Karatoya : North Bengal University journal of History, Vol. 08

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://ir.nbu.ac.in/handle/123456789/3852

Editor 's Note

It is both pleasure and privilege for me to present the Volume -8 of Karatoya, Journal of History, University of North Bengal. Writing history or 'Itihasa' is an extremely difficult work where both subjective and objective perspectives are active simultaneously. Historical research as a constant reaction between the historian and facts has today changed its dimension in interpreting facts. In fact, history no longer restricts itself to build a bridge between the past and the present but has taken a contemporary attitude. The historian seems to be now like a light house on the bridge whose main aim is to train the present by sighting the past to the contemporary society and to guide to a happier and richer future. History today is interdisciplinary sharing knowledge with its sister disciplines like political science, geography, sociology, anthropology and others. Karatoya , the Journal of History , Volume -8 has undertaken this difficult task of preserving the 'Itihasa ' in forms of research articles in the various arena of history. It has adopted an interdisciplinary outlook and maintaining the importance of period and time has arranged the articles in sequence of time.

extend my thanks to the contributors for their research articles. A number of new arenas have been explored by the contributors and researchers. The volume consists of articles of the aspiring researchers of the department. Karatoya has always provided a platform for the budding scholars to publish their research and interpretation in different arena of history.

I express my deep gratitude to Prof. Bijoy Kumar Sarkar, Head, Department of History for providing me the opportunity to edit the journal. I express my thanks to Dr. Sudash Lama, the associate editor of the journal for his support. Special thanks to my colleagues Prof.Anita Bagchi as well as Dr. Sankar Kumar Das and Sri. Varun Roy. I extend my thanks to Chanchal Mandal, Tushar Kanti Barman, Monoranjan Sarkar and Madhusudan Pal, the research scholars of the department, for their assistance in computer works. I am indebted to all those who have directly and indirectly helped me in publishing this journal . Lastly, I extend my gratitude to the official and staffs of the University of North Bengal Press for their untiring effort and cooperation in printing this volume.

