Historical Implications in Post-Colonial Dynamics of Local Governance in Assam: Changes and Continuity

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as local level governance mechanism have been proclaimed as the vehicles of socio-economic transformation. PRIs establish a linkage between local people and the government and translate the policies of the government into action. Assam possesses a unique variety of people of different caste, race and tribes. Demographically, Assam is the most populous state in the North-East India out of the eight North-Eastern States including Sikkim. It has a very strong historical background of local self-government in different nomenclature and forms since long past. This paper has made an endeavour to focus on historical development of local self-Governance mechanism, especially of PRIs from ancient period to recent era and an effort has also been made to discuss the present dynamics in Assam. The present paper is basically based on analytical method and data have been collected from both primary and secondary sources, especially from Government Acts, Gazetteers, different government reports, Planning Commission etc. Secondary sources include relevant books, journals, articles, newspapers etc.