[Assam] assam Digest, Vol 44, Issue 23 - About the name Assam
kamal deka
kjit.deka at gmail.com
Tue Mar 17 21:04:51 PDT 2009
The Dutch sailor wrote his diary in 1662 in which the name of our state was
mentioned as Assam.Now read the following:
One of the first unambiguous references comes from Thomas Bowrey in 1663
about Mir Jumla's death: "They lost the best of Nabobs, the Kingdome of
Acham, and, by consequence, many large privileges". [*Bowrey, Thomas, "A
Geographical Account of Countries around Bay of Bengal", ed Temple, R. C.,
Hakluyt Society's Publications*]
On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 6:59 PM, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net> wrote:
> THERE IS NO CONSENSUS AMONG ASSAMESE SCHOLARS IN SO FAR AS THE ETYMOLOGY
>> OF >ASSAM IS CONCERNED.
>>
>
>
> *** That does not make Assam an anglicized form as claimed by OXX and as
> Kamal and Dilip seem to agree. One however hardly needs to argue the point.
> As Sherlock Holmes might have said, it is elementary Dr. Watson.
>
>
>
>
> >I HAPPENED TO SPEAK TO A FEW INTELLECTUALS,WHO ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE
>> DUTCH DOCUMENT REFUSE TO ACCEPT THAT AS AN AUTHENTIC PROOF.
>>
>
>
> *** Did they give any reason as to WHY it is NOT an authentic proof,
> acceptable to their scholarships? And if they don't , should we, as thinking
> and rational people accept the verdict of somebody who just doesn't like it
> - never mind why?
> Why should we even consider them SCHOLARS if they cannot make a persuasive
> argument why the Dutch document is not authentic?
>
> To accept it as the last word because some ' certified scholar ' says so
> will make us seem like sheep, unable to exercise our own reasoning
> abilities. I would want to see the certification of those scholars
> first :-).
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> At 5:43 PM -0500 3/17/09, kamal deka wrote:
>
>> I would like to conclude by saying the following;
>> THERE IS NO CONSENSUS AMONG ASSAMESE SCHOLARS IN SO FAR AS THE ETYMOLOGY
>> OF
>> ASSAM IS CONCERNED.THEY ARE DIVIDED ON RACIAL LINES.THE TRIBAL SCHOLARS
>> VEHEMENTLY OPPOSES THE NAME CHANGE,WHILE THE PLAIN GROUPS FAVORS IT.
>> I HAPPENED TO SPEAK TO A FEW INTELLECTUALS,WHO ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE
>> DUTCH DOCUMENT REFUSE TO ACCEPT THAT AS AN AUTHENTIC PROOF.
>> AGAIN, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT ANY NEW DISCOVERY,BE IT THE BOGORI(
>> OLIVE),BENGANA ( EGG-PLANT) OR BURONJI ( HISTORY) MUST PASS THE
>> CREDIBILITY
>> TEST.THAT YARDSTICK OUGHT TO BE APPLIED EQUALLY TO ALL.
>>
>> On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 4:45 PM, Dilip and Dil Deka <dilipdeka at yahoo.com
>> >wrote:
>>
>> '' In the meantime, verifiable proof exists
>>> to claim with certainty that Assam is NOT an anglicized form of what
>>> the historical name of what we call Oxom today, because it predates
>>> the British arrival in Assam. Pretty simple."
>>> ------ As I said, the proof provided shows outsiders (foreigners) called
>>> the land "Assam" or "Asem" or whatever else. That includes the Dutch,
>>> the
>>> Mughals, and the British. There is also proof that the Dutch used the
>>> name
>>> before the British did. It still does not prove that the residents of
>>> Assam
>>> called their land by that name. That is the point of my bringing in Bodo
>>> language side of the equation.
>>>
>>> " >I personally feel deeper research has to be done into Bodo language
>>> >and folk-literature to see if the >root of the word Oxom can be
>>> >found.
>>> That is one's prerogative. Like it is for creationists to find proof to
>>> debunk evolution."
>>> ------- Your words have no relevance here. You are reading me wrong. I
>>> am
>>> not debunking the statement that the land in question was called Assam
>>> (or
>>> whatever else) by outsiders before the British. My curiosity is about
>>> "Oxom"
>>> and "Ahom". When did these words come into use? The Tais did not call
>>> themselves Ahom. So who started that word? Do the words Ahom and Oxom
>>> have
>>> some connection? I am suggesting that Bodo language may give some clue.
>>>
>>> Is it fair to say that this whole Assamnet debate wouldn't have started
>>> if
>>> OXX had used the word "Westernized" in stead of "Anglicized" to describe
>>> the
>>> word "Assam"?
>>> I agree that "Asom" is not a suitable replacement for "Assam" as
>>> proposed
>>> by the Assam govt.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ================================================================================
>>>
>>>
>>> From: Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net>
>>> To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the world
>>> <
>>> assam at assamnet.org>; wahid.saleh at gmail.com
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 3:51:58 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Assam] assam Digest, Vol 44, Issue 23 - About the name
>>> Assam
>>>
>>> >I personally feel deeper research has to be done into Bodo language
>>>
>> > >and folk-literature to see if the >root of the word Oxom can be
>> > >found.
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *** That is one's prerogative. Like it is for creationists to find
>>> proof to debunk evolution. In the meantime, verifiable proof exists
>>> to claim with certainty that Assam is NOT an anglicized form of what
>>> the historical name of what we call Oxom today, because it predates
>>> the British arrival in Assam. Pretty simple.
>>>
>>> THAT was the point of contention: What OXX's website claimed.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> At 10:02 AM -0700 3/17/09, Dilip and Dil Deka wrote:
>>> >Mr. Saleh,
>>> >
>>> >You said, " All I did was to search for available information in
>>> >publications (in English and other languages) and
>>> >compile the information and publish an article to show that the name
>>> Assam
>>> >was not given by the British. The name existed before the British
>>> >came to Assam."
>>> >
>>> >Your interest in the subject and the time you spent in the
>>> >research should be appreciated by all who are somewhat interested in
>>> >Assam's history. In the above paragraph, you have also made it very
>>> >clear that your goal was to show that other outsiders (other than
>>> >the British) also called today's Oxom as Assam or something similar.
>>> >I do not believe you wanted to get into the debate over whether the
>>> >name Assam (or something similar) came first, or Oxom. As we have
>>> >seen in this debate and elsewhere, it will be very hard to pinpoint
>>> >when the name Oxom came into being. Dr. Yasmin Saikia in her
>>> >research concluded that a name for the Ahom kingdom does not appear
>>> >in the Buranjis remaining today. As we know a large number of
>>> >Buranjis were burnt under the care of Kirti Charan Barbarua. There
>>> >may be some hiding in some village in Assam. Who knows?
>>> >
>>> >I personally feel deeper research has to be done into Bodo language
>>> >and folk-literature to see if the root of the word Oxom can be found.
>>> >I asked a question a few days ago - who gave the name Ahom to the
>>> >Tai group and why did the Tai people so willingly accepted it?
>>> >No one has answered it.
>>> >
>>> >Again, thanks for your dedication to things Assamese.
>>> >Dilip Deka
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >________________________________
>>> >From: Wahid Saleh(GM) <wahid.saleh at gmail.com>
>>> >To: assam at assamnet..org
>>> >Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 10:01:54 AM
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] assam Digest, Vol 44, Issue 23 - About the name
>>> Assam
>>> >
>>> >>>I am wondering what prevents Mr.Saleh from confronting people like
>>> >>>Prof.Priyam Goswami of Gauhati University or Prof.Amalendu Guha with
>>> >>>his newly-found Dutch document which will certainly make them
>>> >>>laughter-evoking buffoons for being so ignorant about Assam's history
>>> ?
