The idea of the Northeast is intriguing. It indicates a direction; therefore, it should have remained as an adjectival clause—‘northeast.’ It indeed does, to some extent, but increasingly the hyphen is dropped for it to become a single-word proper noun with many layers of nuanced meanings. Among the many images evoked are of wilderness, exotic customs, pristine landscapes, insurgency, incomprehensible tribal feuds, underdevelopment, etc.
The name also conjures up the picture of a composite geography of eight states, including Sikkim, after this former Himalayan kingdom became a part of India in 1975. In spirit, probably North Bengal/Darjeeling should also be included, as this peripheral extension of West Bengal geographically, culturally, and psychologically shares many affinities with this region.
How did a term signifying a coordinate come to be so intimately associated with the character and personality of a region? The question will necessarily invoke a legacy from British colonial rule. If the anchor of this coordinate were India’s national capital, the region should have been just east and not northeast, for the place lies directly to the east of New Delhi. Obviously, the anchor was different when the region first came to be taken cognizance of on the Indian map, which is after Assam’s formal annexation into British India by the Treaty of Yandaboo, 1826, signed with Burma (Ava kingdom), ending a devastating invasion and occupation of Assam by the latter.
After annexation, this new territory was merged into Bengal and remained so till 1874, when Assam was separated and made a separate chief commissioner’s province. It then constituted almost the entire Northeast, with the exception of Tripura and Manipur, separate principalities. From the then British India capital of Calcutta, Northeast was indeed to the north-east.
この記事は The New Indian Express の December 05, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The New Indian Express の December 05, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Sat's Digital Makeoverare You Ready?
The age-old tradition of pen-and-paper exams is witnessing a digital revolution. As high-stakes tests like the SAT embrace online formats, millions of Indian students find themselves ata crossroads. What changes will digitalisation bring? Saumya Solanki Varsha Sagi explore
Cinematographer GK Vishnu joins Suriya 45
HE latest to join the technical crew of RJ Balaji-Suriya's Suriya 45, is cinematographer GK Vishnu.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anne Hathaway to team up
According to reports, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is all set to direct a thriller, with Anne Hathaway in the lead role.
TEARS OF JOY
Abishan Jeevinth speaks about his directorial debut, Tourist Family, and building a lighthearted film around a Sri Lankan Tamil family
Teyonah Parris joins Matchbox
ACTOR Teyonah Parris, known for her roles in The Marvels and They Cloned Tyrone, is all set to star alongside John Cena in the upcoming film Matchbox.
'I am not a good actor'
ACTOR KISHORE SPEAKS ABOUT HIS PROCLIVITY FOR GREY-SHADED ROLES AND EXPLAINS WHY HE FINDS IT COMFORTABLE TO WORK WITH VETRI MAARAN
Season of merriment
The engineering of Leela Palace reflects the magnificence of Chettinad architecture. The palace's courtyard is where the magic happens during the festive season—it \"allows people to gather and laugh and enjoy.\"
An artistic alchemy
Margazhi - The Rasa Edit opens a new chapter in Chennai's cultural calendar. Fusing contemporary dance with traditional storytelling, this performance invites audiences to experience art inclusively
The gender conundrum
IN early October, lieutenant general Rajeev Puri of the Indian Army wrote a five-page letter to his senior, general officer commanding-in-chief lieutenant general Ram Chander Tiwari, appraising the work of eight women colonels under his authority.
INDIAN MOTORSPORT GIANT NO MORE
NDU Chandhok, the doyen of Indian motorsports, passed away in Chennai on Saturday morning.