Books On North East India
Tacito Fingerut
Here are a few books to help you get started with building an inclusive bookshelf and educating and understanding the complex issues that mire the diverse region of the Northeast. This list comprises a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books by Northeast Indian authors and it is, by no means, exhaustive.
What it's about: Mitra Phukan's novel is set in a conflict-ridden small town of Assam called Parbatpuri and revolves around Rukmini Bezboruah, the wife of the District Collector, who lives a seemingly safe and privileged life, free from the violence and terrors of insurgency. However, she experiences a desolation of not having children and living a monotonous and lonely life. She finds comfort in Manoj, and their ever-growing physical intimacy is played against a world of violence. Soon, the political starts connecting with the personal, and Rukmini's life inside the bubble of privilege and safety starts to break open.
What it's about: Wari is a collection of eight stories that introduces the readers to the folklore, beliefs, culture, arts, and cuisine of Manipur. Each of the eight stories is unique and distinct and explores various themes ranging from ancient beliefs of black magic, idol worship and local deities, the impact of the Japanese Army infiltration during World War II, drug abuse, and superstitions.
What it's about: Temsula Ao's collection of stories depicts how the turbulent years of carnage and tears from the struggle and demand for independence from the Indian State have restructured the psyche of the people in Nagaland. These are moving stories of ordinary people striving for survival, searching for their identity, and searching for peace amidst terror after their old ways of life are torn apart due to modernisation and war.
What it's about: The King's Harvest consists of two novellas set in the state of Sikkim. The first novella is sort of like a detective fiction about a woman called Kamala who purposely murders her husband and tries to take law into her own hands. The second novella is about Tontem, a deformed man, who gets shunned from the kingdom and is now on his way to meet his king, whom he owes a harvest from his fields.
What it's about: This is a thoroughly researched book that provides an in-depth analysis of the complex issues that confront the state of Assam and other Northeastern states. Baruah explains the cultural politics of language, militant sub-nationalism, Pan-Indianism, how the precolonial Ahom kingdom came to be called Assam under the British rule, how insurgency in Assam has roots in the history of Assamese sub-nationalism, and so much more.
What it's about: This book by Hiren Gohain is a selection of essays (written by him) and has been published in various different journals, including The Economic and Political Weekly. It also consists of a number of addresses delivered in various institutions such as Jawaharlal Nehru University. The book covers nearly half a century of the Northeast's history, society, and politics and sheds light on various endemic and critical issues causing unrest in the region.
What it's about: This novel narrates the story of Giribala, a young widow from an Assamese Brahmin family, and shows the plight of the widows and the revolt of Giribala. It also illustrates how the traditional authority is threatened as the feudal system gets disintegrated post the independence of India.
What it's about: This historical anthropology book by Joy L.K. Pachuau is mainly about identity-shaping and identity-making and gives the readers an insight into how colonialism, Christianity, and identity politics played a role in the construction of the Mizo identity. It traces the history in the making of the selfhood of Mizos, and how they constitute and understand themselves.
What it's about: This is a thoroughly well-researched book for those trying to understand the complex issues of Northeast India. It provides insight into the insurgency, identity crisis, drug abuse, floods, illegal immigration, cross-border infiltration, and environmental problems plaguing the region.
What it's about: Undertow is a gripping book that one won't be able to put down. It is a coming-of-age tale that revolves around Loya, who arrives from Bangalore to Assam to visit her grandfather, Torun, and follows her journey of discovering her roots. Loya's mother, Rukmini, was cast out of her paternal home for marrying a Christian Malayali outside her caste. It is about severed connections between family and delves into the personal strife of Loya, played wonderfully against the backdrop of a strife-ridden Assam.
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Nestled in the northeastern corner of India lies a region of breathtaking beauty, rich cultural heritage, and unparalleled diversity. Here we list down some books about the region to understand it better.