>>> >
>>> >It was not my intention to confront others. All I did was to search for
>>> >available information in publications (in English and other languages)
>>> and
>>> >compile the information and publish an article to show that the name
>>> Assam
>>> >was not given by the British. The name existed before the British came
>>> to
>>> >Assam.
>>> >
>>> >In my search for information on this subject I contacted persons who
>>> knew
>>> >about Indian, Dutch, English and Portuguese histories, did research and
>>> >published papers and books in their respective fields. They were based
>>> in
>>> >Australia, Bangladesh, Iran, India, the Netherlands, Portugal, Vietnam,
>>> >Thailand, UK and USA. Most of them are considered to be authorities in
>>> their
>>> >respective fields. I also did some research on Marco Polo and Huen
>>> Tsang
>>> to
>>> >find out if they mentioned the name Assam in their travel journals.
>>> >
>>> >During this process I stumbled upon the fact that the person named
>>> Glanius
>>> >who is mentioned by several well-known historians did not accompany Mir
>>> >Jumla and also never visited Assam. I also published an article on the
>>> same
>>> >subject.
>>> >
>>> >We all have the freedom to accept the mentioned books/publications as
>>> >historical documents or reject them totally.
>>> >
>>> >I quoted Prof. Priyam Goswami from a news item published by Times of
>>> India
>>> >(26-02-06) with the title "Assam to fall off the map, turn Asom" as Mr.
>>> Deka
>>> >wanted explanations from someone competent authority.
>>>
>> > >
>>
>>> >
>>> >>I remain unconvinced.
>>>
>> > >>In the fitness of thing,the entire matter ought to be left for
>> those,who
>>
>>> >are in the business of reading,analyzing and interpreting the
>>> nitty-gritty
>>> >>historical facts and data.
>>> >>I refuse to accept the interpretation put forward by Saleh/Barua as an
>>> >>unshakable truth.
>>> >>As far as I am concerned,their explanation is of no
>>> consequence,pending
>>> >full verification by the competent ones.
>>> >>Meanwhile,those self-proclaimed neo-historians should stop the tamasha
>>> of
>>> >>re-writing and re-interpreting facts in regard to Assam's
>>> >>history,who,perhaps,haven't studied the subject seriously save
>>> high-school
>>> >>history :-)
>>> >
>>> >Mr. Amalendu Guha and Kalika Purna were quoted by Mr. Deka and my reply
>>> was
>>> >only in reference to the said quotes.
>>> >
>>> >Both Prof Goswami and Mr. Guha wrote within the framework of
>>> information
>>> >available to them. This does not mean that they are "buffons". They are
>>> >contributing their own way to the knowledge of the society. In and
>>> outside
>>> >their academic circle they are respected academicians. We may agree
>>> with
>>> >them or reject their arguments without using some adjectives which they
>>> >don't deserve.
>>> >
>>> >Wahid Saleh
>>> >
>>> >-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
>>> >Van: assam-bounces at assamnet.org [mailto:assam-bounces at assamnet.org]
>>> Namens
>>> >assam-request at assamnet.org
>>> >Verzonden: dinsdag 17 maart 2009 7:30
>>> >Aan: assam at assamnet.org
>>> >Onderwerp: assam Digest, Vol 44, Issue 23
>>> >
>>> >Send assam mailing list submissions to
>>> > assam at assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>> > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>> > assam-request at assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >You can reach the person managing the list at
>>> > assam-owner at assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>>> >than "Re: Contents of assam digest..."
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Today's Topics:
>>> >
>>> > 1. Re: About the name Assam (Choudhary, H. N. - AMW - MUM)
>>> > 2. Of Wearing Suits and their Side-effects - Kalyan
>>> > Dutta-Choudhury, The Sentinel (Ram Sarangapani)
>>> > 3. Re: About the name Assam (kamal deka)
>>> > 4. Re: About the name Assam (kamal deka)
>>> > 5. Re: About the name Assam (kamal deka)
>>> > 6. Re: About the name Assam (Chan Mahanta)
>>> > 7. Re: About the name Assam (Rajen & Ajanta Barua)
>>> > 8. Re: About the name Assam (Rajen & Ajanta Barua)
>>> > 9. Re: About the name Assam (Rajen & Ajanta Barua)
>>> > 10. Re: About the name Assam (kamal deka)
>>> > 11. Re: About the name Assam (kamal deka)
>>> > 12. Fragmented Memories: Struggling to be Tai-Ahom in India - by
>>> > Yasmin Saikia (Dilip and Dil Deka)
>>> > 13. Re: Fragmented Memories: Struggling to be Tai-Ahom in India -
>>> > by Yasmin Saikia (Babul Gogoi)
>>> > 14. Sanskrit and Assamese (Alpana B. Sarangapani)
>>> > 15. Re: About the name Assam (kamal deka)
>>> > 16.. Web site of the "Adinor Sambad" (Buljit Buragohain)
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> >
>>> >Message: 1
>>> >Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:59:07 +0530
>>> >From: "Choudhary, H. N. - AMW - MUM" <HNChoudhary at amwasia.com>
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >To: "A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the
>>> > world" <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >Cc: rc2559 at columbia.edu
>>> >Message-ID:
>>> > <C277F575BBB7F54B9DB20593FACB611003A415 at amwbkcexch.amwasia.com>
>>> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>> >
>>> >Dear All,
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Having read the mails and communications on the subject "about the
>>> name
>>> >of Assam",
>>> >
>>> >I feel that the debate on the subject has become acrimonious and
>>> >somewhat personal.
>>> >
>>> >No one can clam fame to become a historian overnight by writing an
>>> >article on a historical topic. It is also not appropriate to call them
>>> >"neophyte historians" as they may not deserve the accolade.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >If I have to give my comments on the following remarks:
>>> >
>>> >"There are many ignorant educated people in Assam. There are again some
>>>
>> > >educated intellectuals with different agendas."
>>
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >-- I will like to reserve my comments.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Please exercise restraint and caution on commenting poorly on the whole
>>> >of Assam or Assamese people.
>>> >
>>> >Your geographical location outside Assam (in USA or elsewhere) does not
>>> >confer the right to make un-parliamentary
>>> >
>>> >comments on the people in Assam.
>>> >
>>> >These are sensitive issues.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >I am a recent addition to the group.
>>> >
>>> >I have served for many years in the Army and now in an Indian
>>> corporate.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Having he advantage to experienced the best traditions of our culture
>>> >and a mix of British culture,
>>> >
>>> >I could suggest that views and opinions need not "hurt" anyone. Please
>>> >show tolerance.
>>> >
>>> >If we follow that in the Friends of Assam, we will remain friends.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >I request both parties to cool off.
>>> >
>>> >There is too much heat at the moment.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Regards,
>>> >
>>> >Col Hemen N Choudhary
>>> >
>>> >W Sea Face
>>> >
>>> >Mumbai
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >-----Original Message-----
>>> >From: assam-bounces at assamnet.org [mailto:assam-bounces at assamnet.org]
>>> On
>>> >Behalf Of Rajen Barua
>>> >Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 6:51 PM
>>> >To: assamnet
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Why would Mr Wahid confront anybody?
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >What Prof Amalendu Gauha wrote about 'Ha-Sam' was not based on his own
>>> >research work. He simply borrowed the writing from Mr Baden Powell even
>>> >without quoting Mr Powell. I also wrote about the word 'Ha-Sam' in my
>>> >article but I quoted Mr Baden Powell. Also Prof Guha was writing based
>>> >on his communistic outlook, not much as history of the word Assam.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >There are
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Let people read Mr. Wahid's writings and confront him if they have any
>>> >problem.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Rajen Barua
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >> Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:03:37 -0500
>>> >
>>> >> From: kjit.deka at gmail.com
>>> >
>>> >> To: assam at assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >> Subject: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >> I am wondering what prevents Mr.Saleh from confronting people like
>>> >
>>> >> Prof.Priyam Goswami of Gauhati University or Prof.Amalendu Guha with
>>> >his
>>> >
>>> >> newly-found Dutch document which will certainly make them
>>> >laughter-evoking
>>> >
>>> >> buffoons for being so ignorant about Assam's history ?
