Arunachal by Peter Van Ham

ARUNACHAL. By Peter van Ham. Pp. 235, Many colour illustrations, 2014. (Niyogi books, New Delhi, Rs 2495).

The tribal land of Arunachal Pradesh has always attracted photographers in particular. The way the people dress, their features, the customs and traditions of the different tribes are a photographer’s delight. This illustrated book, in large size, covers many aspects of the tribal life.

This book covers the history and progress from a tribal land to modern state from earliest times. Several old maps, photos and quotes help to record this. The book starts with a geographical narration in the chapter ‘Land of Dawn-lit Mountains’. It covers the mountain areas and valleys in this ancient land.

It then proceeds to elucidate the transformation of the region, ‘From a Malaria Jungle to a State’, and is the crux of this book. This is narrated with historic illustrations, right from the earliest times. The engraving from Harper’s Weekly in the issue of 9 October 1875, shows three Nyishi men surrounded by dense primeval forests. It sets the tone to appreciate the beauty and ancient knowledge about this land. A French engraving of 1901 showing a group of Digaru Mishmi rowing a boat, the Dufla expeditions and steel engraving of scenery in 1841, all show the meticulous research the author has undertaken. The engraving of Dufla (now Dafla) was also featured on the cover of Illustrated London News in 1875. Most times, we believe that these are totally unexplored lands, but these pictures are proof enough that the British had deep interests in the area and have recorded them. Many such historic photographs follow. A particular photo of special interest is that of a memorial stone that was erected at the spot where Noel Williamson was murdered on 31 March 1911. A punitive expedition was sent to avenge this death and this paved way for deep in-roads being made into hostile tribal areas. This event was the root cause behind the alteration of Arunachal tribal lands forever.

The narrative quickly diverges to the war with China and NEFA being formed as an independent state of India – Arunachal Pradesh. The book includes an imprint of a special First Day postal cover with a special franking to commemorate the formation of the State on 27 April 1986, a rare record. The chapter ‘A Hundred Peoples in the Land of the Hornbill’ covers the different tribes of the state in brief but is a brilliant photographic record. The work by Verrier Elwin receives detailed mention.

Then on, the book introduces the state in three different regions,– The Northern, Central and Southern — and includes the customs and traditions prevalent in them. The core ideology of this book has been well researched and well supported by an array of invaluable and timeless photographs. But a feeling of déjà vu is still quite palpable, as much has already been written on the same subject. The topography and physiology of this land is still waiting to be revealed. Arunachal has a rich but tragic history. The Second World War raged at its doorstep. The 1962 India-China war brought the war to its core. There are several other aspects like Takpa Siri, Tsangpo gorge and much more to be noted. The beauty and the history of this state will never be complete until most of such aspects are covered too, but this will require a tome. All such books, as the present one, add to the repository to build that final pyramid of knowledge.

HARISH KAPADIA