Tarun Ram Phukan: The Nationalist Leader from Kamrup Who Shaped Assam's Freedom Struggle
In 2021, the Assam government decided to commemorate Phukan's death day as Desh Bhakti Divas annually that falls on July 28.
He was born on January 22, 1877, in Guwahati, Assam, was also called Deshbhakta, and passed away on July 28, 1939.
Education and Career:
Educated at Cotton Collegiate School, Guwahati, and Presidency College, Calcutta.
Studied law and joined the Bar from Inner Temple, London.
Distinguished himself as a lawyer and served as a lecturer at Earle Law College in Guwahati.
He was the third barrister of Assam.
Political Involvement:
Prominent member of the Assam Association, the only political organization in Assam until 1920.
Played a crucial role in establishing the Assam Branch of the Indian National Congress in 1921 and was elected as its first President.
Actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement, leading efforts to spread Mahatma Gandhi's message across Assam.
Was sentenced to one year of rigorous imprisonment in 1921 for his involvement in the Non-Cooperation Movement.
After his release from jail, Phukan joined the ‘Swaraj Dal’ formed by Chitra Ranjan Das and Motilal Nehru.
The main objective of the Swaraj party formed by Chitra Ranjan Das and Motilal Nehru was to bring more autonomy and political freedom from British rule.
Leadership Roles:
Chaired the Reception Committee for the Pandu Session of the Indian National Congress in 1926.
Served as Chairman of the Municipal Board and Local Board of Guwahati, focusing on programs for the upliftment of underprivileged communities.
Established a Leper Asylum in Guwahati.
Contributions to Literature and Culture:
Renowned orator and prominent writer.
Tarun Ram Phukan was not only involved in politics but also made significant contributions to literature and social life in Assam.
He published articles and poems in various magazines and was deeply engaged in literary practices.
While imprisoned for a year in Silchar jail in 1921 for participating in the freedom struggle, he wrote his only book of devotional songs and poems, Stitimala, which was published in 1926.
Many of his other poems were included in the collection Maraha Phool Papri, edited by Atul Chandra Hazarika.
Phukan was an avid hunter and shared his thrilling hunting experiences with readers in a book titled Hunting Story, marking the first Assamese work on this subject.
He also authored Sexual Theory, a book intended for married life, and wrote Ningni Bhavaria’s Song, a collection of humorous poems known as khuhutiya poems.
In Ningni Bhavaria’s Song, Phukan vividly depicted the harsh realities of life in Silchar jail through his humorous poetry.
Served as President of the Assam Sahitya Sabha at its Goalpara Session in 1927.
Presided over the Assam Chhatra Sammelan in 1928.
Assam Provincial Congress Committee:
In 1921, the Assam Provincial Congress Committee (APCC) was formed, with its headquarters in Guwahati, with Kuladhar Chaliha as first President.
Later Tarun Ram Phookan became the president and the reconstituted APCC.
The reconstituted APCC included members like Gopinath Bordoloi, Bimala Prasad Chaliha, Chandranath Sarmah, Krishna Nath Sarmah, and Kanak Chandra Sarmah.
This committee invited Mahatma Gandhi to Assam in 1921, boosting the non-cooperation movement and the implementation of Swadeshi principles.
Among the people whose character and sense of nationalism have contributed to the creation of contemporary Assam is Tarun Ram Phukan. The future generations will be inspired by Tarun Ram Phukan's example of love for the nation and the patriotism he fostered.
