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.
This story is from the December 05, 2024 edition of The Morning Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 05, 2024 edition of The Morning Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Bag it like a boss
These bags are perfect for every occasion, from sangeet to cocktail party
THE CITYSCAPE IN A GLASS
Imagine the sunset and the beautiful winter line created by it and top that with the falling AQI of Delhi and a breathtaking view of the Lutyens.
Paul Mescal to play Paul McCartney in Beatles biopic
PREVIOUSLY there were speculations that filmmaker Ridley Scott and actor Paul Mescal are set to reteam for the upcoming thriller The Dog Stars following their successful collaboration on the recently-released Gladiator 2.
IN STEP WITH THE SACRED
Kuchipudi dancer Amrita Lahiri, and musician Chandana Bala Kalyan, students of Delhi guru Leela Samson, bring their production, 'Mandala', to the city
Shami far from best as Bengal lose to Baroda
PACER Mohammed Shami rarely operated at his best and it had a cascading effect on Bengal as they went down by 41 runs against Baroda in the quarterfinals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy here on Wednesday.
Mandhana ton in vain as Australia win ODI series 3-0
SMRITI MANDHANA'S record-breaking century and Arundhati Reddy's career-best figures went in vain as India lost the final ODI against Australia at the WACA ground as hosts took the series 3-0 adding six points to their tally in the ICC women's ODI championship.
Salah keeps Liverpool perfect, Real win
MOHAMED SALAH helped maintain Liverpool's perfect record in the Champions League on Tuesday while holders Real Madrid bounced back from their defeat at Anfield to topple in-form Italians Atalanta.
ISL: CFC down Hyderabad to end 4-match winless run
IRFAN YADWAD'S early goal proved to be the difference-maker as Chennaiyin FC recorded a much-needed victory over Hyderabad FC in the Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here, on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia to host 2034 FIFA WC
SAUDI ARABIA has been officially confirmed by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men's football, giving the oil-rich kingdom its biggest prize yet for massive spending on global sports driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Can struggling Sharma step up as captain?
IT was day three of the Pune Test against New Zealand. Having lost the home Test series 3-0, a dejected Rohit Sharma addressed the media.