How The Northeast Was Created

The formation of Northeast India took place on December 30, 1971, when two important laws were passed by Parliament – the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act and the North-Eastern Council Act. These laws gave birth to the term “Northeast India” as a significant administrative concept, replacing the previously common term, “Assam.”

Nowadays, the term “Northeast India” is widely used by Indians to refer to this diverse region. The people living there are often referred to as “Northeasterners,” regardless of their self-identifications. Interestingly, the term only came into common usage in the 1970s.

Here is the story of how Northeast India was created after Independence.

Overview Of The Northeast

The Northeast region of India is made up of eight distinct states. These are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. All these states are under the advice of the North-Eastern Council, an entity responsible for policy-making and developmental planning.

Historical Background: Before India gained its independence, five of these states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram – were part of what was then known as colonial Assam. Manipur and Tripura, on the other hand, were princely states under a British political officer who reported to the governor of Assam.
The Unique Case Of Sikkim: Sikkim stands out among these eight states. It was in a unique position, legally independent but under British influence. In 1947, Sikkim became an independent country, only to be annexed by India in 1975. In 2001, it officially became a part of the Northeast when it was made a member of the North Eastern Council.
Assam: A Colonial Frontier: Assam was classified as a “frontier province” during the British colonial rule in India. Its governance and legal system were distinct from other parts of the country, mirroring the approach taken with the North West Frontier Province, now known as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan.
Division of Assam: The British exercised direct authority only over certain areas. The ‘settled districts’ of Assam, which encompass most of what is now Assam and Sylhet in Bangladesh, were under direct British control. These populous areas were the province’s economic backbone, with booming tea, coal, and oil sectors in the 19th century.
Excluded Areas: On the outskirts of these ‘settled districts’ were the ‘excluded areas’ or ‘Hill areas’. These were inhabited by various tribes and had a bare minimum colonial presence. These less populated regions acted as a buffer between the ‘settled districts’ and international borders.
Creation of the North East Frontier Tracts: The ‘excluded areas’ were similar to the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) wedged between the ‘settled districts’ of the NWFP and Afghanistan’s border. Similarly, the North East Frontier Tracts, now known as Arunachal Pradesh and a part of Nagaland, was established in 1914. This region was situated between the ‘settled districts’ of Assam and the international borders with Tibet and Burma.

Brief History Of Northeast Before Independence

The Founding Of The Ahom Kingdom: Originating from Upper Burma in the early part of the 13th century, the Shans established the Ahom kingdom in the Brahmaputra Valley. This kingdom thrived for centuries, playing a significant role in the history of the Northeast region.
The Request for Assistance: In 1818, the Ahom King sought help from the British East India Company. His kingdom was under constant threat from Burmese invasions. Based in Calcutta at that time, the British East India Company responded positively to the request.
The Intervention Of The British East India Company: The British East India Company waged war against the Burmese armies. This war concluded with the Treaty of Yandaboo, under which the Burmese agreed to withdraw from Assam. As a token of gratitude, the Ahom King ceded a portion of his territory to the British East India Company.
The Demise of the Ahom Kingdom and the Expansion of British Rule: This incident paved the way for the British East India Company to establish their rights and interests in the Northeast. It marked the beginning of an era of significant socio-economic and political changes in the region. This era culminated in the dissolution of the Ahom kingdom in 1838. The narrative of the Northeast from this point until India’s independence in 1947 is essentially the story of the expansion of British rule.
The Impact of the Great Indian Revolt on North East: The North East region of India underwent significant changes post the 1857 revolt. It marked the accelerated expansion of British rule, characterised by territorial control and administrative reshuffling.
The Shifting Governance of Assam: Originally, Assam was governed as a part of the Bengal province. In 1874, it was restructured to become the Assam Province. The Chief Commissioner, who supervised the province, reported to the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal.
The Merger and Division of Assam Province: From 1905 to 1921, Assam Province was amalgamated with the Bengal province to form the ‘East Bengal and Assam Province’. However, in 1921, due to intense opposition against the merger, it was split into two.
The Establishment of Assam Province: Following the division, Assam was titled the Assam Province and was administered directly by the Governor-General. Despite these changes, the journey towards complete autonomy for Assam remained incomplete.
Administrative Changes and Annexation: Significant administrative changes led to the annexing of hill kingdoms such as Khasi and Jaintia. Meanwhile, areas like the Lushai (Mizo) hills and the Naga hills, home to unique ethnic groups, were incorporated into Assam Province. These actions caused a sense of loss and fear among the people, who worried about their future.
Increased Migration and Rising Tensions: Coupled with these changes, the influx of Muslims from Bengal Province looking for land and employment opportunities stirred the pot further. The substantial migration into Assam was mainly driven by the region’s economic development during the British era.
Opportunities in the Tea Gardens: Employment opportunities were abundant, particularly in the tea gardens established in the 1930s. The rapid expansion of Assam’s tea gardens required a large-scale workforce, attracting many outside the region. Many workers, after finishing their contracts, obtained land near the tea gardens, settling down permanently.
Demand for Labour in Other Industries: The demand for labour didn’t stop at tea gardens. The oil and coal fields, along with road and railway construction projects, also needed workers. This demand led to a continuous increase in population inflow.
Impact of Immigration from Bengal Province: In simple terms, when people from Bengal Province started moving into the local area, the locals felt their space was being invaded. This movement changed both the population and the economy. The changes were also connected to rules set by the colonial government and political competition.
The Shift in Political Landscape: The inflow of people became a problem when the Government of India Act of 1935 introduced a system of representation. Gradually, political struggle began to look more like a fight between the original residents (from Assam) and the newcomers (from Bengal). This struggle also had religious undertones, with Hinduism and Islam as the major focal points. As the British prepared to leave, public opinion was split on what the future of the North East should look like.

