Our beautiful Bam is composed of several villages. The true meaning of the name Bam is the region on the left bank of the Barak River. It is located south of a city called Silchar. Another meaning of Bam is a region of peace. People of various communities live in this region. The culture and civilisation of these inhabitants are distinct from one another.
Bam, a playground of nature, is a diverse region.
On its eastern edge are vast paddy fields, and on its western edge are dense,
towering hills. These forests contain various types of valuable timber. These
trees are protected by the forest department. The Rukni River flows through the
middle of these two ends with a murmuring sound. Due to the heavy rains of the
monsoon season, the river occasionally overflows its banks, flooding the
surrounding areas. Currently, however, embankments have been built on both
banks of the river. This Rukni River has made our region fertile, abundant in
water, fruitful, and lush green with crops. Nature, as if in a lavish display,
has filled this Bam with diversity with an unsparing hand. Therefore, it can be
said that this Bam is abundant in water, fruitful, and lush green with crops.
The diversity of Bam, a playground of nature, is observed in various fields.
Judging from the geographical or natural diversity, the variations of this
region become apparent. Calling this Bam a miniature 'India' would not be an
exaggeration.
This Bam was initially a densely forested,
uninhabited area. People from other regions came here, cleared the forests, and
cultivated the land; whatever land they cultivated came under their ownership.
In this way, the forested Bam gradually became populated. This Bam is part of
the Davidsonabad pargana. The name Davidsonabad has a history. When settlement
began in this Bam, the region came under British rule. The responsibility of
governing this region was entrusted to a British man, whose name was Mr. Davidson.
This pargana was named Davidsonbad after Mr Davidson. Mr Davidson had
instructed that Muslims and people of other communities would reside on the
western bank of the river, while only Hindus of all castes would live on the
eastern side. Currently, some changes in this arrangement are observed. On the
eastern side of the Rukni River, in Sukhtala and other places, some Muslim
fishing communities are found.
The Bam region is inhabited by diverse
communities. Among these inhabitants are: the Brahmin community, Kayastha
community, Patni community, Namasudra community, Nath community, Muslim
community, Manipuri community, Barman community, Hindustani community, Naga
community, Khasi community, Mizo community, Kuki community, Mar community,
Tipra community, and many other communities. Each of these communities has its
own distinct ethnic characteristics. There are also differences in dress,
customs, and social norms. Each community has its own unique culture. Despite
the diversity of people in this region, there is no discord among them. People
of all communities live peacefully in this Bam region through mutual
understanding.
From the perspective of language
and religion, the diversity of the Bam region is evident. Despite the
differences in these diverse languages, religions, and customs, a deep sense of
unity has prevailed among the people of Bam since time immemorial. Despite the
diversity of different races, religions, languages, and customs, the civilisation
and culture that the people of Bam have built is unparalleled. Each community
has developed its own unique culture.
Our Bam region has several government
institutions. Many people are benefiting from these institutions in various
ways. These institutions include various educational institutions, hospitals,
police stations, banks, post offices, water supply systems, the Central Excise
Department, State Excise Department, telephone exchange, social forestry
department, forest department, Central Water Commission, cooperative societies,
etc. The oldest educational institution in this Bam region is the Bam
Nityananda Higher Secondary Multipurpose School. The role of this school in the
field of education is undeniable. When this school was established, Mr
Nityananda Barman donated some money. The school was named after him. The
tireless efforts of several people in establishing this school are remembered
with great respect. Gradually, the school underwent rapid changes and expanded
in size; currently, it has become a large school with classes up to the twelfth
grade. Due to this educational institution, students in this region are quickly
becoming highly educated and are well-established in their careers, holding
various high positions in different parts of the world.
The Bam region has occupational and artistic
characteristics of various classes of people. These characteristics did not
appear suddenly. From ancient times, the thoughts, knowledge, and skills of the
people have gradually developed, and through their livelihoods and social
systems, a cultural life has been built in Bam. People of each community are
earning their livelihood by adopting their respective professions. People of
the Patni community are earning their livelihood through agriculture, business,
and employment in high positions. People of the Namasudra community, in
addition to earning their livelihood in various ways, are especially well-known
for their bamboo and cane work. Exquisite craftsmanship and artistic skill are
evident in this bamboo and cane work. Their women also assist the men in these
tasks. People of the Manipuri and Barman communities, in addition to household
chores, are increasing their financial stability by making their own necessary
clothing and selling the surplus fabric. The women of the Manipuri community
engage in all kinds of labour, from going to the market to other tasks. The men
among them are somewhat fond of luxury. The people of the Hindustani community
engage in agriculture and other strenuous labour. Their wives also assist the
men in these laborious tasks. Due to the uneven terrain, the people of the
hilly communities cannot cultivate the land using ploughs or oxen. Therefore,
they practice 'Jhum' cultivation in the forests. When the soil becomes depleted
or infertile, they move to another location and cultivate crops using the
'Jhum' method. In this way, each community in this region sustains itself
through various forms of production.
The culture of a society is a
mirror of that society. Culture is expressed through individual behaviour,
language, art, philosophy, religion, social customs, and political and economic
systems. In short, it can be said that a person's entire way of life is their
culture. The social activities and culture of the various communities in this
region are diverse. This region is primarily agricultural. Ninety per cent of
the people here depend on agriculture. People of various religions live in this
region. Different types of culture, customs, and traditions are observed in
different parts of this region. Differences in the economic conditions of the
people of this region are also evident. Backwards and tribal communities live
in this region. Many people belonging to the Scheduled Castes also resides
here. They face various problems, making this region a problematic one from a
social perspective. Besides agricultural and artisan communities, there are
also some businessmen and government employees in this region. There are no
industrial establishments in this region. Most people depend on agriculture for
their livelihood. The productivity of the land is also low. Farmers cultivate
their fields using traditional methods. As a result, this region is very weak
economically.
People
from various communities have come and settled in this Bama region. The people
of Bama have accepted everyone, without looking down upon anyone with hatred.
The culture and civilisation of this region are distinct, shaped by its
environment. This unique civilisation and culture have been built by people of
different races and religions. This sense of cultural unity has helped create
unity among the people of Bama. Bama is a diverse region. In terms of ethnic
composition, language, religion, customs, attire, livelihood, and all other
aspects, there is no end to the diversity of Bama. This Bama region, a
playground of nature, has not neglected anyone as an outsider. This blending
and harmony is the fundamental principle of unity among the people of Bama.
Therefore, in the words of the poet:
“Many
languages, many opinions, many attires,
Amidst
this diversity, behold the great unity.”
Author's
Introduction:
Sunanda
Purkayastha of Mahadevpur is a former student of BNM School. This article was
published in the BNM School Golden Jubilee Souvenir in 1994. It is being
reprinted here after thirty years.
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