— Babul Tamuli Manik Chandra Barooah was one of the brightest luminaries of 19th century Assam. He was the architect of modern Guwahati, the premier city of north-east India. Actually, the last decade of the 18th century and the first decade of the 19th century can be regarded as the ‘age of Manik Chandra’ in the history of modern Guwahati. He was instrumental in setting up Cotton College, the first institution of higher studies in the region, Earl Law College (presently Govt Law College), the first law college in Assam, Latasil ME School (now Manik Chandra Barooah High School), Curzon Hall (now Nabin Ch Bordoloi Hall) and the beautiful Northbrook Gate at Sukreswar Ghat. He was the first Chairman of Guwahati Municipality set up by the British government in 1882.
Manik Chandra Barooah was born at Nagaon on September 4, 1815. After he was born, his father Habiram Barooah, an employee of the British government was transferred to Guwahati. So, school education of Manik Chandra was started at Guwahati. He passed Entrance and FA examinations from Guwahati Collegiate High School and left for Kolkata for higher studies in 1868. There he enrolled into the BA classes of Presidency College. But due to serious illness of his father he returned home without completing his graduation.
While he was studying at Kolkata, Governor General Lord Northbrook came there to study socio-political and economic condition of Bengal. Manik Chandra, with his friend Jagannath Barooah (popularly known as BA Jagannath) met the Governor General with the help of Krishna Das Pal, a prominent person of Kolkata and editor of ‘The Hindu Patriot’. The two young Assamese students submitted a memorandum to Northbrook and appealed him to visit Assam. The incident created quite a sensation at that time in the Bengalee society. Following their request, Northbrook visited Assam in 1873. To welcome the Governor General, Manik Chandra with many of his friends erected a gate at Sukreswar Ghat. Carrying memory of this glorious event, the gorgeous gate still stands there by the side of the mighty river Brahmaputra.
The name of Manik Chandra is intrinsically linked with the glorious history of Cotton College. The College established in 1901 after relentless effort of a number of learned persons led by Manik Chandra Barooah. Manik Chandra for the first time raised the demand of setting up a college at Guwahati. But a section of people strictly opposed him. Instead of setting up a college in Assam, they appealed to the government to increase hostel accommodations for the Assamese students in the colleges of Kolkata. They argued that Kolkata was far better place for learning than Guwahati. But a determined Barooah, sticked to his demand . He started a mass awareness drive through his weekly ‘Assam News’ by writing articles and editorials in support of a college in the State. Many eminent persons like Phanidhar Chaliha, Benudhar Rajkhowa etc also supported his move. In 1899, Manik Chandra submitted a memorandum to the then Chief Commissioner of Assam, Sir Henry Cotton where he strongly appealed to the government for setting up a college at Guwahati. He pointed out that, ‘Assam is the only province which has not got a college’. Regarding location of the college, Barooah said that, Guwahati could be the best place as ‘it possesses some natural advantages.’ Understanding the sentiment of majority people, the British government at last decided to establish a college at Guwahati. On November 3, 1899, Sir Henry Cotton announced the government decision to set up a college at Guwahati. As a sign of gratitude, the people of Guwahati resolved to named the college after the name of Sir Henry Cotton as Cotton College. On May 27, 1901 the college was declared open.
A pioneer in the journalism movement in Assam, Manik Chandra published an Anglo-Assamese weekly in 1883 called ‘Assam News’. Under the able stewardship of its editor Hem Chandra Barua, the bilingual weekly played a pivotal role in highlighting many burning problems of the State. In 1895, he became editor of an Assamese weekly called ‘Asam’ published by Kaliram Barooah.
A dynamic and charismatic person, Manik Chandra left an indelible imprint in the business world as a successful trader in tea and timber. He rejected a job of deputy magistrate offered by the British government and opted for an independent business of tea and timber. Though he incurred huge loss in his business due to his broken health but as an entrepreneur he left a rare example for the future generation of Assam.
Manik Chandra was a man of magnetic personality and this personality helped him to flourish in his public life. He was the founder Secretary of ‘Assam Association’ established in 1903 for the uplift of Assamese community. In recognition of his outstanding service to the people, the British government made him an honorary member of a number of social organisations such as Education Conference, Industrial Conference, Female Education Committee, Ambulence Society, Moral and Education Conference etc. His valuable advice and opinions in those organisations were highly appreciated by the British administration. He was also invited as a distinguished guest to the reception ceremonies held at Delhi in 1903 and 1911 on the occasion of the visit of King Edward (VII) and King George (V) respectively. Manik Chandra twice rejected “Raibahadur” title offered by the British government.