National Security Concerns, And Becoming Part of The Indian State

Geographical Challenges and Political Changes: India’s geographical connection to its northeastern states is through a narrow 22 km wide passageway in Siliguri, known as the “chicken’s neck”. This arrangement is challenging, given the states’ international borders with China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.
Growing Security Concerns in the 1960s: The 1960s brought heightened security anxieties. Following a lost border war with China in 1962, China made significant incursions into Assam. Concurrently, the pursuit for Naga independence was gaining momentum. Subsequent wars with Pakistan in 1965, and the onset of the Mizo rebellion a year later, increased fears about national security vulnerabilities.
Formation of the State of Nagaland: The establishment of Nagaland as a state in 1963, just a year after the war with China, was a strategic move. Indian officials aimed to involve the Naga people in Indian governance, hoping it would help subdue the rebellion led by Angami Zapu Phizo. This decision marked the beginning of a shift in the frontier province’s administrative structure.
The North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act of 1971: The enactment of the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act in 1971 brought significant changes. Manipur and Tripura transitioned from union territories to states. Meghalaya was created from two autonomous districts within Assam, as was Mizoram, initially as a union territory. The former North East Frontier Agency was transformed into the union territory of Arunachal Pradesh. Finally, in 1987, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh were granted full statehood.

Sixth Schedule

The 1950 Constitution, which was implemented across the entire country, included a unique component known as the Sixth Schedule. This part was specifically designed to help govern and protect the tribal populations scattered across the country. It was particularly focused on the ethnic groups located in the North East hill region.

Classification of Tribal Areas: Under the Sixth Schedule, the ‘tribal’ regions in the North East were categorised into two sections, known as Part A and Part B. Part A comprised of Autonomous Districts such as the United Khasi and Jaintia Hills District, the Garo Hills District, and the Lushai Hills District. Despite being under the administration of the Government of Assam, these areas had a limited representation in the Assam State Legislature and National Parliament.
Special Administrative Regions: Part B consisted of areas like the North East Frontier Tract, the Balipara Frontier Tract, the Tirap Frontier Tract, the Abor Hill and Mishmi Hills Districts, and the Naga Tribal Area. These regions were under the administration of the Governor of Assam, who acted as an agent for the President of India. Regions like Tripura and Manipur didn’t achieve statehood but were made special administrative regions, falling directly under the central government’s control.
Subsequent State Formation: In the North East region, the process of state formation occurred over time. It involved separating previously unified areas from Assam and gradually establishing them as individual states.

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Formation Of Sikkim

The Historical Journey of Sikkim: In the early 19th century, a critical treaty known as the Treaty of Titalia was signed between Sikkim and British India, in 1819. This agreement, along with others, granted the British significant influence over Sikkim. By the time India gained its independence in 1947, another treaty solidified Sikkim’s unique status as an Indian protectorate. It wasn’t until the 16th of May, 1975, that Sikkim became the 22nd state of India, marking the end of its monarchy.
Cultural Ties and Political Shifts: Sikkim, located in the Eastern Himalayas, is an Indian state with a significant Buddhist population. It has maintained strong cultural connections with the Tibetan region of China’s People’s Republic. Until 1975, due to its feudal history, Sikkim, along with Nepal and Bhutan, was known as one of the “Himalayan Kingdoms”. However, this changed after its integration into the Indian Union in the same year.
The Abolition of the Chogyal Institution and Statehood: An emergency session of the State Assembly led to a resolution abolishing the institution of the Chogyal, the state’s head, and declared Sikkim as a constituent unit of India. Despite the ruler’s plea for Sikkim’s self-determination, a referendum held on April 14, 1975, saw a staggering 97% of the electorate favour the resolution. This popular mandate led to the Indian Parliament passing the 36th Constitutional Amendment Bill on April 26, 1975, formally integrating Sikkim as the 22nd state of the Indian Union.