Atan Buragohain and His Times: A History of Assam, from the Invasion of Nawab Mir Jumla in 1662-63 to the Termination of Assam-Mogul Conflicts in 1682 is a historical work by S.K. Bhuyan, focusing on the role of Atan Buragohain, a prominent Assamese statesman and military leader. The book chronicles the crucial period from the Mughal invasion led by Nawab Mir Jumla to the end of Assam-Mughal conflicts, highlighting the strategic responses and leadership of Buragohain. Bhuyan compiles the history chiefly from indigenous Assamese sources, providing a rich narrative of the period's political and military struggles.
Rai Bahadur Surya Kumar Bhuyan (1892-1964) was a prominent writer, historian, educator, and social activist from Assam. He contributed extensively to Assamese literature, writing on history, biographies, and essays. Bhuyan was the first Assamese to become Principal of Cotton College, Guwahati, and served as Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University. He compiled historical texts like Assam Buranji and Kamrupar Buranji. Awarded the Padma Shri in 1956, he played a pivotal role in shaping Assam's educational and historical landscape.
This book is named Atan Buragohain and His Times as the pivotal figure is Atan Buragohain who was prime minister of Assam from January 1662 to March 1679. The narrative continues up to the year 1682 when the Moguls were finally expelled from Gauhati, that event being a memorable sequel to the developments of the two preceding decades. Atan Buragohain's appointment as premier synchronized with the entrance of the Mogul forces into Assam early in 1662; and the conflict of 1682 witnessed the termination of the long-drawn hostilities between Assam and Mogul India. The inter-vining years represent a fateful period in the history of Assam, both on account of its external dangers and its internal disruptions.
To bring the narrative to its logical conclusion, I have inserted a few pages describing the reign of King Gadadhar Singha, 1681-96, which witnessed the restoration of sanity in the counsels of the nobles and firmness in the administration of the country in contrast to the anarchy and confusion of the previous decade.
The book may be regarded as a companion volume and a sequel to my earlier work Lachit Barphukan and His Times. Assam's success in the resistance against the imperialistic menace of the Moguls during the years 1667 and 1671 was due to the efficient organisation and leadership of Lachit Barphukan the general and Atan Buragohain the premier, and the details have been narrated in Chapters IV and V of the present volume. The Buragohain played a conspicuous part in the events of the period following the death of Lachit Barphukan in 1671, and they constitute the subject-matter of the remaining portion of this book.
I was first drawn to the personality of Atan Buragohain about the year 1925 when, as the result of a close study of the unpublished Buranjis or chronicles, I realised his great-ness as a patriot and a statesman. I then resolved to unravel the story of his uncommon leadership to Assam and the world, so that my brother mortals may draw inspiration from the example of his lofty character and disinterested endeavour. During the winter of 1930, I spoke on Atan Buragohain at a meeting of the Assamese Students' Literary Club at the Cotton College, Gauhati. It was followed by the publication of two articles in The Cottonian for March and September 1931. I proceeded with the work during intervals of business; and I could compile the concluding chapters and give the finishing touches only during the last few years. Each chapter has now been revised and enlarged in the light of materials discovered meanwhile. The book has thus been my constant and agreeable companion for the last twenty-five years, and I have turned to it again and again whenever I obtained some relief from my other avocations and preoccupations.
Atan Buragohain's name is now completely blotted out of human memory. This oblivion is primarily due to the sudden break in Assam's historical tradition brought about by political changes and upheavals. Purnananda Buragohain, the last great prime minister of Assam, who died in 1817, is remembered because the sons and grandsons of his con-temporaries lived till the other day. His name is associated with the invasion of the Burmese whose oppressions have passed into the common parlance of the Assamese people. Atan Buragohain's name had long ceased to form part of the traditional lore of the Assamese, their normal life being completely shattered by the Moamaria and Burmese disturbances which preceded the British occupation of the country. The catastrophes of the early nineteenth century which produced so much misery and suffering are still remembered and talked about to the comparative forgetfulness of all that had gone before. The chronicles which enshrine the deeds of Atan Buragohain are scarcely read, for their study is no longer a matter of political or social necessity; and even when read, the grandeur of Atan Buragohain's character cannot easily be grasped by the general run of readers.
"
Hindu (935)
Agriculture (118)
Ancient (1086)
Archaeology (753)
Architecture (563)
Art & Culture (910)
Biography (702)
Buddhist (544)
Cookery (167)
Emperor & Queen (565)
Islam (242)
Jainism (307)
Literary (896)
Mahatma Gandhi (372)
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist