History of North East India, Urban History, Gender History, Social and Economic History, Indian National Movement

Present designation :  Professor, Gauhati University since May 2021

Previous designations:

Associate Professor, Gauhati University, June 2014 to May 2021

Assistant Professor, Gauhati University, Selection Grade, Since Feb 2011 to June 2014.

Assistant Professor, Gauhati University, Senior Scale Since Feb 2005 to Feb 2011.

Assistant Professor; Arya Vidyapeeth College, Guwahati, Assam.  October 1999 to November 2005

 Assistant Professor; Darrang College, Tezpur, Assam November 1998 to October 1999

Life membership in different Organizations/Associations:

1.      Life member of Oral History Association of India.

2.      Life member of the All India Oriental Conference, Pune

3.      Life member of the Indian Association of Women Studies. (Membership No.03-L-0044-2013)

4.      Life Member of North East India Social Science Research Council, Shillong.

5.      Life Member of Institute of Northeast India Studies (Regn. No.1716 of 2004; 13/A Udayan Abasan, Udayrajpur, Madhyamgram,Kolkata-700129 ,Lm 054.

6.      Life Member of Kamrup Anussandhan Samitti, Guwahati, Assam.

7.      Life Member of North East India History Association. Life Membership No. LM 500.

8.      Life member Indian History Congress  

 Association with different organization :

      Ø  Co opted member of Indian Council of Historical Research., NERC.

Ø  Member of the Governing Body of D.K. College Mirza, as  Gauhati University representative February 2019 to March 2022.

Ø  Appointed as resource person for developing Textbook in History for classes IX and X under Board of Secondary Education Assam 2022.

Ø  Member (as Subject Expert) of the Committee for the Review of NCERT Syllabus and Textbooks in History for class VI to VIII in 2021.

 Ø  Appointed member of the Indian Historical Records Committee for five years with effect from December 2017.

Chapter in books

Ø  Practice of Witchcraft among the Rabhas of Assam in Sajal Nag (ed) Black Magic, Witchcraft and Occultism Secret Cultural Practices in Assam , Manohar Publishers and Distributors, 2023, ISBN 978-93-91928-03-2, page 565 – 580.

Ø  Assam in the Colonial period in Rituparna Bhattacharyya (ed) Northeast India Through the Ages A Transdiciplinary Perspective on Prehistory, History and Oral History, Routledge New York , 2023 ISBN 978-1-032-46862-4, pg 112-136 (co author Pooza Sharma).

Ø  Urban Demography of Colonial Assam, A Cross Dissectional Study in Meeta Deka (ed) Urbanism in South Asia : Northeast India Outside – In, Primus Publication,2020, ISBN 978-90022-33-5 (hardback)/ ISBN 978-93-90022-34-2 (POD) page 99- 111.

Ø  Women In the Assam Movement (1979-1985): Locating a Space, in Prof. Manorama Sharma (ed) Rethinking Gender History : Essays on Northeast India and Beyond , 2017, ISBN 978-93-85839-18-4. (page no 204-216).

Ø  Trade Development between Assam and the North Eastern Frontier Areas during the Colonial Period, in S.K.Singh (ed)  Pre-Colonial History and Traditions of Arunachal Pradesh,2016, ISBN 978-81-86307-99-1

Ø  Housing in colonial Assam: Continuity and Change (pg 16-25), Dr. Angiras (ed) Traditional Knowledge System of North-East India, 2012, ISBN-978-81-924052-0-9.

Ø  The Marwaris and the Economy of the Brahamaputra Valley in the Early Twentieth Century,  Prof. Priyam Goswami(ed) ,  Changing Patterns of Economy and Society in Assam , published by Department of History, GU, 2007.

Ø  Games and Sports in Colonial Assamese Society (pg 182-188), Proceedings of NEIHA 25th session, 2005.

Ø  Health and Medicine in the nineteenth century : Special reference to the Urban areas of the Brahmaputra Valley (pg 218-227), Proceedings of NEIHA 24th session, 2004.

Journals

Ø  Language , Identity and Patronage In Colonial Assam in GUINEIS Journal, Vol X, 2023, ISSN 2347-2669 pg 131-140, (co author Randhir Gogoi).

