The Assamese Books and its Print History

By Gangapada Choudhury The history of the printed book in the Assamese language does not date back very far. The Baptist Missionaries were the first to have initiated the process in a formal way by establishing the Baptist Mission Press in 1840. It was from this press that the first Assamese magazine Arunodoi was published. However, the first Assamese book in print was a translation of the Bible taken up by the Sreerampur Missionary. The missionaries of Sreerampur gave attention not only to Bengali language but also to Assamese and in the year 1811, they entrusted the responsibility of the Assamese translation of the Bible to Atmaram Sarma, from Kaliabor, Nowgong.

This translation of the Bible was published in the year 1813... Its second edition was out in 1833... Besides this, the missionaries of Sreerampur also published one or two books in Assamese; of them, the most significant book is William Robinsons book on Assamese grammar (Dimbeswar Neog: Axomia Xahityor Buranji. 4th ed., Xuwoni Prakash, Jorhat, 1957, pg. 568). This way, we can trace back the beginning of Assamese books to the translated version of Atmarams Bible and hence, refer to the date 1813 as the year of the beginning of the history of Assamese books in print. The print industry in Assamese was thus launched with the year 1840. However, the first printing press in India was established in the year 1556 in Goa by some Christian missionary. The first book to be published in print in any regional language in India was in Tamil, Bhoktrina Christa in the year 1578. Surprisingly, the first Assamese book in print appeared almost 235 years after this! However, it will be wrong to state that there were no written books in Assamese, no publications or expansion and distribution before 1813. In fact, we have a history of the Assamese written book since the 13th century. On the other hand, if we consider Soryyageet Dakor Boson as a part and parcel of Assamese literature, then it dates back to as early as the 8th or 9th century. Apart from oral literature, if we just sit to consider the history of books in print in the Assamese language, we can comfortably refer to the 13th century as the beginning of Assamese writing. Since then, till the publication of the first Assamese book, there is a gap of a long 600 years -a treasure of books in manuscripts, (Xasipaat, jasipaat, and tulaapator jug). These books were primarily translations which were funded by the kings and wealthy men of ancient Assam. These books have references to these financial aids. I would like to quote from an article titled, Porhe Pahruei Ruwe Pan by Dr. Keshabananda Goswami where he writes, ...the poets and writers of the time, acknowledged whatever financial grants they received from the house of the king...Kamateswar Durlav Narayan, Borhai Raja Mahamanikya, Jaleswar, Koch King Naranarayan and Ahom rulers and the wealthy courtiers of the kingdom are some of the names that come to our mind. With their manuscripts loaded into bullock carts, complete with servants to attend to their needs, the kings used to make arrangements for the poets and writers to get into to composing with a free mind... During the Shankardev era, through the xatras, posts of writers, readers, Bhagawati Pathak, Khan ikars, etc. were created leading to the growth of a rich tradition of manuscript-writing manuscript-reading, which led to the expansion and circulation of the books. In fact, there was also a tradition of illustrating the books with a lot of emphasis on painting. From this, we can generalize that it was through the xatras in Assam, that a wonderful tradition of writing the books in Assamese, circulating it even in the manuscript form. Perhaps it was because of this that the first missionaries, who launched printing into Assam, gathered the threads from these xatras. The head of the Auniatia xatra in Majuli, Satradhikar Dutta Deb Goswami (1818-1904) way back in the 19th century, brought the printing press from Kolkota and established a printing press by the name of Dharma Prakash Zantra right in his xatra. It was from this press that the second Assamese magazine, Aaxam Bilaxini (1871 -1883) was published in 1871. With this, he imprinted his name in the long history of the printing press in Assam. Besides publishing the famous