(Published on the occasion of his death anniversary today). source: assam tribune
Manik Chandra Barooah was born at Nagaon on September 4, 1815. After he was born, his father Habiram Barooah, an employee of the British government was transferred to Guwahati. So, school education of Manik Chandra was started at Guwahati. He passed Entrance and FA examinations from Guwahati Collegiate High School and left for Kolkata for higher studies in 1868. There he enrolled into the BA classes of Presidency College. But due to serious illness of his father he returned home without completing his graduation.
While he was studying at Kolkata, Governor General Lord Northbrook came there to study socio-political and economic condition of Bengal. Manik Chandra, with his friend Jagannath Barooah (popularly known as BA Jagannath) met the Governor General with the help of Krishna Das Pal, a prominent person of Kolkata and editor of ‘The Hindu Patriot’. The two young Assamese students submitted a memorandum to Northbrook and appealed him to visit Assam. The incident created quite a sensation at that time in the Bengalee society. Following their request, Northbrook visited Assam in 1873. To welcome the Governor General, Manik Chandra with many of his friends erected a gate at Sukreswar Ghat. Carrying memory of this glorious event, the gorgeous gate still stands there by the side of the mighty river Brahmaputra.
The name of Manik Chandra is intrinsically linked with the glorious history of Cotton College. The College established in 1901 after relentless effort of a number of learned persons led by Manik Chandra Barooah. Manik Chandra for the first time raised the demand of setting up a college at Guwahati. But a section of people strictly opposed him. Instead of setting up a college in Assam, they appealed to the government to increase hostel accommodations for the Assamese students in the colleges of Kolkata. They argued that Kolkata was far better place for learning than Guwahati. But a determined Barooah, sticked to his demand . He started a mass awareness drive through his weekly ‘Assam News’ by writing articles and editorials in support of a college in the State. Many eminent persons like Phanidhar Chaliha, Benudhar Rajkhowa etc also supported his move. In 1899, Manik Chandra submitted a memorandum to the then Chief Commissioner of Assam, Sir Henry Cotton where he strongly appealed to the government for setting up a college at Guwahati. He pointed out that, ‘Assam is the only province which has not got a college’. Regarding location of the college, Barooah said that, Guwahati could be the best place as ‘it possesses some natural advantages.’ Understanding the sentiment of majority people, the British government at last decided to establish a college at Guwahati. On November 3, 1899, Sir Henry Cotton announced the government decision to set up a college at Guwahati. As a sign of gratitude, the people of Guwahati resolved to named the college after the name of Sir Henry Cotton as Cotton College. On May 27, 1901 the college was declared open.
A pioneer in the journalism movement in Assam, Manik Chandra published an Anglo-Assamese weekly in 1883 called ‘Assam News’. Under the able stewardship of its editor Hem Chandra Barua, the bilingual weekly played a pivotal role in highlighting many burning problems of the State. In 1895, he became editor of an Assamese weekly called ‘Asam’ published by Kaliram Barooah.
A dynamic and charismatic person, Manik Chandra left an indelible imprint in the business world as a successful trader in tea and timber. He rejected a job of deputy magistrate offered by the British government and opted for an independent business of tea and timber. Though he incurred huge loss in his business due to his broken health but as an entrepreneur he left a rare example for the future generation of Assam.
Manik Chandra was a man of magnetic personality and this personality helped him to flourish in his public life. He was the founder Secretary of ‘Assam Association’ established in 1903 for the uplift of Assamese community. In recognition of his outstanding service to the people, the British government made him an honorary member of a number of social organisations such as Education Conference, Industrial Conference, Female Education Committee, Ambulence Society, Moral and Education Conference etc. His valuable advice and opinions in those organisations were highly appreciated by the British administration. He was also invited as a distinguished guest to the reception ceremonies held at Delhi in 1903 and 1911 on the occasion of the visit of King Edward (VII) and King George (V) respectively. Manik Chandra twice rejected “Raibahadur” title offered by the British government.
(Published on the occasion of his death anniversary today). source: assam tribune
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