Dahlia Bhattacharya
Editor-in-Chief

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Now showing 1 - 17 of 17

Open Access
Exploring the History of Empirical Science at Regional Level: A Focus on Koch-Kamrup Kingdom
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Bagchi, Anita
Growing interest in lndological researches from the end of the 18th century gave birth to new approaches in the study of the oriental culture. The society had deep impact on the intellectuals of the country and it became a self-imposed task of the academics with nationalist feeling to discover and preserve the knowledge and cultural achievement of the past. The work was more or less related to history, language literature etc. Likewise Kamrup Anusandhan Samiti 's work was lo discover and preserve different antiquarian text produced in Assam. In the study of material culture of a country at large regional texts are of inestimable importance. In the present article an attempt will be made to through light on a few regional manuscripts dealing with empirical study.
Open Access
Indian Environmentalism and Tribal Movements
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Sutradhar, Avijit
The history of Indian environmental movement is the study of the struggle for the rights over land, water and forests. Environmental movements in India emerged mainly as a reaction against the modern economic developmental process initiated by the government. Contextually, Indian environmental movements emanated through many diversified issues of social protests such as agrarian unrest, forest rights movement, anti-displacement movement, survival related movement and movement for proper rehabilitation and resettlement and these movements highlighted Indian tribes as victimized group. A considerable figure of tribals was participated in these movements for democratization of natural resources. Thus the broad base of Indian environmentalism has been constructed. But the role of middle class politics is very significant this context. The middle class activists developed tribalism within their organizational base and directed the movement from non-party line. Thus Indian environmentalism took a definite shape pertaining to tribalism. The paper is dealing with the intricate relationship between the tribes and nature; highlighting how the tribals have been affected by the developmental initiatives taken by the government; and depicting the nature of tribal movements for the democratization of natural resources from historical point of view.
Open Access
Towards Emancipation: Reflection of Writings of Some Muslim Women in the Twentieth Century
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Bhattacharya, Dahlia
Education was denied to the Muslim women in Bengal . They were to receive some elementary education at home and their movement was restricted within the four walls of the house. A few Muslim women who have learnt to write with the help of some of their family members or received modern education had penned down some of their ideas in their writings. This paper wants to highlight the works of Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, Begum Shainsunnahar Mahmud, Begum Sufia Kamal and Fajiltunessa who 'had taken the courage to overcome the hurdles of the society and had taken a step towards emancipation. ft wants to highlight their concept of education, spaces and rights for women and the politics.
Open Access
Colonial Advent and Changing Political Scenario in the Darjeeling Terai: Mid 18th Century to Mid 19th Century
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Khasnobish, Sudip
Darjeeling Terai or modern Siliguri sub-division never came into prominence during ancient, medieval and even in early part of modern period It is due to this reason when it came under the sovereignty or control of the various powers i.e. Cooch Behar, Sikkim and Nepal, it did not get al1)' importance rather it was neglected When the British captured the region in 1850 it shot into prominence and contact with other parts of India began. Thus, the authentic history of the northern bank of the river Mahananda of Darjeeling Terai commences in the limelight of modern Indian history from early part of the 18th century. But its strategic political importance began from middle of the 18th centuries, when the Gurkhas of Nepal eager to captured Drajeeling Terai, the same period when the Sanyasis and Fakirs were dominated in that region .In that particular political turmoil the East India Company was involved in Terai which turned its mighty historical transformation.
Open Access
The Great War and the Movement in Contai (1914-1919)
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Das, Shankar Kr
The War and the national movement in Contai reflects the changes which gradually took place in the colonial policy of the British rule, and also in the varying attitudes of the people of India towards the British rule. During the Swadeshi movement the · attitude of the Indians towards the alien rule remained the same as before. But during the War the Indians became very much loyal to the government. The Nihar gives a date-wise list of the meetings in which the speakers put before the people the necessity of joining the British Army, and of giving war-loans to Britain and of remaining loyal to the government. It was then expected that the War would soon come to an end and then the Indians would attain Swaraj i.e. liberty and self government, and development in all respects. This time it was found that the Indians started donating to the Imperial Relief Fund through Post Offices, and they felt eager to enlist themselves for being recruited for the Army.
Open Access
In Search of the Ecosophy: Enviornmentalism in Buddhist Philosophy
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Roy, Varun Kumar
His Holiness Dalai Lama says, "Destruction of nature and natural resources results from ignorance, greed, and lack of respect for the earth's living things. This lack of respect extends even to the earth's human descendants, the future generations who will inherit a vastly degraded planet if world peace does not become a reality and if destruction of the natural environment continues at the present rate. This paper gives an in depth study on the notion of environmentalism in Buddhist Philosophy. A special mention is made of the Jataka tales that beautifully enumerates the environmental philosophy in Buddhism.