Photo: Canva
'A Resurgent Northeast' offers a compelling depiction of the north-east region neglected by mainstream India for decades, now undergoing profound transformation. Drawing upon his experiences Kundra chronicles the journey of the people of the Northeast and their integration journey.
Photo: HarperCollins India
A comprehensive historical account of Assam, this book traces the region's history from ancient times to the colonial era, providing insights into its culture, society, and political developments.
This anthology brings together essays, articles, and personal accounts from various authors, offering a multifaceted perspective on the northeastern region, including its history, conflicts, culture, and aspirations.
Photo: Penguin India
Drawing from the rich oral traditions of the indigenous communities, 'The Legends of Pensam' by Mamang Dai is a captivating book that takes readers on a mystical journey through the landscapes and myths of Arunachal Pradesh.
Photo: Penguin India
Set across the scenic forests and mounstians of Nagaland, 'When the River Sleeps' tells the tale of Vilie, a Naga hunter who is on a quest to find something called a heart stone in the region.
Photo: Zubaan Books
While the rest of India was celebrating their newfound independence from the British rule, Nagaland was fighting the Indians for their own freedom. For decades, the underground rebellion forces from Nagaland engaged in a bloody battle against the Indian Army, trying to establish their own separate nation. The violence that took place during this struggle and the atrocities the common people faced is poignantly laid out by Temsula Ao in this book of short stories. A young woman singing, even as she is being raped, is just one of them.
The Mothers of Manipur, by renowned journalist, Teresa Rehman, delves into this heartrending incident 13 years later and tells the story of how these ordinary women made the nation stand up and take notice of a harrowing act, which otherwise would have been brushed aside, as most events from this region are.
Nandita Haksar is a lawyer and human rights activist who has worked in Northeast India for over three decades. In this travel book, Haksar sets off on a road trip with her husband Sebastian Hongray across the Chicken Neck, which is a slim strip of land about 33 kilometres long, that connects the entire Northeast to the rest of India. During their journey, the couple traversed over 15,000 kilometres in four months. They met and spoke with locals from all the different states of the region and collected invaluable narratives, which unlike most other books, provide insight into the history and culture of the land.
Mamang Dai is a beloved poet from the easternmost state of India, Arunachal Pradesh. Although a collection of short stories, in The Legends of Pensam, Dai has used every bit of her poetic skills to make the book almost lyrical. The stories are focussed on the Adi tribe, who belong to the beautiful Siang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, which is now a popular trekking destination. Through fascinating myths and legends, the writer highlights the age-old customs and beliefs of her community. As it is with most cultures of Northeast India, the Adi tribe also follows an oral tradition and through this book, Dai has made an attempt to preserve her heritage, which has been so influential in shaping her as a writer.
Before its annexation to the country in 1975, Sikkim was a tiny Himalayan kingdom that functioned as a semi-sovereign entity of India. Sikkim shares its borders with China, Nepal and Bhutan, placing it in a very sensitive geopolitical location. Set against the backdrop of Cold War conspiracies in Asia, Sikkim: Requiem for a Himalayan Kingdom relates the failure of a small realm trying to survive against a much bigger nation despite the best attempts of its charismatic ruler, King Palden Thondup Namgyal, and his American wife, Hope Cooke. With the help of 5,000 troops and within 30 minutes, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had managed to bring Sikkim under her command.
Anyone who wants an insight into the history of Sikkim should read this book, which provides dramatic details about the last days of the Himalayan kingdom. The political schemes almost feel like a thriller genre, making the book a highly enjoyable read.
Khasis are an indigenous ethnic group from the state of Meghalaya, who have a rich story-telling tradition. Almost every aspect of their lives is connected with a fascinating legend. It is believed that the members of the tribe would gather around a hearth and listen to the village bard narrate tales. The title of the book derives from this very practice. The stories in the book are those that the author himself had heard from his mother and his close relatives when he was a child. He has transformed these folktales by adding new characters and dialogues, but without changing the essence of the story. The collection of 20 folktales in Around the Hearth: Khasi Legends make for a highly engrossing read.
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