The history of ancient Assam is reconstructed using a blend of primary (original) and secondary (analytical) sources.
Primary sources provide raw evidence while secondary sources offer interpretation and context.
This combined methodology ensures a comprehensive and authentic reconstruction of Assam’s early past.
5.1 A Brief Survey of Historical Sources
The history of ancient Assam is constructed using a combination of sources—both literary and archaeological.
Earliest accounts come from epics and mythological texts such as the Mahabharata, Kalika Purana, and Yogini Tantra.
The Ahom Kingdom maintained detailed chronicles known as Buranjis, written in both Ahom and Assamese languages.
Valuable historical details are also found in Kamarupa inscriptions, engraved on rock, copper plates, and clay tablets—mostly royal grants.
Assam’s history is typically divided into four chronological eras:
Ancient Era: Started with Kamarupa’s mention in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta (4th century CE).
Medieval Era: Began with Bakhtiyar Khilji’s invasion in 1206, leading to the rise of regional kingdoms.
Colonial Era: Initiated after the Treaty of Yandaboo in 1826, marking the British annexation of Assam.
Post-Colonial Era: Commenced in 1947 after India’s independence.
5.2 Classification of Sources
🔹 Primary Sources
These are original materials that provide direct evidence of historical events or periods.
🔸 Types of Primary Sources:
Inscriptions on rock, stone, copper, brass, pillars, and burnt clay tablets—key examples include:
Umachal Rock Inscription
Dubi and Nidhanpur Copper Plates
Artifacts and relics related to the Ahom rulers and ancient temples.
Coins and cannons made of bell metal—particularly those from the Ahom and Kamarupa periods.
Manuscripts and old records, including the Mahdzar Khata (Record Book).
Temple remains and weapons of war, especially those specific to Assamese warfare.
Census and administrative documents like the 1891 Gait Census Report.
🔑 Note: These sources provide insights into politics, religion, genealogy, language, and architecture.
🔹 Secondary Sources
These are interpretative studies written by historians based on primary evidence.
🔸 Characteristics:
Include books, research papers, articles, journals, and reports.
Notable historians like Sir Edward Gait, K.L. Barua, P.C. Choudhury, and H.K. Barpujari have contributed significantly to Assam’s historical narrative.
Useful in offering a comprehensive and analytical perspective by comparing various inscriptions, literature, and archaeological data.
🔸 Role in Assam’s History:
Help interpret and validate primary evidence.
Fill gaps in areas where original sources are lost or incomplete.
Offer critical commentary on the development of temple architecture, language, and dynastic histories.