha in 1228. The tombs (Maidams) of Ahom kings and queens at Charaideo hillocks are comparable to the Pyramids of Egypt. The site has had some archaeological works but also has suffered from robbers. There have been calls for the site to be UNESCO World Heritage listed.
Majuli District Area - 1,250 km2 (480 sq mi) Population - 167,304 Approx (2011) Pop. Density - 300 /km2 (800 /sq mi) Ethnic groups - Mishing, Deori, Sonowal Kacharis, Ahom, Sutiya, Kalita On June 27, 2016 the district was announced by Sarbananda Sonowal, taking the total number of district in Assam to 33. Majuli carved out of the Northern parts of Jorhat. It is the first river island district of India and the biggest river island in the world . The main industry is agriculture, with paddy being the chief crop. Majuli has a rich and diverse agricultural tradition, with as many as 100 varieties of rice grown, all without pesticides or artificial fertilisers. Handloom is a major occupation among the distaff population of the villages. Although largely a non-commercial occupation, it keeps many of the inhabitants occupied. Weaving is exquisite and intricate with the use of a variety of colours and textures of cotton and silk, especially Muga silk. Among the fascinating arrays of rice produced are the Komal Saul, a unique type that can be eaten after immersing the grains in warm water for 15 minutes and usually eaten as a breakfast cereal; the bao dhan, that grows under water and is harvested after ten months and the Bora saul, a sticky brown rice used to make the traditional cake known as pitha. Fishing, dairying, pottery, handloom and boat-making are other important economic activities.
Majuli is a reserved seat for the Scheduled tribes (ST). It is under jurisdiction of Mising Autonomous Council having three constituencies.
South Salmara-Mankachar District Headquarter - Hatsingimari Area - 568 square kilometres Density - 980/km 2 (2,500/sq mi) South Salmara-Mankachar District is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. It was created by bifurcating Old Dhubri district in 2016. It is last part of Assam west side borders with Bangladesh and south east side is connected with Meghalaya state. South Salmara-Mankachar District is primarily dependent on agricultural and forest products. The main source of income is paddy (both winter and autumn) with surplus production. Jute and mustard seed occupy the major share of cash crops. Wheat, maize, pulses and sugar cane are also grown moderately. From forest, mainly timber and bamboo add to the income, though boulders and sand are also available. Fish, milk, meat, and eggs have small contribution to the economy. There are few historical sites in the district. However, the famous ones are the tomb of Mir Jumla II and Kamakhya Temple at Mankachar.
West Karbi Anglong District Headquarters - Hamren The West Karbi Anglong district is a new district formed out of the existing Karbi Anglong District of Assam in 2016. The district is a part of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Diphu and it is administered according to the Sixth Scheduled of the Indian Constitution. Karbis and Hill Tiwas form the majority of the population. Karbi language, Tiwa and Assamese is widely spoken in the district. English, Hindi and other tribal languages are spoken in the district. The district is inhabited by many indigenous Assamese communities, Karbi and Hill Tiwa people being the majority, along with Dimasa, Garo, Bodo and other indigenous Assamese communities.
4. Geography of Assam Assam is situated in the north-east corner of India and is aptly described as the land of the " Red River and Blue Hills ". The mighty river Brahmaputra dominates the whole of the Assam Valley and the blue hills intersect most part of the state with their evergreen forest and blue haze. This land is the home to a variety of exotic flora and fauna including the famous one horned rhinoceros. Assam is land of rich potentialities and is full of mineral resources and other raw materials but these resources and other raw materials have to a great extent remained unexploited. One of the major industries in Assam is that of the ''one bud and two leaves'',viz, tea industry. It is for this reason for Assam is known as '' the land of tea ''. Assam contributed more than 33% of the world output of tea . Assam is also rich in oil and coal. Cottage industry is carried in a traditional manner in almost every household. The skill in the art of weaving and spinning is always held to be one of the highest attainments of an Assamese woman.
Re-organisation of Northeastern States Nagaland (in 1960) - The Naga Hills district and the former Tuensang division of the North East Frontier Agency were constituted into a separate state known as Nagaland in 1960. The new state
was inaugurated on December, 1963, by the then president of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. Arunachal Pradesh ( 21st January,1972) - The NEFA (present Arunachal) though from the point of geography and the Constitution of India was a part of Assam, was treated as a separate area for the
purpose of the 1961 census. Accordingly the area of Assam for the 1961 census was 47,091 square miles (1,21,965.65 sq.km) excluding NEFA and Nagaland. Under section 7 of the North Eastern Area (Re-organisation) Act, 1971, the entire area of Arunachal was constituted as a Union Territory and named Arunachal Pradesh which came into existence on 21st January, 1972. Meghalaya (1st April,1970) - The formation of Meghalaya as a separate state is an important
change in respect of the area and boundary of Assam, Meghalaya as a separate state with the Union of India has been created by transferring two hill districts,viz., Khasi and Jaintia Hills. According to 1961 census, the area covered by these two districts were 5,546 sq. miles (14,364.14sq.km) and 3,152 square miles (8,163.68 sq.km) respectively. Thus,on the formation of Meghalaya as a separate state Assam lost an area of 8,698 square miles (22,527.82 sq.km), and the new state came into being with effect from 1st April,1970. st
Mizoram: UT ( 1 January.1972 ) -The formation of Mizo Hills as a centrally administered territory
is yet another notable landslide in respect of the area of Assam. Under section 8 of the North Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act, 1971, the territories of Mizoram were constituted a Union Territory under the name Mizoram which came into existence on 1st January.1972. Mr. E.H. Pakyntein, Superintendent of Census Operations, Assam, recorded the position and area in the ''District Census Hand Book, Mizo Hills'',1961 as follows ''The Mizo District previously known as the Lushai Hills,is situated at the southernmost corner of Assam, lying between 21o50o'and 24o30' North and 92o 20' and 93o 20'East.
Geographical Specifications The Assam State is bounded by latitudes of 24 58’ N and 280 18’ N and longitudes 89 0 42’ E and 960 01' E (approx). Assam may be divided broadly into two rivers valleys and a reason of hills and plateaus. They are the Brahmaputra valley, wanted by the Brahmaputra throughout its length from Sadiya in the north-east to Dhubri in the west, and by its tributaries on both sides of its banks, the Barak valley, mainly watered by the Barak river and its tributaries, and the hilly tract of Karbi plateau and North Cachar Hills.
The Brahmaputra valley again may be divided into three regions 1. the Uttarpar or Uttarkula, 2. the Dakhinpar or Dakhinakula and 3. the Majuli and other river river islands formed by the river Brahmaputra. Incidentally, it may be mentioned here that the length of the Brahmaputra River with in Assam is about 720 kilometres and it is on the average 8 to 10 kilometres wide. Geographically, Assam may conveniently be divided into two parts-the plains and the hills. Assam is situated in the north-eastern part of India. It is bounded by two foreign countries and seven Indian states. To the north of it is Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. To the east there are Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur. The southern boundary is skirted by Mizoram and Meghalaya, and To the west there lie West Bengal ,Bangladesh and Tripura. The international boundary of the State lies in three sectors namely (a) Dhubri-Rangpur sector of Indo -Bangla boundary-134 km (b) Karimganj-Cachar-Sylhet sector of Indo-Bangla boundary-229 km and (c) Indo-Bhuta boundary -269km. Thus, there are about 532 kilometres of international boundary of Assam. In respect of the inter-state boundary, the state of Assam has its boundary with West Bengal, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Tripura. The length of state-wise boundaries is as follows: 1.Assam-West Bengal boundary 128.0 km – (a)Kokrajhar-Jalpaigur (a)Kokrajhar-Jalpaigur 48.0km(b)Dhubri-CoochBihar 48.0km(b)Dhubri-CoochBihar 80.0km 2.Assam-Meghalaya boundary 723.2km 3.Assam-Nagaland boundary 434.0km 4. Assam-Manipur boundary 132.8 km 5.Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary 704.0 km 6. Assam-Mizoram boundary 130.0 km 7. Assam Tripura boundary 23.3 km
At the time of 1971 census the total area of Assam including Mizoram and excluding Meghalaya was 99,610 square kilometers. After the creation of Mizoram as a union territory on 21st January,
1972, Assam has lost an area of 21,087 square kilometers and accordingly its present area is only 78,523 square kilometres.
Just before the Census of 1961,the area of Assam, according to the surveyor General of India was 84,895 square miles (2,19,878.05 sq.km) including NEFA (present Arunachal Pradesh) and Nagaland. Nagaland with an area of 6366 square miles ( 16,487.94sq.km) was formed into a separate state just before the census of 1961, and NEFA (present Arunachal Pradesh) which was then a centrally administered unit with an area of 31438square miles ( 81,424.42sq km) had been excluded from the jurisdiction of the Superintendent of census operations, Assam. Thus, Assam proper as censused by the superintendent of census operations in 1961, consisted of an area of 47091squae miles(1,21,965.69sq.km) according to the surveyor General of India, and 47.257.2 square miles (1,22,396.15sq.km) according to the director of survey, Assam. Accordingly the censused area of 'Assam proper' in 1961 census consisted of 11 districts namely Goalpara, Kamrup, Darrang , Nagaon ,Sibsagar, Lakhimpur, Cachar, Garo Hills,United Khasi and Jaintia Hills, United Mikir and North Cachar Hills and Mizo Hills covering an area of 121,965 square kilometers.
But after the creation of Meghalaya as a separate state comprising the districts of United Khasi and Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills ,and Mizo Hills as a Union Territory, the Surveyor General of India in 1971 found Assam's area as 78,523 square kilometers.
Protected areas of Assam Assam has five national parks (2.51% of State’s geographical area) and 18 wildlife sanctuaries (1.88% of State’s geographical area , including proposed) wildlife sanctuaries. S. No.
Name of National Parks
State
Year
Area (km²)
1 2 3 4 5
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park Kaziranga National Park Manas National Park Nameri National Park Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park
Assam Assam Assam Assam Assam
1999 1974 1990 1998 1999
340 858.98 500 200 78.81
Name of Wildlife Sanctuaries
Location
Area (km²)
Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary
Jorhat Karbi Anglong Sonitpur
20.98 6.05 44.06
Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary Panidihing Bird Sanctuary Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary North Karbi-Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary (Proposed) East Karbi-Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary Nambor-Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary Borail Wildlife Sanctuary Amsang Wildlife Sanctuary Dipor Bil Wildlife Sanctuary Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Sanctuaries (Proposed)
Darrang Sonitpur Marigaon Sibsagar Tinsukia Karbi Anglong Karbi Anglong
26.22 220.00 38.80 33.93 7.22 37.00 96.00
Karbi Anglong Nagaon Dhubri and Kokrajhar Karbi Anglong Golaghat Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Cachar and Dima Hasao Guwahati Kamrup Karbi Anglong Dhemaji and Lakhimpur
222.81 70.13 45.57 451.00 97.15 111.19 326.25 78.64 4.14 37 11.25
Mineral Wealth Economic mineral plays a very significant role in the development of a region. Of the major minerals, namely, coal and gas, limestone, sillimanite and corundum, refactory clay, kaolin, glass sand, silica rock, gold, copper, salt felspar, vermiculite, fluorspar, beryl, iron and pyrite are reported to occur in the State. Coal, oil and gas, limestone, refractory clays, fire-clay, glasssand, salt, gypsum and pyrite occur in the late Cretaceous and Tertiary. The rest occur in sedimentary and igneous rocks of pre-Cambrian age. Coal: Coal in Assam at present occurs in the district of Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Tinsukia and Karbi
Anglong (Erstwhile Mikir Hills).Due to the bifurcation of Assam most of the coalfields of Garo Hills have gone to the newly state of Meghalaya. In undivided Assam, the most attractive coalfields belong to the Eocene and Oligocene age (i) The Lower Eocene of the Garo and Karbi Anglong Hills, (ii) the Middle Eocene of the Karbi Anglong, and (iii)the Upper Eocene to Oligocene of the Naga Hills, etc.
Mineral Oil: Like coal, mineral oil also occurs mainly in the Upper Assam region of the
Brahmaputra Valley. In Assam at the present time, the quest for oil has been directed in the northeast of the Brahmaputra Valley and the broad belt of Tertiary rocks extending from the Moiban range in Arunachal Pradesh to Tripura through Cachar district and Mizoram. Oil is found in three stratigraphical horizons in the geological column. Prior to the discovery of oil fields in recent years at Naharkatia, Hugrijan, Rudrasagar, Moran, Lakwa, etc., Digboi was the only oil field in independent India. The discovery of oil in the Digboi area took place in 1886, when on the recommendation of the Late H.B. Medlicott, of the Geological Survey of India, drilling for oil was also started near Margherita and Jaipur. These borings met with partial success and due to poor production rates and lack of good communication, no interest was paid on them. The availability of coal in that area led to construction of a railway line from Ledo to Dibrugarh for the purpose of carrying the same, the presence of an oil show near Digboi was discovered by chance. The drilling of the first well was completed in 1890,which gave 200 gallons (908 liters) of oil per day. Within nine years (in 1899), fourteen wells had been drilled. In 1899, the Assam Oil Company was formed to take over the management of the oil interest in this area. In 1921,the Burma Oil Company took over the commercial and technical management, giving it much needed financial assistance,up-to-date equipment and modern transport and refining facilities. In about ten years time,the production had stepped up to 180,000 gallons (8,18,273 liters)per day compared to about 12,000 14,000 gallons (55,550-63,640 liters)per day before 1921.During 1931,the Digboi oil field met about 11.5% of the crude requirements of the then undivided Indian Empire,which included Burma. Sillimanite: It is also an important mineral wealth of Assam. The Assam Sillimanite is in the form
of massive rock from which cubes can been sawn for direct use in furnaces. The largest boulder of massive Sillimanite in Assam and Meghalaya was estimated to weigh 300 tons. Refactory clay: At present in Assam,it is found only in Karbi Anglong. It has a refractoriness of
orton cone and is stated to be quite suitable for the manufacture of refractories. Alum Shale: It is mentioned in the district Census Handbook, Lakhimpur,1961, that dark-
coloured Pyritiferous shales are found in several places from the coal bearing areas in the district. it is suggested that these shales could be used for the preparations of alluminium sulphate and alum. For the proper utilisation of this economic material,an Alum plant is going to be established at Namrup. Fire-clay: It is known that fire-clays occur with coal measures of the Makum coalfield and that
the Assam Railways and Trading Company prepared fire-bricks and refractories from these clays for their own requirements. Similar clay my be found in the Karbi Anglong Hills where the lower Eocene (Cherra State) coal, seam, etc., occur. It is also known that at the falls of the Nambor
River in Golaghat district, such clays are available in Golaghat. There are thus extensive Occurrences of these white clays in Assam wherever the lower Eocene beds are met with. Lithomarge : Lithomarge occurs abundantly in association with the coal-beds. It is stated that
some of the clays or shales found along the coal fields of upper Assam have been profitably utilised for the preparation of ''oil-well drilling mud'. Potter's clay: In the alluvial tracts of the State the Potter's clay is found in abundance. The
Pottery industry,which mainly depends upon the availability of local clay,provides employment opportunities to a large number of persons. In the plains and valleys of the State,the pottery clay is the alluvial material found in the rivers and beds of bils. Kaolin or China clay: Kaolin is found in good quantities in the Dora River of the old Lakhimpur
district. Copper: It is mentioned in the Census Report of Assam,1961(General Report),that the
occurrence of copper has been located in two places within Assam, one near Barduar in Kamrup district and another near Mahamaya Hills in Goalpara district. In both the places,the copper has been found in rocks of the Archaean age. On account of small and scattered show of the metal in both the places, proper investigation is required for exploitation of the same. Salt: In certain places within Cachar district brine springs occur and in the past salt was in the
district. Salt was also made near Sadiya and Borhat in the undivided Lakhimpur district. But now-a days due to the availability of salt at cheaper rates in market these difficult and remote places have lost their importance. Felsper: Felsper occurs in small quantity in the Karbi Anglong Hills in Assam. Beryl: This mineral has been reported from some of the pregmatite veins in the gneissic area in
the Karbi Anglong Hills. Gypsum: Crystals of selenite have been found near Longloi in the Karbi Anglong Hills. It is
known that gypsiferous shale occurs in the Dimasa Reserve Forest in the said district. Iron-ore: Quartz-magnetic rocks are stated to be available in the Hahim area within Kamrup
district. These rocks belong to the Dharwar system.
Rainfall and Temperature Overall Assam is having tropical monsoon climate. The climate of the hills is generally salubrious
while that of the plains is comparatively warm in summer but cool in winter. Accordingly, the climate of Assam is characterised by alternate cool and warm periods with a highly humidity, especially from May to November. Between March and May at the time when precipitation in Northern India is at the minimum, Assam gets some amount of rainfall from the Norwesters which keep the temperature low in the season of spring. In the plains of Assam, the maximum temperature does not go beyond 32oC and in winter the plains of Assam have a minimum temperature of about 8oC. The climate of the plains and the sub-montane region becomes unpleasant, especially in the summer season. It happens to be so because of the extreme humidity which comes with the monsoon. In the plains of Assam, including the district of Cachar the temperatures in summer may be only about 32oC. But the humidity may be so high that one will perspire and feel very uneasy, especially during the period between two bouts of rainfall. Rainfall : Assam receives typical monsoon rains. The south-west monsoon rains starts from the
third week of June and they continue up to the middle of September. The State receives during this period about 180 cm of rainfall on the average. This constitutes about 80% of the average rainfall of the State while the remaining 20% come in the form of occasional rains in January (as a result of the extension of the westerlies that come to the north-western India causing rainfall in Panjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh and snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal and the Himalayan region and in March-April (nor'westers or Bordoichila). There is however, regional variation in the rainfall pattern. It is found that as the Maghalaya Plateau stands on the way of the main branch of the rain -bearing south-west monsoon winds , the southern portion of the Brahmaputra Plains skirting the Plateau fall in the rainshadow zone.
Flora of Assam Botanical Divisions ; According to the type of flora and the nature of vegetation found in it, the forests of Assam may broadly be divided into I. Evergreen forests,
II. Mixed Deciduous forests, III. Riverain forests and IV. Savannah. However, the above classifications are not wholly uniform in all the forests areas of the State. Variations here and there are noticed as to the type of flora and nature of vegetation found in them. Generally, evergreen forests are found in the undivided districts of Cachar, Goalpara, Nagoan, Kamrup, Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Darrang and the Hills districts of the state. Most of the reserved forests of the State are evergreen in character.
Evergreen forests - The reserved forests of the State are distributed mainly in a few definite
areas .These are along the foothills of the Himalayas ; in deep alluvial land commonly known as the Bhabar and Terai tracts ; along the southern edge of the Brahaputra Valley, touching the foothills of the central hilly region and lastly in the hills surrounding valley of the Barak and its tributaries. The evergreen forests of most of the districts are composed of broad leafed species where rainfall is usually heavy . Both evergreen and semi-evergreen forests flourish in alluvial soil having capacity to retain water . Heavy rainfall exceeding 254cms a year is required for their growth. Distribution of plants depend on rainfall and geographical configuration of the country. In heavy rainfall areas, the incidence of plants of different varieties is also heavy. The main species found in these forests are Sal, Bonsum, Titasopa, Hollock, Khokan, Gameri and other species. Usually these forests contain from Sal (Shorea robusta) to miscellaneous evergreen forest trees. It appears that both evergreen and semi-evergreen forests are represented by varieties of important trees. It may also mentioned that Sal is one of the important naturally durable timber species of India, which predominates in the southern part of Kamrup district. Mixed deciduous forests - There is also variation as to the nature of the species found in the different mixed deciduous forests in Assam. The major portions of the mixed deciduous forests are at stages of succession towards climax forests with the tendency towards turning to evergreen if left to nature without human interference or gazing. Usually most of these forest are found along the main river banks . The principal species in the mixed deciduous forests are Sida, Jia poma, Kuhir, Simul, Bhomora, Sonaru Bajiowe , etc. It may also be noted that the
major part of the mixed deciduous forests of poorly stocked, and comes under the category of open areas. In some cases bamboo and cane are also found extensively. Among smaller trees Hengunia, Jegau and Kusial are commonly seen in these forests. In certain forests under this categoty, Digalotu, Gochbhedeki, Leea, Sorat, Nal and other species and plants are noticed. Riverine forests Riverine Forests - In the riverine forests , Simalu (Bombax malabaricum )and Sisso (Dulbergia Sissso) are found. In the district of Kamrup, evergreen trees contain Bhelu (Trameles grandis), Satiana, Amari, Gandhsorai, Poma, Bogipoma , Titasopa, Bota (Morus Lacvigata) Bhomora, Silikha, Paruli (Stariospermum Chelenoides), Dhuna, Gogra, Maz, Seling, Borhamthuri, Jaipoma,
Gohara, Owtenga, Sal, Jamuk, Koliori, Uriam, Letaku, Ritha, Rudrakhya, Thekera, etc. Most of these trees as useful as timber, medicinal matter and food. The riverine forests of the State are mainly found along the banks of big streams or Chaparis of big rivers. The forest areas found in Kanamakra, Manas, Beki, Pagladiya and Puthimari,
Barnadi, Nanoi etc., are instances of riverine forests. Usual combination or Khoir and Sissioais
found in this group of forests. Savannah Forest - This type of forests occur in patches in most of the reserved forests of the
State particularly in North Kamrup , Darrang, Sonitpur, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Bangaigaon, Goalpara and Nowgong. In Central Assam, Dry Savannah type forest occurs in open areas in dry miscellaneous forests and are characterised by species like Ulu, Khagari and other grasses. Besides, grasses like Ikara and Nal are also in this type of forests. Sporadiccaly in certain areas under this type species like Bejaowe, Simul Sida, Udal, Jamuk, Kuhir, Khoir, Bohera, Kum , etc., are also found. Forest Wealth
From the point of view of area and products, forest wealth occupies a very significant place for the economic development of the State. Every year the forest Department of the Government of Assam earns crores of rupees as State revenues. It may be mentioned here that except for some wood land grants under the tea estate, most of the forests of Assam are owned by the State. The acquisition of erstwhile Zamindary forests has brought a substantial part of forest areas to the state control. Forest areas under the control of the State fall mainly under the broad categories, namely (i) Reserved Forests , (ii) Unclassed State Forests and (iii) Forests under the control of the Autonomous Bodies in the Hills. The Reserved Forests are by far the most important which can be considered for scientific management. These forests, besides providing employment and earning handsome revenue to the State, also help for the growth and development of large number of local saw mills, plywood factories, match factory and various other forest-based industries in the State and outside. Moreover, most of the forest areas are also rich in respect of their wild life. The out turn of the forest wealth includes timber for various constructional purposes , round wood for bridges and for use by the State Electricity Board , for use in the plywood factories , and lastly as firewood for domestic purposes.
Fauna of Assam Assam along with its North Eastern parts of India is of exceptional biogeographical interest not only to India but to the world today. Thus today, Assam stands as the western-most boundary of the range of many peninsular species such as the Spotted Deer and the Mulbery Silkworm. Primarily therefore, the Fauna of Assam are the Indo-Chinese Complex rather than Peninsular Indian Complex. Even though with
the variatable admixture of the Peninsular and the Ethiopian elements, the Palaeoretic Monatane elements also found intruded into it, making it richer than elsewhere in India. However, many of the relict species of the Southern Peninsular India, mostly confined to the Western-Ghats, have closely related species only found in Assam, even though separated by a gap over one thousands five hundred
kilometres. Biodiversity Particulars
Estimated Number of Species
Flowering Plants Wild Orchids Bamboo Canes Mammals Primates Bird Ambhibians Butterflies Reptiles
3017 193+ 42 14 164+ 10 800+ (280 migratory) 60+ 1500 approx. 116 approx
5. History of Assam
Pre-Historic period of Assam Pre-history period is the period which is anterior to recorded history. Pre-history of Assam, is almost and uninvestigated field of study. Caves, tools and geological stratas of Paleolithic, Neolithic and chaleolithic ages discovered in the North-East region so far, in combination give an idea of human habitation in this part of the country in the hoary past. During the past few years, however, several sites and a large number of tools belonging to the Paleolithic age have been discovered in the Garo hills. Relics of this culture are also found in the Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh and in the excavations of a cave at Khangkhuti in the Ukhrul Sub-division of Manipur. Besides, some caves in the Khasia-Jaintia hills of Meghalaya, in the Mikir hills (present Karbi Anglong district ) and North Cachar hills with traces of rudimentary paintings and carvings5 were discovered and some caves in the undivided district of Kamrup and at Jogighopa and Surya Pahar in the district of Goalpara are noticed. But these have not been properly studied and explored yet. The stone tool so far, collected, in and around Assam,give an idea regarding the Neolithic culture of this part of India. John Lubbock was the first person to refer to finds of jade neolithic implements in Upper Assam. In 1872, S.E. Peal reported the find of a celt below the foundation of a tea factory in Upper Assam. In 1875, Medlicot mentioned the find of a stone hatchet in a tea-estate near Dibrugarh. of the earlier neoliths, there is very meagre evidence. But some specimen of the later Neolithic period have been discovered and these are supposed to be made by the speakers of the Mon-khmer Speech which began some time in 2500 B.C. or a little earlier. The first large find was made by Mr W. Penny, a tea-planter of Biswanath in the present Sonitpur District,while digging a ditch in his estate.7 It had been kept in the I ndian Museum, Calcutta, Amongst other notable persons who had collected a number of materials of neolithic origin,mention may be made of J.H. Hutton, J.P. Mills, G.D. Walker, T.H. Grace, K.L. Barua and P.C. Choudhury. Numbering about 385 specimens of stone tools are preserved in the Pitt Rivers Museum,Oxford ,and they come from almost all the regions of North East India,the largest number,156 pieces,being from Biswanath in the Sonitpur district. J.H. Hutton in his article ''Pre-history of Assam'',classified the ground and polished stone tools into three types : (1) long,narrow and triangular, (2) more or less rectangular and (3)the shouldered type. Of the shouldered types, one is found at Kanarpara (Cachar) and one at Biswanath (Sonitpur). Two more stone celts of that very type were discovered at Singbhum in present Bangladesh.
According to La Toche, Beatric, Blackwood and Smith,these neolithic tools were used by stoneage men in killing their species in combat. E.A. Gait, explain for non-availability of neolithic and other stone-age evidences in Assam as follows-''The Brahmaputra Valley is an alluvial country and the impetuous, snow-fed rivers which debouch from the Himalayas, find so little resistance in its fertile soil that they are constantly carving out new channels and cutting away their banks, consequently no building erected in their neighbourhood can be expected to remain for more than a limited time''. A.H. Dani divided the erstwhile state of Assam into six district zones for the study of neolithic culture. They are- 1 . Cachar Hills zone, 2.Sadiya Frontier zone, 3.Naga Hills zone, 4.Khasi Hills zone, 5.Garo Hills zone and 6. Brahmaputra Valley zone.
