Anandaram Dhekial Phukan

Anandaram Dhekial Phukan

Anandaram Dhekial Phukan (1829–1859) is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Assamese literature and a key figure of the Arunodoi Era — a period marked by a literary and linguistic revival in 19th-century Assam. Though he lived only 30 years, his intellectual contributions helped preserve the Assamese identity at a time when it was under threat.

Early Life and Education

Born on 24 September 1829 in Guwahati, Assam, into the renowned Dhekial Phukan family, Anandaram was a gifted child who demonstrated deep interest in language and literature from an early age. With the support of British Commissioner Francis Jenkins, he was sent to Hindu College, Calcutta, where he studied English and liberal arts for three years.

After returning to Guwahati, he continued private studies in English under Mr. Blend, while also learning Sanskrit and Urdu, gaining multilingual fluency that shaped his literary work.

Career and Public Life

Anandaram began his professional journey in 1847, entering the British colonial administration. Over the years, he served in various roles including:

  • Dewan to the King of Bijni

  • Munsif (Judicial officer)

  • Junior Assistant Commissioner

Despite his administrative duties, his passion for literature and language reform never waned.

Literary Contributions

Anandaram was a leading light of the Arunodoi movement, which aimed to revive Assamese literature and language with the help of American missionaries such as Nathan Brown and Miles Bronson.

Key contributions include:

"Englandar Biwaran" (Description of England) – Published in Arunodoi in 1847, this was one of the first Assamese-language texts providing insight into European society and governance.


"Asomiya Lorar Mitra" (Friend of Assamese Children) – A two-volume literary work published in 1849, with nearly 400 pages, it became a landmark in children’s literature in Assam and is considered a foundation of modern Assamese prose.


"A Few Remarks on the Assamese Language" (1855) – Written in English, this bold and scholarly work advocated for Assamese as a distinct language, challenging the colonial imposition of Bengali as the official language in Assam. He highlighted the cultural damage caused by this imposition and emphasized Assamese's independent literary and linguistic traditions.

Additionally, he began compiling two bilingual dictionaries — Assamese to English and English to Assamese — and submitted portions to Arunodoi before his untimely death.

 Legacy and Death

Anandaram Dhekial Phukan passed away in June 1859, at the young age of 30. Despite his short life, his legacy continues to shine as a guardian of Assamese linguistic identity and an early torchbearer of cultural nationalism in Assam.

His name is counted alongside great reformers and writers like:

  • Gunabhiram Barua

  • Hemchandra Barua

  • Levi Nidhi

  • Nathan Brown

  • Miles Bronson

These intellectuals collectively defined the Arunodoi Era, laying the groundwork for modern Assamese prose, journalism, and education.

 Conclusion

Anandaram Dhekial Phukan was more than a writer — he was a visionary, a language reformer, and a cultural revivalist. His works laid the foundation for modern Assamese literature, and his resistance to linguistic oppression helped preserve the identity of an entire region. His legacy lives on as a symbol of literary courage and patriotic devotion.