The Renaissance in Assam (Assam After the Revolt of 1857)

The effect and significance of the peasants' rebellion

• The increase of revenue collection greatly affected the income of the peasants, and their plight worsened every day. Though their rebellion was ruthlessly contained, the British realized that the tax-structure needed revision.
• The British Government became alarmed at the growing influence of the ‘Raijmel' and considered it as a source of danger. Therefore, the Raijmel was banned. But the brutal action of Government had created a stir throughout the India.
• The media supported the demands of the peasants. The Government became convinced of the popular discontent and did undertake some kinds of reformation of the tax and revenue structure.

Social and literacy consciousness in Assam

• The seeds of renaissance were sown rather late in Assam, because Assam came under British dominion only during the 20s and 30s of 19th century. A humble beginning was made in 1831 by Haliram Dhekial Phukan and Juggoram Khargharia Phukan.
• Haliram supported the cause of women's education. He wrote the Asam Buranji, the first historical work on Assam. His brother Juggaram was a close associate of Ram Mohan Roy of Bengal. He took the initiative in establishing English schools in Assam.
• In 1835, the first government school was established. In 1836, American Missionaries began to publish books and journals after establishing a printing press.
• In 1813, the first Assamese book, a translation of Bible by Atmaram Sharma, was published from Serampore.Social reforms were led on by Radhakant Kataki; he was a supporter of the liberation of slaves and freedom from bonded labour in Assam.
• Anandaram Dhekial Phukan and Maniram Dewan were two giant personalities in the 50s of 19th century. Maniram Dewan ended his life in his attempt at overthrowing the British rule from Assam.
• Anandaram Dhekial Phukan devoted himself to the improvement of Assamese society.

Contributions of Anandaram Dhekial Phukan

• Anandaram Dhekial Phukan, the son of Holiram Dhekial Phukan, was the true representative of the new awakening in the modern age of enlightenment.
• He studied in Calcutta Hindu College. He has been rightly acclaimed as the "Rammohon Roy" of Assam. He came to realize that no real progress was possible without education.
• He harbored the idea that with the British as rulers, it would be possible to eradicate social evils only by progressive reforms. He proposed that the people should come out of their medieval orthodox outlook and acquire the knowledge of western science, literature and philosophy.
• He urged upon the British Government to impose a ban on the sale of opium. He was influenced by Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar and strongly supported the cause of women's education and widow remarriage.
• He established the ‘Jnan Pradayii Sabha' where they would meet weekly and discuss social reforms. He contributed much to the restoration of Assamese language to its rightful place.
• Anandaram Dhekial Phukan strongly argued in favor of replacing the Bengali by the Assamese. He wrote Asamiya Lorar Mitra in two parts, which was used as reading material for schools.
• He wrote a series of articles in Arunodoi, under the heading of "A few Remarks on the Assamese Language and Vermicular Education" in 1859.

Literary Consciousness

• Between 1826 and 1837 – the Assamese language had been in use in Assam in literature and official purposes. But, suddenly in 1837 it was replaced by the Bengali language. Therefore, the Assamese people had been expressing their dissatisfaction over the decision of the British government.
• Resolutions were passed in meetings, and petitions sent to the government for the restoration of the Assamese language. The American Baptists Missionaries also fought for Assamese language. Jaduram Barua, Gunaviram Barua, Hemchandra Barua and Lakshminath Bezbarua – all expressed their opposition to Bengali.
• All of them also advocated social reforms. Jaduram and Gunaviram both married widows. Hem Chandra Barua wrote about widow remarriage in Arunodoi, the first Assamese monthly magazine, published in 1846.
• Lakshminath Bezbarua also attacked the social evils and superstitious beliefs though his writings. They opposed the use of opium. In these ways, the Assamese literature that was emerging began to touch new heights.
• News papers, debates and discussions created an intellectual revival and the ancient glories of Assam inspired the effort for freedom. The Christian missionaries worked as a strong force for the new beginning of Assamese literature.
• They established elementary schools and wrote text books in Assamese. Besides the translation of the Bible, they published Kamini Kantar Caritra and Alokeshi Vesyar Katha in 1877. In other words, they opened the door to the west and brought about a renaissance in the Assamese language.
• The period is memorable for the emergence of a group of Assamese writers, whose works are still regarded as classics in Assamese literature. Hem Chandra Barua wrote the Grammar of Assamese Language in 1856 and Hem Kosh in 1900, which laid foundation of the Assamese language and literature on solid ground.
• Gunaviram Barua introduced a new era by his publication of the earliest comprehensive history of Assam. He wrote the first Assamese biography: Anandaram Dhekial Phukanar Jivan Charitra. 1889 was a landmark in the history of the Assamese language and literature.
• The ‘Asamiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha' was established by Ramakanta Barkakati, Kanaklal Barua, Padmanath Gohainbarua and many other prominent Assamese writers.
• In 1889, Jonaki, the monthly Assamese magazine was published. Chandra Kumar Aggarwala wrote "Pratima" in 1913 and "Bin Baragi" in 1923 on the idea of natural beauty.
• Ambikagiri Roy Choudhury wrote intensely patriotic poems like "Bandini Bharat" and "Satadhana". However, writers like Jatindra Nath Dowera and Raghunath Choudhury appeared to be indifferent to social and political problems of that age.
• Nalini Devi wrote a series of highly patriotic poems. Hem Chandra Goswami was the first to write a sonnet "Priyatamar Chithi"

