"History of Assamese Literature" by Birinchi Kumar Barua is an authoritative exploration of the literary heritage of Assam. This seminal work provides a comprehensive overview of Assamese literature, tracing its development from ancient times to the modern era, highlighting key figures, literary movements, and significant works that shaped Assamese cultural identity.
Birinchi Kumar Barua (1908-1964) was a distinguished Assamese scholar, writer, and educator known for his contributions to Assamese literature and culture. He served as a professor and later as the Vice-Chancellor of Gauhati University. His works extensively cover Assamese folklore, linguistics, and history, significantly enriching Assamese academic and cultural life.
THE present volume is the fifth in the series of Histories of Literature, which the Sahitya Akademi has sponsored for publication. The four earlier volumes, namely, History of Bengali Literature by Dr. Sukumar Sen and History of Oriya Literature by Dr. Mayadhar Mansinha (both in English), History of Malayalam Literature by Sri P.K. Parameswaran Nair in Malayalam and History of Kannada Literature by Dr. R.S. Mugali in Kannada were published earlier and have been well received by discerning critics. History of Telugu Literature by Dr. G.V. Sitapati in English and an English translation of the History of Malayalam Literature are now in Press and are expected to be published shortly. Other volumes are under preparation.
These volumes have been planned in uniform size and aim at a standard quality. The Sahitya Akademi hopes in course of time to publish their translation in all major Indian languages of the country so as to make available to the reader authentic surveys of Indian literature, not only of his own region but of the other regions as well. For Indian literature is one though written in many languages. Though the contribution of Assamese to the literature of India is not inconsiderable, very little is known of it outside the Assamese-reading public. It is hoped that this volume will help to introduce the wealth of Assamese literature to the Indian reader in general and will prove of as much interest to the general reader as to the scholar.
The selection of authors of these Histories is made by the Sahitya Akademi in consultation with its Advisory Board in the language concerned and the manuscripts are read and approved by a committee of its literary advisers before they are published. No History of Literature, unless it is a mere chronological catalogue of names, can wholly avoid critical estimates and qualitative preferences. These critical estimates are necessarily the author's and it is not unlikely that there will be difference of opinion amongst the readers in this matter. The publisher (in this case the Sahitya Akademi) need not be identified with these estimates.
It is deeply regretted that the learned author of this History who was himself a creative writer of distinction passed away suddenly while the book was in Press. His premature death cut off a career of great promise and is an irreparable loss to Indian Literature.
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