B. M. Das - The People of Assam: Origin and Composition

In this book the author has given an idea about the various population groups of Assam and their socio-cultural background. He has critically examined the racial elements that have entered into the population of Assam following the traditional approach of anthropology. The subject matter has been dealt with in a popular and non-technical manner so as to be of interest of the general readers and at the same time prove useful to the students of anthropology.

The book succinctly deals with the various factors causing population variation in Assam. The book thus succeeds in providing a holistic perception of population dynamics in Assam in particular and Northeast India in general. The author has identified some of the major factors connected with the peopling of Assam. These are mythical migration, foundation of people, ancient migration, population formation, ongoing processes and end result.

THE PEOPLE OF ASSAM

Origin and Composition

THE PEOPLE OF ASSAM

Origin and Composition

B.M. DAS

Member, National Commission for Backward Classes, Govt. of India

GYAN PUBLISHING HOUSE

NEW DELHI-110002

The People of Assam
Origin and Composition
(Anthropology)

ISBN: 81-212-0839-4

B.M. Das

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without written permission.

First Edition 1987

Second Enlarged and Revised Edition 2003

Published by

Gyan Publishing House

5, Ansari Road, Darya Ganj, New Delhi-110002

Phones : 23282060, 23261060, Fax : 011-23285914

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Website : http://www.gyanbooks.com

Laser Typesetting at : Shree Vaishnavi Creations, Delhi
Printed at : Delux Offset Pritners

Dedicated to the sacred memory of Late Professor Lalita Prasad Vidyarthi,eminent anthropologist of our time, whose friendship was a constant source of intellectual stimulation to me

Contents

The Prehistoric Time; Ancient Assam; Assam : Its People; Population Groups; Language; Religion; Immigration.

Racial Criteria; Racial Classification.

Sources of Information; A Glance on India; Assam : Earlier Studies; Negrito Element in Assam; Australoid Element in Assam; Physical Feature; Prehistoric India; Contemporary India; Northeast India; Assam; Culture; Origin and Migration; Khasi; Mongoloid Element in Assam; Kirata; Physical Feature; Assam Tribe and Asiatic Mongoloid; Mongoloid Tribal Groups; Tibeto-Burman Migration; Garo; Rabha; Kachari Karbi; Ahom; Keiths View; Caucasoid Element in Assam; Mediterranean; Alpine-Armenoid; Caucasoid from Northeast; Indo-Aryan; Irano-Scythian; Summary.

Biology and Culture; Micro-evolution and Micro-variation; South Goalpara - Causes; Kachari; Garo; Chutiya; Man; Khasi; Regional Variation; Kalita; Brahmin; Kaibarta; Muslim; Meithi; Admixture; ABO Blood Groups; Haemoglobin E; Cerumen Type; Summary; Ending.

Index

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION

Since the publication of the book in 1987, some new data relating, more particularly, to the relative positions of the various population groups of Assam have been made available by different scholars through their studies. These finding have been included in the present edition. Hence, it is an enlarged and revised version of the first edition. A sub-titile called, Origin and Composition has also been added.

This edition has been prepared at the request of Sri Amit Garg, Gyan Publishing House, Delhi. I am thankful to him for bringing out this edition.

New Delhi, February, 2003

B.M. Das

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

I have written many articles in Assamese as well as in English in various magazines and journals in India and abroad, and also have delivered lectures in different parts of the country and abroad on the ethnic composition of the people of Northeast India. My friend Professor L.P. Vidyarthi during our last meeting in Guwahati in 1985 suggested me to compile the relevant material and arrange the same in the form of a book in popular or non-technical manner so as to reach general readers and at the same time prove useful to students of anthropology. Unfortunately, Professor Vidyarthi has left us for his heavenly abode, but his suggestion had a telling effect all the time in my mind and finally, I decided to put the material in a book form.

The present book is thus based on my earlier work. Moreover, it contains some of the selected material from earlier writings by me as well as with my colleagues. However, many new information have been incorporated in proper contexts and the matter has been presented entirely with a new approach.

I am grateful to my good friend and colleague Professor A.C. Bhagabati for his kindly examining the typescript thoroughly and critically, and for offering valuable suggestions for improvement. I am thankful to my colleagues Professor Priya Bala Das and Dr. Renuka Das for their kindly going through the typescript. My thanks are due to those scholars whose works I have used or referred to.

I thank Sri Rati Kanta Das, who did the typing, and also to those who directly or indirectly helped me in bringing out this publication. I am thankful to Mr. B.P. Garg Managing Director, Gyan Publishing House, Delhi for taking the responsibility for publishing the book.

My endeavour will be rewarded if the book proves to be useful to the readers.

Guwahati, January 4, 1987

B.M. DAS

About the Book

In this book the author has given an idea about the various population groups of Assam and their socio-cultural background. He has critically examined the racial elements that have entered into the population of Assam following the traditional approach of anthropology. The subject matter has been dealt with in a popular and non-technical manner so as to be of interest of the general readers and at the same time prove useful to the students of anthropology.

The book succinctly deals with the various factors causing population variation in Assam. The book thus succeeds in providing a holistic perception of population dynamics in Assam in particular and Northeast India in general. The author has identified some of the major factors connected with the peopling of Assam. These are mythical migration, foundation of people, ancient migration, population formation, ongoing processes and end result.

About the Author

B.M. Das (M.Sc., 1953, Ph. D., 1959, D.Sc., 1973) was an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and did post-doctoral research i Berlin (1968-70) and Hannover (1975). In 1982 he visited Hamburg, Bremen and Hannover for academic purpose.

He was professor and head of the department of anthropology in Dibrugarh University and Gauhati University. After his retirement in 1993, he was offered University Grants Commission Emeritus Fellowship for two years. During 1995-96 he was Chairman of Assam Textbook Production and Publication Corporation. Currently (2000-), he is a Member, National Commission for Backward Classes, Govt. of India.

He was the President of Anthropology & Archaeology section of the Indian Congress (1979) and UGC National Lecturer (1979-80). He delivered lectures in three universities in Italy under Indo-Italian Cultural Exchange Programme (1982).

He was published a large number of research papers and notes in various journals of India and abroad. Besides these, his publications include about 50 articles in English and about 200 articles in Assamese, 10 books in English; 24 books in Assamese on anthropological topics, collection of short stories, biographical sketches, national award-winning children literature, etc.