History of Upper Assam, Upper Burmah and North Eastern Frontier

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About the Book The author published this work, which is based on the north-eastern frontier of India and its tribes, in 1914. He has endeavored to collect materials from all possible sources and woven them into narrative form to produce something useful and readable at least for those who care about that little-known but very interesting corner of India. The work begins with a review of the archaeology and history of the area. It is particularly concerned with the ethnography of the various border tribes, such as the Kachari, Ahom, and Naga. The small beginnings of the tea industry in 1823, which still forms the part of the region's economy, are described. The work ends with a consideration of the strategic importance of the area in the context of the widely expected 'awakening' and modernization of China. It may be appreciated by those interested in the past and future of this fertile and lovely land.

About the Author Leslie Water field Shakespeare (1860- 1933) was an officer in the Indian Army and a Colonel in 1909.He served on the North East Frontier of India in the Chin- Lushai campaign. The Lushai campaign was awarded the India General Service Medal 1854-1895 with clasps [CHIN LUSHAL 1889-90] and [LUSHAI 1889- 92]. His Great War service included operations in Mesopotamia from the 9 of November 1914 to the 7 of September 1917. He was mentioned in despatches in the London Gazette on the 5th of April 1916 and was appointed Assistant Quartermaster-General, Indian Army on the 18" of May 1916. He also took part in the Kuki Operations on the North East Frontier of India. Colonel Leslie Shakespear was made a Companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath (C.B.), a Companion of The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire (C.I.E.), and was The Order of Saint Stanislaus, 2 Class with sword for his military service.

Preface As I have found no book dealing completely and succinctly with Assam, its border land now so much in the public eye, and the many wild and interesting peoples dwelling along that border, which obliges the student to search through many books before arriving at the points of interest desired (if even then they are obtained), I have endeavored to collect materials from all to me-possible sources, and weaving them into narrative form, to produce something useful and readable at least for those who care about that little-known but very interesting corner of India. The success of my article which the Army Review printed in October, 1912, on this subject, has led me to attempt something more complete in detail; and with all its shortcomings I trust it may be appreciated by those interested in the past and future of this fertile and lovely land. If any criticisms may seem too trenchant, I trust the hope that there are those who will in the future benefit by statements of facts may be recognized as a sufficient excuse for having ventured into such, possibly to some, undesirable spheres. In this connection a remark of Commander Bellairs, R.N., in his interesting article on "Secrecy and Discussion," which ran to the effect that, if there is no criticism, which naturally goes with discussion, the teachings of history are apt to be perverted-may still further strengthen my excuse.

**Contents and Sample Pages**