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Questions and Answers
What was the significance of the year 1846 in the context of the Assamese language?
What was the significance of the year 1846 in the context of the Assamese language?
Who published the first comprehensive grammar of the Assamese language?
Who published the first comprehensive grammar of the Assamese language?
What did Nathan Brown contribute to Assamese language studies?
What did Nathan Brown contribute to Assamese language studies?
What was a primary goal of the missionaries regarding the Assamese language?
What was a primary goal of the missionaries regarding the Assamese language?
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When was Assamese finally recognized as the state language?
When was Assamese finally recognized as the state language?
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Study Notes
Early Oppression of Assamese
- In 1836, Bengali was imposed as the state language of Assam, leading to a decline in the use and practice of Assamese.
- This period of suppression lasted for over a decade.
Missionary Intervention and Assamese Revival
- Christian missionaries, recognizing the importance of language access, established a mission press in Shivsagar in 1846.
- The mission press published Arunodoi, the first Assamese newspaper, which played a crucial role in reviving the language.
Early Grammatical Development
- Rabin Chandra's grammar book, published in 1840, marked a significant milestone in the development of Assamese literature.
- Nathan Brown's "Gramatical Notes of the Assamese Language" published in 1848, was the second published Assamese grammar.
Missionary Efforts for Recognition
- Missionaries not only published materials but also actively lobbied for Assamese to be recognized as a distinct language separate from Bengali.
- They advocated for Assamese to be used in courts and schools, challenging the notion of it being a mere dialect.
Formal Recognition of Assamese
- In 1871, after sustained efforts from missionaries, Assamese was finally recognized as the official state language of Assam.
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Description
Explore the early struggles and revival of the Assamese language from the imposition of Bengali as the state language in 1836 to the efforts by missionaries in the late 1840s. This quiz covers significant milestones like the establishment of the first Assamese newspaper and the publication of key grammar books. Test your knowledge on the impact of these historical events on Assamese literature and identity.