>>> >
>>> >> KJD
>>> >
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >
>>> >> assam mailing list
>>> >
>>> >> assam at assamnet..org
>>> >
>>> >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >_______________________________________________
>>> >
>>> >assam mailing list
>>> >
>>> >assam at assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >DISCLAIMER:
>>> >Sample Disclaimer added in a VBScript.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >------------------------------
>>> >
>>> >Message: 2
>>> >Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:24:16 -0500
>>> >From: Ram Sarangapani <assamrs at gmail.com>
>>> >Subject: [Assam] Of Wearing Suits and their Side-effects - Kalyan
>>> > Dutta-Choudhury, The Sentinel
>>> >To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the
>>> > world <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >Message-ID:
>>> > <6e564ddf0903161424p5482b16es190baf547c7cd65d at mail.gmail.com>
>>> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
>>> >
>>> >Netters,
>>> >
>>> >Kalyan da writes well, and I kind of like this piece. Reminds me of
>>> Gandhi,
>>> >"Imitating the English Gentleman" which we had at high school, where
>>> Gandhi
>>> >declares
>>> >"And Mr. Bell rang the bell of Alarm in my ears, and I awoke" after he
>>> felt
>>> >guilty asking money from back home for his elocution and music lessons
>>> in
>>> >London.
>>> >
>>> >"The head tailor there was called masterji. When he was called, he
>>> showed
>>> up
>>> >at the front desk with a measuring tape coolly around his neck and the
>>> two
>>> >ends of it dangling. He talked sparingly because he knew his business.
>>> Any
>>> >professional person who talks to his or her clients doesn?t know his or
>>>
>> > her
>>
>>> >profession." - K DC
>>> >
>>> >This is just precious. I remember going for my first job interview at
>>> >Guwahati.. Didn't have a suit, so I borrowed a jacket from a friend -
>>> similar
>>> >shade. But the jacket was a size smaller. So, I used the next best
>>> option
>>> -
>>> >slung the jacket over my shoulders - to look hip, and make it look like
>>> it
>>> >was my suit.
>>> >
>>> >--Ram
>>> >_______________
>>> >
>>> >*Kalyan Dutta-Choudhury
>>> >
>>> >*A television programme showed men?s suits selling for upwards of, get
>>> this
>>> >incredible story, forty three thousand dollars. No, the suits weren?t
>>> made
>>> >of gold or titanium or any other precious metal. They were regular
>>> woollen
>>> >suits but the wool came from some animals grazing in some kind of grass
>>> >which grew in cool highlands of South America. The interviewer sported
>>> a
>>> >high-priced suit of that kind of lineage but he didn?t look any
>>> different
>>> >than when he was wearing his regular suit of approximately of same
>>> colour
>>> >and texture. But that?s purely my judgement.
>>> >Then, what is the hype about paying forty three thousand dollars for a
>>> suit?
>>> >That lies in the psychology of buying at one end, and selling at the
>>> other
>>> >end, of the business enterprise. The buyer may be a craven soul like
>>> Barney
>>> >Madeoff who made his money by bilking others, but how the seller, in
>>> right
>>> >conscientiousness, could sell the high-priced suits? They are made of
>>> the
>>> >same mould. They feed off each other?s depravity.
>>> >A relative of ours went to France, of many other places, for a visit to
>>> see
>>> >how things were different up there.. It seemed he made lots of money.
>>> Who
>>> >doesn?t make money in Assam? Only fools don?t. Looking around in Paris,
>>> he
>>> >found a tailoring shop which made suits. Asking for the price of a
>>> suit,
>>> he
>>> >was shocked to learn the price of suits ? way too high. With that kind
>>> of
>>> >money, he quickly calculated using his handy pocket calculator: ??I
>>> could
>>> >make two pairs of suits with heavier clothing at Mohini?s in
>>> Guwahati.??
>>> >That?s what he did. The suits were a bit ill-fitting and out of style.
>>> But
>>> >who cares about good fit and style in the non-suit domain like
>>> Guwahati!
>>> >It?s the quality of clothing that matters.
>>> >In the late 50s and early 60s, there was a veritable mania of wearing
>>> suits
>>> >to look cool. All kinds of grants and scholarships made that possible.
>>> If
>>> >you were a student at Assam Engineering College in those heady
>>> ?engineering?
>>> >days, and you the poor soul didn?t have a nice pair to wear to go to
>>> Gauhati
>>> >in the evenings, you were so out of style and time.
>>> >So where did the students go to get their suits made? Where else but
>>> >Mohini?s in Fancy Bazar? The head tailor there was called masterji.
>>> When
>>> he
>>> >was called, he showed up at the front desk with a measuring tape coolly
>>> >around his neck and the two ends of it dangling. He talked sparingly
>>> because
>>> >he knew his business. Any professional person who talks to his or her
>>> >clients doesn?t know his or her profession. Did you ever talk with your
>>> >doctor? He will shut you up any time you open your mouth to say
>>> something
>>> >important to him ? something vitally important.
>>> >Anyway, the culture of wearing a good pair of suits migrated down to
>>> those
>>> >aspiring to be future engineers too. Such an aspiring soul came to
>>> board
>>> in
>>> >our DS hostel. In a short time, he discarded his white pajamas, blue
>>> shirts
>>> >and sandals and began wearing alternating between a light-blue suit and
>>> a
>>> >dark-brown suit with appropriately matching shoes whenever he went out,
>>> >which was often. When you wear a suit, you don?t sit in your room and
>>> study
>>> >like so many fools! You go out with other suit-wearers. When you?re out
>>> with
>>> >suit-wearers, you go for a long walk up and down through busy
>>> thoroughfares
>>> >stopping at stores and buying odd little things showing off what a cool
>>> guy
>>> >you were. If there were womenfolk in the stores, it was moksha! There
>>> were
>>> >women. But they had more sense. They won?t tango with them.
>>> >One evening, the student?s father showed up at the hostel enquiring
>>> about
>>>
>> > >his son. But the son wasn?t there for hours, perhaps gallivanting in
>> the
>>
>>> >city street. After hours passed, I came out of my room and asked the
>>> man
>>> if
>>> >I could take a message for his son. ??No, that won?t be necessary...
>>> I?m
>>> >financially ruined. I can?t keep up with his demands. Every so often he
>>> >would come home and tell his mother he needed money. Lots of them. He
>>> needs
>>> >to buy suits, shirts and shoes to prepare himself to be an good
>>> engineer.
>>> >I?m just a railway clerk at Maligaon... How would I know how engineers
>>> are
>>> >made??? said the haggard man wisping in Bengali.
>>> >It was the most pathetic and most depraved story I had the misfortune
>>> ever
>>> >came to hear. If I had a hidden desire to buy a pair of nice suits, it
>>> >instantly vanished for a few years at least. I came to the US wearing a
>>> suit
>>> >but I discarded that in favour of blue jeans and T-shirts. If I care to
>>> >look, the suit might be still there somewhere in the house. But for
>>> what
>>> >should I do that? I?m a non-suit man heart and soul.
>>> >(The writer is settled at Berkeley, California)
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >------------------------------
>>> >
>>> >Message: 3
>>> >Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:32:18 -0500
>>> >From: kamal deka <kjit.deka at gmail.com>
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the
>>> > world <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >Message-ID:
>>> > <7b43066c0903161532y7515bd76n4b059052c9805229 at mail.gmail.com>
>>> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>> >
>>> >Why?He was the one who is complining about their ignorance.
>>> >
>>> >On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 8:21 AM, Rajen Barua <barua25 at hotmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>> >
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Why would Mr Wahid confront anybody?
