The Second World War and North East India: Shadows of Yesteryears

This book explores the untold story of North East India's role during the Second World War, including its socio-economic and political impact. It goes beyond the Kohima-Imphal battlefields to the Brahmaputra and Surma Valley of Assam, where decisions on the allied war efforts were deliberated and effected. It investigates hitherto unanswered questions to offer an understanding of contemporary Assam and the North East, including discussions on terrain, migration, taxation, profiteering, inflation, famine, and food grain trade.

Format: Hardback
Length: 212 pages
Publication date: 12 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Inc

This book delves into the untold story of North East India's significant role during the Second World War, exploring its far-reaching socio-economic and political consequences. It goes beyond the standard campaign histories and focuses on the administrative and political hub of the region, the Brahmaputra and Surma Valley of Assam. Here, crucial decisions on the allied war efforts were deliberated and implemented from the very beginning of the War. The book seeks to answer the following questions: What transpired in the entire region from 1939 to 1945? How did the war impact the people of Assam? How were resources from the region mobilized for the global war effort? How did individuals adapt, co-opt, and survive during these tumultuous years? What was the response of nationalist and provincial political leaders to the challenges and demands of war? How did the crisis of the 1942 war impact the region?

This groundbreaking work is the first of its kind, investigating hitherto unanswered questions to provide a comprehensive understanding of contemporary Assam and the North East. It delves into complex issues such as terrain, migration, taxation, profiteering, inflation, famine, and food grain trade. The book employs a lucid style and rich archival material to appeal to scholars and researchers in history, the Second World War, South Asian history, politics, international relations, colonial studies, sociology, social anthropology, and North East India studies. Additionally, it will be of interest to the general reader with an interest in these subjects.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780815392590