History of North East India

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North East is a collective term which is used for the eight States of India, namely, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. It has some very unique features such as dominance of Mongoloid race of people, tribal culture, 'Hot Spot of Biodiversity and Immense potential for hydro-electricity. Its proximity to countries like China, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh has made it special from strategic point of view.

Modern period in the history of North East begins with the foundation of British rule in Assam following the first Anglo- Burmese War (1824-26). After this most of the parts of the North East came under the British domination and the so called isolation of the North East came to an end.

This book deals with the forces and factors of change which gave to the North East its present identity. The book starts with an introduction on the land and people and historiography of the North East. It further acquaints the readers with the Ahom rule in Assam and describes the factors that led to its downfall after a long period of rule extending over six centuries. The book covers a description on the coming of Europeans and the Anglo-Burmese War (1824-26) followed by the policy of annexation of North Eastern states. It further goes to examine the frontier policy followed by the British government in the North East. The book also presents a description on the freedom struggle which the Indian people and the people of North East started against the colonial rule. Finally, the book also deals with the events and progress of the North East since independence and gives a concluding remarks on recent social and economic development in the North East.

RAJESH VERMA (b. 1964) passed BA (Hons.) and M.A. examinations in History from Bhagalpur University, Bihar securing First Class First position in the both. He did his Ph.D in 1989 from the same University on the topic The Congress and Mahatma Gandhi's Constructive Programme in Bihar 1920- 1934' He has been serving in Arunachal Pradesh since 1993. At present he is working as an Associate Professor in the department of History at Government Model College, Seppa, District East Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh.

Dr. Rajesh Verma has participated and presented papers in several national and international seminars and conferences and got published research articles in various journals including the proceedings of Indian History Congress and North East India History Association.

Dr. Rajesh Verma worked on a UGC Research Project on the title 'Forest Rights of the Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh: Past and Present. He has designed, edited and written course materials for the Distance Education of Rajiv Gandhi University, Doimukh, Itanagar. He has authored a book titled 'People and Forest in North East India and co-authored a book in Hindi titled 'Rashtrawadi Mussalman 1885-1934.

Diversity of India can be interpreted in a number of ways, such as its strength or weakness. But it has certainly made India a unique country in the world. People of diverse cultures came to India from different directions and made it their homelands However, community-wise organization of different peoples did not prevent the formation of a composite culture in India. Today, in spite of its diversity, India is united in a political system because of some historical processes.

The making of North East as an integral part of India has also passed through a number of historical processes which began in ancient times and passed through different stages to reach the present status. The North East itself represents diversity of cultures, consisting both of tribal and 'non-tribal' notwithstanding the dominance of the former. But still people of rest of India do not have a good idea of history of the North East in spite of the fact that it is full of interesting historical events. There is no dearth of reading materials on the North East history which is being produced from authors of the region itself to highlight and unfold the history and culture of the region to outside world. The present book may be considered as one of them in this series.

The book with an introduction on the land and people and historiography of the North East. It further acquaints the readers with the Ahom rule in Assam and describes the factors that led to its downfall after a long period of rule extending over six centuries. The book covers a description on the coming of Europeans and the Anglo-Burmese war (1824-26) followed by the policy of annexation of North Eastern states. It further goes to examine the frontier policy followed by the British govemment in the North East. The book also presents a description on the freedom struggle which the Indian people and the people of North East started against the colonial rule.

**Contents and Sample Pages**