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> What Prof Amalendu Gauha wrote about 'Ha-Sam' was not based on his
>>> own
>>> >> research work. He simply borrowed the writing from Mr Baden Powell
>>> even
>>> >> without quoting Mr Powell. I also wrote about the word 'Ha-Sam' in
>>> my
>>> >> article but I quoted Mr Baden Powell. Also Prof Guha was writing
>>> based
>>> on
>>> >> his communistic outlook, not much as history of the word Assam.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> There are many ignorant educated people in Assam. There are again
>>> some
>>> >> educated intellectuals with different agendas.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Let people read Mr. Wahid's writings and confront him if they have
>>> any
>>> >> problem.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Rajen Barua
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> > Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:03:37 -0500
>>> >> > From: kjit.deka at gmail.com
>>> >> > To: assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> > Subject: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >> >
>>> >> > I am wondering what prevents Mr.Saleh from confronting people like
>>> >> > Prof.Priyam Goswami of Gauhati University or Prof.Amalendu Guha
>>> with
>>> his
>>> >> > newly-found Dutch document which will certainly make them
>>> >> laughter-evoking
>>> >> > buffoons for being so ignorant about Assam's history ?
>>> >> > KJD
>>> >> > _______________________________________________
>>> >> > assam mailing list
>>> >> > assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> assam mailing list
>>> >> assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >------------------------------
>>> >
>>> >Message: 4
>>> >Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:40:53 -0500
>>> >From: kamal deka <kjit.deka at gmail.com>
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the
>>> > world <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >Message-ID:
>>> > <7b43066c0903161540w77182f79ic7ddde0451584e6b at mail.gmail.com>
>>> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>> >
>>> >Did you read his mail? Very self-explanatory.
>>> >
>>> >On Sun, Mar 15, 2009 at 9:31 PM, Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net>
>>> wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> *** Wahid kokaideu does not have to go looking for Priyom Goswami or
>>> >> Omolendu Guho for a confrontation. He has presented his findings. If
>>> >someone
>>> >> has a problem with it, they can very well
>>> >> confront him, seek proof or rebut it or whatever.
>>>
>> > >>
>>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> At 3:03 PM -0500 3/15/09, kamal deka wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >>> I am wondering what prevents Mr.Saleh from confronting people like
>>> >>> Prof.Priyam Goswami of Gauhati University or Prof.Amalendu Guha
>>> with
>>> his
>>> >>> newly-found Dutch document which will certainly make them
>>> >laughter-evoking
>>> >>> buffoons for being so ignorant about Assam's history ?
>>> >>> KJD
>>> >>> _______________________________________________
>>> >>> assam mailing list
>>> >>> assam at assamnet.org
>>> > >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >>>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> assam mailing list
>>> >> assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >------------------------------
>>> >
>>> >Message: 5
>>> >Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:46:33 -0500
>>> >From: kamal deka <kjit.deka at gmail.com>
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the
>>> > world <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >Message-ID:
>>> > <7b43066c0903161546pa713174q41f2bc298fc85ccc at mail.gmail.com>
>>> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-13
>>> >
>>> >According to historian Satyendra Nath Sarma, [*Sarma, Satyendra Nath
>>> (1976)
>>> >"Assamese Literature", Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden.*]
>>> >
>>> >While the Shan invaders called themselves Tai, they came to be referred
>>> to
>>> >as "?s?m", "?sam" and sometimes as "Acam" by the indigenous people of
>>> the
>>> >country. The modern Assamese word "?hom" by which the Tai people are
>>> known
>>> >is derived from "?s?m" or "?sam". The epithet applied to the Shan
>>> conquerors
>>> >was subsequently transferred to the country over which they ruled and
>>> thus
>>> >the name K?mar?pa was replaced by ?s?m, which ultimately took the
>>> >Sanskritized form "Asama", meaning "unequalled, peerless or uneven"
>>> >[*Banikanta
>>> >Kakati: "Assamese: Its Formation and Development", p2*]
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 10:57 AM, Dilip and Dil Deka
>>> ><dilipdeka at yahoo.com>wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> The debaters on this subject are looking at only two facets - the
>>> Tai-Ahom
>>> >> connection and the possible Sanskritization. There is a third one to
>>> look
>>> >> at. The Bodo-Kacharis have been in Assam longer than anyone else and
>>> their
>>> >> people are spread all over Assam.
>>> >> What did they call the land? Many rivers in Assam still have their
>>> Bodo
>>> >> names.
>>> >> What did they call the Tais who came to Assam in the 13th century?
>>> >> Is there "xo" sound in Bodo language?
>>> >> It is very possible that some words in Bodo were at the root of
>>> "Oxom",
>>> >> "Assam", "Asom" or whatever else. Please do not throw away Dr. A.
>>> Guha
>>> or
>>> >> Baden Powell(is that the name?) yet.
>>> >>
>>> >> I don't know a word of Bodo language. Could someone who knows Bodo
>>> comment
>>> >> on the above?
>>> >> I did go to the website http://www.bodoland.org/language1.htm and
>>> found
>>> >> some interesting words but not much that would help the debate.
>>> >> Dilip Deka
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> ________________________________
>>> >> From: Rajen Barua <barua25 at hotmail.com>
>>> >> To: assamnet <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >> Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 8:21:13 AM
>>> >> Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Why would Mr Wahid confront anybody?
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> What Prof Amalendu Gauha wrote about 'Ha-Sam' was not based on his
>>> own
>>> >> research work. He simply borrowed the writing from Mr Baden Powell
>>> even
>>> >> without quoting Mr Powell. I also wrote about the word 'Ha-Sam' in
>>> my
>>> >> article but I quoted Mr Baden Powell. Also Prof Guha was writing
>>> based
>>> on
>>> >> his communistic outlook, not much as history of the word Assam.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> There are many ignorant educated people in Assam. There are again
>>> some
>>> >> educated intellectuals with different agendas.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Let people read Mr. Wahid's writings and confront him if they have
>>> any
>>> >> problem.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Rajen Barua
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> > Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:03:37 -0500
>>> >> > From: kjit.deka at gmail.com
>>>
>> > >> > To: assam at assamnet.org
>>
>>> >> > Subject: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >> >
>>> >> > I am wondering what prevents Mr.Saleh from confronting people like
>>> >> > Prof.Priyam Goswami of Gauhati University or Prof..Amalendu Guha
>>> with
>>> his
>>> >> > newly-found Dutch document which will certainly make them
>>> >> laughter-evoking
>>> >> > buffoons for being so ignorant about Assam's history ?
>>> >> > KJD
>>> >> > _______________________________________________
>>> >> > assam mailing list
>>> >> > assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> assam mailing list
>>> >> assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> assam mailing list
>>> >> assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >------------------------------
>>> >
>>> >Message: 6
>>> >Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:22:57 -0500
>>> >From: Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net>
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the
>>> > world <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >Message-ID: <a06240801c5e48f2413b2@[192.168.0.197]>
>>> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ; format="flowed"
>>> >
>>> >Does S N Sarma refer to any proof or is it a
>>> >conjecture? And at what time frame did the name
>>> >Asam came to be the defining name of the kingdom?
>>> >Will it be reasonable to surmise that it was much
>>> >before the British came?