works of Shankardev like Kirtam, Rukmini Haran, he also published some of his own works as Dhruba Sarit, Gobindo Gunmala, Krishna Lilamrit. This way, Dharma Prakash Zantra successfully established itself as an important milestone in the history of the printing press in Assam. This way, we can place Dutta Goswami in the same line as other important names of the missionaries who took upon themselves the very important task of publishing the important manuscripts of ancient Assam, viz., Brown, Bronson, Cuter, Garney. Besides progressive minds as that of Dutta Goswami, some other names that we come across are those of Haribilash Agarwala (1842-1916) to whose fame we have the publications of Kirtan, Namghoxa in the year 1876. Soon the prints of Gunomala, Vatima, Borgeet, Daxam, followed along with the works of Doityari Thakur and Ramananda Dwizs two volumes of Guru Charit. One fourth of the books of the 19th century along with Dasam, Kirtan, Geetgobindo, Namghouxa etc. were also published from the press that was opened in Kaliram Baruas house in Bharalumukh, which succeeded to catch the attention of the reading public towards ancient literature of Assam. Two prominent names in the history of the printing press and publishing houses in Assam are those of Nandeswar Chakravorty of Dibrugarh and Shivanath Bhattacharya. Initially, the religious literature published by reading public. Some of the publications were Nam Ghoxa, Kirtan Ghoxa, Daxam, Krishna Gita, Borgeet, Dakor Basan etc. Besides the publication of these manuscripts, these great souls also looked into their spread. Shivnath Bhattacharya and his Bhattacharya Agency (in the January of 1886) were instrumental in the spread of not only Assamese and non-Assamese literature but also in inspiring book sellers to keep copies of his books in their stores. There was provision to give advertisements too in these books. Some of the famous books that were printed in this press were Durgaprasad Mazimdar Baruas Prohor, Pandit Bireswar Bhattacharyas Proyo g Komudi, Durgeswar Sarmas Partha Parajoy, Sarbeswar Kokokys Axomia Xahitya Xompod, Chandradhar Baruas Tilottoma. Some other publications were Maffizudin Ahmed Hazarikas Gyan Malini (1896) and Jatindra Nath Duwarahs Kotha Kobita. Some of the children literature published from this press were Prahlad, Usha, Nal Damayanti. An interesting anecdote in this respect has been mentioned in the works of the famous children story writer Harendranath Sharma. While he was studying in his school in Gouripur, he had written a book entitled Nal Damayanti and had sent it to Bhattacharya Agency. And surprisingly, after a few days he was in receipt of a money order of five rupees with which he filled his matriculation form. Bhattacharya Press was established in Dibrugarh by Shivnath Bhattacharyas son Harendranath Bhattacharya. Its been a long time since Agency Company was shut down. However, books of Atul Chandra Hazarika were also published along with some major books translated from Bengali to English. Another name which succeeded to make a mark in the history of publication in Assam was Duttabarua & Co in Nalbari. In the year 1930, Bichitra Narayan Duttabarua established Duttabarua Brothers in Nalbari. In the year 1938, Harinarayan Duttabarua (1885-1958) took over the charge of the Duttabarua Brothers and popularized it by the name of Duttabarua and Company. Axomia Ramayan, Mahabharat, Guru Charit, Doxom Shonkho Bhagawat, Chitro Bhagawat were published with the efforts of Harinarayan Duttabarua. In the year 1931, he himself authored Chitra Darshan a dramatic look into two famous battles in the history of Assam Ramsinghas Assam invasion and the famous battle of Saraighat. In the 1950s, the Duttabarua and Company on the College Road, Panbazzar was so successful to capture avid readers that it was estimated that in the months of January and February its sale crossed lakhs of rupees. Bichitra Narayan Duttadbarua (1899-1973) practised law in Guwahati and in the year 1943 established the Lawyers Book Stall and took up the task of printing and publishing. This book stall made an unprecedented record in the sale and publication of books amongst all publishers from the 1950s and took the business to the greatest of heights. However, with the demise of his father, for personal reasons, he tore himself away and established L.B.S.Publications individually. However, after a few days, he had to again retake upon himself, the responsibility of running lawyers book stall. Under the guidance and care of Khagendranath Duttabarua, Lawyers Book Stall touched great heights of achievements and made a strong mark in the area of publication in Assam. But with his sad demise, it saw its bad days. Able attempts to revive its diminishing glory were made by his wife, Reena Duttabarua. But, unfortunately, she too died in the year 2003. What can be marked as one of most unfornate not only in the history of Lawyers Book Stall, but also in the history of entire Assamese print and publication was the sudden fire

