Morung lecture delves into Naga world and Assam

The Morung Lecture XIX on “How far did your ancestor go? Naga world and Assam” was hosted by Fazl Ali College in Mokokchung on August 19.

MOKOKCHUNG — The Morung Lecture XIX on “How far did your ancestor go? Naga world and Assam” was hosted by Fazl Ali College in Mokokchung on August 19, where prominent scholars, researchers, academicians and people from various walks of life attended the lecture.

The Morung Lecture XIX series was organised in partnership with the Research and Development Cell of Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung, aimed at delving into the historical connections between Nagas and Assamese communities.

The lecture raised critical reflection on social history, British colonisation of upper Assam in search of tea, impact and implications of history in defining nationalism in the 21st century, besides the significance of exploring ancestral ties in understanding the region’s history.

Professor Sanjay Barbora, a sociologist from Tata Institute of Social Science, Guwahati campus, opined that the ancestors went very far from their comfort zones. He added that in the process, they discovered the joys of this beautiful land and the history of its people.

He also stated that for a part of time in the journeys, their destinies were controlled by people from across the seas but the years of colonisation did not prevent them from expanding their horizons.

“In doing so, they spread the stories of their homes and places as well as made homes elsewhere too,” he said.

Reflecting on the pre-colonial history, Prof. Barbora said Jorhat was the last capital of the Ahom kingdom established in 1794 and people who live in the borders between the two states acknowledged the period as one that was both fuelled by conflict but also fostered ties of kinship and solidarity.

“The relationships of solidarity were built on trust and diplomacy,” he said while citing the example of a Naga warrior named Konseng, who was inducted as the first Borpatra Gohain or the third councillor of the Ahom kingdom in the 16th century.

He, however, noted a shift over the years with ascend of nationalism, which led to increased competition and conflict over resources among communities.

“Today, we are struggling in our post-colonial journeys. Our destinies, though seemingly our own, are being shaped by people with narrower visions than the ones that our ancestors had bequeathed us,” he asserted.

The lecture concluded with a Q&A session providing the audience with an opportunity to engage with Professor Barbora’s insights and perspectives.

The event underscored the importance of acknowledging historical ties and fostering meaningful dialogue between different communities for a better understanding of the region’s complexities.

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