GLIPSES OF HISTORY OF BAM

 

Glimpses  Of  History  of  " BAM"a  Region in the Southern Cachar Bordering Mizoram

Second Edition

By Jiyauddin Choudhury

 

1. A Few Words from the Editor:

 The most populous region in the southern part of Assam is collectively known as the 'Barak Valley,' comprising the three administrative districts of Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj was known as Cachar District until 1984. Historically, Karimganj was a part of Sylhet district of Bengal Province .The remaining part of Barak Valley -the present Hailakandi and Cachar District  was the state of Cachar or Hedimba country, an independent sovereign nation. Over time, the boundaries of this state have changed, as have its rulers and administrative structures. Additionally, the population pattern has also changed from time to time due to various reasons.

  When discussing these issues, history inevitably comes into play. To understand history, one must search for lost information, verify the significance of places and regions, and bring neglected monuments to public attention. History helps us understand our self-identity. If we consider the southern part of Cachar from this perspective, we find that there once was a region called 'Bam' in the southern part of Cachar state. This region was home to the state and capital of Tripuri or Tippra. However, over time, the kingdom and its capital have disappeared. Nonetheless, the name 'Bam' persists in the collective memory. The evolution of this Bam region is still widely recounted through oral traditions.

 The area known as "Bam" was once a populous and prosperous region. However, for unknown reasons, this bustling habitation, along with the center of royal power, the king's palace, and the capital, shifted to another location. The entire area then became covered in jungle and forest, rendering it uninhabited. After a long period, during the British Raj, when the British took over Cachar and introduced a new land settlement system, Bam became populated again. This region of the forgotten state of Tripuri, or the historical state of Tippra, has re-emerged in its former glory as a populous area, reminiscent of its past.

In the book entitled "Glimpses of History of Bam," an attempt has been made to present a partial outline of the historical evolution of this rich tradition of this newly settled  'Bam' region.

As per historical references and popular belief  'Bam' was the Tippra state or kingdom but as we do not have any information about whether there was any other state or Rajpat in the area before Tippra rule, it cannot be said with certainty that Bam settlement following British rule was the second settlement of Bam. Therefore this settlement phase  may be called the resettlement phase

 

An attempt has been made to shed some light on the settlement trends of this region. This is a modest effort made in the hope that enthusiastic researchers and inquisitive minds will write the complete history of the evolution of Bam. It is regrettable that, due to a lack of research experience, analytical skills, and writing expertise, I could not take full advantage of the available resources to present a comprehensive profile of the historically significant Bam region. Owing to limited time and personal constraints, I regret not being able to offer readers a more informative and engaging account of Bam. Essentially, this writing aims to draw readers' attention to Bam. A detailed and accurate history still awaits a skilled and dedicated researcher to craft a rich and compelling narrative.

It should be noted that the Editor of this book is a son of Bam. This writing aims to share insights about Bam as seen and known through the process of growing up there. Additionally, other residents and patrons of Bam have enriched this volume with their valuable essays on the region. To each of them, I am indebted. Many kind-hearted individuals have also contributed by providing information, statements, and advice, enabling me to write this book and present it to the reading community. I am grateful to everyone who assisted in this endeavor and extend my thanks to them.

The main motivation for writing this book was to understand Bam more deeply and to share this knowledge, especially with the younger generation of Bam. In the process of writing, I learned a great deal about Bam and hope that others from Bam will benefit as well.

As this book was written by an inexperienced hand, it may contain many errors. If any mistakes are found, I would be forever grateful to the kind readers who point them out and provide an opportunity to correct them in the next edition.

 

Jiyauddin Chowdhury 

Date: 20/07/2024