>>> >
>>> >The Sanskritized form is a pure and unadulterated conjecture of modern
>>> >times.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >At 5:46 PM -0500 3/16/09, kamal deka wrote:
>>> >>According to historian Satyendra Nath Sarma, [*Sarma, Satyendra Nath
>>> (1976)
>>> >>"Assamese Literature", Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden.*]
>>> >>
>>> >>While the Shan invaders called themselves Tai, they came to be
>>> referred
>>> to
>>> >>as "?s?m", "?sam" and sometimes as "Acam" by the indigenous people of
>>> the
>>> >>country. The modern Assamese word "?hom" by which the Tai people are
>>> known
>>> >>is derived from "?s?m" or "?sam". The epithet applied to the Shan
>>> >conquerors
>>> >>was subsequently transferred to the country over which they ruled and
>>> thus
>>> >>the name K?mar?pa was replaced by ?s?m, which ultimately took the
>>> >>Sanskritized form "Asama", meaning "unequalled,
>>> >>peerless or uneven" [*Banikanta
>>> >>Kakati: "Assamese: Its Formation and Development", p2*]
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 10:57 AM, Dilip and Dil
>>> >>Deka <dilipdeka at yahoo.com>wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >>> The debaters on this subject are looking at only two facets - the
>>> >Tai-Ahom
>>> >>> connection and the possible Sanskritization. There is a third one
>>> to
>>> >look
>>> >>> at. The Bodo-Kacharis have been in Assam longer than anyone else
>>> and
>>> >their
>>> >>> people are spread all over Assam.
>>> >>> What did they call the land? Many rivers in Assam still have their
>>> Bodo
>>> >>> names.
>>> >>> What did they call the Tais who came to Assam in the 13th century?
>>> >>> Is there "xo" sound in Bodo language?
>>> >>> It is very possible that some words in Bodo were at the root of
>>> "Oxom",
>>> >>> "Assam", "Asom" or whatever else. Please do not throw away Dr. A.
>>> Guha
>>> >or
>>> >>> Baden Powell(is that the name?) yet.
>>> >>>
>>> >>> I don't know a word of Bodo language. Could someone who knows Bodo
>>> >comment
>>> >>> on the above?
>>> >>> I did go to the website http://www.bodoland.org/language1.htm and
>>> found
>>> >>> some interesting words but not much that would help the debate.
>>> >>> Dilip Deka
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>> ________________________________
>>> >>> From: Rajen Barua <barua25 at hotmail.com>
>>> >>> To: assamnet <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >>> Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 8:21:13 AM
>>> >>> Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>> Why would Mr Wahid confront anybody?
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>> What Prof Amalendu Gauha wrote about 'Ha-Sam' was not based on his
>>> own
>>> >>> research work. He simply borrowed the writing from Mr Baden Powell
>>> even
>>>
>> > >>> without quoting Mr Powell. I also wrote about the word 'Ha-Sam' in
>> my
>>
>>> >>> article but I quoted Mr Baden Powell. Also Prof Guha was writing
>>> based
>>> >on
>>> >>> his communistic outlook, not much as history of the word Assam.
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>> There are many ignorant educated people in Assam. There are again
>>> some
>>> >>> educated intellectuals with different agendas.
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>> Let people read Mr. Wahid's writings and confront him if they have
>>> any
>>> >>> problem.
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>> Rajen Barua
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>>
>>> >>> > Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:03:37 -0500
>>> >>> > From: kjit.deka at gmail.com
>>> >>> > To: assam at assamnet.org
>>> >>> > Subject: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >>> >
>>> >>> > I am wondering what prevents Mr.Saleh from confronting people
>>> like
>>> >>> > Prof.Priyam Goswami of Gauhati University or Prof.Amalendu Guha
>>> with
>>> >his
>>> >>> > newly-found Dutch document which will certainly make them
>>> >>> laughter-evoking
>>> >>> > buffoons for being so ignorant about Assam's history ?
>>> >>> > KJD
>>> >>> > _______________________________________________
>>> >>> > assam mailing list
>>> >>> > assam at assamnet.org
>>> >>> > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >>> _______________________________________________
>>> >>> assam mailing list
>>> >>> assam at assamnet.org
>>> > >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >>> _______________________________________________
>>> >>> assam mailing list
>>> >>> assam at assamnet.org
>>> >>> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >>>
>>> >>_______________________________________________
>>> >>assam mailing list
>>> >>assam at assamnet.org
>>> >>http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >------------------------------
>>> >
>>> >Message: 7
>>> >Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:54:43 -0500
>>> >From: "Rajen & Ajanta Barua" <barua25 at hotmail.com>
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >To: "A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the
>>> > world" <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >Message-ID: <BLU104-DS7C413BFDCE6E3BC440122AD980 at phx.gbl>
>>> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>> >
>>> >Dear Choudhury:
>>> >Since you are new to the Assam net, please know that in this net we
>>> discuss
>>> >and debate all kinds of intelligent intellectual issues.
>>> >Please don't take anything personally in assam net. Here we do friendly
>>> >intellectual hot debates all the time. Kamal, me, Ramgopal, Dilip,
>>> Chandan,
>>> >Wahid and many others are friends, and actually many of us live in same
>>> city
>>> >Houston as friends. But in hot issues we do heated debates and try to
>>> thrash
>>> >out truths for the sake of the community. We understand that sometime
>>> the
>>> >truths hurt.
>>> >
>>> >When Kamal wrote us as 'neophyte historians' we do not take it
>>> personally.
>>> >
>>> >When I wrote, "There are many ignorant educated people in Assam."
>>> >Or " There are again some educated intellectuals with different
>>> agendas."
>>> >
>>> >It is same as the statement "There are many educated corrupt people in
>>> >Assam".
>>> >I am sure that statement would not mean that all the people of Assam
>>> are
>>> >corrupt by any stretch of imagination. On the other hand if I make this
>>> >statement, many will support me.
>>> >These do not anyway mean that we are blaming all the people of Assam.
>>> Nor
>>> >does it mean that people living outside Assam are superior or better.
>>> Many
>>> >from Assam take part here. We never write thinking the people of Assam
>>> as
>>> >different from us.
>>> >I wrote I wrote in similar vein.
>>> >I am sorry if I somehow hurt yours or anybody's feeling. But frankly
>>> >speaking that is the flavor and beauty of Assam net.
>>> >The net is doing a great service to the Assamese community for many
>>> many
>>> >years now..
>>> >I also want to clarify that this is not Friends of Assam net which is
>>> >different. You may be confused for some reason.
>>> >Regards
>>> >
>>> >Rajen Barua
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >From: Choudhary, H. N. - AMW - MUM
>>> >Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 11:29 AM
>>> >To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the world
>>> >Cc: rc2559 at columbia.edu
>>>
>> > >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Dear All,
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Having read the mails and communications on the subject "about the
>>> name
>>> >of Assam",
>>> >
>>> >I feel that the debate on the subject has become acrimonious and
>>> >somewhat personal.
>>> >
>>> >No one can clam fame to become a historian overnight by writing an
>>> >article on a historical topic. It is also not appropriate to call them
>>> >"neophyte historians" as they may not deserve the accolade.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >If I have to give my comments on the following remarks:
>>> >
>>> >"There are many ignorant educated people in Assam. There are again some
>>> >educated intellectuals with different agendas."
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >-- I will like to reserve my comments.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Please exercise restraint and caution on commenting poorly on the whole
>>> >of Assam or Assamese people.
>>> >
>>> >Your geographical location outside Assam (in USA or elsewhere) does not
>>> >confer the right to make un-parliamentary
>>> >
>>> >comments on the people in Assam.
>>> >
>>> >These are sensitive issues.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >I am a recent addition to the group.
>>> >
>>> >I have served for many years in the Army and now in an Indian
>>> corporate.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Having he advantage to experienced the best traditions of our culture
>>> >and a mix of British culture,
>>> >
>>> >I could suggest that views and opinions need not "hurt" anyone. Please
>>> >show tolerance.
>>> >
>>> >If we follow that in the Friends of Assam, we will remain friends.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >I request both parties to cool off.
>>> >
>>> >There is too much heat at the moment.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Regards,
>>> >
>>> >Col Hemen N Choudhary
>>> >
>>> >W Sea Face
>>> >
>>> >Mumbai
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >-----Original Message-----
>>> >From: assam-bounces at assamnet.org [mailto:assam-bounces at assamnet.org]
>>> On
>>> >Behalf Of Rajen Barua
>>> >Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 6:51 PM
>>> >To: assamnet
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Why would Mr Wahid confront anybody?
