The Assam Freedom Movement is an important topic of GS Paper 5 (Assam-specific studies) as it reflects the region’s distinct political consciousness, social awakening, and contribution to India’s national struggle for independence. From the early resistance against colonial economic policies to mass participation in movements like Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India, Assam developed a freedom movement rooted in local realities while remaining firmly connected to the national cause. Leaders, students, peasants, tea garden workers, and cultural organisations played a decisive role in shaping this collective resistance. In this article, we will discuss the detailed evolution of the Assam Freedom Movement, its key phases, major personalities, popular struggles, and its lasting impact on the political and social history of Assam.
Early Resistance against British Rule (1826–1858)
The British formally annexed Assam in 1826 through the Treaty of Yandaboo, following the First Anglo-Burmese War. The colonial administration introduced new revenue systems, imposed heavy taxation, and disrupted traditional governance, causing widespread discontent among Assamese society.
The earliest organised resistance came during the Revolt of 1857, although it was not as widespread in Assam as in other parts of India. Key figures included:
- Maniram Dewan: A former Ahom nobleman and tea planter, he actively opposed British exploitation of resources and revenue systems.
- Piyali Barua: Collaborated with Maniram Dewan in organising local resistance against British authorities.
Both leaders were executed in 1858, marking Assam’s first recorded martyrs in the fight against colonial rule. These events laid the foundation for political consciousness and sowed the seeds of organised nationalism in the province.
Growth of Political Consciousness (1860–1904)
In the late 19th century, Assam witnessed the emergence of an educated middle class that became increasingly aware of colonial exploitation. These educated elites began forming socio-cultural and political organisations to articulate public grievances.
Jorhat Sarbajanik Sabha (1884)
- One of the earliest political forums in Assam.
- Acted as a platform to express public grievances to the colonial administration.
- Mobilised local elites to discuss socio-political reforms and economic issues.
Significance
These early institutions played a crucial role in fostering political awareness among Assamese citizens. They provided a platform for dialogue, leadership training, and organisation, which would later become essential for mass participation in national movements.
Formation of the Assam Association (1905)
The Partition of Bengal (1905) heightened political consciousness in Assam. Though Assam was not directly partitioned, the political ramifications threatened the province’s economic and administrative interests, prompting regional leaders to organise themselves.
The Assam Association was formally established in 1905 with the following objectives:
- Represent Assamese interests to the British government.
- Promote unity among diverse communities within the province.
- Encourage awareness of national issues and gradually align with the Indian National Congress.
Initially focused on regional issues, the Assam Association soon became a springboard for nationalist activity and played a critical role in linking Assam to the broader Indian freedom movement.
Assam’s Early Engagement with the Indian National Congress (1885–1920)
Assam’s intellectuals were quick to engage with the Indian National Congress, which was founded in 1885. Assamese representatives attended national sessions, communicated local grievances, and participated in debates on colonial policy.
By the 1910s, the nationalist movement in Assam had expanded beyond elite circles. Socio-cultural organisations, students’ forums, and early political societies began integrating local grievances with anti-colonial sentiment.
Assam Students’ Conference (1916)
- Established as a platform for youth mobilisation.
- Promoted Assamese language, culture, and social reform.
- Became an active force in preparing students for participation in national movements.
Through these early institutions, Assam cultivated leadership and organisational capacity, which would become vital in the mass movements of the 1920s and 1930s.
Formation of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) – 1921
A landmark event in Assam’s political history was the formation of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee (APCC) in 1921.
Key Developments:
- The Assam Association merged with the Congress to align fully with national anti-colonial objectives.
- Chabilal Upadhyay played a pivotal role in initiating the formation process.
- Kuladhar Chaliha was appointed president of the first ad hoc APCC.
- Tarun Ram Phukan, popularly called Deshbhakta, actively mobilised people at the grassroots level.
- Mahatma Gandhi visited Assam in 1921 to promote the Non-Cooperation Movement, encouraging khadi production and the boycott of foreign goods.
