16/03/2026
History of Garo hills and the genocide of plain belt: a historical analysis
A large terrain of lower Assam was under the Mughal empire in the middle age. From the administrative side, this area was included in the 'Bengal Subah' of Mughal. During the Mughal's rule, the entire empire was divided into several 'Subah' (province). These provinces were again divided into 'government' (district) and governments in 'Pargana' (sub-district).
On the Mughal days, from Trikila to Mahendraganj (covering the south Salmara-Mankacharak) which has plain land on the footsteps of Garo hills — which is currently known as the ‘Plain Belt’ of Meghalaya—the area was included in the ‘Ghoraghat Sarkar’ under the Mughal Bengal Subah. This plain land is Karaibari, Kalumalupara and Mesh Directed by | Aaini Akbar's famous book of the historical Abul Fazal of Emperor Akbar's revenue sabha.
Despite the plain area of Garo hills under direct control of Mughal, they adopted a special strategy towards the mountainous region. 17th century historian Mirza Nathan mentioned in her book ‘Baharistan-e-Gaibi’ that Mughal adopted a ‘Policy of Containment’ in the case of Garo hills. The objective was to help Garo Sardars as their own hills. Keeping limited within the range. Instead of engaging in a direct battle with them, Mughal maintained a friendly and courtly relationship. According to that, Garo Sardars took ‘Rangamati’ once a year and presented Mughal Fauzdar as an elephant, cotton and former (true tree). On the other hand, Karaibari and Mespara, various landlords etc. There was a border ‘hut’ where the hill garrow people exchanged their produce products. This commercial tradition continues to prevail even today.
In this plain area of Garo hills, there is strong historical evidence of local converted Goalpariya or local Muslims living since the Mughal era. The tomb of Mughal Senapati Mir Jumla at the footsteps of Mahendraganj Sufi Sant Peer Shah Kamal Baba and Mankach border is witness to this historical truth.
East India Company got the Devani self of Bengal Subahar in 1765 during the Palachi in 1757 and the Boxer war in 1764. British also continued tax collection policy through landlords under Mughal's design and include Garo hills administratively in Rangpur district. Individed Goalpara landlords also go under Rangpur district, as a result Plain belt region is under Rangpur district. In 1822, undivided Goalpara was cut and declared a separate district of Bengal. Plain belt region again becomes part of the undivided Goalpara district. And thus remained part of the undivided Goalpara district for almost one hundred years.
On the other hand, after living under the Rangpur district of British Bengal, Garo Hills was declared as an independent district in 1866. During the formation of this new district, the ‘plain belt’ area was cut from Goalpara district and included in Garo Hills district. Notable that Garo Hills district is the first one Headquarters office was Shingimari. A portion of Shingimari was named 'Helideganj' in the honor of Lieutenant Governor Frederick James Helide. The next time the district headquarters were shifted to the hill inner tura. In 1874, Goalpara and Garo hills districts were removed from Bengal and made part of the newly formed Assam Pradesh.
Garo Hills was recognized as an autonomous district within Assam after independence in 1952. Garo Hills and its plain belt (plain belt) were included in this new state when the Meghalaya state was formed on 21 January 1972. Most of the Muslims living on this plain belt are actually undivided Goalpara Traditional verdict of the landlords of the district. They are the people of the 'desi' tribe. In 1205, the society was formed through Ali Mesh's concept of Islam and the next time converting of Koch-Kamata as well as Koch-Rajbanshi people. Their language, attire and culture are still uniform with Koch-Rajbanshi society. Assam government already informed a government gadget Through the indigenous people have been recognized as 'Indigenous'.
So, the historic background of the indigenous Muslims of the Garo Hill plain belt is completely local and well established. The misleading ideas that are spreading about their existence, is not history and it is very important to have the end.
Copied- Ashiq Zaman
