The Garos are one of numerous ‘tribal’ groups inhabiting India’s Northeast region. They were included for the first time in modern historical and ethnographical studies in the latter half of the nineteenth and the first half of the twentieth century. Since then there have been sporadic writings on the Garos right up to the close of the twentieth century. However, many of them have yet to get over the colonial bias in terms of methods, approaches and even themes, despite the availability of additional source materials and of alternative, more effective research techniques. As a result, studies in the Garos’ history and culture have not kept pace with the march of contemporary research. This collection of essays aims of making a beginning to fill in some of the lacunae inherent in the existing works on the Garos. It covers a wide range of topics, from the handing of sources and interpretation of their evidence to empirical studies on pre-British, British and post British policies and on hitherto unknown facets of Garo history even beyond the boundaries of the present-day Garo Hills to comparative studies on their culture (including customs, practices and beliefs) to matters of the origin of the Garo identity, language, etc. It is hoped that the readings will broaden perceptions of the historical experience of the Garos, stimulate interest in the local and regional studies of the Indian sub-continent and promote awareness of the roots of the composite Indian culture.
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