LAKSHMINATH BEZBORUAH, THE PIONEER OF ASSAMESE SATIRICAL LITERATURE AND THE PORTRAYAL OF 18TH-19TH CENTURY ASSAMESE SOCIETY IN HIS SATIRICAL WORKS

Abstract

In regards to population, India is the second largest country and the seventh largest country in the world. The state of India displayes diversity through different races and tribes. Similarly Assam shows diverse assimilation of the tribes and clans. The Ahom’s adopted the adaptation and assimilation process in the multi tribal society of Assam. Instead of forcing their own religion, language or culture on other groups, the Ahom’s contributed in creating a unified Assamese society by embracing the ancient language, customs and rituals. After the Burmese invasion and result of the singing of the treaty of Iyandabo, the British came to Assam. The consolidation policy of British made a significant change in the Assamese society, its geoghraphical boundaries and the easy going relationship of the tribes with the passing of time, Assam only saw an increase in territorial disputes, murder, jealousy and political instability.The instability of the British colonial rules greatly affected the conscious people. Based on this instability, numerous literary works were produced later on. Lakshminath Bezboruah’s satirical works are worth mentioning in this aspect because even though there were contemporary writers who wrote on the British imperial rule, they were not as influential as his. Bezboruah has succeeded in examining all the aspects that influenced the 18^th-19^th Century Assamese social system and criticizing them through his satires. It also emphasizes on the social amendments. This paper is an attempt to study Bezboruah as the creator of Assamese satirical comedies, and the reflection of the society of 18^th-19^th Century Assam in his works.