Northeast Triology by Kunal Verma

NORTHEAST TRIOLOGY. By Bhalla, Dipti and Verma, Kunal. (three volumes). Pp. 1294, many maps, several colour pictures, 2011. (KaleidoIndia, Gurgaon, India, Rs. 4500, post free in India). Contact author on: “Verma Kunal” shivkunalverma@gmail.com, for copies and post rates for abroad.

Vol. 1 East of Kangchenjunga (Sikkim, North Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya) Vol. 2 Brahma’s Creation (Arunachal Pradesh) Vol. 3 Children of Dawn (East Arunachal, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram)

Not much is known, even now, about the eastern part of India. It contains the Himalayan mountains, war history, unique tribal culture and much more. Still not a single comprehensive book of reference was available. This book covers it all. Supported by the Indian army the author couple flew all over the area. The book contains some superb aerial shots which are otherwise impossible to obtain. To see the Brahmaputra plains, Himalayan range and those thick forest from air is a treasure. In the fast changing world information on culture will remain an important record for future anthropologists. Each volume of more than 400 pages, glossy and coloured, is divided into different areas and cover a variety of topics. Each volume has maps and an excellent Bibliography.

The first volume has striking pictures of Kangchenjunga and surrounding peaks. More to the east rises Chomolhari on border of Bhutan in a striking pose. But it is ‘The Plateau’ that takes the cake in the chapter on Sikkim. Gurudongmar lake, Kangchenjau, Chomo Yummo are rarely seen peaks now-a-days. To see them from a helicopter flight is even rarer. Other areas covered in this volume are Assam with its mix of Christianity, Islam and Hinduism and its tribes such as Chakma and Bodos. This is an extensive coverage in all aspects. The second volume begins with a magnificent aerial shot of the Lohit river flowing like a snake near Hayuliang. This is matched by great pictures of the Siang Bend and lower Dibang. It is not only about mountains as many important Buddhist monasteries and life of lamas is covered. Doni Polo, the traditional religion finds a place. The Apatani Plateau consisting of Ziro and Daporijo and its unique culture and people gets plenty of attention. Then they travel in the central areas to the higher areas of Kameng looking at great peaks of Kangto and Chomo. These peaks looks stunningly beautiful from the air and give a very different perspective. I had walked 10 days to reach the base of these peaks and here the authors had a round in the morning and back for lunch! The volume ends with coverage of Hawai (not the US Hawaii with double ‘ii’ s!) the district that borders China. It suffered in the 1962 war but now a most beautiful area between Burma and China. The last picture shows Rima across the border and again the beauty of their pictures is staggering.

The third volume covers beautiful states of Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram. These areas are not only home to indigenous people, they are full of history. The book narrates ‘Kachar Levy 1835’ a para military force formed by the British to protect the area and the Naga Hill Insurgency. The historic episode of the Second War where fighting across a Tennis Court British defeated the Japanese to halt their progress to Assam are given in some detail. The siege of Kohima is called ‘Stalingrad of East’. It covers Lushai Expedition and march of the XIVth Army ably led by General Slim. They quote from his book Defeat into Victory. The book covers the 1971 Bangladesh war, with historic pictures, and its effect on the region. I found the coverage of ‘Loktak lake’ in Manipur fascinating. This is the largest fresh water lake in the region. It is unique ecosystem, perhaps only one of its kind globally. Called the phumdi, it is a heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil and organic matter at various stages of decomposition. It gives the appearance of floating islands on the lake and the aerial pictures here bring out the beauty.

Finally the book covers ‘OP SRIJIGA’ where a platoon of the Indian army covered the unknown area from Miao to Chaukan Pass along the Nao Dihing river, a tributary of the Lohit. In face of the impeding threat of the Chinese invasion this area between Burma and China was brought under the Indian control on 27 November 1961. Historic pictures, maps and stunning images of the forest complete the book. The only drawback of these three volumes is that they lack Indexes, making it very difficult to make proper references in such a vast coverage. The price, even in Indian rupees is steep but this private publication is offered post free in India. This is a record for posterity and anyone interested in eastern India should refer to it.

HARISH KAPADIA