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >What Prof Amalendu Gauha wrote about 'Ha-Sam' was not based on his own
>>> >research work. He simply borrowed the writing from Mr Baden Powell even
>>> >without quoting Mr Powell. I also wrote about the word 'Ha-Sam' in my
>>> >article but I quoted Mr Baden Powell. Also Prof Guha was writing based
>>> >on his communistic outlook, not much as history of the word Assam.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >There are
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Let people read Mr. Wahid's writings and confront him if they have any
>>> >problem.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Rajen Barua
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >> Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:03:37 -0500
>>> >
>>> >> From: kjit.deka at gmail.com
>>> >
>>> >> To: assam at assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >> Subject: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >> I am wondering what prevents Mr.Saleh from confronting people like
>>> >
>>> >> Prof.Priyam Goswami of Gauhati University or Prof.Amalendu Guha with
>>> >his
>>> >
>>> >> newly-found Dutch document which will certainly make them
>>> >laughter-evoking
>>> >
>>> >> buffoons for being so ignorant about Assam's history ?
>>> >
>>> >> KJD
>>> >
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >
>>> >> assam mailing list
>>> >
>>> >> assam at assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >_______________________________________________
>>> >
>>> >assam mailing list
>>> >
>>> >assam at assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >DISCLAIMER:
>>> >Sample Disclaimer added in a VBScript.
>>> >_______________________________________________
>>> >assam mailing list
>>> >assam at assamnet.org
>>> >http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >------------------------------
>>> >
>>> >Message: 8
>>> >Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:04:05 -0500
>>> >From: "Rajen & Ajanta Barua" <barua25 at hotmail.com>
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >To: "A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the
>>> > world" <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >Message-ID: <BLU104-DS25A6D9ADC864C80E6C489AD980 at phx.gbl>
>>> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-13"
>>>
>> > >
>>
>>> >That is exactly what I wrote in my article with more elaboration of the
>>> word
>>> >"Acam". I however don't buy the last statement of Banikanta Kakopty',
>>> >"which ultimately took the Sanskritized form "Asama", meaning
>>> "unequalled,
>>> >peerless or uneven" [*Banikanta Kakati: "Assamese: Its Formation and
>>> >Development", p2*]"
>>> >
>>> >Where this Sanskrit came from?
>>> >
>>> >Bottomline, the word ASSAM does not have any vestiges of colonial rule.
>>> >
>>> >The words OXOM and AHOM came from the Assamese word ACAM
>>> >
>>> >I am not writing anything new. People simply need to read history books
>>> and
>>> >find out the truth.
>>> >
>>> >It is a myth that ASSAM word is derived from OXOM.
>>> >
>>> >Rajen Barua
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >From: kamal deka
>>> >Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 5:46 PM
>>> >To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the world
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >According to historian Satyendra Nath Sarma, [*Sarma, Satyendra Nath
>>> (1976)
>>> >"Assamese Literature", Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden.*]
>>> >
>>> >While the Shan invaders called themselves Tai, they came to be referred
>>> to
>>> >as "?s?m", "?sam" and sometimes as "Acam" by the indigenous people of
>>> the
>>> >country. The modern Assamese word "?hom" by which the Tai people are
>>> known
>>> >is derived from "?s?m" or "?sam". The epithet applied to the Shan
>>> conquerors
>>> >was subsequently transferred to the country over which they ruled and
>>> thus
>>> >the name K?mar?pa was replaced by ?s?m, which ultimately took the
>>> >Sanskritized form "Asama", meaning "unequalled, peerless or uneven"
>>> >[*Banikanta
>>> >Kakati: "Assamese: Its Formation and Development", p2*]
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 10:57 AM, Dilip and Dil Deka
>>> ><dilipdeka at yahoo.com>wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> The debaters on this subject are looking at only two facets - the
>>> Tai-Ahom
>>> >> connection and the possible Sanskritization. There is a third one to
>>> look
>>> >> at. The Bodo-Kacharis have been in Assam longer than anyone else and
>>> their
>>> >> people are spread all over Assam.
>>> >> What did they call the land? Many rivers in Assam still have their
>>> Bodo
>>> >> names.
>>> >> What did they call the Tais who came to Assam in the 13th century?
>>> >> Is there "xo" sound in Bodo language?
>>> >> It is very possible that some words in Bodo were at the root of
>>> "Oxom",
>>> > > "Assam", "Asom" or whatever else. Please do not throw away Dr. A.
>>> Guha
>>> or
>>> >> Baden Powell(is that the name?) yet.
>>> >>
>>> >> I don't know a word of Bodo language. Could someone who knows Bodo
>>> comment
>>> >> on the above?
>>> >> I did go to the website http://www.bodoland.org/language1.htm and
>>> found
>>> >> some interesting words but not much that would help the debate.
>>> >> Dilip Deka
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> ________________________________
>>> >> From: Rajen Barua <barua25 at hotmail.com>
>>> >> To: assamnet <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >> Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 8:21:13 AM
>>> >> Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Why would Mr Wahid confront anybody?
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> What Prof Amalendu Gauha wrote about 'Ha-Sam' was not based on his
>>> own
>>> >> research work. He simply borrowed the writing from Mr Baden Powell
>>> even
>>> >> without quoting Mr Powell. I also wrote about the word 'Ha-Sam' in
>>> my
>>> >> article but I quoted Mr Baden Powell. Also Prof Guha was writing
>>> based
>>> on
>>> >> his communistic outlook, not much as history of the word Assam.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> There are many ignorant educated people in Assam. There are again
>>> some
>>> >> educated intellectuals with different agendas.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Let people read Mr. Wahid's writings and confront him if they have
>>> any
>>> >> problem.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Rajen Barua
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> > Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:03:37 -0500
>>> > > > From: kjit.deka at gmail.com
>>> >> > To: assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> > Subject: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >> >
>>> >> > I am wondering what prevents Mr..Saleh from confronting people
>>> like
>>> >> > Prof.Priyam Goswami of Gauhati University or Prof.Amalendu Guha
>>> with
>>> his
>>> >> > newly-found Dutch document which will certainly make them
>>>
>> > >> laughter-evoking
>>
>>> >> > buffoons for being so ignorant about Assam's history ?
>>> >> > KJD
>>> >> > _______________________________________________
>>> >> > assam mailing list
>>> >> > assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> assam mailing list
>>> >> assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> assam mailing list
>>> >> assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >>
>>> >_______________________________________________
>>> >assam mailing list
>>> >assam at assamnet.org
>>> >http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >------------------------------
>>> >
>>> >Message: 9
>>> >Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:37:36 -0500
>>> >From: "Rajen & Ajanta Barua" <barua25 at hotmail.com>
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >To: "A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the
>>> > world" <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >Message-ID: <BLU104-DS2A75BE0FC0A139348BB75AD980 at phx.gbl>
>>> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>> >
>>> >Bodo is a Tibeto-Burman language. So far I know no Tibeto Burman
>>> language
>>> >has the XO sound which is an Indo-European sound.
>>> >The Bodo might have taken some Assamese words and might now pronounce
>>> the
>>> XO
>>> >sound. This I donot know for sure. The Bodos were in Assam for about
>>> 3000
>>> >years.
>>> >
>>> >I have a small book, written in Assamese titled "Boro Bhaxa Xikhya" by
>>> Mr
>>> >Sanokyo Brohmo.
>>> >The book does tell how to pronounce the Assamese letters, that is XO as
>>> SO
>>> >or XO?.
>>> >
>>> >Mr Baden Powel claims that the Bodo has the word "Ha-com" which mean
>>> low
>>> or
>>> >level land. He states, " The name Assam is most probably traceable to
>>> the
>>> >Boro 'Ha-Com' which mean low or level country. The Boro word for water
>>> (di)
>>> >has remained in the names of the rivers e.g. Dihong etc". "The Indian
>>> >Village Community" by Baden Powel (page 135).