The grooved hammer stone is peculiar to the Brahmaputra Valley, as no such other neoliths have been discovered in other parts of Assam. This suggest that the people using this tools,at first,lived in the Brahmaputra Valley but were forced later to take shelter in the hills. It is certain that they are the pre-Dravidian Neolithic aborigins ,who are now represented by the Austro-Asiatic Mon-Khmer speaking Khasis and Syntengs of Meghalaya. But linguistically and culturally, this people are akin to Mundas of Chota-Nagpur. In recent years, several neolithic sites have been discovered in this region and excavations were also undertaken in these cities, viz. (1) Daojali Hading in the North Cachar hills, (2) Sarutaru in the Kamrup district and (3)Sebalgiri in the Garo hills. Besides, different types of the stone tools, etc., have been found in all these excavated sites. Thus the antiquity of human civilization in Assam has been established beyond doubt by the discovery of stone celts used by the neolithic people in various part of it. These neoliths as well as linguistic and morphological evidence prove that the ancient inhabitants of Assam were of the Austric stock and note of the Dravidian as it was once supposed to be. The next wave of migration to this country brought the Dravidians, whose history is at least as old as the Austro-Asiantics. They were cultured people belonging to the Chacolithic age, who, in the remote past, inhabited Northern India supplanting the Austric races . The Aryans adopted many elements of Dravidian culture and religion,including the cult of Linga and yoni, The antiquity of this cult in Assam is proved by the temple of goddess Kamakhya. The Dravidians got so mixes up with the Mongoloids, who came to the Brahmaputra Valley a little later after them that as a result of their inter-fusion,a new typed called Mongoloi-Dravidian originated. The Mongoloids belonging to the Tibeto-Burman family of the Indo-Chinese group , who now predominate the indigenous population of Assam, migrated to this country from their original home in Western China. To quote S.K. Chatterjee ,'' Different branches of the great SinoTibetan speaking people which had their nidus near the head-waters of the Young-tsze-Kiang
and the Hoang-Ho rivers, to the west of China, pushed south and west, probably from 2000 B.C onwards and their tribes of these infiltrated into India mostly along the western course of the Brahmaputra''.They entered Assam through various routes at different times. The Ahoms of the Tai or Shan group Mongoloids entered Assam in the early part of the 13th Century. The Khamtis, Phakials, Aitongs, Khamjangs and Turungs who are of the same origin came to Assam in the 16th Century or a little later. Linguistically, the Tibeto-Burmans are divided into two main groups-North Assam and AssamBurmese. To the first group belonging the Arunachali tribes like the Adis, Nishis, Akash, Mishings and Mishimis. The second group includes the Bodos, The Nagas and the Kuki-Chins. The large Bodo group, in its turn, includes most of the tribes and communities of the North-East region like the Garos, Rabhas, Kacharis, Dimasas, Chutiyas, Morans, Koches, Hajongs, Lalungs, etc. In classical Indian literature they are called Kiratus. The Aryans were possibly the last to enter Assam. According to S.K. Chaterjee, they arrived in North Bengal by 700 B.C., if not earlier, from where they moved eastward in small groups at different times. Assam's early contact with the Aryans is borne out by the two great epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharat. According to the Kalika Purana , Aryan settlements were made by Naraka and Bhagadutta, the early rules of ancient Assam. The inscriptions of Bhaskaravarman make definite reference to the presence of Aryan settlement of ancient Assam in the 5th Century A.D.
Among the population of Assam, Alpine or Armenoid and Irano-Scythian are also found to be present. At what time and by which route,They came to Assam, it is difficult to ascertain. Thus the process of influx of various races across the borders went on through successive waves and in course of time, different cultures mingled so thoroughly in the composite Assamese culture that it now becomes very difficult to distinguish one from the other.
The Traditional Kings The earliest known king of ancient Assam was Mahiranga Danava. He had his capital at Mairanka, identified with a hill called Mairang Parvat near Guwahati. He was succeeded in turn,by Hataksur, Sambarasur and Ratnasur .The epithels ''Danava'' and ' 'Asura'' show that they were of non-Aryans origin . After them came Ghatakasura who is called the ruler of the Kiratas. Ghatakasura was overthrown by Narakasura, who is the hero of various stories narrated in the Purana and the Tantras. Narakasura founded a new dynasty known as Bhouma or Varaha dynasty. The legend goes
that Naraka was born of Prithivi (the earth) by Bishnu, in his Varaha (boar) incarnation and was
brought up the Janaka, the king of Videha or North Bihar. It is for this region that Naraka is called Bhauma (born of the earth ) and on account of his supposed divine origin, all dynasties ruling in Pragjyotishpur-Kamarupa claimed their descent from Naraka and called themselves Bhauma. Naraka away the Kiratas to the country near the sea coast and settled the Aryans in this country. This was perhaps the earliest settlement of the Aryans in Assam. Naraka built a fort in a few place surrounded on all sides by hills and it is said that this stronghold was inaccessible even to the gods. Naraka was worshipper of goddess Kamakhya and favoured by Vishnu. In his early career, Naraka was pious and prosperous, but later, he came under the influence of Banasura, the king of Sonitpur, and grew so irreligious and presumptuous that finally he proposed to marry mother goddess Kamakhya . The goddess assented to the proposal on condition of construction by Naraka during the course of one night, a temple, a tank and a road from the foothills to the temple at the top. All these were nearly completed, when the goddess made a cock crowd before the usual hour to indicate dawn. Thus Naraka's proposal came to a naught. The arrogant Naraka even refused admission to the famous sage Vasistha to worship in the temple of Kamakhya. When the news of his atrocities reached Sri Krishna , the incarnation of Vishnu, the latter came to Pragjyotisha with his army, defeated and killed Naraka in a battle and placed Naraka's son Bhagadatta on the throne of Pragjyotisha. Bhagadutta was a powerful king. It is said that he married his daughter Bhanumati to Durjyodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas, and for this relation participated in the Kurukshetra was an ally of the Kauravas. Bhagadutta is a well-known figure in the Mahabharata, which calls him the mighty king of the Mlechchas. He is celebrated in this epic as a powerful warrior king ''not inferior to Chakra in
battle'' and described as ''the best wielder of the elephant squad'' among the Kauravas allies. He is dignified with the title '' Siva's friend '' and always talked of with respect and friendliness by Sri Krishna. After he was killed in the Mahabharata war, he was succeeded by his son Vajradatta. The geneology of the rulers after Vajradutta is uncertain. The Nidhanpur copper place inscription of Bhaskaravarman who ruled over Kamarupa in the early seventh century A.D., states that a period of three thousand years elapsed between the death of Vajradutta and the accession of Pushyavarman, the ancestor of Bhaskaravarman, who was the twelveth in the line. The Bhagavata and the Vishnu Purana narrate the story of another traditional ruler, Bhismak, who ruled in Vidarbha popularity identified with the Sadiya region. His capital was at Kundil . He had a beautiful and accomplished daughter named Rukmini. Lord Krishna having heard of her came to Vidarbha and married her by defeating the other kings at Kundil Nagar. The Kalika Purana, Bhagavata Purana and the Vishnu Purana contain account of a king named Bana or Banasura, whose daughter Usha was believed to have been married to Aniruddha, the
grandson of Sri Krishna . From his title it appears that he was of Asura or Danava clan, hence a non-Aryan. It appears from a number of sources that Bana was a contemporary of Naraka .
According to P.C. Choudhury , the historicity of Bana is established by the remains of Agniparvat, Mahabhairab temple, Bhairavi temple and other remains in Tezpur associated with his name. From the extant of architectural remains in different places in the undivided Darrang and the Lakhimpur districts, it is believed by some that the kingdom of Bana included the whole of these areas.
Ancient History of Assam Ancient Assam was known as Pragjyotisha in early times and as Kamarupa in later times. The name Pragjyotisha stood for both the kingdom and capital city. The earliest mention of the city of Pragjyotisha is found in the Ramayana and Mahabharata . According to the Ramayana,this city was founded by Amurtaraja son of Kusa and grandfather of the famous stage Viswamitra. There are different options regarding the origin of the name'' Pragjyotisha''. According to the Kalika Purana,''here Brahma first created the stars and hence the city is called Pragjyoitishpur,a city equal to the city of Indra.'' Gait says that the name, Pragjyotishpur ''is interesting in connection with the reputation in which,the country has always been held as a land of magic and incantation,and with the view that it was in Assam that the Tantrik from of Hinduisim orginated.'' The name Pragjyotisha, however,is most probably derived from the term Prag jyotish,meaning the eastern light. Hence it appears to mean ''the city or land of eastern light.'' The kingdom came to be known as Kamrupa during the Purantic times,based on the legend that Kamadeva, the god of love, the Indian Cupid,who was destroyed by the fiery glance of Siva returned to life in this country, According to B.K. Kakati , the name ''Kamrupa'' is derived from an Austric formation like Kamru or Kamrut, the name of a lesser divinity in Santali, which justifies the association of the land with magic and necromancy. All this can be explained in the light of the cult of magic and sorcery prevalent in the land. The first historic reference to the kingdom of Kamarupa is made in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta , assigned to the middle of the fourth century A.D . The geographical extent of the kingdom of Pragjyotish-Kamarupa varied from time to time. But one thing is certain that its northern and south-western limits extended much beyond the present state of Assam. The references in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata that the country stretched as far as the sea and that it was a partly hilly country . The Ramayana locates the city of Pragjyotisha on a gold-crested mountain called Varaha ,which was 64 yojans in extent and'' which stood or abutted on the fathomless varunalaya(sea). ''In the Mahabharata, Bhagadutta,the king of Pragjyotisha is called Sailyalaya, (dwelling among the mountains)and
refers to his troops as consisting of the Kiratas, Chinas and dwellers of the sea-coast. The Varaha mountain referred to the Ramayana was possibly the Assam range, while the sea mentioned there was the very low-lying and water logged country immediately to the south of these hills which in old days was perhaps connected with the Bay of Bengal by the estuary of the Brahmaputra .This was no doubt '' the eastern sea known to the ancients''. Kiratas were the Mongoloid people of this region and the Chinas probably meant the Tibetans and the Bhutanese. The dwellers of the sea coast were evidently the people living in the marshy of Sylhet, Mymensingh and Tripura . On the other hand, it is stated in the Ramayana the Amurtaraja, the founder of Pragjyotisha performed his austerities on the bank of the Kausika, which indicates that its western limit extended as far as the river Kosi. On the basis of these references, Pargiter concluded that at the time of the great Mahabharata war,the kingdom of Pragjyotisha included the greater part of modern Assam,and together with Jalpaiguri,Koch Bihar, Rangpur, Bogra, Mymensing, Dacca, Tippera , part of Pabna and probably a part of eastern Nepal . It appears from the Buddhist records and the Greek accounts of the 14th century B.C.,that the southern boundary was the Lohita Sagara , the western boundary was the river Kousika ,and the northern boundary was the Bhutan hills and part of Nepal. From the accounts of Yuan Chang , it has been surmised that the kingdom of Kamarupa of his description included a portion of Bihar ,a portion of Northern and Eastern Bengal ,and nearly the whole of Assam Valley. Some portion of Bengal were under Kamrupa from the time of Bhaskara Varman who ruled in the first half of the 6thcentury A.D.to the time of Harshadeva.19(c.725-750A.D.). According to the most of the Puranas,the Kingdom of Kamarupa extended upto the river Karatoya in the west. The eastern limit of the kingdom, however,cannot be definitely ascertained. According to the Kalika Purana ,when Naraka was ruling in Pragjyotisha,his friend Bana was ruling in Sonitpur, identified with the modern town of Tezpur. It is generally believed that Bana's Kingdom included the modern districts,of Darrang, Sonitpur and Lakhimpur. About the same time,there existed in the extreme eastern part, another independent Kingdom called Vidarbha. It is also doubtful if the Kapili valley was initially a part of the Kingdom of Pragjyotishpur-Kamarupa, because Davaka identified with the Kapili valley is mentioned as an independent kingdom in the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samuragupta . It was Kalyanavarman (c.420-440A.D),a predecessor of Bhaskaravarmana,who incorporated Davaka with the kingdom of Kamrupa in the first part of fifth century A.D.2 From this it can be concluded that eastern Assam valley was outside the perimeter of Pragjyotisha but subsequently the kingdom extended towards the east even beyond the Dikhou river. Foundation of the city of Harupeswara by the Salastambha kings , the Tezpur grant and the Parvatiya plates of Vanamala , and the Nowgong grant of Balavarman during the 9th -10th century A.D. Also point to the extension to the Kingdom to its eastern limits. In the Jogini
Tantra,which is probably a later work, Kamarupa was said to have extended from the Karatoya river on the west to the Dikshu (Dikhou)on the east,and from the mountain of Kanjagiri on the
north to the confluence of the Brahmaputra and the Laksha on the south. The kingdom thus included not only the whole of the Brahmaputra valley but also parts of northern and eastern Bengal, parts of Bhutan,the Khasi and the Garo hills and the northern part of the district of Sylhet. In any case,it is clear that Pragjyotisha or ancient Kamrupa was a much larger kingdom that most of the other kingdoms mentioned in the Mahabharata and most of the sixteen Mahajanapadas existing during the time of Gautama Buddha.The Tantras and the Pauranas divided Kamarupa into four parts of divisions,but the names and boundaries of this divisions are conflicting. The generally accepted names and the boundaries of the divisions are found in the Hara-Gauri-Sambada. This work divided Kamarupa into four Pithas or divisions marked by river boundaries as follows: (1)Ratnapitha from the Karatoya to the Sonkosh . (2)Kampitha from the Sonkoch to the Kapili. (3)Suvarnapitha from the Puspika to the bhairabi. (4)Saumarpitha from the Bhairabi to the Dikrong.
Capital Cities
According to the traditions, all the king of ancient Assam starting from Mahiranga Danava had their capital in and around Guwahati, which was known as Pragjyotishpur meaning of the capital of the Pragjyotisha kingdom. The Mairang hill , named after Mahiranga Danava, which is situated at a distance of about 12 km.south of Guwahati on the Shillong-Guwahati Road, indicates his historicity. In the like way Naraka's historicity is indicated by the existing village of Narakasurgaon,which includes the Narakasur hill , at a distance of about 5 km. to the south west of modern city of Guwahati. According to K.L. Barua , the modern site of Dispur, situated about 3 km. to the east of Narakasurgaon, is believed to be the abbreviation of Pragjyotishpur. In later period, during the rule of the Salastambha dynasty, king Hajara Varman (c.815-835 A.D.) is said to have shifted his capital to Haruppeswara, identifies with the modern town of Tezpur. Subsequently during the rule of the Pala dynasty the capital was again shifted to Pragjyotishpur and named as Sri Durjaya . About the end of the eleventh century , the capital of Dharmapala (c.1095-1120 A.D.) was at Kamarupnagar , which is identified with North Guwahati. According to P.C. Choudhury , Kamarupanagar was ''but an extension of the old capital'' of Pragjyotishpur. Kamarupanagar remained the capital until the later part of the thirteenth century A.D ., after which it was shifted to Kamatapur. It is very probable that the king of ancient Assam, who ruled over territories extending from northern hills to the southern sea, had more than one camp capitals, which were also capital of some other dynasties ruling at those sites at different times. One such site is Sonitpur (modern
Tezpur), where once the traditional king Bana or Banasur ruled till he was vanquished by Sri Krishna after the secret marriage of Aniruddha, the grandson of Sri Krishna with Banas daughter Usha. Another such site is at Kundila Nagar (modern Sadiya)in the easternmost corner of the Brahmaputra valley, where the legendary king Bismaka, the Father of Rukmini who was the consort of Sri Krishna ruled. Mention may also be made of Bitargarh fort of Jalpaiguri and Kamatapur of Koch Bihar . But there is no doubt that throughout the ancient period, when the kingdom of Pragjyotisha or Kamarupa included, besides the Brahmaputra valley, part of east Bengal, its capital was situated at Pragjyotishpur, which is known as Guwahati in the modern times, as there is no other place which all exactly fit in with the description of the ancient inscriptions,wherein the capital is stated to be ''situated on the bank of the Lauhitya'' being surrounded by hills on all sides and crowded with dense forests.
Ruling Dynasties of Assam The Varmana Dynasty Founder – Pushyavarman Story of ancient Assam begins with the foundation of the Varmana line of kings. The inscriptions of Bhaskaravarman, the greatest king of this dynasty as well as of ancient Assam, Banabhatta's Harshacharita and the accounts of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang furnish considerable materials relating to the history of the Varmanas. It is learnt from epigraphical sources that Pushyavarman, born in the lineage of Naraka-Bhagaduta was the founder of the Varmana of Bhauma line of kings. When and how Pushyavarman came to power is not known. He probably taking advantage of the political instability of the time, made himself king and to justify his claim, traced his descent from Naraka-Bhagadutta. Pushyavarman was the first Indo-Aryan ruler set up by Samudragupta over the two territories of Kamarupa and Davaka unified into a single kingdom.'' But this view is not tenable because
Pushyavarman assumed the important title of Maharajadhiraja which indicates his independent status. Pushyavarman was probably a contemporary of Samudragupta. In the Allahabad pillar inscription of this Gupta emperor , the name of Kamrupa occurs as a frontier kingdom Samalata, Davaka, Nepal and Kartipur, whose kings owed allegiance to Samudragupta on their own accord. The unnamed king of Kamarupa of this inscription is usually identified with Pushyavarman. If we count the date of Pushyavarman on the basis of the Badaganga epigraph of Bhutivarman, (dated 234 Gupta era which corresponds to 553-54 A.D.) who was the eighth king of the dynasty and allow its king an average reigning period of 25 years, Pushyavarman's reign would fall between c.355-80 A.D.he would thus be a contemporary of Samudragupta
(c.320-80 A.D.).It was perhaps in honour of his overlord that he named his son as Samudravarman and his daughter-in-law as Dattadevi in imitation of the names of the Gupta emperor Samudragupta and his queen Dattadevi. Rajatarangini, a book of fifth century A.D., by Kalhan, mentions a Kamarupa princess named Amritaprabha, who was given in marriage to Meghavahana, a Kashmir prince in an open Sayambara. This Amritaprabha is believed to be the daughter of Balavarman, the grandson of Pushyavarman. Rajatarangini relates that Amritaprabha erected in Kashmir, a lofty Vihara for
the benefit of the foreign bhikshus and that this Vihara was known as Amritabhaban. It is farther stated that Amritaprabha took with her a Tibetan Buddhist monk named Stunpa, who was a preceptor of her father. This Stunpa erected a Stupa in Kashmir known as Lo-Stunpa. OuKung and M.A. Stein also support the historicity of this event. During the reign of Kalyanavarman, the son of Balavarman, the Davaka or the Kapili valley (comprising possibly the present district of Nagoan, Karbi Anglong and North Cachar area) was absorbed into the empire of Kamarupa. To signalise this victory, he sent a diplomatic mission to China in 428 A.D. Mahendravarman , grandson of Kalyanavarman expanded his empire to south-east Bengal upto the sea by shaking off the last vestiges of the Gupta influence in Kamarupa. He was the first king of Assam to perform Aswamedha and he did it on two occasions. Mahendravarman's grandson Bhutiavarman was a powerful king. He conquered Pundravardhana (North Bengal) sometime between 545-50 A.D. and donated lands to more than 200 Brahmanas in the Chandrapuri visaya located within the Pundravardhana bhukti. He might have also extended his sway in the south and the west and brought the outlying regions of Samatata, Sylhet, Tripura and other regions under his control. He has also performed one Aswamedha sacrifice. The glory of Kamarupa suffered a temporary set back during the reign of Bhaskaravarman's father Susthitavarman,who suffered a defeat at the hands of the Later Gupta monarch Mahasenagupta and as a result of this defeat lost the possession of Pundravardhana. Bhaskaravarman (c.600-650 A.D.), ascending the throne at a time, when the reputation of his
family was at a low ebb, not only restored it but made Kamarupa, a power to be reckoned with whose alliance was welcomed by a monarch of Harsha's (606-648 A.D.)fame, the last great monarch of ancient Northern India. By this alliance, Bhaskara not only recovered Pundravardhana but also brought Gauda with its capital Karnasuvarna under his control. In fact,it was from his victorious camp at Karnasuvarna that Bhaskara issued his Nidhanpur grant by which he renewed the grants of land made earlier by Bhutivarman in Pundravardhana. It was during the reign of Bhaskaravarman that the great Chinese pilgrim Houen Tsang visited Kamarupa in 643 A.D. and stayed in his capital for nearly two months. The pilgrim speaks highly about the noble qualities of Bhaskara and his prowess. In the religious assemblies held at
Prayag and Kanauj by Harsha, Bhaskara was shown special honour in the presence of all the kings assembled there. After the death of Harsha in 648 A.D., Bhaskara became the supreme lord of Eastern India extending his sway as far as Nalanda. He had also brought under his control Sylhet and Tripura including south-east Bengal. This is testified by Hiuen Tsang who refers to Bhaskara as ' 'King of eastern India ''and stated that the rules of Kamarupa had the searoute to China under their protection. Inscriptions bear testimony to the many-sided qualities and achievements of Bhaskara. Because of his depth of knowledge , he is called in the '' second Brihaspati''. He made Kamarupa a noted centre of learning attracting students from outside. As pointed out by P.C. Choudhury , with the expansion of the political sway of the Varmana line of kings large portion of Eastern India came under the cultural ideas of Kamarupa. This influence even spread to the islands in the pacific and some of the architectural remains in Combodia, Annam and other places are possibly to be attributed to the influence of the rulers of Kamarupa.
The Salastambha Dynasty Founder: Salastambha / Avantivarman/ Debvarman/ Madhaba Bhaskaravarman remained a celibate throughout his life. It is for this reason that he is called Kumara Raja in the Harshacharia and in the account of Hiuen Tsang. Naturally, therefore, at his
death an anarchical situation arose, taking advantage of which a non-Aryan chief named Salastambha usurped the throne. Who was the immediate successor of is not known for certainly. According to K.L. Barua , Bhaskara was succeeded by one of his near relations,whom he identifies with Avantivarman of Visakhadatta's Sanskrit Drama Mudrarakshasa. He holds the view that Salastambha, the leader of governor of the Mlechchas usurped the throne by deposing Avantivarman, who did not reign for more than five years. That Salastambha was a usurper is indicated in the text of the Bargaon grant of Ratnapala which runs as follows: ''After thus,for several generations, kings of Naraka's dynasty had ruled the whole country, a great chief of the Mlechchas, owing to a turn of adverse fate, took possession of the kingdom. This was Salastambha. In succession to him, their were chiefs altogether twice ten in number''. According to the Hara-Gauri-Sambada, after the end of the period of the family of NarakaBhagadutta, came a prince from the west, named Madhaba, who established himself in Kamarupa a new line of kings having twenty one kings . As the number of kings given in this source exactly tallies with that given in the inscriptions as belonging to Salastambha, P.C. Choudhury rightly identifies Salastambha with Madhava of the Hara-Gauri- Sambada and holds that Salastambha and Avantivarman were the same person, who was referred to as Devavarman, ''King of Eastern India'' by the Chinese pilgrim It-Sing. The Salastambha kings called their descent from the ancient Bhaumas of Bhauma-Narakas like the Varman kings, whom they supplanted. Salastambha's reign can tentatively be placed between 655 to 675 A.D. Though there were twentyone kings in his family, names of only
fifteen have so far been found. During the rule of this dynasty, the capital city was located at Haruppeswara, identified with the modern town of Tezpur. The sixth king of the dynasty, Sri Harsha or Harshadeva (c.725-50 A.D) was the most famous, being credited with the overlordship of Gauda, Odra, Kalinga, Kosala and other lands. It is recorded in the Pasupati epigraph of the Nepal king, Jayadeva II , that Sri Harshadeva who was the lord of these lands gave his daughter Rajyamatiin marriage to this king. It appears that after conquering Kalinga and Kosala, Harshadeva led an expedition to the south and was defeated by the Chalukya king of Karnataka, Kirtivarman II . Soon after, he was overthrown and killed by Yasovarman of Kanauj . Thus though for a short period, Kamarupa, during the rule of Harshadeva reached the highest point of its military glory ''when its suzerain power extended from Sadiya in the east to Ajodhya in the west, and from the Himalayas in the north as far as the Bay of Bengal and Ganjam in the south''. It is presumed by Gait that the family of Salastambha came to an end with the death of Harshadeva. But according to the Hayunthal epigraph, Harshadeva was succeeded by his son Balavarman II (c.750-765A.D.), who was also a powerful monarch. Pralambha the greatgrandson of Harshadeva was contemporary of Gopala, the first king of the Pala Dynasty of Gauda. Pralambha's son Harjaravarman was perhaps the first of this line of kings to perform his coronation ceremony according to Vedic rites. He assumed the High-sounding title Maharajadhiraja Parameswara Paramabhattaraka . He was left us two inscriptions, the Hayunthal copper plates found at Nagaon and the Tezpur rock epigraph . The second one is dated Gupta era 510=829-30 A.D. Harajaras reign is tentatively placed between c.815-35 A.D. The Tezpur inscription was sasana or royal charter regulating the plying of boats in the Brahmaputra within certain boundaries specified therein. This sasana indicates that Harjara had a big navy at his command. Hajaravarman built a lofty Siva temple and rows of stately buildings in the capital city at Haruppeswara. Extensive ruins of temples and buildings in and around the modern town of Tezpur along with the existence of a big tank called Hajarapukhuri bear testimony of Harjara's patronage of art and architecture and his attention to public works. Hajaravarman's son Vanamalavarman (c.835-65A.D.)was perhaps the last powerful king of Salastambha dynasty. He recovered Kamarupa's lost possession of Pundravardhana and to signalise this victory donated lands to a Brahmana near about the area where Bhutivarman of the Varman dynasty made land-grants in the middle of the 6th century A.D. This is recorded in the Tezpur grant issued in his 19th regal year. He made several other landgrants. He rebuilt the Siva temple erected by his father and made grants of lands, elephants and temple girls to it. From his Nagaon grant it is learnt that his capital city was inhabited by virtuous men, merchants and learned scholars and people of all classes lived there happily. Vanamala , a devout worshipper of Siva abdicated the throne in favour of his son Jayamala (c.865-85A.D.) and himself fasted unto death. Vanamala's grandson Balavarman III (c.885-910A.D.)also made
several land grants in different parts of his kingdom. In his grants he too assumed the highsounding epithet Maharajadhiraja Parameswara Paramabhattaraka . Nothing is known about the successors of Balavarman III. There is a gap in the historical account of the period between the reign of Balavarman III and Tyagasingha, the last king of the family . They possibly ruled during the period c.910-970 A.D., after which Brahmapala started the rule of Pala line of kings.
