Annals of the Delhi Badshahate (Being A Translation of the Old Assamese Chronicle Padshah-Buranji, with Introduction and Notes)

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This book is a significant historical work that provides insight into the Assamese perspective on Delhi's Mughal rulers. Originally written in Assamese as Padshah- Buranji, this chronicle is a rare text that delves into the complex interactions between the Ahom kingdom of Assam and the Mughal Empire in North India. Bhuyan's translation, coupled with his extensive introduction and notes, brings this important document to a wider audience, particularly those interested in South Asian history, colonial studies, and Assamese literature.

The Padshah-Buranji is one of several chronicles maintained by the Ahom dynasty, which ruled Assam for nearly 600 years. These chronicles, or buranjis, were written in Assamese and Tai-Ahom and documented the political, social, and military events of the region. The Padshah-Buranji, specifically, focuses on the diplomatic and military relations between Assam and the Mughals, detailing alliances, conflicts, and negotiations between the two powers. It highlights key historical events, including the famous battles of Saraighat (1671) and Itakhuli (1682), where the Ahoms successfully resisted Mughal invasions.

Bhuyan's scholarly introduction provides context to these events, explaining the unique role of the buranjis in preserving Assamese heritage and detailing the methodologies he used for the translation.

Surya Kumar Bhuyan (1892-1964) was a celebrated Assamese historian, author, and scholar known for his pioneering work in documenting and preserving the rich cultural and historical heritage of Assam, India. Born in North Guwahati, Bhuyan displayed an early aptitude for academics and eventually pursued advanced studies at prestigious institutions, including Cotton College in Assam and Calcutta University. Over his lifetime, he authored numerous influential books, articles, and translations, many of which are still recognized as essential resources in Assamese literature and history.

Bhuyan's contributions as a historian were instrumental in shedding light on the lesser-known aspects of Assam's past, from the Ahom dynasty to the colonial era.

His works, such as Kachari Buranji, Kamrupar Buranji, and Deodhai Assam Buranji, are foundational texts that document the history of the Assamese people and their interactions with neighboring regions. He was also involved in translating important historical documents, allowing a wider audience to access traditional Assamese history. He presided over the Asam Sahitya Sabha (1953) held at Shillong. He was the elected member of Rajya Sabha during 1952-53, and was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1956.

The compilation of the present-book Annals of the Delhi Badshahate owes its origin to the encouragement of three eminent scholars, alas, who are now no more !

In December 1927, Professor S. Khuda Bukhsh, historian, philosopher and humanist, visited Gauhati as President of the Assam Students' Conference, when I acquainted him with the contents of the Padshah- Buranji. He was greatly interested in the chronicle, specially in the description of the. Nao-roza festivities of which I had prepared a translation for him. He asked me to write a few articles introducing the book to scholars so that they might know of the existence of such a valuable source of information about the Muhammadan Period. He also assured me that he would get my articles published in some magazine. I had the privilege of being Professor Khuda Bukhsh's student at the University Law College, Calcutta, in 1915-1916, and he left upon my youthful mind a very powerful impress of his personality, and of his "sweetness and light" which ideal he followed throughout his life. His suggestion was of the nature of a mandate to me, and I put my heart and soul into the work, and soon completed writing a series of articles, entitled New Lights on Mogul India from Assamese Sources.