The Asur: A Study in North Bengal Areas

Abstract

Asur, primarily an ethnographic stock is said to be the descendant of the Vedic Asura. Evidence proves that the Vedic struggle drove the Asur from the Indus Valley. From the Indus Valley, the Asur moved towards the northwest and settled down at Chota Nagpur. They started residing Gumla, Latehar, Lohardaga, Ranchi and Palamau districts of Jharkhand. The Asur of the Indus Valley Civilisation were iron smelters and many ancient metal relics have been discovered from various Asur sites in Ranchi district. The implementation of the Forest Conservation Policy by the Government and the introduction of the latest metallurgy techniques have given death blows to the industry of iron smelting by the primitive Asur. They have shifted towards cultivation, hunting, collection of forest products, rearing of animals etc. For the purpose of establishing of tea estate in North Bengal, the East India Company brought the Asur people with other tribes to different areas of Alipurduar, Coochbehar and Jalpaiguri districts. Since then, they had to change their livelihood and become tea garden labourers. This nomadic group was much exploited during the colonial period and is still suffering in the post-colonial period. The Asur, who are facing the brunt of government neglect, are forced to live a life of poverty, illiteracy and backwardness. The Asur society in India is designated as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in Bihar, but they are not granted the same status in West Bengal, putting their survival at risk. The study found that they are still lagging behind other tribal communities in respect of education, health and economy. Initiatives must be taken to preserve the ethnic culture of this legendary tribe at the administrative level as well as at the research level.