that broke out one night in the 2004, which reduced some of the most valuable books in Assamese literature. What was lost that day can never be perhaps replaced. One spark of hope is still visible in amongst the dark clouds that seem to surround Lawyers Book Stall. The well -educated, well-taught son of Reena and Khagen Duttabarua, viz., Bhaskar Duttabarua (Raja) decided to give up his brilliant career that he started after his MBA degree outside India and take up the responsibility of the family business on his shoulders. He is inspired with new ideas, new thinking, and the future seems bright under his able guidance. We just hope that his attempts will be able to revive some of the splendour of Assamese literature for Assam. Originally from Kolkota, Shribhumi Publishing Company was established in Silchar in 1941 by Kalyan Kumar Purkayashtha. However, it saw its days of glory from 1989 when Arun Kumar Purkayasthadev took over its charge. It was responsible for the print and publication of the magazine Amar Protinidhi along with various works by various authors whose Assamese stories, novels, collection of articles, etc. Two years after the establishment of Lawyers Book Stall, Ambikapada Deva Choudhury gave up his teaching job in Patacharkuchi Vidyapith School and opened his own publishing ho use, Bani Prakax Mandir in Pathsala. It is worth mentioning that the first publication from it was the children literary collection Bihuwan under the leadership of Harendranath Sarma and the editorship of Holiram Deka. Around the same time was also published Harendranath Sarmas Kamal Pasa. Bani Kanta Kakoty was very sensitive to the dearth of children literature in Assamese and his concern for the progress and development of the young growing mind led him to write such brilliant stories as Pokhila. Some other noteworthy works in the same area were Harendranath Sarmas Ashok, Juwan Dakro, Chatrapati Shivaji, Isopor Xadhu etc.Nabakanta Baruas Akhoror Jokhola, Dulal Borthakurs Ghumati Jayoure, Prafulla Mishras Pokhi Ghorar Xadhu, Ambikapada Deva Chaoudhurys Kalidasa, Raghunath Deva Choudhurys Manab Xoibhyota, were some other important books in the area of childrens literature. These literary pieces were works of amazing literary prowess and works that could easily capture the imagination of the growing minds. So good were these books that they got recogintion in the national level and won many awards too. Besides childrens literature, some other works worth mentioning published in the 1950s were the research work Prasin Kamrupor Dhormor Dhara by Dr. Banikanta Kakoty, Alkaloi Sithi by Holiram Koka, the first novel to be written in Assamese inspired by the English novel, in this case, Pamella. A miscellaneous collection of writings Xaanmiholi by Hem Barua was also published along with Cupid aru Psyche. Xonpahi is a collection of stories by Bishnu Rabha which is studded with accounts of his exile in disguise; Ramaniyo is a work of subtle humour by Nabakanta Barua; Sesapaani is a work of violent satire by Pitambar Raj Medhi alias Rajmohan Nath the then Chief Engineer of Assam. Some off the track works of the covers of these books in around the 1950s were designed by Hemanta Mishra, Debabrata Mukherjee, Purna Chakravorty, Bijoy Mandal. Benu Mishra, during his childhood, probably painted his first book cover for Uttam Baruas play Jerengar Xoti. In the 1970s, some names that got associated with Bani Prakax in designing the cover were that of Purnedra Potri, Bhupendra Narayan Bhattacharya, Chandan Chutia. In the 1950s, it took a year or two to sell a thousand copies of a book. But, surprisingly, during those days Hem Baruas Cupid aru Psyche sold all its copies in one month! This was primarily because of his captivating language and its attractive cover. A small publishing house that started in 1945, in an interior part of Assam like Pathsala, Bani Prakax Mandir established in 1958, its branch in Jaswanta Road in Guwahati. Simultaneously with the opening of its branch in Guwahati, there was an exhibition of Assamese Poems. In this exhibition, rare books, collected from all possible sources were on display. This exhibition was inaugurated by Bihogi Kobi Raghunath Chaudhary and was presided over by Chief Justice Holiram Deka. From all given records, this was the first ever Book Fair in the land of Assam. In its silver jubilee year, 1973. Bani Prakax Mandir opened its second branch in Guwahati in Hem Barua Road, Panbazar, and named it Prokaxika. Keeping up with the celebrations of the silver jubilee year, there was organized an exhibition in Prokaxika which displayed books from the times of independence from the 3rd to the 9th of December. This way, we can took up to Bani Prakax as the Pathfinder for exhibition of Assamese books. In the year 1968, a press by the name of Purbodoy Press was established in 10 Kailash Bose Street, Kolkuta.- 6. Later, it was appeared to be a place where people from Assam used togather to chat over a cup of tea as if it was a sort of second Assam House in Kolkuta. By now Bani Prakax Mandir got into the guise of Bani Prakax and later into Bani Prakax Private Limited. In the year 1979, in Udyogpam in Guwahati was established another press by

