The Unquiet River: A Biography of the Brahmaputra

by Arupjyoti Saikia

The unruly Brahmaputra has always been an agent in shaping both the landscape of its valley and the livelihoods of its inhabitants. But how much do we know of this river's rich past?
Historian Arupjyoti Saikia's biography of the Brahmaputra reimagines the layered history of Assam with the unquiet river at the centre. The book combines a range of disciplinary scholarship to unravel the geological forces as well as human endeavour which have shaped the river into what it is today. Wonderfully illuminated with archival detail and interwoven with narratives and striking connections, the book allows the reader to imagine the Brahmaputra's course in history.
This evocative and compelling book will be interesting reading for anyone trying to understand the past and the present of a river confronted by the twenty-first century's ambitious infrastructural designs to further re-engineer the river and its landscape.

Genres: India, Nonfiction, History, Asia, Politics

602 pages, Hardcover

Published February 5, 2020

Reviews

[Abhiram R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will-be-updated.

[Ananta Pathak · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic reading it has been. The mighty Brahmaputra deserved a biography much earlier considering the it's place in social and economic geography of assam and eastern himalaya. As they they say better late than never, this book has been written in beautiful manner traversing the journey of river along with changes in political economy of the state. From the Ahoms to British and Independent India, the river jas been at the heart of it. The writer has beautifully structured the historical narrative and has given the book a touch of genuineness. We are much thankful to Mr Arupjyoti Saikka, considered one of Indias best young historian for giving us this book. For me it was an intimate reading since I was born not far from the river and continues to live near it. For readers who may not know the river intimately, reading this book will be a exercise in going through a amazing journey to know an interesting region of India.

[Anand Iyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an ode to the history of one of the largest rivers in the world - how it's influence is felt across all the dimensions - geographically, agricultural and livelihood, transportation, politics and economics of the North-East corner of the India. It was surprising to see British colonisers interest and influence in the region along with Ahom King's use of river. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the mighty river.

[Revanth Ukkalam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a history of a river in every sense of the word. From its formation - that is never ever complete, a process always continuous - including its separation from the Irrawady, flow Southwestward, and latching to Tsangpo. Its slowly population by boats, by fish, and dams. Its instant mapping. And rapid colonisation by tea and jute. This book is an extraordinary autobiography of Assam and unfortunately only that - I left not reading much about the Tibetan and later, Bengal legs of the Brahmaputra journey. When I closed the book I had picked up some memorable objects, like little pebbles in a pickle jar, of images from the book: terracotta boats from as old as 2500 BCE, tolas of gold collected and cleaned from the river's waters, the hilsa that are so easily wiped away in the Ganges but live on in the Brahmaputra, and documents of the Ahoms posting Assamese farmers far and wide in the plains. All so alien to "mainland India" and so fresh to my restricted mind.