The Pala Dynasty Founder: Brahmapala / Jitari Tyagasingha possibly died childless, but the danger of rebellion centering round his heirless death was tactfully avoided by the officers by choosing Brahmapala to the throne. This is evident from the Bargaon grant of Ratnapala which states:''Seeing that the twenty-first of them (the line of Salastambha), the illustrious Tyagasingha by name had departed to heaven without leaving any of his heir to succeed him, his officials, thinking it well that a Bhauma (of Naraka's race) should be appointed as their lord chose Brahmapala from along his kindred to be their king on account of his fitness to undertake the government of country.'' According to the Hara-Gauri-Sambada, the family of Madhava, who is identified with Salastambha, was followed by that of Jitari, who ruled for eight generations. The epigraphs of the Palas also give the names of eight kings beginning with Brahmapala and Jitari were the same person. Brahmapala possibly hailed from the western part of the kingdom of Kamarupa for which he is said to have come from the Dravida country in the Hara-Gauri Sambada. The title 'Pala' is an abbreviation of the Sanskriti term Palaka, which means protector, i.e., a ruler or administrator. It seems that this title was a popular one among the rulers of north eastern India of the time and in imitation of the contemporary Pala kings of Bengal , Brahmapala also assumed that title. Brahmapala's reign may be placed between 990-1010 A.D. Towards the close of rule of the Salastambhas, Pundravardhana passed on to the hands of Bengal's ruler. The western boundary of the Kamrupa kingdom at the time of Brahmapala's accession to the throne was, therefore, again regressed to the river Karatoya. Brahmapala abdicated the throne in favour of his son Ratnapala. Ratnapala (c.1010-40A.D) was a powerful king. He made several land-grants. He shifted the capital city of his kingdom of Pragjyotishpur, strongly fortified it and named it as Durjaya or Sri Durjaya (impregnable) . He defeated a king of Gouda named Rajyapala, which is evident from an inscription belonging to one of his successors, Gopala. Ratnapala appears to have encouraged trade and commerce as well as learning and education. Ratnapala's son Indrapala (c.1040-65A.D.) defeated Kalyana Chandra , son of Sri Chandra of Bengal and to mark this victory made land-grants in Pundravardhana to a Brahmana hailing from Sravasthi. Indrapala married Rajyadevi, a Rashtrakuta princess . He was succeeded by his son Gopala (c.1065-85), who was a man of merit and intelligence. His Grachtal inscription contains important information about his predecessors.
During the reign of the next king Harshapala (c.1085-95), Jatavarman, king of East Bengal snatched away a part of Pundravardhana, then under the sovereign rule of Kamarupa. However, this was soon recovered by Dharmapala (c.1095- 1120), son and successor of Harshapala. Three inscriptions belonging to Dharmapala's reign are found, which speak about his prowess and manifold qualities. He was a great patron of religion and learning and himself a poet. The first eight verses of the Pushpabhadra grant were composed by him. Towards the end of his reign, Dharmapala was conducting his administration from his capital at Kamarupanagar, which can be considered only as an extension of the old city of Pragjyotishpur to North Guwahati. Jaypala, the son of Dharmapala, who is identified by P.C. Choudhury with Ramchandra mentioned in Ram Charita of Sandhyakaranandi , ruled sometime between 1120-30A.D. During his reign, Kamarupa was attacked by Mayana , the general of Ramapala, the Pala king of
Bengal,and as a result of the war, the Kamarupadhipati lost his possession in North Bengal. The Bengal king placed Tingyadeva as his vassal king in the part. Later when Tingyadeva rebelled, Ramapala's son Kumarapala , who then ruled Gauda, sent Vaidyadeva to suppress him. Vaidyadeva not only suppressed Tingyadeva, but also conquered Kamarupa and declared his independence in 1138 A.D. He assumed the title Maharajadhiraja Parameswara Paramabhattaraka.
Later Kings of Kamarupa Though there is no definite account of Kamrupa and its king for the few decades following Vaidyadeva, from the Tezpur grant of Valabhadeva dated 1107 Saka, which corresponds to 1185 A.D., it is learnt that his grandfather Rayarideva had an encounter with king Vijaysena of Bengal to P.C. Choudhury, Rayarideva was probably a feudatory of Vadyadeva in the Darrang area. After Gopala III, owing to the weakness of Pala kings of Gauda, the Sena king of Bengal,Vijayasena, conquered the whole of Gauda and thus became the immediate neighbour of Kamarupa. In the Deopara inscription of Vijaysena (1125-57 A.D.), reference is made to an event, wherein Vijayasena had an encounter with the Kamarupadhipati, who can be identified with Vaidyadeva. In the opinion of P.C. Choudhury, Rayarideva helped Vaidyadeva, who was then occupying the throne of Kamarupa to resist Vijayasena. In the war, Vaidyadeva was killed, but in the hands of Rayarideva, Vijayasena experienced reverse, as indicated in the Tezpur grant of Vallabhadeva , after which, Rayarideva established himself as an independent king of Kamarupa. Rayarideva was succeeded by Udayakarna and thereafter Vallabhadeva became the king of Kamarupa in the 9th decade of the 12th century, as his Tezpur grant was issued in 1185 A.D..Lakshmanasena (c.1175-1205 A.D.) the son of Vallabhasena, who ascended the throne at very late years, invaded Kamarupa during the time of Vallabhadeva and defeated him, but his
successor Viswasundardeva immediately recovered his kingdom and established his independent status. Viswasundardeva was also popularly known as Prithu of Barthu . He was a very powerful king. He not only defeated and destroyed the entire army of Muhammad-binBakhtiyar in 1205- 06 A.D. but also overthrew Sultan Ghiyasuddin-Iwas Khilji in 1227 A.D., and finally faced defeated in the hands of Nasiruddin, the son of Iltutmish in 1228 A.D. Viswasundardeva was followed by Sandhya, who was established by Nasiruddin as a tributary king and, thereafter at the death of Nasiruddin, Sandhya threw off his allegiance to the Turkish ruler of Bengal. At this juncture, the Bhuyan chiefs of Kamarupa joined with Sandhya, who brought the whole region upto Karatoya and also a part of the area beyond, under his control and assumed the title Gaudeswar. He was followed by his son Sindhu (c.1260-85A.D) and there after his grandson, Rupanarayan (c.1285-1300A.D). From a narrative in the Gurucharia, written by Ramacharan Thakur , it is found that Sandya was a very powerful king, who thwarted the invasion of Kamrupa by Malik Yuzbeg alias Sultan Mughisuddin in 1257 A.D..Thereafter, he shifted his capital to Kamatpur in Koch Bihar and assumed the title Kamateswara and used it as a synonym for Kameswara meaning''the lord of Kamarupa .'' Thenceforth, the kingdom came to be known as Kamata or Kamrup-Kamata. Sandhya is said to have given his daughter in marriage to Ratnadhvaja, the powerful Chutia king of Sadiya . The last king of this line was Singhadhvaja (1300-05A.D.).who lost his kingdom to his minister, Pratapdhvaja(1305-25A.D). Pratapdhvaja has been referred to as Manik Chandra in the traditions prevalent in Koch Bihar. His daughters, Rajani and Bhajani were given in marriage to the Ahom king Sukhangpha (1293-1332A.D). At the death of Pratapdhvaja, the throne of the Kamata kingdom was seized by his nephew Dharampala alias Dharmanarayan . This usurpation was challenged by the Bhuyans but Dharmanarayan subjugated them all. Dharmanarayan shifted his headquarter's to Dimla in the district of Rangpore. He possibly conquered certain portions of Gauda for which he took the title Gaudeswara. Meanwhile, Durlabhnarayan , the son of Pratapdhvaja and hence the legal claimant to the throne with the help of some Bhuyans, challenged the authority of Dharmanarayan, and occupied the eastern part of the Kamata kingdom. He established his headquarters at Garia near the modern town of Koch Bihar . This was followed by a long and protracted warfare. At last a peace was concluded, possibly in 1330A.D., by which the kingdom was divided between them, Durlabhnarayan taking the northern and eastern part along with the city of Kamatapur and Dharmanarayan retaining the rest, which included Rangpore and Mymensingh. After the conclusion of the treaty, Gaudeswar Dharmanarayan sent, at the request of Kamateswar Durlabhnarayan, fourteen families of Brahmanas and Kayasthas to the latter's kingdom. Thus Dharmanarayan was ruling over the undivided kingdom of Kamata possibly from 1325-30 A.D. After the partition of the kingdom, he continued to rule over its western part for some years. Dharmanarayan was succeeded by his son Tamradhvaja, who established himself at Ghoraghat in the Rangpore district. Durlabhnarayan was a great patron
of learning. His court was adorned by the famous Assamese poets Harihar Bipra , Ram Saraswati and Hem Saraswati. Durlabhnarayan was succeeded by his son Indranarayan (1350-65 A.D.),who assumed the title''Pancha Gaudeswara ''. This indicates that he wrested the western part of the Kamata kingdom, which fell into the hands of Dharmanarayan. The history of the Kamata kingdom after Indranarayan in uncertain. Possibly towards the end of Indranarayan's reign, some unruly elements raised their heads in the kingdom and Indranarayan himself may have been killed by an adventurous upstart, who is usually identified with Sasanka alias Arimatta. Arimatta was possibly a related nephew of Indranarayan and as because he became king by killing his paternal uncle, he has been condemned in popular traditions of Assam as a patricide. Arimatta established his capital near Betna, covering the fort constructed by Vaidyadeva in the early part of the 12th century. Phengua, probably a relative of Indranarayan challenged him but he was killed by Arimatta. Arimatta ruled probably during the period 1365-85 A.D. He was succeeded by Gajanka, Sutaranka and Mriganka successively. Their rule can be placed between 1385-1440A.D. The Ahom king Sudangpha (1397- 1407A.D.) invaded the Kamata kingdom towards the close of his reign, when Gajanka was ruling over it and the latter sued for peace by offering his daughter to the Ahom king.
The Khan or Khen Dynasty During the rule of the successors of Arimatta, the Bhuyans rose their hands in different parts of the kingdom .when Mriganka , the last king of Arimatta's line died childless , the throne was occupied by one Niladhvaj Khan (c.1440-60A.D.), who assumed the title Kamateswar and rebuilt the city of Kamatapur. The dynasty founded by Niladhvaj came to be known as Khan or Khen dynasty. According to the Kamrupar Buranji , Niladhvaj and his successors were the rulers over the Singimari region , upto the bank of the Brahmaputra opposite Hajo. Niladhvaj was succeeded by his son Chakrodhvaj (c.1460-80A.D.), who in his turn, was followed by his son Nilambar (c.1480-98A.D.). Taking advantage of the anarchical situation in Bengal under the Abysinians or Habshis, Nilambar occupied the north-eastern part of Bengal and consolidated his conquest by building a road from his capital to the frontier fortress of Ghoraghat on the Karatoya. He was overthrown by the Bengal Sultan Alauddin Hussain Shah (1493-1517A.D.) in 1498A.D. With this event, the rule of the Khan or Khen kings of Kamata came to the end. The Bhuyans then became powerful and were ruling in different parts of the kingdom till the rise of the Koches in about 1515 A.D. Confliciting Accounts relating to Arimatta
The accounts relating to the kings after Indranarayan, especially Arimatta, are very conflicting. However, it can be said that whatever his identity had been, Arimata was a powerful warrior, who made his influence felt in different parts of the Brahmaputra valley. There are many legends centering round Arimatta in Assam. There is a tradition even amongst the Daflas (Nishis) that once he took refuge at Hita Rokp, present Itanagar. According to one account given in the Kamrupar Buranji, Arimatta was descendant of king Dharmapala , who came from Gauda. Dharmapala was succeeded by Ratnapala, Somapala and Pratap Singha, one after another. Arimata was the son of Pratap Singha, who had his capital at Kanayka (which came to be known as Pratapapura) near Viswanath in Sonitpur district. Arimatta's mother Chandraprabha being offered to the river god Brahmaputra by Pratap Singha when she was pregnant; he was brought up by a Brahmin, who rescued his mother. Arimatta had an adventurous career and in course of his military exploits, he killed his own father, not knowing his identity. According to this account, Arimatta was defeated by Phengua , after which, he drowned himself to the river. The genealogy of the Dimarua Rajas, on the other hand, states that Somapala of Pratapapura was the father of Arimatta. The Rajas of Rani and Dimarua claimed their descent from Arimatta. It is said that Pratap Singha was also known as Ramchandra and Bhalukpung. According to another account given in the Kamrupar Buranji was a descendant of Jitari,who came from the Dravida country and established himself at Kamarupa. Arimatta killed the Kamateswara Durlabhendra, who was probably a descendant of Indranarayan and occupied the throne of Kamata. Arimatta was followed by Sukaranga,Sukaranga and Mriganka respectively. These four kings ruled from 1160 to 1400 Saka,i.e.,1238-1478 A.D. In the Saharai mauja in Nagaon, there are remains of an old fort with high embankments known as Jongalgarh.This is believed to have been the capital of Jongal Balahu,another son of Arimatta, who was defeated by the Kacharis and drowned himself in the Kalong river. To conclude, no authentic and comprehensive account of Assam following the Palas, is found available till now. However, it is certain that since about the close of the 12th century, the empire of Kamarupa shrank to the small kingdom of Kamata , which also, after the death of Indranarayan got disintegrated into several principalities ruled by a class of petty land-lords called Bhuyans. In the eastern and central Brahmaputra valley , a number of Mongoloid tribes like the Chutiyas, Marans, Borahis and the Kacharis founded their independent kingdoms, who were finally subjugated by the Ahoms.
The Muslim Invasions
The first Muslim army to enter Kamarupa was led by Mahammad-bin-Bakhtiyar in 1205-06A.D. The event is recorded in the Kanai Barasi Stone Inscription at North Guwahati in a few words in Sanskrit which means that ''on the thirteenth of Chaitra, in the Saka era 1127, the Turks coming into Kamarupa were destroyed.''The destination of the invaders was perhaps beyond Kamarupa. But the army advanced through this land against the advice of the king and while it retreated, the Kamarupa king Prithu (Bartu) alias Viswasundardeva inflicted severe defeated upon the invaders.
The second invasion in 1226 A.D. was led by Sultan Ghiasuddin Iwaz , who is said to have advanced as far as Sadiya. But in the end, he was defeated by Prithu and driven back to Gauda. Ghiasuddin was ultimately overthrown by Nasiruddin, son of Iltutmish in 1228 A.D., and it was Nasiruddin, who overthrew Prithu in that year. Nasiruddin retired from Kamarupa on promise of an annual tribute which, however, was stopped after some time by Sandhya, the son of Prithu. The third invasion was led by Ikhtiyaruddin Yuzbeg Tughril Khan in 1256-57 A.D..For a time Tughril was successful and he erected a mosque in commemoration of his victories. But when the rains set in and disease overtook the invaders, the Sultan and his soldiers were defeated and killed by Sandhya's men. Only few could return to Bengal to tell of the catastrophe of the army. According to the Alamgirnamah, Mahammad-bin-Tughlug despatched a huge army of 1000,000 to conquer Assam in 1332-33 A.D.. But when the imperial army entered the frontier of Kamata, they were all relegated to oblivion. It is further mentioned in the same source that to avenge this defeated Mahammad-bin-Tughluq sent another expedition to invade Kamata, but ''when it arrived in Bengal, it was panic-striken and shrank from the enterprise.'' The next invasion was led by Sikandar Shah in 1362 A.D.,during the reign of Indranarayan . The army possibly advanced as far has Gachtal in Nagaon district,but having heard of the invasion of Bengal by his overlord Firoz Shah Tughluq, he hurried back to his domain. After this, for a period of more than one hundred years, barring certain marauding campaigns, Assam was free from any serious Muslim invasion till the end of the fifteenth century. According to a Persian Manuscript said to have been wri tten in 1633 A.D.,one Shah Ismail Ghaji was sent in an expedition by the Bengal Sultan Rukunuddin Barbak against the king of Kamata, who was probably Chakradhvaj, father of Nilambar. Ismail by performing feats of supernatural power succeeded in obtaining the submission of the Kamata king. But the Hindu Governor of Ghoraghat represented to the Sultan that the alleged submission of the Kamateswara was a fraud and Ismail was only forming an alliance with the Kamateswara to set up an independent
kingdom for himself. The Sultan believing the information to be true sent an army against Ismail, who repulsed the Sultan's forces several times but at last submitted. Ismail was finally beheaded. From the story it appears that Ismail concluded a true with the Kamateswara, to whom he had to cede some territory probably in Golaghat. It has already been stated that Chakradhvaj's son Nilambar built a road from Kamatapur to Ghoraghat and erected a fort at Goraghat. This took place possibly during the period 1470-74A.D. The next Muslim expedition to Kamata took place in 1498 A.D, wherein Alauddin Hussain Shah of Gauda defeated the Kamata Raja Nilambar through treachery and left for his territory leaving his son Danial with a garrison at Hajo. After Danial's death, Musunder Ghazi ruled in Kamrup and Sultan Ghiyasuddin Aulia founded a Muslim Colony in Kamrup and built a large Mosque on a hill at Hajo called Poa Mecca. Reputed as a darwesh in Jahangir's time, he is venerated as a saint in Assam. His tomb in the Mosque is sacred to both Muslims and Hindus. In 1501 A.D., the Bhuyan chiefs of Kamrup joined together, attacked the Muslim garrison at Hajo and destroyed it,making Kamrup again free from Muslim yoke. It is learnt from the buranjis, that a certain Bar Ujir invaded Assam in 1527 A.D., during the reign of Suhungmung Dihingiya Raja (1497-1539A.D.). The invaders advanced as far as Temani in the Kalang valley, where a serious battle took place. The Ahom army led by Kancheng Barpatra Gohain defeated the invaders. This is the first Muslim invasion to the Ahom kingdom. In 1532 A.D.,another Muslim general named Turbak marched upto Kaliabar and defeated the Ahom troops stationed there. But subsequently, he was defeated and killed in a bloody battle on the bank of the Bharali River in the very same year. Twenty-one years later, Kala Pahar, a Hindu apostate is said to have made marauding expedition into Assam, and in his fanatical zeal for the propagation of his new religion, made attempts to demolish the temples at Kamakhya and Hajo.
Medieval Period The history of medieval Kamrup after the rule of the Pala dynasty is disconnected. No inscription or coin, nor any contemporary comprehensive historical account of his period has yet been discovered. But the history of Medieval Kamrupa has come to light on the basis of certain legitimate historical study/investigation. It seems that during this period Kacharis became powerful and advanced towards the west up to the boundary of the present district of Kamrup. Owing to the expansion of Kachari power, the Kamarupa kings were, it seems, compelled to remove their capital from Guwahati further west to Kamatapur as already mentioned earlier. There after, the kingdom of Kamata came into existence.
Kachari dynasty: Founder- Manik.
The late Pandit Hem Chandra Goswami stated that Maha Manikya was a king of the Barahi Kacharis and that he ruled about the middle of the fourteenth century at Dimapur. It is evident that Kachari or Bodo sovereignty was exercised in Assam in different places. As Sir Edward Gait says,''the Kacharis are believed to be very closely allied to the Koches, and also so far, at least as language is concerned, to the Chutiyas, Lalungs and Morans of the Brahmaputra valley, and to the Garos and Tipperas of the Southern Hills. Having regard to their wide distribution, and to the extent of country over which Bodo languages of a very uniform type are still current, it seems probable that at one time, the major part of Assam and that some at least, of the Mlechcha kings mentioned in the old copper-plate inscriptions belong to the Kachari or some closely allied tribes. Captain Fisher , the first Superintendent of Cachar, who took great pins in ascertaining the early history of the Kacharis, was of opinion that in the remote past, this rude tribe gradually acquired and empire over Assam, Sylhet, Mymensing and the Valleys to the east of the
Brahmaputra, their original seat being at Kamarupa, and that their rule ultimately embraced everything from Kamrup down to the sea. But there is no authentic epigraphic or historical account discovered on the mater uptil now. The founder of the Kachari kingdom is said to be one Manik. Tradition states that there was a powerful Kachari kingdom at Sadiya founded by one Manik and his son-in-law Mukuta ruled after him. Kacharis belong to the broadly constituted Bodo group of Tribeto-Burman races. Diversity of option exists regarding their pre-Assam habitats. About their first home in Assam it is believed that they lived originally in a land called Kumkuli (Kamrup) by which flowed a river in a great Valley. From there they were driven out and got to place called Kundilo (Kundil or Sadiya).The Kachari Kingdom of Sadiya as per chronicle, bounded by Sadiya on the east, the River Dikhou on the west, the south bank of the river Dihing on the north and Kenduguri on the south, was probably the first attempt of the Kacharis to build up an independent State after their expulsion from Kamrup. But the history of origin of Chutiya and Kachari is still controversial, though the old legends traced their origin as the Chutiya rulers traced their descent from Raja Bhismak, father of Rukmini; at least the southern Branch, from Bhima and Herambha Rakshasi . The legend says that the first king of Herambha branch of Kachari was Susampha. According to another legend the earliest Kachari king was one Birahas, who abdicated in favour of Bicharpatipha, prior to the establishment of the Kachari capital at Dimapur; the venue of Government had shifted between Sonapur, Banpur , and Lakshindrapur. The kingdom of
Cachar, of which Tamradhwai Narayana was the ruler during the reign Rudra Singha , and Govinda Chandra at the time of British occupation, is only one of the numerous states brought
to existence by the political genius of the Kachari people. It seems that the rulers of Barahi Kachari, at one time ruled over the Kapili Valley also .It was during the reign of Maha-Manikyaa Barahi king who ruled in their earlier part of the fourteenth century that Sri Madhab Kandali composed the Assamese version of the Ramayan in verses. The Kacharis,who have been described as ''the original autochthones of Assam had built up political and administrative units, vestiges of which have lingered till this day. The first note-worthy conflict between the Ahom and Kachari occurred in the reign of Suhungmung Dihingia Raja (1497-1539A.D.). In the battle the Kacharis were defeated. The legend says that among the spoils of war was the Assamese Cleopetra Garama Kunwari ,who extended her hand from king of Gauda to Kachari Raja and finally to Ahom king Dihingia Raja. Her son Madan Konwar was also taken to the Ahom capital. After the death of Dersong-pha, the Kacharis lived from sometime without an overlord. And as desired by them, the Ahom king appointed Madan Konwar as their Raja at Cachar , with the name N irbhayanarayan and the Kachari Rajya became an annual tributary state to the Ahom king. During the reign of Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha the refractory Kachari Raja Sandhikari and the fugitive Manipuri Raja were produced before the Ahom Monarch by Kirtichandra Barbarua . It was through the intervention of the Ahom Victors that the Kacharis obtained a ruler of their own together with the necessary paraphernalia of sovereignty. The Ahom kings regarded the Kachari Raja as their vassal, and always resented any move on the part of the Kachari Rajas which tended to repudiate their time-honoured obligations to the Ahom king. The Ancient Tripura kingdom in the Kapili valley : Like the Ahom kings of Assam the rulers of the kingdom known as Tripura also maintained regular historical account of their dynasty. Legends say that, Madhava Kandali alias Kaviraj Kandali composed the Assamese Ramayana by order of Shri Mahamanikya , the Barahi Raja. Whether this Barahi Raja was a king of the Barahi Kacharis as supposed by Late Pandit Hem Chandra Goswami or some other person who ruled Tripura is a controversial matter. The Tripura kings trace their descent from Drukyo , the son of Yajati. It is said that Pratardana, who was twentyfifth in descent from Drukyo, conquered the Kiratas and founded a kingdom the capital of which was on the bank of the river Kapili . The Sanskrit Rajamala describes that the ancient kingdom of Tripura , called Trivega comprised the Kapili Valley , the North-Cachar Hills and also the modern district of Cachar to the west of Manipur . Vincent Smith writes that a king of the Ka-pi-li kingdom named '' Yue-Ai'' sent an embassy to China in the year 428 A.D. And he identifies Ka-pi-li with the Kapili of Assam. It seems, therefore, very likely that he was the king of the ancient Tripura dynasty and that this kingdom in Kapili Valley lasted till, at least, the fifth century A.D. It further appears that the Kapili Valley is still knows as Davaka. Hence, this tract has been identified with the kingdom mentioned as
Davaka in Samudra Gupta's inscription of the fourth century A.D. It seems, therefore, that through the Tripura kings may have themselves called this kingdom Trivega, it was well known to outsiders as ' Kapili' or ' Davaka' and both these names still persist; one attached to the river and the other applied to the valley of this river. Tripura, the son of Daitya ; and Trilochan the son of Tripura, were both powerful kings. Dakshin was the second son of Trilochan. The eldest son Drikpati having married the daughter of the sonless king of Herembha (Hedamba)
succeeded to the throne of his father-in-law. When Trilochan died, the younger brother of Dakshin, together with the help of nobles raised Dakshin to the Tripura throne. There upon Drikpati, the king of Hedamba, claimed both the kingdoms by right of succession and fought a great battle where Dakshin and his brothers surrendered to the king of Hedamba. The ancient Trivega, Kapili or the Davaka kingdom became absorbed in the Hedamba kingdom in about the fifth century A.D. The copper plate inscription of Harjaravarman has been found at Hayungthal within the Kapili Valley indicating that in the ninth century A.D. the area of Kapili Valley was absorbed within the Kamrupa kingdom. Ratnapha, who was twenty second in descent from Adi Dharmapha , first assumed the surname Manikya. Mahamanikya was the great grandson of Ratnamanikya and can be placed in the middle of the fourteenth century. On the other hand, Pandit Hem Chandra Goswami has placed Madhava Kandali and his patron,the Barahi Raja Maha Manikya, also in the middle of the fourteenth century . As the royal families of Tripura and Cachar claimed relation with each other and also because ethonologically they belong to the same group,it is very likely that during the fourteenth century Barahi Kingdom extended over Kapili Valley, Cachar, North Cachar and also Tripura and that Mahamanikya ruled over this vast kingdom, in the middle of that century. His Highness the Maharaja Manikya Bahadur of Tripura is therefore, the lineal representative of one of the oldest ruling houses in the whole of India.
Bhuyan Chiefs It was the thirteenth century when a line of Chutiya kings ruled the country east of the Subansiri and the Disang, and the Kachari kingdom was flourishing in central Assam on the south bank of the Brahmaputra, and prohably extended at least half way across the Nagaon district. Towards the west of the Kacharis on the south bank of the Brahmaputra and of the Chutias on the north, a number of petty chiefs called Bhuyans held sway over a vast territory. The boundary between the tract ruled by these chiefs and the kingdom of Kamarupa altered from time to time. A powerful prince might bring many of them under his control, but they regained there independence under weak prince. Gait mentioned that these chiefs were remembered in Assamese legends as the Bara-Bhuyans . As correctly stated by Gait, each chief was independent of the others within his own omain, but they eem to have been in the habit of joining their forces whenever they were threatened by a
common enemy. But why the Bara (twelve) number is always mentioned both in Bengal and Assam is still controversial. Gait explained the term ''Bhuyan'' as nothing to do with caste. It meant the ''lord of the Land''. Sri Sankardeva himself used the word '' Bhowmik''as a synonym of the term 'Bhuyan'. It was the practice in Eastern India for kings to appoint twelve advisers of Governors. Naranarayan had twelve ministers of state, twelve Dolois were placed in charge of the hilly portion on the Jaintia Raja and there were twelve state councillors in Nepal. The number thus became connected in the minds of the people with all dignitaries ranking next to Raja and so came to be used in a purely conventional sense. There were various stories about the Bara-Bhuyan, which often refer to entirely different groups of chiefs and they are to a great extent mere legends. According to H.N. Dutta Barua the petty Chieftains were known as ' Bhowmik' during the time of Pala kings. Their domain was called 'Bhuma'. Perhaps, the word Bhuyan thus originated from the term ''Bhuma''.This view is supported by the fact that assamese who came from Kanauj became a Bhowmik under king Durlavanarayan of Gaud . Subsequently, he came to be known as Siromoni Bhuayn . The Guru Charita and the Sankar Charita v ersion of the origin BaraBhuyan of Nagaon is that, after the war between Durlavnarayan and Dharmanarayan, Kamateswara and Gaudeswara respectively, a treaty was executed between the two kings and Dharmanarayan sent seven families of Brahmins and seven families of Kayasthas to Durlav Narayan, who settled them on the frontier as wardens of the marches. The ablest of these seven Kayastha families was Chandibar who subsequently became their leader. Their head quarters were at Paimaguri. Once the Bhutiyas raided their territory and carried off many people including the son of Chandibar. Chandibor and other Bhuyas pushed the raiders and compelled them to release the captives. Chandibar subsequently settled at Bardowa in Nagaon where his great grandson Sankardeva was born. According to Sarbananda Rajkumar a branch of the Bara-Bhuyans set up numerous petty kingdoms on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, extending from the Subansiri in the east, down to the Barnadi in the west. Another branch of Bara-Bhuyan ruled over certain areas which now form part of Nagaon district south of the Brahmaputra. Nakul Chandra Bhuyan supports the tradition which links Bara-Bhuyans with Samudra and Samanta connected with Dharmapala and Arimatta. Probably, there were two branches of Bara Bhuyans one of which is connected with Chandibar and his group; and other with Samudra whose sons were Santanu and Samanta. Prior to the fifteenth century, these Bara- Bhuyans maintained their independence against the Kachari and Chutiya kings. But with the entrance of the Ahoms into the power-race, the glory of the Bhuyans started declining. From the middle of the fifteenth century the Ahom kingdom expanded towards the west at the expense of the Bara-Bhuyans, Kachari and Chutias. In 1535 A.D. the Ahom king, the Dihingia Raja defeated the Bara-Bhuyans and ransacked their territory and made them feudatory chiefs.