the name of Bani Prakax Mudranee. This was under the care of Jyotipada Deba Choudhury of Bani Prakax Private Limited. He opened another sister concern, Natun Axom and published some of the best books of age defying writers of the time. With the publications from Natun Axom, the publications of Bani Prakax crossed two thousand copies. Four year after the establishment of Bani Prakax, in the year 1949, another teacher established another publishing house by the name of Bani Mandir in Dibrugarh and attracted the attention of the reading public. Intense study of books, plans of publication and the exchange of books among like-minded readers, the one who started it all, Chandrakanta Hazarikadev (1918-1995) kept himself confined to these works for twenty long years. In the 1970s, his three worthy sons Surjya Hazarika, Uzzal Hazarika and Utpal Hazarika took upon themselves to continue the legacy of their father. Thus began the glorious journey of Bani Mudranee. It was this combined endeavour of the three brothers that resulted in the establishment of a press in Guwahati by the name of Chandrakanta Press in the year 1988. With the establishment of the Dibrugarh Unversity, Dibrugarh began to pulsate with the culture of the educated. Hazarika realized the necessity and importance of books and as a consequence, a relative of his, Makhon Hazarika established a new publishing house by the name of Banalata in 1972 and it goes without saying that soon, it opened its opened its branch in Jaswanta Road in Guwahati in the year 1990. Balisalan edited by Pariskhit Hazarika was Banlatas premier publication in the year 1974. Now, its been a long 35 years and Banlata publications has included in its list religious books to creative books, reference books to research materials, from the colourful and imaginative world of childrens literature to the grave and serious literature of the aged. In the 1940s, another noteworthy publishing house established was Kupesh Chandra Bhattacharyas Oriental Book Company. Its first publication was Sanskrit Mukalam, it has also gone on to publish many books with varied interest. In the 1940s, various factors as the world wars which played havoc not only with the human mind but also with the human psyche and destroyed an entire generation, the economic depression that ruined uncountable families, the dearth of papers and of the press in the following years occupied the human mind for many years to come. This can be seen as an age of new rising in the history of Assamese book publication, in Assamese, nabajagoronor joog. It is surprising, that the elderly man of Shankardev Library, used to sell books under the banyan tree in Kachari ghat in Guwahati. In the same decade, along with Sreebhumi publishing, Lawyers Book Stall, Bani Prakax, Bani Mandir, Banlata, Oriental Book Company, Shankardev Library, Assam Book Depot of Arun Chandra Guha and Narendra Chandra Dutta of Students Stores were opened. Abut 400 books have already been published by Assam Book Depot. Arun Chandra Guha is credited with the publication of Dr. Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyas Mritunjyoi and the dictionary by Giridhar Sharma. Narendra Chandra Dutta (1910-1992) established Students Store in Baruabamun Gaon in the year 1945. For the spread and expansion of the endeavour was established in the year Bharati Book Stall in the year 1971 and Nayantara Prakaxan and Dutta Sons in the year 1992. In the year 1978, a branch of Students Store was opened in Guwahati. In the years to come it earned a lot of fame for its list of publications highlighting the works of known and unknown writers, students books and books on practical matters around three hundred or more of books were published. Homen Borgohains Kishore was also published by it. One name that stands out in the 1950s is that of Moni Maik Prakax and New Book Stall. It became famous with the publication of Prem Narayan Duttas Pafu Series, a detective series. Two names associa ted with Lawyers Book Stall are that of Ratneswar Dutta ad Umesh Chandra Bhuyan. In the year 1956, they established the New Book Stall in Jaswant Road in Panbazaar, Guwahati. Within a very short span of time, it curved for itself a niche in the field of publication and book selling. In the 1950s and 1960s, it published many important books. In the following years, both the partners took to independent outlets while the retail outlet of new Book Stall was taken over by Umesh Chandra Bhuyan, the New Book Stall on Jaswant Road was renamed Dutta Brothers and taken over by Ratneswar Dutta.

