Life & Legacy
Early Life
Dr. Suryya Kumar Bhuyan was born on 27 January 1894 at Fauzdaripatty in Nagaon, Assam. He was the son of Rabilal Bhuyan and Bhuvaneswari Bhuyan. After losing his mother at a young age, he was raised with great care by close family members. His childhood experiences strengthened his determination to pursue education and scholarship. From an early age, he developed a keen interest in Assamese history, literature, and culture.
Education
He began his schooling in Nagaon before moving to Shillong, where he completed his school education with distinction. He later studied at Cotton College and Presidency College, Calcutta. In 1916, he earned his Master's degree in English from the University of Calcutta. His passion for historical research took him to the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, where he completed his Ph.D. on the history of Assam's relations with the East India Company. He later received the prestigious D.Litt. degree, becoming the first Assamese scholar to achieve this distinction from London University.
Career and Public Service
Dr. Bhuyan began his professional career as a teacher before joining Cotton College as a lecturer in English. Through years of dedicated service, he became the first Assamese Principal of Cotton College. Besides teaching, he actively worked to promote higher education and historical research in Assam.
He later served as Inspector of Schools, Director of Public Instruction (DPI), and eventually became the Vice-Chancellor of Gauhati University. During his tenure, he played an important role in strengthening the university's academic standards and contributed significantly to its development.
He also served as a nominated Member of the Rajya Sabha during 1952-1954, representing Assam at the national level. In 1953, he was elected President of the Asam Sahitya Sabha, where he encouraged literary research, preservation of Assamese heritage, and promotion of regional history.
Contributions to Assamese History
The greatest contribution of Dr. Suryya Kumar Bhuyan was his systematic preservation of Assam's historical documents. At a time when many ancient manuscripts were scattered across private collections, he travelled extensively to collect, edit, verify, and publish valuable Buranjis and historical records.
His research established authentic historical sources for studying the Ahom Kingdom, medieval Assam, and early British relations with the region. His publications remain important reference works for historians, researchers, students, and universities. Through his efforts, several historical manuscripts that might have been lost forever became available in printed form.
Literary Works
Apart from historical research, Dr. Bhuyan authored books, biographies, essays, poems, short stories, and scholarly articles in Assamese and English. His writings reflected deep scholarship while remaining accessible to readers.
Some of his well-known books include:
- Anglo-Assamese Relations
- Lachit Barphukan and His Times
- Studies in the Literature of Assam
- Assamese Historical Literature
- Military System of the Assamese People
- An Assamese Nur Jahan: Queen Phuleswari Devi
- Early British Relations with Assam
- Ahomar Din
- Nirmali
- Panchami
- Jaimati Upakhyan
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale
- Rabindranath Tagore
- Anandaram Barua
- Jonaki
- Chaneki
- Asom Jiyori
- Ramoni Gabharu
- Swargadeu Rajeswar Singha
- Swargadeu Gadadhar Singha
- Jagannath Barua
- Sir Edward Gait
- Assam Buranji
- Deodhai Assam Buranji
- Kamrupar Buranji
- Kachari Buranji
- Jayantia Buranji
- Tripura Buranji
- Padshah Buranji
- Satsari Assam Buranji
- Konwar Bidroh
- Mirjumlar Asom Akramon
Positions Held
- Lecturer, Cotton College
- Principal, Cotton College (First Assamese Principal)
- Inspector of Schools, Assam
- Director of Public Instruction (DPI), Assam
- Founder and leading member of the Department of Historical and Antiquarian Studies, Assam
- President, Asam Sahitya Sabha (1953)
- Vice-Chancellor, Gauhati University
- Nominated Member, Rajya Sabha
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Bhuyan received numerous honours for his outstanding contributions to literature, education, and historical research.
Awards and honours include:
- Padma Shri (1956)
- Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.), University of London
- Ph.D., University of London
- Rai Bahadur title
- Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
His research laid the foundation for modern historical studies in Assam and inspired generations of scholars.
Death
Dr. Suryya Kumar Bhuyan passed away on 5 July 1964 in Guwahati. Although he is no longer with us, his books, historical research, and educational contributions continue to shape the understanding of Assam's past. His dedication to preserving Assamese history remains one of the greatest intellectual achievements in the state's cultural heritage.
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