Christianity in Assam: From Early Missionaries to Modern Assamese Christians | Author: Muhammad Talha Amin Baruah

Christianity in Assam: From Early Missionaries to Modern Assamese Christians.

by Muhammad Talha Amin Baruah

Christianity is currently the 2^nd largest growing religion in Assam. Widely studied religious history of Assam predominantly focuses on Assamese Hindus, Assamese Muslims, and Assamese Sikhs, yet the history of Assamese Christians often remains overlooked though it deserves greater scholarly attention. Christianity in Assam has a unique history that has contributed to the region’s cultural and religious diversity. It grew over time through various influences and has played an important role in shaping communities across Assam.

The 2011 census reports suggest that there are about 11.66 Lakh Christians living in Assam, most of them being from the Tea Garden community or the scheduled tribes (ST). But have you wondered about the existence of ethnic Assamese Christians? It estimated that

In this article we will explore the history of Christianity in Assam and whatever that we know regarding Assamese Christians. The history of Non-Assamese communities will also be discussed.

The earliest people to arrive in Assam were the Portuguese missionaries who were en route to Tibet. They arrived in Assam on 26^th of September 1626. They reportedly reached Hajo and Guwahati. These Jesuit Missionaries were Cabral and Cacella. Though they arrived in Assam, they did not preach their religion nor did they establish any Churches. The next recorded presence of Christians in Assam was recorded in the 17^th century again, that too during the Ahom-Mughal wars under Mir Jumla. It is recorded in ‘Vervarelyke Schip-breuk’ that how few Dutch merchants faced a shipwreck and they went to the VOC lodge at Dhaka. On the way, they were taken as slaves by Mir Jumla and during Mir Jumla’s invasion of Assam, he brought these Dutch people along with him. These people used to call the Ahoms as ‘Affam’. After this event, we do not find any mention of any Christian in the land of Assam until the end of the 18th century.

At this point, the Moamaria rebellion and the Dundiya rebellion was at its zenith, corroding the Ahom Kingdom. The Ahom King – Gaurinath Singha requested foreign help, to which Captain Welsh was sent by the British East India Company to Assam in 1792. Welsh brought in British troops to Assam for tackling the rebels who were against the Ahom government, these troops of Captain Welsh were predominantly Christian. They suppressed the Dundiya rebellion and then they crushed the Moamaria rebels. After the end of the operation, the troops were called back. John Peter Wade was among the troops sent, who served as a medic. John was curious about Assam and even wrote his own account during his stay of 18 months.

It is worthy of mention that the Britishers had won over a part of Lower Assam after the Battle of Plassey (1757). Years later, the Britishers fought against the Burmese and signed the treaty of Yandaboo (1826), which ceeded Assam to the Britishers. Cachar was also taken over by the Britishers between the brief period of 1828 to 1854.

The British missionaries started working on educational upliftment, while the initiative to preach Christianity was taken by the American Baptist Missionaries. Two American missionaries namely Nathan Brown and Reverend Cutter arrived at Sadiya on 23 March 1836, setting up a printing press. They introduced Christianity to the Mishing tribe.

The missionaries continued to preach Christianity and in Nagaon, they achieved their first Assamese convert – Nidhiram Keot, who became Nidhi Levi Farewell in 1841.

Later in 1846, Nidhi along with two other missionaries, started the first Assamese newspaper known as ‘Orunadoi Sambad Patra’. Many educational institutions were set up, most notably Cotton Collegiate (in 1835) and Cotton College (in 1901). Assamese was the first North-eastern language in which the bible was translated into in 1883, followed by Khasi in 1891. It is noted that Nathan Brown started translating the New Testament in Assamese language by 1843 at Sivsagar. The translated book was then published in 1848. In 1883, the entire Bible was translated into Assamese.  The first ever Church in Assam was set up in 1844, i.e Christ Church, Guwahati. Cutter’s “Christor Biworon and Xhubho Bartaa” (1854) and his translation of prayers further anchored Christianity in the Assamese.

According to the Joshua project, there are 3800 Assamese people who are Christians. Most notable is the Assamese tribe known as Makum people, who reside at the makum town in Upper Assam. These Makum people are ethnically Chinese who speak Assamese. Christianity is the predominant religion among these Makum people, whose estimated population is around 2000 or more. Joshua Project also reports of the spread of Christianity among the Dimasa people of Cachar. Hinduism is the main religion of the Dimasa people, but estimately 5-10% of their population comprises Christians. Similar statistics are available regarding the Bodo people as well. Christianity started to flourish among the Bodos from 1860s but the Missionaries had lost interest on the Bodos for a short period of time. In 1928, the missionaries again approached the Bodo people and many Bodo villages gave their alliagence to the Catholic Church. Christian missionary activities in Karbi Anglong began in the mid-19^th century. The Karbis𿿿first came into touch with Christianity

Around 1859. Despite missionary efforts, many Karbis resisted conversion, holding firmly to their animistic and communal traditions as core to their identity. over time, some adopted a syncretic approach, blending Christian beliefs with traditional practices, reflecting a unique fusion that honors both heritage and new faith. It’s the reason, Animism is still the dominant religion among the Karbis, whereas only 15% of them identify as Christians.

Aziz-ul Hoque is also a very important figure among the Assamese Christians, he is a retired Pastor of the Guwahati church. He has also penned important books on Christian missionary’s contribution to Assam. Another notable figure is Christison Munda, who was an Adivasi, but not an Assamese. He Is notable for the fact that he came to Assam for spreading Christianity, but in 1915, he chose to rebel against the Britishers. Christison was responsible for a large scale uprising of the people of Tea Garden In Assam, comprising mainly of Christians and Hindus.

Christianity in Assam has played a significant role in shaping the region’s cultural and social landscape. Over time, it has grown into a vibrant community contributing to education, healthcare, and social development. While it represents a minority faith, its influence extends beyond religion, highlighting Assam’s diverse and pluralistic heritage. Understanding this history helps appreciate the unique contributions of Assamese Christians to the state’s identity and progress. Christianity in Assam continues to evolve, reflecting the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity in this culturally rich region.

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