In the field of religion and culture the period had a unique position. The period witnessed an efflorescence of the Assamese mind, symbolised by Sri Sankardeva a member of BaraBhuyan's family by whose message of love and forgiveness the whole of eastern India was carried off its feet. During the time, when Assam was divided among the Bhuyans, Ahoms, Koches, Kacharis, Jayantias,Chutias and Nagas, Shri Sankardev , the great saint poet of Assam, stepped up the epoch making Neo-Vaishnavite movement in Assam. The great Shri Sankardeva was born at Bordowa in Nagaon district in 1449 A.D. Taking advantage of Koch invasions of the Ahom territory about the middle of the sixteenth century, the Bhuyans discontinued to pay tribute to the Ahoms. It was Pratab Singha (16031641 A.D.) who finally subdued the Bhuyans whose domain extended between the Bharali and the Subansiri. In 1623 A.D. the Bara-Bhuyans again came to declare their independence and one of the Bhuyan chiefs Uday declared independence during the reign of Pratap Singha. A great number of followers arrested and executed and the followers getting frustrated submitted themselves to the power. Thenceforth the Bhuyans between the Subansiri and the Bharali, were bereft of all their powers.
Koch king (of Kamrup) Founder - Bisu/ Biswa Singha The Bhuyan chiefs, who were undoubtedly the feudal barons of the later Kamrupa rather Kamatapur combined against the common foe, attacked Danial 's Garrison at Hajo and destroyed it. Thereafter, for about a decade or more, there was not a common king for Kamatapur in ancient Kamarupa Empire, and the petty Bhuyans again became independent and ruled the country. In 1515 A.D. Bisu, The son of Haria Mandal , through his courage took advantage of small Bhuyan principalities and strifes amongst them forced his way to the front,and subsequently became king under the name Biswa Singha. Bisu, the founder of Koch kingdom of Kamrup had a humble origin and defeated the Bhuyans of Ouguri and Luki but was repulsed by the Bhuyan of Phulguri. But later on, Bisu took advantage of the Bhuyan's soldiers being engaged in a festival and caught the Bhuyan unprepared and killed them. Thereafter,he subdued the Bhuyan chiefs of Bijni and other places as also defeated a confederacy of Bhuyan chiefs headed by the Bhuyan of Karnapur. Then he took Gauhati by defeating the Bhuyan of Pandu and later on turned his attention to the Bhuyan's of Northern Kamrupa. Thus, the entire country from Karatoya to Barnadi was brought under his sway by defeating Narayan Gomatha or HeadBhuyan, Gandhabar Bhuyan of Baushi and their confederacies in Bajali and Kshetri areas. According to DarrangRaj Vansavali , written by Suryakhari, the Bar Bhuyans and Saru Bhuyans subdued by Bisu were Brahmans. The Bhuyans of Ouguri was also a Brahmin and Chuti Bhuyan was a Doivogya. It is found from Guru Charita that, Narayan Gomatha and other Bhuyans of
North Kamrup,who were subdued by the first Koch king were Kayasthas. The account of Koch kings was brought to light by the Vansabali of the Darrang Rajas, which ends abruptly with the death of Parikshit. According to M. Neog, Biswa Singha, the first Koch king conquered Darrang together with other principalities viz., Dimarupa, Beltola, Rani, Luki, Boko, Chaygaon, Barnagar, Karaibari, Athiabari etc. Gait, however, holds that the river Barnadi formed the eastern boundaries of Biswa Singha's territory. S.K. Bhuyan also confirms this view and holds that the karatoya in the west to the barnadi in the east was the Koch territory under Biswa Singha. Viswa Singha subdued the petty princes who surrounded him, founded a magnificent city in Koch Bihar and set his state in order. Viswa Singha died after a region of 25 years and was succeeded in 1540 A.D. by his Malla Deva, who assumed the name of Nara Narayan. The reign of this prince reached the zenith of The Koch Power and his armies, which were led by his brother Sukledwaja met with almost unvarying success. In this capacity, he displayed such skill and promptness of action that he was nick-named ''Chilarai'' Or the ''Kite-King'', during his expeditions against the people of Assam. Nara Narayan's conquering tour against the Ahoms was successful under Chilarai, his commander-in-chief and he ascended to the north bank of the Brahmaputra as far as Dikrai River. Then followed two other engagements at Kaliabar and Sala in which, also the Ahoms were defeated. But in the Last Engagement on the bank of the Pichala River, Suklengmung, the ahom king ousted the Koch Army inflicting a disastrous defeat. In course of these operations the koches constructed an embankment road from their capital at koch bihar to narayanpur in the south west of present lakhimpur district, a distance of some three hundred and fifty miles(560km.). The worked was carried out under the supervision of Gohain Kamal, the kings brother, and is known to this day as ''Gohain Kamal Road''. Nara Narayan entered the Ahom Capital Gargaon, (The Modern Nazira) but the outcome of the war was an absolute defeat for the Koches many of them were slain and their arms were captured. The decisive defeat of the Koches at the hands of ahoms had not discouraged them at all and the two brothers proceeded with conquest and compelled the rulers of Manipur, Jayantia, Tipparah, Sylhet, Khyarim and Dimarua to accept The Koch suzerainty. But the tide of fortune turned when at attack was made on the Kingdom Of Gaud. It Was Kala Pahar, who fought successfully and repulsed the first attack on Gaud by Nara Narayan In 1565., When the ever victorious koch prince Chilarai was Captive in the hands of the Sultan Of Gaud. Naranarayan would not, however, accept this defeat as final and a few years later joined with the Emperor Akbar in second attack upon the badshah of Gaud, and Gaud was divided between the Emperor of Delhi and the Koch king. Shortly before this expedition Nara Narayan had restored the famous temple at Kamakhya, which had been injured by the Muhammadan invader Kalapahar in 1565 A.D.
Decline of Koch kingdom , Raghu Rai, 1581-1603 A.D. As for a long time Naranarayan had no male offspring, Chilarai's son Raghu Rai was regarded as his heir. But in his late age, Naranarayan begot a son called Lakshmi Narayan . Raghu Rai, losing hope of succeeding to the throne withdrew from the capital to Barnagar in the Barpeta Sub-division of the Kamarupa district. Naranarayan endeavoured to compel him to return, but his soldiers were defeated and the king weekly resolved to divide his kingdom . Raghu Rai thus, came into possession of the country now included the the Mangaldai Sub-division and the district of Kamrup and Goalpara. He rebuilt the Manikut of Haygrib temple at Hajo, which had been destroyed by Kalapahar . On Naranarayan's death Lakshmi Narayan ascended the throne. Raghu Rai was succeeded by his son Parikshit in 1603 A.D. The prince mounted cannon at Pandunath, to the west of the Kamakhya hill, and built a town at North Guwahati,whose fortification can still be traced for many kilometres even at the present day. A struggle for independence was continued by Parikshit involving him in incessant hostilities with Lakshmi Narayan. Lakshmi Narayan made his submission to Mughal and Parikshit to Ahom. Ultimately in 1614 A.D. Parikshit surrendered to the Mughal emperor after a long and desperate war and his dominion upto the Barnadi was annexed to the Delhi empire with headquarters at Hajo. Parikshit's son, Chandra Narayan alias Bijit Narayan was confirmed by the Mughals as the Zamindar of the territory between the Sonkosh and the Manah with establishment at Bijni. In 1615 A.D., Parikshit's brother Bali Narayan fled away and sought shelter under the Ahom king Pratap Singha. He was cordially received by the latter. In 1616AD the Ahom king Pratap Singha inflicted a crushing defeat on the invading Muslims on the bank of the Bharali in Darrang district and appointed Bali Narayan as the tributary Raja of Darrang and renamed him Dharma Narayan. His brother Gaj Narayan was set up as a tributary chief of Ahoms at Beltola. Dharma Narayan helped the Ahoms to fight the Mughals and at first succeeded in wresting out a part of Goalpara and Kamrup for the Mughals but subsequently had suffered a retreat and defeat. In 1639, a treaty between the Mughal Commander Allah Tar Khan and the Ahom General Momai Tamuli Barbarua was signed to fixed the boundary between the two powers at the Barnadi on Darrang-Kamrup boundary on the north bank and Asurar Ali near Gauhati on the south bank of the Brahmaputra.
Assam in the Ahom Age (1228-1826) Founder - Sukapha The Advent of the Ahoms
It has now been well-established that the Ahoms were a section of the Tai race. Historically, these people are known for their valley-dwelling and wet-rice-growing character. The particular branch to which the Ahoms belong is known as the Tai-mao, or the Mao section of the Tai but widely known through the Burmans as the Shan. Ahom chronicles,or buranji, make specific mention that the Ahoms were led by Prince (Chao-lung) Sukapha who left Mong Mao-lung in 1215 A.D. Sukapha's followers included several nobles (thao-mong),a number of officers of various ranks, 9000 men, woman and children. After a westward march for thirteen years and staying at several places for periods ranging from one to three years, they arrived at the Patkai in 1228 A.D. Posting a governor at the Khamjang valley, their first territorial unit, situated on the shore of the Nongjang lake, Sukapha and the rest of his party at first followed the Namrup, then the Buri Dihing (Nam-jin), thereafter the Brahmaputra, and the Dikhow before finally arriving at Charaideo, which became his permanent capital. On the way,he also organized several other territorial units along the bank of these rivers. In this way a small kingdom bounded by Patkai, the Buri Dihing, the Brahmaputra, the Dikhow and the Naga hills was founded in Upper Assam over which Sukapha ruled till his death in 1268 A.D. This territory was peopled chiefly by the Morans and the Borahis, and a few villages of the Chutiyas and the Kacharis evidently of Bodo origin; Nagas were also included in the hilly region of the Patkai. Sukapha won over the chiefs of Morans and the Borahis, and even encouraged intermarriage with them, and appointed some of them in various capacities in the royal household.
The Early Ahom State
From the thirteenth to the fifteenth century A.D.,Ahoms were busy mainly in consolidating their newly acquired territory and also protecting it from neighbouring powers. However,the reign of Sukhangpha(1293-1332), the fourth Ahom king, saw the first war with the ruler of Kamata kingdom. The reason for the war is not given in the buranji. It was brought to a close when the Kamata ruler sued for peace by offering a princess, Rajani by name. This event indicates the growing strength of the Ahom power. Tao-Kham-thi (1380-89),the seventh king, led a successful expedition against the Chutiya king for murdering his brother Sutupha (136976) at a regatta. The reign of Sudanghpha (1398-1407), better known as ''Bamuni Konwar'' for his birth in the house of a Brahmin at Habung, is important in several respects. It was for the first time that Brahmanical influence had its entry into the Ahom royal palace, The capital was transferred to Charagua near the bank of river Dihing. On the report of some nobles who were dissatisfied with Sudangpha for his subordination to Hindu influence, the Tai rulers of Mong Kwang (Mogaung) sent an expedition to annex the Ahom kingdom. In the battle fought at Kuhiarbari,
the invaders were forced to retreat and came to terms in a treaty concluded on the shore of the Nongjang Lake in 1401 A.D. By this treaty the Patkai was fixed as the boundary between Assam and Mong. Sudangpha suppressed a revolt of the Tipamiyas, and he also asserted his sovereignty over the three eastern dependencies viz.,Tipam, Aiton and Khamjang. The reigns of four successive Kings Sujangpha (1407 22), Suphokpha (1439-88), and Supempha (1493-97), covering a period of ninety years were comparatively peaceful barring a brief war with the Dimasa Kacharis in 1490 A.D. The bordering Nagas, who made some raids were kept in check. Expansion of the Ahom Kingdom
The real expansion of the Ahom kingdom began with Suhummong (1497-1539) better known as Dihingiya Raja, as he belong to the Dihingiya phoid (clan) of the royal family. By this time the Brahmanical influence grew considerably in the Ahom court so much so that the king is said to have received the Hindu title Swarganarayan, an equivalent of chao-pha In Tai and the Saka era was also adopted. He transferred his capital to Dihing. A census of population was done during his reign. After a serious of armed conflict caused by boundary dispute, the Chutiya king was defeated and killed and his kingdom centering Sadiya was annexed to the Ahom dominion as a province over which was placed a governor titled Sadiya Khowa Gohain. He also defeated the Kacharis of the Doyang-Dhansiri Valley and brought their territory under the Ahoms as a province called Marangi, and placed a provincial governor titled Marangi Khowa Gohain. This was in 1526. The Kachari royal family moved to Maibong leaving Dimapur. After sometime, on an appeal, the Kachari king at Maibong was given recognition as Thapita-sanchita (established and preserved) by Suhummong. The same king also brought the Bhuyans on the north bank under Ahom control. It was during the reign of Suhummong that the first major invasion of Assam by the Pathan rulers of Bengal occurred. After an initial expedition by Bir Malik and Bar Ujir, the two Bengal generals, Turbuk was commissioned by the Sultan of Bengal. In a major encounter, the Ahom side lost several of their generals and many soldiers. However, in a renewed naval war after sometime, the Ahom side gained superiority leading to the defect and the death of Turbak. A large number of arms,cannons,horses and soldiers were captured by the Ahoms. The defeated army was pushed through Kamrup and Kamata where the people co-operated with the victors. The ruler of Kamata, Durlabhendra accepted Ahom protection by offering his daughter. The Ahom army marched westward as far as the Karatoya, the eastern frontier of Bengal, and built a small brick temple on its bank. Thus by 1534, the Ahom army liberated Kamrup and Kamata king. Suhummong established relation with Manipur and Orissa; and Viswa Singha, the rising Koch chief visited his court and acknowledged his allegiance. By his great zeal and enterprise, Suhummong extended the Ahom dominion from the eastern confine of Sadiya
to the Karatoya, and successfully failed the invasions of Assam by the Muslim rulers of Bengal. Due to the expansion of the Ahom dominion during his reign, non-Ahom population in the Ahom kingdom greatly increased. The reign of Suklenmong (1539-52) and Sukhampha (15531603) were mainly important for Koch expeditions to the Ahom kingdom. The first was conducted by Viswa Singha which, however, did not materialise as the Koch army. The second major invasion led by king Naranarayan, with his younger brother Sukladhwaj popularly known as Chilarai occupied the Ahom capital Garhgaon. However, the Koch army soon returned after a peace treaty. This was the last Koch invasion of the Ahom kingdom.
The Period of Ahom-Mughal Conflict
The history of the Ahoms during the seventeenth century was mainly the history of the AhomMughal conflict which arose of the imperial ambition of the Mughal emperors to extend their dominions to further east beyond Bengal, and if possible to seek routes to China and Tibetat the same time to collect certain articles such as gold dusts, long pepper, elephant teeth, musk, lack, etc., obtained in Assam which were valued greatly by the royalty and nobility in the Mughal courts. The absorption of the Koch kingdom into the Mughal dominions made the Ahom kingdom coterminous. The long reign of Susengpha (1603 41) better known as Pratap Singha was important in the history of Assam in several respects. The Mughal claim on the Koch territory to the east of Barnadi and the trading adventures of certain Mughal merchants caused conflict and tension along the border leading to the first serious battle with the Mughal army and navy at Bharali near Tezpur in which the enemy side was completely routed . This was in 1616 A.D( Jahangir's time). A vivid description of the plight of the Mughal soldiers is given in the Baharistan-i-Ghayli by Mirza Nathan, a Mughal general. About 1700 men of the enemy side were killed, double this number were wounded and 9000 men were taken as prisoners. This was followed by a series of campaigns against the Mughals. In 1618, there was another serious battle at Hajo in which the Ahoms lost nearby 4000 boats, and an equal number of men were killed. The war, however, did not stop, but continued with occasional outburst, and the pendulum of victory moved from one side to another in Kamrup. Ultimately, peace was restored by a treaty concluded by Momai Tamuli Barbarua and Allah Yar Khan in 1639 where by the Barnadi on the North and the Asurar Ali on the south were fixed as the boundary between the Ahom and Mughal territories. It did not, however, last for a very long time. During the early years of Pratap Singha's reign, the Kachari king , who was always considered thapitasanchita status by the Ahom kings, was bold enough to show his defiance by declining to comply a request for passage of a Jaintia princess through his country. An Ahom army led by Sunder Gohain was badly defeated and the general himself was killed by the Kacharis led by
Prince Bhimbal in 1606 A.D. Soon, however, relation with the Kachari king was restored. Pratap Singha also cultivated good relations with the Jaintia king. Pratap Singha introduced certain reforms in the administration and reorganized the paik. Two very important posts that of the Barbarua and the Barphukan were created; the former was placed as the head of the
secretariat and judiciary immediately under the king; the later was placed in charge of lower Assam west of Kaliabor, and also head of diplomatic relations with the west. Several other new posts of lesser important were also created. A census of population was undertaken, and the paik system was extended to newly acquired territories. All free adult population were registered as paik for state services. A squad for four paiks constituted the lowest unit called got, and twenty such units were commanded by a Bora, one hundred by a Saikia ,and one thousand by a Hazarika. Departments were usually headed by Phukan, Baruah, Rajkhowa according to their importance. Among other notable works of Pratap Singha included construction of several important roads, bridges, excavation of tanks and ramparts. He also built several towns. The king was liberal and catholic in his religious policy. The short reigns of his two immediate successors Surampha (1641-44) and Suchingpha (1644-48)were not of much importance.
The reign of Sutamla, better known by his Sanskrit title Jayadhwaj Singha(1648-63)was marked by a major invasion of Assam by the Mughal army headed by Mir Jumla, the newly appointed Nawab of Bengal . It was apparently a retaliatory action taken against the occupation of Sarkar Kamrup by the Ahom army by taking advantage of the confusion that ensued following the disposal of Shah Jahan by his son's. The large army of infantry and cavalry supported by a strong navy mostly manned by Europeans chiefly the Portuguese and the Dutch proceeded towards the capital of Assam by overrunning the defenses put up at Hatichala-Baritala, Pancharatan-Jogighopa and Pandu-Saraighat. After the occupation of the fort at Samdhara following a stiff battle and a keenly contested naval victory near Kaliabor on the Brahmaputra, the Mughal army advanced towards the Ahom capital, Garhgaon , Jayadhwaj Singha with his family and close associates evacuated the capital, and retreated to Namrup hills close to the Patkai. The Mughal army occupied Garhgaon , and established outposts at several places in Upper Assam; Mir Jumla himself made his headquarters at Mathurapur . However, when the rainy season started, these outposts had been cut off by flood and became isolated while the Mughal navy with big war boat which remained at Lakhnow could not help them. The Ahom army then started to harass by adopting guerilla method of warfare. Due to disruption of communication, the Mughal army was placed under great hardship; the physical as well as moral condition began to deteriorate. The health of Mir Jumla became worse as he had been suffering from consumption. Under the circumstances, a peace proposal initialed by the Ahom
side was ultimately agreed upon. The treaty of Ghiladharighat at Tipam on the Buri Dihing was drawn up on Jan.9, 1663 by which Jayadhwaj became a tributary of the Mughal Emperor . He agreed to pay a huge war indemnity, the cessation of all territory west of the Bharali on the north bank on the state of ' Dimarua', Beltola west of the Kallong on the south bank of the Brahmaputra. Jaydhwaj Singha's daughter accompanied by the daughter of Tipam Raja was sent to Delhi and the sons of the ministers were sent as hostage with the Mughal till full payment was made. Mir Jumla and his army left Assam. Soon after his return to Bakotha, as Garhgaon was despoiled by the Mughals, Jayadhwaj Singha passed away in 1663. He was the first Ahom king to embrace Hinduisim by receiving initiation from a Vashnava priest. He made large revenue free land grants with paiks to several Hindu satras (monasteries). One of the notable achievements of Jayadhwaj Singha's reign was the planned settlement of villages in certain tracts of the country. However, Mir Jumla's invasion caused devastation of the economic and social condition of the kingdom. Mir Jumla was accompanied by a news reporter ( waqia navis) named Mirza Mahammad Wali , Poetically known as Shihabuddin Talish , who left a very valuable account of Assam, its climate, population, manners and customs, products, and of its capital Garhgaon. A few excerpts may be of interest. ''Although most of the inhabitants of the neighbouring hills pay no tax to the Rajah of Assam,yet they accept his sovereignty and obey some of his commands.'' ''From Lakhaugarh to Garhgaon,also, there are roads,houses and farms in the same style; and a lofty and wide embanked road has been constructed upto Garhgaon for traffic.'' The people of the country are free from certain fatal and loathsome diseases such as leprosy, white leprosy, elephantiasis, cutaneous eruptions, goitre and hydrocele, which prevail in Bengal.'' ''It is not the custom here to take any land tax from the cultivators; but in every house one man out of the three has to render service to the Raja.'' ''In all the past ages no(foreign) king could lay the hand of conquest on the skirt of this country, and no foreigner could treat it with the foot of invasion.'' ''And all the people of his country, not placing their necks in the yoke of any faith, eat whatever they get from the hand of any man, regardless of his caste, and undertake any kind of labour.'' ''Their language differs entirely from that of all the people of Eastern India.'' ''They cast excellent matchlocks and bachadar artillery , and show a great skill in this craft. They make first rate gunpowder..'' ''The common people bury their dead with some of the property of the deceased, placing the head towards the east and the feat towards the west.'' Talish also left a vivid and valuable description of Garhgaon, and the royal palace. Chakradhwaj Singha (1663-70) himself to be a person of indomitable courage and firm determination who refused to put on the gown (siropa) sent by the Mughal court to him as a tributary king. ''Death is preferable to a state of subordination to Bangal'' he uttered.
Preparations for war were soon complete, and Kamrup was again recovered by a strong Ahom
navy, and infantry under the Command of Lachit Barphukan in 1667. The Mughal occupational army was badly mauled. Following this several fortifications had been raised on both banks surrounding Guwahati to protect it against any further attack. Having received the news of Mughal reverse, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb despatched a Rajput general Raja Ram Singh, son of Raja Jay Singh of Amber with a large force with order to chastise the ''wicked tribe''(the Ahoms). Ram Singh advanced towards Guwahati by occupying several posts which the Ahoms evacuated for strategic reasons to concentrate at Guwahati. Ram Singh made his camp at Hajo. The Ahom army under Lachit Barphukan and other generals including Atan Buragohain foiled every attempt of Ram Singh to occupy Guwahati by war and diplomacy,and the war dragged on for several years with loss on both sides. In the meantime, Udayaditya ascended the throne in 1669. The Battle of Saraighat fought in 1671 was the last determined attempt of Ram Singh which met ignominious defeat at the hands of the Ahom. The defeated army was pushed back beyond the Manaha river . It may be mentioned that in the war against the Mughals, many of the neighbouring hill people sent their contingents and successfully fought against the invaders. From the death of Ramdhwaj Singha, the successor of Udayaditya Singha, in 1675 to the accession of Gadadhar Singha in 1681, there ensured a period of weak and unstable government during which several weak and young kings were placed on the Ahom throne the quickly removed by ministers and high officials for their own selfish gains than for the welfare of the kingdom . By taking advantage of the situation, Laluk Barphukan , the Viceroy of Lower Assam at Guwahati treacherously handed Guwahati over to the Mughals . The first major achievement of Gadadhar Singha (1681-96), who was installed king at Kaliabor by the nobles and officers, was the expulsion of the Mughals from Guwahati and Kamrup by defeating them at the Battle of Itakhuli . They were pursued down to the Manaha , which henceforth became the Ahom-Mughal boundary till 1826. The king then suppressed all conspiracies to weaken the power of the Monarch, and reduced the tribes who created troubles in the border. He also controlled the growing power of the Hindu religious heads, but he was no bigot in his religious policy. Possessing a towering personality, Gadadhar Singha restored the authority of the king, and brought peace and order to the country. Rudra Singh 's reign (1696-1714) marks new turning point in the history of Assam. Inherited from his father a strong monarchy and a peaceful kingdom, Rudra Singha now found time and resources to build a new capital at Rangpur near the present town of Sibsagar on the Dikhow by importing artisans and masons, and know-how from Bengal. When the Rajas of Cachar , who was treated by the Ahoms as thapita-sanchita, and Jaintia showed signs of insubordination, they were captured and brought before Rudra Singha and were compelled to acknowledge the sovereignty of the Ahoms. The king had planned to invade Bengal with the support of the rulers and chiefs of the neighbouring states like Tripura, Koch Bihar, Burdwan and Nadia.
When all preparations were complete and the vast army assembled at Guwahati for the march,
Rudra Singha suddenly fell ill and passed away in that city. The king is known for his liberal policy; he allowed to grow trade with Bengal, and also imported several cultural items like dress, festival, songs, etc., from that country. This resulted in a slow cultural synthesis.
Later Ahom Kings The first half of the eighteenth century was peaceful,and the reigns of two kings Siva Singha (1714-44)and Pramatta Singha (1744-51), saw the unprecedented growth of Hindu religious proclivities, and the building of Hindu temples . A great number of endowments of land and man were made for sustaining these. Siva Singha's queen Phuleswari , who acquired great influence over him, even dared to insult Vaishnava mahantas by forcing them to bow down to the Goddess Durga. From this time onwards, the Ahom kings became more attached to Sakta faith which introduced a new element inthe social and political life. The traditional Ahom religious institutions fell into negligence ,and the Ahoms who remained stuck to their own religion and customs, became a degraded class. At the same time ,cultural penetration from Bengal continued unabated. The reign of Rajeswar Singha (1751-69), a younger brother of Siva Singha saw the rise of Kirti Chandra Barbarua to power and status. One of the important events of his reign was the despatch of the Ahom army against the Burmese in Manipur whose legal ruler Jai Singh (known as Bhagya Chandra in Manipur) was driven away by them and who came to Assam through Kachari country. Jai Singh strengthened his relation with Rajeswar Singha by giving his daughter Kuranganayani in marriage to the latter. This followed the policy of his predecessors by making endowment of land and men to religious persons and institutions. Lakshmi Singha's reign (1769-1780)was disrupted by the revolt of the Moamarias, the followers of the Mayamara Mahanta of orthodox Vaishnava persuasion. Several causes are attributed to the revolt of which one is the physical punishment meted by Kirti Chandra Barbarua to Nahar, the chief of the Morans who came to make annual offer of elephant which was found lean and haggard. Nahar was mortified at this and was looking for support to taker revenge on the Barbarua. Already Phuleswari's action had inflamed the situation. The climax was reached when the Moamaria Gossain was abused by the Barbarua for being indifferent to him. The Morans were then ready to fight. They were joined by three exiled Ahom princes. The rebels advanced towards the capital Rangpur and after defeating the royal troops at several engagements they arrived at Rangpur. The king who attempted to flee was pursued and captured, and was put in confinement at the temple of Jaysagar . Ramakanta was declared king and Nahar became the Barbarua . The Morans preserved the entire structure of the Ahom govt. However, after a few months, the Moran rule was overthrown and the insurgents were punished. King Lakshmi Singha was released from captivity and was restored. Like his
predecessors, the king made a number of grants of rent free land with men, and built several temples.
