Assam GK Topic

What Is The Assamese Language Movement (bakha Andolon), And Why Is It Significant In Assam's Cultural History

The Assamese Language Movement, popularly known as Bhasa Andolon or Bakha Andolon, was a historic socio-political struggle to protect the status and identity of the Assamese language. It was not a single event but a series of movements that occurred at different points in Assam’s history.
What Is The Assamese Language Movement (bakha Andolon) illustration

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Detailed Notes

Key Phases of the Assamese Language Movement:

  1. Early Resistance (19th Century):

    • After Assam’s annexation by the British in 1826, the colonial government replaced Assamese with Bengali in administration and education (1836).

    • Assamese intellectuals like Anandaram Dhekial Phukan and Hemchandra Barua led the movement to reinstate Assamese, which succeeded in 1873.

  2. Post-Independence Movements (20th Century):

    • The Assamese Language Movement of 1960 was one of the most significant, sparked by the demand to make Assamese the official state language.

    • It intensified during the Assamese Official Language Act of 1960, which declared Assamese the official language of Assam, leading to protests and unrest in the Barak Valley.

  3. Barak Valley Language Movement (1961):

    • In response, the Bengali-speaking population of Barak Valley protested against the imposition of Assamese.

    • On 19 May 1961, 11 people were killed in Silchar during police firing, making it a turning point in Assam’s linguistic history.

Importance of the Assamese Language Movement:

  • Established Assamese as an official language and symbol of identity.

  • Strengthened Assamese nationalism and cultural pride.

  • Highlighted the linguistic diversity of Assam, balancing Assamese with Bengali and other indigenous languages.