The APCC became the central organisation coordinating Assam’s participation in national movements, linking regional issues with the Indian independence struggle.
Non-Cooperation Movement in Assam (1921–1922)
The Non-Cooperation Movement marked Assam’s first large-scale mass mobilisation and integrated the province firmly into the national freedom struggle. Responding to Mahatma Gandhi’s call, people across towns and villages rejected colonial institutions and symbols of British authority.
Students and teachers left government schools and colleges, while lawyers and professionals boycotted courts and offices. Khadi and Swadeshi goods became visible expressions of nationalism, linking economic self-reliance with political resistance.
Leadership under Tarun Ram Phukan ensured disciplined, non-violent protest. Along with other regional leaders, he mobilised peasants, workers, and urban middle classes, transforming the movement from elite-led politics into popular participation.
Role of Women in the Movement
Women in Assam had begun organisational activities even before the launch of Non-Cooperation, though social conservatism restricted open participation. Despite this, the wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters of Congress leaders joined the 1921–22 movement, consciously defying social restraints.
In January 1921, women of Guwahati proposed to violate Section 144 and court arrest under the leadership of Bidyutprova Devi, wife of Tarun Ram Phukan. Though the plan was withdrawn on Gandhi’s advice, it reflected rising political consciousness among women.
Gandhi’s visit to Assam in August 1921 proved decisive. A large women’s presence at the Guwahati meeting on 18 August 1921 marked their public assertion. Leaders such as Bidyutprova Devi, Hemantakumari Devi, Snehalata Bhattacharyya, and Guneswari Devi enrolled as Congress volunteers.
Women’s major contribution lay in spinning and weaving khadi. Since weaving was already central to Assamese women’s daily life, the movement drew participants across class and caste lines. In this sphere, Assamese women ranked among the highest contributors in India. They also joined picketing, processions, and the spread of Gandhian ideas.
Prominent women participants included Chandraprava Saikiani, Sashibala Changkakati, Padmawati Devi Phukanani, Kironmayee Agarwala, Sarala Das, Kironbala Barkakati, Rebati Bora, Gunada Khaund, Aideu Rajkhowa, and many others.
Aftermath and Significance
Women’s participation in the Non-Cooperation Movement laid the foundation for the Assam Mahila Samiti (1926), the first provincial women’s organisation in Assam. The period 1923–1929 witnessed a renaissance marked by women’s franchise, social reform, and participation in the 1926 All India Congress Session at Guwahati. Although limited publicity prevented national-level recognition, this phase firmly established Assamese women as active agents in the freedom struggle.
Cultural Nationalism and the Assamese Renaissance
Assam’s freedom struggle was closely intertwined with cultural revival, which played a crucial role in mobilising public sentiment.
Jyoti Prasad Agarwala
- Poet, playwright, filmmaker, and freedom fighter.
- Used theatre, music, and literature to convey nationalist ideals.
- Songs like “O Mor Aponar Dex” instilled a sense of pride in Assamese identity while fostering loyalty to the national cause.
Bishnu Prasad Rabha
- Known as Kalaguru.
- Used art, literature, and music to inspire people.
- Brought anti-colonial messages to rural areas, connecting culture with political activism.
This cultural dimension ensured that the freedom struggle in Assam was not limited to political protest but also reached the emotional and social fabric of society.
Civil Disobedience Movement in Assam (1930–1934)
Declaration of Purna Swaraj and Independence Day
The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) declared Complete Independence as the Congress objective and resolved to observe 26 January 1930 as Independence Day. In Assam, the day was celebrated across both the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys, marking widespread public support for the nationalist cause.
Launch of the Salt Satyagraha
After Independence Day celebrations, Mahatma Gandhi announced the Salt Satyagraha, aimed at breaking the British monopoly over salt. On 12 March 1930, he began the historic Dandi March from Sabarmati to Dandi with 79 followers. Leeladhar Baruah of North Guwahati represented Assam by joining this march, highlighting the province’s symbolic participation.
