Abstract
For the northeast region, the modern conceptions about “development” began with its establishment as a resource territory of the Empire. It can also be argued that the evolution of the development paradigm for Northeast remains embedded in the Colonialist encounter, understanding, and vision of northeast as an accessible place amidst a rugged “inaccessible” terrain of the Eastern Himalayas. This chapter discusses how development activities for the region began with its colonisation, in the form of an elaborate enactment of governing resources, under sanctioned control of the imperialist military, through cartographic surveys and explorations to reimagine a “wild tribal cul-de-sac” as one of Empire’s most crucial geopolitical hold. The chapter looks into explorations, cartographic surveys, mapping, and administrative tours as colonial exercises implemented by the Empire to “develop” the resource potential of the region. The chapter is based on archival research and locates itself in the colonial nineteenth century, and discusses how colonial pursuits of engaging with the region shaped the development agendas of the Empire, and what it meant for the future of the region.
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Notes
- 1.
Both streams were substantial in size and it was probably tempting to identify the Lohit as the main channel, since the name derived from the old Sanskrit designation for the Brahmaputra, Lohitya. But a rapid visual study of the two by Lieutenant Burlton, together with information gathered from the inhabitants in the area of Sadiya in upper Assam, suggested to him that the Dihang was the larger river. To substantiate the matter, however, required a more detailed scientific survey and at the instance of Lieutenant-Colonel Valentine Blacker, Surveyor-General, approval from the Government to conduct it was obtained in October 1825. Lieutenant Richard Wilcox and Captain James Bedford were assigned to the special duty (Adrussi, 1977; Phillimore, 1954: 54).
- 2.
There was a great deal of public interest in the issue and we are told that while the survey was underway correspondence about the Brahmaputra question filled the papers of Calcutta. Articles also appeared in the Government Gazette, some still maintaining the views of D’Anville and Du Halde that the Tsangpo River connected with the Irrawaddy. Bedford had already tried to pass through the Dihang but had been turned back by the local warlike inhabitants in August. As it turned out, the most important discovery was that made by Wilcox. Unable to penetrate the river valleys for many miles, he took measurement of the water flow of the Brahmaputra near Sadiya in March 1826. The following day he again measured the river below the junction with the Dihang. The results substantially proved that, if the Brahmaputra was connected with the Tsangpo River of Tibet, it would have to be through the channel of the Dihang and not that of the Lohit to the east. The following two years were spent in efforts to penetrate the upper portions of these rivers, but the fierce character of the natives prevented this in every case” (Adrussi, 1977: 39).
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Mehzabeen, E. (2024). Historicising Development: Colonialisation, Cartography and Explorations in India’s Northeast. In: Chakrabarti, A., Chakraborty, G., Chakraborty, A.S. (eds) Indigeneity, Development and Sustainability. Demographic Transformation and Socio-Economic Development, vol 18. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-1436-0_4
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