Every year on August 15, Indians rise to a wave of patriotic fervour. Flags unfurl, speeches echo across schools, colleges, and offices, and politicians arrange for mass gatherings where stories of our independence are retold. And beneath all this, in dust-filled corners of history, lies the quiet resistance of the most beautiful part of India, the Northeast! Their absence from the mainstream Independence Day narrative is an insult to the sacrifice made by the lionhearts hailing from that region.
This silence is not accidental, like any legend forgotten as generations passed. It is the result of an unpopular term called Historiographic Bias, a tactical method of prioritising certain regions, figures, and ideologies, or simply ignoring others. Winston Churchill once said, ‘History is written by the victors,’ but in India’s case, it seems it is more written by the centre, leaving the peripheries in shadow. Just imagine contributing to a group project without getting any credit in the final presentation. Hurts, right? Similarly, the exclusion of the Northeast is more than just an oversight; it’s an arrow let loose every year, inflicting a cultural wound. On one hand, we call them the Seven Sisters, and on the other, we alienate them by not giving them their due recognition in India’s independence.
A 2022 study by the Indian Council of Historical Research found that less than 3% lines in NCERT history textbooks refer to the freedom movements in the Northeast, while over 60% refer to events in Delhi, Bengal, and Maharashtra. Historian Sanjib Baruah said, ‘The Northeast is not just geographically distant, it is narratively distant from India’s mainstream history.’
This article tries to bridge the gap and give the Northeast its deserved presence in India’s freedom struggle history. By talking about historiographic bias and the Northeast’s freedom fighters, this article aims to create equality in recognising the efforts of every freedom fighter, irrespective of his/her state of origin. Every soul matters!
What is Historiographic Bias?
The beautiful fact about history is that it tells us of our origins. But it is also a story told by people, shaped by perspectives, and often shadowed by power.
‘History is a pack of tricks we play upon the dead.’
~Voltaire
Historiographic Bias, as the name suggests, is being unfair to the true history, but biased towards a particular part of history, as per the whims and wishes of those in power. And it's not just an Indian phenomenon, but something used worldwide to suit dominant theories. For instance, Eurocentrism is a term used when Western historians speak of a history wherein Europe was the centre of power in the world, with Africa, Asia, and America having no value. Similarly, British records speak of revolts and uprisings in their colonies as ‘minor disturbances.’ For a fact, they have never agreed on calling the 1st War of Indian Independence 1857 as so. To date, they call it a ‘Sepoy Mutiny’ when almost all of India was involved in the war.
In India, this bias means that the freedom fighters from the Northeast are never seen in textbooks, heard in speeches, or given tributes by the media. And when history forgets, so do we!
Forgotten Heroes of the Northeast
As soon as we talk about the freedom struggle, names like Gandhi, Nehru, and Bose come to mind. But in the silent valleys of the Northeast, lie the silent tales of brave souls who came, played their part, and went without a word being said or written for them. A tribal elder in Manipur once said, ‘To be forgotten is a second death.’
1. Kanaklata Barua (Assam)
This freedom fighter lost her life at just 17 years of age. She led a procession during the Quit India Movement in 1942, being a part of the Mrityu Bahini, a death squad of young patriots. One fateful day, she was determined to hoist the Indian flag at the Gohpur police station. The British police didn’t hesitate a bit and shot her dead. Today, a coast guard vessel and several memorials bear her name.
‘She died standing, so others could sit in comfort!’
2. Rani Gaidinliu (Manipur)
At the age of 13, this Naga spiritual and political leader joined the ‘Heraka’ movement against British rule. After her mentor was executed, she led an armed resistance across Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur. She was arrested and spent 14 years in prison. Nehru called her ‘Daughter of the Hills’ and awarded her the Padma Bhushan, yet absolutely no one remembers her today.
‘Her fight was not just political, it was spiritual!’
3. U Tirot Singh (Meghalaya)
One of the most famous freedom fighters in the region, and one who contributed to laying the foundations of the First War of Independence of 1857. U Tirot Singh was a Khasi chief who resisted British attempts to build roads through tribal lands. He fought the Anglo-Khasi War (1829-33), using guerrilla tactics. Despite being outgunned and outnumbered, he fought for four years, only to be betrayed by his men and die in British custody in 1835. He is a state hero with July 17 marked as his day.
‘Despite fighting guns with swords, he never surrendered!’
4. Matmur Jamoh (Arunachal Pradesh)
An Adi warrior, he led a revolt in 1911 for similar reasons as U Tirot Singh. He assassinated British officer Noel Williamson and was sentenced to Kalapani in the Andaman, where he vanished from records, with no one knowing his fate. His ‘dao’ (sword), which is used, is still held by his descendants.
‘His silence in exile speaks louder than any textbook!’
5. Bir Tikendrajit Singh (Manipur)
He was the crown prince of Manipur who refused to surrender to British superiority. He led the 1891 Anglo-Manipur War and fought valiantly before being captured and publicly hanged in a park, which has been renamed Bir Tikendrajit Park, a symbol of Manipuri pride.
‘He chose to die a warrior rather than live a slave!’
Causes and Consequences of The Disappearance of These Stories
The pattern of ignoring the thought-so unimportant history is a pattern being followed for centuries. Geopolitical marginalisation of the Northeast, like considering the region as a security issue due to the bordering countries, instead of considering them a cultural contributor, further intensifies the issue. Also, with more than 220 languages spoken in the Northeast alone, many historical accounts that have passed on orally remain undocumented. Besides, in many cases, including history, we follow what the British left for us. As stated earlier, they said these people were insignificant rebels, and we agreed with them.
The consequences of this ignorance are devastating, with many Northeastern Indians feeling like foreigners in their own country. A 2024 survey found that 62% of youth from the region don’t feel ‘Indian’ on Independence Day. Patriotism should unite, but when people don’t know about their contributions to India’s rise globally, they are bound to feel inferior to others who have been given more importance.
Remembering to Belong
The story of India’s independence is a tapestry of sacrifices from every corner of the land, even lands no longer with us. Yet, when the Northeast is left out, we lose history, we lose connection, and we lose the truth. It’s a matter of feeling inclusive. To remember the Northeast’s contributions is not just honouring the past, but making sure the present and future believe in a united India, something our brothers and sisters from the region fought for!