SOAS Research Online

Abstract

As the title indicates, the scope of my work covers a wide field of study, consisting of the political history of Assam from the early part of the 13th century to the beginning of the 17th, The history of the period offers fresh ground for the seekers of historical truth. In the introduction I have discussed the geography, people, land and the sources, laying especial emphasis on the Buranjis- their character, originality and importance as sources of Indian history. Besides this I have dealt with the political condition of Assam and its neighbouring countries, Burma, China, Tibet and the rest of India, early in the 13th century. The origin of the Ahoms and the title 'Assam' are also discussed here. The rest of the work has been divided into two parts; in the first I have discussed the history of the Ahoms, their original homeland and their route of migration to Assam. I. Text I have shown their first settlement in the Brahumputra valley and their gradual expansion and integration until they formed a powerful kingdom over a large region in the north-eastern frontier of India, early in the l6th century, under Suhungmung, At the same time I have pointed out the gradual. Hinduisation of the Ahoms, until they formed a synthetic civilisation of their own having been simultaneously influenced by the Shan culture on the one hand and the Indian on the other. Besides this the adninistration of the Ahoms, a synthesis of various systems of government, is also narrated there. In the second part I have discussed the history of the later Kamrupi kings, the Koches, the Kaches, the Kacharies, the Jayantias the Chutias and the Nagas, In conclusion, I have shorn that there was a cultural renaissaiace in Assam inaugurated by Sankerdev, which fully influenced the minds and culture of the people to commence a new era in their history.