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The Bhatia Muslim community, also known as 'Bhatia Sheikh,' is a distinct ethnic group primarily found in the Indian states of Assam and West Bengal. They are often described as "Bengali Muslims of Lower Assam," with significant populations in Dhubri, Goalpara,[1] Barpeta, Kamrup, Nalbari, and Kokrajhar. The community also has a presence in Upper Assam, particularly in Nagaon and Morigaon, and in Cooch Behar, West Bengal.[2][3]
Etymology
The name "Bhatia" reflects the community's origin. Historically, they have referred to themselves as "Bhartiya," but over time, the name evolved to "Bhatia" through local dialect and usage.[4][5]
History
Over hundred years ago when India was not divided and not India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, there was large scale migration of Bengali Muslims from East Bengal (which is now Bangladesh) into Assam. This was the result of deliberate policies of the government of British India which wanted to colonize Assam and exploit its natural resources and expand agriculture in an area where tribal communities – like Bodos, Koch Rajbongshis and others – lived. These tribal were outside the pale of society as it was then and were not seen to be part of the market economy. The Bengali peasant, on the other hand, had been exposed to the world of colonialism/capitalism in eastern Bengal. Thus they were game to be part of this strategy. So began the process of migration of Bengali Muslims into Assam impelled undoubtedly also by the increased pressure on land in East Bengal.
From 1901 to 1941, encouraged by the colonial administration, over 10 lakhs Bengali people migrated and settled in Assam from East Bengal. The geographical area of present day BTAD would fall under what were Goalpara and Kamrup districts during the colonial era. So, it is worth mentioning that East Bengali Muslim peasants first settled in undivided Goalpara district, before they spanned out to other parts of western and central Assam. The decadal growth of population in Goalpara district had shot up by 30 % as early as 1901-1911 compared to 1.4 % and 2 % in the preceding decades respectively. In 1921 -1931, the decadal growth of population of Goalpara dropped to 15.8 % because most of the suitable wasteland in the district had already been occupied by immigrants who poured into the district in 1901-1921, and that the immigrants had found a larger scope for settling in Kamrup and Nagaon districts. During 1921 to 1931 Barpeta subdivision of Kamrup district saw an enormous 69 % increase in population. Between 1901 and 1931, 4.98 lakhs East Bengali Muslim peasants are recorded in Goalpara district alone.
Demography
Bhatiya community resides mainly in (Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Kamrup, Nalbari, Kokrajhar). They are also residing in lower Assam but also vast area of Assam including Nagaon, Morigaon of upper Assam.
Language
Vast Majority of Bhatiya community speaks Bengali language with some variation of Goalpariya language.The Bhatiya community of Assam now use Assamese langage as their official language.[6]
Discrimination
There is on going persecution and descriminations faced by Bhatiya community.
Notes
2. G. Das, "Colonialism and Its Impact on Assam's Demography," Oxford University Press, 2019.
- ^ Monoj, Dr. Gogoi. "Perception and Practice of Family Planning: An Anthropological Study among the assamese Caste Hindus and Muslim Population in Goalpara District, Assam".
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Social Stratification and Muslim Society: Some Empirical Observations on West Bengal" (PDF).
{{cite web}}: line feed character in|title=at position 73 (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ West Bengal Commision for backward class Report on Bhatia Muslim. Link
- ^ "The Foreigners of Assam". p. 58.
{{cite web}}: More than one of|pages=and|page=specified (help) - ^ Misra, Udayon. "The Critical Forties II".
- ^ "SOCIO -CULTURAL LIFE OF THE EAST BENGAL ORIGIN ASSAMESE MUSLIMS" (PDF). JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS.
{{cite journal}}: line feed character in|title=at position 47 (help)