>>> >
>>> >I could not find the any Boro word 'Ha-Com' in the above book. However
>>> the
>>> >book has the word Ha which mean land. There is also a word 'Com' (that
>>> is
>>> >Som) which mean time. So we donot get anywhere. Even if we take Baden
>>> >Powel's word, it again simply mean that Acam or Asam word is a local
>>> >Assamese word and that it is earlier than Oxom. It also mean that
>>> Acam/Asam
>>> >or Assam is not an anglicised word.
>>> >
>>> >Note, we will have to take the outside historians of Assam with a grain
>>> of
>>> >salt because the same Baden Powel wrote in the same book the following
>>> >statement>
>>> >"The local dialect, Assamese, is a comparatively recent modification of
>>> >Bengali"
>>> >This how much this famous historian knows about Assam and the Assamese.
>>> >
>>> >After reading Gait and many other history books on Assam, I find one
>>> >Assamese historian who wrote a really good autentic history of Assam.
>>> He
>>> is
>>> >P.C. Choudhury (The Histroy of the Civilisation of the People of
>>> Assam).
>>> >Anybody who wants to know about the past history of Assam should read
>>> it.
>>> >
>>> >For our cultural past, one should read Dimbeswar Neog.
>>> >
>>> >Rajen Barua
>>> >
>>> >From: Dilip and Dil Deka
>>> >Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 10:57 AM
>>> >To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the world
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >The debaters on this subject are looking at only two facets - the
>>> Tai-Ahom
>>> >connection and the possible Sanskritization. There is a third one to
>>> look
>>> >at. The Bodo-Kacharis have been in Assam longer than anyone else and
>>> their
>>> >people are spread all over Assam.
>>> >What did they call the land? Many rivers in Assam still have their Bodo
>>> >names.
>>> >What did they call the Tais who came to Assam in the 13th century?
>>> >Is there "xo" sound in Bodo language?
>>> >It is very possible that some words in Bodo were at the root of "Oxom",
>>> >"Assam", "Asom" or whatever else. Please do not throw away Dr. A. Guha
>>> or
>>> >Baden Powell(is that the name?) yet.
>>> >
>>> >I don't know a word of Bodo language. Could someone who knows Bodo
>>> comment
>>>
>> > >on the above?
>>
>>> >I did go to the website http://www.bodoland.org/language1.htm and
>>> found
>>> some
>>> >interesting words but not much that would help the debate.
>>> >Dilip Deka
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >________________________________
>>> >From: Rajen Barua <barua25 at hotmail.com>
>>> >To: assamnet <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 8:21:13 AM
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Why would Mr Wahid confront anybody?
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >What Prof Amalendu Gauha wrote about 'Ha-Sam' was not based on his own
>>> >research work. He simply borrowed the writing from Mr Baden Powell even
>>> >without quoting Mr Powell. I also wrote about the word 'Ha-Sam' in my
>>> >article but I quoted Mr Baden Powell. Also Prof Guha was writing based
>>> on
>>> >his communistic outlook, not much as history of the word Assam.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >There are many ignorant educated people in Assam. There are again some
>>> >educated intellectuals with different agendas.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Let people read Mr. Wahid's writings and confront him if they have any
>>> >problem.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Rajen Barua
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >> Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:03:37 -0500
>>> >> From: kjit..deka at gmail.com
>>> >> To: assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> Subject: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >>
>>> >> I am wondering what prevents Mr.Saleh from confronting people like
>>> >> Prof.Priyam Goswami of Gauhati University or Prof.Amalendu Guha with
>>> his
>>> >> newly-found Dutch document which will certainly make them
>>> laughter-evoking
>>> >> buffoons for being so ignorant about Assam's history ?
>>> >> KJD
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> assam mailing list
>>> >> assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >_______________________________________________
>>> >assam mailing list
>>> >assam at assamnet.org
>>> >http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >_______________________________________________
>>> >assam mailing list
>>> >assam at assamnet.org
>>> >http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >------------------------------
>>> >
>>> >Message: 10
>>> >Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:31:03 -0500
>>> >From: kamal deka <kjit.deka at gmail.com>
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the
>>> > world <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >Message-ID:
>>> > <7b43066c0903162031i3398f79chb4aff0de6b0a7870 at mail.gmail.com>
>>> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>> >
>>> >I do agree
>>> >
>>> >On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 7:54 PM, Rajen & Ajanta Barua
>>> ><barua25 at hotmail.com>wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> Dear Choudhury:
>>> >> Since you are new to the Assam net, please know that in this net we
>>> >discuss
>>> >> and debate all kinds of intelligent intellectual issues.
>>> >> Please don't take anything personally in assam net. Here we do
>>> friendly
>>> >> intellectual hot debates all the time. Kamal, me, Ramgopal, Dilip,
>>> >Chandan,
>>> >> Wahid and many others are friends, and actually many of us live in
>>> same
>>> >city
>>> >> Houston as friends. But in hot issues we do heated debates and try
>>> to
>>> >thrash
>>> > > out truths for the sake of the community. We understand that
>>> sometime
>>> the
>>> >> truths hurt.
>>> >>
>>> >> When Kamal wrote us as 'neophyte historians' we do not take it
>>> personally.
>>> >>
>>> >> When I wrote, "There are many ignorant educated people in Assam."
>>> >> Or " There are again some educated intellectuals with different
>>> agendas."
>>> >>
>>> >> It is same as the statement "There are many educated corrupt people
>>> in
>>> >> Assam".
>>> >> I am sure that statement would not mean that all the people of Assam
>>> are
>>> >> corrupt by any stretch of imagination. On the other hand if I make
>>> this
>>> >> statement, many will support me.
>>> >> These do not anyway mean that we are blaming all the people of
>>> Assam.
>>> Nor
>>> >> does it mean that people living outside Assam are superior or
>>> better.
>>> Many
>>> >> from Assam take part here. We never write thinking the people of
>>> Assam
>>> as
>>> >> different from us.
>>> >> I wrote I wrote in similar vein.
>>> >> I am sorry if I somehow hurt yours or anybody's feeling. But frankly
>>>
>> > >> speaking that is the flavor and beauty of Assam net.
>>
>>> >> The net is doing a great service to the Assamese community for many
>>> many
>>> >> years now.
>>> >> I also want to clarify that this is not Friends of Assam net which
>>> is
>>> >> different. You may be confused for some reason.
>>> >> Regards
>>> >>
>>> >> Rajen Barua
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> From: Choudhary, H. N. - AMW - MUM
>>> >> Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 11:29 AM
>>> >> To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the
>>> world
>>> > > Cc: rc2559 at columbia.edu
>>> >> Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Dear All,
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Having read the mails and communications on the subject "about the
>>> name
>>> >> of Assam",
>>> >>
>>> >> I feel that the debate on the subject has become acrimonious and
>>> >> somewhat personal.
>>> >>
>>> >> No one can clam fame to become a historian overnight by writing an
>>> >> article on a historical topic. It is also not appropriate to call
>>> them
>>> >> "neophyte historians" as they may not deserve the accolade.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> If I have to give my comments on the following remarks:
>>> >>
>>> >> "There are many ignorant educated people in Assam. There are again
>>> some
>>> >> educated intellectuals with different agendas."
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> -- I will like to reserve my comments.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Please exercise restraint and caution on commenting poorly on the
>>> whole
>>> >> of Assam or Assamese people.
>>> >>
>>> >> Your geographical location outside Assam (in USA or elsewhere) does
>>> not
>>> >> confer the right to make un-parliamentary
>>> >>
>>> >> comments on the people in Assam.
>>> >>
>>> >> These are sensitive issues.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> I am a recent addition to the group.