Adaptation of the Movement in Assam
Following the Dandi March, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) prepared to launch civil disobedience as per AICC guidelines. Since Assam had no sea coast, Forest Laws were violated in place of salt laws, making forest satyagraha a distinctive regional feature of the movement.
Leadership and Organisation
On 22 March 1930, Ambikagiri Roy Choudhury appealed to the masses to violate Forest Laws, formally initiating the movement in Assam. The movement was led by Bishnuram Medhi, President of the APCC, with the active support of leaders such as Hem Chandra Barua, Dr. Bhubaneswar Barua, Omeo Kumar Das, Siddhinath Sarma, Debeswar Sarma, Rajendra Nath Barua, Harendra Chandra Chowdhury, and Lakshmidhar Sarma.
Role of Women and Youth
Women played a strengthening role in the movement. Leaders like Chandraprava Saikiani and Durgaprova Bora actively participated, lending moral authority and mass appeal. Alongside them, younger Congress leaders such as Bijoy Chandra Bhagavati, Mahendra Mohan Choudhury, Debendranath Sarma, Lakshmidhar Bora, Dwarikanath Goswami, and Puma Sarma emerged as energetic organisers.
Mass Protests and British Repression
The arrest of Mahatma Gandhi on 5 May 1930 led to widespread protests in Assam. Peasants, workers, and students organised demonstrations across the province. The movement continued vigorously until the Gandhi–Irwin Pact (March 1931) temporarily halted civil disobedience.
Second Phase and Withdrawal
On 1 January 1932, the Congress Working Committee decided to resume the movement. Gandhi was re-arrested on 4 January 1932, and the British government declared the Congress illegal. Despite repression, the Assam Provincial Congress carried the struggle forward until the movement was finally withdrawn in May 1934.
Quit India Movement in Assam (1942)
Political Background before 1942
Following Mahatma Gandhi’s Harijan tour to Assam and under the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935, provincial elections were held in 1937. Sir Muhammad Saadulla formed the first ministry in Assam (April 1937–September 1938). After his resignation, the Bordoloi Ministry assumed office from September 1938 to November 1939. Subsequently, Saadulla returned to power and remained Chief Minister until December 1941.
During this period, the Individual Satyagraha Campaign of the Congress continued, even as the Second World War steadily moved closer to India’s frontiers.
Failure of the Cripps Mission and the Quit India Resolution
The failure of the Cripps Mission to offer a satisfactory constitutional settlement led to a decisive turn. On 8 August 1942, the Congress Working Committee adopted the historic Quit India Resolution, calling for an end to British rule. Mahatma Gandhi’s slogan “Do or Die” electrified the nation, including Assam.
Outbreak of the Movement in Assam
The immediate arrest of national leaders, including Gandhi, triggered an unprecedented mass upsurge in Assam. Protests, strikes, and demonstrations spread rapidly across towns and rural areas. The movement in Assam assumed an intense and militant character, reflecting the people’s determination to achieve complete independence.
Leadership and Organisation
The movement in Assam was guided by leaders of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), notably Maulana Tayebullah and Gopinath Bordoloi. Despite severe repression, Congress workers maintained coordination through secret meetings and underground networks.
Underground Activities and British Response
To prevent the spread of unrest, the Governor of Assam, Sir Andrew Clow, initially attempted to suppress news of developments in other parts of India. However, this strategy failed. Underground activities became a hallmark of the movement, as activists evaded arrest and continued resistance through sabotage, secret communications, and mobilisation.
Mass Participation and Martyrdom
The Quit India Movement witnessed extraordinary popular participation in Assam. Students, peasants, workers, and women joined the struggle. British repression was brutal, leading to the martyrdom of several freedom fighters. Notable martyrs included Kushal Konwar, Kanaklata Barua, Moniram Dewan, Mukunda Kakati, Bhugeswari Phukanani, Hemoram Pator, Monbor Nath, Mojiram Boro, Ratan Kachari, Kumoli Devi, Kolai Koch, and Tilak Deka.