Decline and fall of the Ahom Kingdom The Kingdom began to decline from the time of Gaurinath Singha (1780-95). In 1782, the Moamarias insurrection rose again with renewed vigour and increased violence. They advanced to Garhgaon and created panic among the population. The advance was halted and the rebels were treated with severity and many were executed. Such a step aggravated the situation. After a brief pause, the disturbances caused by the Moamarias swept down across the north bank. After defeating the royalists, the Moamarias advanced towards the capital. Assistance was sought from Manipur, Kachari, Jaintia and the chiefs of Rani, Beltola, Luki. Before the help arrived, the rebels occupied Rangpur; Gaurinath Singha with the members of his family sailed downstream, and reaches Nagaon, and then to Guwahati. At Rangpur, the Moamarias set up Bharath Singha as king; but the Hatisungi Morans set up Sarbananda as their king of the territory to the east of Dihing and both minted coins in their names. Krishnanarayan of Darrang had also organized a large force and occupied North Guwahati . Purnananda Buragohain shifted the centre of administration of Dichoi, later known as Jorhat,which became the new Ahom capital . Under the circumstances, Gaurinath Singha appealed for help of men and materials to the East India company's authorities through Raush,
a salt merchant and Mr. Dauglas , Commissioner of Koch Bihar. In response to this, Lord Cornwallis, the Governor General despatched Captain Thomas Welsh with sepoys who arrived at Goalpara in early November, 1792; and from there, on receiving urgent message from the king moved upstream the Brahmaputra. The meeting between the king and Capt. Welsh took place at Nagarberra on the Brahmaputra. Advancing further, Captain Welsh suppressed the rebellious elements at Guwahati and on the north bank. He also pacified Krishnanarayan, the rebellious prince at Darrang and expelled many of the Burkendazes who assisted him. Sometime later he advanced to Jorhat, and then to Rangpur where he defeated the Moamarias, and restored the authority of Gaurinath Singha at Rangpur in 1794. In the midst of this success, Capt. Welsh was recalled by Sir John Shore, the new Governor General , and he left Assam. During his stay in the kingdom, he concluded a commercial treaty in 1793 by which commerce between Assam and Bengal was sought to be put on '' reciprocal basis ''. The Report of Capt. Welsh which he submitted to his government in response to certain queries gives certain important information in regard to the system of Ahom govt., trade and commerce, products, etc. Although Gaurinath Singha is depicted by some as cruel and vindictive, he had certain pieces of good work like the abolition of human sacrifice at the Kechaikhati temple at Sadiya. Kamaleswar Singha 's reign (1795-1810) witnessed localised revolts at several places in Kamrup
which was successfully suppressed,at Sadiya by the Khamtis, Pani Noras, Miris and others, fresh Moamaria insurrection in league with the Daflas. In spite of these, he connected the new capital Jorhat by constructing several new roads like the Na-ali, the Rajabahar Ali ,the Mohabandha Ali , the Kamarbandha Ali ,etc. and also built a copper-house at Kamakhya . The reign of Chandra Kanta Singha (1810-18) saw the Burmese invasion.
Friction between Purnananda Buragohain and Badan Chandra Barphukan and a conspiracy by Satram to overthrow the former led the latter to go to the Burmese capital Amarapura where he pleaded for assistance against the Buragohain . Bodoupaya, who had already had his eyes on Assam, seized the opportunity to send an army of about sixteen thousand men with Badan Chandra to Assam. The Burmese army after defeating the Assamese army at several engagements arrived at Jorhat. Chandra Kanta Singha was retained as king, and Badan Chandra assumed power as minister. The Burmese then retired to their country with large presents. But soon the assassination of Badan Chandra , and installation of Purandar Singha by ousting Chandra Kanta Singha , once again brought the Burmese under the command of Ata Mingi to Assam in 1819. On their advance, Purandar and his prime minister Rudinath fled to Guwahati, and Chandra Kanta Singha was once again restored to the throne despite his mutilation of person caused in the meanwhile. After the departure of the Burmese, Chandra Kanta Singha sought to raise a f ort at Jaipur against further Burmese invasion. However, a Burmese force sent by their Monarch with presents of ornaments and dress to Chandra Kanta Singha seeing such preparations killed Patalong under whose supervision the fort was raised. Thinking this hostile move on the part of the Burmese army, Chandra Kanta fled to Guwahati and did not come back in spite of Burmese assurance. This was in 1821. The Burmese then set up an Ahom prince, Jogeswar Singha. Chandra Kanta Singha crossed the border and entered Bengal where he tried to collect arms and men to fight the Burmese. At the battle of Mahgarh , Chandra Kanta 's army was badly defeated , and he once again entered the British territory. The period from 1821 to 1824 is called period of Burmese rule . During this period, the Burmese devastated the country and committed atrocities by plunder and killing. The Burmese also threatened the Goalpara frontier of Bengal by demanding the surrender of Assamese refugees including Chandra Kanta Singha, and their supporters who often gave trouble of them across the border. In that time, the border conflict in the East India Company's Chittagong frontier with the Burmese empire took serious turn. Anticipating a threatened invasion of Bengal, the prized possession of the Company in India, lord Amherst,the Governor General decided to declare war on Myanmar (Burma) . War was declared on the 5th of March 1824 . This is the First Anglo Burmese War which lasted for nearly two years. Immediately after the declaration of war, the British army entered Goalpara frontier of Assam and after defeating the small Burmese garrisons in Lower Assam, it
advanced to Upper Assam. By taking advantage of a dissension among the Burmese commanders, the British occupied Rangpur in 1825 and drove the Burmese and their allies, the Singphos out of Assam. A section of the Burmese army surrendered to the British remained in Assam. Immediately on the occupation of Assam by the British, martial law was declared; David Scott was appointed as civil officer in charge of civil matters , and Col. Richards in charge of the army, and the British started their administration. By Article II of the Treaty of piece and friendship which was concluded between the British and the Burmese at Yandabo on 24 February 1826 , the Burmese monarch renounced all claims upon and promised to refrain from all interference with, the principality of Assam and its dependencies. As Assam was already occupied by the British during the Anglo-Burmese war , it was kept under British occupation and started introducing British administration. The Ahom system of Administration: [very important] The system of Government was partly monarchical and partly aristocratic . The king or SwargaMaharaja as he was called, was the supreme head of the State. All honours, titles, offices,
decisions and war-measures emanated from him, but he had to act according to the advice of the five hereditary councilors of State , 1. Buragohain, 2. Bargohain, 3. Barpatra-gohain, 4. Barbaruah and 5. Barphukan. The state of Jaintia, Cachar, Khrim and Manipur were in friendly alliance with the Ahom Government. The province of Darrang enjoyed complete autonomy in its internal administration, as well as the other vassal states. There were six establishments of princes introduced by Suhummong Dihingia Raja at Charing, Tipam, Tungkhung, Dihing, Samaguri and Namrup. Each of these princes had their own estates and dependents. All of them were entitled Raja and belonged to the royal family which started with Sukapha, the first Ahom king. Subsequently,the title of Charing Raja was reversed for the heir apparent while the title of Tipam Raja and Namrupia Raja were meant for other nearest blood relations of the reigning monarch. Ambition for the throne nurtured by some of these families without any political and military
training became the cause of the downfall of Ahom rule in Assam. The Patra-mantries occupied important position in the political administration and enjoyed enormous powers. The Barphukan governed as viceroy or deputy to the king, in the tract between the Brahmaputra and the Kalang in Nagaon, but after extension of the Ahom kingdom in the westward direction he was put in charge of the country from Kaliabor to Goalpara with his headquarters at Guwahati. He had conduct diplomatic relations with Bengal, Bhutan and chieftains of Assam
frontiers. Other local governors such as Sadiya Khowa Gohain, Marangi Khowa Gohain, the Solal Gohain and the Kajali Mukhia Gohain ,etc., were appointed for the administration of the outlying areas of the country. Besides, there was other position recruited from respectable Ahom families for high posts. Among them, the highest rank was of the Phukan, next in rank were the Baruas. There were twelve Rajkhowas , a number of Khatakis and Dolois. Adult population of Assam was divided into Khels, Khels into Paiks and areas were constituted into Chamuas for revenue administration. It was not the usual practice in Assam to pay the revenue in cash. It was paid through services or paiks etc. The currency of Assam consisted of gold and silver coins. The liberal and practical outlook shaped the religious of the Ahom monarchs. The image of ''Chom-Cheng''which Sukapha had brought with his from his ancestral home was the tutelary deity of the Ahom rulers till the end of their rule. The general success of the Ahoms in their dealings with the hill tribes was admitted by the Mughal chronicler Shihabuddin Talish who accompanied Mir-Jumla's expedition in 166263A.D. He wrote-''Although most of the inhabitants of the neighbouring hills pay no tax to the Rajah of Assam yet they accept his sovereignty and obey some of his commands.'' Regarding the military system of the Ahoms, Ram Singh, the Mughal general had to admit that every Assamese soldiers was an expert in rowing boats, in shooting arrows , in digging trenches and cannons and that he did not see such specimen of versatility in any other part of India. This proves that the orginasation of army under the Ahom rulers was efficient and effective. Law and justice was in action during the Ahom reign. The criminal law was characterised by sterness and comparative harshness. The penalty for rebellion was various forms of capital punishment.
Modern Period British Annexation of Assam The condition of Brahmaputra valley at the time of the expulsion of the Burmese was most deplorable. During the transition period the civil administration of Assam was entrusted to David Scott with the title 'Agent of the Governor General for the whole eastern frontier' from Cachar and Sylhet in the south to Sikkim in the north. He was at the same time Special Civil Commissioner of North-East Rongpur, ie., Goalpara and the Garo Hills. Mr.Robinson says,''Hithero the affairs of the province had been conducted on much the same system that previously prevailed before the conquest. The officer-incharge exercised a general superintendence and specially devoted their attention to fiscal business whilst the criminal and
civil duties were performed by councils of the Assamese gentry under the name of Panchayat
.There were two or three such Panchayats in each division of the province. Appeals lay from the court of one Panchayat to that of the next superior court and finally to the court of the Commissioners.'' In judicial cases, the executive officers were both magistrates and judges trying the accused with the assistance of the Panchayat but referring all heinous offences accompanied with their options to Mr. Scott for his final judgement. The revenue administration was carried on just in the same manner as it had existed before the conquest. David Scott had introduced the improved method of assessing land revenue but it could be completed he breathed his last in August,1831. Thus the history of the State under the British rule began after the appointment of David Scott. The promise made by the British on the eve of the Anglo-Burmese war , that they had no intention of annexing any portion of the Brahmaputra valley and preferred to stay as conquerors only, had became doubtful. And, as a result, rebellion broke out. The first rebellion broke out. The first rebellion started by Assamese nobles against the newly founded authority with demand to withdraw the new administrative system of revenue , which reduced many of them to abject poverty. British occupation of lower Assam could not but be viewed with serious concern by the Khasi Chiefs who held the low hands, commonly known as nine-duars north of their hills. The initiative was taken by Barmanik , the ruler of Khyrem, who in August 1828 descending down upon the plains of Dimarua a few kilometres from Guwahati seized collection made by the revenue officers and publicly demanded his independence on the duars. Next year the second rebellion had broken out the Eastern Assam under the leadership of the ex-nobility of Assam. But the British Government somehow managed to put off their joint rebellion. Nearly all the principalities of Brahmaputra Valley and the hilly regions of Cachar and Jaintia were annexed to the company's dominion in Assam one by one in the courses of two decades . Accordingly David Scott, agent to the Governor General, North-East Frontier, extended British suzerainty over Cachar under an agreement with Raja Govinda Chandra in early March,1834. Raja Ram Singha of Jaintia later in his agreement with Scott, acknowledged the authority of the British Government. Thus the process began, though slowly, for the extension of British dominion into Assam or the North-East Frontier. The people submitted to the inevitable;in fact,they ''hailed with unbounded joy''their deliverers who saved them from the tyranny of the Burmese and offered them the most loyal co-operation. Even Maniram Dewan , later an archenemy of the British , Heavily welcomed the advent of the English . Scott's policy of conciliating the former official aristocracy proved a dismal failure. And towards the close of 1828 the Ahom, the Khasis, the Singphos and also the Bhutias in the north were committing on the British subjects. The repeated uprising and the administrative confusion of
the period demanded above all a change from an imperfect British administration. T.C. Robertson succeeded Scott as the agent of the Governor in 1832. However, in 1832, Upper Assam except Sadiya and Mattak territories was made over to the Ahom prince Purandar Singha, who set up as a vassal king. In October, 1838 , Purandar Singha's territory was taken over by the British on recommendation of Mr.Jenkin, East India Company's Agent , and Assam as a whole became a ' 'nonregulated'' province of the Indian Empire . This was done contrary to their earlier assurances with purely commercial motive. Purandar Singha was unnecessarily humiliated and it could have been done only with tacit consent of the rival group of Purandar Singha. The same tactics were followed by the British in finally annexing Cachar in 1830 and Sadiya were annexed to British India in 1842. Likewise Jaintia, which was kept under the rule of a vassal king for some years, was annexed in 1835 and Manipur was restored to its ruling dynasty. Along the southern frontier of Bhutan there were eighteen mountain passes , called Bhutan duars, By means of these passes the Bhutan highlanders held their sway over this border and established their de facto right over this whole belt of border territory. As a result of incessant outrages committed by the Bhutias on the British subjects, the British Government attached all the Assam duars in 1841 A.D. as the only means of security and peace in this part of frontier. These duars were the main channels of trade between Tibet and Assam. Hostilities with the Mishimis started from a simple incident, when in 1854 A.D., French Missionary M. Kich and his friend N. Bourri crossed the Mishimi country into Tibet. On their return they were murdered by the Mishims. The Mishimis were defeated in a series of attacks and in 1843 A.D., the rebels made their submission to the British. The Lushais committed their first raid in 1849 A.D. and the punitive expedition that followed was so successful that they gave no further trouble till 1858 A.D. Meanwhile, T.C. Robertson had felt that multifarious activities of a far flung frontier to the frontier provinces were not justified. He realised the necessity of European officers in Assam for good supervision and on his recommendation in March, 1833, the supreme Government accorded its approval for the division of the province into four districts - Goalpara, Kamrup, Darrang and Nagaon; over each was placed a Principal Assistant vested with the powers of a Collector, Judge and Magistrate. For many years after British occupation of Assam, Guwahati remained the headquarters of the province, but on the erection of Assam into a separate province under a Chief Commissioner, the headquarters of the new administration was shifted to Shillong. The district boundaries underwent changes since its formation into separate districts in 1833 A.D.The Dhansiri river originally formed the boundary in the east and the district of Sibsagar included some areas of the present Karbi Anglong district, North Cachar Hills and Naga Hills. In 1853 A.D., North Cachar was separated from a sub-division and in the next year the territory of Tularam was added to North Cachar sub-division. During 1867 A.D., the Naga Hills and a large part of Karbi Anglong
were combined together into a separate district, and the sub-division of North Cachar was abolished, and considerable area of North Cachar sub-division was placed in charge of the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar . The province of Assam was created in 1874 A.D. with a view to relieving the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal of a part of his huge administrative responsibility. The head of the newly created province was given the title of '' Chief Commissioner''. In 1905 A.D., Lord Curzon combined the eastern district of Bengal with Assam but this was reversed in 1912 and Assam was restored to its former territorial position. In 1921,in accordance with the provisions of the government of India Act, 1919 , Assam was given the status of a Governor's province.
Condition of the Province on the eve of British occupation and its effects: The peace and tranquility of the province in the event of British occupation was disturbed by the disputed succession. Anarchy prevailed in the later Ahom period resulting in maladministration in the State. The situation was further aggravated by the successive rebellions, the province of Assam had been depopulated to the extent of half of her population, and under the stress of protracted wars and oppression, the peasants had to give up cultivation and depend mostly on wild roots and plants. Famine and pestilence stalked the land. ''Mills's report on Assam''stated that, it was not to set the clock back, as desired by Maniram or the people of his thinking, but to consolidate the possession of the British and to tighten their grip over the administration. David Scott organised the administration to his best capacity and introduced British system in general outline and spirit with accommodation for indigenous system prevalent at that time. The general administration of Assam including justice was vested in the Commissioner of Assam with his headquarters at Guwahati. A Deputy Commissioner was posted there in 1939 to relieve the commissioner as Civil and Sessions Judge. Each district was placed in charge of a Principal (Senior) Assistant assisted by a Junior Assistant and a SubAssistant. David Scott was mainly responsible for working out the principles of administration in both upper and lower Assam. The British administration in Lower Assam actually began in 1824-25.
The revenue collections increased in each succeeding year and this must have reduced the people to dire straits. The British introduced new method of revenue administration. The new system placed paraganas under Choudhuries who were entrusted with the collection of revenue and administration of justice in petty criminal cases in their respective paraganas. The Choudhury was in the nature of a revenue collecting contractor, for he had to pay six months' revenue to the Government before any collection could be made. Revenue was assessed as per the category of the cultivated area. Besides revenue, the people was subjected to pay a per
capita poll tax of Rs.2/-. On failure to pay taxes, property of the defaulting tenants was confiscated with the result that peasants at times could not save their hearth and home. So
mounting resentment grew amongst the Assamese peasants who, in fact, were in great need of undisturbed rehabilitation for some considerable length of time. The introduction of a new judiciary system by the foreigners also contributed to the suffering of the people. To protect lives and properties in the interiors, there existed a police establishment, the thana with a thanadar or daroga in charge. He was empowered to arrest suspected persons, to detained them and even to hold preliminary trial before sending them to sadar station . Under the Chartered Act of 1833 Special lease grants and Fee simple lease grants were introduced in respect of revenue administration to encourage tea plantation and a company called Assam company was established by the British. By 1858, almost the entire erstwhile Lakhimpur and Sibsagar were covered by this company for tea plantation and subsequently expanded its operation to Cachar. Expansion of tea industry necessitated import of labour from outside the State. Mill gives the figure of such immigrants in Assam in 1881 to be 3 lakhs which reached over 6 lakhs by 1901. The commercial treaty of Gaurinath Singha with Captain Welsh in 1793 had opened the gates to the merchants of Bengal to enter into the interior of the province. Avenues of employment both in office and trade caused a steady inflow of population from the districts of Sylhet, Dacca, Mymensingh and Rangpur to Assam. After it came under British administration, the policy adopted by the British in the other parts of India was pursued in Assam. So, the British, in order to supplement the Chartered Act of 1833, encouraged the establishment of English schools in Assam as they needed English knowing people to help running of administration. The Assamese people who were then enjoying a respite after a long and bitter struggle with the Burmese invaders, were totally unaware of these developments. Besides, there were very few English educated people in Assam. In April, 1831, Government of Bengal made Bengali in place of Persian the l anguage of the court. The influx from Bengal not only made the revenue and judicial departments their sole preserve, but their services became equally indispensable to the newly started Government schools for dearth of local teachers specially to impart instructions in Bengali which had since been made the medium of instruction in Assam. Finally, Assamese was abolished from the schools and courts of Assam in 1839. Anandaram Dhekial Phukan who was one of the few English educated Assamese was appointed as Assistant Commissioner. His enlightened mind saw that the lot of the peasantry could not be improved without knowledge of modern scientific applications and a better mode of living which cannot be acquired without Western education. He laid stress on the necessity of raising the standard of education and, his
was the first voice of protest against the imposition of Bengali as the medium of instruction, and pleaded for its replacement by Assamese. Concrete steps were, however, taken by the Christian missionaries who not only carried on a propaganda through their mouth piece the Arunodoi but also set up a few schools for girls. The first missionary school was started at Sibsagar by Rev. Nathan Brown and O.T. Cutter in 1840 and this was followed by the schools set up by Bronson at Nagaon (1843) and Mrs. Barkes at Guwahati in 1850. With the spread of western ideas the need was gradually felt for the formation of political association and organisation to ventilate the grievances of the people. The Chartered Act of 1833 was a handy instrument of the British colonialists who already began spreading out their financial tentacles to serve the interest of the empire and colonialism. Assam began to suffer from the basic evils of foreign domination as other parts of India did.
The Freedom Movement: [very important] Anti British movement-Later phase
The question of revenue collections dominated the relationship between the Government and the people throughout the 19th century. The rule of the East India Company ended in 1858 and the whole of India came under the direct control of the British Crown. The assessment of land revenue was increased, and income tax, stamp duties, etc., were also imposed by the new administration. The Government carried on trade in opium and salt in the State and earned considerable profit thereby. The people of Assam who were not accustomed to payment of revenue in cash began to resent. The British Government undoubtedly introduced beneficial measures like abolition of cruel practices as chopping off ears, noses, abductions of young women, forced labour, etc., but the evils far outweighed these few good measures, Thus in 1853, Moniram Dewan petitioned Mills.''Illustrious Sir, we are just now, as it were, in the belly of a tiger''. Moniram Dewan was responsible for associating Assam with the rebellion of 1857. Being disillusioned with the British he turned a rebel in 1857 when the class interest of a section of the Indian feudal class coincided with the broad national interests against foreign rule. The sepoys of Assam like infantry battalions both at Dibrugarh and Guwahati remained absolutely passive and strictly loyal to the British. The Commissioner of Assam in the middle of August 11857 got information from Holroyd, the intelligence Officer, that several officers of the Assam Light Infantry with the detachment at Golaghat had entered into a conspiracy with the young prince, Kandarpeswar. Major Jenkins lost non time and drew the attention of Government of India to the seriousness of the situation and urged it to despatch, as hurriedly as possible, European force to save the province from the revolutions. The simultaneous outbreak of the sepoys in scattered areas rendered it difficult to send reinforcements into Assam. To tide over the immediate crisis a small European force of 104 sea-men,half of them raw recruits, was despatched under Lieutenant Davis on board the Haroonghatta on Sept', 1857. Moran Dewan from Calcutta sent secret letters through rebel
conveyers to individuals in Assam to win over these sepoys whose brethern in different parts of India fought the British. In Nagaon, Mr. Morton, the Principal Assistant, destroyed the bridges over the rivers Missa and Diju and cut off the communication with Jorhat lest the mutineers get into the district from that direction. Enthusiastic stories of the fall of British power in different parts caused a great deal of excitement among the hillmen as well. The people at large were in a discontented state, though not organised. At such a time the Government tightened up security measures and enforced operation of Act XIV. A large number of arrests took place. The potential rebels were tired; many were executed while others were deported . Kandarpeswar Singha was arrested and despatched to Calcutta and kept confined as a state prisoner in Alipur. This was followed by the arrest of Moniram in Calcutta and his collaborators, officials and nonofficials, Dutiram Baruah, Mayaram Nazir, Marangikhowa Gohain, Bahadur Gaoburah, Shaikh Formud and several others. This ended the endeavours made by Moniram to overthrow the British Government in Assam . The great rebellion of 1857 left Assam without much convulsions.
Queen Victoria's proclamation in 1858, ending the Company rule and establishing direct Government under the Crown promised to respect the rights of the native princes, but exception was made in the case of Assam and the wrong of 1838 was not undone. Struggle against expatriation's and for land reforms entered the countryside. The land revenue assessment which had remained unchanged for the last twenty to thirty years was enhanced in 1894 and as such the ryots of different places viz.,Rangia and Lashima in the Kamrup district and the ryots of Patharughat in the Mangaldoi district were the first to react against the enhancement of revenue of land. The aggrieved,both Hindus and Muslims,met in their Raijmel and protested against the new measure. Movement of a serious nature occurred for nearly two decades. The renaissance movement of the post 1857 period and the series of aggrarian outbreaks during the last four decades of the 19th century contributed to the growth of a conscious national movement for freedom from foreign rule. Freedom Movement in the post – 1857 period:
The great rebellion of 1857 was directly responsible for the birth of the national movement in the country. The uprising of 1857 had imposed severe financial strain on the British Indian Government. The deficit in budget in 1858-59 compelled them to introduce new taxes as a result, on the advice of Jam es Wilson,in 1860,income-tax was introduced and this was extended in the following year to the province of Assam. New economic forces were brought into play and the new social forces though expressing themselves in their different ways, contributed to the growth of the conscious national forces. After 1857, the character of the struggle against the foreigner changed but the struggle was continued with renewed intensity depending upon the growth of consciousness from area to area, and Sabhas and Raijar mels
became the most popular institution for solving all sorts of problem faced by the indigenous people of this State. The uprising at Phulguri was the earliest popular movement in Assam organized with the object to compelling the Government to yield to the will of the people by the withdrawal of unpopular measures of taxation. Though the movement failed, the precedent was not lost upon the people and was followed up in other parts soon after. In 1861, Hopkinson sought to double the tax on land on the plea of utilising the excess revenue on works of public utility. The proposal did not receive the approval of the Board of Revenue, and in 1865, Hopkinson renewed his proposal in a different from proposing to raise the revenue on land with the object of equalising the rates in all the districts. He also wanted to raise the rates of ''house-hold and garden lands.'' Hopkinson's proposal, on this occasion, received the approval of the Government of Bengal and consequently rates of rupti and non-rupti lands increased from 25 to 50 per cent in almost all the districts. From early 1869, mels were frequently held at Gobindapur, Hadira, and Bajali in Kamrup. A no tax campaign on a vigorous scale was launched by the ryots of Rangia and Lachima in the district of Kamrup and Patharughat in Darrang. During the month of December,1892,people belonging to Tahsils of Pati Darrang ,Nalbari,Barama,Bajali and also of the five mouzas of upper Borbhag and Sarukhetri in their mels resolved not to yield to any sort of Government pressure and excommunicate those who would pay revenue to the Government. The movement started with the looting of the Rangia bazar. The firm resistance of the ryots and the apprehension of further troubles compelled McCabe to strengthen security measures. Without prior permission of the Deputy Commissioner,meetings of the mels were banned. But this could not suppress the people. Troubles of serious nature broke out again at Patharughat, where the police chased the ryots, firing continuously along the Mongaldoi road and scores of them lay dead and wounded. There was also firing at Rangia to disperse a huge and rebellious gathering which demonstrated their resentment against imposition of enhanced revenue. The popular uprising,was termed by the British as the ''Assam riots'',and it considered as a very serious affair and the suppressive measures of the Government were viewed very seriously. The editorial in the Indian Nation declared that ''the burden which now press upon the land in Assam are considerably heavier than on land owned by Zamindars in Bengal.'' The Amrita Bazar Patrika observed on its editorial that ''in the Deccan the furry of the ryots was directed against money lenders,in Bengal against indigo-planters in 1860, in Pabna against Zaminders in Assam,at this movement,it is open rebellion against the Government.'' Direct British rule after the Queen's proclamation changed the form of Government but internal administration changed only for the worse. The multiplication of taxes, like stamp duties,
income-tax, etc., could not but be a matter of serious concern to the agricultural ryots,and consequently the Phulaguri riot of 1861 took place where the tribal peasants of the area demonstrated a popular discontenment protesting against the gradual enhancement and introduction of new taxes by the British and finally engulfed the entire rural population of Assam by 1893-94.