The one name in the publishing business that glitters the best in the 1960s is that of Bongshidhor Sarma (1933-1998). He opened Guwahati Book Stall in Silpukhuri in Guwahati in the year 1965, when he was still working with The Assam Tribune Group. In the initial twenty years, he published more than 200 books of old and new authors, He abstained from publishing any books in curriculum, religious books and guide books for students and stuck to publishing only stories, novels, books of poems, books on criticism on childrens literature. This way, in the 1970s and 80s, Guwahati Book Stall made a solid place for itself in the history of Assamese publication. It was surprising because it was a time when publishers used to publish other books with the money that came from the publication of books on the curriculum or some other book that sold like hot cakes. In the 1970s and the 1980s, three established publishing houses were Chandra Prakax, Journal Emporium and Jyoti Prakax. Like the other houses of that time, these houses also began in small townships and later on, with the spread of business, moved on Guwahati and found a firm grip here. In 1977, Rajendra Mohan Sarma, a resident of Tihu, in Nalbari district opened Chandra Prakax. This too found for itself a place in Jaswant Road in Panbazar in the year 1988 and took to the work of publication in full swing. In todays time, Chandra Prakax has a district place for itself in publicat ion. By the records, the number of books in published has crossed three thousand! To get to this number that too only with the publication of books in Assamese is a feat indeed more so with the market being not very encouraging and in the minimal span of a mere 16-17 years of existence. It has published books ranging from the literary works of Dr. Maheswar Neog, Dr. Birendara Kumar Bhattacharya and Hitesh Deka. By now, Dr. Maheswar Neogs collection of literary works was published in four volumes of 600 -700 pages. Three volumes by Hitesh Deka have been published and the fourth is on the verge of publication. Jorhat also did not lag behind in this respect. An upcoming industrialist from Jorhat, Nagen Sarma Continued with the business that his father has set up and established Jyoti Prakaxan in Jorhat in the year 1980. With the growth and expansion of business, this publication house too found a place for itself in Jaswant Road in Guwahati in the year 1985 and is now credited with the publication of over 900 books by various authors. It has started its own publishing house in Guwahati recently. Surendra Chandra Baishya from Nalbari started his career in publication with the establishment of Journal Emporium in the 1970s. Although, he has opened a branch in Guwahati, Baishya, however, prefers to function from Nalbari itself. To his credit is around 400 books and he is known for his initiative in the publication of books with progressive thinking. Anwexa is another that has attempts to bring in a revolution of books that spreads across and engulfs villages, towns, cities and schools everywhere. Nabakanta Baruas collection of children literature is one major publication by Anwesha apart from the 15 or more of books by them. The rewarding fact in that books published by Anwexa have been very well edited as that of Bani Prokax of 1950s. Katha Publication of Sonit Bijoy Das in Jaswant Road was also an important landmark in the history of publishing houses. Although it was responsible for the publication of only a few books however, its binding and publication and editing seemed to be extra ordinary. He published many famous books like Dr. Hiren Gohain Rosonawali, Sourabh Kumar Rachanawali, Kumar Chaliha Rosonawali, Kotha Guwahati, Kotha magazine, Kotha Borenjyo. Similarly Dhiraj Goswamis Book Hive published Xafura along with many other books and dramas by Bhabendranath Saikia. Purbanchal Prakax in Jaswant Road in Panbazaar also published some dozens of children stories, poems, stories, novels etc. Moving on to more recent times, all the books stores in Assam, whether be it in small or big towns and cities, publish books. From Rumi Rupak in Nowgon to Kiran Prakax in Dhemaji all are engaged in book publication. Besides, there are some writers who are also publishers and there are yet some others who publish just for the pleasure of publication. Though the second group is a rare group, the books that they happen to publish have a high standard intellectual content. Surprisingly, some publishers do not even have a fixed place where they can sell their books. Yet, undeterred from their enthusiasm towards publication, they try to sell their publications in little book stall that mushroom all over the ground in the