(Letter from the Beloved) in 1889. Lakshmi Nath Bezbarua became the intrepid user of the genre of the short story.

Assam Sahitya Sabha

• The Assam Sahitya Sabha was the most important literary organization of Assam. The establishment of the ‘Assam Sahitya Sabha' in 1917 provided the common forum to the literatures of the province where it was possible to exchange views and to take concrete steps for the development of Assamese language and literature.
• It was a common platform for Asamiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha and the Assamese Literary Society. This concept was conceived by Ambikagiri RayChoudhury who was a poet, a writer and veteran freedom fighter. Lakshminath Bezbarua helped him out.
• The formation of Assam Sahitya Sabha was attendace by the representatives from all over Assam. Padmanath Gohai Barua and Sarat Chandra Goswami were the first president and secretary.
• Some notable members were Nilamani Phukan, Debeswar Chaliha, Satyanath Bora etc. The Head Office was at Chandra Kanta Handique Bhavan at Jorhut, Bhagavati Prasad Baruah Bhavan at Guwahati and Rangsina Bhavon at Diphu.
• The aim of the Sabha is to develop Assamese Language and bring all other indigenous languages of Assam under one umbrella. Other than that the publish dictionary and folklores of Assam, develop art, culture and sculpture of Assam.
• They publish research journal, awarded young and talented writers, organize seminars and workshops.
• Till now they have published more than 800 books and also translate books from English and Sanskrit languages. The Assam Sahitya Sabha was always indifferent form Socio-Political movements.

Rise of socio-political organizations

• ‘Raijmels' were the first political organization in Assam. After English education was underway, the educated middle class took charge of the Raijmels.
• They were well aware of the happenings all over India. In 1852 some intellectuals of Guwahati submitted a representation to the Government urging for introduction of Municipal administration in Guwahati.
• Though their effort did not succeed at that time, but it was perhaps the earliest organized effort to express public opinion. In 1885, ‘The Assam Desh Hitaisini Sabha', a socio-cultural organization was formed in Sibsagar.
• In 1857-59 Anandaram Dhekial Phukan established the ‘Gyan Pradayini Sabha', mainly for the spread of advanced knowledge among the people.
• Many more organizations were established in that period. Among them the three notable socio-political organizations which made major contributions to the national movement were – ‘Sarbajanik Sabha', ‘Assam Association' and ‘Chatra Sanmilan'.

The Sarbajanik Sabha:

• It was the first political association of Assam. Founded by Jagannath Barua, it was established in 1884, and lasted until 1907.
• Its objectives were: (i) to present the wishes and aspirations of the people; (ii) to explain Governmental policies to the people and (iii) to promote the betterment of the condition of the people.
• They protested against the introduction of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulations of 1886. The Sabha supported the abolition of the cultivation of opium.
• They also took up the cause of opium cultivators and urged upon Government to improve their conditions. This Sabha brought political consciousness among the people, and made them aware of the harmful affect of British rule.
• The Sabha was open to all classes of people. These organizations created a healthy tradition of political association in Assam.

The Assam Association:-

• This was formed in 1903, but the inaugural session was held only after two years.
• Prabhat Shandra Barua, Manik Chandra Barua, Phanidhar Chaliha and many others were the members of this association.
• The method of working of this Sabha was similar to the Sarbajanik Sabha. They believed in constitutional form of movement.
• They made resolutions first, and then appealed to the British government. They opposed the partition of Bengal.
• They opposed the grazing tax and realization of money by the government from the immoral trade of opium.
• But gradually they decided to join the freedom movement. In 1921, the Assam Provincial Congress Committee was formed and this association became its part.

The Assam Chatra Sanmilion: -

• In 1925, the first session of this organization was held in Guwahati. The president was Lakshminath Bezbarua.
• It was basically a literary organization. Initially they were not interested in politics.
• But afterwards they jumped into the bandwagon of the Swadeshi Movement.
• They carried on the call for using home made articles and the boycott of foreign goods. They also demanded a separate University for Assam.
• This organization wielded much influence upon the student community.
• It spread its activities all over Assam. This association, through its activities imparted a sort of political training to the students who later on emerged as important political leaders at the provincial and national levels.

By: Ziyaur Rahman