The question of who qualifies as ‘indigenous’ in Assam has long shaped socio-political and intellectual discourse. This book examines the historical roots and identity of Bengali Hindus and Bengali Muslims, challenging their exclusion from the cat...
The question of who qualifies as ‘indigenous’ in Assam has long shaped socio-political and intellectual discourse. This book examines the historical roots and identity of Bengali Hindus and Bengali Muslims, challenging their exclusion from the category of indigenous communities. Tracing their origins to the ancient Bengal delta, once associated with Pragjyotishpura and Kamrupa, the author explores the region’s earliest populations, including Proto-Australoids, Tibeto-Burmese, Dravidians, and later Aryan migrants. Drawing on extensive historical research alongside modern genetic and DNA studies, the book questions conventional racial and chronological theories of indigeneity. It examines the evolution of communities, cultures, religions, and geographical landscapes, offering a compelling perspective on the origins and identity of Bengali communities in Assam.