book fairs. It will not be correct to say that all the publishers have had a glorious journey. There are still some who have had to face the other side of the story and give up publishing after tasting it bitterness. This, in short, is the history of publication in Assam. Thus, we realize that the history of the publishers in Assam dates back to the times when the xotros were very popular after which came over the missionaries. In the beginning of the 19th century, the missionaries established the first printing press in Assam and printed the first book in Assamese and the first magazine in the language. In the second half of the 19th century, book publication was raised to another level with the establishment of the printing press, publishing of books like an industry from a society which was conservative, books from the xotros, from the xotradhikaars. The process of publication can be said to have made way for the movement of the Assamese society from one level of existence and living to another from a traditional way of living to a form of life dominated by the industry. It cannot be, however, denied that Aoniatiyo Xotradhikar Dutta Goswamidev took all measures to preserve that culture and tradition of the Assamese and spread it among the masses. The same was the intention of Haribilash Agarwala, Kaliram Barua and the Xotradhikaar of Dhloxotro of Jorhat, Assam Tirthanath Goawami in regards to the conservation and spread invaluable treasure of the ancient Assam. Thanks to efforts of these great minds, we today have our rich culture and traditions scripted and preserved. In the field of publication, the efforts of the teachers are the most commendable. If we make a cursory inquest into the matter, it becomes obvious that of the many who came forward to take the initiative in population , most of them were teachers. In the first decade of the 20th century, some persons who came forward in matters of publication were Gopal Chandra Barua, Harianarayan Duttabarua, Bichitranarayan Duttabarua, Ambikapada Deba Choudhury, Chandrakanta Hazarika: most of them were teachers or people who began their careers as teachers but took to publishing as careers. In fact, even Aoniatiyo Xotradhikaar Duttadeb Goswami and Tirthonath Goswamin of Dholoxotro were teachers too. Teachers are the ones who seem to have religiously served for the preservation, enrichment and spread of culture. Before the independence of India, the people who were engaged in the work of publication were driven with a sense of awakening and motivated towards the progress of the nation. There was a religious fervour in the way they functioned and considered it to be their sacred duty to script the literary works for posterity. Perhaps, in the 1930s and 1940s, this is one of the prime reasons why the work of publication was successful to maintain its vigour and speed inspite of the economic depression, the shortage of papers, dearth of publishing houses, the rudimentary forms of communication all of these people had the strength of mind to travel all the way to Kolkata to carry on the work of publication. Another motivated person, Purnachandra Goswami, the son of Tirthanath Goswami was someone who published without any fear, the poems of revolutionary poet Dhiren Duttas Abhijan although he was imprisoned for the same. Those were the times, when publication was much beyond mere business for those people who were inspired with the fire of revolution and national awakening. For them, it was a venture that was very near to their souls, something that made them feel a part of the long tradition of people engaged in the spread and preservation of the national heritage. It was a dream that they cherished. Perhaps, this was the reason why the relation between the publisher and the distributor of books was more than merely economical, it was personal. Perhaps, this was the reason why Bishnu Rava desired to have his publisher or someone from the family of the publisher on his last journey to Mumbai. We can conclude with the realization that there are many books which actually saw the light of publication as a result of the attempts of the publisher. So, in the process of the creation of literature, the role of the publisher is very significant.