Empire’s Backyard

This book transcends traditional historical analysis to explore the intricate tapestry of colonialism, modernity, and identity formation in Northeast India. Moving beyond a simplistic view of the region as the British Empire’s ‘backyard,’ it examines the transformative processes that turned Northeast India beyond Sylhet, the empire’s eastern outpost, into a vibrant frontier. While recognizing the importance of exploration and territorial expansion in establishing colonial dominance, the narrativ