1. Factors Responsible for the Emergence of Political Consciousness
The rise of political consciousness in Assam during the late 19th and early 20th centuries was a complex process influenced by several interconnected factors. This awakening laid the groundwork for organized political movements and demands for greater autonomy and rights within British India.
Key Factors:
- British Administrative and Economic Policies:
- Land Revenue Policy: British land revenue policies, such as the introduction of cash rents and increasing assessments, often led to economic hardship for cultivators, creating widespread discontent.
- Forest Policies: Restrictive forest laws curtailed traditional rights of local communities to forest resources, causing resentment.
- Opium Policy: While generating revenue for the British, the state-controlled opium trade had severe social and health consequences, leading to social reformers' protests.
- Judicial System: The new British judicial system, with its complexities and costs, often seemed alien and inaccessible to the common people, leading to a sense of injustice.
- Administrative Language Change: The replacement of Assamese with Bengali as the official language of administration and instruction in 1836, although later reversed, was a significant blow to Assamese identity and cultural pride, sparking linguistic nationalism.
- Economic Exploitation: The British economic policies were primarily designed to serve imperial interests, leading to the exploitation of local resources (like tea, oil, coal) without adequate benefit to the Assamese people, hindering local industrial development.
- Spread of Western Education:
- The introduction of Western education by the British, often through Christian missionaries, opened up new avenues of thought.
- It led to the emergence of an educated Assamese middle class, many of whom were exposed to liberal, nationalist, and democratic ideals prevalent in the West and other parts of India.
- These educated individuals became the torchbearers of political and social reforms, articulating the grievances of the populace.
- Rise of Print Media and Literature:
- The establishment of printing presses and the publication of newspapers, journals, and literary works played a crucial role.
- Publications like Orunodoi, Jonaki, and later newspapers, served as platforms for discussing socio-political issues, criticizing government policies, fostering a sense of shared identity, and disseminating nationalist ideas.
- Literature helped revive Assamese language and culture, instilling pride and a sense of distinct identity.
- Development of Communication and Transport:
- The construction of roads, railways, and postal and telegraph services, primarily for administrative and economic (tea industry) purposes, inadvertently facilitated greater interaction among people across Assam.
- This improved connectivity helped in the rapid dissemination of ideas and news, enabling political organizers to mobilize support more effectively.
- Social and Religious Reform Movements:
- Various social and religious reform movements, though not overtly political, fostered a spirit of critical inquiry, challenged traditional superstitions, and promoted social cohesion.
- Leaders like Hemchandra Barua and Gunabhiram Barua contributed to social awareness and the modernization of Assamese society, indirectly paving the way for political awakening.
- Influence of Indian Nationalist Movement:
- The broader Indian nationalist movement, spearheaded by organizations like the Indian National Congress, provided inspiration and a framework for political agitation in Assam.
- Assamese leaders participated in national sessions, bringing back nationalist fervor and strategies, integrating local issues with the larger national struggle for independence.
2. Early Organizations in Assam
The growing political consciousness led to the formation of various organizations aimed at articulating the demands and safeguarding the interests of the Assamese people.
Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha
Establishment: 1884
Founder: Jagannath Barooah
- Objectives: The primary goal was to represent the grievances and aspirations of the local Assamese public before the British administration. It aimed to promote public welfare and discuss local issues.
- Activities: The Sabha actively submitted petitions and memoranda to the government on various matters concerning revenue, education, and administrative policies, acting as a crucial link between the people and the colonial rulers. It served as one of the earliest platforms for organized political articulation in Assam.
Assam Association
Establishment: 1903
Prominent Leaders: Manik Chandra Barooah, Jagannath Barooah, Raja Prabhat Chandra Barooah, Rai Bahadur Ghanashyam Barooah
- Objectives: This was a more prominent and influential political organization that aimed to safeguard the political, economic, and social interests of the people of Assam. It sought greater representation for Assamese in legislative bodies and administration, and advocated for the promotion of Assamese language and culture.
- Activities and Contributions:
- Played a crucial role in demanding the amalgamation of Bengali-speaking Sylhet with Assam.
- Strongly opposed the Partition of Bengal in 1905, fearing it would further marginalize Assamese identity.
- Advocated for the formation of a separate Assam Legislative Council, which was eventually established.
- Its leaders actively participated in national political discourse and acted as a strong voice for Assam's regional interests within the broader Indian nationalist movement.
Assam Chhatra Sanmilan
Establishment: 1916 (First session held in Guwahati)
- Objectives: The Sanmilan was a student organization focused on promoting education, fostering unity among Assamese students, and encouraging cultural and literary development. It aimed to instill a sense of patriotism and social responsibility among the youth.
- Activities and Contributions:
- Organized annual conferences where students discussed various issues related to education, language, and the socio-political condition of Assam.
- Published magazines and journals (like Milan) that served as platforms for young writers and intellectuals.
- Advocated for the use and promotion of the Assamese language in educational institutions and government spheres.
- Its activities helped in nurturing future leaders and creating a conscious generation deeply involved in the Assamese identity movement and the national freedom struggle.
Surma Valley Political Conference
Context: The Surma Valley (primarily Sylhet and Cachar districts) was a Bengali-speaking region that formed part of the Assam Province during British rule. This conference reflected the distinct political consciousness of this region.
- Objectives: The conference aimed to address the specific political, economic, and social grievances of the people residing in the Surma Valley. It articulated their demands, often related to administrative structure, linguistic identity, and economic development within the larger framework of British India.
- Activities and Contributions:
- Served as a vital platform for political mobilization in the Surma Valley.
- Its leaders often aligned with the broader Indian National Congress but also championed regional issues, including demands for administrative adjustments concerning the Surma Valley.
- These conferences provided a forum for expressing the aspirations of the Bengali-speaking population within Assam, which eventually led to discussions about Sylhet's future administrative alignment.