Public Associations in North Bengal from the early years of the 19th Century to Independence

Abstract

Societies and associations were the harbingers of the new awakening in Bengal among urban middle class. Bengal or India had not known any such societies organised for collective thinking and discussion until the 19th century. The journey of pubic Associations in Undivided Bengal began with the foundation of Atmiya Sabha, Brahma Samaj led by Raja Rammahan Roy the ‘Father of Modern India’. The northern part of colonial Bengal also did not lag behind much in this field. A large number of socio – cultural, religious, political Associations grew up under the patronage of urban middle class, Jotedars, merchants, tea planters and the members of royal family Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri. Professional historians appear to be reluctant to come forward to undertake this task in a concerted and coordinated manner. This is the vacuum that this article seeks to fill in.