ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the reorganisation experience of Assam. From holding the North-east frontier region within the territorial boundary of Assam since colonial annexation to the culmination of the Federal Plan when Assam was divided into different north-east states, the journey has passed through several rough patches. The chapter provides a discussion on the approach towards the frontier areas of Assam in the colonial and post-colonial period. While crafting the post-colonial state of India, the nationalist leadership did not want to keep any residue of alienation in the tribal areas. The State Reorganisation Commission (SRC) was constituted for developing a federal plan in order to preserve the homogeneity of Indian provinces, facilitate the integration process, maintain the stability of the regions and also protect the national interests. The SRC created separate linguistic states of India. The linguistic determination of Indian states gave hope to Assamese leaders for pursuing integration under the banner of ‘Greater Assam’.