Ø  Journalistic Use of Social Media: A case Study of Dainik Assam in Anweshan Vol XIII, (2020-21), ISSN 2250-2475, pg 298-310 (co author Bidyut Barun Sarmah)

Ø  The Strategy of Exhaustion and Intimidation : The British east India Company and The North East Frontier of India ( 1826- 1857) in  Sampriti Vol – VII Issue -1 March 2021 ISSN : 2454- 3837 (Co author Sandipan Pathok )

Ø  Samajik Madhyam Aru Bhuwa Batori in Satsori Volume 16, Issue No. 08, March 2021, ISSN 2319-8893 ( Co author Bidyut Barun Sarmah)

Ø  Understanding the Alienation of Indigenous Ethnic Groups during the Assam Movement of 1979-1985 in Explorations, ISS e-journal, Vol 4 (2) , October 2020, pp 137 - 158 published by Indian Sociological Society.(co author Tonoya Mahanta) E ISSN 2581 5741

Ø  Prison Labour in Colonial India: A Case Study of Assam. Space and Culture, India, Volume 8 No. 1, 2020  ISSN 2052-8396 (Online) page  91-100.(co author Dimpy Das)

Ø  The Effect of Sino-Indian War, 1962 on Ethnic Communities of Arunachal Pradesh in Space and Culture , India, Volume 8 No. 2, 2020 ISSN 2052-8396 (Online) (Co author Sayeda Fauzia Farmin)

Ø  Discursive Genres and Mobilisational Schemas : Re-reading Movement Organisation in Northeast India, in Explorations, ISS e-journal, Vol 3 (1) , April 2019, pp 45-64, published by Indian Sociological Society.(co author Randhir Gogoi)  E ISSN 2581 5741

Ø  Indian National Movement in Assam in a Gender Perspective,  Journal of History and Culture, VOL.1, 2014, ISSN 2348-3830.

Ø  Emergence of Ethnic Identity in Assam during the Colonial period, A Case study of the Bodo community, Beacon, Vol.-VI,No.1,2012, Studies and Research Centre for Indigenous Tribes, ISSN 2250-1282.

Ø  Drinking Water and Hygiene in the Colonial and Post Colonial Scenario of Assam, with special reference to Guwahati , Journal of North-East India Council for Social Science Research, Vol. 35:2, October 2011, ISSN 0970-7913.

Ø  Police Service In Assam During The Colonial Period with special reference to the Brahmaputra Valley,  Gauhati University Journal Of Arts, Vol XLI, Guwahati 2010 .

List of Paper presented in Seminar / Conference

INTERNATIONAL

 1. Gandhian Ideas on Sarvodaya and the Mouman Sewashram in Assam presented in the International Seminar on Gandhi 150         Satyagraha in the 21st Century Social Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions of the Global Pursuits of Truth , organized         by the Council for Social Development, New Delhi and India International Centre, New Delhi from 22nd to 24th October 2019

2. Practice of witch craft among the Rabhas of Goalpara, presented in the International Seminar on Black Magic,         Witchcraft and Occultism : Secret Cultural Practices in North East India, organized by the Department of History, Assam University, Silchar; sponsored by Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi  (6th -7th November 2014).

3. Land Use and Housing Constructions : A case study of Guwahati in a historical perspective  in the International         Geographical Union (IGU) Commission Seminar on Land Use, Biodiversity and Climate Change, organized by the         Department of Geography, Cotton College, Guwahati from 11th to 13th December, 2010.

        NATIONAL

1. Colonialism and Resistance in Assam in Early Nineteenth Century, presented in the National Seminar on Process of         Colonisation and the Nation-wide Responses of the Regions, 1757-1856’ under ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’  on 27 -28         September 2021, sponsored by Indian Council of Historical research

2. Emergence of Guwahati as an Urban Centre during the Colonial Period, presented in the Annual Conference of the Oral         history association of India on Public Memory and Oral History, on 13 – 14 November 2017

3. Customary Laws, Social Institutions and Changing Trends among the Garos Of Meghalaya, presented in a UGC sponsored         National Seminar on Religion and Culture in Northeast India, organized by the Department of History , Gauhati         University, on 3rd and 4th November, 2016.

4. Impact of Customary Laws on the Garo Society in the Interface with Modernity: Reading from a Gender Perspective in         the National Seminar on Language, Literature and Culture of North East India with special reference to Assam held          at Gauhati University, on 15-16 March, 2016.

5. Stagnated Development: Assam In The Nineteenth And Early Twentieth Century, presented in the 47th Session of All         India Oriental Conference (AIOC), held at Gauhati Universty from 2nd to 4th January, 2015.

6. Urban Demography of Assam: A Cross Dissectional Study (1826-1947), presented in the National Seminar on         Understanding Urban History, organized by the Department of History, Gauhati University; sponsored by Indian  Council of Historical Research, New Delhi  (5th – 6th September 2014). 

