Colonialism, Language and Politics: Origins of the Language Dispute In Assam

This is a detailed study of the politics of language in nineteenth-century Assam. It examines the concept of politics of language referring to working of the politics of language in India to provide a general background. It throws light on the Assamese language prior to the arrival of the British in Assam. It delves into the adoption of the Bengali language after British rule was established, probing the role of the Assamese scholars, a section of Assamese people against the introduction of Assamese language in administration and schools, Bengali officials in Assam region, and controversies between missionaries and the British rulers in this context. It shows with documentary evidence that the emphasis on Bengali, replacing Assamese, in schools and public life was a result of British policy based on judgements of persons at the highest levels in the colonial administration and it was not the handiwork of Bengali officials.