Introduction

"History of Early and Medieval Assam (Earliest Times to 1826)" by Maniram Sharma presents a comprehensive and scholarly account of Assam’s journey from its ancient roots to the early 19th century. The book is published by Mahaveer Publications, a trusted name in academic publishing.

This volume is carefully designed to meet the requirements of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) for both Major and Minor History courses, as prescribed by various universities in Assam. It serves as a foundational resource for students, offering a balanced integration of historical facts, critical perspectives, and thematic coherence.

Covering the period from the earliest times up to 1826, the book ends with the Treaty of Yandaboo, a landmark event that marked the fall of the Ahom kingdom and the onset of British colonial rule in Assam.

To reconstruct this vast historical canvas, the author draws from a wide range of sources—archaeological evidence, epigraphy, numismatics, literary texts, and foreign travel accounts—offering readers a well-rounded view of Assam’s early and medieval past.

The section on ancient Assam explores the processes of early state formation, highlighting the roles of the Varman, Salastambha, and Pala dynasties in shaping the region’s political and cultural institutions. This is followed by an in-depth look at medieval Assam, focusing on the rise of the Ahom state, its expansion, consolidation, and the challenges it faced from contemporary powers like the Chutiyas, Kacharis, and Kochs.

Particular attention is given to the Ahom-Mughal conflicts, including the invasion by Mir Jumla, which brought Assam into complex relations with the Mughal Empire. The narrative then turns to the emergence of the Tungkhungia dynasty, spotlighting figures like Gadaghar Singh, and traces the zenith and eventual decline of Ahom power, leading to the decisive events of the Anglo-Burmese War.

Beyond political history, the book offers a detailed study of the Ahom administrative system, their tribal policies, and mechanisms of governance. It also delves into the social structure, economic activities, cultural developments—including art, architecture, and literature—and the religious life of medieval Assam.

To aid students, each chapter concludes with practice questions, encouraging engagement with key themes and facilitating exam preparation. With its clear structure and accessible language, this textbook serves not only as an academic guide but also as a valuable reference for readers interested in Assam’s rich historical heritage.

This book is also highly useful for aspirants of Assam-related competitive examinations, especially the APSC (Assam Public Service Commission), and other state-level recruitment exams that require a strong foundation in Assam’s history.

This work ultimately aims to foster a deeper understanding of Assam’s early and medieval past by blending scholarly research with an engaging, syllabus-oriented approach.