Assam Tea Garden Literature: A Rich Tapestry of Assamese Novels and Stories

If you have been following my blog from before, you might have read about my recall of a story about a girl called Indumati in a local Assamese magazine. While the details are not that vivid, I do remember that it was about the discovery of Assam tea and those times. That was my first encounter with any literature related to the history of Assam tea or topics related to tea in general. While I remained oblivious to the fact that there is a category of literature in Assam known as Assam Tea Garden literature, I continued to surf the internet occasionally for blogs or other posts by others, probably the next generation of British tea garden managers who were called Sahab.

Later, I came across the memoirs of some of these guys who stayed in Assam till the 60s, when the last batch of British tea garden owners and executives left Assam. These bloggers were born and raised in Assam, in various tea gardens, and they shared their experiences of their time here.

Time went by, and eventually, I got introduced to an Assamese book called Makam, written by a notable Assamese author named Rita Chowdhury. The book is a fictional novel loosely based on the story of Assam Tea, starting from the days of Robert Bruce till the Indo-China war in the 1960s. This was a crucial novel from my point of view about Assam tea history, as this revived a modern interest in the topic among the millennials.

I explored further and came across multiple such Tea Garden literature works across Assam, northeast India and India in general. If you want to understand how Assam Tea evolved into what it is today, or if you wish to explore the lives, culture, beliefs, challenges, and stories of tea garden labourers and others involved in this sector, explore this list of literary works to experience it firsthand. This is not an exhaustive list, but it contains those works that are still available. I will continue to update this list as and when I come across such literature.

Assamese Tea Garden Novels and Story Collections

Below is a more comprehensive list of Assamese novels and storybooks that focus on tea gardens, their people, and legacy. These works span from historical fiction to contemporary narratives, capturing the diversity and complexity of Assam’s tea world.

1. Makam (Chinatown Days) by Rita Chowdhury (2010). This is an epic novel tracing the journey of the Chinese-Assamese community in Assam’s tea gardens. The storyline starts from the industry’s beginnings to the 1962 Sino-Indian War. It explores migration, identity, and the impact of tea estates on generations.
2. Josnar Jhitas (The Sprinkling of Moonlight) by Arupa Patangia Kalita (2022). The story of Durgi Bhoomij, a tea garden worker and freedom movement hero, is based on oral histories and interviews. The novel brings the world of colonial-era tea estates and the resilience of their workers to life.
3. Eti Koli Duti Paat: This is the Assamese translation of Mulk Raj Anand’s Two Leaves and a Bud. It remains a foundational work about tea garden life in Assam.
4. Angra by Bishwajyoti Sarma (Recent). This is a contemporary Assamese novel recognised for its authentic portrayal of tea garden workers’ lives and struggles.
5. Mouchak Magazine Stories (Various Authors). Assamese children’s magazines like Mouchak have published numerous short stories over the decades, often set in tea gardens. These stories introduce young readers to the world of Assam tea and its people.
6. Aagun, Pratha, Dwanda, Fulmani by Kajal Debata. These story collections, published in the Barak Valley, focus on the lives, struggles, and resilience of tea garden workers.
7. Short Stories by Ashok Verma and Jhumur Pandey. Stories such as “Shyam Mamar Goppo,” “Binti Burir Golpe,” “Kharan,” “Deowal,” “Daini,” and “Adhikar” provide vivid glimpses into the daily lives and challenges of Assam’s tea garden communities.
8. Koi Hai Portal: This is a bonus for all those enthusiasts about the tea industry and its history. Some old Britishers who played an active role in Assam Tea Garden life long ago have shared their experiences.
   They also posted a treasure trove of old photographs on a blog. I recommend you explore this blog to discover their stories and memories firsthand.

Notable Non-Assamese Novels on Tea Gardens

While Assamese literature is rich in tea-garden stories, several important works in English and other Indian languages also explore this:

1. Two Leaves and a Bud by Mulk Raj Anand (1937). This is a classic English novel set in the tea plantations of Assam. The novel focuses on the exploitation and resistance of tea garden workers
2. Teatime for the Firefly by Shona Patel (2013). The novel, written in English, depicts an Assam tea estate during the last years of British rule.. The book follows a young woman’s journey through love and change
3. Flame Tree Road by Shona Patel (2015). This is a prequel to Teatime for the Firefly, written by the same author. The book explores the roots of the tea industry and colonial society in early 20th-century Assam
4. Victory Tea Estate by Sophie Judah (2017). It is an epic tale of love and betrayal set before and after Indian Independence. The story is centred on an English planter and a young tea picker
5. The Last Boga Sahib by Chanda Singh (2023). The author has set this book in the Cachar tea gardens of the 1960s. The novel explores the fading world of British planters and the complex relationships within the tea garden society

Why This Literature Matters

Assamese tea garden literature is far richer than just a handful of books. It includes a body of novels and short stories that capture the voices, struggles, and dreams of tea garden workers. These stories are essential for anyone wanting to understand Assam’s cultural and historical landscape beyond the cup of tea.

If you know of more Assamese novels or storybooks about tea gardens, please share them! I am always eager to expand this list for fellow readers and tea lovers who want to explore the best of Assam tea garden fiction.

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