Open Access
Earthquake, Vulnerability and State: North Bengal in 1897
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Ghosh, Tirthankar
The historical dimensions of the natural disasters or calamities such as - flood, earthquake, cyclone, landslide, etc. form one of the important segments of historical reconstruction of human past and these issues are also increasingly coming to be recognized. with their regional and local variations. Natural disorders not only destroyed lives and property but also disturbed the existed norms of the environment ,by which ecological balance could be restored The distinctiveness of north Bengal in respect of climate, river-influence, rainfall and natural disasters; the behavior of demographic pattern influenced and shaped by the natural calamities along with ratio of mortality or birth and death rates during these calamities displayed certain peculiarities that assert the necessity of historical analysis of these aspects. Historians have, so far, paid little attention to the historical significance of the natural disasters and to the effects of disasters upon societies. Coping with the natural disasters of a particular society depends on the nature of state and its success of providing shelter to the distress. In this background the present article seeks to draw, from historical standpoint the occurrence and consequences of the Earthquake of 1897 which originated in the region of Shillong plateau and affected lives and property in northern part of Bengal and the subsequent measures taken by the colonial Government during and after the events.
Open Access
Upendra Nath Barman: The Rise of a leader from Regional to National Politics 1898 - 1988
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Barman, Tushar Kanti
Rise of a leader is not a new phenomenon from ancient period to still today in the whole world. Like other parts of the world India also not lagging behind on it. In India various leaders came from an assortment of fields which might be for nations, territory, community or any other issues. In· such cases Bengal also got many leaders from various issues. Like other political issues caste politics has also played a very crucial role in the politics of Bengal from colonial period to still today. In contrast northern part of Bengal also played very significant role, where some movements like Namasudra Movements, Rajbanshi Kshatriya Movement was held by some eminent caste leaders; among the leaders Upendra Nath Barman had played a very imperative role in the context of North Bengal as well as for the Nation. This paper is an attempt to observe the role of Upendra Nath Barman in circumstance of a Kshatriya Samity leader as well as a leader of a nation.
Open Access
Emergence of Social History writing: Approaches and Interpretations
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Sarkar, Sujaya
Modern historiography observed a continuous change in the domain of thinking and creative activity of the historians. Social history has emerged as a new trend of historical thinking. The first half of the twentieth century witnessed many theories and writings on social history as a rising phenomena. The period of emergence of social history can· be dated back to the second half of the twentieth century. As a specific academic area, social history is quite new as it was not been treated as a specialized academic field until the 1950s. Essentiality of interdisciplinary social history gradually arose. One of the significant features of the new social history is its concern with common men and common experiences - the business of everyday life. The approach and nature of writing social history creates much controversy and various differences of opinions among the specialists.
Open Access
From Society to Economy : The Ravages of Malaria and North Bengal in the Colonial Period
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Ghosh, Srabani
Malaria, a life taking disease, frequently used to visit and revisit North Bengal every year. It was one of the oldest diseases of Bengal. It not only took lives of numerous people but the disease also had left enormous impact on social and economic field of North Bengal during the colonial period This paper would focus on certain areas like agriculture and industry which were affected by the recurring occurrence of malaria in Northern part of Bengal. It would also bring to light the impact of malaria on the general people, individual, family and society as a whole. The failure of the formulation and application of health policy was also viewed from recurring occurrence of malaria followed by dreadful death rate throughout North Bengal. The present study also makes an attempt to find out the causes of the disease in North Bengal, especially the immediate causes that contributed towards the outburst of the disease. There are several works on malaria in different parts of India but the study of history of malaria in North Bengal remains unexplored. So this paper would try to fill that gap in the medicinal history of North Bengal.
Open Access
Women Trafficking in the Princely State of Cooch Behar
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Mustafi, Tamali
The present paper focus on the scenario of women trafficking in the princely state of Cooch Behar as well as on the records of West Bengal State Archive containing a detail study of such an oppressive practice. Slavery was practiced in Cooch Behar and there ~as a regular slave trade. Poor people mortgaged or sold their , daughters and wives as slaves. Every years girls from Cooch Behar and Assam were sent to various parts of Bengal for sale. Some of the royal personalities of Cooch Behar strongly opposed this system. Ultimately the British Government had taken the initiative to ban women trafficking. They legally ceased those markets.
Open Access