7. Women In the Assam Movement (1979-1985): Locating a Space, presented in the  national  seminar on Reinterpretation         of Sources For Writing Gender History : Creating an Alternative Narrative, organized by the Department of History,  NEHU (under UGC-SAP-DSA-II).

8. Women in Social Movements: Reading Assam Agitation From a Gender Perspective presented in the XIV National         Conference on Women’s Studies. Equality, Pluralism and the State: Perspectives from the Women’s Movement

9. Ascertaining The Position of the Garo Women of Meghalaya Based on the Customary Laws presented in a seminar on         Customary Law, Law and Women in North East India organized by Indian Association of Women Studies and Indian         Council of Historical Research.

10. Beyond Domesticity : Participation of Assamese Women in the National Movement, presented in the national seminar on         Women of Assam : From Pre Independence to Post Modern Era , sponsored  by ICHR,organized by Department of History,         Devicharan Barua Girl’s College Jorhat Assam,  from 28th to 29th September, 2012 

11. Trade Development between Assam and the North Eastern Frontier Areas during the Colonial Period, National Seminar         on Pre-Colonial History and Traditions of Arunachal Pradesh : with reference to Tawang and West Kameng District on         28 March 2012 organised by Department of History (under UGC SAP DRS-II) Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills,         Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh.

12. Housing in Colonial Assam : Continuity and change, presented in a UGC sponsored  National Seminar on Traditional         Knowledge System of the people of North-East India : Antiquity and Evolution, held on 3rd and 4th February,2012,         organized by Department of History, Mangaldai College, Mangaldai, Assam. 

13. Emergence of Ethnic Identity in Assam during the Colonial Period: A case study of the Bodo Community in the         National Seminar on Mapping Ethnographies in Assam and the Role of Identity Politics  organized by Department of         History, Lalit Chandra Bharali College, Maligaon, Guwahati with the assistance of ICHR.

14. Urban Pollution: A case study from a historical perspective  on issues relating to water and hygiene in Guwahati in    the Research Committee on Ecological and Environmental Science of the XXXIV Indian Social Science Congress held   from  December 27th to 31st, 2010, at Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam.

15. Issues Of Drinking Water in Urban Areas in the Colonial and Post Colonial Period : A study on the water supply        system within Guwahati municipal area, in the National Seminar held on 27th -28th March, 2007, on the subject    Ecology and Environment in North East India : Past and Present, sponsored by the Indian Council of Historical  Research (ICHR), New Delhi and organized by the Department of History, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh Assam.

16. The Role of the Marwaris in the Changing Economic scenario of Assam in the early Twentieth Century, in the National         Seminar on Changing Patterns  of Economy and their impact on Society in the North Eastern Region of India in the         20th century, held on 20 – 21 May, 2005 at Guwahati organized by The Department of History, Gauhati University in         collaboration with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Satudies, Kolkata. 

17. Impact of Games and Sports in Colonial Assamese Society, presented in 25th NEIHA Conference held in NEHU, Shillong,         28-30 October, 2004.

18. Health and Medicine in the Nineteenth Century- special reference to the urban areas of the Brahmaputra Valley,         presented in 24th NEIHA Conference, 16 – 18 October,2003   held in Gauhati University.

Resource person in Navodaya Leadership Institute, Government of India.

Resource person in the Pre-Examination Training for Central Civil Services (IAS etc) Examination, sponsored by the Government of Assam.

Resource Person in UGC- Human Resource Development Centre Gauhati University

Resource Person in UGC- Human Resource Development Centre Mizoram University

Delivered Lecture as Resource Person on Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act 2013 at Pachim Guwahati Mahavidyalaya, Guwahati on 24.06.2024

Keynote Speaker in the Seminar on Undivided Kamrup District in India’s Freedom Struggle  in the ICSSR sponsored National Seminar, organized by Department of History, Dakhin Kamrup Girls’ College, Mirza, held on 18^th and 19^th November 2022

Keynote Address in the seminar on August Kranti Movement and its multi faceted dimensions in Assam reflected in the Freedom Struggle of India,  in the ICHR sponsored national Seminar organized at  Barbhag college Nalbari on 11^th and 12^th February 2022.

Delivered Lecture on Role of Art in Indian Freedom Movement, on invitation by Indian Art History Congress in Guwahati on 21^st November 2022.

Resource Person in the workshop on Research Methodology organized by ICHR New Delhi. 30^th September 2021

Keynote Lecture on Assam  in the series of webinar on Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat : Dekho Apna Northeast organized by Dr. B.R.Ambedkar University of Social Sciences on 28 August 2020.