Significance of the Movement
The Quit India Movement represented the most intense and uncompromising phase of India’s freedom struggle. It demonstrated the province’s complete rejection of constitutional compromises and partial reforms, and its readiness to assert full independence through mass sacrifice and resistance.
Assam and the 1946 Elections
The 1946 provincial elections were crucial in shaping Assam’s political future.
Key Outcomes:
- Congress won a decisive majority in Assam.
- Gopinath Bordoloi became the Premier of Assam Province.
- Assam strongly opposed the Cabinet Mission Plan that sought to group Assam with Bengal, preserving Assam’s political and cultural distinctiveness.
This period highlighted Assam’s strategic role in constitutional negotiations and the transition to independent India.
Legacy of Assam’s Freedom Struggle
Assam’s freedom movement left behind a rich legacy:
- Political Awareness: The movement expanded political consciousness across social classes and regions.
- Cultural Nationalism: Leaders used literature, music, and art to strengthen regional identity while supporting national unity.
- Youth and Student Participation: Organisations like the Assam Students’ Conference ensured continuity and energy in mass mobilisation.
- Women’s Involvement: Figures like Kanaklata Barua highlighted the role of women in leadership and sacrifice.
- Leadership and Governance: Leaders like Gopinath Bordoloi ensured Assam’s voice was heard in national decision-making and constitutional debates.
The struggle in Assam demonstrated that regional identity and nationalism could coexist, creating a model for inclusive and culturally rooted participation in India’s freedom movement.
Conclusion
Assam’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle is a story of courage, resilience, and cultural pride. Despite being geographically distant from the early centres of the nationalist movement, Assam emerged as a significant participant in the fight against British colonial rule. Assamese leaders, students, cultural icons, and ordinary citizens played active roles in political mobilization, mass movements, and revolutionary actions from the 19th century until India’s independence in 1947.
The freedom movement in Assam was distinctive because it combined political activism with cultural nationalism, creating a unique narrative of resistance. Assamese leaders worked to preserve regional identity while contributing to the larger Indian nationalist cause. This chronological account traces Assam’s journey in the struggle
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FAQ on The Assam Freedom Movement
How did early resistance in Assam lay the foundation for later nationalist movements?
Early resistance began soon after British annexation in 1826, particularly against heavy taxation and disruption of traditional systems. Figures like Maniram Dewan and Piyali Barua symbolised the first organised opposition to colonial rule. Though these efforts were limited in scale, their execution in 1858 created a legacy of sacrifice and awakened political consciousness. This early resistance helped shape the mindset of later generations, who gradually moved from isolated protests to organized mass movements.
What role did organizations like the Assam Association and APCC play in the freedom struggle?
The Assam Association acted as a bridge between regional concerns and national politics by representing Assamese interests to the British and later aligning with the Indian National Congress. Its merger into the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) in 1921 marked a turning point, as Assam formally integrated into the national freedom movement. The APCC coordinated mass participation, mobilized peasants, students, and workers, and ensured that national calls like Non-Cooperation and Quit India reached even remote areas of the province.
How significant was women’s participation in Assam’s freedom movement?
Women played a transformative role in Assam’s freedom movement, especially from the 1920s onwards. They participated in spinning and weaving khadi, picketing, processions, and organisational work, often defying social restrictions. Leaders like Chandraprava Saikiani, Kanaklata Barua, and Bhugeswari Phukanani symbolised courage and leadership. Women’s participation not only strengthened mass movements but also laid the foundation for long-term social reform and political awareness through institutions like the Assam Mahila Samiti.
Why was the Quit India Movement of 1942 a decisive phase in Assam’s struggle for independence?
The Quit India Movement represented the most intense and uncompromising phase of Assam’s freedom struggle. After the arrest of national leaders, the movement in Assam became highly militant, marked by underground activities, mass protests, and widespread sacrifice. The leadership of the APCC and the participation of students, peasants, and women demonstrated a complete rejection of British rule. The martyrdom of several freedom fighters during this period showed Assam’s readiness to endure repression for complete independence, making 1942 a decisive turning point.