The valiant stories of our freedom fighters are known to every Indian kid. The traits of bravery, patriotism, honesty, non-violence, revolution, sacrifice, and hard work are explained to children using the example of the Indian freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violence, Bose’s bravery, Naidu’s resilience and Bhagat Singh’s passion are repeated every year, across states, within schools, within homes; it runs on the lips of every child.
However, the method of periodisation of history and the freedom struggle that lists down the Quit India Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Sepoy Mutiny, Champaran Struggle etc fails to take into account the contribution of an essential region of the country — North East India. History textbooks have often sidelined the longest ruling kingdom of India, the Ahom Dynasty, which managed to defend their land for 17 solid times, heroically. The best cadet at the National Defence Academy is awarded the ‘Lachit Borphukan’ medal every year, after the brave Army Chief of the Ahoms, who chose to behead his uncle over his motherland. However, how many young Indians can narrate the tale of Borphukan by heart? A handful, I suppose.
The Indian Freedom Struggle was a landmark in women’s political participation. Thousands of women came out to the streets, hoisted flags, shouted slogans, and resisted violence. One such woman was Kanaklata Baruah, who was martyred at the age of 17 while raising the Indian flag at Gohpur, Assam in September 1942. Her sacrifice finds no mentions in the poems, ballads, songs, and speeches that do the rounds twice a year on the Independence Day and Republic Day. While she remains a symbol of pride, courage, women empowerment till date for the young women of Assam, her sacrifice is unknown beyond the boundaries of the state.
Bose’s Azad Hind Fauj is considered a pioneering step towards achieving freedom from slavery. However, few history books discuss the massive contribution that Manipur, Assam, and the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya had towards the same.
David R. Syiemlieh, Chairperson of the UPSC, commented that the lack of awareness of North East’s contribution to the freedom struggle could be due to two reasons: one, the North East was isolated by the British through the mechanisation of a complex and a peculiar form of administration; two, North East has geographical and communication barriers vis a vis the Mainland. Given the fact that it was a time devoid of fast channels of communication, it is understandable why it took months for news to travel to the North East or vice versa.
It has, however, been 75 years of Independence. These 75 years have witnessed progress in various fields such as infrastructure, communication, and transport. It does not take months for information to travel from Gujarat to Arunachal. The inefficiency and ignorance towards North East’s contribution, however, is still widespread. It is time that the stories of freedom struggles go beyond Mainland India, and explore the valour of North East India and give it the recognition, pride, and space it deserves.
-Nilabja Das
II Year, Dept. of Political Science
First Position- Essay Writing Competition
[Art Curated by Esha Yadav]
Comments