Popular Protests and Nationalist Movement in Mufassil Bengal: Maldah 1925 - 1934
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Sarkar, Ashim Kumar
Focusing' on Maldah, a northern district of Bengal, an attempt has been made in this work to demonstrate that the complexity of the nationalist movement can be gauged through an indepth study of the localities. The study attempts to throw significant light on the different facets of nationalism. The study draws attention to the view that nationalism was not only marked by a series of urban and popular rural protests but was also a struggle where people, in a variety of positions, taking a wide range of steps, posed a severe challenge to the British 'authority and hegemony. Tile popular struggles, which converged with the Civil Disobedience movement, moved .beyond the parameter _of congress programme and threw up their own agendas. Focusing on Maldah, this study throws light on the popular perceptions and translations of nationalism: which were linked up with the desires and aspirations of the adivasi peasants.
Open Access
Khas-kura Nepali and Cultural Consolidation in Darjeeling Hills: A Genesis
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Ghosh, Sujit
With the opening of Tea Industries by British tea planters gradually altered the racial composition of Darjeeling hills. Immigration of plantation labor hailing from Nepal had .been a major factor of the changing of racial composition of Darjeeling hills .. Multi-ethnic Nepali community became the majority people in Darjeeling hills. The preponderance of Nepali in Darjeeling hills, the Nepali or Khas-kura speaking people gradually conscious to unify and consolidate on linguistic basis. An attempt has been made to search the emergence of culture, literature and the process of cultural Consolidation of the Nepali or Khas-kura speaking people in Darjeeling hills.
Open Access
Forest Resource Management and Lepcha Tribal Forest Culture: A study in the context of Colonial Darjeeling (1865-1947)
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Tamang, Rajat
The present paper aims to locate the colonial bureaucratic management in terms of forest policy and its sporadic impact on the Lepcha tribes presumed to be the earliest forest . people of the eastern Himalayas in the Darjeeling region. The tribal Lepcha groups predominantly associated with the woodlands, appeared to witness extensive technological adjustments and alien concept of conservational approach, that in turn redefined their relationship with nature and the environment. Traditional capabilities of tribal economy and forest usage rights perished and systematic exploitation strengthened over tribal regions or so called forest zones. The process of colonial notion of 'conservation' in Darjeeling was profoundly developed reshaping the ecological milieu of the region like in any other parts of the country. With the codification and implementation of forest laws; forest lands' were legitimized through the state excluding the erstwhile community rights.
Open Access
Growth of Trade and Commerce in Koch kingdom: A Numismatic Study
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Dutta, Debajit
The study of coinage and economy of any area has its own appeal. As they were not much affected by external influences so they often proceed along their own line and thus had significance for people trying to determine the general patterns of economic life. Koch kingdom an erstwhile princely state had its own series of coinage and it was extensively used in day to day transaction in the kingdom and adjoining areas. The introduction of a regularized currency revolutionarily transformed the mode of transaction and ushered a new era in the growth of trade and commerce in the kingdom. In this write up we will discuss the role of Koch currency in the expansion of trade and commerce in the kingdom and thus try to comprehend the economic atmosphere in the Koch kingdom.
Open Access
From Quest for Justice to Dalit Identity: A New Look on the Crisis of identity of the Scheduled Castes of West Bengal
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Barman, Rup Kumar
In the recent years, it has become a common fashion among the social scientists, journalists and popular writers alike to classify the Scheduled Castes of India as Da/its. Being induced by the 'Dalit Panther movement' of the 1970 's, academics of both Dal it and non-Dalit social background; have reinterpreted the protests of the Scheduled Castes against upper castes' oppression and their writings under the banner of 'Dalit Discourse '. These trends eventually have encapsulated the Scheduled Castes within the/old of 'Dalit identity'. However, a major section of the Scheduled Castes of West Bengal has reservation to accept 'Dalit identity ' what the Dalit writers and non-Dalit scholars are· trying to impose on them. Rather, they are more comfortable to be identified as Scheduled Castes in the society. This paper has analyzed that the social movement of the Scheduled Castes of late colonial Bengal is losing its dignity in the recent years because of classification of the Scheduled Castes merely as Dalits. Simultaneously the author has argued that 'construction of Dalit identity' of the Scheduled Castes is a theoretical imposition on theh1 at least in case of West Bengal.
Open Access
Buddhist Paintings of Darjeeling: Identification and Interpretation
(University of North Bengal, 2015-03) Lama, Sudash
The time has not yet come to write a history of Buddhist art. Such a study needs a detailed description of all the collections of Buddhist art preserved in different parts of the country and outside the country. The Buddhist painting of Darjeeling characterized the pantheon of northern Buddhism. It is very difficult task to distinguish and classify the host of many-armed and many-headed divine beings, armed with whole arsenal of warlike attributes, the numerous figures of saintly lamas, abbots of monasteries, who appears on painting side by side number of religious symbols gives multiple meaning and disseminate the idea of direct intuition along with ethnographic variation.