ABSTRACT

This volume explores the rich pre-history, history, and oral history of the northeast region of India––a land-locked region that is home to over 350 ethnolinguistic communities. Despite its uniqueness and diversity, little is known to the outside world. The book studies the vibrant and diverse socio-political and cultural history of this region through a transdisciplinary perspective, covering a wide range of topics such as the pre-history, medieval and colonial histories of Assam, the geopolitics of the creation of independent states from undivided Assam, oral narratives from Manipur, prehistoric cultures of Meghalaya, the Naga National Movement, Sikkim’s Namgyal dynasty, and Tripura’s transition from monarchy to democracy. It also discusses the invaluable contributions made by Professor Mohammad Taher (1931–2015), who laid the foundation of geography in Northeast India.

A compelling exploration of this geo-politically contested space, this volume will be of interest to students and researchers of anthropology, archaeology, history, human geography, South Asian studies, and minority studies.

chapter 2|10 pages

Professor Mohammed Taher

A Brief Profile of his Life and Works

chapter 3|35 pages

Assam from Prehistory to History

chapter 8|17 pages

A History of Meghalaya

A Saga of Three Fascinating Tribes

chapter 12|25 pages

Manipur

The Sociocultural continuum

chapter 13|26 pages

Mizoram through the ages

chapter 15|20 pages

Sikkim through the Ages