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History
Assam
is a land with an illustrious recorded history going back to the
4th century BC. An independent kingdom throughout it's history till
1826 when the British conquered the kingdom and annexed it to British
India.
 Assam
was known as 'Kamarupa' or 'Pragjyotish' in the period of the Epics.
Human inhabitation of this area dates backs to about 2000 BC.
The population of Assam comprises of the migrants from Burma and
China. They came into Assam after the Mongolion migration. They
came from Punjab through Bihar and North Bengal. Thus Assam presents
a fusion of Mongol-Aryan culture.
The
early history of Assam is believed to be of the Varman dynasty.
The reign of this dynasty extended from 400 AD to 13th century.
The visit of Huien Tsang is said to have taken place during the
7th century at the time of Kumar Bhaskar Varman.
The Ahoms ventured into Assam in about 1228 AD. By 15th century
the kingdoms of Ahom and Koch were established. This period witnessed
a change in all walks of life in Assam.
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history of Assam after 1826 |
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1826
: Assam became part of British India and part of the bengal
province;
divided into 2 commissions: Upper and Lower Assam
1836: Assamese language was replaced by Bengal as the
official language of Assam
1873: Assamese once again made the official language
of Assam after 37 years
1874: Assam separated from Bengal
1912: Division of Bengal ends, Assam made a part of
Bengal again;
1919: Assam made a separate province again, Sylleht made
a district of Assam
1948: University established in Guwahati
1963: District of Nagaland separated from Assam and
made into a state
1972: NEFA, Garo and Khaasiyaa Hills, Mizoram, Manipur,
Tripura separated from Assam. Gaaro and Khaasiyaa Hills become
the state of Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura also become a
state. NEFA becomes the state of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram
becomes a state, both in 1987
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T
e a - T a l e s
For
years, all tea came from China. In the 1800's, a Scotsman
called Robert Bruce ventured into the Assam region of India,
and saw the natives drinking tea that they made from local
plants. However, the idea was summarily dismissed by the experts.
Robert died, but
his brother Charles kept up the fight for 20 yrs to prove
that the plants found growing wild in Assam were tea plants.
Even then, tea from China was thought superior to the native
plants.
Seeds were smuggled out of China at great cost and planted
in Assam. The idea was abandoned when Chinese plants, did
not fare well in the warm Indian climates. And the cultivators
returned to the native Assam tea plants.
Today, India is the world's largest tea producing country,
with over one million acres of tea under cultivation. Except
for tea grown in China, almost all of the teas grown throughout
Asia today are descended from those first hearty, wild Assam
plants.
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Society
& Culture
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 The
Assamese are a mixture of Mongolian-Tibetan, Aryan, and Burman ethnic
origins. Their official language, which is called Assamese,
is closely related to Bengali.An unbroken record of Assamese literary
history is traceable from the 14th century.
About two-thirds of the Assamese are Hindus, and about a quarter
are Muslim. The Muslims are mostly recent settlers from Bangladesh
or converts belonging to the lower strata of Hindu society.
Assam is a unique example of communal tolerance and religious harmony
which prevails amongst the believer of different faiths. Assamese
society is remarkably free from communal conflict. A majority of
the Hindus accept Vaisnavism, which is based on the deity Vishnu.
The hilly margins of the plain are inhabited by the hill tribes
of the Garo, Khasi, and Hajong.
The Bodo are the largest minority group in Assam and are
concentrated in the northern areas of the Brahmaputra River valley.
Artist
and sculptors, masons and architects, and others practicing minor
crafts such as weavers, spinners, potters, goldsmiths, artisanns
of ivory, wood, bamboo, cane and hide flourished in Assam from ancient
times.
 The
Eri, Muga and Pat are the important silk products of Assam.
Weaving is another important aspect of the cultural life of the
people of Assam, particularly of the women. Every Assamese house,
irrespective of caste, creed, and social status, has at least one
loom, and each woman is required to be skilled in producing fine
silk and cotton cloths.
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Fairs
& Festivals
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The most important
celebrations of the state are the three Bihu festivals. Originally
agricultural festivals, these are observed with great enthusiasm
irrespective of caste, creed, and religious affinity.
The Bohag
Bihu, celebrated in the spring (usually mid-April) to mark the
commencement of the new year (first day of the Bohag or Baisakh
month), is the most important one. Also known as Rangali Bihu (rang
means merrymaking and fun), it is accompanied by much dancing and
singing. On this day women present a hand-woven gamocha (towel)
to each family member.
The
Magh Bihu, celebrated in mid-January (in the month of Magh),
is a harvest festival. Known also as Bhogali Bihu (bhog means enjoyment
and feasting), it is a time of community feasts and bonfires.
The third Bihu
festival, the Kati Bihu (in mid-October), is also called
the Kangali Bihu (kangali means poor) because by this time of year
the house of a common man is without food grains, as the stock is
usually consumed before the next harvest.
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