Social, Cultural and Religious History of North East India

This edited volume, comprising research papers contributed by scholars from social sciences and humanities backgrounds, focuses on the social, cultural, and religious history of North-East India. This volume is expected to play a crucial role in sharing historical data on the North- Eastern region, which has acted as India’s gateway to South-East Asia and the far East since time immemorial. The area of present study was located on the biggest corridor of human migration to and from South-East Asia, China, and the rest of the world, right from the age of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Pragjyotishpur or Kamarupa rulers played a very important and historic role in Indian politics during the Ancient Period. The Mahabharata war was primarily fought by heroes from North- East India on both sides, the Kauravas and the Pandavas. During the Medieval period, this region witnessed the migration of several Tai-Shan communities to India and the foundation of the Ahom Kingdom, which is an event of far greater significance regarding the revival of age-old relationships between India and South-East Asia and the protection and preservation of Sanatana culture and religion in India. Some of the papers contained in this volume were presented at a national seminar organized at Rang-Frah Government College, Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh, in 1988, while others were compiled subsequently. They deal with religion, culture, and history of North- East India pertaining to the ancient and medieval periods. The present volume is organized into 13 chapters, focusing on political history, historic linkages of North-East India with the rest of the world, economy and trade, geopolitics, origin and migration of tribal communities, cultural and social life, and the advent of missionaries in the region. I hope that this volume will be useful for historians, researchers, and policy makers working on India’s North-East, while comprehending the political, cultural, and religious history of this region.”

Professor Narayan Singh Rao (b. 1960), M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. (JNU), was born and brought-up in Udaipur (Rajasthan). Currently, he is serving as Professor in the Department of History and Director, Centre for Bhartiya Panth, Matt, Sampraday, and Semetic Religion at the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala. Prof. Rao started his career in academics from the CSRD/ SSS, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, as Research Assistant in 1991 and had experience of working with V.V. Giri National Labour Institute, Noida (U.P.), and the Government College Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh. Subsequently, Prof. Rao joined the AICTE-approved Mewar Institute of Management and Institute of Management Education (IME), Ghaziabad (U.P.), as AICTE-approved Director-cum- Professor. In 2012, Prof. Rao joined Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner (Rajasthan) as Associate Professor in the Department of History, wherein he became Head of the Department in 2014 and rose to the position of Professor in 2017. He has successfully completed several action-oriented projects supported by the Government of India and international organizations. He also organized several national and international seminars and training programs. He also participated in national and international seminars and delivered dozens of invited lectures in institutions and universities. Prof. Rao has several books, research papers, chapters, and articles to his credit. Prof. Rao has experience of serving as Head of the Department Director, Dean, Member, Board of Management; Convener, Board of Studies; Member, Board of Studies; Member, Academic Council, Subject Expert (History), in selection committees; Member, Executive Council (EC); and member Academic Council (AC) in different universities, colleges, and institutions. Currently, major areas of Prof. Rao’s interest include medieval Indian history and the history of north-east India.