>>> >>
>>> >> I have served for many years in the Army and now in an Indian
>>> corporate.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Having he advantage to experienced the best traditions of our
>>> culture
>>> >> and a mix of British culture,
>>> >>
>>> >> I could suggest that views and opinions need not "hurt" anyone.
>>> Please
>>> >> show tolerance.
>>> >>
>>> >> If we follow that in the Friends of Assam, we will remain friends.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> I request both parties to cool off..
>>> >>
>>> >> There is too much heat at the moment.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Regards,
>>> >>
>>> >> Col Hemen N Choudhary
>>> >>
>>> >> W Sea Face
>>> >>
>>> >> Mumbai
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> -----Original Message-----
>>> >> From: assam-bounces at assamnet.org [mailto:assam-bounces at assamnet.org
>>> ]
>>> On
>>> >> Behalf Of Rajen Barua
>>> >> Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 6:51 PM
>>> >> To: assamnet
>>> >> Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Why would Mr Wahid confront anybody?
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> What Prof Amalendu Gauha wrote about 'Ha-Sam' was not based on his
>>> own
>>> >> research work. He simply borrowed the writing from Mr Baden Powell
>>> even
>>> >> without quoting Mr Powell. I also wrote about the word 'Ha-Sam' in
>>> my
>>> >> article but I quoted Mr Baden Powell. Also Prof Guha was writing
>>> based
>>> >> on his communistic outlook, not much as history of the word Assam.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> There are
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Let people read Mr. Wahid's writings and confront him if they have
>>> any
>>> >> problem.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Rajen Barua
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> > Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:03:37 -0500
>>> >>
>>> >> > From: kjit.deka at gmail.com
>>> >>
>>> >> > To: assam at assamnet.org
>>> >>
>>> >> > Subject: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >>
>>> >> >
>>> >>
>>> >> > I am wondering what prevents Mr.Saleh from confronting people like
>>> >>
>>> >> > Prof.Priyam Goswami of Gauhati University or Prof.Amalendu Guha
>>> with
>>> > > his
>>> >>
>>> >> > newly-found Dutch document which will certainly make them
>>> >> laughter-evoking
>>> >>
>>> >> > buffoons for being so ignorant about Assam's history ?
>>> >>
>>> >> > KJD
>>> >>
>>> >> > _______________________________________________
>>> >>
>>> >> > assam mailing list
>>> >>
>>> >> > assam at assamnet.org
>>> >>
>>> >> > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>>
>> > >>
>>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >>
>>> >> assam mailing list
>>> >>
>>> >> assam at assamnet.org
>>> >>
>>> >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> DISCLAIMER:
>>> >> Sample Disclaimer added in a VBScript.
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> assam mailing list
>>> >> assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> assam mailing list
>>> >> assam at assamnet.org
>>> >> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >------------------------------
>>> >
>>> >Message: 11
>>> >Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:54:19 -0500
>>> >From: kamal deka <kjit.deka at gmail.com>
>>> >Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the
>>> > world <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >Message-ID:
>>> > <7b43066c0903162054s1cf4f395wc7673fbdc0945fb8 at mail.gmail.com>
>>> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>> >
>>> >I have been given to understand that even the British could not
>>> pronounce
>>> >the XO sound.The names of many tea-gardens in Assam are spelled as HO
>>> rather
>>> >than XO.There is a tea-garden close to Tinsukia named HUKANPUKHURI
>>> instead
>>> >of XUKANPUKHURI.A passing remark only.
>>> >By the way,have you read the book published by Lawyer's Book Stall
>>> recently
>>> >which was translated from French into English ? The book is related to
>>> >a diary of a French traveller.In that translated book,the name of our
>>> >state is written as ASEM.
>>> >KJD
>>> >
>>> >On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 8:37 PM, Rajen & Ajanta Barua
>>> ><barua25 at hotmail.com>wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> Bodo is a Tibeto-Burman language. So far I know no Tibeto Burman
>>> language
>>> >> has the XO sound which is an Indo-European sound.
>>> >> The Bodo might have taken some Assamese words and might now
>>> pronounce
>>> the
>>> >> XO sound. This I donot know for sure. The Bodos were in Assam for
>>> about
>>> >3000
>>> >> years.
>>> >>
>>> >> I have a small book, written in Assamese titled "Boro Bhaxa Xikhya"
>>> by
>>> Mr
>>> >> Sanokyo Brohmo.
>>> >> The book does tell how to pronounce the Assamese letters, that is XO
>>> as
>>> SO
>>> >> or XO?.
>>> >>
>>> >> Mr Baden Powel claims that the Bodo has the word "Ha-com" which mean
>>> low
>>> >or
>>> >> level land. He states, " The name Assam is most probably traceable
>>> to
>>> the
>>> >> Boro 'Ha-Com' which mean low or level country. The Boro word for
>>> water
>>> >(di)
>>> >> has remained in the names of the rivers e.g. Dihong etc". "The
>>> Indian
>>> >> Village Community" by Baden Powel (page 135).
>>> >>
>>> >> I could not find the any Boro word 'Ha-Com' in the above book.
>>> However
>>> the
>>> >> book has the word Ha which mean land. There is also a word 'Com'
>>> (that
>>> is
>>> >> Som) which mean time. So we donot get anywhere. Even if we take
>>> Baden
>>> >> Powel's word, it again simply mean that Acam or Asam word is a local
>>> >> Assamese word and that it is earlier than Oxom. It also mean that
>>> >Acam/Asam
>>> >> or Assam is not an anglicised word.
>>> >>
>>> >> Note, we will have to take the outside historians of Assam with a
>>> grain
>>> of
>>> >> salt because the same Baden Powel wrote in the same book the
>>> following
>>> >> statement>
>>> >> "The local dialect, Assamese, is a comparatively recent modification
>>> of
>>> >> Bengali"
>>> >> This how much this famous historian knows about Assam and the
>>> Assamese.
>>> >>
>>> >> After reading Gait and many other history books on Assam, I find one
>>> >> Assamese historian who wrote a really good autentic history of
>>> Assam.
>>> He
>>> >is
>>> >> P.C. Choudhury (The Histroy of the Civilisation of the People of
>>> Assam).
>>> >> Anybody who wants to know about the past history of Assam should
>>> read
>>> it.
>>> >>
>>> >> For our cultural past, one should read Dimbeswar Neog.
>>> >>
>>> >> Rajen Barua
>>> >>
>>> >> From: Dilip and Dil Deka
>>> >> Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 10:57 AM
>>> >> To: A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the
>>> world
>>> >> Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> The debaters on this subject are looking at only two facets - the
>>> Tai-Ahom
>>>
>> > >> connection and the possible Sanskritization. There is a third one
>> to
>>
>>> look
>>> > > at. The Bodo-Kacharis have been in Assam longer than anyone else
>>> and
>>> their
>>> >> people are spread all over Assam.
>>> >> What did they call the land? Many rivers in Assam still have their
>>> Bodo
>>> >> names.
>>> >> What did they call the Tais who came to Assam in the 13th century?
>>> >> Is there "xo" sound in Bodo language?
>>> >> It is very possible that some words in Bodo were at the root of
>>> "Oxom",
>>> >> "Assam", "Asom" or whatever else. Please do not throw away Dr. A.
>>> Guha
>>> or
>>> >> Baden Powell(is that the name?) yet.
>>> >>
>>> >> I don't know a word of Bodo language. Could someone who knows Bodo
>>> comment
>>> >> on the above?
>>> >> I did go to the website http://www.bodoland.org/language1.htm and
>>> found
>>> >> some interesting words but not much that would help the debate.
>>> >> Dilip Deka
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> ________________________________
>>> >> From: Rajen Barua <barua25 at hotmail.com>
>>> >> To: assamnet <assam at assamnet.org>
>>> >> Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 8:21:13 AM
>>> >> Subject: Re: [Assam] About the name Assam
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>>
>>
>> ...
>
> [Message clipped]
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