About the Asam Sahitya Sabha & Literary Journals — History, Key Facts and Exam Importance
The Asam Sahitya Sabha is the foremost literary organisation of Assam. It was founded on 26 December 1917 at Sivasagar, where its first session was also held. The Sabha was created to protect and promote the Assamese language, literature and culture, and for more than a century it has served as the cultural conscience of the state. Its founders included Padmanath Gohain Baruah, Chandranath Sharma and Sarat Chandra Goswami, and Padmanath Gohain Baruah became its first president. The organisation deliberately spells its name with "Asam" rather than "Assam", and this spelling is itself a frequently asked examination point.
The Sabha did not appear out of nowhere. Its immediate predecessor was the Asamiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha, formed in 1888 by Assamese students and writers, which had already begun organised work for the language. The new Sabha gave that effort a permanent, statewide platform. Its objectives include the all-round development of Assamese language and literature, the publication of dictionaries and research works, the collection and study of ancient Assamese literature, help to deserving writers, and the promotion of Assamese music, art and culture.
The Sabha's headquarters is the Chandrakanta Handique Bhawan at Jorhat, and its official journal is the Asam Sahitya Sabha Patrika, whose first issue appeared in October 1927 with Chandradhar Barua as founder editor. Its theme song, "Siro Senehi Mur Bhaxa Jononi" ("O my ever-loving mother tongue"), was written by Mitradev Mahanta. The Sabha's general sessions are held biennially, and over the years they have grown into major cultural festivals that bring together writers and readers from across Assam.
Closely linked with the Sabha is the story of Assamese literary journals, which helped shape the modern language long before 1917. Arunodoi (1846), published by the American Baptist Mission, was the first Assamese periodical. Jonaki (1889), started by Chandra Kumar Agarwala under the Unnati Sadhini Sabha, is regarded as the first modern Assamese literary magazine and gave its name to the Jonaki era. Banhi, associated with Lakshminath Bezbarua, carried the literary revival forward, while Asam Hitaisi (associated with Hemchandra Barua) was an important early newspaper. Together these journals created a reading public and a standard prose style.
The Sabha has also stood at the centre of Assam's language movements. Whenever the status of Assamese has been challenged, the Sabha has mobilised writers, students and the public in its defence. This is why the organisation is studied not merely as a literary body but as a symbol of Assamese identity and cultural unity.
A few points are commonly confused. The Sabha was founded in 1917, not in 1888 — 1888 belongs to its precursor, the Unnati Sadhini Sabha. Arunodoi (1846) was the first periodical, while Jonaki (1889) was the first modern literary magazine. The Sabha's journal is the Patrika, not Banhi or Jonaki. Keeping these apart prevents the most frequent errors in this topic.
The Sabha's influence reaches many fields. It has published dictionaries and research works, honoured writers and scholars, and helped establish a literary canon for the Assamese language. Its sessions, held in different towns of Assam, have long been important occasions for new writing and for public debate about the language. Along with other bodies such as the Bodo Sahitya Sabha and the Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samiti, the Asam Sahitya Sabha stands for the wider movement to develop the languages and literatures of Assam.
Main Facts about the Asam Sahitya Sabha & Literary Journals (Quick Revision Bullets)
- Asam Sahitya Sabha: the foremost literary organisation of Assam.
- Founded: 26 December 1917, at Sivasagar (first session also at Sivasagar).
- Founders: Padmanath Gohain Baruah, Chandranath Sharma and Sarat Chandra Goswami.
- First president: Padmanath Gohain Baruah.
- Predecessor: Asamiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha (1888).
- Headquarters: Chandrakanta Handique Bhawan, Jorhat.
- Official journal: Asam Sahitya Sabha Patrika (first issue October 1927; founder editor Chandradhar Barua).
- Theme song: "Siro Senehi Mur Bhaxa Jononi", written by Mitradev Mahanta.
- Sessions: held biennially.
- Arunodoi (1846): first Assamese periodical, American Baptist Mission.
- Jonaki (1889): first modern literary magazine, Chandra Kumar Agarwala.
- Banhi: associated with Lakshminath Bezbarua. Asam Hitaisi: an important early newspaper.
- Watch out: the body writes its name "Asam", not "Assam".
Why the Asam Sahitya Sabha & Literary Journals Matter for Assam Competitive Exams
This is one of the most dependable topics in the Assam literature syllabus. The dates, names and publications are fixed, so a small set of facts yields reliable marks in both the language/literature section and the general Assam history paper. The links between the Sabha's predecessor, the Sabha itself and the major journals also help you answer "arrange in chronological order" and "match the following" questions.
How to Prepare the Asam Sahitya Sabha & Literary Journals for Assam Exams
- Fix the founding facts. Remember 1917, Sivasagar and the name Padmanath Gohain Baruah.
- Learn the journal timeline. Arunodoi (1846), Jonaki (1889), Banhi, Patrika (1927).
- Separate the Sabha from its predecessor. 1888 is the Unnati Sadhini Sabha; 1917 is the Asam Sahitya Sabha.
- Attempt and review. Solve the questions on this page and re-attempt the missed ones after a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was the Asam Sahitya Sabha founded?
The Asam Sahitya Sabha was founded on 26 December 1917 at Sivasagar, in Assam.
Who was the first president of the Asam Sahitya Sabha?
Padmanath Gohain Baruah was the founder-president and the first president of the Asam Sahitya Sabha.
What is the official journal of the Asam Sahitya Sabha?
The Asam Sahitya Sabha Patrika is the official journal. Its first issue appeared in October 1927, with Chandradhar Barua as founder editor.
Which was the first modern Assamese literary magazine and who started it?
Jonaki (1889), started by Chandra Kumar Agarwala under the Asamiya Bhasa Unnati Sadhini Sabha, is regarded as the first modern Assamese literary magazine.
What is the theme song of the Asam Sahitya Sabha?
The theme song is "Siro Senehi Mur Bhaxa Jononi", written by Mitradev Mahanta.