Impact of the uprising : The peasant movement of Assam had its echo in the Imperial Legislative where Dr.Rash Bihari Ghosh questioned the propriety of realising land revenue by the agency of special constables. The authorities could give only vague replies to the pointed questions. Though the risings failed at last,the lessons were not lost. The national movement was baptised in this economic struggles and it found political outlet with the birth of national consciousness. With the spread of western education during the last part of the nineteenth century a new awakening surcharged the patriots of the land. The public grievances were forwarded to the Government for consideration through Raijmels of the different parts of the province. The year of 1885 was recognized as the birth year of Indian national Congress. Before the birth of this organization,The Ryot sabha was formed by a group of enlightened people primarily to protest against the enhancement of land revenue and to ventilate other public grievances in the province. Though the Indian National Congress was not started in Assam in 1885,the delegates from different Raijmels or sabhas of different districts of the province were sent to attend the congress Session wherever it held. Devicharan Baruah was the first Assamese to joined in the second Indian National Congress held in 1886. British authority had a mortal fear of the authority of the mels which they compared with the Nihilist organization. The Raij-mels increased popular consciousness and confidence in strength. The Ryot-sabha or Raij-mels were active in districts like Sibsagar, Nagaon, Darrang, Kamrup and Lakhimpur. The mels in Assam played an important role in making the people conscious of the utter helplessness in which they lived under the alien rulers. The Tezpur Ryot Sabha was established in and around 1884 at the initiative of the new elites,the Ryot Sabha had a wide base in the villages. It collected small subscriptions from
hundreds of peasants and in 1887 built the Tezpur Town Hall, the first of its kind in Assam. The Assam Desh Hitaishini Sabha in 1885, at Sibsagar and Gyan Pradayini Sabha in 1857, at Nagaon with object of spreading advanced knowledge among people were formed under supervision of Anandaram Barua and Gunabhiram Barua. The foundation of the Sarbajanik Sabha held at Jorhat in 1884 by Jagannath Barua is a landmark in the history of political association in Assam. The Sarbajanik Sabha desired abolition
of the cultivation of the poppy by gradual doses and also urged upon educational policy of the Government. The Sabha not only demanded large employment of the natives of the soil,but also emphasised on the improvement of their service condition and emoluments. All these Sabhas desired reintroduction of Assamese as the medium of instruction by which the scope of education would be widened and thus the ''Jonaki Age'' in Assamese literature began. The impact of the west replaced the blind faith of age-long beliefs,customs and conventions by a spirit of rationalism. Orthodoxy continued to be the order of the day,but its gradually relaxed. The outlook of the orthodox sections gradually changed and before the close of the century students from the high caste Hindus were seen proceeding to the Presidency College at Calcutta for higher courses in English education though the aim of English education was primarily for the purpose of creating a set of clerks to run Governments offices. The establishment of the Cotton College at Guwahati in 1901 contributed to the spread of higher education. The educational policy of the Government was also viewed with serious concern by the Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha. During the years 1874-1905, Assam has no legislature of its own and the people then had no chance of participating in legislative activities of any kind. In March,1990,Lord Curzon paid a visit to Assam. It afforded the European planting community the golden opportunity to represent their interests for expansion of industrial and commercial undertaking in Assam. In an address of welcome, J.Alstone, the Superintendent,Assam Frontier Tea Company Limited, Dibrugarh, appealed to the Viceroy to improve the lines of communication and means of transport in the province and also to conduct a survey of the mineral resources in the neighbouring hill tracts. As Assam has no legislative council of its own,a permanent seat for Assam in India Legislative Council was pleaded for. The demographic changes also took place during the years 1874-1905, in the Assam Valley. The epidemic appearing in the Brahmaputra and the Surma Valleys caused retardation of agricultural growth in the province ,and the influx of immigrants more than neutralized the decline in the indigenous population. Nonindigenous elements came to constitute at least one quarter of the population of Assam proper in 1901. The composition and distribution of population affected the peasant's economy adversely.
The period of preparation and growth of political consciousness (1901-1918) The year of 1903 was recognized in the Assam history with redmark, as the educated gentry of Assam led by Manik Chandra Baruah, Ghanashyam Barua, Jagannath Barua, Faizner Ali and others of an All-Assam Political Organization gave birth to the Assam Association. Raja Probhat Chandra Barua of Gauripur, Assam, was one of the chief promoters who presided over the inaugural session at Dibrugarh, Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bardoloi presiding over the 1917 session of the Association at Dibrugarh, elaborately described the necessity of the Association and remarked,''organise, knock at the door and you find the door opened.'' Further,the
Association strongly expressed the feelings of popular resentment against the Rowlatt Acts and the Jalianwalla Bagh massacre in Punjab,in April,1919. Presiding over its Goalpara session in December, 1918, T.R. Phookan said,''The Government is bad and bureaucratic. It should be democratic. The English officers and English traders and also section of Indians do not advocate popular Government and Lord Sydenhem and others say that Indians are not fit for self Government. But one cannot learn swimming without plunging in water. If India is not fit for self Government even after a century and half of British rule, who is responsible for this?'' The members of Assam Association later distinguished themselves as leaders of the freedom struggle and introduced an element of extremism into the politi cs of the Association and replaced it in 1921,by the provincial Congress Organisation . The Assam Association focused its active attention on all questions of public importance in the province. It served as the mouth-piece of the people of Assam in presenting to their''needs and grievances,hopes and aspirations.'' It launched a strong agitation against the unpopular grazing tax imposed by the Government of grazing of cattle in the forest reserves of Assam. The Association also kept a vigilant eye over the opium policy of the Government. The growth of nationalism in the 19th century Assam was a two track process; people were increasing by turning as much to the great nationalism at the all-India level as to the little nationalism at the Linguistic regional level. Towards the close of the nineteenth century,a partition of Bengal was imminent and Assam's status as a separate province also came to came to an end on 16th October,1905,and Fuller was promoted as the first lieutenant Governor of the new-born composite province of Eastern Bengal and Assam.
The anti-partition agitation was meanwhile in full swing in Bengal and the Surma valley. The province of ''Eastern Bengal and Assam came into being consisting of an area of 275937.5346 square kilometres and a population of 31 million souls'' as Mr. Fuller mentioned in his speech addressed at Guwahati Municipality on Nov. 1,1905. He assured the people of Assam that the proposed change will not affect their privileges. The Assam Association and the Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha organised protest meeting against this undesirable tagging. Meetings were held at Dhubri, Gauripur, Goalpara, Guwahati and Dibrugarh against the formation of the new province in the following years. This anti-partition movement strengthened people's belief in Swadeshi and Swaraj. British goods were boycotted totally and the shops were started in different places of Assam for the sale of Swadeshi goods. Evidently the anti-partition agitation turned into a popular movement based on Swadeshi boycott and national education . The Muhammedan population of both Valleys also joined the movement. Though the tussle between Bengal and Assam continued on language, employment, and land issue; the people of Assam and Bengal joined hands on the thresh hold on nationalistic movement in the struggle for freedom from British toke. At Guwahati in 1905 an attempt was made by Ambika Giri Roy Choudhury and Gobinda Lahiri to organise the local students in Swadeshi spirit. A group of Assamese students volunteered to work as labourers in Railway stations and steamer ghats and to donate their earnings to the common found organised for Swadeshi cause. Even the Pandas of Kamakhya ceased to use
beet-sugar and liver pool salt. Ambika Giri Roy Choudhury, Tringuna Barua and few others attracted towards the cult of terrorism under the influence of Barin Ghose and Khudiram , but this movement ended with Ambika Giri Roy Choudhury being interned at Barpeta for a long stretch of 8(eight)years from 1907 to 1915. In Nov. 1912 the first Assam Lagislative Council was created with 13 nominated and 12 elected and 12 elected members with the Chief Commissioner as the Chairman. The provincial council had no power to control the budget of the province though the representatives were allowed to criticise it. The budget,in fact,was an estimate from which the Government could at any time depart. No nation-building programme could be undertaken by the Council due to this prevalent rigidity of financial system . Tarun Ram Phukan and Radha Govinda Das (Sylhet) resigned on the ground of the futility of the Council. Phani Dhar Chaliha , a planter's representative also resigned in protest against a deregatory remark from the Chairman. Of the leading members,mention may be made of Kamini Kumar Chanda, Manik Chandra Baruah, Padmanath Gohain Baruah, Radha Binode Das, Muhammad Saadullah and Raja Prabhat Chandra Baruah. Padmanath Gohain Baruah criticised the policy of the Government in giving
undue representation to the planters in the Local Boards, and he argued that their interest in Local Boards was not so ''universal''as those of native population. When the Morley-Minto reforms opened the problem of the minorities in India,It was but natural that members belonging these communities would plead for their special needs and requirements in the Council. Deprecating the predominance of the official elements in the Local Boards, Muhammad Saadullah demanded communal representation of the Muslims in these bodies. As a result,power and responsibilities of legislators were greatly circumscribed. An event of considerable importance to be recorded was the formation of the Assam Student Conference in 1916 , the first session of which was held amidst great enthusiasm at Guwahati under the presidentship of the great Assamese literature and patriot Lakshminath Bezbaruah . The Assam Students Conference helped to create a cadre of student leaders who played important part in the Non-co-operation and subsequent movements. Leaders like Chandranath Sarma. Omeo Kumar Das, Hem Chandra Barua, Padmadhar Chaliha came into prominence first as student leaders. A demand for full provincial status for Assam was being voiced by Assam Association for very long time and expected the aspiration to be materialised through proposed constitutional reforms of 1918. A deputation from Assam Association, headed by N.C. Bordoloi was sent to London to represent Assam's case before the Selbourne committee of house of Lords . As the result of the meeting, Assam acquired the status of a full fledged Governor's province under the Government of India Act,1919. Gradually, affected by the Jaliwanwalla massacre, political pivots of Assam were being drawn by the non-co-operation movement and call for HinduMuslim unity made by Mahatma Gandhi under Congress banner. Assam was prepared to march
with the rest of India towards the common goal of freedom and the struggle for freedom in Assam formed an inseparable part of the India struggle. Assam was thus slowly drawn into the orbit of the new action-oriented all-India political agitation. Non-co-operation and Dyarchy on Trial (1918-1947): Assam had played a significant role in the struggle for freedom though in the earlier stages,her political development was too slow due to want of intellectual contact with the rest of India as a result of backwardness in English education and lack of communication. As a response to the call of non-co-operation, Kaliram Barman of Guwahati withdrew nomination paper after scrutiny and Kumudram Bora, an already elected member to the council resigned. 1919 was an eventful year in the political history of India. Gandhiji launched the Non-co-operation movement on 1st August 1920, which was the direct outcome of Khilafat movement . In Assam, both the Hindus and Muslims equally responded to the cause of Khilafatist. In response to the Khilafat movement, Guwahati, Goalpara, Jorhat, Sibsagar and North Lakhimpur observed hartals and held public meetings respectively. Although, Nabin Chandra Bordoloi and others did not support Gandhiji at Calcutta(Sept.1920);had apparently realised the direction in which the wind was blowing. And after returning the Guwahati, Bordoloi started a propaganda campaign, seeking the support of the Assamese intelligentsia to the non-co-operation movement. The Assam Association held district-level meetings at Nagaon, Sibsagar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh throughout October,1920 and discussed the non-co-operation issue. While the issue of noncooperation was being hotly debated,N.C. Bordoloi, the general secretary of the Association,C.N. Sarma and Tarunram Phukan moved from one corner of the province to the other to mobilize public opinion. The Guwahati Bar Association at the initiative of young lawyers,even decided to boycott the Viceroy's visit. Almost all the district level Associations took decision to boycott Council elections also raised objection to take titles, honour and honorary posts from British Government. The boycott agitation of the students had almost automatically led to the demand for setting up national schools and national colleges in the province. Finally,a national school was established in Feb.1921, in the premises of the residence of Rohinikumar Choudhury, at Bharalumukh, Guwahati. Such establishment was followed in other parts of the province. The outbreak of the World War I had disturbed the equilibrium of the commercial world. The Secretary of food stuff and other necessaries gave rise to economic crimes like theft and burglary in many places of both the valleys. Phanidhar Chaliha in his speech in the council held on 13th March 1918, urged upon the Government to take necessary step. In March1918, the retail price of salt in the Assam Valley was fixed by a notification and similar measures followed soon in the other valley and the hills districts. The deep rooted economic malady had hit the labour population of the plains districts. The Chargola exodus , a well-known historical episode in which the tea labourers of the tea gardens of the Cachar district were brutally treated by
European planters, enraged the nationalist leaders who took up their cause. And finally, an economic struggle at the beginning,the sporadic strikes later on culminated into a mass political action in the form of a collective escape from the bonded labour system. It was the product of an interaction between the Gandhian impact on primitive minds and the incipient class militancy. There were strikes in Dibrugarh, Sibsagar and Darrang. Labour of entire Assam raised general complaints about low wages,excessive work-load,inadequate facilities of leave,high prices of food and cloth in the State. Prolonged labour troubles caused some anxiety in the official circles. As proposed by all-India Congress Committee, the Congress leaders of Assam kept fully alive the tempo of Civil Disobedience. Based on the Civil-Disobedience movement, the Congress Working Committee urged upon the people to be prepared to face all sorts of hardships and indignities with calm fortitude and unflinching devotion to the cause of Swaraj. To meet the Purna Swaraj, large number of people began to enrol themselves as volunteers,strengthen the National Volunteer Corps. Soon, Phukan and Bordoloi, the top leaders of the Assam Congress were arrested on 30th Nov., 1921, followed by arrest of quite a number of leaders. In terms of arrests and convictions, the sub-division of Tezpur, Golaghat, Guwahati, Sibsagar and Sylhet suffered badly. The economic depression of the thirtees was so wide spread that the phased Civil Disobedience Movement tended to grow into an anti-imperialist mass revolt. Not only British rule, but land-lordism and capitalism also came under fire from the emergent leftist youths. The peasants refused to pay land-revenue to British agents. A number of police and Government official resigned from Government services. ''Saptahik Assamiya''a weekly published from Guwahati was prosecuted for defamation of British officer,for publishing a report on defilement of Sundaridiya Satra at Barpeta by Captain Calvert,in course of his repressive operation. Jails were filled with non-co-operators. The British Government exerted its full strength to repress the participants and to suppress the movement by use of arms,and finally succeeded in qualling the agitation. In 1922, after the Choiri Choura riots in Uttar Pradesh, Mahatma Gandhi called a halt to the movement and the Congress Working Committee endorsed the decision. Since then, the leaders of Assam began to stress on the constructive programmes such as temperance work,spinning of yarns and weaving of khaddar, being prosecuted withdrawal. In 1922, Omeo Kumar Das attendent the All-India Congress committee meeting and related to it the story of severe repression which was then going on in Assam. Two-member committee of Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya came to Assam to study the political situation in Assam. The two leaders visited several places in Assam and were deeply impressed with the progress of the movement in Assam and the contribution made by the people,in the shape of suffering and sacrifice for the attainment of freedom. Orthodox non-co-operators of Assam stood firm in their commitment to the implementation of constructive programmes, as a result of which the Swaraja party in Assam was formed within Congress in 1923. As the result of the movement, the British Government in Assam agreed to introduce measures for gradual decline of opium consumption in Assam. This was the most important achievement so far Assam was
concerned. The next achievement of importance was introduction of Local self government Act and passing of Assam Municipal Act,1923 , with provision for more elected members and elected chairman. Election to the Legislative Council was held in 1923, which was more than one surprise for the Congress and the country. The Swarajya party contested almost all the seats and their candidates everywhere received support from the local Congress and Khilafat organisation. Tarun Ram Phukan was elected to the Indian Legislative Assembly unopposed. Out of the 39 elective seats of the Assam Council only 13 members of the previous council could retain their seats. The Swarajya party failed to secure absolute majority in the council and therefore, carried on negotiation with the Independents. With a view to wrecking the constitution and attacking the Government inside the council,the first meeting of newly elected council decided to form Assam Nationalist Party in 1924 ,as happened elsewhere in India. This policy of infiltration proved fruitful as in April,1924,the Assam Legislative Council succeeded in cutting the salary of ministers from Rs.3,500/- P.M. to Rs.1500/- P.M. And the opium Prohibition Act was also passed on 3rd March,1925. But split occurred in the Coalition party in March 1925 last,and the Swarajists realized that they could no longer command a majority. The Assam Court Fees(Amendment)Bill in the Assam Stamp(Amendment)Bill of 1925 were passed,despite the opposition of the Swarajists. Finally, they lost the majority and the All India Congress Committee in 1926 too directed the Swarajists to stage walk-out in all the legislative bodies. The forty-first Congress Session was held from 26thto 28th Dec.1926 ,under the presidentship of S.Srinivas Iyenger , at Guwahati. The Swarajist no changers and the responsive co-operators, all came to the Guwahati Session. In December, 1929, in response to the call for Civil Disobedience movement launched by the National Congress, Assam spontaneously celebrated 'Independence Day' on 26thJan,1930. In Feb,1930, the old leaders resigned their offices in the Provincial Congress. At this critical hour Bishnuram Medhi came forward to save the situation,who volunteered to shoulder the responsibility of the Congress presidentship in Assam. In April,1930,after the historic Dandi March of Mahatma Gandhi,the Assam Congress to joined in the Civil Disobedience Movement. The national week of ''war against salt tax' 'was observed and the law breaking movement spread by way of violating the Forest Laws . The struggle in Assam took the form of a boycott of foreign cloths, excisable drugs and the shops selling such goods. Picketing was resorted to. Sri Bishnuram Medhi helped by Tyagbir Hemchandra Barua, Dr. Bhubaneswar Barua, Omeo Kr. Das, Sidhinath Sarma, Pitambar Goswami, Gormur Satradhikar, Lakhidhar Sharma and others conducted the movement very successfully. Srimati Chandra Prabha Saikiani and Srimati Durgaprava Barua took up picketing
in front of Cotton College Guwahati. The arrest of the national leaders included a spirit of earlessness amongst the general mass. The authority clamped section 144Cr. P.C. in Nagaon, Tezpur and Dhubri to suppress this popular consciousness. But people from different places participated in the protest demonstration. As a result,police attacked the crowd with lathis and batons in such places. The movement got spontaneous support from the rural mass. Stream of
innumerable Satyagrhis faced lathi charge, arrest and other tortures and went to jail. Meanwhile the student unrest begun in protest of Government circular demanding from the students and guardians an undertaking to abstain from joining politics. Some public high schools like Kamrup Academy, Barpeta Bidyapith, etc.,were established by the Nationalists. The movement dragged on till May,1934,and most of the leaders like Nobin Chandra Bordoloi were sent to jail for the 2nd time. To cripple movement, the Government also adopted a policy of penal action after arrests. Most of the active members of the Civil Disobedience movement were convicted. The persons that were convicted in proportion to arrest made in Assam up to 31st March,1932,were males 885,females 54 and convicted males 672 and females 42. Between 1930 and 1938,in spite of occasional difference amongst the leaders,Congress organisation got very strong. But,as in a bid to open up fallow waste lands in Assam for cultivation,influxes of landless peasants from East Bengal were being invited to Assam by the then Assam Ministry headed by Sir Md. Saadullah, and because flow of innumerable jobseekers continued to Assam unabated,a section of Assamese nationalists got alarmed and Ambika Giri Roy Choudhury, a staunch nationalist to the core, founded''Assam Sangrakshini Sobha'' and without seceding from the Congress, began to voice through this organisation, demands ''for vindication of right of the Assamese people,the children of the soil as against aggression of outsiders. As most of these people from East Bengal were Muslims there was a general sympathy of a section of Assam Muslims to them. As a result a section of Assam Muslims barring the Assamese Muslims, the old east Bengal Muslims and Hindus did not take part in the Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930-32. Assam Sangrakshini Sabha was later on converted into Assam Jatiya Mahasabha. All those ryot sabhas organised by Assam Sangrakshini Sabha became the strong holds of Assam during the later movements sponsored by the National Congress under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhiji. Rani Gaidinliu played major role in the Civil Disobedience in Assam. Gaidinliu organised a revolt
against the constituted authorities. The meetings of the Assam Provincial Ryot Sanmilan,Assam Association and Ryot Association were held in different places of Assam and devoted mainly to non political matters in 1933. The political movement of the Civil Disobedience Movement was restarted after the declaration of the communal award. Instead of ideal of purna swaraj heading the list of priorities,the Harijan suddenly gained prominence at this point time. In fact, after the Poona pact, the upliftment of the Harijan and the removal of untouchability was taken up by the Congress leaders in Assam with immense fervour. The persuance of Congress decision to let the reforms introduced by the Government of India Act,1936,Assam Congress also participated in 1937 election and won 33 seats in a House of 108 and formed the largest single upon in the Assembly. But non-acceptance of ministry being the Congress policy then , a Coalition Ministry was formed by the other groups with Sir Saadullah as the Chief Minister . Sir Saadullah being associated with the legislature and the British
administrative machinery for more than 15 long years, he was naturally the most likely selected one for the position by the Governor of Assam. But on 13th Sept.1938, this ministry had to face acute discomfort due to its communal policies and total neglect of the preservation need of the ''the children of the soil''and in order to avoid defeat in no-confidence vote in the Assembly, Sir Saadullah had to resign. Thereafter, the Congress Coalition Ministry was formed with Gopinath Bordoloi as its head . This Ministry took up the causes of labour in the Assam Oil Company labour Dispute, and this won over the industrial labour also to the side of Congress organisation. But in the meantime, in Sept., 1039, the Second World War broke up and a consequence of the Congress refusal to be a party in the Imperialistic War,during Oct.Nov.1039, the ministry in Assam resigned,and on 17.11.39,Md. Syed Saadullah again formed a Coalition Ministry . This, however, created acute problem as Sir Saadullah was always a very ardent supporter of the British. In December, 1941, in protest against a Government circular for participation of students in the War Fund Exhibition held at Guwahati Judge Field, a student's demonstration was held by the students of Cotton College. Police attacked students with lathi. Such lathi charges took place in other places of the country also. Rohini Choudhury, a number of the Coalition Ministry of Syed Saadullah resigned from ministry
in protest of police atrocity on students. On 24.12.41 the Saadullah ministry also had to resign The British Government organised Village Defence party to courterpoise Santi Sena organization of Congress. But, in fact, the Village Defence parties organised by the Government were wallowed up by the Santi-Senas in rural areas. In Oct.1940, on refusal of the Viceroy to concede to the National Government as demanded by Congress a campaign of individual Satyagraha was launched under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in Assam, Gopinath Bordoloi, Bishnuram Medhi, Omeo Kumar Das and many others also took part in the satyagraha and got arrested. In the meantime, the allies of the British advanced towards India,and Sir Stafford Cripps had to come to India in March,1942 and put forward an offer of Dominion. Congress refused and took up the famous ''Quit India'' resolution on 8th August, 1942. Assam jumped into the movement with a quick stride and on 9th August,1942, Md.Tayabullah, Fakaruddin Ali Ahmed, Bishnuram Medhi, Debeswar Sarma, Dr. Harekrishna Das, Lila Barua with many others were arrested by the British as preventive measure. Gopinath Bordoloi and Sidhinath Sarma who were away at Bombay in connection with the All India Congress meeting got arrested at Dhubri immediately on their return. All organisations including Ryot-sabhas which subscribed to the Congress fund were declared unlawful. But the tremendous pace of the growing movement could not be halted. The abrupt official action intensified the Quit India Movement. Acting under their local leaders,the people stood up in a massive protest against the Government's action. Santi Sena organisations were set up throughout the State under the leadership of local Congress Socialists. Mahendra Nath Hazarika, Lakshmi Prasad Goswami, Sankar Barua built up an underground
resistant movement. A Mritya Bahini or death squad was formed in the State under the
leadership of Mahendra Nath Hazarika . The party carried out some serious acts of sabotage throughout the State. In Darrang district, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Gohon Chandra Goswami went underground and carried out sabotage at various places by organizing Mrityu Bahini . To suppress the movement,the police restored to severe from of violence. Firing was restored to on many occasions. Firings caused death to many people including Kanaklata, Taleswari, Numali, and Khahulis who were all teen aged girls. The judgement in the Dhekiajuli firing case contained severe structures on the police which even the High Court saw no grounds to relax. Victim of police atrocities in North Lakhimpur and Dibrugarh were Madhuban Chutia, Bhogeswar Chetia and Pohor Gogoi . In Sibsagar, the individual Satyagraha movement was started by Moulana Tayebulla, the President of the Asom Pradesh Congress Committee . Entire Sibsagar district responded to the call of ''Quit India Movement''. The police made lathi charge on processions in every place. Many were arrested and imprisoned or detained. Kushal Konwar , who was believed to be innocent,was however,declared to be guilty of sabotage and awarded capital punishment by the court that tried him. He was hanged in Jorhat Jail in 1943. The Government also levied collective fines on the people of different district in the Province to undermine the movement. In Kamrup district at Bahjani in Nalbari sub-division and Bajali in Barpeta sub-division, the village Panchayats were formed and schemes of Panchayat administration was drawn up. Madan Barman and Rawta Kachari lost their lives in the police firing in Bajali. People's hatred against repressive bureaucracy mounted up. Rising high prices and food shortage added fuel to the fire and they put all efforts to paralyse the Government. The district of Nagaon played the most important role in the ''Quit India Movement''. At Barhampur, a village situated about 11 Kms east of Nagaon town, there was a huge gathering, upon which Police opened firing. As a consequence, Phuleswari Konwari, Lakhimi Hazarika, Thagi Sut and others embraced death for the cause of the country. Supply to military was stopped for a mouth and hats and bazars were closed down. Huge agglomeration of troops took place throughout the state. But in Spite of all,sabotaging by the guerilla Santi Senas remained unabated. In 1943, the Azad Hind Fauz organised by Subhas Chandra Bose who, attempted to win freedom of India with the help of the Germans and the Japanese, a dvanced to India through Burma and entered Assam. This alarmed the British Government in India,and in May,1944, prompted release of Mahatma Gandhi who was in sick-bed in jail. In January,1945,Mahatma Gandhi visited Guwahati along with four other leaders of Assam and performed mass-prayers. This was his last visit to Assam . The stormy days of the Quit India Movement passed over. The message of the movement failed to convince the British Government about the necessity of leaving the shores of India soon.
