In the following pages an attempt has been made to produce the history of the North-East Frontier Agency, now known as Arunachal Pradesh. We have practically no material, writter or unwritten, relating to the history of this area other than some oral literature and a number of historical ruins lying in the foothills along the Territory. Initially, upto 1865, we knew of only three ruins namely, Bhalukpung in the Kameng District, and Tamreswari temple and Bhishmaknagar in the Lohit District. But as a result of subsequent explorations and excavations a good number of other such ruins dating approximately from the early Christian era have been brought to light.
From the existence of these ruins, some of bricks alone, some of bricks and stones, and others of only stone connected by well built highways (alleys)as well as tanks of various shapes, some full of lotus flowers in season, it may not be too much to surmise that the area was not only known but inhabited by people having close relations with the rest of the country lying specially to the west. This contention is supported by the existence and type of extensive ruins lying near about Tezpur, the headquarters of the Darrang District of Assam and in some other places in the north bank of the Brahmaputra. From a cursory look at these ruins as well as those in the foothills it can be presumed that the whole of the north bank upto the foothills was inhabited by people who were very much advanced politically, culturally and in various other respects.
Very little was known about these ruins and about their far-reaching implications. But with very rapid progress in education and in various fields of knowledge the people have become quite aware about their intportance and feel proud in having these evidences of the past glory within the geographical limits of their territory. Some of them go to the extent of claiming themselves as the descendents of the people responsible for the construction of these buildings, forts, alleys (roads), tanks with bathing 'ghats' etc. However, this is a sphere where we should proceed with an open mind to mould our opinion in accordance with circumstantial evidences.
Though there were references in early buranjis as well as in other records about relations between the people of Arunachal and Assam and the influence exercised by the Ahom Kings over these areas, systematic administration started spreading over the area with Independence. The present history begins with the inception of British rule in Assam after the treaty of Yandabo concluded on the 24th of February, 1826.
I will fail in my duty if I do not mention the fact that it was Shri Jairamdas Daulatram, the former Governor of Assam, who was mainly responsible for inspiring me to undertake the work of producing a book like this. The late Dr. Verrier Elwin was very much interested in seeing the materials published and took the trouble of going through the manuscript and in suggesting improvements wherever necessary. I cannot forget the amount of interest taken by the Adviser, Shri P. N. Luthra in getting the various historical sites of NEFA (Arunachal) explored and excavated. Excavation at Siva Linga temple site and Bhishmaknagar in the Lohit District and Malinithan in the Siang district was sponsored by him. At the final stage the Director of Research, Shri B. Das Shastri took the trouble of going through the manuscript and helping me with his valued suggestions.
In the following pages, the history of the area now known as Arunachal Pradesh has been narrated very briefly upto 1960 only and as such the nomenclatures North-East Frontier Agency, Frontier Division, etc. have been retained.
Gitaa Cassesttes
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