<–2/”>a >The ancient name of Assam was Pragiyotishpura – the city of Eastern Light, which later changed to Kamrupa – the land where Kamdeva, the god of love was reborn. Assam traces her history back to at least 2500 years B.C., when high civilization flourished in the land. During the era of Mahabharata, this land was ruled by Non Aryans, the first known ruler being Mahiranga Danava of Danava dynasty. Bhagadutta, son of Naraka who participated in the great Kurukshetra war as an ally of the Kauravas, was the most powerful among the Danava Kings.
In the mid 7 Century A.D. the most illustrious monarch of Varmana dynasty Kumar Bhaskar Varmana raised ancient Assam from obscurity and placed her in the forefront of Indian politics. Kumar Bhaskar Varmana was a close friend of King Harshavardhana. During this period Hiuen Tsang came to Assam and wrote about Assam and her people.
The dynasty of Pralamba assumed power at around 800 A.D. There were around twenty rulers from this dynasty. By 1000 A.D, the Pal dynasty came into focus with the rule of Brahma Pal. Several rulers from this dynasty ruled till the 11 century. By 1100 A.D., there again developed a reign of confusion in the kingdom of Kamrupa with no definite ruler. The kingdom of Kamarupa disintegrated, resulting in the emergence of many petty chiefs at different places.
The Ahoms belonged to the Tai or Shan section of the Siamese – Chinese branch of the Sino-Tibetans. They arrived in Assam through North Burma, along the Noa Dihing River. During their six hundred years rule, they were able to consolidate their power by bringing the different rulers or chiefs under their dominion. When the Ahoms were consolidating their position in Assam, they came into conflict with the ruling Kachari, Chutiya and Jaintia kingdoms. The Chutiyas were in power in northeastern Assam and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. During the period of Sukapha the country comprised of Buridihing in the east,Dikhou in the South, in the western side, there was river Brahmaputra and Naga Hills in the east. Swargadeo Suhungmung extended its boundary up to Karatoya River and Dhaca and makes the Ahom state a great kingdom by defeating the Mughals in the Battle of Itakhuli, King Gadadhar Singha extended the Ahom territory up to Hajo.
With the treaty of Yandaboo in 1826, the fate of Assam passed into the hands of the British. Now began a history in Assam which was a series of annexation and secessions. The British annexed Cachar in 1832 and Jaintia Hills in 1835. In 1874, Assam became a separate province with Shillong as its capital. Sylhet was merged with East Bengal on partition of India.
This is the Basic introduction of Assam History, the questions in APSC Prelims and Mains are observed to be in detail and thus we have bifurcated the syllabus of History into relevant topics and detailed notes will be provided by APSCNotes team.
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Assam is a state in north-eastern India. It is the largest state in the region by area and the third most populous. The state is bordered by Bhutan to the north, Arunachal Pradesh to the north-east, Nagaland to the east, Manipur to the south-east, Mizoram to the south, Tripura to the south-west, Meghalaya to the west, and Bangladesh to the west and south. The capital of Assam is Dispur.
Assam has a long and rich history. The earliest inhabitants of the region were the Austroasiatic peoples. The Ahoms, a Tai people, migrated to Assam from present-day Yunnan in China in the 13th century. The Ahoms established a powerful kingdom that ruled Assam for over 600 years. The Koch Kingdom, another powerful kingdom, was founded in the 15th century by Biswa Singha. The Koch Kingdom ruled over much of present-day Assam, Meghalaya, and West Bengal.
The Mughal Empire invaded Assam in the 17th century. The Mughals were able to conquer most of Assam, but they were eventually driven out by the Ahoms. The British East India Company established a presence in Assam in the 18th century. The British gradually took control of Assam, and the region became a part of British India in the 19th century.
The Assam War of 1824-26 was fought between the British and the Burmese. The war was fought over control of Assam. The British were victorious in the war, and Assam became a part of British India.
The Assamese Renaissance was a period of cultural and intellectual revival in Assam. The Assamese Renaissance began in the 19th century and continued into the 20th century. The Assamese Renaissance was a time of great literary and artistic activity. The Assamese Renaissance also saw the rise of a number of social and political movements.
The Assamese Freedom Movement was a movement for independence from British rule. The Assamese Freedom Movement began in the early 20th century and continued until India gained independence in 1947. The Assamese Freedom Movement was a major part of the Indian independence movement.
Assam after Independence has been a period of rapid development. The state has seen significant economic Growth, and the standard of living has improved for many people. However, Assam has also faced a number of challenges, including insurgency, floods, and deforestation.
Despite the challenges, Assam remains a vibrant and dynamic state. The people of Assam are proud of their culture and heritage, and they are determined to build a better future for their state.
Here are some strategies to cover the topics on Historical Introduction to Assam: From Pre-Historic to Independence and Strategy to cover it for APSC Prelims and Mains Exam:
- Start by reading a comprehensive history of Assam. This will give you a good overview of the major events and periods in Assamese history.
- Once you have a basic understanding of Assamese history, you can start to focus on the specific topics that are relevant to the APSC Prelims and Mains Exam.
- Make sure to read primary sources, such as historical documents and records, as well as secondary sources, such as scholarly books and articles.
- Practice answering questions on Assamese history from past APSC Prelims and Mains Exam papers. This will help you get a feel for the types of questions that are asked and how to answer them effectively.
- Finally, don’t forget to revise your notes regularly. This will help you retain the information and make sure that you are prepared for the exam.
Historical Introduction to Assam: From Pre-Historic to Independence
Q1. What is the earliest evidence of human habitation in Assam?
