Assam To Rewrite History Textbooks For Assam HSLC Textbooks, CM Questions Ahom Warrior's Role

The Assam government would undertake a revision of the history textbooks used in high schools. The State CM questioned existing narratives about historical figures and highlighted the contributions of the Mising community, announcing major funding for local cultural initiatives.

The Assam Government announced that the state would rewrite history textbooks for Assam HSLC or Class 10 schools. According to State Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, this move signals a significant policy shift for Assam’s education system. He questioned representation of Ahom warrior Bagh Hazarika in school textbooks and said that there was no Bagh Hazarika with Lachit Barphukan in Saraighat's battle. It was Mising leader Miri Handique, who fought against the Mughals in Kamrup."

Ahom Warrior Representation Controversy in Textbooks

According to existing materials, Ismail Siddique, known as Bagh Hazarika, was a 17th-century Ahom warrior who fought alongside Lachit Borphukan against the Mughals at Battle of Saraighat in 1671. He is described to have been born into an Assamese Muslim family in Dhekerigaon village, Sivasagar district. Sarma's remarks have put this account under scrutiny.

Mising Community's Role 

CM also credited Mising Community with protecting land and culture in Upper Assam. He remarked, "Had Mising people lived from Dhubri to Sadiya (west to east of Assam), not a single Miya could have entered Assam. We can see that from Golaghat onwards, there is no Miya."

The term 'Miya' is a label originally used pejoratively for Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, often equated with Bangladeshi immigrants. In recent years, some in community have reclaimed  term to assert their identity.

Initiatives For Mising Community by Govt

Sarma praised Mising people for their hardworking nature and their role in protecting Assamese culture and identity. In addition to proposed textbook changes, the chief minister announced a Rs 100 crore grant for Mising Youth Festival and Rs 10 crore for upliftment of the 'Donyi-Polo' society.

These announcements are expected to shape Assam’s educational and cultural priorities in the coming months, as government begins the process of revising Assam HSLC History textbooks.