A critique on the history of creation of tribal belts and blocks in assam

Assam is one of the states of the Indian Union situated in the extreme North Eastern corner of the Political map of India. Assam is multi-racial and multi lingual state. Several waves of population immigration to this land of abundance in natural resources took place during different historical periods. Some in the remote past and some in recent times making Assam the cauldron of multiplicity of caste, tribes, languages and religion. From the second half of the 19^th century there was population immigration from across the Eastern Bengal and it took the form of large-scale population influx from the beginning of the 20^th century, out of whom 85 percent were Muslims who were hardworking cultivators. They were capable of offering a higher rate of rent to the Zamindars or Jathedar. The Zamindary system was prevalent and Permanent Settlement of Bengal was also extended to that part of the country during the East India Company rule. These large-scale immigrations had a direct relation with the creation of Tribal Belts and Blocks in 1947. That large-scale population influx had threatened the existence of the aboriginal population of Assam by changing its demographic pattern. Hence, to protect the Tribal population of Assam who were more vulnerable sections numerous Tribal Belts and Blocks were created by Regulations of the Legislative Assembly of Assam. In this research paper attempt will be made to trace the historical evidence why the creation of Tribal Belts and Blocks were necessary and how far it has stood the test of time in serving its original purposes.