In the meantime,the cry for a separate country for Muslims who are the religious in India,grew very strong and as a result of the communal policy undertaken by the pro-Muslim league Saadullah ministry in Assam and the increasing number of mutually apathetic East Bengal Hindu and Muslim immigrants entry into Assam ,rose a strong communal feeling amongst the people of Assam and the Assam Muslims also felt leaning towards the Partition of India Movement. In December,1945, Pandit Nehru made a swift tour to Assam making an impact in the public mind in favour of the Congress. So the congress won over 50 seats out of 108 in the election, two Independents joined later making the number 52 and the congress ministry with Gopinath Bordoloi as the Prime Minister was formed on 10th Feb.,1946. The Muslim League went for secret organizational activities to constitute ''Banglo-i-Islam'' comprising Bengal Bengal with its hinterland or Assam as envisaged by the Pakistan National Movement since 1940 for the Millat of Islam. Then came the Cabinet Mission to India,with a view to settle the Indian Problem. The mission introduced the grouping system in May,1946,as a result of which the Assam Provincial Congress rose enblock to resist against Assam's inclusion in the Grouping system which would have made Assam in future a majority state. Assam Jatiya Mahasabha also did the same and organised mass agitation throughout the state. One secret document was acquired from Khidirpur Dock(Bengal )by Assam Jatiya Mahasabha which,showed underground conspiracy of Maulana Bhasani group from eastern Bengal to invade Assam through population migration. So Syed Saadullah and Gopinath Bordoloi participated in the constituted Assembly on behalf of Assam and became instrumental in incorporating the sixth schedule I the constitution thereby,to set disintegration of population and geographical Assam afoot for future. This India was divided into India and Pakistan. Pakistan won freedom on the midnight of 14th August,1947,and India on the midnight of 15th August,1947. The present set-up of Assam is not a matter of mere accident. Undivided Assam at the time of independence, covered a large region comprising the entire Brahmaputra Valley, Khasi and Jaintia Hills,united North Cachar and Mikir Hills, Mizo and Naga Hill districts along with North East Frontier Border and Manipur , making the State a great assembly of hill tribes and plain tribes. But in the twentieth century, ethnic consciousness grew among the different ethnic groups, who started agitation and they raised the demand for their independent status and their own states and gradually, the Central Government conceded to their demands one after another. Nagaland with the area covered by the Naga Hills district and the division of the North-East Frontier Area was created in 1960, and by virtue of the North-Eastern Assam Reorganisation Act, 1971 (Act no.81 of 1971) enacted by Parliament, a new state known as Meghalaya was formed comprising autonomous districts of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, the Garo Hills and the Shillong Municipal and Cantonment area , and a new union territory if Mizoram comprising the territories of the Mizo district in the state of Assam was constituted. The new state of Meghalaya and the union territory of Mizoram came into being on 21st January 1972 and ceased to form part of the existing state of Assam. The hill tracts following
the North-Eastern Frontier Agency (NEFA) of Assam was constituted into a new union territory known as Arunachal Pradesh with the territories as specified in Section 6 of the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971 . Finally, the Act created five states and two union territories in the north-eastern region of the country. The five states are Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland , and the two union territories are Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram . The new units were to have their own government except the union territories and a common High Court for all. Furthermore, as a result of the 1971 war, East Pakistan seceded from Pakistan and emerged as Bangladesh, an independent country.
6. Economy of Assam The Economy of Assam is largely agriculture based with 69% of the population engaged in it. Macro-Economy of Assam today represents a unique juxtaposition of backwardness amidst plenty. Growth rate of Assam’s income has not kept pace with that of India’s during the Post British Era; differences increased rapidly since the 1970s. Between 1981 to 2000, the Assam’s econmy grew by 3.3 percent, which is almost h alf of India’s rate. After the L-P-G reform of Indian Economy in 1991, the gaps between growth rates of Assam’s and India’s economy
widened further. During the independence years, per capita income in Assam was little higher than that in India but it is much lower today. Principal Bhabananda Deka was the first Assamese Economist and Research Scholar to initiate formal extensive research on economy of Assam, and his book Asomor Arthaneeti is the first ever research based Assamese book on Assam Economics.
State Income The State Domestic Product (SDP) and its related aggregates are the main components of Planning and Policy making which is also considered as important indicators of development process of the State. The estimates of SDP reveal the extent and direction of changes in the levels of economic development of the State over a period of time. The fiscal reform measures adopted by the State of Assam started yielding favorable results since 2005-06 and have been recognized to be a key factor for attaining higher economic growth eventually leads to improvement to the well-being of people. In the new series (base-2011-12) estimates, the annual average growth rate of the GSDP at current prices for the years 2011-12 to 2015-16 (P) is 12.5 % and the rate of NSDP at the current prices for the same period is 11.6 %. In terms of the constant (2011-12) prices the annual average growth rate during the period 2011-12 to 2015-16 (PQ) i s estimated at 5.8 % for GSDP and 5.6 % for NSDP. Analysis of sectoral contribution to GSDP at constant (2011-12) prices from 2011-12 to 2015-16 reveal that other than Service sector, the percentage contribution of Agriculture and Allied activities (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing) and Industry sector is more or less static. The contribution of Agriculture and allied activities is expected to marginally decrease from the level of 19.89 percent in 2011-12 to 18.66 percent level in 2015- 16. The “Agriculture sector” i.e. Agriculture crops is the major contributor of Agriculture and Allied activi ties and the percentage
contribution of this sector towards the State economy has been showing slight improvement at the level of 13.78 percent in 2015-16 from 14.40 percent in 2011-12. The percentage contribution of the Industry Sector to the State economy is also showing a slightly declining trend and expected to fall from 30.63 percent in 2011-12 to 28.82 percent in 2015-16 but would show slight recovery over the previous year. The “Mining & Quarrying” Sector’s
contribution (being the most potential sector within the ‘Industry Sector’ of the State) towards state economy has also recorded decline from 10.23 percent in 2011-12 to 7.21 percent in 2015-16. The contribution of “Mining and Quarrying” towards Industry Sector has also declined from 33.40 percent in 2011-12 to 25.00 percent in 2015-16.On the other hand, the percentage contribution of Service sector towards the State economy is expected to increase from 43.97 percent in 2011-12 to 46.71 percent in 2015-16.
Fiscal Scenario of the State The fiscal scenario in the State took a positive turn in 2005-06 due to the fiscal reform measures adopted by the State in 2004-05 and continued up to 2008-09. After a heavy downslide in 200910, the revenue deficit turned into surplus till 2013-14 followed by a revenue deficit of Rs.896.68 crore in 2014-15. The year 2015-16 showed revenue surplus of Rs.5446.28 crore, fiscal surplus of Rs.3005.47 crore and primary surplus of Rs.5623.91 crore. The Budget estimate of 2016-17 expects a revenue surplus of Rs.3720.84 crore and is expected to have a fiscal deficit of Rs.6674.87 crore. During, 2015-16, the State showed a fiscal surplus of 1.49 percent of GSDP.
Per capita Income for the year 2016-17 The per capita income of the State in terms of NSDP at constant (2011-12) prices is estimated at Rs. 51126 .00 for the year 2016-17 (Quick Estimates) and the same was Rs. 41142.00 in the year 2011-12. The average annual growth observed in the period 2011-12 to 2015-16 is 4.04 %. The per capita NSDP at current prices for the year 2015-16 and 2011-12 are Rs.64046.00 and Rs. 41142.00 respectively. The average growth rate during this period is 9.28 %.
Estimates of GSDP and NSDP for the year 2016-17 GSDP at constant (2011-12) prices for the year 2016-17 (Quick Estimates) is estimated at Rs. 195496.93 Crore as against Rs. 178929.64 crore for 2015-16 (Provisional Estimates) registering a growth of 9.26 %. The annual growth rate in respect of GSDP at constant price (2011-12) in Agriculture and its allied sector has declined from 3.28% in 2014-15 to 1.04% in 2015-16. The ‘Industry’ sector which comprises Mining & Quarrying, Manufacturing, Electricity, Gas, Water Supply & Other Utility Services and Construction sectors is estimated at 8.33 % growth in 2016-17 (Q) as against 7.31% in the 2014-15(P). The Services sector comprises of Trade, Repair, Hotels & Restaurants, Transport, Storage, Communication & Services related to Broadcasting, Financial Services, Real Estate, and Ownership of Dwelling & Professional Services, Public Administration and Other Services and its annual growth rate of GSDP at constant price (2011-12) is calculated at 13.10 % during 2016-17 as compared to 9.67% in 2015-16.
Agriculture Agriculture accounts for more than a third of Assam’s income and employs 69 perc ent of total
workforce. Assam's biggest contribution to the world is its tea. Assam produces some of the finest and most expensive teas in the world. Other than the Chinese tea variety Camellia sinensis, Assam is the only region in the world that has its own variety of tea, called Camellia assamica. Assam tea is grown at elevations near sea level, giving it a malty sweetness and an earthy flavor. Assam also produces rice, rapeseed, mustard, jute, potato, sweet potato, banana, papaya, areca nut and turmeric in significant quantity. However, the main profit-making product is tea. Tea plantation offers employment to more than a million people in the state. The Guwahati Tea Auction Centre is the largest center of CTC Tea in the world . The Production of all agricultural crops including food grains is directly related to area coverage of various crops produced and cultivated. In Assam, the soil, topography, rainfall and climate in general are very conducive for agricultural activity, mainly for the cultivation of paddy. Therefore, concentration of area under paddy production and cultivation is high both from the side of farmers as well as the Agriculture Department. As per final estimates, the total area under paddy cultivation during the year 2015-16 was 24.85 lakh hectares or 92.96 percent of the total area under food grains in the state. Total area under paddy showed a decline in the state, due to decline in area covered under Autumn Rice and Summer Rice. This is also due to
choice of farmers to switch over to Winter Rice. The area under Autumn Rice has declined from 4.36 lakh hectares in 2004-05 to 1.96 lakh hectares in 2014-15 and further declined to 1.91 lakh hectares in 2015-16. The area under Summer Rice has declined from 4.16 lakh hectares in 201415 to 4.05 lakh hectares in 2015-16, both of which led to the decline of total rice area to 24.85 lakh hectares from 24.95 lakh hectares in its previous year of rice area cultivation in the state. However, the area under Winter Rice, the principal kharif crop of the State, has slightly increased from 18.83 lakh hectares in 2014-15 to 18-89 lakh hectares in 2015-16. The area under Wheat and Pulses has both declined in the year 2015-16 from its previous year figures, while that of Oilseeds has increased from 3.07 lakh hectares in 2014-15 to 3.11 lakh hecates in 2015-16. As per final estimates, total food grains production in the State had increased from 5418 ’000 tonnes in 2013-14 to 5459 ‘000 tonnes in 2014-15 and the production foodgrains in the State was highest in 2014- 15. However, there is a decline from this figure to 5359 ‘000 in 2015-16.The production of Rice in the State has declined from 5223 ‘000 tonnes in 2014-15 to 5125 ‘000 tonnes in 2015-16. While, the production of both Wheat and Oilseeds has increased, Wheat has increased from 29 ‘000 tonnes in 2014-15 to 34 ‘000 tonnes in 2015-16, whereas Oilseeds has increased from 206 ‘000 tonnes in 2014-15 to 215 ‘000 tonnes in 2015-16. However, production of total Pulses has declined from 111 ‘000 tonnes in 2014-15 to 108 ‘000 tonnes in 2015-16. As per Agriculture Census 2010-11, there is about 1.61 lakh hectare net irrigated area (including private sources) in the State of which 0.33 lakh hectare area irrigated from ‘canal’, 0.048 lakh hectare from ‘tanks’, 0.02 lakh from ‘wells’, 0.27 lakh hectare from ‘tubewells’ and 0.94 lakh hectare receives irrigation from ‘other sources’.
Fishery sector - The contribution of Fishery sector to State Domestic Product is very nominal
and it is estimated at around 3.0 percent. Despite existence of vast water resources suitable for pisciculture in the State covering an area of 4.77 lakh hectares (including River Fisheries) the fish production is showing a sluggish growth. Fish production in the State has reached the level of 2.94 lakh MT in 2015-16 which is about 4.0 percent more than the previous year. However, the current requirement of fish is 3.36 lakh MT. The gap between present production and requirement is partially met by importing fish from other states. The present per capita availability of fish is about 9 Kg which is far below the minimum percapita nutritional requirement of 11 kg. With a view to increase per capita availability of fish and to narrow down the production-requirement gap, State Fisheries Department has adopted a number of positive interventions and has given special emphasis for scientific fish farming in beels and community tanks through awareness, training, government support and subsequent bank linkage.
Milk Production - The volume of total milk production of the State for the year 2015-16
estimated at 888 million liters as against 873 million liters in the previous year. The growth of milk production, thus, increased by 1.7 percent over the previous year. Despite increase in milk production in the State over the years, the estimated per capita/per day milk availability remained more or less at the same level due to increase in population. The estimated per capita/per day milk availability of milk was 78 ml during the year 2015-16 which was at the same level when compared with the per capita/per day availability of milk during the previous year of the total volume of milk production indigenous cattle milk is observed to have constituted 53 percent of the total milk production of the State while the contribution of crossbreed cattle milk is 30 percent and thus the cattle milk together contributes 83 percent to the total milk. Buffalo and goat milk contributes 14 percent and 3 percent respectively to the total milk production. Total egg production in the State during 2015-16 was estimated at 4740 lakh numbers compared to estimated 5730 lakh numbers during the previous year. Annual average yield rate of Fowl egg was 101 and 171 numbers per layer/ year for local and improved fowl respectively during the year 2015-16. The total meat production during 201-16 was estimated at 45 thousand tons as against estimated 42 thousand tons meat production in 201415 showing about 7.14 percent increase in meat production over the previous year. Tea Industry - The first Indian tea produced in Assam was sent to UK for public sale in the year
1838. Assam Tea has maintained its international reputation and commands significant share in the World Tea Market. The total area under tea cultivation in Assam is accounting for more than half o f the country’s total area under tea. In addition to existing big & large tea gardens owned by reputed both Indian and multinational Companies, the profession of tea plantation in the State has been taken up by common people as business venture at present, especially by unemployed youths. The tea industry in Assam also provides average daily employment to more than 6.86 lakh persons in the State, which is around 50 percent of the total average daily number of labour employed [on an average 11.1 lakh labour employed per day] in the country.
Rubber Plantation - The rubber cultivation has gained its popularity in Assam due to congenial
agro-climatic condition as well as its eco-friendly environment. The Rubber Board has identified Assam as a “Potential State” from the “productivity” point of view as the State too has ample
scope of rubber plantation. Considering the said conditions, the Rubber Board has planned to enhance rubber plantation area to 2 lakh hectares at the end of Twelfth Five Year Plan from the 28102 hectare at present to cope with the growing demand of rubber in the country which is expected to touch 1.78 lakh MT at the end of 2025. The area under rubber cultivation has grown from 16.5 thousand hectares in 2006-07 to 55.99 thousand hectares in 2015-16. The tapping area as well as production of rubber has also been increased considerably during the same period. Handloom and Sericulture - The State of Assam is proud of traditionally producing Muga, Eri
and Mulberry and lastly the Oak tassar in the hills districts. The State accounts for highest production of non- mulberry silk, muga and eri in the country. Assam has the monopoly in the world in the production of Muga, the “Golden Silk”, as more than 97 percent of Muga Silk is
produced in Assam. Assam has also achieved the right of ‘Geographical Indication’ for Muga thread. The State is also a Major producer of Eri Silk (about 65 percent). This industry has undergone a number of changes with the changes in loom, fabric, design, technology etc. Nonmulberry silk in general and Muga silk in particular has been closely associated with the rituals and traditions of Assam and thus, silk production and its usage has been an important household activity in the State over the years. Muga Silk and Eri Silk have good demand in the national and international market. Rearing of Eri, Muga and Mulberry silkworm are playing an important role in the economic development of a large section of rural population of the State. It is practiced in 11281 villages at present and provides employment to 6.5 lakh families of the State. In Assam, Handloom Weaving is inexorably linked with Assamese Culture and Heritage. Handloom Industry of Assam provides maximum number of employment after agriculture is known for its rich glorious tradition of making handloom and handicraft products. Handloom is a precious part of generational legacy and has been kept alive by the skilled weavers engaged in the age old tradition of weaving since antiquity in Assam. Contrary to use of modern technology and tools in the textile sector in present days, the handloom sector continued to play very important role in terms of employment generation and the socio-economic development of Assam. Handloom sector in Assam has gradually grown to the expected level for commercial production. During 2015-16, there were 19.49 lakh weavers in the State out of which 15.30 lakh were part time weavers and 4.19 lakh whole time weavers. Number of Handloom demonstration circle were 221 and 14273 numbers of villages were covered under the activity. Forestry - The forest products like timber and bamboo fetch great revenue to the state. A large
variety of citrus fruits produced in the forests are big hit in the markets. The forest cover in the
state, as per India State Forest Report 2015 is 27623 km2 which constitute 35.26 percent of the total geographical area of the State. The total forest cover of the state has declined by 48 km2 in 2015 against the Published figure in the State Forest Report of 2013. [According to the State Forest Report 2013, the forest cover of Assam was 27,671 km2 of the State’s geographical area]. This declined in the forest cover of the State is due to encroachment in forest land, biotic pressure and large scale shifting cultivation in hilly areas. In terms of forest canopy density classes, the State has 1,441 km2 of Very Dense Forest, 11,268 km2 of moderately dense forest and 14,914 km2 of open forest. There is depletion of 77 km2 of moderately dense forest cover in the State and an addition of 32 km2 of open forest during the assessment period 2013 and 2015. Besides forest cover, there is 1613 km2 of tree cover in the state as per report and thus total of forest cover and tree cover is calculated at 37.27 percent of the total geographical area of the State and 3.68 percent of the total forest and tree cover of the country. The per capita forest and tree cover in the state is 0.094 hectare. Total forest and tree cover constitute 37.27 percent of the state’s geographical areas against the all India’s forest and tree cover of 3.68 percent
Industry Apart from tea and petroleum refineries, Assam has no significant industries. Industrial development is inhibited by its physical and political isolation from neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, China and Bangladesh and from the other growing South East Asian economies. The region is landlocked and situated in the eastern most periphery of India and is linked to the mainland of India by a flood and cyclone prone narrow corridor ‚Chicken’s Neck‛ with weak transportation infrastructure. During the last four years (2012-16), the Industry sector grew at an annual average growth of 4.39 percent calculated as per the new base 2011-12. The period started with a negative growth of 5.22 percent during 2012-13 followed by high growth of 8.06 percent during 2013-14 mainly contributed by a high growth of 17.32 in the manufacturing sector and 14.20 percent in the construction sector and again slowed down in 2014-15 to an annual average growth of 5.33 percent. The growth during 2015- 16 was 9.41 percent contributed by an annual growth of 17.23 in the electricity, gas and water supply followed by 12.75 percent growth in the construction sector and 10.78 percent growth in the manufacturing sector. During the last four years (2012-2016), the mining and quarrying sector showed an average annual growth of ()2.94 percent. This sub-sector starting with a negative growth of 7.92 percent during 2012-13 at Constant (2011-12) prices turned to a positive growth during 2014-15. The growth during 201516 was 2.08 percent. During the year 2015-16, production of Coal, Limestone and Sulphur
deceased substantially by 50.19 percent, 35.10 percent and 25.41 percent respectively over the previous year. However, during the year 2015-16 production of Crude Oil and Natural Gas increased by 1.48 percent and 6.49 percent respectively. Creation of environment for industrialization by setting up Industrial infrastructure in the perspective of industrial development and attract investment through proper planning is the prime objective of the State Government. To achieve the goal the department is creating a good numbers of infrastructural facilities as well as upgrading the existing ones located in different districts of the state. Infrastructural facilities in the form of Export Processing Industrial Park (EPIP), Industrial Infrastructure Development Centre (IIDC), Growth Centers, Food Processing Industrial Park, Industrial Estates, Industrial Areas, and Commercial Estates etc are spreading throughout the State. At present, there are 20 Industrial Estates, 8 Mini Industrial Estates, 17 Industrial Areas and 12 Growth Centres in the State where 722 numbers of Industrial units are functioning. One Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) has also been established with world class infrastructure at Amingaon in Kamrup district where 47 numbers of industrial units are producing some export quality product of various kinds. In addition, 11 nos. of Industrial Infrastructure Development (IID) Centre in 11 different districts and 3 numbers of Industrial Growth Centre, one Food Park at Chaygaon in Kamrup District and one North East Mega Food Park at Nalbari District have been established. There are 43332 SSI/MSME units in Assam and provided employment to 2.49 lakh persons till the end of March 2016. The Table –11.4 shows some annual statistics in respect of setting up of SSI/MSME units upto 31-03-2016. It is evident from the table that average employment per unit of manufacturing enterprises in Assam is around 7(seven) person during the period 2005-06 to 2015-16 and average investment per unit is Rs.13.49 lakh. The table also depicts that the average investment per unit was on an increasing trend up to 2011-12 reaching Rs.21.58 lakh and thereafter went on a decreasing trend falling to Rs.13.49 lakh in 2015-16.
Mining The four main industrial minerals are coal, oil and gas, limestone, and sillimanite . Petroleum mining is an important feature of the state's economy and is regulated by the Oil India Limited and the Assam Oil Company. Besides these major minerals, other minerals such as gravel, sand, building stone, and ballast are also generated. The economy of Assam gets good returns from the economic minerals found in different parts of the state, like clay, iron ore, copper, feldspar, gold, and gypsum. Assam is a major producer of crude oil and natural gas in India. Assam is the second place in the world (after Titusville in the United States) where petroleum was discovered. Asia’s first
successful mechanically drilled oil well was drilled in Makum (Assam) way back in 1867. The second oldest oil well in the world still produces crude oil. Assam has four oil refineries located at Guwahati, Digboi, Numaligarh and Bongaigaon with a total capacity of 7 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonnes per annum). . One of the biggest public sector oil company of the country, Oil India Ltd. has its plant and headquarter at Duliajan Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (BRPL) is the only S&P CNX 500 conglomerate with corporate office in Assam.
Power Growth in the consumption of energy is linked to the growth of the economy, modernisation, urbanisation and improvement of quality of life of the people living in a State or a Country. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data shows that the Northeast of India has hydro power potential of 63,257 MW or 43 percent of the total assessed hydro power of the Country. Among the north-eastern states, Assam has a capacity to produce 680 MW hydro power. As per the Survey report by the end of 12th Plan period, the projected energy requirement for Assam is 8947 MU and Peak Electric Load is 1817 MW. The rural-urban differential of use of electricity as
a source is very high in Assam. Only 28.0 percent rural households use electricity for lighting purpose in comparison to 84.1 percent urban households in Assam. According to the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited the total numbers of consumers in the State during the year 2015-16 were 3673253 of which 3468173 were domestic consumers and 205080 commercial consumers. The number of consumers in the State has increased by 101.6 percent during the period from 2010-11 to 2015-16. The growth of domestic consumers during the same period was 109.5 percent. The status of power generation in the state is not satisfactory from the point of power requirement of consumers is concerned. The installed capacity of generating plants at present in the State is 379.7 MW which include Coal, Hydel and Gas plants of the State. There has always been a shortage of power supply in the State, due to less generation of power in comparison to requirements of consumers. However, gross power generation in the State during the year 2015-16 was 1851.1 MU as against 1894.6 MU in 201415 and 1845.2 MU in 2013-14. The energy requirement in the State has been worked out at 7857 Million Units (MU) during the year 2015-16 against 9104 Million Unit (MU) in the previous year but the availability of energy during the periods was 7571 MU and 7165 MU respectively. However, the power generation was 1851.1 MU and 1894.6 MU during the years 2015- 16 and 2014-15 respectively. The peak electricity demand in the State during the period 2010-11 to 2015-16 has increased by 43 percent. The shortage of power has reduced from 229 MW in 2014-15 to 76 MW in 2015-16. However, for better improvement of the power supply position in the State, various projects have been undertaken and are in progress. Energy loss during transmission and distribution is a matter of concern for an energy deficit State like Assam. The aggregate transmission and commercial losses in the State is gradually come down from 29 percent in 2012-13 to 22 percent during 2015-16.
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has estimated that as of 31st January 2016, Assam produced only 34.11 MW of energy from sustainable and renewable sources (mainly small hydroelectric plants) out of a total generation of 1369.45 MW or just 2.5%. Renewable energy sources cover solar, photovoltaic, small hydro up to 25 MW, wind, biomass, and waste to energy etc. much of which remains yet to be exploited.
Assam: 2030 aims at raising the proportion of renewable energy in the total energy production to 40% by 2030 (in keeping with the national commitment at the Oct 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement). As per the CEA, Assam has a renewable energy potential of 14330 MW, mainly comprising solar energy at 96% (Figure 9). These sources will need to be tapped.
Tourism In the recent past, tourism has come up as one of potential economic sectors, and state govt is trying to attract more and more tourists to visit the state. In this regard govt of Assam has recently Priyanka Chopra has been made the brand ambassador of the State’s tourism for two years.
7. Demography of Assam
Population As per 2011 census, total population of Assam was 31,169,272. The total population of the state has increased from 26,638,407 to 31,169,272 in the last ten years with a growth rate of 16.93%. Higher population concentration was recorded in the districts of Kamrup, Nagaon, Sonitpur, Barpeta, Dhubri, Darrang, and Cachar . Assam's population is expected to reach 34.18
million by 2021 and 35.60 million by 2026. Of the 32 districts during the the census operaiton, eight districts registered rise in the decadal population growth rate. Religious minoritydominated districts like Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Morigaon, Nagaon, and Hailakandi, recorded growth rates ranging from 20 per cent to 24 per cent during the last decade. Eastern Assam districts including Sivasagar, and Jorhat registered around 9 per cent population growth. These districts do not share any international border. Growth of population in Assam has risen since the mid-decades of the 20th century. Population grew from 3.29 million in 1901 to 6.70 million in 1941. It increased to 14.63 million in 1971 and 22.41 million in 1991. The growth in the western and southern districts was high primarily due to the influx of people from East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. In 2011, literacy rate in the state was 73.18%. Male literacy rate was 78.81% and female literacy rate was 67.27%. In 2001, the census had recorded literacy in Assam at 63.3% with male literacy at 71.3% and female at 54.6%. Urbanisation rate was recorded at 12.9%. The People of India project has studied 115 of the ethnic groups in Assam. 79 (69%) identify themselves regionally, 22 (19%) locally, and 3 trans-nationally. The earliest settlers were Austroasiatic and Dravidians speakers , followed by Tibeto-Burman, Indo-Aryan speakers, and Tai –Kadai speakers. Forty-five languages are spoken by different communities, including three major language
families: Austroasiatic (5), Sino-Tibetan (24) and Indo-European (12). Three of the spoken languages do not fall in these families. There is a high degree of bilingualism.
Religion in Assam (2011) Religion Hinduism Islam Christianity Buddhism Jainism Sikhism Bathouism Other or not religious
Percentage of Populations (61.46%) (34.22%) (3.7%) (0.2%) (0.01%) (0.01%) (0.01%) (0.3%)
Many Hindus in Assam are followers of Ekasarana Dharma a sect of Hinduism that gave rise to Namghar designed to be simpler places of worship than traditional Hindu temples. Out of 32 districts of Assam, 9 are Muslim majority according to the 2011 census of India. The districts are Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Morigaon, Nagaon, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Darrang and Bongaigaon.
Languages in Assam Assamese and Bodo are the major indigenous and official languages while Bengali holds official status in the three districts in the Barak Valley and is the second most widely spoken language of the state .