A1. The earliest evidence of human habitation in Assam is found in the form of stone tools and fossils. These have been found at various sites in the state, including the Brahmaputra Valley, the Barak Valley, and the Karbi Anglong Hills. The stone tools date back to the Paleolithic period, while the fossils date back to the Mesolithic period.
Q2. What were the major kingdoms that ruled Assam in the pre-colonial period?
A2. The major kingdoms that ruled Assam in the pre-colonial period were the Kamarupa Kingdom, the Ahom Kingdom, and the Koch Kingdom. The Kamarupa Kingdom was founded in the 3rd century AD and ruled over most of Assam until the 13th century. The Ahom Kingdom was founded in the 13th century and ruled over Assam until the 19th century. The Koch Kingdom was founded in the 16th century and ruled over parts of Assam until the 18th century.
Q3. What was the impact of the British East India Company on Assam?
A3. The British East India Company first came to Assam in the 17th century. They established a trading post at Goalpara in 1661. In the 18th century, the British East India Company became increasingly involved in the affairs of Assam. They fought several wars with the Ahom Kingdom and eventually took control of Assam in 1826.
Q4. What was the impact of the British Raj on Assam?
A4. The British Raj had a profound impact on Assam. The British introduced a number of reforms, including the introduction of a new system of Education, the construction of roads and railways, and the development of agriculture. However, the British also exploited Assam’s Resources and people.
Q5. What was the role of Assam in the Indian independence movement?
A5. Assam played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. A number of prominent Indian freedom fighters, including Lachit Barphukan, Gopinath Bordoloi, and Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, came from Assam. Assamese people also participated in a number of protests and demonstrations against British rule.
Q6. What was the impact of the Partition of India on Assam?
A6. The Partition of India had a significant impact on Assam. The state was divided between India and Pakistan, with the Muslim-majority areas going to Pakistan and the Hindu-majority areas going to India. The Partition led to a large-scale Migration of people, as well as violence and bloodshed.
Q7. What are the major challenges facing Assam today?
A7. The major challenges facing Assam today include POVERTY, illiteracy, Unemployment, Corruption, and insurgency. The state also faces a number of environmental challenges, including deforestation, Soil erosion, and floods.
Strategy to cover it for APSC Prelims and Mains Exam
Prelims
The APSC Prelims exam is a 100-mark objective test. The syllabus for the Prelims exam includes the following topics:
To prepare for the Prelims exam, you should focus on the following:
- Read the NCERT textbooks for Class 6 to 12.
- Solve the previous year’s question papers.
- Make notes of the important points.
- Practice with mock tests.
Mains
The APSC Mains exam is a 200-mark essay test. The syllabus for the Mains exam includes the following topics:
- History of Assam
- Geography of Assam
- Polity and Governance of Assam
- Economy of Assam
- Culture of Assam
To prepare for the Mains exam, you should focus on the following:
- Read the NCERT textbooks for Class 11 and 12.
- Read the standard books on the subject.
- Solve the previous year’s question papers.
- Make notes of the important points.
- Practice with mock tests.
Historical Introduction to Assam: From Pre-Historic to Independence
Assam is a state in north-eastern India. It is the largest state in the region by area and the third most populous. The state is bordered by Bhutan to the north, China’s Tibet Autonomous Region to the north-east, Nagaland to the east, Manipur to the south-east, Mizoram to the south, Tripura to the south-west, Meghalaya to the west, and Bangladesh to the west and south. The Brahmaputra River flows through the state, and the capital is Guwahati.
Assam has a long and rich history. The first inhabitants of the region were the Austroasiatic peoples, who arrived in the area around 2000 BC. The Aryans arrived in the region around 1000 BC, and they brought with them their language, Sanskrit, and their religion, Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism. The Ahoms, a Tai people, arrived in the region in the 13th century, and they ruled Assam for over 600 years. The British East India Company took control of Assam in the 18th century, and it became a part of British India. Assam became a part of India after independence in 1947.
Strategy to cover it for APSC Prelims and Mains Exam
The following are some tips on how to cover the topic of Historical Introduction to Assam:
- Start with a good textbook. There are a number of good textbooks on the history of Assam. One good option is “A History of Assam” by S.N. Baruah.
- Read secondary sources. In addition to textbooks, there are a number of secondary sources on the history of Assam. These include books, articles, and websites.
- Take notes. As you read, take notes on the key points. This will help you to remember the information and to make sense of it.
- Practice with MCQs. There are a number of MCQs available on the history of Assam. Practicing with these will help you to prepare for the APSC Prelims and Mains Exam.
- Take a good practice test. There are a number of good practice tests available on the history of Assam. Taking a practice test will help you to assess your knowledge and to identify areas where you need to improve.
- Review your notes. In the days leading up to the exam, review your notes on the history of Assam. This will help you to remember the information and to make sure that you are prepared for the exam.
- Get a good night’s sleep. The night before the exam, make sure to get a good night’s sleep. This will help you to be well-rested and to perform your best on the exam.
- Eat a healthy breakfast. On the day of the exam, eat a healthy breakfast. This will give you the energy that you need to focus on the exam.
- Arrive early. Make sure to arrive early for the exam. This will give you time to relax and to collect your thoughts before the exam begins.
- Read the instructions carefully. Before you begin the exam, read the instructions carefully. This will help you to understand what is expected of you and to avoid making careless mistakes.
- Pace yourself. Do not try to rush through the exam. Take your time and answer each question carefully.
- Review your answers. Once you have finished the exam, review your answers. This will help you to catch any careless mistakes that you may have made.
- Relax and be confident. The APSC Prelims and Mains Exam is a challenging exam, but it is possible to do well on it. If you have prepared well, you should be confident that you can do well on the exam.