Rajya Sabha MP Wanwei Roy Kharlukhi’s book, “Political Development in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya (1835-1972)” was released by academician and retired Professor of Political Science NEHU, Prof LS Gassah in Shillong today.
Published by the Astral International Pvt Ltd., the book is an essential read for historians, political scholars, and anyone interested in the intricate tapestry of Northeast India’s political heritage. It serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the Jaintia Hills’ communities through centuries of change.
The book traces the Jaintia Hills’ political landscape from pre-British times through to the formation of the State of Meghalaya. It explores the enduring quest of the Jaintia people to uphold their rights amidst the tides of political and administrative changes brought on by both colonial and post-colonial governance.
The narrative delves into the intricate dynamics of Jaintia-Anglo relations, highlighting the pivotal moment of the Jaintia kingdom’s annexation by British forces in 1835. It scrutinizes the subsequent shifts in traditional social and political institutions and their interactions with British authority, with a particular focus on the Anglo-Jaintia resistance movement of the 1860s.
The book also sheds light on the burgeoning political and social awareness spurred by external influences, leading to the formation of pivotal social entities such as the Jaintia Durbar. The later chapters detail the concerted efforts of Jaintia leaders and communities advocating for the establishment of a distinct hill state and the creation of an Autonomous District Council within Assam’s broader administrative framework.
Speaking to reporters, Kharlukhi said that Jaintia Dorbar is a social organisation but it controls the political system in Jaintia hills.
“All the candidates belong to the Jaintia Dorbar. So they contested as independents; whoever wins or loses they remain the member of Jaintia Dorbar,” Kharlukhi said.
He pointed out that later when the Hills state movement started the Jaintia Dorbar took part in the political movement.