Languages
Speaker as % of total population
Assamese Bengali, Sylethi Bodo Hindi Nepali Mishing Karbi Dimasa Others
48.8 20.05 12.8 5.8 2.1 1.9 1.5 1.01 7.5
Traditionally, Assamese was the language of the commons (of mixed origin – Austroasiatic, Tibeto-Burman, Prakrit) in the ancient Kamarupa and in the medieval kingdoms of Kamatapur, Kachari, Sutiya, Borahi, Ahom and Koch. Traces of the language are found in many poems by Luipa, Sarahapa, etc. in Charyapada (c. 7th –8th century AD). Modern dialects Kamrupi, Goalpariya etc. are the remnants. Moreover, Assamese in its traditional form was used by the
ethno-cultural groups in the region as lingua-franca, which spread during the stronger kingdoms and was required for needed economic integration. Localised forms of the language still exist in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh. The form used in the upper Assam was enriched by the advent of Tai-Shans in the 13th century. Linguistically modern Assamese traces its roots to the version developed by the American Missionaries based on the local form in practice near Sivasagar district. Assamese (Ôxômiya) is a rich language due to its hybrid nature with its unique characteristics of pronunciation and softness. Assamese literature is one of the richest. Bodo is an ancient language of Assam . Spatial distribution patterns of the ethno-cultural
groups, cultural traits and the phenomenon of naming all the major rivers in the North East Region with Bodo-Kachari words (e.g. Dihing, Dibru, Dihong, D/Tista, Dikrai, etc.) reveal that it was the most important language in the ancient times . Bodo is now spoken largely in the Western Assam (Bodo Territorial Council area). After years of neglect, now Bodo language is getting attention and its literature is developing. Other native languages of Tibeto-Burman origin and related to Bodo-Kachari are Deori, Mising, Karbi, Rabha, and Tiwa. Kuki is another native language of Assam belonging to the Tibeto-Burman group. However it does not belong to the Bodo-Kachari group. There are approximately 7 lakhs Nepali speakers spread all over the state forming about 2.2% of Assam's total population. Majority of the Nepali speakers are found in the district of Sonitpur where over 3 lakh people speaks in Nepali language. There are speakers of Tai languages in Assam. A total of six Tai language were spoken in Assam. Two of them, Ahom and Turung are now extinct.
8. Culture of Assam
The culture of Assam developed due to cultural assimilation of different ethno-cultural groups under various politico-economic systems through-out the history. The first 300 years of Kamarupa was under the great Varman dynasty, 200 years under the Mlechchha dynasty and 200 years under the Pala dynasty. The records of many aspects of the language, traditional crafts (silk, lac, gold, bronze, etc.) are available in different forms. When the Tai-Shans entered the region in 1228 under the leadership of Sukaphaa to establish Ahom kingdom in Assam for the next 600 years, again a new chapter of cultural assimilation was written. The Tai-Shans, the Sutiya kingdom in eastern Assam, the Koch Kingdom in western Assam and the medieval Kachari and Jaintia kingdoms in southern Assam provided stages for assimilation at different intensities and with different cultural-mixes. The Vaishanav Movement , a 15th-century religio-cultural movement started by of Srimanta Sankardeva and his disciples, have enriched the Assamese culture further. A renewed Hinduisation in local forms with the supported of the Koch and later by the Ahom Kingdoms. The resultant social institutions such as namghar and sattra - the Vaishnav Herimtage have become part of the Assamese way of life . Brajavali language left its traces on the Assamese language. Modern Assamese culture is greatly influenced by various events those took place in under British rule of Assam and in the Post-British Era. Due to increasing efforts of standardisation in the 19th and 20th century, the localised forms present in different districts and also among the remaining source-cultures with the less-assimilated ethno-cultural groups have seen greater alienation. However, Assamese culture in its hybrid form and nature is one of the richest.
Symbolism Symbolism is an ancient cultural practice in Assam, which is still very important for the people. Tamulpan, Xorai and Gamosa are three important symbolic elements in Assamese culture. Tamul-paan are considered as the offers of devotion, respect and friendship. Xorai, is a manufactured bell-metal object and an article of great respect and is used as a
container-medium while performing respectful offerings. It is an offering tray with a stand at
the bottom. Hajo and Sarthebari are the most important centres of traditional bell-metal and brass crafts including xorais. Gamosa, is an article of great significance for the people of Assam. It is generally a white
rectangular piece of cloth with primarily a red border on three sides and red woven motifs on the fourth. The gamosa symbolizes the life and culture of Assam.
Festivals Bihu is the most celebrated festival among all. Bihu is a series of three prominent festivals of
Assam, is celebrated to mark the seasons and the significant points of a cultivator's life over a yearly cycle. Three Bihus are celebrated: rongali aka 'bohag bihu' , celebrated with the coming of spring and the beginning of the sowing season ; kongali aka 'kati bihu', the barren bihu when the fields are lush but the barns are empty; and the bhogali aka 'magh bihu', the thanksgiving when the crops have been harvested and the barns are full. The day before the each bihu is known as 'uruka'. The first day of 'rongali bihu' is called 'Goru bihu' (the bihu of the cows). On this day the cows are taken to the nearby rivers or ponds to be bathed with special care. Traditionally, cows are respected as sacred animals by the people of Assam. Bihu songs and Bihu dance are associated to rongali bihu. Bwisagu is a very popular seasonal festival of the Bodo of Assam, means start of the new year. Ali-Ai-Ligang is the spring festival of the Mising people of Assam , India. The name of the
festival is made up of three terms, 'Ali', root and seed, 'Ai', fruit and 'Ligang', to sow. Bohuwa dance is festival of Sonowal Kacharis of Assam, India.
Music of Assam Assam, home to many ethnic groups and different cultures, is rich in folk music. music artists such as Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Bishnuprasad Rabha, Parvati Prasad Baruva, Bhupen Hazarika, Nirmalendu Choudhury & Utpalendu Choudhury, Pratima Barua Pandey, Khagen Mahanta, Beauty Sarma Baruah etc.
Traditional crafts Mekhela, the traditional attire of women in Assam. Assam has maintained a rich tradition of various
traditional crafts. Presently, Cane and bamboo craft, bell metal and brass craft, silk and cotton
weaving, toy and mask making, pottery and terracotta work, wood craft, musical instruments making, etc. are major traditions. Hajo and Sarthebari are the most important centres of traditional bell-metal and brass crafts . Assam is the home of several types of silks, the most prominent and prestigious being Muga, the natural golden silk is exclusive only to Assam . Apart from Muga, there are other two varieties called Pat, a creamy-bright-silver coloured silk and Eri, a variety used for manufacturing warm clothes. Apart from Sualkuchi, the centre for the traditional silk industry, in almost every parts of
the Brahmaputra Valley, rural households produce silk and silk garments with excellent embroidery designs. Moreover, various ethno-cultural groups in Assam make different types of cotton garments with unique embroidery designs and wonderful colour combinations. Paintings - Painting is an ancient tradition of Assam. The most famous of such medieval works are
available in the Hastividyarnava, the Chitra Bhagawata and in the Gita Govinda. State Anthem - The song O Mur Apunar Desh, composed by Rasaraj Lakshminath Bezbaroa, is
popularly accepted as the state anthem of the state of Assam.
9. State of Education in Assam Literacy Rate in Assam: Literacy has both economic and social motives of an individual
wellbeing. It impacts human development outcomes, both as an input and output creating lasting benefits. Census data reveals that the literacy rates in Assam has grown encouragingly. In 2011, the literacy rate of Assam was estimated to be 73.18% (78.81% male and 67.27% female), which is slightly below the national average of 74.04%.
10. State of Health in Assam Health care performance in Assam exhibits sustained improvements over the years. These improvements are the outcomes of concentred and continued efforts of the Government towards establishing an efficient system of health care and family welfare through effective planning, financing, human, resources management, infrastructure and supply chain management. The State Government has taken consistent initiatives to reduce prevailing regional disparities and gaps in the access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, public and private health care infrastructure, rural infrastructure, access to preventive and medical care, public hygine, information system on health care and nutrition, skilled manpower etc.
General Health Quality and adequate health care services has lead to better learning ability, nutritional retention, capability enhancement and standard of living of people. It has also helped in limiting family size, improving basic amenities and reducing poverty significantly. The State health services has always aimed at providing reliable, affordable, accountable and effective primary health care to the people of Assam, with special care provisions from women and children. For the achievement of this goal, the State has been implementing various Central Government schemes, along with its own schemes and programes for continuously increasing allocation of funds to the Health sector in successive State Plans. Essentially three categories of health indicators like outcomes Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), process (institutional delivery) and input (infrastructure), public expenditure, National Health Mission (NHM) etc. describe the progress of the health sector in the State. Along with these, important indicators are Infant. Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Crude Birth Rate (CBR) and Crude Death Rate (CDR) etc. The status of Health infrastructure in the State is improving over the years. At present there are 25 Civil Hospitals, 13 Sub-Divisional Civil Hospitals, 1014 PHCs, 62 FRUs, 151 CHCs and 4621 Sub Centres with 18356 numbers of total beds in the State at the end of 2015. The number of available Medical and Paramedical staff in the State is 5004 including Ayurvedic and Homeopathic doctors in 2015. Government of Assam has taken various steps for improvement of maternal health and reduction of infant mortality as a measure of human and social development. The Maternal Mortality Ratio of the State during 2011-2013 has shown a little improvement over the period of 2010-12. MMR of the State during 2010-12 was 328 against 300 during 2011- 13. Likewise at the National level it was 178 during 2010-12 which came down to 167 during 2011-13 due to improvement in the field of Medical Science and various Social Security measures adopted. Infant Mortality Rate in Assam is 49 against 39 in India during 2014 which is still very high as compared to national level. Similarly in Rural area it is 52 while in urban area it is 27 at State level. At the national level, IMR at Rural is 43 and 26 in Urban area during 2014.
The graph below shows the trend of Crude Birth Rate (CBR), Crude Death Rate (CDR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in Assam since 2006 to 2014. The CBR, CDR, IMR and TFR which was 24.6, 8.7, 67 and 2.7 in 2006 has declined to 22.4, 7.2, 49 and 2.3 in 2014.
Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is the Annual number of Female death per 100,000 live birth from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management. The Maternal Mortality Ratio of Assam and India from 1999 to 2013 is presented through the graph given below. Although the rate is still very high in Assam in comparison to All India rate due to some improvement made and taken up for maternal health at birth in the state, the gap between the relative figures in the State and the Country shows a decline during the period 1999- 2013, which has been minimised. Various measures have been taken up for improving MMR for safe delivery under National Health Mission (NHM) in the state. During the period 2011 –2013 MMR, of Assam has came down to 300 from 328 while in India it is 167 which has came down from 178. Among the state Kerela has lowest MMR of 61 followed by Maharashtra 68. Significant development in the field of Medical Science and other Health sector has brought down the MMR of the State
11. Union budget 2018-19
Union Budget is the annual report of the Government’s finances in which revenues from all sources and outlays for all activities are consolidated. It also contains estimates of the Govt’s accounts for the next fiscal year. On 1st February 2018, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented the Union Budget 2018, his 5 th and the last full budget of this NDA government . This budget was also special because it is the first budget after big-ticket economic reforms like the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Demonetisation, Dynamic Fuel Pricing etc.
Major Highlights of Union Budget 2018-19
Fiscal deficit is 3.5% of GDP at Rs 5.95 lakh crore in 2017-18. Excess revenue collected from personal income tax amounts to 90,000 cr. Fiscal deficit target for next fiscal: 3.3%. Rs 21.57 lakh crores transferred as net GST to states as against projection of Rs 21.47 lakh crores.
Indian economy is on course to achieve high growth of 8%. Economy to grow at 7.2-7.5% in second half of 2018-19.
India grew at an average of 7.5% in the first three years since 2014. It is now a $2.5 trillion economy and the seventh largest in the world. Government moves to remove stamp duty from financial transactions. 41% more returns were filed this year, which shows that more people have joined the tax net. Tax payer base has risen from 6.47 crore in 2014-15 to 8.27 crore in 2016-17.
Personal Tax
Personal Income Tax: No change Relief to salaried tax: Standard deduction increased for transport and medical reimbursement to Rs 40,000 from Rs 15,000. However conveyance expenses to get benefit of Rs 19,200 under transport allowance will stant discontinued. Long term capital gains (LTCG) over Rs. 1 lakh to be taxed at the rate of 10%. Health and education cess increased to 4% from current level of 3%.
Rs 50,000 additional benefit to senior citizens for investment in mediclaim. For senior citizens, no TDS on FD, Post Office interest upto Rs. 50,000. For senior citizen, limit for investment in LIC schemes doubled to Rs. 15 lakh.
Corporate Tax
100% tax exemption for the first five years to companies registered as farmer producer companies with a turnover of Rs. 100 crore and above.
Custom Duty/Cess
Proposal to increase the health and education cess to 4%. Imported electronics, including phones and TVs, will now get more expensive as government proposes to increase custom duty on mobiles from 15% to 20% and on some other mobile parts to 15%, and some parts of TVs to 15%. Customs duty on raw cashew cut form 5% to 2.5%.
Telecom
Government proposes to set up 5 lakh wifi-hotspots that will provide internet to five crore rural citizens in 2018-19. Government provided Rs10, 000 crore for creation and augmentation of telecom infrastructure in 2018-19. Department of Telecom will support the setting up of indigenous 5G centre at IIT Madras.
Textile
Rs 7,148 crore allocated for textile sector
MSME Sector
Target of Rs. 3 lakh crore for lending under PM MUDRA Yojana. Reduced corporate rate of 25% to firms with 250 cr turnover.
Banking
Recapitalisation will pave the way for public banks to lend an additional Rs 5 lakh crore.
Startups
VCFs, angel investors to get new measures for growth and new tax rules to increase funding of startups.
Railways
Rs 1,48,528 crore is the capital expenditure for the Indian Railways for 2018-19... All trains to be progressively provided with WiFi, CCTV and other state-of-the-art amenities. All railways stations with more than 25,000 footfalls to have escalators. 12,000 wagons, 5160 coaches and 700 locomotives being procured. This is significant achievement of physical targets by Railways. Focus will be on safety, maintenance of railway tracks, increase in use of technology and fog safety devices. Redevelopment of 600 major railway stations has been taken up; Mumbai transport system is being expanded; suburban network of 160 km planned for Bengaluru.
Foundation stone of the bullet train was laid in September 2017. An institute is coming up in Vadodara to train the manpower required for the high speed railway projects. 3600-km of rail track renewal targeted in coming year. All trains to increasingly have WiFi & CCTVs. 600 railway stations to be redeveloped. 150 km additional suburban railway network at the cost of Rs. 40,000 cr.
Agriculture
Credit for agriculture sector to increase from 10 lakh crore to 11 lakh crore Agri-Market Development Fund with a corpus of Rs 2000 crore to be set up for developing agricultural markets. Rs. 1290 crore allocation for bamboo sector. Operation Green allocation Rs. 500 crore for promoting farmer produce organisations. Grameen Agricultural Market (GRAM) will provide farmers a means to sell directly to buyers. The focus is on low-cost farming, higher MSP. Emphasis is on generating farm and non-farm employment for farmers. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) of all crops shall be increased to at least 1.5 times that of the production cost. The government will ensure payment of full MSP even if farmers sell below MSP. Rs. 10,000 cr for fishery development fund and animal husbandry fund. Kisan credit card to be extended to fisheries, animal husbandry farmers. 100% tax deduction for farmer production firms with 100 crore turnover. APMCs will be linked with ENAM. 22,000 Gramin agricultural markets will be developed.
Health
Ayushman Bharat program - About 10 crore poor and vulnerable families will be targeted under healthcare protection scheme, which will offer up to Rs 5 lakh per family. This will be the world largest government-aided programme. As per the national health policy 2017, health and wellness centres will be launched. Around 1.5 lakh centres will provide free essential drugs, maternal and child services. The finance ministry allocated Rs1200 crore for this flagship programme. Rs 1,200 crore for the flagship programme in health wellness centres. TB patients will get Rs 500 per month for nutritional support. Rs. 600 crore for nutritional support to all TB patients.
Infrastructure
To spend 14.34 trillion Indian rupees ($225.50 billion) on rural infrastructure. NHAI would transfer the road projects into special purpose vehicles to use innovative structures such as infrastructure trusts for fund mobilisation. Government to use select InvITs for f or infrastructure funding. System of toll payment by cash being replaced by electronic payments. Smart City mission: 99 cities selected with outlay of Rs. 2.04 lakh crore. 5 lakh WiFi spots for benefit of 5 crore rural citizens. 10 tourist cities to be developed into iconic tourist destinations.
Connecting India– Road/Air
Bharatmala project approved for better road connectivity at Rs 5.35 lakh crore. UDAN will connect 56 unserved airports in India. Airports Authority of India now has 124 airports; this will be expanded by 5 times. Aim of 1 billion trips a year. Airport capacity to be hiked to handle 1 billion trips per year.
Education
Rs. 1 lakh crore over 4 years for initiative i nitiative for infra in education. At least 24 new government medical colleges and hospitals will be set up by upgrading existing district hospitals. Goal of one medical college per every three Parliamentary constituencies. 1,000 best B.Tech students to be made PM research fellows — to do PhDs in IITs and IISc. They will spend few hours every week teaching in technical institutions. Eighteen new schools of planning and architecure will be set up. Proposal of Railway University in Vodadara. Eklavya schools for tribal children.
Government to launch ‘Revitalising Infrastructure and Systems in Education by 2022.
Integrated B.Ed programme to be initiated for teachers, to improve quality of teachers. Technology will be the biggest driver in improving education. To work with states to provide more resources to improve quality of education. Moving from blackboard to digital board.
Skill Development & Training
Training for 50 lakh youth by 2020.
Science & Tech
National program to direct efforts in Artificial Intelligence.
Women
76% of MUDRA loans for women. Contribution of 8.33% to EPF for new women employees by the govt for three years while the employer’s contribution will continue to be at 12%.
Government proposes to increase the target of providing free LPG connections to 8 crore to poor women. 8 crore rural women to get free gas connection through Ujjwala yojana.
Poor, backward and vulnerable section
By 2022, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal people will have ‘Ekalavya’ ‘ Ekalavya’ school at par with Navodaya Vidayalas.
Allocation of Rs. 56,619 crore for SC welfare and Rs. 39,135 crore for ST welfare. Allocation for national livelihood mission: Rs. 5750 crore.
Other Important proposals
Government doesn’t consider cryptocurrencies as legal tender or coins. The govt aim that by 2022, all poor people have a house to live in. Government plans to construct 2 crore more toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission. Total 187 projects sanctioned under the Namami Gange programme. Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR is a cause for concern, special scheme will be implemented to support governments of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi-NCT to address it and subsidise machinery for management of crop residue. Proposal to develop 10 prominent tourist destinations as Iconic tourism destinations. AMRUT programme will focus on water supply to all households in 500 cities. Water supply contracts for 494 projects worth 19,428 core awarded. Emoluments of the President to be revised to Rs 5 lakh per month & emoluments of the Vice-president to be revised to Rs 4 lakh per month. Cash payments of over Rs. 10,000 by trusts, institutions to be disallowed.
Disinvestment target of Rs. 80,000 crore for 2018-19. 24 Public Sector Units to be divested. United India Insurance, Oriental Insurance and National Insurance will be merged and then listed. Gold monetisation scheme will be revamped to allow people to open hassle-free gold deposit accounts. Outward Direct Investment (ODI) from India has grown to US$15 billion per annum. Loans to self-help groups will increase to ₹75,000 crore
Agriculture, Health, Education and Employment are the main focussed
areas of the Union budget 2018-19.
Direct and Indirect Taxes – Direct taxes are the one that fall directly on individuals and
corporations. Eg. Income tax, corporate tax etc. Indirect taxes are imposed on goods and services. They are paid by consumers when they buy goods and services. These include excise duty, customs duty etc. Fiscal Deficit - When the government’s non-borrowed receipts fall short of its entire
expenditure, it has to borrow money form the public to meet the shortfall. The excess of total expenditur expendituree over over total total non-borrow non-borrowed ed receipts receipts is called called the scal de cit. Revenue Deficit - The difference between revenue expenditure and revenue receipt is known as revenue defi cit. It shows the shortfall of government’s current receipts over current
expenditure. interest payments. It tells how Primary Deficit - The primary deficit is the fiscal de cit minus interest much of the Government’s borrowings are going towards meeting expenses other than interest payments. Fiscal policy – It is the government actions with respect to aggregate levels of revenue and
spending. Fiscal policy is implemented though the budget and is the primary means by which the governm government ent can can in uence the economy economy.. Capital Budget – The Capital Budget consists of capital receipts and payments. It includes
investments in shares, loans and advances granted by the central Government to State Governments, Government companies, corporations and other parties
Revenue Budget – The revenue budget consists of revenue receipts of the Government and it
expenditure. Revenue receipts are divided into tax and non-tax revenue. Tax revenues constitute taxes like income tax, corporate tax, excise, customs, service and other
duties that the Government levies. Non-tax revenue sources include interest on loans, dividend on investments. Budget Estimates – Amount of money allocated in the Budget to any ministry or scheme for the
coming financial year. Guillotine – Parliament, unfortunately, has very limited time for scrutinising the expenditure
demands of all the Ministries. So, once the prescribed period for the discussion on Demands for Grants is over, the Speaker of Lok Sabha puts all the outstanding Demands for Grants, Whether discussed or not, to the vote of the House.
12. Governance of India and its states & UTs
Union Council of Ministers of India (as on September 3, 2017 ) Narendra Modi
Rajnath Singh Sushma Swaraj Arun Jaitley Nitin Jairam Gadkari Suresh Prabhu D.V. Sadananda Gowda Uma Bharati Ramvilas Paswan Maneka Sanjay Gandhi Ananthkumar Ravi Shankar Prasad Jagat Prakash Nadda Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati Anant Geete Harsimrat Kaur Badal Narendra Singh Tomar Chaudhary Birender Singh Jual Oram Radha Mohan Singh Thaawar Chand Gehlot Smriti Zubin Irani Dr. Harsh Vardhan
Prime Minister and also in-charge of: Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy; Department of Space; and All important policy issues; and All other portfolios not allocated to any Minister. Home External Affairs Finance and Corporate Affairs. Road Transport and Highways; Shipping; and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Commerce and Industry. Statistics and Programme Implementation. Drinking Water and Sanitation. Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Women and Child Development Chemicals and Fertilizers; and Parliamentary Affairs Law and Justice; and Electronics and Information Technology Health and Family Welfare Civil Aviation Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. Food Processing Industries Rural Development; Panchayati Raj; and Mines. Steel. Tribal Affairs Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Social Justice and Empowerment. Textiles; and Information and Broadcasting. Science and Technology; Earth Sciences; and Environment, Forest
Prakash Javadekar Dharmendra Pradhan Piyush Goyal Nirmala Sitharaman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
and Climate Change. Human Resource Development Petroleum and Natural Gas; and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Railways; and Coal. Defence Minority Affairs.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) Rao Inderjit Singh Santosh Kumar Gangwar Shripad Yesso Naik Giriraj Singh Dr. Jitendra Singh
Dr. Mahesh Sharma Manoj Sinha Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore Raj Kumar Singh Hardeep Singh Puri Alphons Kannanthanam
Planning; and Chemicals and Fertilizers. Labour and Employment. Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Development of North Eastern Region; Prime Minister’s Office; Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy; and Department of Space. Culture; and Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Communications; and Railways. Youth Affairs and Sports; and Information and Broadcasting. Power; and New and Renewable Energy Housing and Urban Affairs. Tourism; and Electronics and Information Technology.
Ministers of State Shiv Pratap Shukla Vijay Goel Ashwini Kumar Chaubey Virender Kumar Anantkumar Hegde Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Dr. Satya Pal Singh General(Retd.) V.K. Singh Santosh Kumar Gangwar
Finance. Parliamentary Affairs; and Statistics and Programme Implementation. Health and Family Welfare. Women and Child Development; and Minority Affairs Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Human Resource Development; and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. External Affairs. Finance
Faggan Singh Kulaste S.S. Ahluwalia Ramdas Athawale Ram Kripal Yadav Haribhai Parthbhai Chaudhary Giriraj Singh Hansraj Gangaram Ahir Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi Rajen Gohain Parshottam Rupala M.J. Akbar Upendra Kushwaha Radhakrishnan P. Kiren Rijiju Krishan Pal Jasvantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor Vishnu Deo Sai Sudarshan Bhagat Y.S. Chowdary Jayant Sinha Babul Supriyo Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti Vijay Sampla Arjun Ram Meghwal Ajay Tamta Krishna Raj Mansukh L. Mandaviya Anupriya Patel C.R. Chaudhary P.P. Chaudhary Subhash Ramrao Bhamre
Health and Family Welfare Drinking Water and Sanitation. Social Justice and Empowerment. Rural Development. Mines; and Coal. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Home Affairs. Drinking Water and Sanitation Railways. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; and Panchayati Raj. External Affairs. Human Resource Development. Finance; and Shipping. Home Affairs Social Justice and Empowerment. Tribal Affairs. Steel Tribal Affairs. Science and Technology; and Earth Sciences Civil Aviation. Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. Food Processing Industries. Social Justice and Empowerment. Parliamentary Affairs; and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Textiles Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Road Transport and Highways; Shipping; and Chemicals and Fertilizers. Health and Family Welfare Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Commerce and Industry. Law and Justice; and Corporate Affairs. Defence.
List of Chief Ministers and Governors of Indian States State
Capital
Chief Minister
Governor
Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad(de jure) Amaravati (de facto)
N.Chandrababu Naidu
E.S Lakshmi Narasimhan
Arunachal Pradesh
Itanagar
Pema Khandu
Brigadier Dr BD Mishra
Assam
Dispur
Sarbananda Sonowal
Jagdish Mukhi
Bihar
Patna
Nitish Kumar
Satya Pal Malik
Chattisgarh
Raipur
Dr. Raman Singh
Balram Dass Tandon
Goa
Panaji
Manohar Parrikar
Mridula Sinha
Gujarat
Gandhinagar
Vijay Rupani
Om Prakash Kohli
Haryana
Chandigarh
Manohar Lal Khattar
Kaptan Singh Solanki
Himachal Pradesh
Simla, Dharamsala(Second Capital in Winter)
Virbhadra Singh
Acharya Dev Vrat
Jammu & Kashmir
Srinagar(Summer) Jammu(Winter)
Mehbooba Mufti
Narinder Nath Vohra
Jharkhand
Ranchi
Raghubar Das
Draupadi Murmu
Karnataka
Bangalore
Siddaramaiah
Vajubhai Vala
Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram
Pinarayi Vijayan
P. Sathasivam
Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal
Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Om Prakash Kohli
Maharashtra
Mumbai
Devendra Fadnavis
Chennamaneni
Vidyasagar Rao Manipur
Imphal
N. Biren Singh
Najma Heptulla
Meghalaya
Shillong
Dr. Mukul Sangma
Ganga Prasad
Mizoram
Aizawl
Lal Thanhawla
Nirbhay Sharma
Nagaland
Kohima
T. R. Zeliang
Padmanabha Balkrishna Acharya
Odisha
Bhubaneswar
Naveen Patnaik
S.C. Jamir
Punjab
Chandigarh
Amarinder Singh
V. P. Singh Badnore
Rajasthan
Jaipur
Vasundhara Raje
Kalyan Singh
Sikkim
Gangtok
Pawan Kumar Chamling
Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil
Tamil Nadu
Chennai
Edappadi K. Palaniswami
Banwarilal Purohit
Telangana
Hyderabad
K Chandrasekhar Rao
E.S Lakshmi Narasimhan
Tripura
Agartala
Manik Sarkar
Tathagata Roy
Uttar Pradesh
Lucknow
Yogi Adityanath
Ram Naik
Uttarakhand
Dehradun
Trivendra Singh Rawat
Krishan Kant Paul
West Bengal
Kolkata
Mamta Benerjee
Keshari Nath Tripathi