 Speaker on occasion of World Tourism Day  on 27^th September 2022 at Dakhin Kamrup College, Mirza

.Special Lecture on Education In India during the Colonial Period on 11^th March 2019 at Beltola     College Guwahati.

Delivered talk as resource person on Pastoralist in The Modern World in Content Enrichment Programme for TGT (11-12-18 to 20-12-18) organized by Navodaya leadership Institute, MHRD, NE region on 18-12-18

Delivered talk as resource person on Role of Tribal Society in Freedom Struggle in Content Enrichment Programme for TGT (11-12-18 to 20-12-18) organized by Navodaya leadership Institute, MHRD, NE region on 18-12-18

 Social Impact of British Rule in Colonial Assam ,on 28 February 2017, in a Seminar at S.B. Deorah College, Assam.

 Social Issues and Women’s Movement of South Asia, on 07.09.2016, in the Refresher Course in Women’s Studies and Contemporary Issues- ID, Academic Staff College Gauhati Unversity.

 Bal Gangadhar Tilak: An apostle of India’s Struggle for Freedom, in connection of hundred years completion of his lion roar, Swaraj is my birth right, I shall have it, on 24^th August 2016, at Karmashree Hiteshwar Saikia College, Guwahati.

Social History of Victorian England, on October 7 , 2015,  in an Inter-disciplinary seminar, at S.B. Deorah College, Assam.

 Participated and delivered lecture as Resource person in the RGNIYD-GU workshop on Capacity Building of women Managers in Higher Education, jointly organized by the School of Gender Studies, RGNIYD and Gauhati Universty, Assam, from 12^th to 18^th November 2014.

 Beyond Domesticity: Women in National Movement , delivered as the 10^th Robin Talukdar Memorial Lecture in Arya Vidyapeeth Collge on 20.09.2014.

Special Lecture on Education In India during the Colonial Period on 11th March 2019 at Beltola College Guwahati.

Delivered talk as resource person on Pastoralist in The Modern World in Content Enrichment Programme for TGT (11-12-18 to 20-12-18) organized by Navodaya leadership Institute, MHRD, NE region on 18-12-18

Delivered talk as resource person on Role of Tribal Society in Freedom Struggle in Content Enrichment Programme for TGT (11-12-18 to 20-12-18) organized by Navodaya leadership Institute, MHRD, NE region on 18-12-18

 Social Impact of British Rule in Colonial Assam ,on 28 February 2017, in a Seminar at S.B. Deorah College, Assam.

 Social Issues and Women’s Movement of South Asia, on 07.09.2016, in the Refresher Course in Women’s Studies and Contemporary Issues- ID, Academic Staff College Gauhati Unversity.

 Bal Gangadhar Tilak: An apostle of India’s Struggle for Freedom, in connection of hundred years completion of his lion roar, Swaraj is my birth right, I shall have it, on 24th August 2016, at Karmashree Hiteshwar Saikia College, Guwahati.

Social History of Victorian England, on October 7 , 2015,  in an Inter-disciplinary seminar, at S.B. Deorah College, Assam.

 Participated and delivered lecture as Resource person in the RGNIYD-GU workshop on Capacity Building of women Managers in Higher Education, jointly organized by the School of Gender Studies, RGNIYD and Gauhati Universty, Assam, from 12th to 18th November 2014.

 Beyond Domesticity: Women in National Movement , delivered as the 10th Robin Talukdar Memorial Lecture in Arya Vidyapeeth Collge on 20.09.2014.

Research activities under my supervision

 Address for communication:     Professor Qtr. No. 17, Gauhati University Campus

                                                    City:   Guwahati ;   State: Assam

                                                    Pin Code:  781014.

Email ID:                                    barnalisarma11@gauhati.ac.in  

                                                   sarmabarnali@rediffmail.com

Contact No.                                9864150108

Present Designation:   Professor, since May 2021

Previous Designations:

 Associate Professor, June 2014 to May 2021

 Assistant Professor, Selection Grade, Since Feb 2011 to June 2014.

Assistant Professor, Senior Scale Since Feb 2005 to Feb 2011

Joined Gauhati University in November 2005

Worked in Arya Vidyapeeth College as Assistant Professor from October 1999 to to November 2005.

Worked in Darrang College as Assistant Professor from November 1998 to October 1999

Training Courses/Faculty Development Programmes / Symposium attended /participated-

Workshop Co-ordinating

 National Workshop on Current Researches in History (21 – 22 Feb 2019), sponsored by Indian Council of Historical Research and Gauhati University

Supervisor of the ICHR project on Survey, Collection, Documentation and Digitization of Archival Sources of N.E. India.